Volume 5 Chapter 2

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Volume 5 Chapter 2: The Path

Previously, when Xu Qingfan spent a high price to purchase "Yellow Jade" from the "Treasure Pavilion," Gu Fulu was filled with astonishment because, other than its ability to harmonize Spirit Qi, "Yellow Jade" seemed to have no other functions. Its price was notably high, making it the least cost-effective among materials in the cultivation world. Yet, Xu Qingfan was determined to acquire it.

In fact, the reason Xu Qingfan went to such great lengths to purchase "Yellow Jade" was because he valued its unique Spirit Qi harmonization capability.

Earlier, during the battle with Number One and Number Two, Xu Qingfan accidentally entered a wondrous state of "mind-body separation" while countering the evil energy invading the "Golden Armored Soldier God." Though he could never quite return to this state despite his efforts, he fully understood the construction method of the "Golden Armored Soldier God" and the mystical use of the life and death energies within.

It was at that moment Xu Qingfan realized his second ability — he called it the "External Incarnation"!

The "Golden Armored Soldier God" is a powerful puppet constructed by Mahayana Stage masters using their formidable internal Spirit Qi and profound insight. They forcibly extract the life and death energies of Heaven and Earth as the core, using their own five-element Spirit Qi as the body, creating a being of pure energy that resides between reality and illusion.

Although Xu Qingfan had understood the structure of the "Golden Armored Soldier God," his own power was insufficient, and he couldn’t extract the life and death energies from heaven and earth. The "Withered Qi" and "Flourish Qi" within him could be used as substitutes, but they were not pure life and death energies. Thus, even with the understanding of the "Golden Armored Soldier God," he couldn’t create it like the masters could with their Spirit Qi. Even if he managed to create it, it wouldn’t be stable in the world, so he had to place the puppet’s core—"Withered Qi" and "Flourish Qi"—into an object.

Since "Withered Qi" and "Flourish Qi" inherently counteract each other, the best and only choice to house them is "Yellow Jade," an incredibly powerful material for balancing energies.

That is why Xu Qingfan went to great lengths to acquire "Yellow Jade."

If Xu Qingfan’s idea came to fruition, the puppet he constructed with "Yellow Jade," "Flourish Qi," and "Withered Qi" as the core would essentially become an extension of himself.

This puppet, created through such divine power, had a core of Xu Qingfan’s own "Flourish Qi" and "Withered Qi." By fusing the spirit beast recognition method, and embedding a part of Xu Qingfan’s Divine Sense and blood, the connection between this "external incarnation" and Xu Qingfan was much closer than the masters’ "Golden Armored Soldier God." This made it much easier to control and didn’t immobilize him like Ninglingzi’s control over the "Golden Armored Soldier God."

Additionally, Xu Qingfan’s "external incarnation" had a more stable core, allowing it to exist longer than the "Golden Armored Soldier God," which had a time limit. As long as Xu Qingfan continued to replenish "Withered Qi" and "Flourish Qi," and as the "external incarnation" absorbed the Spirit Qi from the heavens, it could virtually exist indefinitely.

However, compared to the "Golden Armored Soldier God," the power of the "external incarnation" was somewhat weaker, even less than the simplified version of the "Golden Armored Soldier God" Xu Qingfan had seen. According to Xu Qingfan’s estimation, once fully realized, the strength of the "external incarnation" would be about the same as his own.

Considering that as Xu Qingfan’s skills improved, the "external incarnation’s" strength would also increase, and given that "Golden Armored Soldier God" required Mahayana Stage cultivators working together, while Xu Qingfan was merely at the peak of the Fake Golden Core stage, this disadvantage was not really a disadvantage.

Thinking of this, Xu Qingfan became increasingly eager about this divine power.

However, Xu Qingfan knew that this matter could not be rushed and required thorough preparation.

At that moment, Xu Qingfan tentatively channeled his "Withered Qi" and "Flourish Qi" into the "Yellow Jade," feeling them initially clash but gradually settle into harmony under the jade’s influence. This made him slightly happy, realizing his idea was correct. He then gradually increased the amount of "Withered Qi" and "Flourish Qi" until he noticed the "Yellow Jade" starting to reach its limit.

After this test, Xu Qingfan furrowed his brows in thought.

Xu Qingfan discovered that the amount of "Flourish Qi" and "Withered Qi" the "Yellow Jade" could withstand was less than he expected. Although it could barely support the "Avatar Technique" he had learned, the power of the technique was reduced, and considering it should grow stronger as his strength increased, using it now would limit its future potential, making it not worthwhile.

"It seems I need to refine and purify these five pieces of ‘Yellow Jade’ into one. Only then can they bear more ‘Withered Qi’ and ‘Flourish Qi.’ I initially hoped to have five avatars for an immediate power boost, but now, after purification, having even two would be quite fortunate."

Thinking of this, Xu Qingfan slowly placed the "Yellow Jade" back into his sleeve, a slight smile appearing on his face as he recalled something.

"I’ve been too greedy. Each ‘Avatar’ requires part of my Original Soul Divine Sense, and too many avatars would greatly diminish it. Two should be just right. Having two avatars as strong as myself is already a great fortune; why ask for more?"

With this realization, Xu Qingfan felt a newfound sense of calm.

