Chapter 93 - Arc 7: Dragon Ascension Gate | Chapter 93: Observing the Breakthrough
Translator: Lynn
Xu Ziqing regained consciousness, feeling a bit disoriented. As he looked down, he realized he was lying on a stone bed. His waist was sore, his back ached, and his entire body felt numb and weak. Moving his body was a struggle, and he felt a heaviness that made it difficult to move easily.
At that moment, he recalled practicing swordsmanship with his friend Yun Lie the previous day, but he couldn’t remember if he had managed to reach the goal of thirty thousand sword strikes. He also had no recollection of how he ended up on the stone bed. With these thoughts in mind, Xu Ziqing directed his consciousness into the storage ring, calling out for Yun Lie. However, after calling three times without a response, he realized that Yun Lie was no longer in the ring.
A pang of unease struck Xu Ziqing’s heart. He propped himself up and got off the stone bed, finding it incredibly challenging to take even a single step. Though he inwardly smiled wryly, he didn’t show it on his face. Holding onto the stone wall for support, he walked out of the cave. The cave was empty, and there was no sign of the white-clad figure.
…Why isn’t Brother Yun here?
Panicking, Xu Ziqing strained to move his body and hurriedly called out, “Brother Yun, Brother Yun!”
Finally, a cold voice sounded, “What’s the matter?”
He turned his head in the direction of the voice.
To his surprise, when Xu Ziqing exited the cave, he had only glanced to the right side and missed the person sitting in front of the mountain wall on the left.
Relieved, Xu Ziqing’s mind eased, causing his body, which he had been forcefully dragging, to lose balance and fall. However, instead of truly falling, an invisible force lifted him, tilting his body until he was firmly seated on the ground.
Xu Ziqing smiled and said, “Thank you, Brother Yun.”
Yun Lie glanced at him and asked, “Why did you call me?”
Recalling the recent events, Xu Ziqing still felt a lingering fear. “When I woke up earlier, I didn’t see you in the ring. When I came out, I couldn’t find you. I thought…”
Yun Lie narrowed his eyes slightly. “If I were to leave, I would inform you.”
Relieved upon hearing those words, Xu Ziqing replied, “That’s good.” After a moment of contemplation, he continued, “If Brother Yun wishes to depart, it must be for an important reason. I consider you my dearest kin, and if circumstances require it, I would give up my life and do everything in my power for you.”
Yun Lie responded calmly, “There’s no need for that.”
Xu Ziqing smiled. From his perspective, Yun Lie’s opinion didn’t matter. It would be ideal if nothing happened, but if Yun Lie encountered trouble, Xu Ziqing would not hesitate to offer his help, even if it meant sacrificing himself.
With that thought in mind, Xu Ziqing changed the subject and asked the question that had been bothering him, “Brother Yun, I don’t know about yesterday…” He felt a bit embarrassed, “…yesterday, did I manage to complete the thirty thousand sword strikes? Please tell me, Brother Yun.”
Yun Lie’s tone was cold as he replied, “You reached 26,400 strikes, then you fainted.”
Sighing, Xu Ziqing murmured, “Is that so…” He then smiled again, saying, “But I haven’t thanked Brother Yun for carrying me to the stone bed.”
Yun Lie responded, “You don’t need to thank me. Your body may be weak, but your determination is commendable. However, you need to make up for what you missed yesterday and not let your exhausted body be an excuse.”
Hearing those words, Xu Ziqing wryly smiled. Despite being a Qi Refining cultivator at the tenth level, he couldn’t even meet the requirements for the most basic sword moves according to his friend’s standards.
His friend’s strictness was for his own benefit, and Xu Ziqing saw nothing wrong with it. “Brother Yun, don’t worry. I will do my best to persevere. Today, I will swing the sword thirty-three thousand six hundred times, and I won’t forget it.”
Yun Lie nodded slightly. “Let’s go then.”
Xu Ziqing also nodded, raising his hand to grasp the steel-wooden sword. Just like the previous day, he assumed a proper posture and executed a strike. Today, he mustn’t faint again!
From that day on, Xu Ziqing diligently practiced each day, wielding his sword during the day and refining his true energy through meditation at night.
There was no food or drink provided on Tenglong Peak, and every monk had to manage their own water supply. They seldom interacted with others, and Xu Ziqing even sealed his cave to prevent anyone from entering. Fortunately, he had prepared enough Bigu Dan before coming, so he didn’t have to worry about hunger.
Time flew by, and half a year had quietly passed.
During this period, Xu Ziqing, due to his physical limitations, spent two whole months just to reach the point where he could chop thirty thousand swords without fainting, paying off his previous debt. Another two months went by, and he finally mastered the “crack” technique to an acceptable level. Under Yun Lie’s guidance, he then learned the precursor to the straight sword movement—the “cut” technique. This required him to cut thirty thousand times each day.
However, as Xu Ziqing practiced the “chop” technique, his physical strength greatly improved, and his true energy grew day by day, filling his dantian and strengthening his physique. Therefore, when he later practiced the “slash” technique, he faced far less difficulty than before.
At this moment, Xu Ziqing, who used to exude a gentle and amiable demeanor—or even a sense of weakness and deceit—appeared more determined than ever. His various changes had transformed both his external and internal aspects into resolute qualities, and there was a subtle, unhidden spirit about him.
On this particular day, right after completing thirty thousand sword strikes, Xu Ziqing suddenly felt a stir in his heart. It seemed that something significant, related or unrelated to him, was happening, arousing his curiosity. However, Xu Ziqing didn’t act impulsively. Instead, he turned his head to look at his friend sitting in front of him.
