Chapter 23: 18 Qi Pool's Peak of the Realm.
Wei Chen continued to study the intricate forms contained within the jade slips, absorbing knowledge of stances and body movements.
His ancestor's voice carried the weight of ancient wisdom as he explained their purpose.
"These preparatory forms are designed to help ordinary cultivators attune their bodies to draw in the special qi of the world," Wei Tianshan said, watching his great-grandson practice the initial postures. "However, you possess the Celestial Nine Yang Physique you are born with natural tempering and adjustment for any yang-type cultivation art. Thus, these precursor preparations can be skipped."
The ancestor's weathered hand gestured toward the flowing movements Wei Chen was practicing. "However, before reaching a level of mastery, practicing the forms in the jade slips will help you understand the stances and allow you to rapidly change them in battle. Using them in actual combat will also aid your comprehension of the techniques."
Wei Tianshan's eyes gleamed with the satisfaction of a master imparting crucial knowledge. "Comprehension levels Initial, Intermediate, Adept, Mastery, and Completion are the grades by which we measure cultivation understanding. Before reaching mastery level, consistent practice remains essential."
He paused, studying Wei Chen's natural movements as the young man cycled through the basic forms. "Now, because of the twin weapon cultivation paths I've given you, each has its own unique energy gathering method, both adjusted to suit your yang constitution based on what I have detected. Hence, the energy circulation should be smooth.
The comprehension and utilization of the weapons will be the most difficult part of your cultivation the energy gathering and solidification will be the easiest."
Wei Tianshan's expression grew more focused. "However, let us raise your cultivation to the peak of the first stage first."
With a casual wave of his hand, the training room was suddenly filled with hundreds of glowing stones. The spirit stones brought an instant cool feeling to Wei Chen, and soon a faint mist appeared throughout the room.
Liu Qin's eyes widened at the sudden appearance of such wealth, her cultivation manual momentarily forgotten as she stared in amazement at the treasure trove surrounding them.
"Now practice the energy methods and draw in the surrounding qi," Wei Tianshan instructed. "The spiritual energy from spirit stones is neutral and can be used to cultivate any attribute, hence it is slightly better to draw from than the natural energy around us."
Wei Chen settled into meditation, the shadows of both weapon arts manifesting in his dantian.
A cultivator used these spiritual imprints to guide their cultivation with the shadows of each weapon's qi pattern in the dantian, he would draw qi based on the energy method prescribed for each art.
Starting with the Sun Striking Bow method, Wei Chen began to circulate his qi according to the dawn trajectory pattern.
The moment he entered the proper meditative state, something extraordinary happened. His Celestial Nine Yang Physique responded with an intensity that surprised even his great-grandfather.
Soon, a small vortex surrounded him, showing light blue spiritual energy at the edges, but dark and heavily concentrated qi at the center. The vortex began expanding rapidly, far beyond what any normal first-stage cultivator could achieve.
Inside Wei Chen's body, the natural qi was being transformed according to the yang-type pathways with remarkable efficiency.
Following the specified circulation routes, the converted qi became sun qi the precise, stored energy of the bow method. It condensed in his dantian as a luminous pool, burning with light yellow solar essence.
The formation was so smooth and natural that it seemed as if Wei Chen had been cultivating for years rather than minutes.
This is incredible, Wei Chen thought as he felt the energy flowing through his meridians like liquid sunlight. It feels as natural as breathing.
From within the storage ring, the Desire Emperor's voice resonated in his consciousness. "Your physique is truly remarkable, Wei Chen. What I'm witnessing defies normal cultivation principles. The speed at which you're absorbing and converting qi rivals what I've seen from ancient bloodline inheritors."
Can I maintain this conversation while cultivating? Wei Chen asked mentally, not wanting to disrupt his cultivation state.
"The fact that you are doing it so flawlessly means it's not a problem," the Desire Emperor replied. "Furthermore, our communication is done on the soul level and does not draw upon your attention greatly. Your consciousness operates on multiple layers now your incubus bloodline enhancement allows for this kind of 'soul to soul' connection and multitasking."
