Chapter 41: Qi Refining (1)

Chapter 41: Qi Refining (1) Qi Refining consists of a total of 14 stars. Previously, Qi Gathering was included in Qi Refining, making it 15 stars, but even then, the foundation of Qi Refining began only after forming the Law-Transforming Dantian. As I read through the Five Surpassing Paths to Cultivation, I delved into the details of Qi Refining. Although casually referred to as stars from 1 to 14, the boundaries of each stage within Qi Refining were quite complex. To reach the first star of Qi Refining, one must understand all seventy-two incantations of the Seventy-Two Earthly Sha True Words () and activate the corresponding seventy-two spiritual meridians. The second star involves mastering the Thirty-Six Heavenly Gang Method Decrees (), building upon the seventy-two Earthly Sha meridians and forming the corresponding thirty-six Heavenly Gang spiritual natures. The third star requires evolving the seventy-two spiritual meridian and thirty-six spiritual natures to accommodate twelve types of spiritual energy corresponding to the Twelve Earthly Branches (). The fourth star demands accommodating ten changes of spiritual energy corresponding to the Ten Heavenly Stems Diagram (). The fifth star is achieved by unifying the 108 spiritual meridians and natures and sixty types of spiritual energy changes into nine points according to the principles of the Nine Palaces (). The sixth star involves completing the entire spiritual energy meridians in accordance with the operation of the Eight Trigrams (). The seventh star is when one performs a ritual to seven stars among the 28 stars and 4 constellations, declaring their intention to walk the path of cultivation and being granted permission to receive more spiritual energy under the auspices of heaven and earth. The eighth star entails navigating spiritual energy through the Six Harmonies () and Four Directions of Heaven and Earth (), filling the entire body's spiritual meridians. The ninth star aligns the properties and symbols of the Five Elements with the main attributes of the learned cultivation method, fully awakening the attributes of these methods. The tenth star uses the principles of the Four Images () to fully connect the completed and specialized Eight Trigrams spiritual meridians in order to create two channels of Yin and Yang. The eleventh star involves fully penetrating the upper, middle, and lower dantians corresponding to the Three Talents with spiritual power, achieving unification of Heaven, Earth, and Man (). The twelfth star entails continuously circulating the the Yin and Yang channels of the Dual Poles (), eventually integrating the channels and becoming a flawless Unified Channel. The thirteenth star accelerates spiritual power through the Unified Channel, focusing the spiritual power into one point (origin) within the dantian. The fourteenth star, the Infinite (), involves exploding the concentrated mass of spiritual power to further evolve the inner part of the dantian. Successful evolution of the dantian, marked by the formation of a spiritual cloud within and a spiritual star's birth, signifies reaching Qi Building. That marks both the beginning and the end of Qi Refining. '...Can I see the end of this in my lifetime?' From first-rate to peak, from peak to Three Flowers Gathering at the Summit, and from there to Five Energies Converging to the Origin, it's achievable within each lifetime. But within the Qi Refining stage alone, there are immense differences in levels and realms. 'Now I understand why Qi Refining cultivators show such vast differences in abilities with just a one-star discrepancy.' In the martial world, the differences within the same major realm were not so drastic. An early peak could defeat a mid-peak, and a mid-peak could overcome the threshold of Three Flowers Gathering at the Summit. But in Qi Refining, even a one-star difference could make direct confrontation nearly impossible. I also understood why so many Qi Refining cultivators spend their entire lives unable to advance beyond a single star. Without exceptional understanding of spiritual arts, one could spend a lifetime in cultivation and still not fully grasp all incantations of the Seventy-Two Earthly Sha True Words. 