22: Start practicing asceticism

“I didn't expect Elder Qiu to have such a background. Disciple saw with his own eyes yesterday that even Inner Sect Disciples were respectful towards him. Is there some misunderstanding here?” Yang Kai recalled his interactions with Elder Qiu yesterday, and he didn't think the man seemed like a bad person.

“Hmph! After this Devil Head was released from under the Qinxu Tower, his thoughts became active. These years, he has been determined to Cultivate an Elder of the Hall of Elders who could intercede for him in the future and have him completely released. More than ten Disciples have received his favor, and some have even become True Disciples. Now, many scions of influential families within the Flowing Cloud Sect who know the inside story will go to that Devil Head to try their luck. If they get even a little guidance from this Devil Head, it will be endlessly beneficial.” Elder Teng said with disdain.

“There’s such a hidden story? Then since the Sect knows of Elder Qiu’s little schemes, why doesn’t it restrict him?” Yang Kai pondered, feeling that the Flowing Cloud Sect seemed to intentionally condone this.

“Why would the Sect restrict an Elder-level expert who freely guides his Disciples? Besides, even if one becomes a True Disciple, the chance of Cultivating to our level is very slim. Truly talented individuals disdain receiving guidance from this Devil Head. You should also have less contact with him in the future. If there’s anything you don’t understand, just come to this old man.” Elder Teng admonished.

Yang Kai nodded. Although Elder Qiu helped him because he had something to gain, Yang Kai only looked at the result, not the cause. Since he had received this person’s favor, he would just find a way to repay it in the future.

“Alright, since you’ve already started Cultivating the Ninefold Mixed Origin Body Refining Art, you can’t stop. Hongwu Zhenren, the founder of Hongwu Peak, only Cultivated to the eighth Realm. Although this Cultivation Technique is difficult to Cultivate, its power is immense. Hongwu Zhenren’s cultivation was only on par with ours, but he relied on his Body Refining attainments to stand on equal footing with Immortal Liuyun and the Old Ancestor of the Taichu family. However, Body Refining is ultimately not the orthodox path. Such a great Divine Ability user ultimately died with regret due to his Lifespan running out.” Elder Teng said with some emotion.

“Elder Teng, what exactly are the hidden dangers of this Ninefold Mixed Origin Body Refining Art? Since Hongwu Zhenren could Cultivate to the eighth level, it means this method can still be Cultivated, right?” Yang Kai was not giving up. This Cultivation Technique was already so powerful before he even fully completed the first cycle, and he didn’t want to abandon it easily.

“I have an old acquaintance who is an Elder of Hongwu Peak, so I know a bit about this Cultivation Technique. The first cycle of this Cultivation Technique requires opening nine acupoints and completing the circulation of the first layer. But that’s not all; even if you open all the acupoints, breaking through to the second layer is still extremely difficult. Hongwu Peak has prepared a blood spring by using a large amount of Heaven And Earth Treasure and Yao Beast essence blood. Cultivating in this blood spring can greatly increase the chances of breaking through the first Realm. And this blood spring is highly treasured by Hongwu Peak; not even all Disciples on Hongwu Peak are allowed to Cultivate in it, so you shouldn’t even think about it. Without this blood spring, when you try to break through the first cycle, there is no other possibility besides exploding and dying.” Elder Teng shook his head and said.

“Then if I break through to the first cycle, can’t I just Cultivate to strengthen my Physical Body?” Yang Kai pressed.

“If that were possible, then the entire Hongwu Peak, and even the Flowing Cloud Sect, would be Cultivating it. Once the Ninefold Mixed Origin Body Refining Art is Cultivated, it cannot be stopped. Nine acupoints in your body require an immense amount of Spiritual Qi to fill. If you stop activating the acupoints now, within three months, the acupoints in your body will spontaneously devour your flesh and magical power to replenish themselves. Over tens of thousands of years, countless Disciples on Hongwu Peak have violently died under this Cultivation Technique.” Elder Teng sighed. Even with his cultivation, he was completely stumped by this problem.

