Chapter 5: Cultivation has prospects, yet it is fraught with danger
Lin Xiao also came to realize that it was a grave mistake, as he had fallen into a state of obsession. With no other options, he could only rely on his abnormal mental strength to firmly resist succumbing to this madness, while simultaneously calming the chaotic body-refining true energy. At that moment, he felt that time was passing unusually slowly. It was unclear how long had passed, but eventually, the body-refining energy returned to tranquility through his efforts. Then he began to exert all his strength to quell the storm in his mental world. It was unclear how long had passed, but eventually, the body-refining energy returned to tranquility through his efforts. Then he began to exert all his strength to quell the storm in his mental world
With the assistance of Tai Chi, Lin Xiao's foundational cultivation method gradually made progress, and after five years, he finally reached the late stage of the eighth layer. However, he was astonished to find that due to his practice of Tai Chi, a Tai Chi diagram had unexpectedly appeared within his dantian's purple palace. The existence of the Tai Chi diagram had no impact on his cultivation of the foundational method, so Lin Xiao did not pay it any mind.
However, merely relying on hard practice is not a solution; it remains uncertain when he will be able to cultivate the foundational heart method to the ninth level. For a period of time, he ceased his arduous training and instead ventured to various places, allowing himself to relax and become more attuned to nature. This indeed yielded some results, though they were not significant. One day, inspired by the sea of clouds, he spontaneously recited two lines of poetry: "The wonders of creation are exquisite, dividing dusk and dawn with yin and yang." A flash of inspiration struck his mind: yin and yang!
Now, both his spiritual consciousness and physical body are extraordinarily powerful. When fully activated, his spiritual consciousness can envelop the entire Wangyun Peak, which illustrates its abnormality. The meridians within his body, if they were like a small stream at the fifth level, are now akin to the Yangtze River! As for the strength of his body, it cannot be tested, so the exact extent remains unknown; however, it is certain that the two fine steel long swords in the sword chamber cannot even leave a scratch.
When the purple mist was completely absorbed, Lin Xiao woke up
Lin Xiao has not yet reached such a realm, so he can only begin his practice from the realm of techniques. Thus, every morning and evening, Lin Xiao would come out to practice Tai Chi facing the rising sun and the setting sun. As time passed, his understanding of Tai Chi deepened. Eventually, when he practiced Tai Chi, he reached a state of no-mind, where his spirit was infinitely close to nature, yet his body continued to move naturally.
What frustrated him was that his cultivation had once again come to a halt. He had not expected that progressing beyond the sixth level would be so difficult; no wonder the other Lingxiao disciples stopped their cultivation after reaching the fifth level. Since he had already reached the seventh level, he might as well begin practicing the "Sword Qi Lingxiao Technique." His heart stirred with desire as his gaze fell upon the jade slip on the table, which had remained untouched since he placed it there three years ago, along with the books. Ultimately, he managed to suppress the thoughts in his mind and continued to cultivate the foundational heart method.
The meridians within the body, after experiencing the turmoil of the body-refining true energy, fortuitously managed to unblock several that were originally obstructed. These meridians seemed to serve no purpose in daily life, yet when the sword essence circulated rapidly, they could produce a remarkable effect of alleviating impact. Is there such a benefit to going astray in cultivation? After a moment of contemplation, Lin Xiao cast aside distracting thoughts, calmed his mind, and began his training.
After all that has been said, it ultimately comes down to just a few moments. At this moment, the purple energy of Danyang that had entered his Dantian erupted. His body was enveloped in a mass of purple mist, resembling a gigantic purple egg. This purple mist continuously seeped into his body, refining and strengthening it, as his bones, meridians, and flesh were all being enhanced.