'It's not easy, indeed...' After contemplating the fourteen stars of Qi Refining, I turned to the methods written in the Five Surpassing Paths to Cultivation. Earth Surpassing Path to Cultivation, Water Surpassing Path to Cultivation, Wood Surpassing Path to Cultivation, Metal Surpassing Path to Cultivation, Fire Surpassing Path to Cultivation. Five methods were recorded. I chose the Earth Surpassing Path to Cultivation. The reason was simple. The internal energy method of the martial world that I had originally mastered, the Dragon Vein Qi Method, belonged to the Earth () attribute in the classification of cultivators' heaven and earth spiritual energy. "It's better to practice something familiar." While reciting the formula written in the Five Surpassing Paths to Cultivation, I chanted the Seventy-Two Earthly Sha True Words. The Seventy-Two Earthly Sha True Words is a spell that activates seventy-two spiritual meridians and is a fundamental technique in itself. For example, the true words of Earth Corner () would, from beginning to end, emanate energy from the spiritual veins corresponding to the Earth Corner Star, resulting in earthen spikes bursting forth from the ground. "I need to form the hand seals too." Of course, as one progresses to the higher stages of Qi Refining, hand seals and true words can be omitted, but for now, both were required to cast techniques. "First, I need to activate the meridian corresponding to the Earth Leader Star ()." Activating even one meridian would mean entering the first rank of Qi Refining. I sighed softly and activated the meridian with the true words of Earth Leader (). Two months passed. I came out of the stone chamber and breathed the outside air. Somehow, I had managed to activate the first spiritual meridian, the Earth Leader. But to do so, I had to use a hundred spirit stones. "The efficiency is terribly low." At this rate, I might not be able to activate all Seventy-Two Earthly Sha meridians even if I used all my remaining spiritual stones. "...Well, that's why I joined a cultivator clan." I could have become a loose cultivator, not joining the Cheongmun Clan. Stealing cultivation techniques from a couple of cultivators would have sufficed, so technically, coming here wasn't necessary. But the reason I chose to come to the Cheongmun Clan was to seek help in such difficult times. I first went to Cheongmun Mok, the elder in Qi Building, and declared that I had become a Qi Refining cultivator. Elder Cheongmun Mok, surprised, checked my meridians and only believed me after confirming the activated spiritual meridian. "Huh, what did you do? You, with Mixed Spiritual Roots, achieved Qi Refining in just three months? This is insane... Well, now I see why the main clan elders gave you a recommendation. Heh..." He looked at me curiously and asked about the method I used. "What method did you use to enter Qi Refining?" "I used a method from the Five Surpassing Paths to Cultivation, specifically the Earth Surpassing Path Method." "Ah, the Five Surpassing Paths to Cultivation. I see." It seems to be a common technique, as even Elder Cheongmun Mok recognized it immediately. "That method is indeed the very basics of cultivation. It precisely outlines the essentials for Qi Refining. However, being just basic, it will not allow you to perform any special attribute techniques." "I am aware of that." "Hold on..." He fiddled with his desk and pulled out a book. "This is the Earth Dwelling Method (), an Earth attribute cultivation method and one of the basic practices of the Cheongmun Clan. It is specialized in solid defense. You can learn this instead of the Earth Surpassing Path, or alongside it. Since they have the same attribute, it will not significantly slow down your cultivation." "Thank you." "You mentioned slow progress in cultivation mastery? That is inevitable due to your Mixed Spiritual Roots... But there's a way to accelerate your cultivation mastery." I listened attentively to Elder Cheongmun Mok's words. "Generally, understanding follows breakthroughs. Once you breakthrough a meridian or realm, the insights of the lower levels become instinctively clear. You have activated the Earth Leader meridian, so you should have some understanding of what the Earth Leader True Words mean, correct?" "Yes, I do." "As you move from Qi Refining 1st star to 2nd star, from lower to higher levels, and then to Qi Building, the meanings of the true words and formulas you learned before will become much more intuitively clear. Therefore, cultivators with Heavenly or True Spiritual Roots quickly breakthrough meridians and realms to understand these insights. However, those with Mixed Spiritual Roots like you need to do the opposite." "The opposite?" "Understanding before Breakthrough! First fully understand and embody the meanings of the true words and formulas, engraving them in your soul. If you completely grasp the true words, you can activate meridians and breakthrough realms even without exceptional talent or quality." "Understanding before Breakthrough, huh..." I could roughly grasp what that meant. Cultivators born with incredible innate talents, those of the Heavenly Spiritual Roots and True Spiritual Root, could break through realms and understand mantras just by sitting quietly and circulating their energy. However, cultivators with lesser talents, those of the Mixed Spiritual