After all, Jiang Yi had studied at the Dao academy for three years; he was not the sort who squandered money idling and fooling around.
He pondered in silence:
“Teacher once said that the first step on any of the myriad Great Daos must be taken from Qi Refining.
At the first level of Qi Refining, one opens the meridians, transforming the sinews and strengthening the body; at the second level, one transforms the bones, making the physique firm.”
In the Five Domains under Heaven, whether it was the immortal path, the demonic path, or some other path of cultivation, all cultivators of every kind had to begin with Qi Refining.
And the realm of Qi Refining was divided into twelve levels in all, climbing step by step until reaching perfection, only then allowing one to establish the foundation.
The first four levels involved opening the qi meridians, nurturing true essence, and tempering the fleshly body.
Once the sinews and bones had been hammered until they were as hard as iron, and the organs were whole and unified, bringing the body’s cauldron to completion,
one could step past the fifth level, open a “Primordial Gate Inner Mansion,” gather spiritual essence, and accumulate one’s foundation.
In the entire Qianji Sect—Crimson Flame, Soul-Nurturing, Herb-Gathering, and Garment-Stitching, the four outer peaks—
even the very best were only at the level of the fifth stage of Qi Refining.
“I have completed both the transformation of sinews and bones.”
Jiang Yi drew in a deep breath and exerted strength slightly. He only felt his qi and blood blazing, as if beacon smoke had been lit and was about to break through the forest.
This was the sign of a greatly strengthened physique!
Now, standing at the second level of Qi Refining, his tendons and membranes were thick, tough, and strong; his bones were hard as iron; his strength was boundless. With a casual swing of one arm, he had the force of a thousand jin!
Placed in the mortal world, he would be a match for ten thousand men!
“This ‘opportunity’ I bitterly waited two days for was not in vain.”
Jiang Yi was utterly satisfied, even a little dazed.
Thinking back, the original owner had cultivated bitterly for three years at the foot of the mountain before finally opening his meridians, allowing his hundred bones to accommodate true qi, circulate it through the heavenly cycle, and step into the first level of Qi Refining.
Later, he was assigned to Crimson Flame Peak of the Qianji Sect as a menial servant. No matter how hard it was, he persisted in sitting in meditation, breathing and cultivating.
Another four years passed like this, crawling along like a tortoise, barely inching his way to the completion of the first level of Qi Refining.
“Several years of bitter cultivation cannot compare to a single night’s work.”
Jiang Yi murmured silently in his heart:
“No wonder the teachers at the Dao academy repeatedly said, ‘Any cultivator who ascends in rank and attains divine abilities cannot possibly be without opportunity at his side and destiny upon his person.’ Those words truly aren’t false!”
A chilly wind swept past. Snow on the treetops rustled down onto his shoulders, only to be instantly melted by his surging qi and blood, turning into a wisp of vapor.
Jiang Yi understood that this was because he had broken through to the second level, his vitality flourishing and eager to burst forth, making the qi and blood within him like a wild horse that had thrown off its reins, somewhat difficult to hold back and contain.
He suppressed his surging thoughts, and also pressed down his boiling qi and blood, then strode toward the communal courtyard.
“Brother Yi, didn’t you ask for leave? Why’re you up so early…”
No sooner had Jiang Yi reached the communal courtyard than he ran into He Laohun, who had gotten up to go to work.
The other man was just finding it strange. Brother Yi had suffered through two days of fever, nearly cooking that young, handsome face of his. Why wasn’t he lying down to rest?
But just as the words reached his lips, he looked up and was immediately startled.
“Good heavens! Brother Yi, when did you reach the second level of Qi Refining?!”
He Laohun froze on the spot. He stared carefully at Jiang Yi’s now fair, delicate face and clicked his tongue:
“No wonder that hussy surnamed Luo kept clinging to you all the time those two years. Brother Yi really is good-looking, such a handsome young lord.”
He Laohun was a loud, blustering sort, and the commotion he made instantly livened up the communal courtyard.
Old Li, who lived at the other end, pushed open his door and came out. He and his wife both worked on Crimson Flame Peak. The two of them were diligent and hardworking, saving every talisman coin without spending a single one. Supposedly, they wanted to send their son to the Dao academy and have him enter a better sect.
“Brother Yi’s qi and blood are really vigorous! A young man’s bones and body sure are strong!”
Old Li was just over forty, yet his hair was gray-white and sparse on top, making him look as if he were already sixty.
Like He Laohun, he belonged to those who did too much physical labor, heavy labor, and odd work, and so appeared prematurely aged.
“Remember to eat better these two days. After transforming the sinews and bones, you urgently need nourishment. The more you nourish yourself, the more fiercely your physique will grow.”
Jiang Yi cupped his hands and thanked him for the advice.
Upon entering the second level of Qi Refining, with strengthened sinews, sturdy bones, and a greatly improved physique, he would need spiritual objects to nourish him even more.
He naturally understood this principle.
Thus, on the way back to the communal courtyard, Jiang Yi had already been considering whether to be a little extravagant and spend some talisman money to eat a few extra bowls of spirit rice.
He Laohun was half envious and half sour:
“Brother Yi doesn’t seem to be eighteen yet, right? When I was your age, I had only just opened my meridians and barely stepped into the first level of Qi Refining.
With such pleasing progress in your cultivation, who knows, you might have hope of charging to the fifth level before your term is up and you descend the mountain.”
