Qi Cultivation Third Layer, Blood and Marrow Transformation. From this point on, they were immune to all diseases, their vitality flourishing.
One could go for days without food or drink with no ill effect, and their limbs would not be harmed in the slightest even if drawn and quartered by five horses.
Their qi and blood were as fierce as dragons and tigers, their physique as solid as a great cauldron.
'One step closer to the Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer.'
Jiang Yi stood in the Big Mixed Courtyard, oblivious as the wind and snow blanketed his shoulders.
'I achieved my breakthrough to the Qi Cultivation Third Layer before turning eighteen. While I can't compare to those of noble birth, I'm already several steps ahead of the other Mortal Servants at my level on Red Flame Peak.'
He slowly calmed his turbulent emotions, silently savoring the quiet joy that belonged exclusively to Cultivators.
The path of Cultivation was arduous and long, yet every step taken on the upward climb brought tangible rewards.
Without a doubt, this brought a profound sense of satisfaction.
If one could truly remain untroubled by worldly affairs and unburdened by material possessions, just sitting quietly in the mountains and chanting the Yellow Court... that would be the life of a truly carefree wanderer in the mortal realm!
'It's just a shame I was born into the Demon Dao. I'm not a scion from one of the Major Sects, nor am I a promising seedling from a Qi Cultivation Clan.
For someone treated like Cattle and Horses to overturn their fate is as difficult as ascending to the heavens. It's not something that can be achieved in a single generation.'
Jiang Yi understood this clearly. Take the Fu Clan and the Kang Clan of the Zhao You Sect, for example. It took them three hundred years and the efforts of five generations just to establish dominance over Beimang Ridge.
'I mustn't be overly ambitious. It's not wrong to look up and aim high, of course.
But I also have to watch my feet, stay grounded, and walk a steady path!'
'Now that I've reached the Third Layer, I should be able to start Refining Techniques.'
Jiang Yi silently circulated the Cyan Ganoderma Dew to quench the boiling qi and blood stimulated by the Tiger and Wolf Ointment. This allowed his bone marrow to generate Primordial Qi, consolidating his new realm at the Third Layer.
He planned to immerse himself in comprehending the Little Refining Yuan Fire Control Technique, hoping to add another layer of security for himself.
It was through Yang Xun's explanations that Jiang Yi learned there was a vast difference between Refining Techniques and practicing cultivation.
The latter involved seated meditation and Breathing exercises, guiding True Qi through Circulations to cleanse the body.
This was known as "Static Cultivation."
Its essence lay in the very act of "Cultivation."
As long as one was willing to put in the effort and practice diligently day and night, they would see gains, however large or small.
The former, however, placed more emphasis on comprehension and application. One had to grasp its inner workings, master each aspect one by one until practice bred proficiency, and finally achieve a thorough, integrated understanding.
Simply sitting there and racking one's brain, exhausting the mind and spirit, was of no benefit and would hardly lead to any progress.
'Practicing cultivation is "learning the Dao," while Refining Techniques is "seeking Spells."
Although the Great Dao can lead to the heavens, one still needs Spells to protect oneself.'
Jiang Yi returned to his room and sat cross-legged on his bed.
Facing the cold wind and snow that poured into his room, he circulated his True Qi throughout his body, slowly and meticulously refining the Little Refining Yuan Fire Control Technique.
Ever since obtaining this Qi Cultivation Ninth Grade Technique, he had been immersing himself in its study every day.
'The so-called creation of Yin and Yang within my body refers to the spirit and the qi. The spirit is the mother of qi; when the spirit moves, the qi follows.
Borrow the phenomena of the heavens, the forms of the earth, and the natural essence of the sun and moon to refine a tangible fire.
When the fire is successfully refined, light will give birth to spirit, and a rich balm will nourish the Essence...'
These long passages from the Cultivation Technique were dense with meaning; every word held profound significance.
Jiang Yi hadn't been able to understand it at first, as his study of Daoism had never taught him how to deconstruct and apply a cultivation Dharma Gate.
Fortunately, the Celestial Book came to his aid. Its analysis provided a version rich with illustrations and text, detailing every step.
It instantly made the once obscure, profound, and difficult passages much easier to understand.
