vstars Chapter 4 Refining Essence into Qi and Merging with Ancestral Qi.
Chapter 4 Refining Essence into Qi and Merging with Ancestral Qi.
After much deliberation, Haotian finally settled on the principles of cultivation.
He plans to use the four major cultivation systems of Taoism as a foundation: refining essence into qi, refining qi into spirit, refining spirit into emptiness, and refining emptiness into Tao. He will use these four realms as steps to climb higher.
In his opinion:
Those who refine essence into qi create a world within their bodies, expanding their territory and generating immeasurable life. They generate reality from nothingness and return to nothingness from reality.
In the infinite randomness, seek the infinitesimal inevitability, and glimpse the "One" that gives birth to all things. When the physical body merges with this "One", the search shifts from external to internal, and the foundation of the Great Way is built.
This is the right path.
However, Haotian possesses the Primordial Ancestral Qi, which is the source of all things and the beginning of all paths. Since he has such a treasure, why start with refining essence into qi? He can directly use the Ancestral Qi as the foundation and fuse with it.
After making up his mind, Haotian did not hesitate any longer. He closed his eyes, concentrated, and began to merge with the ancestral energy.
However, reality is quite cruel.
Whether he tried to draw in the ancestral energy with his primordial spirit or to absorb it with his physical body, the ancestral energy remained completely still, as if it existed in a different dimension from his own. Touching it with his physical body was like trying to catch the moon, while sensing it with his primordial spirit was like trying to see through a veil. It was clearly within reach, yet they could not coexist.
Haotian frowned deeply.
Could it be that this Qi requires something of a higher level to be compatible with it?
A thought struck him: he remembered the principle of magical artifacts recognizing their masters and spiritual objects returning to their owners; ordinary methods could hardly move them in the slightest, only true spirits could truly affect them.
The true spirit is the origin of all living beings, the core of the soul, transcending the physical body and the primordial spirit; it is the spark of light that makes "me" who I am.
Haotian steeled his heart and, without further hesitation, used his divine sense to envelop his true spirit and charged directly at the three-colored ancestral energy.
In an instant—
A phantom spirit wearing an imperial crown emerged from the depths of Haotian's brow, its entire body radiating light and exuding great solemnity, before disappearing directly into the three-colored ancestral energy.
hum-
The ancestral energy trembled slightly before returning to calm.
Haotian was overjoyed: Sure enough, the True Spirit works!
Before his joy had subsided, doubt arose again. He examined the image of the true spirit closely; it was clearly his own likeness, but the imperial crown on its head was not something he had deliberately created. Where did this imperial crown come from?
On second thought, could it be... that this is the power of the Heavenly Emperor?
The Dao Ancestor Hongjun personally bestowed upon him the title of Lord of the Heavenly Court and Great Heavenly Venerable of the Three Realms. This position of "Heavenly Emperor" is not merely a title, but also contains unseen authority and fortune. This authority is formless and intangible, yet it is imprinted deep within his true spirit, becoming one with him.
Now that the True Spirit has merged with the Ancestral Qi, the Imperial Crown has naturally also been integrated into it.
Haotian's heart sank slightly. What kind of changes might occur if this power flowed into the ancestral energy?
Then, he shook his head with a wry smile.
Thinking about it is useless; once merged, there's no turning back. Besides, even if he could withdraw, could he possibly resign from the position of Heavenly Emperor? That would be self-destructive and utterly foolish.
Since that's the case, just do good deeds and don't worry about the future.
He simply let go of his distracting thoughts and immersed his mind in the ancestral energy, carefully comprehending it.
……
After Haotian's true spirit merged with the ancestral energy, the three-colored energy suddenly trembled and flew out of his body, hovering in mid-air above the Lingxiao Palace.
immediately--
A sudden fluctuation occurred!
The primordial energy surged violently, as if in the beginning of chaos, as if heaven and earth had not yet been separated. The three colors flowed and circulated endlessly, faintly showing signs of giving birth to new life.
Within that primordial energy, chaos surged, yin and yang separated, the five elements circulated, and creation and destruction alternated... Various strange phenomena rotated endlessly like a revolving lantern.
Sometimes the pure air rises and the turbid air sinks, as if the world has been created;
At times, all things come to life and spiritual light shines, as if the creator of all living beings;
At times, it collapses and vanishes into nothingness, as if the end of the world were coming.
This is... the secret of creation! The mystery of creation!
Haotian was deeply moved, completely captivated.
Such a commotion should have been enough to alarm countless powerful beings in the primordial world. Even though the Six Sages were far away in the Chaos, they should have sensed it. Many reclusive old monsters would also surely have turned their attention to it.
However, the truth is quite the opposite.
The extraordinary phenomena manifested by the ancestral energy, though seemingly grand and imposing, did not leak out of the Lingxiao Palace in the slightest. It was as if all of this occurred in another dimension, visible yet unreachable, observable yet intangible.
No one in the Three Realms noticed.
Only within the Lingxiao Palace can one glimpse the unprecedented wonders of creation.
Haotian was completely absorbed in it.
His mind rose and fell with the changes of the ancestral energy, soaring above it and comprehending the profound and mysterious principles. With each manifestation of the ancestral energy, he felt a little more understanding; with each cycle of change of the ancestral energy, he felt his cultivation advance to a higher level.
At the same time, his primordial spirit was also comprehending the Dao and principles contained in the changes of ancestral Qi.
The path he cultivated was the path of ultimate yang.
