Many people say that reaching the Integration stage is the true beginning of the cultivation path.
In a sense, this holds some truth.
Because,
only at the Integration stage can a cultivator transcend the concept of an individual and truly begin to establish connections with heaven and earth, and with nature.
Whether it's the Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, or Soul Transformation stages, the focus is still on the changes within the cultivator themselves.
But at the Integration stage!
Cultivators truly gain the ability to control the heaven and earth.
At this stage, what is compared is not merely the amount of spiritual power, but rather how much natural power can be stirred with a limited amount of spiritual power.
No matter how strong an individual is, they are but a drop in the ocean in the face of the terrifying power of heaven and earth.
To become stronger, one must learn to control the power of heaven and earth.
When ordinary cultivators advance to the Integration stage, they are in the initial phase. They might only be able to control a small area around them, making them novices among Integration stage cultivators.
When ordinary prodigies advance, they might be able to control the power of a mountain.
Even more monstrous prodigies might be able to control the power of ten or a hundred mountains, or even an entire sea.
This controlled area will slowly increase as their spiritual power grows.
Only when they reach the Void Refinement stage, where the real and unreal transform into each other, can they further approach nature.
However.
Li Shuang is different from all of them.
After her perfect advancement, she always felt... that as long as she wished, she seemed able to mobilize all the power of heaven and earth.
Her control area... has no limits.
As long as her spiritual power keeps up, the winds and clouds of the world are at her command.
Li Shuang picked up the Black Abyss Sword and casually practiced a set of sword techniques.
As soon as she began to practice the sword techniques, the surrounding spiritual energy surged towards her.
This spiritual energy danced with Li Shuang's sword tip.
Whatever she wanted them to do, they would do.
Upon entering the Integration stage, she had already completely mastered the power of heaven and earth.
This level of proficiency usually requires cultivation to the Grand Completion of the Integration stage.
Li Shuang familiarized herself with her current strength and was very pleased.
Although this perfect advancement carried great risks,
the rewards were even greater!
By taking this step, she had surpassed her predecessors and forged a path that truly belonged to her.
Her advancement was complete.
Li Shuang put away the Black Abyss Sword, preparing to return to the Sword Sect.
Suddenly.
Her palm grew hot.
Li Shuang was slightly taken aback and looked at her palm.
On her palm,
a key was now faintly appearing.
Li Shuang's expression involuntarily changed slightly.
This was...
Thirteen years ago,
she had gone to the Langya Secret Realm, conquered one of the ten most dangerous places, and obtained this key along with the nine-grade lotus seed.
However, this key had always been well-behaved all these years and had never appeared.
Li Shuang had almost forgotten its existence.
Now,
this key was continuously emitting a scorching aura.
This seemed to be reminding Li Shuang that something was about to happen with this key.
Li Shuang looked at her palm, feeling an inexplicable trepidation.
She remembered the words she heard when she obtained the key.
That voice said,
"Congratulations on obtaining the key to unlock the Langya Palace."
Now that the key was suddenly acting strangely, could it be that the Langya Palace was about to open?
Li Shuang frowned slightly.
This opportunity, obtained before even reaching the Foundation Establishment stage,
was now making her, who had already advanced to the Integration stage, feel an inexplicable trepidation!
Just what kind of existence was this Langya Palace!
"Li Shuang, after you stabilize your realm, come see me at the City Lord's Hall."
Yu Jin's voice came through the Myriad Laws Eye.
Li Shuang quickly took out her Myriad Laws Eye.
Only then did she realize that after her advancement, her Bronze Eye had also evolved into a Void Silver Eye.
The City Lord must have discovered this information, which was why he specifically wanted to see her.
Li Shuang's face couldn't help but show a hint of regret.
Originally, she had wanted to show off a little.
This was one of her few small hobbies.
What a pity.
She wouldn't be able to show off this time.
Upon receiving Yu Jin's message, Li Shuang didn't hesitate. She set off for the Sword Sect first.
To enter the Myriad Laws Eye, one's physical body remains outside while the soul enters.
If she encountered any danger, she would be unable to defend herself in such a state.
She needed to return to the sect first, find a safe place, and then meditate in peace.
When she left the sect,
Li Shuang wandered aimlessly, not knowing where to go or where to stop.
Now, returning to the sect,
she was already an Integration stage cultivator, with no more confusion in her heart.
For a time, she flew on her sword, swift as the wind and lightning, her heart filled with joy.
The journey that had taken her several months to complete when she left, Li Shuang now finished in just three days.
Three days later,
she arrived at the foot of the Sword Sect mountain.
As Li Shuang was about to return to the sect, she saw a figure lingering at the entrance of the Sword Sect.
The person walked around a few times, seeming not to have found the person they were waiting for, and then somewhat dejectedly turned to leave.
As he turned, he ran into Li Shuang's curious gaze.
Yan Fan was immediately startled, and he stammered, "Li... Li Shuang!??"
He had been waiting here for Li Shuang for almost nine years!
Finally!
He finally waited for Li Shuang!
After the initial surprise, a hint of joy appeared on Yan Fan's face.
In these nine years, his progress had been considerable!
He had successfully visited the Soul Prison several times and gained some opportunities.
At the same time,
Li Shuang's points in Myriad Law City had remained unchanged. It seemed she had done nothing in these nearly nine years!
Although he didn't know what Li Shuang had been doing, the fighting spirit still burned in Yan Fan's heart. He gripped the sword in his hand, his expression stern: "Li Shuang, I've come to challenge you to a fight!"
Li Shuang's expression immediately became extremely strange.
She asked, "You're here just to fight me?"
Yan Fan nodded seriously: "That's right, I haven't stopped cultivating for a moment in these nine years. Although I still might not be able to beat you, I believe the gap between us has definitely narrowed! If one nine years isn't enough to surpass you, then two nine years, three nine years, eventually I will become the undisputed top genius."
When Yan Fan spoke, he was full of spirit, his eyes filled with anticipation for the future.
Li Shuang was silent for a moment.
How to put it...
Although she had a slight quirk.
But looking at such a naive gaze, she felt somewhat reluctant to dampen his spirits.
Li Shuang hesitated for a moment and said, "How about we don't?"
Leaving aside everything else,
just looking at the realm, the gap between the Soul Transformation stage and the Integration stage is like heaven and earth.
What's more, she had a perfect advancement!
If they were to really fight, she was afraid Yan Fan would be completely crushed and go mad.
"Please, fight me," Yan Fan said with unwavering determination.
He wasn't afraid of losing; he was only afraid of not being able to clearly see the gap between himself and Li Shuang.
Yan Fan said seriously, "You don't have to hold back like last time. Please, use your full power!"
Only then would he know how far he still had to go to reach Li Shuang's side.
Using full power...
Li Shuang's expression immediately became even more peculiar.