C17 Soul Splitting Blood Spirit Bead

The stairway to the heavens wasn't entirely a myth. Though each step appeared modest in height, not requiring one to climb, every step taken was equivalent to ascending dozens of levels. For those who had cultivated, a single step could equal a hundred or even several hundred levels.

Descending from the thirty-third level was akin to traversing thousands, if not tens of thousands of levels, reaching beyond the clouds without any physical toll. This was possible because both the Sky Stairway and the Heaven Gate were Sect Suppressing treasures, intricately linked with the Myriad Qi Profound Sect's Outer Sect Nine Peaks, Inner Sect Fifteen Peaks, the Eight Great Mining Lodes, the Nine Districts of the Spirit Beasts, the Twelve Herb Fields, and the Seventy-Two Main Peaks' Spirit Veins and Earth Veins.

These Sect Suppressing treasures, when activated, harnessed just a fraction of the immense power within the Myriad Qi Profound Sect's domain. Yet, this fraction was formidable enough to crush any individual, embodying the overwhelming force of nature that no human could withstand.

It was this irresistible force that created a scene akin to paradise, with thirty-three levels leading to the heavens. The Sky Stairway was vast, and at any given moment, hundreds of people embarked on the ascent, each step growing more challenging than the last.

Out of the tens of thousands, more than half could not conquer the Sky Stairway. Many fell, only to be gently caught by clouds and set down safely at the base. Though they suffered no physical harm, their spirits were shattered, likely robbing them of their self-confidence for life.

The Sky Stairway's true test was not of physical strength, speed, or cultivation level, but of perseverance, will, and self-belief. Those who fell were overwhelmed by the pressure, unable to push through the deceptive sensations of fatigue and the pain it brought, losing faith in their ability to ascend. That's why they plummeted from the heights they sought to conquer.

Those who are eligible to participate in the Inner Sect Assessment are either scions of prominent families or individuals meticulously chosen by the Outer Sect's envoys. These candidates are already exceptional, possessing willpower and perseverance that are far from ordinary. Given this, one can only imagine the formidable challenge posed by the Sky Stairway.

Individuals who struggle to ascend even the seventh or eighth rung often feel like failures when they witness others reaching higher levels. They believe they lack the necessary resolve to continue. But is this perception accurate?

In reality, it's not. Those who manage to reach the seventh or eighth rung already demonstrate remarkable willpower among their peers. They may possess great perseverance but lack the capacity to endure pain, a regrettable shortfall since such resilience is essential in cultivation.

Cultivation demands the qualities of an exceptional individual: extraordinary willpower and indomitable spirit. Only with these attributes can one become a valuable member of the sect.

"Yet, even with such rigorous selection, only a small fraction manage to secure a permanent place within the sect. The majority fail to pass the Inner Sect Assessment within five years and, after serving as menial workers, they depart from the sect."

Ten years is the maximum duration most individuals spend within the sect after clearing the entrance examination. Only by advancing to Inner Sect Disciple status does one truly integrate into the sect's fold, unlike Outer Sect Disciples who must sever ties with the Myriad Qi Profound Sect after a decade.

The distinction between truly belonging to the sect is significant. The most notable difference is that Outer Sect Disciples can only reside within the sect on their own, whereas Inner Sect Disciples have the privilege of bringing their direct relatives, up to three generations, into the sect.

Outer Sect Disciples share a large courtyard with dozens, sometimes hundreds, of fellow disciples. In contrast, Inner Sect Disciples have a smaller courtyard to themselves, designated for accommodating their family members.

This is precisely why many Outer Sect Disciples aspire to become Inner Sect Disciples.

Unless one hails from a major family, those from lesser lineages who are sent to the Myriad Qi Profound Sect are typically not the heirs to their family's legacy. Thus, becoming an Inner Sect Disciple at the Myriad Qi Profound Sect can elevate one's status to that of a distinguished family.

However, there is a time limit on the courtyard. Fifty years after an Inner Sect Disciple's death, the sect reclaims the property. To retain the courtyard, one must make significant contributions.

Despite Inner Sect Disciples being only a fraction of the number of Outer Sect Disciples, there were still Fifteen Peaks. The majority of these areas were designated to accommodate the families of the Inner Sect Disciples.

As Wang Yue watched individuals ascend the Heaven Stairway and enter through the Heaven Gate, he lost interest in the spectacle. He decided to leave and head back to the resting area provided by the sect.

Suddenly, his pouch vibrated.

"Is the Soul Splitting Blood Spirit Bead moving?" Wang Yue wondered, his pulse quickening. He had acquired the bead from a Wolf Fang magical weapon in the Death Ruins, and although the bead's powers were enigmatic, he had yet to discover its full potential. He only knew its name and that it could harbor Martial Dao Will.

The bead had caused him several moments of panic when it vibrated inexplicably near the Wolf Fang, making him fear detection by the Law Enforcement Hall Deacons.

Unexpectedly, even after departing from Copper Willow Peak and with no Deacons in sight, the bead's vibrations intensified, threatening to shred his pouch.

