"When cultivators advance in their realm, they undergo profound transformations that enhance both their abilities and overall being. These changes include significant boosts in physical strength, speed, and resilience, along with improved control over their spiritual energy (Qi). They also experience faster healing and regenerative abilities, longer lifespans, and heightened senses and perception."
"Advancing through realms grants access to powerful techniques and spells, strengthens their defensive capabilities, and fosters both spiritual and mental growth. It increases a cultivator's qi capacity and refines their control over it, enabling the use of more powerful and sustained techniques. Additionally, their combat skills and techniques become more refined and deadly."
"These advancements also enhance a cultivator's senses, providing them with spiritual sight, hearing, and perception, which help in detecting danger and seeing through illusions. Their soul strength increases, which is crucial for soul-based attacks and defenses."
"Cultivators radiate a powerful aura that influences those around them. Therefore, advancing realms garners immense respect and influence within their sects, clans, and the broader cultivation world. They gain better access to rare resources, such as spiritual herbs and artifacts, which further aid their cultivation."
"To raise your cultivation realm, it's not just about absorbing Qi from the environment or rigorous training—pills are also necessary." As he spoke, their elder drew a pill from his storage ring. "This is an example of the pill I'm referring to, and its purpose is to replenish small amounts of spiritual energy." He then returned the pill to his storage ring.
"There are many types of pills, typically categorized based on their quality, potency, and effectiveness. These range from low-grade to heavenly-grade pills. Additionally, be cautious when taking defective pills, as they can cause a wide range of adverse effects. In my experience, even with a bit of inquiry and basic knowledge, you may experience mild consequences, such as nausea, dizziness, and temporary weakness."
"More serious effects could include Qi deviation, poisoning, and internal injuries, which could stop cultivation progress. In the worst cases, cultivators could experience Qi reversal, mental instability, or even death. Long-term effects could include persistent cultivation bottlenecks or becoming dependent on the defective pill."
"To avoid the serious risks that come with defective pills, cultivators must be careful and only buy from reliable sources."
After explaining, one of the disciples raised their hand. "Elder Xu Feng, how can we identify if the pill we're holding is defective?"
"Apologies, I'm not an alchemist, but based on my experience, here's how I recognize a defective pill: I use several methods. First, do a visual inspection—look for irregular colors, spots, or cracks. Then, smell it for any weak, strange, or unpleasant odors. Trusted sources and certifications from reputable alchemists also play a key role in ensuring the pill's quality and avoiding potential defects."
"There's one more source that can help you raise your cultivation realm—are you familiar with monster cores?" The disciples all answered with a resounding 'yes,' while some nodded.
---Monster core, also known as a demon core or beast core: is a valuable and potent item found within the bodies of powerful magical beasts, demons, or monsters.---
...
When Madara heard this, he was left staring blankly at his seat, recalling the bloodfang bats he had slain. "Shit... I completely forgot about that... what a waste..." he muttered to himself.
...
"The elder then took out a beast core from his storage ring. "A beast core is a condensed, crystalline structure that contains a significant amount of spiritual energy (Qi) and the essence of the beast. It is usually found in the beast's dantian or heart. Beast cores are typically round and can vary in size and color, often reflecting the attributes and cultivation level of the beast. For instance, a fire-based beast might have a red core, while a water-based beast might have a blue core."
"Cultivators can absorb the spiritual energy from beast cores to enhance their own cultivation and nature affinity. The quality and quantity of energy depend on the level of the beast. These cores are also highly valuable to Alchemy and Forging cultivators, as they are crucial ingredients in alchemy for creating powerful pills, elixirs, and medicines. Additionally, they are used in crafting magical artifacts and weapons, imbuing them with special properties. Beast cores also serve as a power source for formations and arrays, providing a stable and potent energy to maintain defensive or offensive mechanisms."
"However, be cautious when absorbing energy from a monster core, as it can be risky. If a cultivator is not strong enough or lacks the proper techniques, they may suffer energy backlash or even damage their meridians. Moreover, obtaining a monster core usually requires defeating the beast itself, which can be a dangerous endeavor. Powerful beasts often inhabit perilous areas and can pose serious threats to cultivators."
"Just like humans, the cultivation levels of beasts are often classified in a similar manner."
...
Beast Level - Cultivation Stage Equivalent - Core Quality
Spirit Beast - Qi Condensation >>> Foundation Realm - Low-grade cores
Demon Beast - Core Realm >>> Nascent Soul Realm - Mid-grade cores
Profound Beast - Soul Realm >>> Spirit Realm - High-grade cores
Celestial Beast - Void Realm >>> Sovereign Realm - Legendary-grade cores
...