Roots, had to first understand the mantras to activate their spiritual meridian and break through realms. And I, too, had experienced something similar. "Cultivators are born with inherent consciousness and spiritual roots, while martial artists need to reach the Five Energies Converging to the Origin." To reach the world of consciousness used as natural as breathing by cultivators, martial artists must realize intent, understand life within intent, and eventually awaken all life's intents to reach consciousness. A genius realizes and unfolds a technique in one go. A dullard reaches the same level only after numerous attempts and trials. I had already experienced this countless times. "Thank you for the advice." There was nothing to fear or find difficult. I just had to do what Ive been doing all along. "Yes. Also, within the territory, every ten days, members of the territory and external members gather for a discussion meeting to share insights about mantras and cultivation. Participating in it will be helpful. The advice I just gave you and the cultivation manual are gifts for your ascension to Qi Refining. If you want more advice, you'll have to collect and pay merit points next time. Now, off you go." "Thank you." After thanking the Cheongmun Clan elder, I left the stone cave where he resided. Several days later. I attended a discussion meeting held within the Cheongmun Clan's territory. It was a meeting where Qi Refining cultivators of the first, second, and third starrs gathered to discuss enlightenment. In the meeting, besides members of the clan, there were external members like me and even low-ranking members who had accumulated a lot of merit points. The meeting was organized with first, second, and third star Qi Refining cultivators forming their own groups. Naturally, I joined the 1st Star Qi Refining group and participated in the meeting. "First, I'd like to talk about the wall I've recently hit." The meeting progressed with each Qi Refining cultivator sitting cross-legged, taking turns to share their insights and the walls they recently faced. I too spoke a few words about the Earth Leader Star's spiritual meridian, and that day I was able to interact somewhat with other cultivators of the Cheongmun Clan. After a month of discussions and missions at the Cheongmun Clan's meetings, during one of my conversations with the clan's cultivators, I learned a rather shocking fact. 'Gyungang Province? I've been there before, but there was no volcano. No, could it be...' I realized one possibility. 'The entire volcano is covered with an illusion barrier, so it remained undiscovered until now!' I was astounded by the immense scale of Jin Clan's main house's barrier and gazed at the main house. "We're descending!" The Qi Building elder of the Cheongmun Clan lowered the ship, and we entered the Jin Clan. We went into the Jin Clan and, led by the Qi Building elder, delivered a letter from the Cheongmun Clan's leader to the Jin Clan's leader. Thanks to that, I saw a Core Formation cultivator closer than ever before in my life. 'This is... Core Formation...' Zap, zap It felt like being near the fox. A vast area of about thirty zhang was covered by his spiritual power and consciousness. In the middle, a middle-aged man in red robes sat in the leader's seat, reading the letter from the Cheongmun Clan's leader. Zap, zap.. Under the pressure openly emitted by the Core Formation cultivator, the Qi Refining cultivators of the Cheongmun Clan, except for me, looked as if they were about to be crushed. My skin tingled under the spiritual power of the Core Formation cultivator, but that was it. 'At the level of Five Energies Converging to the Origin, I can easily deflect such pressure.' Using my consciousness, I subtly deflected the pressure being exerted on me. After a while, formal greetings were exchanged, and finally, the moment I had been waiting for arrived. "I will introduce the highest external member of the Jin Clan who made significant contributions during the recent change of the throne!" Kim Young-hoon stepped onto a small platform and greeted us. "Greetings to the distinguished guests from other clans. I am the martial artist known as Young-hoon." Indeed, he had already ascended to the Five Energies Converging to the Origin in this life. His intent evolved into the form of consciousness, and even his appearance seems younger. "A martial artist??" "What are you saying, isn't that person a cultivator?" "Are they mocking us?" Then, a smirk appeared on one of the Jin Clan's elders' lips. "He is definitely a highly accomplished martial artist. Undoubtedly, he played a significant role in the recent throne change. As mentioned earlier to the envoys, wouldn't it be a good idea to test the skills of each clan's talents against this martial artist for the