Chapter 11: Qualification to Descend the Mountain

"Junior Brother, have you broken through to the realm of the Primordial Xiantian?"

What is the Primordial Xiantian?

At the beginning of cultivation, one must first build a foundation, then refine energy and clear the meridians. Once the meridians and acupoints are fully opened, the entire body becomes like that of a newborn infant—spotless and untainted. This is the state approaching the Primordial Immaculate Xiantian realm. If one is guided by profound mental cultivation methods to draw out the innate primordial yang and yin energies within, and forge them into a perfect, unified whole, one gains immense power from that moment on.

However, the innate primordial yang and yin energies within the human body dissipate as the practitioner ages. If one engages in dual cultivation of yin and yang, this innate essence is consumed even more rapidly. Thus, if one cannot break through to the Primordial Xiantian before the age of eighteen, it becomes incredibly difficult thereafter. Zhou Qing, barely five or six years old, had his innate primordial yang energy locked away by the baptisms of Beimingzi and Chisongzi. Now, with the arrival of the right opportunity, he had reached the Primordial Xiantian realm in an instant. From this point on, he could project his internal force externally: a swordsman could release sword qi, a blade-wielder could emit blade radiance, a practitioner of palm techniques could condense a Great Handprint, and, of course, one could even gather energy into a blade.

To wield such power, one must at least be in the Primordial Xiantian realm. After an unknown period of cultivation, Zhou Qing had stabilized the Gate of All Wonders, integrated thirty-six other cultivation methods, achieved a complete return to the source, broken his shackles, and ascended to the Xiantian realm.

With a mere thought, a dazzling, multicolored mystical light manifested around him. Just as he was about to observe the changes within himself, he raised an eyebrow and waved his hand. The chamber door swung open, and his senior brother, Chisongzi, stepped inside.

"It was merely an opportunity!"

The mystical light around him flashed, and he rose from his meditation cushion, bowing his small hands toward Chisongzi. He had not expected the function of the 'Chronicle Count' to be so powerful. Silently observing it in his mind, the count had already reached nearly six thousand. The momentum pushing him further remained unabated; if Zhou Qing wished, he could continue to break through even further in the Primordial Xiantian realm. Yet, there was plenty of time ahead; why rush?

"Haha, you are truly worthy of being personally chosen by Master Beiming. You have broken into the Primordial Xiantian realm. I myself only broke through at the age of fifteen, and it took another ten years or more to reach the Transformation of Spirit and Mysterious Soul."

"Since you have entered the Primordial Xiantian realm, Master has ordered me to personally explain the subsequent stages of cultivation to you, to facilitate your future breakthroughs."

Chisongzi’s expression was filled with joy. The Heavenly Sect had produced such a genius. According to Master, before the age of ten, Junior Brother Xuanqing would surely break into the Transformation of Spirit and Mysterious Soul, which would make the battles against the Human Sect even more refined. The Xueji sword, passed down by the ancestors, would also remain within the Heavenly Sect. Feeling the aura emanating from his junior brother—so surging and powerful—he realized the boy’s foundation was far deeper than his own.

Without further ado, meeting Zhou Qing’s expectant gaze, Chisongzi sat down on the floor and began to patiently explain the later stages of cultivation.

There are seven steps in total to the entire path of cultivation. The mystery of the Primordial Xiantian lies in the cultivation of Essence, Qi, and Spirit. Although the three are an integrated whole, they differ significantly for each practitioner. The classics state that the three treasures of heaven are the sun, moon, and stars, while the three treasures of man are Essence, Qi, and Spirit. The cultivation of the Primordial Xiantian is the cultivation of these three. Over the long span of history, the various schools of the Hundred Philosophers have categorized the cultivation of Essence, Qi, and Spirit into three types.

The first type advances Essence, Qi, and Spirit simultaneously but leans toward the Essence of the three treasures. It focuses on the accumulation of the world’s primordial energy and the gathering of internal force. Practitioners of this type prefer to use internal force to drive all things and execute various martial arts, appearing quite formidable. This includes the traditions of the Taoist school, the current Yin-Yang school, the Mohist school, and the Agricultural school. Most among the Hundred Philosophers specialize in internal force, using it to nourish the body and prolong life.

The second type leans toward the Qi of the three treasures, focusing on the accumulation of will and spirit. The most representative is the Confucian school, which emphasizes nurturing the 'Righteous Aura.' The stronger the will and spirit, the faster one can read and the sharper one’s mind becomes. Of course, the Military school also follows this, focusing on the 'Aura of Slaughter'; with a firm will and decisive action, one can command troops like a deity. The Legalist school follows a similar path.

The third type leans toward the 'Body' of the three treasures, prioritizing an invincible physical form. This is rare among the Hundred Philosophers, but not uncommon in other sects within the feudal states. For example, the Armored Gate in Daliang of the State of Wei specializes in the physical body, becoming impenetrable to steel—truly unparalleled and powerful, especially on the battlefield. There are also practitioners in the lands of Wu, Chu, and Nanyue who specialize solely in the physical body.

Under the governance of the Gate of All Wonders, the thirty-six volumes of cultivation methods originating from the Tao Te Ching have all been elevated to the level of the Primordial Xiantian. Since the ancestor Laozi reached the supreme Dao through water, many of these methods are related to water and its mysteries.

Internal force circulates, refining the body into a mystical steel-like aura, comparable to physical cultivation. It circulates to bolster the spirit in the mind, transforming into an unwavering will that can penetrate stone like dripping water. It circulates to clear the meridians and internal organs, accumulating deep and profound internal power.

This is the Taoist cultivation of the Primordial Xiantian. As for the deeper level of the Transformation of Spirit and Mysterious Soul, it involves realizing a more profound realm: one remains as still as a mountain, all changes follow one's heart, a single thought can cause the heavens to lose their color, and a single thought can bring all things back to life. This is the wonder of the Transformation of Spirit, where Essence, Qi, and Spirit are fused into one. According to his senior brother, almost all the leaders of the Hundred Philosophers possess this level of cultivation. However, breaking through to the higher level of 'Returning to the Void and Reverting to the Dao' cannot be achieved through simple practice.

Within the entire Taoist Heavenly Sect, as far as Zhou Qing knew, his master, Beimingzi, was definitely a master of that realm. Whether he was even stronger, he did not know, but he imagined there were many such powerhouses within the Heavenly Sect.

Chisongzi tirelessly explained the mysteries of the Primordial Xiantian and the Transformation of Spirit and Mysterious Soul to Zhou Qing. Zhou Qing did not let his focus waver, listening intently and absorbing all the information to verify his own understanding, bringing his cultivation closer to perfection.

As for the mysteries of 'Returning to the Void' and 'Merging with the Dao,' Chisongzi did not speak much, mentioning them only briefly. If Zhou Qing were to truly reach that level one day, his master would personally guide him.

"Junior Brother, cultivate well. Contemplating the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth is the true path. Furthermore, as the last disciple of our master, logically speaking, now that you have stepped into the Primordial Xiantian, you are qualified to descend the mountain."

"However, Master observed your cultivation this time and said before entering seclusion that, for you, he will not let you leave until you reach the level of the Transformation of Spirit and Mysterious Soul. Only by experiencing the rolling dust of the mortal world and tempering your body can you ascend to even greater heights!"