"Now, let's move on to weapons and clothing/armor. Who here has a weapon?" As he spoke, almost all the new disciples revealed their own weapons. Afterward, he pointed to one of the disciples who had a weapon. "You, what grade is the weapon you're using?"
The man, sitting down, replied, "Elder, as far as I know, the forger who made my sword told me it's uncommon-grade."
The elder nodded and spoke again, "Weapons and armor also follow a grading system, starting from common-grade all the way up to divine-grade. Also, are any of you familiar with spiritual weapons?"
Only a few of the disciples responded, so the elder began to explain what spiritual weapons are.
---Spiritual weapon (灵器, líng qì) is a type of magical artifact that possesses special powers and abilities, often used by cultivators to enhance their combat prowess and support their cultivation journey. These weapons are usually imbued with spiritual energy and can evolve alongside their user, gaining new abilities and increasing in power.---
"Many spiritual weapons form a bond with their user, often requiring the cultivator to perform rituals or use their blood essence to recognize the weapon as its master. This bond allows the weapon to be controlled with greater precision and enhances its effectiveness."
"Unlike ordinary weapons, spiritual weapons can grow and evolve. As the cultivator advances in their cultivation, the weapon can also absorb spiritual energy or materials to upgrade its rank and abilities. Some spiritual weapons have multiple stages or forms, each more powerful than the last.
"Each spiritual weapon has unique abilities or techniques, which can range from elemental attacks, enhanced physical attributes, defensive capabilities, to special effects like soul attacks or illusions. These abilities often reflect the weapon's origin, materials, and the cultivator's own cultivation path.
"Higher-level spiritual weapons may possess a weapon spirit (器灵, qì líng), an intelligent entity residing within the weapon. The weapon spirit can communicate with the user, provide guidance, and sometimes even act independently to protect the cultivator or enhance the weapon's abilities."
"Spiritual weapons come in various forms, including swords, spears, bows, halberds, and even less conventional items like fans, bells, or rings. Each form has its own advantages and suits different fighting styles and cultivation techniques."
"It also have grading system for spiritual weapons from low grade to supreme grade."
| Grade | Level | Description |
| Low-Grade | Initial stages | Basic weapons with weak abilities and low refinement |
| Mid-Grade | Intermediate levels | Weapons with enhanced properties, such as elemental powers |
| High-Grade | Advanced levels | Strong weapons with multiple forms and abilities |
| Supreme-Grade | Peak cultivators | Legendary and rare weapons with immense power, often possessing weapon spirits |
"Did you know a spiritual weapon that can be used as a flying object typically falls within the High-Grade or Supreme-Grade category, depending on its power and the specific abilities it grants to its user."
"But Some mid-grade spiritual weapons might possess basic flying abilities, but their flight capabilities are generally limited in terms of speed, duration, and altitude. These flying weapons would likely be used by intermediate-level cultivators, and the flight might be more like gliding or hovering rather than true high-speed flight."
...
"As for techniques, they also follow a grading system ranging from low-grade to supreme-grade."
Low Grade : Basic techniques, easy to learn, but not very powerful.
Middle Grade : More powerful techniques that require greater skill and provide an edge in combat.
High Grade : Advanced techniques requiring mastery, offering significant combat advantages.
Supreme Grade : Techniques at the pinnacle, difficult to master but immensely powerful.
...
Afterward, the elder explained the progression stages of techniques, from the initial stage all the way to the perfection stage. Finally, he discussed the different types of cultivators. When he finished, Elder Xu Feng gave his final instructions. "Return tomorrow. I will teach you the Qi Absorption Technique. Do you understand?" The seated disciples nodded in agreement, and as they stood, they all performed a cupped fist gesture toward their elder.
Before the disciples could leave the pagoda, their elder called out their names. "Luo Feiyan, Shen Xiu, and Uchiha Madara. You three stay behind. I have something to discuss with you."
...
Name: Luo Feiyan
Age: 15
Sex: Female
Where do you live: Lianyun Town (莲云镇) – Lotus Cloud Town
Cultivation level: Mid Stage of Qi Condensation
Spiritual root: Uncommon Spiritual Root
Nature Affinity: Wind (Uncommon)
Bone marrow: Ordinary Bone Marrow
Bloodline: None (Uncommon)
...
Name: Shen Xiu
Age: 15
Sex: Male
Where do you live: Yunxia Village (云霞村) – Cloud Sunset Village
Cultivation level: Mid Stage of Qi Condensation
Spiritual root: Rare Spiritual Root
Nature Affinity: Wind and Lightning ( Common )
Bone marrow: Ordinary Bone Marrow
Bloodline: None (Common)
...
Once the last disciple had exited, the elder spoke, "You are sword cultivators, correct?"