Qingxuan sat cross-legged on the grass, the ancient warlock symbol scroll unfurled before him. The golden Sanskrit glyph glowed faintly, pulsing like the heartbeat of the universe itself. His right Eye of Heavenly Essence opened, radiating a faint golden light. Immediately, the lattice of Yuan Power within the surroundings began to tremble, as if responding to the observer.
"The Dao of the Soul… the Dao of Mental Energy…" he murmured softly, almost to himself. "Every symbol, every curve… it is a map of consciousness…"
As his divine eye focused, countless strands of subtle energy, invisible to ordinary cultivators, became visible. Threads of pure Mental Energy wove through the air like golden silk, coiling, vibrating, and resonating with the pattern of the symbol. Each thread was alive, containing infinite layers of intent, memory, and willpower. Qingxuan's right eye traced each path with surgical precision, breaking down the structure of the glyph into components: the base lattice, the resonance nodes, and the core of consciousness it represented.
He exhaled slowly, letting his mind synchronize with the symbol. His breathing became a metronome, steady, precise, each inhalation and exhalation aligning his own Mental Energy with the spiraling threads. Tiny motes of golden light began forming around him, hovering midair like fireflies, drawn to the pulse of his consciousness.
Within ten minutes, the first signs of condensation appeared. A faint, half-formed Seal Symbol began to shimmer in between his eyes, hovering just above his Divine Eyes.
Its edges flickered with golden energy, as if unstable, yet perfectly aligned with the lattice he had visualized. Every strand of the symbol resonated with his right eye's perception, and he adjusted, tightened, and threaded his own will through its structure.
The wind picked up suddenly, swirling in tiny spirals around him, carrying the scent of ozone as if the very air recognized the birth of something extraordinary. Tiny leaves lifted from the grass and circled his figure, drawn into the invisible patterns of energy he was forming.
Half an hour passed, and a half Seal Symbol solidified, hovering slightly above his head like a miniature sun. It was incomplete, yes, but perfect in its construction. Its golden threads pulsed in a steady rhythm, resonating with his mind and body. The right Eye of Heavenly Essence could see beyond the visible symbol, the remaining half, the gap, demanded refined Qi, pure and undisturbed, to complete it.
For now, it was beyond reach, his 5th Body Tempering Realm layer did not allow him access to Yuan Power, but this partial condensation was already enough to astonish the most experienced practitioners.
Around him, the air shimmered faintly as the surrounding Yuan Power itself bent subtly toward his consciousness. Birds froze mid-flight, their wings trembling. Grass blades quivered as if bowing. Even distant ripples on the lake stilled, reflecting a perfect golden light. Every living being within sight seemed to sense the magnitude of what had just occurred.
The old man walked out of his hut, sensing the phenomenon with a porcelain cup filled with wine and he smiled widely, his eyes gleaming with pride. "Hahaha! You've done it… half a Seal Symbol in half an hour. A feat that would take ordinary disciples decades, if they could manage it at all. Such precision… such comprehension… it is beyond belief!"
Qingxuan's expression remained calm, but his mind buzzed with exhilaration. He could feel the subtle resonance of the symbol now embedded on his forehead, hidden in between his divine eyes which constantly nourished the seal, a faint but steady pulse connecting his soul, mind, and the Mental Energy around him.
The half symbol would guide him, provide structure, and amplify the strength of his will, but its completion would require a deeper understanding, and a refined Qi energy source untouched by mundane cultivation.
He slowly closed his eyes, letting the golden threads flow through him, feeling their wisdom and structure integrate into his consciousness. Every pulse, every vibration, every shimmer of energy now became a part of him.
The old man chuckled again, shaking his head in amazement. "Boy… the world isn't ready for you yet. But even half a Seal Symbol… it is enough to make the heavens pause." After that, he walked back into his hut full of laughter.
Qingxuan sat there in meditation for hours. He didn't want to stop here. Taking out multiple medium grade yuan stones, he placed them in a circular orbit around him and began to absorb them slowly.
Earlier today, he had broken through the 5th layer and had refined his bones, but Qingxuan felt his momentum soar after forming the Half Symbol Seal. If he gave up this opportunity, he'd have to wait several days or even weeks before attempting to breakthrough again.
The sixth layer of Body Tempering reinforced strength into one's marrows allowing the birth of a Yuan Power seed in the marrow. The Yuan Power seed would continually absorb Yuan power from environment that would flow through the meridians to empower the cultivator.
This level brought about a qualitative change in strength, allowing the cultivator to cultivate and absorb Yuan power to attack and defend.
Qingxuang felt the energy soar into his body and then he shook.
KA-CHA!
Golden yuan power poured into his figure and condensed in a round seed, the size of a mango seed, and it glowed with incredible purple light.
"I did it." Qingxuan unwrapped his upper face, as his lips curved up into a smile. He laid down onto the soft grass, in deep thought.
His path was set out for him. Yuan power cultivation, combat and mental energy with the soul Dao. He sighed and closed his eyes, enjoying the soft breeze and slowly drifted into sleep.
He awoke hours later, at sundown. He opened his eyes groggily to see the old man grilling a piece of Demonic Beast meat.
"Awake already?" The old man sprinkled spices on his dinner, and kept oiling it as it sizzled over the fire.
