33: Breakthrough to the Enlightenment Realm

“Back then, that great Demon refined Cangyuan City. Father used a secret technique, self-detonated to his death, and carved out a path for survival for everyone in the city.

Ultimately, less than one in ten of those who survived in the city remained.

I was also led to escape by my father’s Personal Guard, Li Yuan. However, he was severely wounded during the escape and passed away a few years later when his injuries recurred.

Later, I joined the Demon Suppression Division and ventured out, once hoping to seek revenge on that Earth Mother… no, she should be called Fenghu Great Demon—this is the name I only learned after reading through all the Demon Suppression Division's ancient texts.

But that Demon seemed to have vanished, and only in recent years have there been some clues; it appears to have infiltrated the Heaven Beyond Heaven, and its traces are hard to find.”

Yue Tuyao spoke out the events of that year, word by word, as if pouring out a chest full of indignation. His palms trembled slightly, leaving imprints on the pitch-black iron table cast from fine iron.

After a long while, the scene fell into silence.

Suddenly, Yue Tuyao spoke, “Your Cultivation has already reached the Innate Peak, just one step away from Aperture Opening.

However, you’ve taken three methods for opening a Sword Body, so I can’t give you an Aperture Opening Cultivation Technique anymore.

You’ll have to do as I did back then: accept missions in the Demon Suppression Division and accumulate merits to exchange for an Aperture Opening Cultivation Technique.

Or, you have another path…”

At this point, Yue Tuyao’s gaze suddenly became strange.

‘Another path?’ Li Jiangchen felt puzzled, only to hear a hearty laugh from outside the door as a white-haired elder wearing lion-faced green armor entered.

The elder's hair and beard were all white, yet his blood Qi was as blazing as a furnace, and the lion-faced green armor on him contained spiritual light; it was actually a defensive spiritual armor.

The person before them was none other than Chen Jiuhua, the Great General of Demon Suppression of Qingzhou.

“Haha, Little Yuezi, this old man has come to retrieve the spiritual pearl and, by the way, see the outstanding Junior of the Demon Suppression Division.” Chen Jiuhua’s gaze swept over Li Jiangchen, nodding repeatedly, as if appreciating a work of art. That look made Li Jiangchen feel uneasy.

“A mere spiritual pearl, I, Yue, would naturally deliver it personally. There’s no need for Old Man Chen to come himself.” Yue Tuyao said with a smile, then introduced Li Jiangchen: “This is Old Man Chen Jiuhua, the Great General of Demon Suppression of Qingzhou. He has guarded Qingzhou for over eight hundred years.

Old Man Chen’s Cultivation reaches the heavens; he has long since Embraced the Core and is ranked as a Spirit Observation Realm Grandmaster. He usually enjoys supporting Juniors.

Back then, I also received Old Man Chen’s favor to get to where I am today.”

“Greetings, General Chen.” Li Jiangchen cupped his fists and bowed respectfully.

Such a being, who guards the Human Race and protects a province, should be revered by tens of thousands.

Chen Jiuhua merely waved his hand, his gaze fixed on Li Jiangchen, nodding with satisfaction: “Sword Intent fills your body; the Sword Body you’ve opened is of no low grade.

Furthermore, your body condenses precious light, and it seems you also cultivate a powerful Body Refining Cultivation Technique.

Most importantly, within the Earth Vein Illusionary Realm, neither Sword Body nor Body Refining methods can be brought in.

The fact that you could pass the Profound-grade Earth Vein Illusionary Realm indicates that you seem to have mastered a Peerless Grade Dao method.”

Hearing this, Yue Tuyao was inwardly startled.

Peerless Grade Dao methods are the pinnacle of Dao methods.

Regardless of their type, they all possess immense power.

If one were to step into the God Observation Realm in the future and condense their Innate Divine Ability with a Peerless Grade Dao method, they might even have a chance to form a First-Rank Core.

“No wonder that girl praised you so highly.” Chen Jiuhua said.

“Praised me highly?” Li Jiangchen was slightly surprised, never expecting that ice beauty, Chen Yanran, had such a side to her.

Suddenly, Chen Jiuhua’s voice entered his ears.

“This old man is also very satisfied with you. Are you willing to become my grandson-in-law and marry Yanran?”

“Grandson-in-law?” Li Jiangchen raised an eyebrow, seemingly understanding something.

No wonder this Demon Suppression Division assessment gathered so many Geniuses; it turned out they were all aiming to become Old Master Chen’s son-in-law.

This immense benefit of being first place was actually this.

But in his eyes, it was far less valuable than an Aperture Opening Cultivation Technique.

“Haha, this old man has chosen a son-in-law several times, but that girl was never satisfied, vowing that the person who marries her must be stronger than her.