Widow Qin coiled up her hair and stepped out from her room. Her dark eyes darted about, the corners of her lips carrying a smile:
“Brother Yi broke through to the second level? Then we should celebrate. I have some ‘bear gall’ in my room that I traded for from the inner sect. I’ll take it out later to steep in wine.”
He Laohun muttered softly:
“Sister Qin sure is generous. Bear gall from the Hundred Beasts Cave isn’t cheap, is it?”
Widow Qin rolled her eyes at him, planted both hands on her hips, and said:
“I treat Brother Yi like a younger brother, so naturally I won’t be stingy. If one day you reach the third level of Qi Refining and call me grandaunt, I’ll reward you with one too.”
After being jabbed with that remark, He Laohun instead seemed as light and airy as if he had eaten an immortal pill, chuckling:
“Thank you for the reward, grandaunt! Brother Yi and I are close. Brother Yi, just you wait. When work’s over, I’ll get you two spirit fish to give your teeth a treat!”
Seeing that Widow Qin and He Laohun had both given “congratulatory gifts,” Old Li also wanted to open his mouth and chip in, but his wife tugged at the corner of his clothes, so he lowered his head and said nothing.
Everyone’s behavior was taken in by Jiang Yi.
Although they were in a demonic sect, when there was room to show human warmth, everyone was willing to reveal an amiable side.
As long as their fundamental interests were not involved, there was no need to scheme against one another and harm each other.
Jiang Yi cupped his hands toward the few fellow workers and said:
“It’s only a breakthrough to the second level of Qi Refining. There’s no need to trouble everyone so grandly; if word got out, people would laugh.
How about this? When work ends tonight, I’ll host. We’ll set a table in the courtyard, eat meat and drink wine. What do you say?”
When Old Li heard this, he exchanged another glance with his wife.
The hand she had been using to tug at his clothes quietly loosened.
Old Li said with a chuckle:
“Which of us didn’t suffer bitterly for eight or ten years before reaching the second level of Qi Refining? It isn’t easy for Brother Yi to have advanced so bravely and swiftly.
I’ll join in the fun too and give six liang of spirit rice. We’ll cook half a pot of porridge!”
Spirit rice was precious. There definitely would not be enough to make rice, so they could only cook porridge.
In this way, Old Li and his wife could also get a decent share, freeload a meal, and eat a few mouthfuls of spirit fish. It would not count as a pure loss or a favor given for nothing.
Jiang Yi understood this little calculation and did not think there was anything wrong with it.
For beasts of burden at the bottom, where would they find the confidence to throw around wealth and compete in generosity? They all had to haggle over every bit, calculate carefully, and struggle to get by.
He Laohun raised a thumb:
“Old Li, how generous!”
A long-lost air of joy filled the communal courtyard. Jiang Yi thanked them one by one, and only after everyone went off to work did the courtyard quiet down again.
“For menial servants, the ceiling one can hope for in this life is probably the fifth level of Qi Refining. Any higher, and one wouldn’t dare think of it.”
Jiang Yi returned to his room and gulped down two large bowls of chrysanthemum tea, letting his restless mind regain calm.
When one met a joyous event, one’s spirit would be refreshed.
He had to admit that just now, being congratulated and praised by the few fellow workers in the communal courtyard had indeed made him feel somewhat light-headed.
“Jiang Yi, oh Jiang Yi, it’s only the second level of Qi Refining. How can you let yourself get complacent?”
Jiang Yi steadied his mind and closed his eyes as if napping.
Golden light shone brilliantly in his eyes, and the pages suddenly emerged.
The first opportunity was over, its cause and effect settled.
He could ask another question.
【I humbly beseech the Heavenly Book: show me an opportunity that I can currently obtain and that carries no future trouble!】
Jiang Yi still used the same wording as before.
The Heavenly Book flipped, and the golden paper flashed.
【Matter investigated: an opportunity compatible with oneself.】
【Time spent deducing: one breath.】
【Deduction result: none.】
“As expected.”
Jiang Yi was not surprised.
Being on Crimson Flame Peak, how could there be so many opportunities for him to pick up as bargains?
It was like fishing for big fish in a small pond. To get one was already lucky.
How could one possibly have a bursting net every day and return fully loaded?
If that were the case, Jiang Yi would instead have to worry whether some great figure had been secretly baiting the nest.
“Let’s change the question.”
Jiang Yi’s thoughts shifted, sketching words upon the golden paper of the Heavenly Book.
【I am currently at the second level of Qi Refining, and my cultivation method is the ungraded True Meridian Qi Circulation Art. Under circumstances where I have extremely little cultivation time, how can I ensure that my cultivation improves? I humbly beseech the Heavenly Book: show me a specific, feasible method!】
Since there were currently no opportunities, then he would rely on his own effort!
【Matter investigated: one’s own cultivation.】
【Time spent deducing: one incense stick.】
Jiang Yi waited quietly.
With a hum, the rippling radiance like water dispersed.
Dense rows of tiny tadpole-like characters slowly appeared.
【Deduction result: Immortal friend is at the second level of Qi Refining and urgently lacks the nourishment of spiritual objects, but with an ungraded cultivation method, your breathing and absorption are poor, and your true qi is difficult to strengthen.
In addition, immortal friend has little time for cultivation. Under existing conditions, it is recommended that you follow the following methods…】