11: Chapter 11 The Limits of Qi Refining, Mission Completed

Ye Qingxuan no longer held back this time. Flying at full power, he instantly broke the sound barrier. From Ye Qingxuan's perspective, ordinary people would only feel dizzy.

"Daoist Ye's speed must be supersonic, right? No, I'm going to throw up."

"Is Daoist Ye planning to charge right through? Besides, Daoist Ye is still at the Foundation Establishment Stage, right? Won't there be any danger? What do the two Daoists mean by what they said? What Breakthrough? I hate riddle-mongers the most!!!"

"To the person above, let me summarize: Daoist Ye didn't understand the situation of that world at first, so he was a bit cautious. Now, through that cat, he has confirmed that even against the strongest existence, his own strength can hold the bottom line, so he is preparing to make a reckless charge."

"Thanks to the Chinese class representative, but what does Celestial Master Zhang mean by breaking through that Realm?"

"You ask me, who do I ask? I'm not an immortal Cultivator, begging the big shots for an explanation!!!"

"Stupid Huaguo people, wait to be torn apart by monsters."

"The Huaguo people have taken rewards twice, they must be getting cocky."

"Exactly, even monsters that modern firearms can't kill—as if a wizard could beat them."

"Are these foreigners crazy?"

"To the person above, this is a classic case of sour grapes."

"The Chinese class representative's summary is simply incisive."

"Daoist, Daoist, what did you mean by breaking through Realms just now? Satisfy our curiosity, won't you?"

"+10086"

The brainless comments from Huaguo netizens and the sour remarks from foreigners flew wildly across the bullet screen.

Daoist Yuanxin looked at Teacher Zhang, his eyes clearly saying, "You explain it."

"Anyway, you'll know sooner or later, so this poor Daoist will explain."

"In ancient times, before the Shang and Zhou dynasties, the mainstream practice in the cultivation world was not the current Golden Core and Nascent Soul, but rather refining essence to transform into Qi, refining Qi to transform into Spirit, refining spirit to return to the void, and refining the void to merge with the Dao."

"Later generations called it the Innate Cultivation Technique. After the Battle of the Gods, Innate Spiritual Qi turned into Acquired Spiritual Qi, and the environment was no longer suitable for the Innate Cultivation Technique. The Ancestral Masters simply went with the flow and passed down the current Acquired Cultivation Technique, which is Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, and Nascent Soul."

"Innate and Acquired each have their own advantages and disadvantages, with no absolute superiority or inferiority. Their main purpose is for Immortal Ascension, and Immortal Ascension is just the starting point of everything."

"The Foundation Establishment of the Acquired Method builds the foundation of the Great Dao. The quality of the Dao foundation determines the strength and upper limit of one's power. Ordinary people can break through to Foundation Establishment at the 9th layer of Qi Refining. Nine is the ultimate, and twelve is Perfection. Geniuses forge their Dao foundations at the 12th layer of Qi Refining, and as long as they don't perish midway, they are destined for Immortal Ascension."

"This poor Daoist's foolish disciple broke through to Foundation Establishment at the 12th layer of Qi Refining."

As he spoke, he disdainfully glanced at Zhang Yuzhuo who was acting like a pillar nearby. As for our Brother Yuzhu, adhering to the principle of silence is gold, he silently earned a lump of gold. He knew his Master was going to start looking down on him again, so it was better not to court bad luck.

Seeing his disciple not taking up the conversation, Celestial Master Zhang could only let it go and continued speaking.

"Nowadays, the founding Masters of various sects in the cultivation world mostly achieved Foundation Establishment at the 12th layer of Qi Refining. However, there are always geniuses who can surpass this limit. Since the birth of the Acquired Cultivation Technique, a total of three people have broken through the restriction of the 12th layer of Qi Refining, reaching the 13th layer of Qi Refining and forging a supreme Dao foundation."

"Celestial Master, hurry up and tell us! Stop keeping us in suspense. Who are those three big shots?"

"To the person above, those awesome people in history are just those few. You can guess them even without trying."

"I can't guess. But who would have thought that bushy-browed and big-eyed Daoist Yuzhu is actually a figure destined for Immortal Ascension? Is it still too late to hug his thighs now?"

"Why does Celestial Master Zhang's look at his disciple seem a bit strange? It feels like I've seen it somewhere before."

"To the person above, that is a look of disdain, just like how I look at my nephew doing his homework."

"No way, you still disdain someone with the Aptitude destined for Immortal Ascension?"

"That depends on who you compare him to. Daoist Ye definitely surpassed Daoist Yuzhu. Look at Daoist Yuanxin's smug expression."