As time passed, the pool steadily increased in size and intensity until it quickly reached its natural limit. The golden solar essence swirled in his dantian like a miniature sun, radiating warmth throughout his entire body.
"Good," his grandfather observed, noting the successful formation. "Now continue by compression and then gather again. Try to do this at least nine times in the Qi Gathering realm nine pools of qi will be accumulated in the dantian to achieve the best cultivation results."
Wei Tianshan's voice unhurriedly . "Cultivators of old devised a method of compression called the Nine-Fold Refinement." He moved closer as he watched his grandson's cultivation progress, ready to provide guidance.
"Follow the compression pathway detailed in the technique," the ancestor instructed. "After nine compressions, the pool will feel very different denser, more potent, more refined. After nine cycles, you can then move on to condense another qi pool. After reaching nine pools in total, you will then condense them into a qi platform and enter the Foundation Establishment realm."
"Chen'er..." Liu Qin whispered, her voice filled with amazement at the sudden appearance of the mass of glowing blue stones, but even more so as they began to crack and crumble around Wei Chen. She could actually see the normally invisible spiritual qi being drawn into him like streams of light.
She had glanced at other disciples who were cultivating in the various open areas within the clan. Although the situation was different, even if they were placed in the same environment, she doubted they could achieve the same level of effect in qi absorption.
She looked at the heavily condensed, swirling qi surrounding Wei Chen. This was the person she had chosen to walk with. She only hoped that she wouldn't be hindering him. Her desire to forge a way to cultivate increased, her heart set on becoming worthy of standing beside him.
The old cultivator's eyes narrowed as he observed Wei Chen's energy patterns. "I've noticed that your physique contains a unique yang energy signature that rivals the intensity of a Foundation Establishment cultivator's base power.
So rapid cultivation like this will not affect your foundation negatively your body can handle the accelerated pace, it should be life filling a bowl that was empty , the process should be with out hindrance , there for you will face not bottle neck for instance." Wei Tianshan had a gleam of interest flickered in his eyes wondering what would happen while that emptiness was filled.
Wei Chen found it surprisingly easy to follow his great-grandfather's guidance. The sun qi in his body grew in abundance with each compression cycle, becoming more concentrated and powerful.
The Nine-Fold Refinement process felt natural, as if his Celestial Nine Yang Physique was designed specifically for this cultivation method.
Following the compression technique detailed in the Sun Striking Bow art, Wei Chen began the delicate process of condensing his qi pool.
The spiritual energy swirled faster and faster within his dantian, creating a miniature whirlpool of golden light.
Each compression made the qi denser, more potent, until it felt like liquid fire contained within his spiritual center.
First compression... second... third…
With each refinement cycle, the qi became increasingly pure. Impurities were burned away by the intense yang energy, leaving only the most refined solar essence.
By the ninth compression, the pool had transformed from a simple gathering of qi into something that resembled crystallized sunlight brilliant, dense, and radiating incredible power.
"Good," Wei Tianshan murmured, watching the process with growing amazement.
"Now, create the second pool."
The process repeated, but this time Wei Chen's understanding had deepened. The second pool formed even more quickly than the first, the refined solar qi taking shape with practiced ease.
His Celestial Nine Yang Physique seemed to hunger for more energy, drawing in spiritual power from the surrounding spirit stones with voracious appetite.
Third pool... fourth... fifth…
As each pool formed and underwent the Nine-Fold Refinement, Wei Chen's dantian began to resemble a constellation of miniature suns.
The golden qi pools orbited each other in perfect harmony, their combined radiance creating patterns of light that would have been visible to any cultivator with sufficient spiritual sight.
Sixth pool... seventh... eighth…
By the time Wei Chen was forming his eighth pool, the spiritual stones around him had been completely drained. What had started as hundreds of glowing blue stones was now nothing but crystalline dust scattered across the training room floor. The sheer amount of spiritual energy he had absorbed was staggering.
"Watching you 'swallow' spiritual qi like this," Wei Tianshan muttered to himself,
"I can't help but wonder how much disturbance you'll cause at higher realms. You'll probably only be able to cultivate under a concealment formation going forward..."