'To take the spirit as the master means to focus my consciousness, command my True Qi, and have it circulate accordingly. Then, I guide the Heart Fire downward and the kidney water upward. Through this descent of fire and ascent of water, I can temper the Primordial Qi in my body and refine a trace of the Fire Attribute.'
As Jiang Yi carefully sorted through this new understanding, comprehension gradually dawned, and he had a sudden epiphany.
A RUSHING sound echoed from within his body as the majestic, river-like True Qi began to course through his frame according to the method in the Essentials.
'How to speak of fire? Through acquired breathing. How to use the fire? Exhale to descend, inhale to ascend. The mystery of using fire is in its seeming non-existence...'
Jiang Yi cross-referenced this with the Celestial Book, gradually grasping the key points.
'What this means is that the Innate is Primordial Qi, and the acquired is the qi of breath. They are also called the mother qi and the son qi.
When I exhale, the Primordial Qi descends. When I inhale, the Primordial Qi ascends. That is what it means to "use the fire."'
The more he comprehended, the more Jiang Yi felt that the methods of Cultivation were truly vast and profound, a deep and complex field of study.
Every step had to be carefully considered. Without an enlightened master to guide the way, it would be all too easy to go astray.
'Before, I only understood the superficial meaning. I couldn't truly digest its essence and apply what I'd learned.
That's why my True Qi would lose momentum midway. I thought it was because my reserves were insufficient, but now I realize it was actually a lack of experience. The timing wasn't right.'
This Qi Cultivation Ninth Grade Technique was named "Refine Primordial and Control Fire."
Its most crucial aspect lay in "timing."
The rhythm of one's breathing was the key to the mysteries of using fire, and the flow of breath itself was the method for controlling it!
If one failed to grasp this secret, then no matter how diligently they cultivated, their efforts would ultimately be in vain.
'Thirty-six breaths to gather and ascend; twenty-four breaths to retreat, descend, refine, and temper...'
Jiang Yi couldn't suppress his excitement. It felt like solving a difficult problem on an exam, and a heartfelt joy washed over him.
But he forced himself to suppress the turmoil in his Heart Spirit, smoothed away his distracting thoughts, and continued to immerse himself in the process of "Refining the Technique."
As his use and control of the fire became more adept and second nature, his immense True Qi seemed to condense, transforming from a state of fine threads twisted into a rope into something new.
'Radiance!'
Jiang Yi was first surprised, then overjoyed.
'I've succeeded!'
His True Qi had been tempered with the Fire Attribute, condensing into a form of radiance!
This was Small Success!
It was important to know that at the entry-level stage, the Little Refining Yuan Fire Control Technique had no real power to speak of.
Only upon reaching "Small Success," by refining a trace of the Fire Attribute from one's vast True Qi, could the technique begin to display its true power.
'Refining qi into a tangible form, concentrating it like a needle... this is indeed the Small Success stage.'
Jiang Yi's eyes snapped open. He formed a seal with his right hand and pointed sharply.
CHSSS! The once vast, river-like True Qi instantly transformed into a straight line of fire. It pierced through the sturdy door panel lying on the floor, burning a charred black hole straight through it!
'If that hit a person's flesh, they would instantly be turned into a human torch...'
And that was with Jiang Yi holding back, not even using his full power.
If he didn't hold back at all, he could likely pierce through three layers of iron armor.
Now that he had mastered this technique, few of the many Mortal Servants on Red Flame Peak could be considered his match.
'No wonder all Cultivators insist on Refining Techniques and learning skills like Flying Swords, Talismans, or Palm Thunder. These are considered mandatory courses for the promising Dao Materials of the major sects.
The gap between someone with Refining Skill Minor Success and someone who merely possesses a high Cultivation level is truly as vast as the heavens and the earth.'
Jiang Yi estimated that now, having brought his Little Refining Yuan Fire Control Technique to the Small Success stage, he could probably take on four or five versions of his former self.
And kill them all!
'I wonder when I'll be able to be like the great Sword Immortals from the storybooks, trading blows and clashing in Magical Combat!'
Jiang Yi tried a few more times. His True Qi condensed into a faint ray of light, carrying a subtle yet scorching Fire Attribute powerful enough to melt iron and stone.
