C20 His Cultivation Broke Through
In the Fallen Leaf Hall, a flash of white light heralded the arrival of Elder Zhou, who materialized within the grand chamber. Casting a casual glance at Han Binn, he inquired, "What's the matter?"
With a respectful bow, Han Binn replied, "Elder Zhou, as a new disciple at Fallen Leaf Peak, I wish to request a cave dwelling for my cultivation."
Elder Zhou, also known as Zhou Tong, possessed a level of cultivation comparable to that of Wai Peng. Despite his status as an elder, which entitled him to cultivate on the main peak, he chose to reside on a subsidiary peak. His reasons were threefold. Firstly, the main peak, while rich in spiritual energy, was restrictive, lacking the freedom found on the subsidiary peaks. Secondly, elders who chose to cultivate on a subsidiary peak received a middle-grade Spirit Stone each month, its spiritual energy rivaling that of a month's cultivation on the main peak. Lastly, and most significantly, being an elder of a subsidiary peak came with considerable perks, including the authority to allocate cave dwellings to disciples at his discretion.
Noticing Han Binn's courteous demeanor, Zhou Tong nodded and inquired, "Who is your master?"
"Master Wai Peng," Han Binn responded.
"Wai Peng?" A subtle smile played at the corners of Zhou Tong's lips as he probed further, "Did your master give you any instructions when he sent you here?"
A puzzled expression crossed Han Binn's face. "He told me to apply for the cave dwelling and to present my identity jade pendant to the Elder, and that would suffice." He produced a jade pendant and offered it to Zhou Tong.
Zhou Tong accepted the pendant with an impassive look, then pressed, "Did your master provide you with anything else?"
At this, even the slow-witted Han Binn grasped Zhou Tong's implication. His master had only left him with a cultivation manual, which surely wasn't meant to be handed over. Faced with Zhou Tong's expectant gaze, Han Binn admitted, somewhat sheepishly, "Elder Zhou, my arrival was rather rushed. My master... he didn't leave me with anything else."
Zhou Tong's face soured instantly, and he huffed, "You're unaware of the customs here, but surely your master isn't?"
Han Binn remained silent, pondering the nature of immortality. Was this what it meant to be an immortal? It seemed that immortals were no different from mortals; they too understood the art of accepting bribes.
Elder Zhou could easily read Han Binn's predicament; the young man clearly had nothing of value to offer. With a nonchalant gesture, he pulled a Jade Plate from his Storage Bag and tossed it to Han Binn. "This will be your cave dwelling."
Grasping the Jade Plate, Han Binn turned and departed without a word.
The plate was palm-sized, crafted from White Jade Stone and etched with a formation, emanating a subtle spiritual energy. Inscribed on it were the digits 1986, denoting the location of his cave. Clutching the Jade Plate, Han Binn hastened to his new abode. Upon reaching cave number 1986, he placed the plate into a niche, and a burst of white light revealed an entrance to a cave as tall as a man.
After entering, Han Binn positioned the Jade Plate into another niche inside the cave. A flash of white light followed, and a protective formation sprang to life. This Jade Plate functioned much like a mortal key, capable of both sealing and revealing the cave. However, this privilege was reserved for entry-level disciples. Those who had ascended to the first level of the Qi Cultivating Stage or higher could simply wear the Jade Plate and employ their Divine Sense to manipulate the formation.
The cave was modest, half the size of Wei Peng's dwelling, furnished only with a stone bed and a meditation mat. Han Binn approached the mat, yet felt no convergence of spiritual energy. It became clear to him that not all meditation mats within these caves had the power to draw in Spiritual Power. His master's mat, no doubt, had been imbued with a formation to actively concentrate the spiritual energy.
