Having meticulously compiled a list of the requisite spirit plants, Long Tian set his sights on the forest for the following day. Concluding his inventory and securing the shop for the night, he retreated to the living quarters situated behind his cultivation workspace. This dwelling, spanning a modest 5 meters by 8 meters, exuded a serene ambiance with its intricately crafted wooden walls. The room boasted minimalistic furnishings: a solitary bed, a dark wood chair paired with a matching table. Dominating one wall were shelves laden with an eclectic mix of books and scrolls, encompassing topics ranging from alchemy and history to cultivation techniques and personal annotations.
Centered on the dark wood table, an orb of a striking light blue hue, slightly larger than an average orange, captured Long Tian's attention. The orb's ethereal color seemed to undulate subtly, reminiscent of swirling clouds within. Seated beside the table, Long Tian scrutinized the orb with a furrowed brow. Much of his life had been dedicated to studying, experimenting, and even clashing with fellow cultivators over this enigmatic artifact. He had stumbled upon it during his youth, nestled within the remains of an Eternal Flame cultivator. Recognizing its inherent value, Long Tian had discerned its primary function as a storage device. Unlike conventional storage rings or devices, this orb harbored a unique capability: it could sustain living plants within its confines. However, its limitations became evident when he attempted to house larger creatures, like a cow, which would succumb instantaneously, collapsing lifelessly, akin to a marionette whose strings had been abruptly severed.
Shaking off his contemplation, Long Tian made his way to the bed, settling into a lotus position. With deliberate intent, he centered his breathing and cleared his mind, immersing himself in the cultivation of the Nebula Nexus Manual. This particular technique, also salvaged from the remains of the Eternal Flame corpse, remained a source of both fascination and frustration for Long Tian.
Upon acquiring this intricate cultivation method, which purportedly culminated in the illustrious Nebula Ascendant Realm, Long Tian's elation knew no bounds. Despite the profound implications and risks—like forsaking his pinnacle second spirit stage cultivation—he felt compelled to pursue it. One must comprehend the gravity of such a decision; reaching the seventh stage, the Nebula Ascendant Realm, was the stuff of legends. Even the esteemed ruler of the Grand Quicksilver Dominion, a formidable figure, purportedly stagnated at the fifth stage: The Eternal Flame stage. Yet, when Long Tian beheld the requirements for the initial qi stage within the manual, he deemed the potential rewards worth the arduous journey ahead.
The manual's inaugural page delineated the prerequisites for the Initial Qi Stage, presenting a straightforward yet profound mandate accompanied by a prescribed regimen:
Initiation of the Cosmic Connection:
Forge an intricate bond with celestial energies by meditating beneath the vast expanse of the open sky, aligning oneself with the cosmic dance of stars.
In his youthful vigor, Long Tian swiftly ascended to the pinnacle of the Initial Qi Stage. Unhindered by any significant obstacles, he seamlessly transitioned into the Second Spirit Stage.
The manual then unveiled its next set of guidelines, accompanied by a meticulous series of breathing exercises:
Harmonizing Elemental Forces:
Delve deep into the mastery of elemental energies—earth, fire, water, and air. Forge an intricate balance and synergy amongst these primal forces. Through relentless dedication and meditative practices, refine these elemental essences within, aligning their innate properties to harmonize with the vast cosmic resonances of the universe.
Within a mere span of three years, the younger Long Tian achieved mastery at this advanced stage. Such rapid progression solidified his conviction that relinquishing his previous cultivation technique in favor of the Nebula Nexus Manual had been a prudent decision. However, as he neared the zenith of the Second Spirit Realm, he encountered an unprecedented bottleneck. Despite dedicating two subsequent decades in pursuit of advancement, the elusive breakthrough remained tantalizingly out of reach. Recognizing the ebb of his prime years, Long Tian eventually pivoted his focus, setting his sights on the
intricate realm of alchemy.
Having resided in the illustrious Great Pill City for half a decade, Long Tian had ascended swiftly in the realm of alchemy. Within a mere five years, he had scaled to the middle tier of the Ephemeral Essence Alchemic Grade. Now at the age of 53, Long Tian's cultivation, unfortunately, bore minimal influence on his lifespan. He reckoned he might have about another seven decades left at best.
As dawn painted the horizon, the city sprang to life, disrupting Long Tian's meditative trance. He roused himself, donning a light leather armor beneath a pristine white robe. Seizing a modest sword artifact, he tucked the ethereal light blue orb into his robes and stepped out into the bustling streets. Vendors clamored to set up their stalls, and citizens scurried about, either embarking on their daily tasks or making their way out of the city's confines. While the majority were mortals or those at the Initial Qi Stage, keen observers could spot several individuals at the Second Spirit Realm. A discerning eye might even identify a couple of cultivators from the Celestial Vein Stage.
Avoiding the main thoroughfare, Long Tian made his way towards the northern city gates. After a cursory inspection by guards, most of whom boasted the Second Spirit Stage prowess—except for the commanding general, a formidable figure at the Celestial Vein Stage—Long Tian was granted passage. Following the peripheral path, lined with carriages traversing in and out of the city, he soon approached the fringes of the lush forest. Several cultivators, some in pairs or groups, were poised to venture into its depths.
While encounters with individuals from other sects or dominions were commonplace, two figures stood out to Long Tian. A striking youth, exuding an aura of confidence, donned a dark blue robe embellished with silver tigers, the exquisite sword within a meticulously crafted silver scabbard adorning his left side. Beside him stood an equally captivating brown young woman, roughly 25 years old, clad in a robe echoing the man's. However, her scabbard shimmered in light blue, adorned with intricate golden runes of mysterious potency. The duo lingered at the forest's edge, seemingly awaiting something or someone. Without further ado, Long Tian decided to delve into the forest's embrace, leaving the intriguing pair behind.
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