Everyone looked over at Daoist Yuanxin, only to see him stroking his beard and smiling.

Celestial Master Zhang chanted silently not to get angry, tried hard not to look at Yuanxin's face, and continued: "They are respectively Ancestral Master Zhang Daoling of my Tianshi Mansion, the Pure Yang Sword Immortal Patriarch Lü, and Zhang Sanfeng, the Reincarnation of Emperor Zhenwu."

"The strength forged by this kind of Dao foundation makes slaying enemies across Realms as easy as turning over one's hand. Patriarch Lü once used a newly entered Golden Core cultivation to slay a Late Stage Nascent Soul flood dragon that was causing trouble in the Qiantang River."

"Nephew Qingxuan has also reached Patriarch Lü's level, hasn't he?"

Celestial Master Zhang looked at Yuanxin, his tone full of certainty.

"Qingxuan broke through to Foundation Establishment at the 14th layer of Qi Refining. He has already surpassed Patriarch Lü." Yuanxin laughed even more heartily. What is more joyful than showing off one's disciple?

"Old Daoist Yuanxin, you aren't joking? Are you sure it's not the 13th layer of Qi Refining, but the 14th layer?????" Celestial Master Zhang's voice became a bit sharp, and Zhang Yuzhuo was also shocked. *Brother, I thought you were a Genius, but I didn't expect you to be a monster.*

"When Qingxuan was twelve years old, he reached the 13th layer of Qi Refining. This poor Daoist was almost driven crazy with joy, but he said that he hadn't reached his limit yet and felt that Qi Refining could go up another layer."

"At that time, not to mention this poor Daoist, even the Old Ancestor came out of seclusion. But no one could say for sure—who can figure out the thought process of a Genius?"

"So you just let him mess around? This is a Genius on the same level as the Ancestral Master and Patriarch Lü! You, you, you..." Celestial Master Zhang was so angry he couldn't speak.

"Facts have proven that Qingxuan was right. It took him three years to scatter his cultivation and recultivate, breaking and then standing, before reaching the 14th layer of Qi Refining. By that time, this old Daoist was no longer his match, and the Old Ancestor also said that although Qingxuan was still at the Qi Refinement Stage, he already possessed Golden Core strength."

"Besides, you've never taught Qingxuan, how could you know his talent? Even if Qingxuan said he could ascend tomorrow, this poor Daoist would deeply believe it."

Celestial Master Zhang was retorted to speechlessness, and looking at his own disciple made him even angrier. "So how strong is Qingxuan's strength now?"

"Unclear. Anyway, our Nascent Soul Old Ancestor can't take him down."

"Sigh, compare goods to goods and you'll throw them away." Celestial Master Zhang also accepted reality, and could only say that taking disciples also depends on luck; Old Man Yuanxin used up all his luck in his lifetime on taking disciples.

"When Qingxuan comes back, have him make a trip to Longhu Mountain."

"What do you want to do? That's my disciple!" Yuanxin started protecting his own. Did this Taoist priest want to target his disciple? After all, past generations of celestial Masters were thick-faced and black-hearted; despite their immortal appearance, they were bandits to the core.

"Hmph, this poor Daoist wants to pass down the Five Thunders Orthodoxy to him. With such talent, isn't he worth this poor Daoist making an investment? Now is an eventful autumn. In case my Tianshi Mansion encounters big trouble one day, for the sake of this incense connection, I hope he can give our Tianshi Mansion a hand."

"Old fellow, you really are willing to part with it. Fine, this poor Daoist accepts it on Qingxuan's behalf." Since Celestial Master Zhang had put it to that extent, Yuanxin could only agree. The Five Thunders Orthodoxy of Longhu Mountain was a rare unique skill; who in the cultivation world wouldn't want to learn it?

"Is this the prestige of a Genius?"

"This is a Genius."

"I wonder if I have this kind of Aptitude."

"Wash up and go to sleep; everything is in your dreams."

"Brothers, look at the national official website. Related cultivation books are about to go on sale."

"Really or fake? Our mother acts so fast?"

"The power of the state apparatus, what do you think?"

"Say nothing more, buy it till it explodes."

"Fusheng Wuliang Tianzun, the country's actions are really fast. Fellow lay practitioners, the hundred solutions to immortal cultivation are already open, but remember, remember—even if you are lucky enough to obtain a Cultivation Technique, do not practice it rashly without guidance from a famous teacher, otherwise you will harm others and yourself." Yuanxin nagged endlessly, fearing that some reckless youth might get lucky, obtain a technique, and practice it randomly.

