Chapter 8 Cultivation: Advancing to the Qi Refinement Stage

About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the three of them arrived at a rather secluded spot to the south. There, a narrow path paved with bluestone stretched ahead, flanked by tall trees on both sides. At the end of the path stood five two-story pavilions. As they walked further in, they came upon a bluestone slab about the size of a person, with a large character for "Valley" carved into it.

“This is where disciples of our master’s lineage reside. Because our master previously only accepted me and your Senior Sister Tong as disciples, the other three residences remain unoccupied for now. Qiuhan, you may choose one as your own,” Zhou Yi explained.

Qiuhan followed them into the central house. He pushed open the door and entered to find a square table, four short wooden stools, and a bed laid out against the inner wall. It was clear someone cleaned the place regularly; though unoccupied, it was tidy and well-kept.

At that moment, Zhou Yi took Qiuhan’s luggage from his storage pouch and placed it on the table. “Qiuhan, you rest here for now. Your Senior Sister and I will fetch some daily necessities for you from the sect’s storeroom.”

With that, Zhou Yi and He Yitong left together. Qiuhan sat by the table, his head bowed in thought, and as he sat in silence, he suddenly realized he was a little homesick. It was the first time in his life he had left his hometown and parents; a sense of loss crept into his heart.

He thought of his childhood playmates—Chubby, Little Tiger, and Er Gou—and realized that from now on, his life would be different from theirs. Fortunately, his sister Yunrou was still with him, and both Zhou Yi and Sister Yitong treated him kindly.

As his thoughts wandered, he recalled the dream he had the other night. Why had the immortal in his dream taken his parents away? And why had his father told him, just before he left home, that there was something he must be told in a month’s time, only after he returned? Why was it so urgent, yet couldn’t be revealed then?

The more Qiuhan pondered, the more confused he became. In the end, he simply decided not to dwell on it—he would return home next month and let his father tell him then.

Half an hour later, Zhou Yi and He Yitong returned. Entering the room, Zhou Yi took out a storage pouch, removed part of its contents, and handed the pouch to Qiuhan.

Apart from the daily necessities, Zhou Yi also took out a jade slip, a number of small white stones, and several bottles of pills.

“This jade slip contains a cultivation technique for wood element, covering all fifteen levels of the Qi Refining stage. Once you reach the first level, you’ll develop spiritual sense and can use it to read the slip. These white stones are called ‘spirit stones’; they’re used to speed up cultivation and replenish spiritual power. You’ll learn more about them in time.

“As for the storage pouch, I’ve told you about its function before. However, opening it requires either spiritual sense or your own spiritual power. Since you can’t open it yet, I’ll take out everything you need for now. The rest can stay inside until you reach the Qi Refining stage and can open it yourself.”

“There are also these bottles. Don’t touch them at random. They contain pills to aid cultivation; mortals must not consume them. Rest for the next couple of days, and I’ll show you around the sect. In a few days, we’ll begin your training.”

Qiuhan nodded, carefully committing everything to memory and putting the items away. By now it was near noon, and Zhou Yi suggested they eat first, then tour the sect in the afternoon to help Qiuhan become familiar with his new surroundings.

Though cultivators could subsist without food, most lower-level ones still craved meals, so the sect had a dedicated dining hall. After lunch and a brief rest, the three wandered around the sect, getting to know the place.

The day passed quickly. That night, everyone retired to their rooms. The next morning, Qiuhan slept in until a late hour, only to be roused by Zhou Yi. After washing up and having breakfast, Yunrou joined them shortly after they returned to their quarters.

The girl was clearly proud, showing off in front of the three. Over the following days, Yunrou often came to chat and wander about the sect with them, until the fifth day, when her master finally began teaching her to cultivate and she parted ways with the group.

Six days had passed since Qiuhan and the others arrived at Hengyuan Sect. On the seventh morning, Zhou Yi and He Yitong began instructing him in the most basic cultivation technique.

“Sitting cross-legged, do as I say: take one long, deep breath, guiding the air into your dantian, then two short breaths, then another long breath, followed by three short breaths. Repeat this cycle.”

Zhou Yi explained carefully beside him. Qiuhan listened intently, sitting cross-legged as instructed, and began practicing the breathing technique.

“Qi Refining means absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, accumulating it within. When enough spiritual power has gathered, your mortal constitution will transform, laying the foundation for future cultivation.

“This is the most basic step for anyone with spiritual roots. The better your roots, the faster you can absorb spiritual energy. Poor roots mean slower absorption, which is why cultivators value spiritual roots so highly.

“Heaven and earth’s spiritual energy is complex. Those with multiple attributes in their roots can’t absorb pure spiritual energy as quickly as those with a single attribute. In fact, if the spiritual energy absorbed is too mixed, it may not even be possible to reach the Qi Refining stage.”

After about half an hour of practice, Qiuhan felt as though countless ants were crawling over his body and stopped abruptly. He Yitong explained, “That’s a sign that spiritual energy is entering your body. Don’t be alarmed. Calm your mind, imagine yourself merging with heaven and earth, and continue.”

Taking her advice, Qiuhan closed his eyes, composed himself, and resumed his breathing exercises. Two and a half hours later, with each breath, two white streams like dragons burst forth from his mouth and nose.

“Senior Brother Zhou, our little brother Qiuhan has already reached the first level of Qi Refining! It’s only been three hours—when you started, didn’t it take you half a day?” He Yitong exclaimed in surprise.

Zhou Yi, noticing the change, nodded approvingly. “Exceptional aptitude indeed. He’s advanced twice as fast as I did.”

Qiuhan had stopped his breath practice and turned to Zhou Yi and He Yitong. “Brother Zhou, Sister Yitong, you said I’ve reached the first level of Qi Refining. Does that mean I’ve become an immortal?”

“In a manner of speaking, yes. In the eyes of mortals, cultivators are considered immortals. Now you’re one of us, Qiuhan. Look at yourself—see how different you are from before.”

Zhou Yi smiled as he spoke, and He Yitong covered her mouth to hide a laugh. Qiuhan glanced down in confusion and cried out, “Why am I so filthy?”

A sticky black substance was oozing from his pores, staining his once-white clothes. Zhou Yi joked, “See? That’s what sets immortals apart from mortals. Your body has been remade by spiritual energy. From now on, you’re a cultivator.”

Qiuhan fetched a wooden bucket from inside and went to the back mountain to fetch water for a bath.

After lunch, Zhou Yi handed Qiuhan a small booklet, explaining that it contained general knowledge about cultivation. He told Qiuhan to study it on his own and ask questions if anything was unclear, advising him to rest that afternoon and resume his breath practice the next day.