It was late at night, quiet and still.
Qin Yi made the final stroke, and the paper glowed with a brilliant light, as if tiny stars were falling onto the red ink, gradually being absorbed until they vanished. After wasting sixteen sheets, he finally created his first movement talisman.
This talisman, when used on a person, could harness the wind to move swiftly, allowing one to run like lightning, leap over mountains, and cross rivers, covering a thousand miles a day without tiring. It involved some very profound principles, and in Minghe's evaluation system, it was already considered an eighth-grade talisman.
However, this talisman wasn't as cleverly crafted as Minghe imagined. In fact, it was something Liu Su casually put together, reflecting her extraordinary understanding of cultivation. What was something that amazed Minghe was just a simple task for Liu Su.
But as Qin Yi completed the talisman, Liu Su fell silent.
Qin Yi, feeling pleased, noticed Liu Su's lack of response and asked in surprise, “What’s wrong? Did I not do it right?”
“No, you did very well. This talisman has reached the lower tier of eighth grade,” Liu Su replied somewhat gloomily. “But I think Minghe’s words might have some truth to them, so I’m wondering if you still want to continue learning.”
“But you haven’t seen the current talismans. How do you know if what she said makes sense?” Qin Yi countered.
“You don’t need to see. This is a fundamental truth,” Liu Su sighed. “Every technique or core method is built upon the foundations laid by predecessors, constantly summarized and improved. Even I have improved upon many things that were once considered standards. There will always be geniuses who blend various schools of thought to create something groundbreaking. If, after tens of thousands of years, we find ourselves worse off than ancient times, that would be underestimating the talents of the world.”
“Uh…” Qin Yi tried to comfort her, “What if some profound techniques have been lost? That could lead to gaps in knowledge, making the present worse than the past.”
Liu Su’s mood lightened a bit. “That could be true, especially according to Minghe, there have been calamities that might have severed many important lineages, leaving us to piece together remnants and even just scratching the surface. They might think they surpass me, but that’s not necessarily the case.”
Qin Yi laughed, “Then everyone has their strengths. Your cultivation far exceeds theirs. Even if you need to learn new knowledge, you’ll pick it up faster than anyone else. What’s there to fear?”
“There’s nothing to fear,” Liu Su said slowly. “It’s just that… I really hate being compared unfavorably to others.”
Qin Yi was taken aback. Was this why she was so easily provoked? Even at her level, she still had such a competitive spirit?
As if sensing his thoughts, Liu Su said, “No matter how far you cultivate, everyone has their unique soul and distinct mark. Some might find my emphasis on competition laughable, a flaw, a weakness, but that’s just me, and I’m fine with it. Do you think that when one reaches a deep level of cultivation, everyone becomes indifferent, all the same? That’s not the way; that’s a group of walking corpses.”
Qin Yi pondered for a moment, feeling a bit touched. Liu Su’s views were always unconventional but also interesting. Most importantly, they resonated with him, stirring his emotions. The phrase “I’m fine with it,” which might sound childish in modern times, fit perfectly in the world of cultivation. Seeking truth, seeking oneself, questioning the path, questioning the heart—wasn’t that what it was all about?
However, compared to Minghe, Liu Su’s views seemed a bit rebellious, not something that could be considered mainstream or orthodox…
“Just listen to these things for now; it’s too early to ponder the essence of your true self.” Liu Su finally said, “It’s late. Let’s start practicing inner alchemy. No matter how many new methods of cultivation arise, this fundamental practice doesn’t change, just like in martial arts, you need to stabilize your stance first.”
Her words seemed to express a bit of concern that what she taught Qin Yi might become outdated, as if she needed to encourage herself. Qin Yi couldn’t help but smile as he sat cross-legged, but then he remembered something and chuckled, “So fragrant.”
Liu Su was taken aback and then laughed. To outsiders, this would make no sense, but it held a special meaning known only to her and Qin Yi.
For some reason, this feeling made her very happy, as if Qin Yi’s cultivation journey itself was something to celebrate.