"Many thanks for the Daoist's reminder. I won't mess around."

"Me too."

...

After half a day of flying, Ye Qingxuan also arrived at the central area of the Infinite Forest. He couldn't help but sigh that this tiger's territory expansion really was fast.

"Roar, roar, roar!"

As soon as he arrived at the central area, a tiger roar came from afar, and various Vicious Beasts in the forest fled in all directions. Ye Qingxuan concentrated his gaze and saw a huge black tiger leaping out from the forest. It exuded a powerful aura all over its body, turning out to be a Vicious Beast comparable to the Late Stage Golden Core.

"This tiger roar truly lives up to the king of beasts. I almost peed."

"The person above must have bad kidneys."

"Go on with you, I don't believe you didn't wet yourself."

"What a big tiger! This size is bigger than an elephant, right?"

"This thing should be called a mountain lord, right?"

"Can Daoist Ye handle it? After all, Daoist Yuanxin said he has Nascent Soul Stage strength."

"Keep watching. Just based on Daoist Ye's supersonic speed, if he can't beat it, he can still run."

"Fellow lay practitioners, rest assured. This black tiger is only at the strength of the Late Stage Golden Core. After all, it's a beast and can't unleash much of its strength. Even if this poor Daoist's foolish disciple faced it, he could ensure his own safety even if he couldn't win, let alone Nephew Qingxuan."

As Celestial Master Zhang spoke, he looked at his own disciple. That tone of hating iron for not becoming steel made Daoist Yuzhu break out in cold sweat. *Master Duyuan, this poor Daoist misses you.*

————

This black tiger clearly also sensed Ye Qingxuan's presence, staring at him fiercely and emitting a low growl.

"It's about the strength of the Late Stage Golden Core. If it could unleash its full strength, it would barely count as the Daoist Friend Realm."

Ye Qingxuan pressed his fingers together like a sword, and Spiritual Qi surged within his body. A sharp Sword Qi instantly slashed towards the fierce tiger. The tiger agilely dodged to the side, avoiding the Sword Qi, and then lunged fiercely at Ye Qingxuan. Ye Qingxuan's figure flashed, appearing behind the tiger, and he kicked it away, sending it flying directly. Feeling the pain, the black tiger let out an angry roar, its fur bristling all over, and spewed a stream of flames from its mouth, rolling towards Ye Qingxuan.

Ye Qingxuan circulated his spiritual power, reached out his hand, and the flames gathered in his palm like fledgling swallows returning to their nest. With a firm grip, he extinguished the flames. He cast another spell, drawing Talismans in the void, and instantly the Five Thunders Talismans were formed. With a single thought, like copy and paste, hundreds of thunder Talismans formed in the air and blasted toward the fierce tiger.

Lightning intertwined, enveloping the fierce tiger within.

"This poor Daoist overestimated you; you are still at the ant Realm."

The fierce tiger struggled in the lightning, its body charred black by the electricity, and its aura plummeted drastically.

Just at this moment, another strange noise came from deep within the forest, as if an even more powerful existence was approaching...

"This aura? It has the strength of the Nascent Soul Stage. Beat the small one and the old one comes out. I am not playing anymore; let us quickly finish off this small one."

Then, with a thought, the power of the thunder Talismans multiplied, and the black tiger directly turned into charcoal.

"No reward? It seems the big one is the lord."

Before long, a giant tiger several times larger than the previous black tiger slowly walked out from deep within the forest. Its entire body exuded a terrifying aura; it was a Vicious Beast lord of the Nascent Soul Stage. Behind the giant tiger followed a group of tiger ghosts, including wolves, foxes, lions, snakes, and... a Daoist? That Daoist tiger ghost even exuded Pure Yang Dao rhythm.

"This, this, just looking at this tiger could scare someone to death. Can Daoist Ye do it?"

"With this size, we would need Ultraman to handle it, right?"

"And there is a group of ghosts following behind this tiger? The idiom 'acting as a tiger's accomplice' is real?"

"Fellow Daoist Yuanxin, this giant tiger has the strength of the Nascent Soul Stage, and it is not something the previous one can compare to. Can Junior Nephew Qingxuan really do it?"

However, Master Yuanxin stared at that Daoist tiger ghost, deep in thought.

"Celestial Master, rest assured. In terms of oppression, this giant tiger cannot compare to my Grand Junior Martial Uncle. Qingxuan's strength allows him to protect himself without worry under my Grand Junior Martial Uncle. If he is determined to leave, my Grand Junior Martial Uncle cannot stop him."

"That is good. Today, let this poor Daoist also see how strong the Dao foundation forged at the fourteenth layer of Qi Refining is."