The ultimate Yang is pure Yang without Yin, strong, healthy, and upright. Yet, at this moment, observing the evolution of the ancestral Qi, he saw Yin and Yang mutually generating each other and chaos forming each other, and realized that even the extreme of pure Yang has the potential for transformation. It is not that Yin and Yang are opposed, but rather that Yin and Yang share the same origin, both arising from the ancestral Qi.
Upon this thought, Haotian's supreme Yang energy surged suddenly, like a river bursting its banks, surging endlessly.
The ancestral energy suspended in the hall was still churning, seemingly gestating something.
Perhaps it's a new physical body.
Perhaps it is... something far beyond the physical body.
Haotian was unaware of this, nor was he in a hurry.
He simply watched quietly, merging his true spirit with the ancestral energy, and comprehending the Great Dao with his primordial spirit.
Outside the palace, the sun rises and the moon sets, and countless seasons have passed.
Inside the hall, the three colors flowed and remained unchanged throughout the ages.
……
Yaochi returned from the primordial wilderness with a woman by his side.
The woman was exceptionally beautiful, with a resemblance to Haotian in her features, but with an added touch of gentleness and grace.
She wore a light blue dress, her hair was loosely tied up, and her eyes held both the novelty of arriving in the Heavenly Court for the first time and a hint of trepidation at a long-awaited reunion.
This person was none other than Haotian's younger sister, Yaoji.
The two passed through the South Heavenly Gate and entered the Heavenly Court. Yaochi looked around and saw that the palaces were no longer as empty and desolate as before.
The celestial soldiers and generals, scattered in twos and threes, stood with their spears or patrolled back and forth. Although they were not a large and powerful army, they added a lot of life to the place.
They did not stop Yaochi, since the fact that Yaochi was the Queen Mother had already been announced to the Three Realms.
The heavenly soldiers and generals were all aware of this, so they all bowed in respect as they approached.
Yaochi nodded slightly, secretly praising Venus: "Taibai Jinxing is truly dedicated."
As they were walking, an elderly man with white hair and beard and a kind face approached them. He was none other than Venus, Li Changgeng.
Upon seeing Yaochi and Yaoji, he immediately bowed and greeted them: "Your subject Li Changgeng pays respects to the Queen Mother of the West. This must be Her Highness the Eldest Princess."
Yaochi nodded with a smile and said, "Taibai, there's no need for such formalities. You've had a hard time these past few days."
Venus straightened up and laughed, "I have only done my humble best and dare not complain of hardship."
Yaochi's gaze swept over the patrolling celestial soldiers and generals, and she asked, "These are the ones you recruited?"
"Indeed," Venus replied. "I have been ordered by Your Majesty and the Empress to search for independent cultivators everywhere, and I have now recruited several hundred. Most of them are human cultivators, with cultivation levels between Earth Immortal and Heavenly Immortal. There are very few True Immortals, and not a single one has been recruited who is at the Taiyi level or above."
He spoke with a hint of apology in his voice.
Yaochi waved her hand and said, "This is not your fault. In the primordial world, those with high cultivation either join the Jie Sect and cultivate under the Tongtian Sage, or they have their own blessed lands and live freely. Why would they be easily bound by others? You have already done your best to bring these people here."
Venus bowed and said, "Your Majesty is wise. I think so too. Let's gather some manpower first to maintain the appearance of the Heavenly Court. We can discuss this further after His Majesty emerges from seclusion."
Yaochi hummed in agreement and turned to Yaoji beside her, saying, "Yaoji, this is Taibai Xingjun Li Changgeng, your brother's right-hand man. He is a senior at the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm, so please pay your respects."
Upon hearing this, Yao Ji quickly stepped forward and gave a graceful bow: "Yao Ji greets Senior. I hope you will take good care of me in the Heavenly Court in the future."
Although she was Haotian's younger sister and a princess, her cultivation was only at the Taiyi Golden Immortal level, a whole realm lower than Taibai Jinxing. In the primordial world, the strong were respected, and it was only natural to pay respects to senior masters.
Venus, however, hurriedly stepped aside, waving his hands repeatedly, his face filled with fear: "Oh dear, no, no! Your Highness is His Majesty's younger sister, the eldest princess of the Heavenly Court. How can you address me like that? You've offended this humble immortal!"
He paused, then smiled broadly and said, "If Your Highness doesn't mind, please just call me 'Taibai.' I can't accept any 'senior' title."
Yao Ji was slightly taken aback and looked at Yao Chi.
Yaochi covered her mouth and chuckled, saying, "Since it is Taibai's sincere intention, then you may call him Taibai."
Yao Ji then nodded and changed her words, saying, "Then I will trouble Tai Bai to take good care of me."
Venus breathed a sigh of relief, stroked his white beard, and smiled, "That's only right, that's only right. Your Highness has just returned to the Heavenly Court. If you need anything, just give the order."
Seeing the two chatting so happily, Yaochi felt gratified. She looked up at the towering Lingxiao Palace in the distance and murmured, "I wonder when His Majesty will emerge from seclusion..."
Venus said, "His Majesty's seclusion must be for a great opportunity. Your Highness and Your Highness should wait patiently. I will do my best to maintain order in the Heavenly Court."
Yaochi nodded, withdrew her gaze, and said to Yaoji, "Let's go, I'll take you to see the Peach Garden first, and then arrange accommodations for you."
Yao Ji responded, gave a slight bow to Venus, and then went with Yao Chi.
Venus stood still, watching the two women depart, stroking his beard and sighing softly, "The Heavenly Emperor's family is indeed harmonious. I only hope that after His Majesty emerges from seclusion, the Heavenly Court will have a new look."
He turned around and went back to his job of recruiting talented people.