Chapter 17
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Chapter 17: Linglong Qi Locking Tower
"That’s right, it’s definitely because of that small tower," the old bird said with a bitter smile. "I never imagined such a valuable treasure could be used to harm someone. Only direct descendants of West Kunlun would think of such tricks."
"What’s really happening?" Fang Lie pressed.
"Before explaining the tower’s function, I should first teach you about cultivation stages," the old bird began. "To cultivate, one must have spiritual roots. Those with roots can open their lower dantian – the Qi Sea in the abdomen – to gather Spiritual Energy and Magic. Without roots, they remain mortals. You know this already."
"When the Qi Sea forms, it expands as cultivation progresses. Upon reaching certain size, it connects with Heavenly Dao to form Golden Pool. All gaseous Magic turns liquid, contained in pool shaped by Heavenly Dao laws. This Golden Pool Jade Liquid gives the Golden Pool realm its name."
"After Golden Pool forms, continued cultivation makes the jade liquid rise to chest’s middle dantian – where Purple Palace hides. Initially just a shadow, the Purple Palace solidifies through jade liquid nourishment. When fully formed, one can break through to Purple Palace Secret Realm."
"The Purple Palace Secret Realm contains primordial purple energy – mysterious substance holding Heavenly Dao secrets. This energy forms Nascent Soul. Success means becoming Nascent Soul True Immortal. Then three paths emerge."
"First path transforms Nascent Soul into Golden Core through Nascent Soul path – favored by our Mo Sect’s Fang Sect branch."
"Second path treats Nascent Soul as embryo to develop Primordial Spirit, following Primordial Spirit path preferred by Tao Sect."
"Third path merges Nascent Soul essence with primordial spirit for spirit ascension – most mysterious and difficult, favored by Xuan Sect."
"All paths require surviving Wind, Fire, and Thunder Tribulations to complete Dao," the old bird concluded. "Surviving Wind Tribulation makes Wind Tribulation Immortal, Fire Tribulation brings Fire Tribulation Immortal title, Thunder Tribulation earns Thunder Tribulation Immortal status."
"The crucial point is this!" The old bird’s voice turned grave. "Cultivation resembles building tall tower – height depends on foundation. Stronger foundation means greater future achievements."
"This foundation is Qi Sea realm. Qi Sea size determines Golden Pool size. Purple Palace matches Golden Pool dimensions, with primordial purple energy quantity equaling jade liquid amount." The old bird emphasized, "More primordial purple energy means easier Nascent Soul formation and better quality, impacting entire cultivation journey."
"Thus, one’s future gets decided during Qi Sea stage. Once Qi Sea cultivation ends, your path becomes fixed!"
"Ancient cultivators invented methods to expand Qi Sea – special spirit pills to delay Golden Pool formation, Dao magic to cheat Heavenly Dao and prolong Qi Sea stage."
"Best method came from West Kunlun’s Linglong Qi Locking Tower!" The old bird’s eyes shone. "This treasure locks Qi Sea to prevent advancement while purifying Magic. Top-tier treasure, but materials were scarce even in ancient times."
"You mean this tower inside me…?" Fang Lie gasped.
"Exactly – and highest quality version!" The old bird nodded.
"Impossible!" Fang Lie objected. "That villain wanted my family’s legacy! Why give me precious treasure?"
"Ah, you only see half the picture," the old bird sighed.
"What do you mean?"
"This ancient treasure was meant for ancient people!" The old bird chuckled mirthlessly. "Ancient times had abundant Spiritual Energy. Humans lived millennia then – could cultivate Qi Sea for centuries. Their centuries equal our millennia of cultivation!"
"What?" Fang Lie exclaimed. "How big were their Qi Seas?"
"Know Mo Sect’s Jade Pool?"
"Of course! Thirty-thousand-li pool gathers Spiritual Energy into Jade Nectar, boosts cultivation speed tenfold – every disciple’s dream." Fang Lie paused. "Wait… you don’t mean…?"
"Exactly – transformed Golden Pool of ancient cultivator who wasn’t even top-tier!"
"Thirty-thousand-li Golden Pool? My hundred-zhang Qi Sea is considered good now!" Fang Lie cried. "How vast is this gap?"
"Growing wider as Spiritual Energy diminishes. Know our Mo Ancestor’s Golden Pool size?"
"How big?"
"99,999 li – couldn’t break 100,000 li barrier. None in ancient times did. Yet Mo Ancestor was supreme master then."
"Incredible! I wish I had such…"
"You’ll surpass him if you reach Golden Pool realm!"
"What? You said 100,000 li’s impossible!"
"True. But unless you achieve it, you’ll never form Golden Pool!"
"Why?"
"Because of Linglong Qi Locking Tower! West Kunlun’s creation requires specific Qi Sea size to unlock. Three layers need 30,000 li, six layers 60,000, nine layers 90,000. Count your tower’s layers."
Fang Lie inspected his Qi Sea, face darkening with each count. Finally he roared: "Twelve layers?! Needs 120,000-li Qi Sea? What idiot made this broken toy?"
"West Kunlun had too many resources and bored scoundrels. Some creations worked, others like this tower failed. Previous owners all failed too – that’s why it remains locked."
"So I’m doomed? That villain spent heavily to trap me!"
"Wrong. They used concealment magic to hide it in you. When you die, they’ll retrieve it – no loss for them."
"Damn! What now? Wait for death or fight?"
"Nearly impossible. Ancient cultivators had double your talent, tenfold lifespan, hundredfold resources – still failed. You’ve got century lifespan, no magical tools…"
"No challenge too great for determined mind! I’ll break this tower’s curse! For my siblings, I’ll survive!"
"Good spirit! There might be way to break ancient limit…" The old bird’s eyes glowed.
