Chapter 371 – Naturally Progressing to the Qi Refining Stage

Subduing Reverend Dandao was something Ye Kuang had never anticipated.

Now, he could finally let his guard down and settle his mind to consolidate the gains he had accumulated over the past six years.

His first priority was to stabilize his own Realm.

As the saying goes, a towering edifice rises from the ground—without a solid foundation, it is doomed to collapse.

One could say Ye Kuang saw this with remarkable clarity.

When he turned his gaze inward to his Dantian, he realized that the Inner World within had undergone a earth-shattering transformation.

If his Dantian was once an intangible space, it had now truly become a vast world.

It had detached from the Five Elements, forming a realm entirely of its own!

As the ancient Buddha once said: “In a single flower lies a world; in a single leaf, a Tathagata.”

Little did he know that only when the Inner World of the human Dantian opened its inner sanctum could the protective barriers (inner walls) of this small world gradually stabilize. This served as a defense against external forces while internally nurturing and consolidating the foundation.

However, delving into the relationship between the two was somewhat premature at this point.

For a moment, Ye Kuang felt a myriad of sensations continuously transmitted from his inner sanctum, stirring his very core and evoking a faint resonance within him.

From this, he clearly recognized that this state resembled the legendary mysteries of opening the inner sanctum.

Though he was still somewhat bewildered, he couldn’t deny that the constant sensation of foundation consolidation gave rise to an almost unrealistic notion:

The more stable the inner sanctum, the stronger he would become.

At the same time, Ye Kuang couldn’t help but feel a slight headache.

Now that he had entered the realm of opening the inner sanctum, he had no cultivation method to follow.

Thinking of this, he couldn’t help but wonder to himself, “Could it be that this Realm involves continuously stabilizing the Dantian to prevent the leakage of Primordial Energy?”

Unbeknownst to him, Reverend Dandao, overhearing this, found it somewhat unbearable and thus offered guidance: “Master, though I am unaware of the current state of the cultivation system in this world, the realm of opening the inner sanctum you speak of seems somewhat similar to the Fasting Period below the Foundation Establishment stage. This old servant suspects there may be some common ground between the two.”

Hearing this, Ye Kuang was inwardly startled, and then, as if guided by some unseen force, he asked, “The Fasting Period? From the way you speak, it sounds incredibly impressive.”

“This realm is a long story, Master. You need only understand three points: Fasting means regulating breath, regulating the body, and regulating harmony,” Reverend Dandao murmured to himself.

He then continued, “I presume Master has already successfully absorbed and fused with the Ancient Alchemy Scripture Manual. You need only follow the Qi Refining Chapter, continuously cultivate, and deepen your consolidation until you reach the extreme. By then, you will understand the meaning of my words.”

“Oh…” Ye Kuang was deeply astonished by these words. In the past, he had cultivated to strengthen his body and had been utterly shocked to discover the legendary realms. Who would have thought that Cultivation would become even more terrifying in its later stages?

Ending his awkward conversation with Reverend Dandao, Ye Kuang felt an almost impatient eagerness to begin comprehending the starting chapter of Qi Refining.

“The Qi Refining Stage, as the name implies, focuses on refining Qi—absorbing the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy for one’s own use, cycling it repeatedly, gradually transforming it into pure Spiritual Power, which then converges into the Qi Sea.”

“Three Minor Cycles, One Major Cycle…”

Reading this, Ye Kuang once again felt a wave of profound astonishment wash over him.At this moment, he suddenly felt like a beggar possessing wealth rivaling that of nations, yet he became inwardly astonished, struggling to calm the turbulent energy in his chest.

He had no idea how much time had passed when he gradually stilled his breath and mind, only then beginning to perceive the Primordial Energy in the air, thus comprehending the profound mysteries of Qi Refining.

It must be said, one never realizes until trying—the moment he circulated his energy, he was immediately startled.

Qi Refining and the Innate realm shared remarkably similar wonders!

And Ye Kuang had long since reached the Innate realm. Using this as a foundation, stepping into the Qi Refining Stage felt as natural as water flowing downhill, without the slightest hint of obstruction.