The giant tiger stared at Ye Qingxuan, its eyes filled with rage.

"Human? You dare kill my beloved child! I want you to pay with your life!! Roar, roar, roar!"

"It only gains intelligence at the Nascent Soul strength? It can speak human words. However, acting as a tiger's accomplice, and it also has Pure Yang Dao rhythm? How was it swallowed by this tiger? Moreover, this black tiger also has some Pure Yang Qi on its body. But this is starting to get a bit interesting."

Ye Qingxuan's lips curled up, brimming with Battle Intent. He formed hand seals with both hands, and the Spiritual Qi around his body surged wildly. Behind him, a giant Dharma manifestation dozens of zhang high emerged, which was precisely the Shangqing Secret Method he cultivated—the Manifestation of Dharma and Earth.

The Dharma manifestation held a long sword, exuding sharp Sword Intent. Ye Qingxuan's entire aura skyrocketed, faintly suppressing the giant tiger.

The giant tiger initiated the attack first, leaping forward and charging toward Ye Qingxuan like a black flash of lightning. Ye Qingxuan controlled the Dharma manifestation to swing its sword and meet the attack. The sword and the tiger's claw collided, erupting into a loud explosion. A powerful wave of air swept across the surroundings, snapping trees within dozens of li, scattering rocks, and making the entire forest feel as if an underground dragon was turning over.

The giant tiger continuously launched attacks, yet they lacked any order or method, completely resembling a beast hunting. Ye Qingxuan, on the other hand, responded flexibly; at times he dodged, and at times he counterattacked, completely resembling an old man toying with a mischievous child.

"There are no Moves at all, only brute force. His control over power is astonishingly crude. In terms of Realm, he is indeed stronger than me."

"Roar, roar! Damned human!!!" The giant tiger was completely enraged.

"Your entire body is full of weaknesses, completely riddled with flaws. This is the first one!"

Suddenly, Ye Qingxuan seized the opportunity and formed hand incantations, using the Daoist Nine-Word mantra, the Lin secret, which could borrow boundless power from between heaven and earth.

The Dharma manifestation's long sword stabbed toward the giant tiger's left front armpit. With a bang, this single sword strike directly caused the giant tiger's forelimb to instantly burst apart!

The giant tiger let out a cry of pain, opening its mouth and roaring up at the sky.

"This is the second." Subsequently, the Dharma manifestation's long sword thrust toward the giant tiger's throat. This sword thrust directly at energy nodes, shattering all the energy throughout the giant tiger's body.

"Is that all? Forget it, let us finish you off in one go."

Afterwards, Ye Qingxuan silently chanted the Heavenly Thunder Incantation. The sky became covered with dark clouds, and lightning flashed and thunder rumbled.

"Rumble—"

A bolt of white heavenly thunder blasted toward the giant tiger. The giant tiger sensed the danger and wanted to dodge, but amplified by the Lin secret, the power of the Heavenly Thunder Incantation had already reached the Nascent Soul Middle Stage.

The Immortal Trapping Talisman had also been pasted under its feet, and its entire strength had been shattered by Ye Qingxuan's sword; the giant tiger was already too late to dodge.

Boom! The heavenly thunder descended, and the giant tiger let out a miserable scream before crashing heavily to the ground.

"That is solved? Is the Nascent Soul Stage this weak?"

"Shut up, you upstairs. It is not that the Nascent Soul Stage is weak; it is that Daoist Ye is too strong. If you went, you would probably just do a sliding tackle and become a meal for the tiger, with a one-in-ten-thousand chance that you could choke it to death."

"666, what a great sliding tackle."

"It is a beast after all. Qingxuan did not use his full strength at all."

"Indeed, it is resolved. It had all that strength but could not display it. If it had been any other Yao Beast with a Legacy, Qingxuan would probably be in some trouble today."

Ye Qingxuan waved his hand to disperse the Heavenly Thunder Incantation and looked at the giant tiger with some dissatisfaction. "This poor Daoist has not even moved much yet, and you are already done for?"

Although this giant tiger's strength was not much, it was still at the Nascent Soul Stage, and its life was indeed tough; the destructive power of the heavenly thunder could only severely injure it.

"Senior, spare my life! Please spare me, I am willing to be your mount!" The giant tiger begged for mercy.

"You know to call me Senior, and you even know about being a mount? It seems you still have the ability to swallow spirits. What is going on with that Daoist?"

Ye Qingxuan discovered that this giant tiger was not completely useless after all.

