Epic Of Caterpillar

Chapter 2865 - 2866: The Realms Of Heaven & Earth Immortal Cultivation

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Kireina listened intently to everything Wasp taught her, absorbing every detail like a sponge.

The Thousand Soul Flame Furnace Refinement Art consisted of three stages.

The first was the Soul Ember Stage.

By drawing Fire Ki from the Five Elemental Spiritual Roots into the chest and refining it through constant layering, a Soul Ember would form.

Then the Soul Ember was guided into the soul, where it rested and nourished it deeply.

As if it needed stating, this was a Fire Elemental Heaven Path Cultivation Method.

It enabled rapid nourishment of both soul and body while gathering Ki, which proved vital for accelerating progress through the Ki Gathering Stage.

”Do you understand now?” Wasp asked.

”Yes, but... Could you explain the Cultivation Realms?” Kireina replied. ”Now that I am finally stepping into this world...”

”Hm, very well. Listen carefully—I will not repeat myself,” Wasp nodded.

Wasp explained as simply as he could.

The Heaven and Earth Path Cultivation Realms shared the same names, even though their methods differed greatly.

The Minor Boundary, where a cultivator begins their journey:

Ki Gathering

Ki Refining

Ki Building

Golden Core

Nascent Soul

Heavenly Being

The Middle Boundary, where a cultivator rises to become a truly great being:

Four World Axis

Domain Integration

Star Shattering

Celestial Vessel

Ascending Nirvana

And then the Great Boundary, where one gradually approaches immortality.

These higher realms remained unknown even to Wasp.

Most cultivators he had encountered stayed within the earlier stages.

The strongest he ever faced was a Celestial Vessel cultivator—a mighty Great Emperor God of China who had driven him from the Eastern Heavenly Realms.

It was said that Ascending Nirvana experts watched over the Heavenly Realms, while those beyond ventured deep into the universe to forge their own domains.

Kireina quickly considered how these realms aligned with the Cosmic Realms she already knew.

”That Overseer I killed mentioned Star Shattering. This knowledge of Cultivation Realms must be widespread across the Multiverse,” she thought, rubbing her chin.

”As for the Heart Path, each tradition names its realms differently,” Wasp continued. ”Yet it is commonly called ʼManifestation,ʼ and it progresses through various stages.”

The First Stage of Heart Manifestation corresponded to Golden Core, the Second to Nascent Soul, and the Third to Heavenly Being.

The Fourth Stage spanned Four World Axis to Domain Integration.

The Fifth Stage covered Star Shattering to Celestial Vessel.

The Sixth Stage began at Ascending Nirvana and extended beyond.

Kireina had already reached the Fifth Stage through the immense Heart Essence accumulated across her countless lives of suffering.

”Oh!” Kireina exclaimed. ”So Heart Path cultivators can leap through realms—all the way to Golden Core?”

”Each Heart Path cultivator must forge their own way,” Wasp explained. ”Most come from weak species unable to cultivate normally, so they turn to other means. Suffering and enlightenment, bonds and agony—these intense emotions stir the Plane of the Soul, causing pain and grief that expand it. If they survive and persevere beyond the brink of madness, they reach the First Stage, manifesting the image of their consciousness and soul upon reality. See? It is by far the hardest path.”

”I understand. It truly is,” Kireina nodded. ”There are many realms ahead, but let us begin...”

Kireina spent the first week practicing the Thousand Soul Flame Furnace Refinement Art. She drew Fire Ki from her Five Elemental Spiritual Roots—considered the slowest and poorest talent.

Why? Because balancing multiple elements demanded far more Spiritual Essence and Ki to advance than single-element roots.

Fortunately, this realm overflowed with such energy.

Thus, every minute she formed a small Soul Ember and absorbed it.

In just one week, she rose from Rank 1 to Rank 7, reaching the pinnacle of Ki Gathering. Then...

FLAAASH!

As soul flames blazed around her aura, she broke through to the next stage.

Her body underwent subtle yet profound changes. She felt tougher, stronger—muscles and skin reinforced.

Thanks to this unique method, her soul grew even more resilient, harmonizing perfectly with her Heart Path.

”You achieved it in a single week. Incredible.”

Kireina had not remained idle. She sparred constantly with Wasp while absorbing his lectures, wasting not a moment.

”I thought the Five Elemental Spiritual Roots were the worst talent, but... perhaps not?” Kireina asked.

”That is because of your innate power,” he replied with a faint smile. ”As the daughter of a gifted Darkwood Fae Clan and a monstrous Chaos God, it was only natural it would succeed regardless. Now proceed to the Second Stage of the Thousand Soul Flame Furnace Refinement Art!”

For the Second Stage, Kireina had to transform her Soul Embers, combining one hundred into a single Soul Flame. She absorbed it into her body, let it circulate, then returned it to her soul.

Repeatedly.

This refined her Ki, elevating its quality and strength while further toughening her body.

Without such techniques, basic cultivation would crawl at a glacial pace. That was why the Thousand Soul Flame Furnace Refinement Art was essential.

Thus, Kireina endured another week of intense meditation and relentless training.

She succeeded.

RUMBLE!

The ground trembled as her aura surged higher.

”Rank 7 of Ki Refining! I did it!”

Next came the ascension ritual, calling upon the aid of the Constellations.

For reasons unclear, each cultivator had to bond with one.

This was the essence of the Heaven Path—borrowing the might of Heaven itself.

Wasp guided her to a suitable Constellation, and the ritual proceeded almost flawlessly.

Yet dark clouds suddenly gathered overhead, blocking the ritual at the critical moment.

They tried again over the next three days, but the same interference occurred.

”Heaven is rejecting you.”

Whatever Heaven was, it refused to let Kireina grow stronger.

”Canʼt you simply destroy the clouds?”

”No.”

”Why not?”

”If I intervene, it ceases to be your achievement.”

”Then what should I do...”

”Do it yourself.”

”...!”

The following day, they attempted once more. As Kireina selected the Heavenly Eastern Dragon Constellation...

She thrust her hand skyward. A blinding wave of light cleaved the heavens, scattering the clouds.

With the obstruction gone, the ritual completed. Starlight bathed her body.

Kireina felt her body and soul evolve anew, the celestial energy seeping into her skin and muscles.

Now her soul blazed like a vivid crimson, orange, and golden flame.

Her power rose sharply.

”Well done. Let us move immediately to the third stage. You will soon reach grand perfection in the Thousand Soul Flame Furnace Refinement Art. As for your chosen Constellation, the Heavenly Eastern Dragon will enhance your speed and durability. Excellent choice.”

The third stage required gathering one hundred Soul Flames and condensing them into a Soul Flame Furnace, fusing it simultaneously into body and soul.

This would fuel cultivation through the Ki Building Stage. Each additional Soul Flame Furnace would expand her maximum Ki capacity, elevating her very existence.

Thus, Kireina endured yet another grueling week. This time the challenge was greater, demanding absolute focus while Wasp pummeled her relentlessly.

But, as expected, she prevailed.

BOOOM!

As she reached Rank 7 of Ki Building, Kireinaʼs body and soul erupted with power.

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