Discreetly, he shifted his arm to quell the vibrations and continued outward, maintaining a composed demeanor.

Once alone, he opened his pouch to inspect the bead, but a streak of blood light shot out, heading towards the plaza where the entrance examination was held.

Wang Yue felt his now-empty pouch, his face contorting with concern.

"This is not good..."

The plaza might have appeared to host only a handful of officials and a single Astral Refining Stage practitioner like Ho Luan, but in truth, numerous elders were closely monitoring the area.

Without wasting another moment, Wang Yue left, feigning nonchalance. An elder did catch sight of the blood light but showed little interest. The light had vanished near those who had failed the examination, and as far as the elder was concerned, any incident involving those not destined to remain in the sect was inconsequential.

Moreover, the blood light was essentially inconsequential—a mere manifestation of Martial Dao Will combined with a surge of pure blood energy. Such things were trivial for Wang Yue to produce; they certainly couldn't have any negative impact.

Thus, Wang Yue made his way to his temporary dwelling, his heart pounding with trepidation. Fortunately, the journey was uneventful, allowing him to breathe a sigh of relief.

It was then that he discovered a faint connection still existed between himself and the Soul Splitting Blood Spirit Bead, which piqued his curiosity. Despite his attempts to sense it more clearly, he was unable to strengthen this tenuous link. All he could discern was that the bead seemed to have been absorbed by a child.

Reflecting on the direction in which the Soul Splitting Blood Spirit Bead had vanished, he surmised it must have ended up with one of the individuals who had taken part in the entrance exam. He was at a loss as to why the bead would choose to be absorbed by a child and what implications this might have for him.

Faced with such an unexpected development, Wang Yue felt a sense of unease but was powerless to do anything except continue practicing the Moving Technique to steady his mind.

Since advancing to the Qi Refining Stage, the thunderous power within his chest had nearly depleted, leaving behind only a trace of pure lightning essence clinging to the brand, immovable by any means.

This very predicament had prevented Wang Yue from progressing to Qi Refining Level Two. Nevertheless, he was on the cusp of a breakthrough and anticipated reaching Qi Refining Level Two within a few days.

At Qi Refining Level One, the Genuine Qi was insufficient, limited to circulating within the two principal meridians of the eight extraordinary meridians—the Ren and Du. The Ren Meridian represented the Yin, and the Du Meridian, the Yang. The flow of Genuine Qi through these meridians harmonized Yin and Yang, generating Genuine Qi naturally.

Upon reaching Qi Refining Level Two, one could channel Genuine Qi through both the Yin and Yang Linking Vessels, maintaining the balance of Yin and Yang energies.

Advancing to Qi Refining Level Three allowed the Genuine Qi to flow through the Penetrating Vessel, invigorating the Qi and blood. This bolstered the Genuine Qi, which in turn purified the entire body in concert with the Qi and blood.

The concept of Genuine Qi circulating throughout the body refers to the state achieved at Qi Refining Level Three, where Genuine Qi flows in harmony with one's Qi and blood.

While many martial arts techniques allow for the circulation of Qi and blood during cultivation, such circulation is often rudimentary and unable to address every detail, typically ensuring only specific effects. The Dragon Roar Iron Clothes Shirt, for instance, infuses Genuine Qi into the skin, yet it is powerless beyond that. The Palm Edge Blade, on the other hand, permeates Genuine Qi into the Qi and blood before releasing it, creating a qi blade that hovers an inch above the palm.

Upon reaching Qi Refining Level Three, cultivating Genuine Qi automatically incorporates the Dragon Roar Iron Clothes Shirt, and deploying the Palm Edge Blade becomes effortless. At Qi Refining Level One, one must channel Genuine Qi for at least five seconds to utilize the Palm Edge Blade, but at Level Three, the Blade Qi forms instantaneously.

In even more advanced stages, if Genuine Qi flows through all the body's acupoints, the Palm Edge Blade's power can be unleashed without having to penetrate blood or skin, effectively doubling its strength. This fundamental disparity between realms is precisely why those at higher levels can overwhelmingly dominate those at lower ones.

Many advanced martial arts cannot be practiced at lower realms due to their high starting requirements. Some are even spells that cannot be cultivated until reaching a certain level of proficiency. Beyond these, there are divine abilities—powers that involve various methods to awaken or enhance the body and soul, akin to supernatural or superhuman abilities.

As one progresses in the Five-prison Moving Technique, divine abilities inevitably emerge. Regrettably, the technique appears incomplete, leaving one with only a sense of the divine abilities it should contain, without knowing their exact nature.

During his cultivation, a child yearning for the Profound Sect and disheartened by his inability to join the Immortal Sect was on the verge of an opportunity that would transform his life. The Martial Dao Will within the blood-red light of dawn erupted, altering his soul. Henceforth, the pursuit of martial arts would become his ultimate aspiration.

In the realm of martial arts, all things in the world are rendered inferior.