"That Daoist was from several hundred years ago—I have forgotten the exact time. He suddenly fell out of a spatial rift. At that time, he was heavily injured. Seeing that he had no ability to resist, I swallowed him directly and obtained his memories, which is how I have my current strength."

Ye Qingxuan frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and said: "You obtained all of his memories? Hand over the Daoist's memories to me, and I can spare your life."

The giant tiger hesitated for a moment. Although somewhat unwilling, it finally nodded. It opened its large mouth and spat out a beam of light. Within the light, some ancient runes and images emerged, which were precisely the Cultivation Technique and Legacy within the Daoist's memories.

Ye Qingxuan reached out to catch it and quickly browsed through it, a flash of surprise crossing his eyes. That Daoist was a Cultivator of the Pure Yang lineage from the late Song Dynasty, possessing the strength of the Soul Transformation Stage. He had accidentally obtained an ancient Legacy and, before he could digest it, was besieged by others and heavily injured, bringing him to this world through a spatial rift, only to be unluckily swallowed by this tiger.

"You may leave. The next time we meet, this poor Daoist will definitely take your life." Ye Qingxuan nodded and turned to leave.

"What? Just letting it go like this? Releasing a tiger back to the mountains brings endless future troubles!"

"Exactly, the reward has not even been obtained yet, and that giant tiger has not submitted at all. How could Daoist Ye make such a big mistake?"

"Haha, the people of Huaxia are truly so stupid! They fall for such simple little tricks. Just wait, once this tiger recovers from its injuries, it will be the death date of this Huaxia person."

"Yoshi, this Huaxia person is too stupid; only then will our Jiaoben have a chance."

"Alas, such a good Junior Brother has learned bad habits. Poor tiger." Sister Qingling silently mourned for the tiger.

"What does what the person upstairs said mean?"

"Look down for yourself."

The barrage was a mess, with some complaining and others watching the show.

"Fellow Daoist Yuanxin, did you teach him this? When has our Daoist sect ever kept promises to Yao Beasts? How did an old gutter like you teach such a cotton ball?"

Master Yuanxin smiled mysteriously. "Just watch."

The giant tiger struggled to stand up, its eyes filled with venomous malice. Just at this moment, Ye Qingxuan, who had not walked two steps, suddenly turned his head.

"We meet again! This poor Daoist said that the next time we met, I would definitely take your life."

As he spoke, he reached out his left hand, circulated his Divine Ability, and a dim light flashed past. "Soul-Detachment!"

"Roar, you go back on your word!!!" The giant tiger screamed in agony.

"This poor Daoist said that the next time we met, I would take your life. When did I ever go back on my word?" As he spoke, he increased his force, pulling the giant tiger's Soul right out. The body, having lost its Soul, crashed heavily to the ground.

At this moment, the prompt tone of the National Destiny Space rang out: "Congratulations to the Huaxia Chosen One for defeating the Level 12 Vicious Beast lord, obtaining the territory of the Infinite Forest, and receiving rewards:"

Huaxia's National Destiny increases by 10%,

nationwide resources increase by 10%,

the physical fitness of the entire nation improves by 10%,

the Dragon Vein recovers by 10%, a portion of water resources is purified,

air quality improves by 10%,

National Destiny is enhanced, bringing favorable weather for the next 15 years,

for slaying a Level 12 Vicious Beast for the first time, the lifespan of everyone nationwide increases by 3 years,

Ding, congratulations to the Huaxia Chosen One. Mission: Exploration completed. The Huaxia Chosen One has slain the lord of the Infinite Forest. Mission: Survival exceeded expectations, obtaining the territory of the Infinite Forest. Mission: Occupation exceeded expectations.

Distributing rewards:

Huaxia's National Destiny increases by 50%, nationwide resources increase by 50%, national territory area increases by 50%, nationwide physical fitness improves by 50%, the Dragon Vein returns to normal, air quality improves by 50%, and Spiritual Qi undergoes preliminary recovery.

Occupying the territory of the Infinite Forest: 12 Elementary Spiritual Veins, 3 Intermediate Spiritual Veins, and 22 various mineral veins. Distribution begins at a 10x multiplier.

Congratulations to Huaxia for obtaining 3 Advanced Spiritual Veins, 12 Intermediate Spiritual Veins, and various mineral resources. (The ratio of Elementary, Intermediate, and Advanced Spiritual Veins is 1:10).

Reward distribution complete. Mission finished. Return? Yes / No. If no selection is made, forced return will occur after one hour.

Ye Qingxuan's lips curled up. The Dragon Vein had recovered, and Spiritual Qi had revived. He knew that even more challenges and opportunities lay ahead waiting for him.