"Senior," Riu Xian began hesitantly, "why are you helping me?"
She tilted her head slightly, her gaze intense. "I like helping talented people," she said, a faint smile playing on her lips. "And you are… unique. Perhaps, in the future, you may prove capable of returning this favor."
Riu Xian's brow furrowed slightly as he considered her words. He nodded slowly, accepting her explanation for now. "Senior," he asked, gathering his courage, "I am but a low-level cultivator in my sect. I don't know much about the cultivation realms beyond Qi Gathering. Could you explain them to me?"
Xiao Ming chuckled lightly, a note of amusement in her voice. "Oh, so you wish to learn about the realms of cultivation? If we were of the same sect, I would take you as my disciple in an instant. Alas, the rules forbid a teacher-student bond between members of different sects. Still, I will tell you a few things now, and perhaps in the future, you will consider joining my sect."
With a wave of her hand, she produced a small jade tablet, its surface shimmering faintly in the moonlight. "Take this. It has my mark. If you ever wish to visit the Azure Cloud Sect, present it to the guards. If they refuse you entry, break the jade, and I will come to you myself."
Riu Xian accepted the jade tablet with both hands, bowing respectfully. "Thank you, Senior."
Xiao Ming nodded. "Understand this, we cultivators pursue immortality. Each breakthrough not only grants power but extends our lifespan. We don't just cultivate for strength; we strive to ascend to higher realms of existence."
A spark of excitement flickered in Riu Xian's eyes. In the Murim world, cultivation was solely for martial strength. But here… you gain power and extend your life? The possibilities churned in his mind.
Xiao Ming's voice was calm yet captivating as she continued, "The path of cultivation is vast, but for now, I will only explain up to the Nascent Soul realm. Each realm is divided into three stages—Early, Middle, and Peak. Every breakthrough brings profound transformations, shaping you into something far beyond your previous self. We are currently in one of the lower worlds, and in a lower world, reaching the Nascent Soul stage is no easy feat. What comes after Nascent Soul, you will know in the future."
Riu Xian asked, "Senior, what is the lower world? Is there an upper world?"
Xiao Ming's tone was thoughtful as she replied, "The lower world is a world with limitations. Once we reach a certain level, further growth in cultivation becomes nearly impossible here. Yes, there is an upper world. But to explain it, I must speak of a stage that comes after Nascent Soul. It is called Deity Transformation level. In the lower world, it is almost impossible to breakthrough. To achieve true immortality, one must ascend to the upper world." She intentionally did not tell him any details about Deity Transformation stage, as she had promised to explain only up to the Nascent Soul realm.
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Xiao Ming smiled faintly. "With ten percent of your meridians now open, you are now at the peak of Qi Gathering. Opening just two percent more will allow you to break through to Foundation Establishment. However, you should know that unblocking further meridians will become increasingly difficult. You have cleared the easiest paths, those most readily accepting of your unique method. Now, the remaining blockages will offer far greater resistance. It will take time, patience, and perhaps even different resources to overcome them."
"At Foundation Establishment, one’s lifespan can extend to around two hundred years."
"Two hundred years..." Riu Xian murmured, more to himself than to her. In Murim, even the most legendary figures rarely lived past a hundred. The concept was almost unimaginable. But the new revelation about the difficulty ahead tempered his excitement.
"In the Qi Gathering stage," Xiao Ming continued, "cultivators store their Qi in their meridians. However, some unique individuals may store Qi in their hearts or even their brains. But upon reaching Foundation Establishment, Qi will be stored in your dantian. Stabilizing your cultivation is vital for advancing further."
She paused briefly before resuming. "Core Formation comes after Foundation Establishment, and then the Nascent Soul stage. Your focus should be on understanding the process of unblocking your meridians and achieving Foundation Establishment."
She handed him a small, smooth jade slip, cool to the touch. "The slip contains detailed information about breaking through to Foundation Establishment and beyond."
Riu Xian bowed deeply, overwhelmed by her generosity. "Thank you, Senior. Your guidance is invaluable." He ran his thumb over the smooth surface of the slip, a sense of anticipation building within him.
Xiao Ming smiled faintly. "The first hint of dawn is upon us. I must take my leave."
She stepped onto her flying sword, a faint hum of energy filling the air. As she ascended into the sky, her voice carried back to him. "Tread cautiously in your sect. With patience and wisdom, you will find your way."
Riu Xian watched her figure disappear into the vast expanse above, her words echoing in his mind. He clutched the jade tablet and slip tightly, then settled beneath the large tree. He placed the jade slip against his forehead, his mind reaching out, probing its contents.
The slip was a wealth of knowledge, detailing not only the process of unblocking meridians but also insights into the Foundation Establishment realm. He absorbed the information, reading about the importance of a stable foundation, the methods of refining Qi within the dantian, and the dangers of rushing breakthroughs.
One passage, in particular, caught his attention: "Unblocking meridians is not just about force; it requires balance. Too much pressure, and the meridians may rupture. Too little, and the Qi will stagnate."
He frowned, remembering his own reckless attempts, the way he'd forced the Qi through his body. It was a miracle he hadn't injured himself further. He recalled the principles of balance and control he had learned in Murim. They were universal, applicable even in this new world of cultivation.
His stomach growled, a surprisingly loud rumble in the quiet of the early morning. He frowned. It had only been a few hours since he'd eaten the spirit fruits, yet he was already ravenous. It seemed cultivating, even just absorbing information, demanded a significant amount of energy. He glanced at the remaining spirit fruits, picked one up, and bit into it. The sweet, savory flesh melted in his mouth, a surge of warmth spreading through him, chasing away the lingering chill of the night and momentarily sating his hunger. This was definitely not ordinary fruit. It was packed with energy.
He leaned back against the tree, gazing up at the brightening sky. Xiao Ming's parting words lingered in his thoughts, a mixture of encouragement and caution. "A long way to go," he mused to himself, "a treacherous path indeed." But for the first time since his reincarnation, a sliver of hope flickered within him. He was no longer stumbling blindly. He had a direction, a purpose. He would learn, he would grow stronger, and he would forge his own path in this new world. The jade tablet felt heavy in his hand, a tangible symbol of the journey that lay ahead.