Qin Yi adjusted his posture and asked, “Everyone says I’m suited for cultivation, but no one checks if I really have a spiritual root. What if I have none and can’t cultivate at all?”
Liu Su was puzzled. “Spiritual root? Whether a person is suited for cultivation or which direction they should take depends on their spiritual root. Those who don’t know might need to test a bit, but you and I are together every day; do we need to test anything? Do you think a spiritual root is something that grows on your body?”
But Qin Yi had already closed his eyes, slowly entering a state of clarity.
Liu Su was a bit surprised. She watched him for a while and suddenly smiled softly, saying to herself, “Worrying about not having a spiritual root… There are hardly any who align with the path of immortality more than you in all of history.”
Earlier, she had only recited a technique without going into detail. She had planned to explain a bit, but Qin Yi had already started practicing on his own. Miraculously, not only was he practicing correctly, but a trace of spiritual energy began to gather around him.
Perhaps it was because he had learned about external alchemy, formations, and Dao knowledge for a long time, and recently also learned about talismans. Plus, he spent every day with Liu Su, absorbing all this knowledge related to cultivation. His foundation was already solid, so he had no obstacles in understanding the technique and methods.
But that didn’t explain why the spiritual energy was gathering so quickly, as if it were being summoned.
The path of cultivation is arduous. Not to mention that he had only three months of foundation, many people take thirty years and still achieve nothing, even harming themselves in the process. Just look at the king… He couldn’t have lacked foundational methods, but what had he achieved over the years?
In terms of other professions, Qin Yi was probably just born to do this.
In martial arts terms, it’s called having exceptional talent.
In the world of cultivation, it could perhaps be called a heavenly spiritual root.
…
Qin Yi felt something wonderful at this moment.
From the most basic level he had reached in cultivation, the so-called Qi training in immortality didn’t differ much from the true energy in martial arts. At their core, they both originated from the same concept: harmonizing yin and yang, connecting the hundred channels, nurturing the dantian with a breath, and creating a small universe within oneself.
Both could strengthen the body, cleanse the meridians, dispel illness, and prolong life.
Then, both must also open the Ren and Du meridians, connecting the bridge between heaven and earth, drawing in the energies of yin and yang to achieve a great circulation between oneself and the universe—in martial arts, this is called the innate realm, which Li Qinglin had already reached, while Qin Yi and Li Qingjun had not yet.
However, now with both true energy and spiritual energy, Qin Yi could sense that the two had different natures.
For instance, the true energy from martial arts could enhance his strength and be projected outward, having a direct destructive power. On the other hand, the spiritual energy cultivated through immortality didn’t seem to have that effect for now; perhaps it would only manifest after becoming stronger. At present, it felt… really good.
Yes, it felt really good. Just having cultivated a wisp of spiritual energy that floated like soft fluff made him feel completely at ease, as if his entire body was being washed over by a sweet spring, refreshing and delightful, making him not want to stop.
No wonder some people get so absorbed in cultivation that they lose interest in women… Surely when one reaches the level of spirit and soul, it must feel even better?
Before experiencing a higher realm, Qin Yi felt as if the true energy of martial arts was like the sun, attacking enemies like fire; while the spiritual energy of immortality was like water, cleansing the body.
In fact, the true energy and spiritual energy he cultivated were both neutral, each being a result of the harmony of yin and yang, and there shouldn’t be such a clear distinction.
After harmonizing yin and yang, could they then each become yin and yang?
Qin Yi could almost see his lower dantian, where the true energy that had been lying dormant and the newly arrived spiritual energy began to slowly rotate, finally taking on the form of the yin-yang symbol. However, the spiritual energy was still very small, while the true energy had been cultivated for many years, making it feel like two beings of vastly different sizes were playing together, which was quite awkward.
He wondered what it would be like if he continued practicing. Logically, the level of spiritual energy should be much higher than true energy in martial arts, making it impossible to achieve balance, let alone become yin and yang… This situation shouldn’t have formed…
Suddenly, Qin Yi had a thought.
That unnamed blue-covered secret book he had might really have some special method… The quality of the true energy he cultivated was different from others?
(End of Chapter)