Ninth pool!
The final pool formed with a resonance that seemed to shake the very foundations of the training room.
Nine perfectly refined pools of solar qi now resided in Wei Chen's dantian, each one a masterwork of compression and purification.
The combined radiance was so intense that it seemed to illuminate his entire body from within.
"Fascinating," the Desire Emperor's voice carried a note of genuine interest. "Your cultivation speed is unprecedented, but more importantly, the quality of your qi refinement surpasses what most cultivators achieve even after years of practice.
Your physique isn't just accelerating your cultivation it's perfecting it, rounding out the edges as you go along."
Is this normal for someone with my bloodline and physique? Wei Chen asked mentally while maintaining his meditation.
"Not entirely. While incubus bloodlines do enhance cultivation speed, what you're displaying goes beyond that. Your Celestial Nine Yang Physique is amplifying everything the absorption rate, the refinement quality, even the stability of your foundation. This combination is extremely rare each of these would either take time, special resources, and more profound techniques."
The Desire Emperor paused before continuing. "Speaking of rare phenomena, those twins you encountered earlier the Zhao siblings possess something equally extraordinary. Based on the subtle fluctuations of their souls and the high resonance with dao I detected, they possess what are known as Dao Souls."
Dao Souls?
Wei Chen's interest was piqued despite his focus on cultivation.
"Souls that contain fragments of dao that have somehow become integrated into their very essence. When manifested, they provide accelerated comprehension of whatever dao fragment that person possesses. There are three ways this typically occurs: they are heaven-blessed naturally gifted individuals, they are reincarnated immortals who retained their dao understanding through forbidden techniques, or they are the result of soul possession by a powerful figure."
Which one do you think they are?
"Based on what I observed, most likely the first option natural heaven-blessed individuals. However, there was something else I noticed. Their dao fragments are already carved into their souls, meaning they will cultivate faster than 99% of others. However, this same advantage will become a limitation when they reach higher realms."
Why is that?
"Because while dao represents one's interpretation of the laws of the world, interpretation can be flawed and requires adjustment as understanding deepens. Having a dao fragment carved too early can create rigid thinking patterns that become difficult to transcend."
The Desire Emperor's tone became more serious. "If you're interested, I recommend pursuing them. They will benefit you greatly, and you might be able to help them overcome their future limitations. Your flexible cultivation path and natural adaptability could provide the balance they'll need."
I'll consider it, Wei Chen replied, filing the information away for later consideration.
"Now," Wei Tianshan's voice interrupted his internal conversation, "it's time for the second phase. Create the stellar heavy yang pools using the Star Shatter Halberd Art."
Wei Chen opened his eyes briefly, seeing his great-grandfather's expectant expression. The transition from the bow method to the halberd method required a complete shift in his qi circulation patterns.
This should be interesting, he thought, beginning to cycle his spiritual energy according to the Intense Solar Yang pathway detailed in the halberd technique.
The change was immediately apparent. Where the bow method had felt like breathing in sunlight, the halberd method felt like swallowing molten metal. The stellar yang qi was far more heavy and volatile, requiring active containment to prevent it from destabilizing his carefully crafted foundation.
An idea struck him as he felt the dense, powerful energy beginning to accumulate.
What if I made space for it by hollowing out the center of each existing qi pool?
Would the heavier qi compress the already heavily compressed pools even more?
Deciding to test his theory, Wei Chen began a delicate process of spiritual manipulation. Using his mental control, he carefully created hollow spaces in the center of each sun qi pool, then began drawing and depositing the stellar yang energy there.
The process was slow and required intense concentration to ensure there were no mistakes. The heavy, dense qi settled into the hollow centers like liquid lead filling golden cups.
To his amazement, the compression effect was exactly what he had hoped for the stellar yang qi compressed the already refined sun qi even further, creating a dual-layered structure of incredible density and power.
First stellar pool... second... third…
Each addition made his dantian more complex and powerful. The golden sun qi formed the outer shells while the dark, intense stellar qi created cores of incredible density.
The visual effect was striking nine celestial bodies that looked like miniature solar systems, each with its own radiant corona and dark, powerful center.