As the Dan Yang purple energy flowed to his chest, it suddenly split into two. One half continued to flow towards the Dantian, while the other half flowed upwards towards the sea of consciousness at the brow. The Dan Yang purple energy that entered the sea of consciousness transformed from a linear form into a spherical shape, continuously rotating and ultimately forming a massive vortex. Strands of blue light appeared within the sea of consciousness, constantly merging into the vortex. Lin Xiao felt as if his spiritual consciousness was being forcefully struck, and the immense pulling force was beyond his control. Strands of blue light appeared within the sea of consciousness, constantly merging into the vortex. Lin Xiao felt as if his spiritual consciousness was being forcefully struck, and the immense pulling force was beyond his control
His hair, which had grown long enough to reach his waist, eerily began to turn white from the roots. By the time he woke up, his hair had completely turned white. Lin Xiao let out a gentle sigh, feeling drenched and uncomfortably sticky all over. As he stood up, a strand of white hair fell down, and Lin Xiao, in shock, grabbed it. His once jet-black long hair was now as white as snow. Lin Xiao forced a bitter smile; fortunately, this time, his abnormal mental strength had suppressed the madness he had fallen into, but he knew he wouldn't be so lucky in the future. As he stood up, a strand of white hair fell down, and Lin Xiao, in shock, grabbed it. His once jet-black long hair was now as white as snow. Lin Xiao forced a bitter smile; fortunately, this time, his abnormal mental strength had suppressed the madness he had fallen into, but he knew he wouldn't be so lucky in the future.
Three years passed in this manner. During these three years, Lin Xiao had cultivated two foundational mental techniques to the sixth level, yet he was unable to break through to the seventh level. The prolonged stagnation gradually gave rise to feelings of restlessness within him. On this day, he attempted to break through the sixth level once again, but he felt no sense of impending breakthrough. The emotions he had been suppressing suddenly erupted, and his previously calm cultivation was like a fire that had been doused with a bucket of oil, instantly boiling over.
These two characters reminded him of the Tai Chi he learned from his mentor in a past life. This martial art emphasizes being in harmony with and integrating the ways of nature. Upon this thought, he immediately began his experiment. Standing there, he closed his eyes and relaxed his mind. Once his spirit was completely tranquil, he moved. Tai Chi emphasizes naturalness; in the beginning, there are limitations to the forms, but when one truly cultivates to a profound level, one can reach a state of formlessness.
That night, he did not practice either, tossing and turning in bed unable to sleep. By dawn, he finally made a decision to continue practicing two sets of foundational cultivation techniques until he reached the ninth level in both. However, as Master Mingxin had said, although they were merely foundational techniques, they were quite profound. After completing the fourth level, Lin Xiao began to comprehend the fifth level's techniques. Without Master Mingxin by his side to provide guidance, Lin Xiao spent a considerable amount of time.
However, he quickly forced himself to calm down and began to think. The two foundational cultivation methods each have nine levels. Although it is said that ordinary Lingxiao disciples can cultivate the "Sword Qi Lingxiao Technique" after reaching the fifth level, since there are nine levels, there must be significance to all nine. Shouldn't I continue my cultivation?
After taking a shower and changing his clothes, he checked his cultivation progress. To his astonishment, he had unexpectedly broken through to the seventh level due to a fortuitous turn of events, having previously been at the sixth level. His spiritual consciousness had significantly increased, and he was able to concentrate it into a beam that could penetrate nearly ten meters into the ground. It is important to note that the earth is extremely dense and solid, and achieving such a level is already quite remarkable.
When the blue light ceased to converge, the vortex came to a halt and then seemed to explode. Lin Xiao felt as if his brain had been struck by a rubber mallet, leaving him dizzy and disoriented. However, after a moment, his previously muddled mind suddenly became light and refreshing, and that feeling of clarity and insight brought him immense comfort
The Master Mingxin irresponsibly left his disciples behind. Huang Bingqin escorted Lin Xiao back to his small courtyard. Lin Xiao was extremely excited; looking at the jade slip on the table, his heart burned with passion. "The Sword Qi Ascending to the Heavens Technique!" He had long desired to fly with a sword like his master. Just thinking about the feeling of soaring through the nine heavens made Lin Xiao eager to begin his cultivation immediately
Having tasted the sweetness of success, Lin Xiao became even more resolute in his intention to cultivate to the ninth level. It was truly unexpected that the ancestral master had left such a powerful mental technique as the foundation-building method. Day in and day out, he practiced Tai Chi without fail, and thus five more years passed. On that morning, Lin Xiao once again faced the east to practice Tai Chi. However, just as the sun rose, a wisp of purple energy was absorbed into his body.
Lin Xiao, who was originally in a state of distraction, was suddenly awakened and sat down with immense joy to begin his cultivation. A fine thread of purple energy was continuously flowing within him. This was the Dan Yang Purple Energy, extremely rare. The Dan Yang Purple Energy is produced at dawn when the sun rises, resulting from the convergence of the energies of heaven and earth, and it dissipates quickly after its formation. Therefore, only those with profound fortune can obtain it.