"Forget it. Let’s not speak of this."
True Master Xuanmiao suddenly seed disheartened.
The Dharma Lineage it had inherited—or rather, the path its forr master had walked—truly could not be revealed to the world at this ti.
Even if it wished to tell Jiang Yi, the words would self-immolate the mont they touched paper, and its na would summon thunder the mont it was spoken.
There was nothing that could be done.
True Master Xuanmiao paused, then changed the subject:
"Xiao Jiang, once your Cultivation reaches the Qi Cultivation Tenth Layer, you must find a Spirit Cave. Only then can you ascend to the Twelfth Layer Floors.
Your current Cultivation, whether you’re breathing Spiritual Energy or actively refining it, is all aid at strengthening your Primordial Gate and fortifying your Inner Mansion.
The forr nourishes your Brain God to cultivate divine thought, which allows you to perform Sacrificial Refining of Magical Artifacts, capture Qi chanisms, and perceive your surroundings;
The latter is for accumulating vitality, strengthening your Primordial Essence, and holding Spiritual Liquid."
Jiang Yi couldn’t help but nod. The Cat Master was right.
Among the four great Daoist Lineages of the Yanfu Vast Land, Cultivators from any Dharma Lineage all followed this path.
"When you have accumulated enough Cultivation, your rit reaches Perfection, and you can progress no further...
...you must connect what is above with what is below and rge what is internal with what is external in order to generate the ’Innate Qi.’ This Qi has many nas: ’Primordial Truth,’ ’Dao Root,’ ’Supre Essence,’ ’Celestial Essence,’ and others.
In the Demon Dao, it is called ’True Qi.’ Only after being tempered by this True Qi are you truly reborn. From that point on, your lifespan will exceed two or three hundred years, and you will be able to traverse the Qingming Realm."
’While lecturing on the Dao, the Cat Master really does have the air of a True Master!’
Jiang Yi praised it in his heart, then imdiately understood the implication of True Master Xuanmiao’s words.
"I suppose the Inner Sect Dharma Lineage doesn’t have wonderful places like Spirit Caves?"
Sensing that Xiao Jiang was now more convinced, True Master Xuanmiao gave a dignified nod:
"Correct. Even Branch Sect Dharma Lineages are only allotted ’Ding-Grade Spirit Caves.’"
’So, the lowest grade.’
Jiang Yi recalled his Grandpa, Yang Xun, once saying that the world’s Spirit Caves were divided into four grades: Jia, Yi, Bing, and Ding.
"Cat Master, you wouldn’t happen to have a connection, would you? A way to get into a high-grade Spirit Cave?"
While softly probing for information, Jiang Yi put his technique to use, wiggling his fingers on True Master Xuanmiao’s soft, cottony-white belly.
"Don’t just touch anywhere... ow."
True Master Xuanmiao’s composure instantly shattered. All its dignity lost, it flopped down limply and struggled to reply:
"Of course. Even the best Spirit Cave is rely a place where Spiritual Energy sinks and gathers, which is why they’re called ’Treasure Lands.’
This True Master has a way to find you a ’Primordial Embryo Mother Pool’ that condenses heavenly dew. Not only can it improve the quality of your True Qi, it can even perform Opening ridians for you again."
Jiang Yi was astonished:
"This Disciple did ntion before that because of my humble origins, I didn’t use a Spiritual Object for Opening ridians when I first began Qi Cultivation. I never thought you would rember it so clearly, Cat Master."
A flicker of pity passed through True Master Xuanmiao’s round eyes.
’It recalled its forr master. In his youth, he too was of humble birth, no more than dust. To seek the Dao, he had not hesitated to lower himself to be an entertainer for others’ amusent and mockery.’
’Forget a Spirit Cave Treasure Land; he had to scramble all over, bowing and scraping, just for a mouthful of Spirit Rice to nourish his qi and blood.’
’But even with such a ager fate, he was determined to pursue Cultivation. His resolve never wavered, and in the end, he achieved great things.’
"Never mind, never mind. This True Master was still hesitating on whether to give that loudmouth an Opportunity."
True Master Xuanmiao brushed away that last stray thought and finally ca to a decision:
"Xiao Jiang, oh, Xiao Jiang. From this day forward, the Dao Inheritance of my lineage rests on your shoulders alone."
The little cat was quiet for a mont before it spoke slowly:
"Xiao Jiang, you are now more than halfway through the Fifth Layer. In eight years, if you can cultivate to the Tenth Layer, I, as your master, will take you to Biluo Cliff in the South Sea. A collapsed grotto-heaven is located there, and within it still remains a Primordial Embryo Mother Pool.
