Cultivation Begins with Daily Intelligence Reports

225: Initial consolidation of the realmLin Jingyu slowly opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing like lightning within them, then receding into the depths of his pupils, returning to tranquility.

”Hoo...” A long, turbid breath escaped his mouth, condensing into a foot-long white arrow of Qi in the cold air, shooting out and striking the rough rock wall opposite.

It made a soft ”thump” and left a deep indentation. This was a manifestation of pure and abundant Spiritual Qi, almost overflowing.

Lin Jingyu introspected, his heart slightly stirred. How could his Dantian Qi Sea not have expanded several times compared to before?

What was once like a stream of Spiritual Qi had now gathered into a shimmering lake, its water viscous and condensed, surging with a profound and heavy sense of power.

It was not only an accumulation in quantity but also a qualitative leap. Every wisp of Spiritual Qi seemed to have been tempered a thousand times, purified of Impurities, becoming more refined and easier to control. His Meridians had also widened and toughened considerably, capable of withstanding more violent Spiritual Qi impacts.

What stirred his heart even more was the progress of the Spirit Refining Art.

Within his Sea of Consciousness, the three ”lakes” formed by Mental Energy had slightly risen, their surfaces shimmering, and the connections between them becoming even more profound and intimate.

With a slight thought, an invisible and formless Mental Energy silently spread outwards like a spiderweb.

In an instant, everything within the rock cave became vividly clear.

The mottled cracks on the stone walls eroded by time, the moss growing tenaciously in the crevices emitting a faint luminescence, and even the dust particles floating in the air, indiscernible to the naked eye.

All were clearly reflected upon his ”Heart Lake,” even more detailed than observation with physical eyes.

This perception was not merely ”seeing,” but an all-encompassing, three-dimensional ”insight,” including the texture of matter, the flow of Spiritual Qi, and even a faint ripple of vital energy.

Was this the feeling of Divine Thought leaving the body and perceiving even the most minute details?

Lin Jingyu was inwardly shaken. According to ancient texts, this was an ability that only Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivators could stably master!

Although the range of his Divine Thought might not yet be as vast as that of a true Foundation Establishment Cultivator, at a subtle level, relying on the profoundness of the Spirit Refining Art, he might even surpass them.

This meant that in a Secret Realm fraught with danger, he would possess unparalleled early warning capabilities and a preemptive advantage.

Ordinary Ninth Layer of Qi Refining Cultivators, without special secret techniques or Magical Artifacts protecting their Divine Soul, would be almost unable to hide under his Divine Thought’s scrutiny, which was comparable to the Early Foundation Establishment Stage.

He quickly calculated in his mind that with the aid of this Divine Thought, whether for scouting and early warning, or for predicting enemy movements and finding weaknesses during combat, he would hold an absolute initiative.

Even when facing multiple Ninth Layer of Qi Refining Cultivators, as long as they weren’t Geniuses with deep Foundations and unfathomable methods like Feng Xixi and Xu Li, he would still have the confidence to contend or even emerge victorious.

”A small gain, I’ve finally stepped through the door of the Late Stage Qi Refining.”

Lin Jingyu’s voice echoed in the silent cave, calm and steady, yet naturally carrying a convincing sense of power.

He stood up, his bones emitting a series of fine, crisp crackling sounds, a sign of his Physical Body perfectly integrating with the abundant Spiritual Qi.

He continued, ”We shouldn’t stay here long. We need to reach the core area as soon as possible to rendezvous with Shopkeeper Feng and the others, or at least figure out the Devilish Sect’s movements.”

Upon hearing this, Qin Yue’s beautiful eyes flashed with joy, but it was immediately replaced by worry. She stepped forward, her tone filled with concern:

”Jingyu, although Breakthrough is a joyous occasion, a newly formed Realm is like a newly built dike; it needs time to stabilize before it can withstand a flood. Fellow Daoist Xu Li and Fellow Daoist Xu Shousheng’s injuries have not yet healed. If we rashly delve into the core area now, there might be a risk of collapse. Why don’t we rest for a few more days?”