With a resigned smile, Han Binn closed his eyes, acutely aware of the meager spiritual energy in his surroundings. "It's scant, but it will have to do. After all, my cultivation relies on the Heavenly Dao Imperial Jade Seal, and that remains unchanged regardless of location." The spiritual energy here was indeed sparse, only slightly richer than that of the outer sect's mountains. During his ascent to Fallen Leaf Peak, Han Binn had taken note of the varying intensities of spiritual energy. While it couldn't compare to the main peak, certain areas boasted a more potent presence, particularly near the other cave dwellings he had passed—far more robust than his current location. As he descended, the spiritual energy grew increasingly scarce. It was clear to Han Binn that his cave dwelling was likely the least favored among them all.
Han Binn settled into a cross-legged position on the meditation cushion, closing his eyes to delve into his cultivation practice. At this juncture, his skill had reached the pinnacle of the entry level, and he was on the cusp of advancing to the second tier. With a silent invocation of the technique, he could make the leap. No sooner had Han Binn's eyelids met than he began to repeatedly activate the technique—once, twice, thrice...
It must be acknowledged that Han Binn's natural talent was somewhat lacking; after nearly half a month of persistent attempts, he had yet to achieve success. Yet, he didn't allow frustration to take hold and kept at it, steadfast in his belief that perseverance would eventually lead to triumph. Time marched on with each activation of the technique, and before he knew it, nearly a month had slipped by.
One morning, upon waking, Han Binn resumed his routine and activated the technique. The moment the incantation was uttered, the flow of Genuine Force within him came to an abrupt halt, then swiftly converged in his Dantian. A sensation akin to the biting of ants spread throughout his body, bringing with it an indescribable discomfort. This sensation persisted for nearly an hour before gradually subsiding.
Upon opening his eyes, Han Binn noticed a sticky residue on his skin and a peculiar odor wafting through the air—the unmistakable stench of sweat. This was a scent he recognized all too well. Wai Peng had left behind a cultivation manual detailing the methods for advancing through the first seven levels of the Qi Cultivating Stage, along with the transformative changes at each stage. At the first level of the Qi Cultivating Stage, the ant-bite sensation would reemerge, signaling the entry of Spiritual Power into the Dantian and the subsequent bodily transformation, purging impurities through the pores. It was through this continuous process of cultivation and bodily refinement that practitioners could cleanse their bodies of impurities and significantly prolong their lifespans.
With a flicker of intention, Han Binn summoned his Divine Sense and directed it inward. His inner state came into sharp focus, revealing a thumb-sized orb of Qi in his Dantian, spinning rapidly. This orb was the essence of Spiritual Energy, also known as Spiritual Power, the wellspring of a cultivator's strength. At the first level of the Qi Cultivating Stage, a single Qi orb would manifest in the Dantian; at the second level, two orbs would appear, and so on. Once ten Qi orbs had formed and fused into a liquid, the practitioner would ascend to the Foundation Stage.
Han Binn was brimming with excitement upon witnessing the transformation within his body. The day he had long anticipated had finally arrived—he had ascended to the first level of the Qi Cultivating Stage. Merely an initiate could be considered at best a demi-immortal, but reaching this new level marked the beginning of his true immortality. Not only would his lifespan extend, but he could now delve into the realm of spellcasting. Han Binn was eager to start learning spells immediately, yet his body felt terribly uncomfortable and reeked; a thorough cleansing was imperative.
Rising to his feet, Han Binn intended to head to the spring outside his cave for a wash. But as he approached the entrance, a sudden inspiration struck him, and he extended his senses outward. This act of perception brought the world around him vividly into his mind's eye, capturing everything behind him in his field of vision. Previously, his Divine Sense could only be utilized with closed eyes—this was the first time he had managed to do so with his eyes wide open.
Overjoyed by this newfound ability, Han Binn swiftly exited the cave. He located a hot spring, cleansed himself, and hurried back to the cave, impatient to retrieve the books his master had left behind. The books detailed several spells just beyond the first layer. Han Binn read through them quickly, mulling over his options: "Sword Control Technique, Fireball Technique, Earth Rift Technique, Wild Wind Technique... Which one should I choose?"