“Good fortune favors the virtuous. Perhaps in the future, I will have a chance to go to Hongwu Peak and Cultivate in that blood spring, who knows.” Yang Kai was not as pessimistic as Elder Teng. The future troubles of the Ninefold Mixed Origin Body Refining Art were still in the distant future, and if he couldn’t meet Sect Revered Master Qing Xuanzi’s requirements within a year, Yang Kai didn’t think Qing Xuanzi would be lenient with him. At this point, he could only grit his teeth and continue Cultivating.

Besides, there was another important reason: his cheap Revered Master, Flowing Cloud Zhenren. Since he had imprinted the Ninefold Mixed Origin Body Refining Art into his mind at that time, he probably intended for him to Cultivate it.

“You’re quite optimistic, young man. That’s good. As one gets older, one tends to be timid. Your future still needs you to forge it yourself. As the saying goes, ‘you reap what you sow.’ Since this Ninefold Mixed Origin Body Refining Art is so difficult to Cultivate, the benefits it brings you are naturally not small. Your current Physical Body can withstand Spells released by Cultivators below the late Qi Refinement Stage. However, you must be careful of Magic Treasures. Some Magic Treasures are incredibly sharp; your Physical Body is not yet complete, so you cannot withstand Magic Treasures head-on.” Elder Teng stroked his beard and smiled.

“Please arrange battles for me, Elder Teng! I still want to win ten matches today!” Elder Teng’s single strike had thoroughly probed Yang Kai’s Physical Body strength, saving Yang Kai a lot of time in exploration. Yang Kai was now eager to start crushing his opponents.

“No rush. You can’t yet skillfully control every ounce of your Physical Body’s strength. In your current state, if you encounter a Revered Master, you’ll just be a human punching bag.” Elder Teng shook his head and said.

“With my current Physical Body, can’t I still dominate among Disciples in the early or even Middle Stage of Qi Refinement? I just need to be careful of their Magic Treasures, right?” Yang Kai was a bit puzzled. Spell casting takes time, and his current combat power was entirely in his Physical Body. A casual move could inflict devastating damage on these Qi Refinement Stage Disciples. It was truly a situation where ‘I can make countless mistakes, but you only need to make one to be wiped out.’

“Hmph! My Flowing Cloud Sect is the number one Sect on the Liuyun Continent! All the Geniuses of the entire continent are here. Your Cultivation of the Ninefold Mixed Origin Body Refining Art is only a mid-to-lower-tier fortuitous encounter! There are many Disciples with exceptional Aptitude who were directly taken in by various peaks upon entry, becoming Named Disciples. These people’s Aptitude is superior to yours, the Cultivation Techniques they Cultivate are no worse than yours, and they even have Elders guiding them daily, with endless resources poured into their cultivation. At the end of this year, the Flowing Cloud Sect will hold its Sect Grand Competition, and these Disciples who were taken into the Sect early will also participate in the assessments for each peak to recruit Inner Sect Disciples. Your opponents are them!” Elder Teng, seeing Yang Kai getting a bit carried away, said in a deep voice.

After listening to Elder Teng’s words, Yang Kai remained silent for a long time. He recalled everything that had happened in the past few days. After his System Awakening, he seemed to have become a bit arrogant. If Elder Teng hadn’t spoken so bluntly, he might have continued to swell with pride until he was severely trampled underfoot by someone, only then to regret it. Thinking of this, Yang Kai couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.

“I understand, Elder Teng. May I ask if Elder has a way to help me completely control this surging power?” Yang Kai looked at Elder Teng with firm eyes. He had thoroughly understood, and his state of mind had settled down.

“Of course. You will stay here with me from now on. Within a month, I guarantee I’ll transform you! However, this process will be very painful, so you must be mentally prepared.” The smile in Elder Teng’s eyes grew wider. He genuinely liked Yang Kai from the bottom of his heart. Although Yang Kai hadn’t formally acknowledged him as Revered Master, in his heart, he had long treated Yang Kai as his own Disciple.

“Yes!”