She was meticulous and thoughtful, knowing that an unstable Foundation was a major taboo in cultivation, especially since the team’s overall condition was not optimal.

Lin Jingyu turned to look at Qin Yue, the faint light from outside the cave outlining his young yet resolute profile.

His lips curved slightly upwards, forming a reassuring smile, like a ray of sunshine breaking through a gloomy sky.

He didn’t answer directly. Instead, with a flip of his palm, a spiritual light flashed, and the three yang furnace, gifted by Vice President Gu Yue, with three flame patterns carved on its body and emitting a faint warmth, appeared in his hand.

”Sister Yue,”

Lin Jingyu said in a relaxed tone, with a hint of teasing.

”Have you forgotten my old profession? Now that my cultivation has broken through and my control over Spiritual Qi has reached a higher level, I can attempt to refine higher-grade healing Spirit Pills. The injuries of the two Fellow Daoists are nothing to worry about.”

The strong confidence in his words was not blind arrogance, but stemmed from a clear understanding of his own Alchemy attainments.

With his cultivation entering the Late Stage Qi Refining, the quality and quantity of his Spiritual Qi had transformed, sufficient to support more complex and profound Alchemy techniques.

Coupled with the supreme Legacy of the Taihao Elixir Canon and the ability of ”three minds for one purpose” brought by the Spirit Refining Art, his Realm in Alchemy might have quietly surpassed Vice President Gu Yue of the Southeast Market Town.

Xu Li, who had been sitting cross-legged, adjusting his breath, his face still somewhat pale, now slowly opened his eyes.

Hearing Lin Jingyu’s words, he stood up. Although his Meridians still throbbed faintly and the chilling sensation of residual Devilish Qi had not been completely dispelled, he still clasped his fists solemnly and bowed deeply to Lin Jingyu.

His voice, slightly hoarse from his injuries, contained undeniable sincerity:

”Fellow Daoist Lin, your noble righteousness and repeated assistance have saved my Senior Brother and me from danger.

This kindness and virtue are heavier than mountains; Xu Li remembers it deeply. If there is any task in the future, I will go through fire and water without hesitation!”

His character was aloof and stern, and he rarely made promises lightly, but once spoken, his words were as firm as stone, unwavering even in life and death.

Lin Jingyu quickly turned aside to avoid the bow and extended a hand to offer support:

”Brother Xu, you speak too highly! We could say we became acquainted through conflict, and now that we are in the same danger, it is only right that we share the same boat and support each other.”

He changed the subject, his eyes revealing undisguised admiration and curiosity.

”Speaking of which, I am truly envious of Brother Xu’s exquisite Sword Intent, which slays demons and monsters as easily as cutting rotten wood.

With one sword strike, all evil is dispelled—how exhilarating, how elegant! If Brother Xu finds it convenient, I hope you will not hesitate to offer some guidance, to broaden my horizons.

Of course, if it involves the secret Legacy of the Qinglan Sect, or Brother Xu’s unique insights, then consider my request presumptuous, and by no means feel pressured.”

His words not only expressed his desire to learn but also fully respected Xu Li’s Sect and privacy, leaving the choice entirely to the other party, appearing sincere and tactful, earning goodwill.

Upon hearing this, Xu Li’s perpetually ice-bound face actually melted into a rare, genuine smile—a kind of relief at meeting a ”kindred spirit” with whom he could discuss the essence of the Sword Dao.

The path of a Sword Cultivator is often one of solitary pursuit, and it is truly rare to encounter someone who genuinely appreciates and is willing to explore the essence of the Sword Dao.

When he invited Lin Jingyu earlier, he valued his Heart-Nature and his inherent pride.

This was the Foundation of a Sword Cultivator.