Without a Flying Sword or any magical instruments in his Storage Bag, learning the Sword Control Technique would be futile. The Fireball Technique seemed formidable, yet it was notoriously difficult to master, much like the Earth Rift Technique. The Wild Wind Technique, however, was straightforward—simply channel Spiritual Power, flick a sleeve, and the deed was done. After considering each spell in turn, Han Binn resolved to learn the Wild Wind Technique. It was not only simple but also quick to pick up; with a few days of dedication, he was confident he could master it.
With the cultivation method committed to memory, Han Binn gestured with his right hand and, with a swift motion, swept his sleeve before him while uttering a firm, "Wild Wind Technique."
His long sleeve billowed, and a gentle breeze followed, so faint it was astonishing—more like a breeze generated by the sleeve itself than by any magical technique. Disheartened by the outcome, Han Binn recognized that his innate talent was the limiting factor. Those blessed with superior talent could grasp such techniques swiftly, while those less gifted might need to labor over them for a much longer duration.
After over half a month of diligent cultivation, Han Binn was still unable to manifest even a single Wild Wind Technique. Disheartened and on the verge of giving up, he paused to reconsider. If he, as an Immortal, couldn't master the most elementary of Immortal Arts, what kind of Immortal would he be? With renewed resolve, he pressed on with his training. Time slipped away in the rhythm of his cultivation, and it took nearly two months of perseverance before he could muster a feeble gust of wind, one so weak it couldn't even stir a pebble the size of a thumb.
Frustrated by the thought of squandering over two months on such a trivial technique, and having already consumed three Fasting Pills, Han Binn knew he needed a breakthrough soon, or else the year would be a total loss. Deciding to abandon the Wild Wind Technique, he retrieved the Heavenly Dao Imperial Jade Seal from his pocket, placed it on his knees, and prepared to dive back into cultivation. But then, an intriguing thought struck him. He extended his Divine Sense towards the interior of the Heavenly Dao Imperial Jade Seal. The moment his Divine Sense grazed the seal's surface, a surge of formidable energy repelled it.
Startled, Han Binn gazed at the Heavenly Dao Imperial Jade Seal as it began to emit a soft white glow, gentle and soothing. Puzzled, he focused his Divine Sense on the seal once more, this time lingering on its surface. He detected a faint spiritual energy emanating from the dragon's mouth engraved on the seal—the same energy he had felt during his previous cultivation sessions. Han Binn mused that, as an Immortal, he shouldn't have to constantly place the seal to his nose to cultivate. Perhaps he could find a way to let the spiritual energy release itself for him to absorb?
With this thought, Han Binn's Divine Sense enveloped the entire Imperial Jade Seal, and he silently urged in his heart, "Spiritual energy, come forth..."
No sooner had he begun his silent incantation than a stream of pure spiritual energy flowed from the dragon's mouth. Elated, Han Binn closed his eyes and eagerly began to absorb it. As he did, the white light from the Heavenly Dao Imperial Jade Seal faded, and the spiritual energy from the surroundings rushed towards the seal at an astonishing rate. In a mere couple of hours, the cave's spiritual energy was completely drained. But the absorption didn't stop there; the Heavenly Dao Imperial Jade Seal expanded its reach, effortlessly breaking through the cave's protective array and beginning to draw in even more spiritual energy from the area.
In the adjacent cave, a newly initiated official disciple abruptly opened his eyes, sensing that the spiritual energy was vanishing at an inexplicably rapid pace, leaving him utterly astonished. "What's going on? Why is the spiritual energy disappearing? No, it's as if someone is absorbing it." He was at a loss as to who could possibly be siphoning off the spiritual energy. It was common knowledge that disciples at the Qi Cultivating Stage absorbed only a minimal amount of spiritual energy daily, the majority of which was simply air. Not even a cultivator at the Foundation Stage could deplete the cave's spiritual energy in such a brief span of time.
"This is too bizarre. I must consult Elder Zhou and get to the bottom of this. It's unreasonable to expect me to cultivate in a cave devoid of spiritual energy!" With urgency, the disciple rose to his feet and hastened toward the Fallen Leaf Hall.