She has opened seventy-nine Meridians and possesses the Spiritual Perception Sword Body. Among the younger generation of Qingzhou, few can surpass her.

Until your appearance.

Are you… willing?”

Chen Jiuhua looked at Li Jiangchen with burning eyes.

Li Jiangchen frowned slightly, which immediately made Yue Tuyao inwardly exclaim that something was wrong.

“A true man should prioritize Cultivation, demon slaying, and restoring peace to the world.

Before reaching the God Observation Realm, this Junior will not consider marriage. I ask General Chen to look for someone else.” Li Jiangchen said respectfully.

Although he didn't dislike Chen Yanran, and the two even fought side by side multiple times in the illusionary realm.

He felt that their relationship had not yet reached that stage.

The scene froze for a few breaths, then Chen Jiuhua’s long sigh was heard.

“Never mind.” Chen Jiuhua raised his hand, and a golden token and a bluish book appeared on the table.

“I see that your Cultivation has reached the Innate Peak, lacking only an Aperture Opening Cultivation Technique to communicate with heaven and earth, then you can Breakthrough to the Aperture Opening Realm.

This Cultivation Technique is called the Azure Lotus Sword Art, left by the Wine Sword Hermit, and can be cultivated all the way to the God Observation Realm.”

Such a profound Secret Manual immediately made Li Jiangchen feel like he was holding a hot potato; this old man was determined to entice him.

Seemingly sensing Li Jiangchen’s concern, Chen Jiuhua quickly said, “You don’t need to worry. This time, by breaking through the Profound-grade Earth Vein Illusionary Realm, you not only saved Yanran and the younger generation of Qingzhou from Divine Soul damage but also allowed them to obtain Earth Fiend Qi.

That Earth Fiend Qi can cleanse Dao methods, which is of immense benefit for condensing Divine Abilities and Breaking Through to the God Observation Realm.

By all accounts, you deserve this item.

As for the Demon Suppression Token, it contains a full-power strike from this old man. Throw it out when you encounter danger, and it can save your life.

All of this is this old man supporting Juniors, nothing else.”

Hearing this, Li Jiangchen opened his mouth, intending to refuse, but met Chen Jiuhua’s unquestionable gaze. He could only cup his fists and thank him, “Thank you, General Chen, for your guidance.”

With that, Chen Jiuhua laughed heartily and left.

“You, ah, truly wasted a great Opportunity.” Yue Tuyao sighed.

However, everyone has their own ambitions, and they cannot be forced.

After bidding farewell to Yue Tuyao, Li Jiangchen returned to the residence arranged by the Demon Suppression Division.

“I still have sixty years of Demon Cultivation. First, I’ll Breakthrough to the Aperture Opening Realm. Then I’ll go demon slaying and master the three methods for opening a Sword Body.”

A bluish book was placed before him.

Li Jiangchen sat cross-legged, closing his eyes.

[In the first year, you read the Aperture Opening chapter of the Azure Lotus Sword Art, memorizing it thoroughly. You discover that cultivating this Cultivation Technique requires converting all the Xiantian True Qi in your body into Azure Lotus True Qi.

You begin to cultivate the Azure Lotus Sword Art.]

...[In the fifth year, you convert all the True Qi in your entire body's two hundred and one Meridians into Azure Lotus True Qi.]

Li Jiangchen opened his eyes. At this moment, an illusory azure lotus surrounded him, with two hundred and one lotus petals. In his perception, the quality of the Azure Lotus True Qi far surpassed that of the previous Nascent Qi Art.

“This Azure Lotus Sword Art is truly extraordinary. Activating Chan Meditation with Azure Lotus True Qi, killing a great Demon with one strike is effortless.

Moreover, it can subtly assist in perceiving the wandering qi of heaven and earth…”

He looked into the Void Realm, only to feel particles of qi of heaven and earth, invisible to the naked eye, everywhere.

The most important thing about Breaking Through to the Aperture Opening Realm is to comprehend the existence of the qi of heaven and earth, and then absorb the qi of heaven and earth into the Apertures.

The most difficult path has already been half-traversed.

Closing his eyes again, his Demon Cultivation burned.

[In the sixth year, you attempt to Breakthrough to the Aperture Opening Realm, continuing to comprehend the wandering particles in heaven and earth. The particles you can perceive are increasing.]

[In the seventh year, you continue to comprehend.]

...[In the tenth year, you comprehend the location of the qi of heaven and earth. The energy particles between heaven and earth hold no more secrets in your eyes.

You officially Breakthrough to the Aperture Opening Realm.]

Boom—

Above the Demon Suppression Division, heaven and earth changed color. A giant funnel of multicolored qi of heaven and earth gathered, clearly visible even a hundred miles away.

Such a terrifying scene immediately astonished everyone.