Heh heh, no one else can enter, nor can they even sche to. Only I, your master, can ignore its gates and pass through unobstructed."
Seeing True Master Xuanmiao’s whiskers trembling with pride, Jiang Yi wisely played along:
"Cat Master, your Divine Techniques are boundless; this Disciple is in awe. I will cultivate diligently over the next eight years and will not fail to live up to your great expectations!"
He skillfully scratched the Cat Master under the chin, making True Master Xuanmiao squint its eyes in pleasure.
"Then we’ll do as you say. We’ll seek temporary shelter at the Qianji Sect, and once you reach the Qi Cultivation Seventh or Eighth Layer, we’ll consider what to do next."
Jiang Yi waited on the Cat Master for a while longer, feeding it so jerky made from a Spiritual Bird he had bought while he was out.
"How nice, ow. How nice. Xiao Jiang is so thoughtful."
True Master Xuanmiao was imnsely comfortable. It touched the inconspicuous Bell on its neck. ’If my Primordial Inner Mansion weren’t sealed,’ it thought, ’why would I need to let Xiao Jiang go back to that blasted Qianji Sect?’
’He could just enter the [Yang Qi Taiyin Heaven] for his Cultivation!’
...
...
At the first light of dawn the next day, Jiang Yi was dressed just as he had been when he arrived, in a clean Daoist Robe with a saddlebag slung over his shoulder.
The only difference was the added air of tranquil composure about him, and the calico cat cradled in his arms.
Yang Xun saw him and asked, surprised:
"Ah Yi, where did you pick up this cat?"
Jiang Yi answered truthfully:
"I found it near Shuangfeng Street."
It was normal for young n to be fond of cats and dogs, so Yang Xun didn’t press the matter, especially since he couldn’t detect even a hint of demonic qi from it.
He chuckled and was about to reach out and pet it, but the calico cat shot him a disdainful look and shrank away.
"To think that I, a dignified master at the Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer, would be looked down upon by a re cat!"
Yang Xun raised his sparse eyebrows, then broke into a laugh:
"Ah, well. Cats are all like that."
"Brother Yi! Over here! Eaten yet? Have a fried pancake, they’re fresh off the griddle!"
He the Venerable looked the sa as ever, but to Jiang Yi’s Divine Thought, his kidney qi was weak and his legs were unsteady.
’He must have been overworking himself.’
"Brother He, you’re certainly a hard worker."
Jiang Yi’s lips curved into a smile as he accepted the piping hot pancake. He turned to Yang Xun and asked:
"Grandpa, would you like one?"
"My rit has improved a little recently, so I plan to fast for ten days, abstaining from water, rice, and all grains."
Yang Xun waved his hand and then instructed He the Venerable:
"Co with to the horse market. We need to pick out three good horses for travel."
He the Venerable rose to his feet nimbly:
"You got it!"
He was surprisingly quick to obey, no longer dawdling and dragging his feet as he used to.
Yang Xun instructed:
"Ah Yi, wait here for a bit. We’ll be right back."
"I’ll wait for you to co back, Grandpa."
Jiang Yi nodded.
Yang Xun wasn’t buying horses just to save on travel fees. For one, he needed to perform Sacrificial Refining on the Black Slaughter Lock.
The Yin Horses summoned by this Magical Artifact needed to consu the flesh, blood, and Essence Qi of several fine steeds.
Secondly, although the Taifu Sect had already lifted its three-thousand-li blockade, the Zhao You Sect had, for so unknown reason, reduced its Cloud Ship and Land Ship services. Many transport agencies had shut down, leaving them no choice but to travel on horseback.
’I’m afraid peace in Beimang Ridge will be hard to co by now.’
Jiang Yi mused, faintly slling the tense air of an approaching storm.
’I have to cultivate relentlessly and increase my rit, just to find so security in all this.’
As he sat at a roadside stall nibbling his fried pancake, he suddenly saw a tall, imposing man who, with an air of unearned familiarity, pulled out the bench across from him and sat down.
While ordering a bowl of noodles from the owner, he sized up Jiang Yi with a broad smile:
"Little friend, it’s been a while."
’Xuan Chanzi!’
Jiang Yi’s heart jolted, but he forced himself to remain calm.
Countless thoughts flashed through his mind, throwing it into turmoil.
’Why is this person looking for ?’
’Isn’t he being hunted by Cultivators from every Dharma Lineage in Beimang Ridge?’
Jiang Yi took another, closer look and realized that compared to their last encounter, the man’s Qi chanism seed even more robust and imnse.
’Good heavens, where did this Zhongyi Sect Remnant find the ti for Cultivation?’
’Could he really have advanced his Cultivation while being besieged?’
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