C5 Ninespirit Taoist

In the dead of night, Feng Yi sat cross-legged on a wooden bed, eyes closed, regulating his breath. He began his breakthrough into the Qi Condensation Stage, following the introductory Magic Spell for this level of cultivation.

As Feng Yi channeled his Qi, the Spiritual Qi in the air seeped into his body through all 360 million pores. This energy gathered within him, forming a stream that coursed through his meridians.

Snap! Snap! Snap!

A series of crisp pops echoed from within Feng Yi's body. His meridians, under the stream's relentless pressure, were like barriers being shattered, releasing a continuous popping sound.

He could feel the stream accelerating suddenly, making a complete circuit through his body. A wave of refreshment washed over Feng Yi, his pores flaring open as if each were a baby's mouth, greedily sucking in the surrounding Spiritual Qi.

Boom!

A thunderous explosion resonated from within Feng Yi. The Spiritual Qi in his meridians surged like a flood breaking free, wildly spiraling within him.

Feng Yi's eyes snapped open, gleaming with intensity.

"Qi Condensation Stage!"

A smile of satisfaction spread across Feng Yi's face; the breakthrough had been unexpectedly smooth. Calming the thrill in his heart, he continued to draw in Spiritual Qi, reinforcing his newfound level of cultivation until the following morning. Only then did Feng Yi cease his practice and open his eyes.

He pushed open the door and stepped out of the room. Suddenly, the world appeared sharper to Feng Yi, the horizon stretching out further than ever before.

"Feng Yi, you're up!"

"Mm!"

"Huh? Why do I feel like you've changed somehow?"

Hong Jinbao squinted at Feng Yi, his face etched with confusion.

"You, you, you—you've actually made a breakthrough!"

Feng Yi nodded in acknowledgment. There was no point in trying to conceal it; the aura of the Qi Condensation Stage was radiating from him.

"Feng Yi, you're incredible. My admiration for you is like an endless river, like the Yellow River in flood, unstoppable..."

"Alright, just keep at it and you'll be able to successfully condense your Qi too."

"Feng Yi, what's your next move? Reaching the Third Layer of the Qi Condensation Stage means you can become an Outer Sect Disciple. You're not planning to leave me behind, are you?"

Hong Jinbao asked with a look of concern.

"Don't worry, I have no immediate plans to leave."

Feng Yi said, picking up the axe and joining Hong Jinbao to chop firewood. What usually took a full day's work, they now finished in just half a day.

With the extra time, Feng Yi and Hong Jinbao retreated to their respective rooms to practice their cultivation.

Spurred on by Feng Yi's progress, Hong Jinbao began to push himself harder.

Time passed quickly, and before he knew it, Feng Yi had been at the Profound Heaven Sect for three years. For some unknown reason, every time he was on the verge of breaking through to the Third Layer of the Qi Condensation Stage, his Spiritual Force would vanish without a trace.

This perplexing issue persisted for over two years, and the once driven Feng Yi grew increasingly disheartened.

Over those three years, Feng Yi remained stuck at the Second Layer of the Qi Condensation Stage, while Hong Jinbao, through relentless effort, succeeded in his cultivation.

Then came another stormy day, and Feng Yi promptly took out the pagoda, cradling it in his hands, ready to gather the spiritual liquid.

As the pagoda emitted a burst of light that collided with the lightning, Feng Yi was utterly dumbfounded.

"Who are you?"

Before him stood a spectral figure.

The man had white hair and a kind face, with eyebrows so long they draped over the sides of his eyes in an arch. His beard reached half a foot in length, and he was dressed in a long white robe, standing tall with his hands clasped behind his back, exuding the air of a celestial being.

"Kid, are you puzzled as to why the spiritual energy you've been cultivating has vanished?"

The elder asked Feng Yi with an inscrutable look.

"How did you know?"

Feng Yi exclaimed.

"Is this your doing?"

"Not too slow on the uptake," the elder said with an amused smile.

"Elder, do you realize how much time you've cost me? Two years, a full two years I've lost. I even missed the major sect competition."

Feng Yi wore a look of distress as he lamented to the elder.