Yun Lie raised his gaze and calmly stated, “Someone is establishing their foundation. You can go and watch.”
Surprised, Xu Ziqing wondered if someone had already reached the Foundation Establishment Stage. He quickly smiled and replied, “Yes, Brother Yun.” With that, he removed the barrier at the entrance of the cave and hurriedly made his way outside.
At the foot of the mountain wall, a small group of people stood scattered. As Xu Ziqing descended, he noticed unfamiliar faces all around. After a while, a young man in red descended on a flying sword, accompanied by a cold and aloof woman and a reserved young man. They all flew toward Xu Ziqing.
When they landed, Xu Ziqing greeted them with a smile, “Brother A Xin, Miss Zhuo, Mr. Ran. It’s been a while. How have you all been?”
Both Zhuo Hanyan and Ran Xingjian nodded in acknowledgment.
Only Su Xin approached with a smile, saying, “Brother Ziqing, you arrived early this time. I was planning to call you, but you beat me to it.”
Seeing Su Xin, Xu Ziqing felt a surge of happiness.
Over the past six months, not only had Xu Ziqing made significant progress, but Su Xin had also made remarkable strides. Xu Ziqing remembered that when they had bid farewell several months ago, Su Xin was only at the eighth level of Qi Refining. But now, he had already broken through to the ninth level, his entire body radiating a fiery aura. It was evident that the Qingyan Baohuo technique had become increasingly integrated with him. Xu Ziqing smiled and said, “It just happened that I had a hunch, so I came here first. Brother Ah Xin has made extraordinary progress. I believe you will soon break through to the tenth level of Qi Refining and establish your foundation.”
Su Xin also looked at Xu Ziqing and replied, “Yes, I couldn’t fall too far behind. By the way, I heard you’ve been focusing on swordsmanship lately. It seems you’re making some progress.”
Xu Ziqing shook his head and smiled, saying, “I’m just trying my best. Let’s see how it compares. It’s nothing worth mentioning.”
Seeing Xu Ziqing’s response, Su Xin dropped the subject.
Now, all of them were in a race to progress and improve. With some free time available, they gathered to observe others establishing their foundations, gaining valuable experience for themselves.
At that moment, the conversation paused as a few more people arrived under the mountain wall.
Xu Ziqing quickly counted and realized that, except for one person who was about to establish their foundation, the rest had already arrived. It seemed that all the monks were here for the same reason.
Everyone’s attention was fixed on a hole in the mountain wall, fully concentrated and undistracted.
Suddenly, the hearts of all the monks tightened!
It’s happening!
An immensely mysterious consciousness emerged from the heavens and descended, landing directly on the steep mountain wall.
Simultaneously, wisps of purple smoke slowly emanated from the cave’s entrance, gradually diffusing and sealing the entire opening.
Some monks exclaimed, “The Purple Smoke is coming out! Look!”
Others echoed, “Look!”
At this stage, as the cultivation base approaches the Foundation Establishment period, the gains become more significant.
With 85% of his spiritual power transformed into true energy, Xu Ziqing’s cultivation is currently among the most advanced. As a result, he remains undisturbed by the miraculous occurrence and focuses his mental strength on comprehending the profound meaning of descending from the sky.
Within that mysterious meaning lies an overwhelming dominance, like a crucible of the world, containing the fire of Zhou Tian and endless mysteries.
This represents the way of fire among the five elements, while Xu Ziqing’s chosen path is that of wood. However, wood can give birth to fire, so he uses the heart of fire to reverse the heart of the wood, transforming the art of fire into the art of wood. This sudden realization engulfs him in a state of infatuation, leaving him unable to extricate himself.
When wood creates fire, there is wood within the flames, blazing and fervent. Yet, when wood contains fire but does not emit it, the fire lies within the wood.
In the vast world, there exist true fires that cannot be extinguished even by black ice spanning thousands of years. They are fires within trees, fires within stones, and fires within the air.
Although Xu Ziqing possesses a pure wood physique, he can sense a glimpse of the way of real fire within the wood. However, due to his limited knowledge and cultivation, he is unable to fully comprehend it at the moment. Once he delves deeper into his cultivation, reflecting on today’s insights will prove easier than independently grasping the Tao.
Realizing this, Xu Ziqing abruptly awakens, understanding that it will be exceedingly difficult to reenter that mysterious realm.
Now Xu Ziqing knows that the monks in the cave were learning fire-based techniques and establishing their foundations. Accordingly, fire-affiliated cultivators like Su Xin should have gained the most. It was truly fortunate for Xu Ziqing to stumble upon the profound meaning of real fire. At this moment, his gaze sweeps across a person, causing him to startle momentarily.
It is Yan Boshang, the young master of the Tianyan Sect.
In Xu Ziqing’s estimation, it should have been Yan Boshang who was establishing his foundation today.
Half a year ago, Yan Boshang was already on the cusp of reaching the Foundation Establishment period. With the activation of the third-order spiritual vein, the time had arrived. However, Yan Boshang seemed unhurried, and Xu Ziqing genuinely didn’t understand why he had come.
As for the person who is currently establishing their foundation, Xu Ziqing is unfamiliar with them.
It is Cheng An of Liuhuo Sect, one of the exceptional individuals who emitted purple light on the Juling Tongbao. Having practiced the fire attribute technique, Cheng An won their first battle and subsequently withdrew until now, when their foundation is being established.
Having gained insights, Xu Ziqing observes the entrance of the cave intently.
Suddenly, the purple smoke that had enveloped the entire cave coils up, transforming into a smoke dragon of purple hue, confronting the mysterious meaning.
“Boom!”
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