sake of friendship between the clans?" I roughly understood the situation. The Jin Clan had usurped the throne and was using this opportunity to show off their strength to the surrounding cultivator clans. And what better way to elevate their pride than having their martial artist defeat other clans' cultivators. "Even so, how can a mere martial artist compete with cultivators..." "The Jin Clan is taking things too far..." The Cheongmun Clan's envoy, as well as envoys from other clans, looked displeased. Then, the Jin Clan's leader spoke up. "I vouch for his skills. Those who do not wish to participate in the martial contest may retire to their quarters." "......" "......" No one dared to object after that. To ignore the individual vouched for by the Core Formation leader would be akin to disrespecting the leader himself. "Before we start the banquet, we plan to have a brief martial contest as a form of entertainment. Does anyone have objections?" No one responded to the leader's question. "Seeing no objections, I guess everyone agrees. Let's start the martial contest." The first challenger was from the Gongmyo Clan of Byeokra, a Qi Refining cultivator. As Kim Young-hoon and the Gongmyo Clan cultivator faced off, discontented murmurs erupted here and there. "I joined as an envoy to receive teachings from a Qi Building figure but now..." "How did we end up competing with a mere martial artist..." "A martial artist as a Qi Building level figure? His consciousness seems only about the lower levles of Qi Refining... It would be more believable to say a grasshopper by the roadside is a high-ranking official of Yanguo." "Silence! How dare you speak like that in front of the Clan Leader!" The Cheongmun Clan's elder scolded, though his face was full of dissatisfaction. The martial contest began. Bang! Kim Young-hoon moved swiftly, and the Gongmyo Clan's Qi Refining cultivator who tried to cast a spell was knocked away. "....!" "What..." "That, that.." Kim Young-hoon casually brushed off his hands and said, "The contest is over." Shock spread across the faces of the envoys. "How, how did..." "Did anyone see what happened?" The area became noisy instantly, and soon another challenger from a different clan stepped up. A Qi Refining 10th Star cultivator from the Byeok Clan. They sent a relatively strong late-stage cultivator. Everyone's attention focused again, and the contest resumed. Whoosh! Kim Young-hoon charged at the Byeok Clan cultivator, who released a blue spell. Kim Young-hoon elegantly dodged all the spells and approached the cultivator, shattering his defensive spell with one move and throwing him aside. "It's over." Again, the cultivators gasped in shock, and the spectators became noisy. "How could that..." "That was definitely a martial arts technique." "How could a mere mortal..." No one doubted the Clan Leader's words anymore. The atmosphere started heating up. Each clan sent challengers to Kim Young-hoon. It seems as if beating him had become a matter of pride for each clan. Even the Cheongmun Clan sent several late Qi Refining cultivators, but all were defeated by Kim Young-hoon within five seconds. The atmosphere, which had been heating up due to the consecutive defeats of the clans' late-stage Qi Refining cultivators to a mere martial artist from the Jin Clan, gradually turned gloomy. In contrast, the Jin Clan cultivators' pride was soaring. And again, when another Byeok Clan cultivator was defeated by Kim Young-hoon, it was the Cheongmun Clan's turn. "...Who will go?" No one responded. Everyone knew that sending anyone would only embarrass the Cheongmun Clan. "...Well, if no one else will..." "I'll go." I stood up. Wasn't this why I came in the first place? Seeing me, the elder of the Cheongmun Clan sighed and said, "...Well, if it's a Qi Refining 1st Star, even if he loses, everyone will just think it's natural." I walked down to the martial contest stage and met Kim Young-hoon's eyes. Startled! Kim Young-hoon jerked in surprise, as if he didn't expect to see me here. Swoosh- I drew my sword. "Let's have an exciting fight." What realm has Kim Young-hoon reached in this life? What level of martial arts has he attained! Kim Young-hoon, though initially startled, smirked and for the first time drew his saber. "Alright, let's play." Flash! Our intents clashed in the air. Translator Notes: Translating the Qi Refining stars were a bit of a pain in the butt. Some of the terms are actually used irl like the Earthly Branches, Heavenly Stems, Nine Palaces, Eight Trigrams, etc. You can google em if you want. Anyway, don't sweat it from the information overload. The story will slowly explain the Qi Refining stage and you'll better understand as we read further. *** Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried Link to donations in the discord!