"Hmph, the Sect's Great Competition is insignificant. With me around, breaking through the Qi Condensation Stage, Foundation Stage, or even the Golden Core Stage would be a piece of cake."

The elder snorted with disdain, radiating an overwhelming aura of power.

This force spread out, causing Feng Yi's robes to billow dramatically.

"Senior, you can't be serious!"

Feng Yi looked skeptical as he scrutinized the elder, but deep in his eyes, there lingered a hint of awe. The elder's abrupt appearance and grandiose claims left Feng Yi uncertain whether this man was friend or foe.

"Boy, don't underestimate others. If I weren't in this spiritual state right now, I'd be giving you a proper lesson."

Despite his words, the elder gestured, and Feng Yi found himself immobilized, unable to move a muscle.

Shock painted Feng Yi's face as he gaped at the elder, his eyes wide with disbelief.

The elder chuckled, "Do you believe me now?"

Feng Yi nodded vigorously, his head bobbing like a drum on a string, and just as quickly, the immobilization vanished.

"Senior, you're clearly a person of great skill. How did you end up in this state?"

"Ah, it's not worth mentioning. As for you, you're quite impressive, far better than that old Daoist."

"Old Daoist? The Monastery Master? You know him?"

Feng Yi gasped, astonished to learn that the elder was acquainted with the Monastery Master.

"Not exactly. I know him, but he doesn't recognize me. Had I not been out of my senses at the time and influenced him to hand over the pagoda to you, do you really think that miserly old man would have been so generous?"

Feng Yi felt a pang of realization. Reflecting on the Monastery Master's nature, he recognized the truth in the elder's words. He had always wondered why the Monastery Master had been so liberal with the pagoda.

"It turns out it was all thanks to your assistance, Senior. I apologize for any disrespect."

Feng Yi bowed deeply to the elder as an apology for his earlier irreverence, yet he couldn't shake off the astonishment that for all these years, he might have been under the watchful eye of this mysterious elder.

Realizing that if the elder had harbored any ill intentions, he would have been long gone, Feng Yi broke out in a cold sweat.

"Let bygones be bygones. Ignorance is no crime. However, you, my boy, must diligently cultivate. I am counting on you to grant me a new lease on life."

"Senior, I will spare no effort if it is within my power."

Feng Yi's expression was the epitome of sincerity, with not a trace of deceit.

Without the elder's assistance, the road to cultivation would have been immeasurably difficult.

"Good, your promise satisfies me. Yet, I have only absorbed a small amount of your Spiritual Force. To maintain this state for an extended period will be challenging. Here is a Spiritual Grade Magic Spell called the Nine-spirit Turning Spell. Practice it diligently, and strive to break through to the Golden Core Stage soon. Then, I will be able to sustain this state for much longer."

"A Spiritual Grade Magic Spell!"

Feng Yi gasped in astonishment. He had not anticipated the elder to bestow upon him a Spiritual Grade Magic Spell. It was well known that even the Profound Heaven Sect lacked such a technique.

The most advanced technique of the Profound Heaven Sect was of Heaven Grade, revered as the sect's most prized treasure and reserved for its most elite disciples.

Through the years, Feng Yi had learned much about the Immortal Realm, including the hierarchy of cultivation techniques. They were categorized into four grades: Mortal, Earth, Heaven, and Spiritual. On the Celestial Essence Continent, Heaven Grade techniques were exceedingly rare, and Spiritual Grade ones were even scarcer.

Feng Yi's body shook as he extended his hands to receive a jade slip from the elder, tucking it away with great care.

The elder looked on with satisfaction. The Nine-spirit Turning Spell, acquired within the Nine-spirit Treasure Tower, was more than just a Spiritual Grade technique. But to avoid causing a sensation, he had downplayed its true value to Feng Yi.

Nonetheless, Feng Yi was profoundly astounded, his heart roiling with tumultuous emotions.

"Devote yourself to your training. In three months' time, I will assess the fruits of your cultivation."

No sooner had the elder's words settled than his form vanished from sight.

Feng Yi quickly spoke up, "May I inquire about the esteemed name of my senior?"

"My name has long escaped me, but it seems I was once known to all as the Nine-spirit Taoist!"

"The Nine-spirit Taoist!?"