The Desire Emperor observed with genuine awe. You're creating a cultivation foundation that most mortal would ever dream of . The dual-layer structure is providing exponential power amplification while maintaining perfect stability.
As Wei Chen was forming his seventh stellar pool, Wei Tianshan's communication token suddenly activated. The ancestor answered with a sharp "What?" that indicated his annoyance at being interrupted during such a crucial moment.
It was Wei Jian's voice that emerged from the token. "Father, there seems to be a development... The Secret Realm where the Crimson Bastion sits is showing signs of awakening. The movement is quite significant—the surrounding blood spirits are being affected."
Wei Tianshan's expression darkened. "Could it be that thing..." he trailed off, his voice carrying undertones of ancient concern.
Turning his attention fully back to Wei Chen
The Final Pools
Wei Chen accelerated his cultivation pace. The eighth stellar pool formed with such intensity that the training room's protective formations flickered under the spiritual pressure. The qi vortex surrounding him had grown so powerful that it was beginning to affect the ambient spiritual energy throughout the entire compound.
Eighth pool complete... now for the ninth…
The final stellar pool required every ounce of his concentration and control. The accumulated spiritual pressure from eighteen highly compressed qi pools was approaching the limit of what the Qi Gathering realm could contain. As the ninth stellar core settled into place, Wei Chen felt his entire being resonate with unprecedented power.
Nine dual-layered qi pools now resided in his dantian, each one a masterwork of cultivation theory and practical application. The golden sun qi provided precision, storage, and renewable energy, while the stellar cores offered explosive power and breakthrough force. Together, they created a foundation that defied conventional cultivation understanding.
"Incredible," Wei Tianshan breathed, his spiritual senses detecting the transformation that had occurred within his great-grandson.
As Wei Chen slowly opened his eyes and began to consolidate his new cultivation level, he felt the profound changes that had occurred within his body.
Every meridian thrummed with power, every spiritual pathway had been widened and strengthened, and his dantian had been transformed into something that resembled a miniature galaxy.
Liu Qin, who had watched the entire process in fascinated silence, couldn't help but gasp at the change in Wei Chen's spiritual presence.
"How do you feel?" Wei Tianshan asked, studying his great-grandson with eyes that had seen countless cultivators reach new realms over the centuries.
Wei Chen took a moment to assess his internal state. The power flowing through his body was intoxicating, yet perfectly controlled. He could sense that with his current foundation, the breakthrough to Foundation Establishment would be not just possible, but inevitable.
"Like I could face the world," Wei Chen replied honestly.
Wei Tianshan hummed. "That's to be expected you cossed the entire realm of the first stage in cultivation in mere hours that puffed up feeling is your soul relishing in its not power , that will subside with time or you can even , practice the arts to subside the feeling faster.
You've achieved the peak of Qi Gathering Stage One with a foundation that surpasses what most cultivators manage even at higher stages. However, remember that true strength comes not from raw power, but from understanding how to apply that power wisely."
The ancestor's expression grew more serious as his thoughts returned to the interrupted communication. "Rest and consolidate your gains for the of the day. Break though Tomorrow, then we head out, .."
As the training session concluded and the spiritual pressure in the room gradually normalized, Wei Chen couldn't help but reflect on how much his life had changed.
From a waste young master to someone who had just achieved a cultivation breakthrough that defied conventional understanding, his journey was just beginning.
The dual paths of solar yang cultivation now flowed through his body like twin rivers of power, each one reinforcing and amplifying the other. Combined with his incubus bloodline and the mysterious knowledge provided by the Desire Emperor, he was becoming something unprecedented in the cultivation world.
And somewhere out there, he thought, remembering the conversation about the Zhao twins. 'there are others with equally extraordinary destinies. The coming days will determine how those paths intersect.'
As Liu Qin helped him stand and steady himself after the intensive cultivation session, Wei Chen felt a profound sense of gratitude for the journey that had brought him to this moment.
The trials ahead would test everything he had learned, but for the first time since his crippling injury, he felt truly ready to face whatever challenges awaited.