"My head hurts a bit. Also my 1st Symbol Seal. It's.."
"Incomplete? Yeah.."
Qingxuan didn't need to finish his statement. The old man did it for him.
"There is a reason apart from increased mental capacity, why only Earthly Yuan Real
Cultivators can try to begin their walk on the Dao of Mental Energy.."
Qingxuan moved closer and sat down.
"Earthly Yuan Realmers have access to Yuan power. They condense the first half of their symbol seal through sheer comprehension and then condense the rest by absorbing the pure Yuan Power of Heaven and Earth. You've done the hard part already. Now all you need.. is to find a pure source of Yuan power and no, Yuan stones won't work…"
The old man moved the meat from the grill onto a stone slab and sat after pouring himself a cup of wine.
"I understand. Thank you Master. Qingxuan will never forget your kindness.." He bowed lightly.
"Have a cup of tea before you go for your headache and by the Heavens cover those abominable eyes of yours. I'll probably get nightmares.."
The old man pointed the meat bone in hand to the tea and turned his gaze away quickly not to meet Qingxuan's gaze.
Qingxuan smiled, nodded and drank an entire porcelain cup of the tea, before he bowed lightly. "Disciple requests his leave.." He blindfolded his eyes and walked out of the old man's courtyard and headed home straight.
He needed to first eat something, get a good sleep and then sit to actually and properly absorb the gains and the knowledge he had received today.
He found his way into the main clan huge courtyard and was making his way home when he suddenly stopped.
Three youths walked out of the shadows and cornered him immediately. Everyone who was practicing, cultivating, or even relaxing stood up to observe the spectacle.
Three youths dressed in blue, holding swords at their waists.
"You must be Mu Qingxuan.. The rules of the clan demand you be brought to the Punishment Hall to answer some questions .." The youth in the lead was tall and had a crafty smile and an evil look in his eyes. Qingxuan knew him. He was Mu Rong's elder brother and was probably here to get back at him for his brother's sake and for Mu Jiang Rong.
"Hey! Isn't that Mu Fan and the members of the Punishment Hall? Why are they here for Qingxuan?!" Someone asked within the crowd.
"Don't you know. Mu Fan is Mu Rong's elder brother and he is one of Mu Jiang Rong's subordinates. They're obviously here to teach Qingxuan a lesson for how badly he humiliated their younger siblings." Another within the crowd responded.
"Sigh. No matter how you look at it, Qingxuan never broke any of the clan's rules. He fought and defended himself perfectly…"
"These guys just do whatever they want.." The crowd raged at the unfairness, yet none of them dared raise their voice.
Qingxuan didn't even bother turning towards the three of them and simply continued walking. "If you're going to falsely arrest me under some fake pretense, don't stand there and make a scene. Just attack. I definitely won't hold back.." His words were low, yet sharp, cutting into the hearts of the three.
"Wow! Qingxuan truly is ballsy. But Mu Fan isn't Mu Rong and co. He's a genuine 7th Realm Body Temper.."
Someone spoke.
Mu Fan didn't rage. Instead, he smiled softly. "Heh. Obstruction eh. That alone is enough for weeks of detainment for you and that whore Auntie of yours.."
The moment he spoke, everyone watching the face off felt the surroundings temperature drop by a degree.
Qingxuan paused mid step and his eyes snapped open underneath the blindfold. The half symbol seal between his brows lit up, sending a wave of mental energy flowing into his eyes.
The moment his gaze fell on the three, an invisible ripple spread. Everyone felt it. "What the hell is that?!" Someone was perplexed within the crowd. Even them who were not purposely targeted by the foreign energy felt their souls tighten.
Mu Fan and his counterparts bore the full brunt of Qingxuan's stare. Their souls shook within their core and their bodies froze on the spot, as if tendrils of ice was clawing on their muscles and blood vessels.
Even their hearts forgot to beat for a second. Mu Fan's lungs forgot to breathe. Blood rushed to his head. His eyes were widened and a trickle of warm blood flowed down his nose.
"What the hell?!! I can't move!" His thoughts weren't frozen like the rest of his body, but he couldn't open his mouth. It was as if his entire body had shut down and was no longer under his control just from a stare.
"You come after me, and I'll ignore you, but you mention her, and I'll kill you.." Qingxuan's words were calm, emotionless, as he walked and picked up a smooth brick.
He turned to them, took a step forward and corkscrewed into mid air, the Yin Shadow Cloak billowing behind him, as if he was a specter.
The brick in his hand swept out.
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
Three bodies dropped to the ground unconscious, bleeding heavily from their heads and orifices. Qingxuan didn't hold back. He hit them hard and gave all of them concussions.
The blood soaked brick dropped to the ground from his hands. And then he walked away like nothing had happened, taking with him the pressure that enveloped the surroundings.
"Wow! This Qingxuan is too domineering!"
"Did you see?! With a brick. Two sixth level Body Temepering Realmers and a bonafide seventh, all laid out with a brick!"
"At the point, he's going to become irreparable enemies with Mu Jiang Rong."
"Do you think he's going to participate in the Warrior's selection?.."
The speculation went on and on, meanwhile, Qingxuan himself entered his room with a bad headache and slumped onto his bed in a deep slumber.