If he progressed further, reaching the Mid-Stage or even Great Success levels, it would undergo even more transformations.
That wisp of the Fire Attribute would grow strong and full, able to take the shape of serpents, Mang, and great Jiao, or even flying sparrows and celestial eagles, adding a quality of spiritual nimbleness.
'The fire you send out is called "Outer Fire," and it can be used to defeat enemies. The fire nurtured within the body is called "Inner Fire," and it can be used to temper True Qi, making it even purer.'
Jiang Yi finally realized just how vast the disparity was between an unranked Cultivation Technique and one with a grade.
'The wonders of a Ninth Grade technique are already this astonishing. I can't even imagine how profound a First Grade one must be.'
He couldn't help but feel a pang of regret. If only he had a Qi Cultivation First Grade Spiritual Object in his possession.
By using the Celestial Book Mirror to investigate its causality, he could probably comprehend a Qi Cultivation First Grade Technique in about seventeen years.
'A breakthrough to the Third Layer and achieving Small Success with my Refining Technique... this calls for a celebration!'
Jiang Yi suddenly felt his stomach growling. He simply stepped over the broken door panel, dashed out of the Big Mixed Courtyard, and headed straight for the Ice and Fire Cave.
His shack didn't contain anything valuable anyway, so he wasn't worried about attracting thieves.
He ate several bowls of Spirit Rice and a few plates of fine dishes until his belly was full to bursting.
By the time Jiang Yi returned to the Big Mixed Courtyard, it was the end of the workday.
"Brother Yi is back..."
Widow Qin called out to him, but her expression was strange, as if she wanted to say something but was hesitating.
Jiang Yi's brow furrowed slightly. Just as he was about to ask, Old Li beside them deliberately changed the subject.
"Tomorrow's payday. We've made it through another month. One step closer to our term being up and getting to leave this mountain."
Old Li's wife chimed in from the side:
"That's right, that's right. I wonder if Er Lengzi has gotten any taller or stronger. The last time we saw him, he was so tanned and skinny. It broke my heart to see him like that!"
With the couple leading the conversation, Widow Qin followed their lead, and soon the Big Mixed Courtyard was filled with lively chatter.
Jiang Yi knew something was wrong, but he didn't press the issue. Instead, he discreetly scanned his surroundings.
He noticed that He the Venerable, who was usually the loudest of them all, was nowhere to be seen. He immediately had a suspicion.
"Where's Brother He?"
Jiang Yi asked.
"Oh, him? He said he was exhausted from work, so he's cooped up in his room catching up on sleep!"
Widow Qin said with a forced smile.
"The Quenching Room is tough work,"
Jiang Yi replied casually, then changed the subject:
"My door panel wasn't very sturdy. It fell off just now..."
"Brother Yi, I'm a master carpenter! I'll install a new one for you in a bit!"
As everyone gathered, talking and laughing, the ink-black night descended upon the world.
Jiang Yi didn't go to sleep. He heard a noise outside; someone was sneaking out.
His feet barely seeming to touch the ground, he drifted silently to the kitchen and spoke to the furtive figure.
"Brother He, had your fill of sleep?"
The sudden voice startled He the Venerable, causing his hand to tremble. He nearly dropped the steamed bun Widow Qin had specially saved for him.
Jiang Yi narrowed his eyes. The bright moonlight illuminated the icicles on the eaves and the snow before the door, and it also lit up his youthful face.
Though his features were still somewhat boyish, they held an uncharacteristically cold and severe air.
It was enough to intimidate the much older He the Venerable, who felt his confidence wither, as if he had somehow shrunk in stature.
His lips moved for a long moment before he asked dryly:
"Brother Yi, why aren't you asleep yet?"
Jiang Yi stared at He the Venerable, who was standing sideways as if to hide something, and stepped into the kitchen without a word.
As soon as he got close, He the Venerable tried to shrink back.
"Brother He."
Jiang Yi called out to him, then raised a hand to his right shoulder, turning him to face forward.
Just as he expected, he saw that He the Venerable's right cheek was badly swollen, a vivid red handprint emblazoned upon it.
A slender but scorching thread of Fire Attribute Radiance rose in the depths of Jiang Yi's eyes.
"Who did this?"