It wasn’t until a full day later that he completed one major energy cycle, slowly opening his eyes as a gleam of sharp light flickered and vanished.

“Huff… huff…” After exhaling this turbid breath, it seemed even more impure than before.

In that instant, Ye Kuang had an inexplicable feeling—that he was completely different from his former self.

The reason was simple: in just one day, he had stepped into the first layer of the Qi Refining Stage.

One must understand that although the Qi Refining Stage is the lowest threshold in the world of Cultivation, even prodigies typically require a month or so to break through. His speed was downright monstrous.

Though he had taken some shortcuts, it was undeniable that his comprehension and gains had already surpassed countless others in the world.

Of course, Ye Kuang had no concept of this.

Little did he know, if Reverend Dandao—hidden in the shadows—could reveal his expression, his eyeballs would likely pop out of their sockets.

Moreover, it was also evident that Ye Kuang didn’t seem particularly impressed with reaching the first layer of Qi Refining.

He suddenly closed his eyes again, sinking into deep meditation.

Unconsciously, that day passed in the blink of an eye, followed by another three days slipping by… until the early morning half a month later.

Ye Kuang abruptly opened his eyes, but who would have thought a burst of sharp light would shoot out with them.

Szzzt! Szzzt!

“This feeling? Uh-heh… uh-ha… uh-hehe…”

Instantly, the cave was filled with endless maniacal laughter, abruptly shaking dust loose from the inner walls as if it might collapse at any moment.

Witnessing this, Reverend Dandao was truly horrified, clearly unable to remain calm, and let out successive exclamations.

“Master, you are truly monstrous. In just one day, you reached the second layer of Qi Refining.”

“In three days, you broke through to the fourth layer of the Qi Refining Stage!”

“Using only seven days and nights, you broke through another four layers!”

“In just half a month, you… you’ve reached the tenth layer of the Qi Refining Stage, the limit! This… how is anyone else supposed to live?”

Hearing this, Ye Kuang also froze, then asked somewhat foolishly, “What, is there a problem with only reaching the limit of the Qi Refining Stage in half a month?”

“A problem? It’s a huge problem!”

“What do you mean, did it take too long?”

“Too long? Holy crap, how is that too long? If those Cultivation prodigies heard this, wouldn’t they feel they’ve lived their lives in vain!”

“Wait, wait, what does that mean?” At this point, Ye Kuang finally caught on, puzzled, “Are you saying I have more potential than those Cultivation geniuses?”Upon hearing this, Reverend Dandao’s tone could hardly conceal his inexplicable astonishment, and he even exclaimed in a strange voice: “Potential? This old servant only wants to say that this has already surpassed the scope of potential! The word ‘potential’ can hardly describe my admiration for you—it’s like an endless flowing river, akin to the Yellow River overflowing, unstoppable in its course… Even all the unparalleled prodigies throughout history combined would struggle to hold a candle to you, Master! Oh no! I’m afraid they aren’t even fit to polish your shoes!”

“Ah, how should I describe it? You are even more extraordinary among the extraordinary compared to ancient prodigies. To call you peerless in all of history, the focus of universal attention, would be an understatement. Although compared to me, you still fall just a tiny bit short, this indisputable fact fills your humble servant with endless reverence for you, Venerable one. You are like the bright moon hanging in the sky, illuminating heaven and earth, your glorious radiance spanning thousands of miles, shining eternally from the pinnacle… Well… Um…”

“Enough, enough…” Ye Kuang initially felt somewhat impressed by the earlier flattery.

But who would have thought? The more he listened, the more something felt off, the more uncomfortable he became.

Only because this flattery seemed to set the stage for Ye Kuang, yet in the end, it was all to highlight how much more impressive Reverend Dandao was…

Thinking of this, Ye Kuang’s expression grew increasingly unpleasant, his frustration mounting until he couldn’t help but roar: “You spout all that nonsense just to imply that I’m still a bit inferior to you?! Why don’t you just fly up to heaven already!!! Damn it…”