Then, Xu Qingfan sat cross-legged on his bed, contemplating the path he would take in the future.

In the cultivation world, every 2,800 years, judging from the current information, these calamities in the cultivation world are closely related to the mysterious "Ming" organization. Although it is unknown why the "Ming" organization does this, Xu Qingfan must quickly strengthen his own abilities.

At this moment, there are only eight years left until the next calamity, while Jiuhua Mountain, due to being sealed, will not unseal until thirteen years later when the spirit stones within are depleted and can no longer support the reversal of the Nine Extremes Formation. This way, they can avoid the fiercest initial five years of the cultivation world’s catastrophe.

What Xu Qingfan must do during these thirteen years is to quickly enhance his own abilities. Only by doing so, he will have the power to protect himself, his family, friends, and even Jiuhua during the calamity.

Reflecting on his journey and experiences from cultivating immortality to now, Xu Qingfan set several development goals for the next thirteen years.

The first goal is to perfect the "Formula of Life and Death" unique to him. After all, "Withered Qi" and "Flourish Qi" are his greatest support now, but his control over these high-level energies is weak. The "Formula of Life and Death" is the way to fully harness these energies. Xu Qingfan imagines that the day it is perfected, its power will be truly remarkable.

The second goal is to try to use the "Formula of Life and Death" to transform his innate qualities. Currently, he can only absorb thirty percent of the natural Spirit Qi, making his cultivation rate far too slow given the perilous situation of the world. Improving his inner qualities to accelerate cultivation is essential for self-preservation.

The third goal is to enhance his cultivation level over the next thirteen years. Right now, Xu Qingfan has reached the pinnacle of the Fake Golden Core Stage, just a step away from the Real Golden Core Stage. His aim is to reach the late stage of the Real Golden Core Stage within these years. It seems unbelievable, but considering there are seven remaining Spirit Qi seals left by Niu Hualian, which will merge with Xu Qingfan’s Spirit Qi during his next two breakthroughs, this might not be impossible.

The fourth goal concerns the "Wind of Desolation" problem Xu Qingfan discovered. Given his current state, it no longer suits him and poses a great danger if used. Therefore, Xu Qingfan must adapt this ability to better fit his situation now.

As for the fifth goal, it surprisingly offers the greatest enhancement to Xu Qingfan’s strength and is the easiest to achieve. It involves mastering the second technique he comprehended, the "External Incarnation." Once successful, having two incarnations of equal strength would more than double his power.

These five points vary in urgency; some need to start right away, some can be postponed, and others can be done together with other tasks. This is undoubtedly something Xu Qingfan needs to consider.

But no matter what, having direction brings light, and light brings hope and motivation. With the future’s dangers and unknowns, it doesn’t seem as scary now. After figuring out his future path, Xu Qingfan felt a lift in his once confused spirits.

When Xu Qingfan had sorted through everything, he finally opened his eyes slowly. Outside, the sun was shining brightly.

With a slight smile, Xu Qingfan opened the door and stepped into the yard, where he saw Ting’er, Zhang Ningmei, and Bai Yu gathered together, talking. Bai Yu, in particular, was talking a lot, constantly asking Ting’er questions, which was quite a challenge for reticent Ting’er to handle.

Watching Bai Yu speak a whole lot, Ting’er responded with only one or two words, but she showed no sign of annoyance; instead, she seemed intrigued. After all, Ting’er had never been surrounded by a junior who admired and trusted her so much.

Meanwhile, Zhang Ningmei just smiled and listened quietly, her expression graceful as always. Although Ting’er was exceptionally charming, Zhang Ningmei’s rare elegance held its own. In the midst of Bai Yu’s questions, Zhang Ningmei occasionally added a word or two, and unlike Bai Yu’s ten questions to which Ting’er replied only once, Zhang Ningmei’s questions always received answers from Ting’er. It seemed that after their time together last night, their bond had grown quite close.

Seeing this scene, Xu Qingfan smiled slightly, realizing that achieving his goal of bringing Zhang Ningmei and Bai Yu together wasn’t too difficult after all.

Upon seeing Xu Qingfan, the three quickly approached him, greeting him respectfully. Ting’er softly called him "Uncle," while Zhang Ningmei and Bai Yu said together, "Welcome, Master."

Xu Qingfan nodded slightly, feeling a sudden warmth in his heart. It seemed that taking on two more disciples wasn’t as troublesome as he had imagined; it was pleasant. However, his face remained calm, and he simply nodded at the three, then softly said, "Come to my room for a moment."

With that, Xu Qingfan was the first to return to his room.

Previously, Xu Qingfan would have warmly asked Ting’er about her training and life, inquiring if she needed anything. But now, with Zhang Ningmei and Bai Yu also under his guidance, Xu Qingfan couldn’t be too attentive towards Ting’er. Otherwise, it might make the other two feel he was showing favoritism. The incident with Nangong Qingshan still fresh in his mind, Xu Qingfan knew he had to handle this carefully. So as he spoke, his tone was neutral, not showing any particular preference.

However, Xu Qingfan failed to notice the flash of disappointment in Ting’er’s eyes after he turned away.

Treating all three equally, had unconsciously lessened his care for Ting’er.

In that moment, the joy Ting’er felt for having a younger martial sister and brother was mostly replaced by anxious uncertainty and a slight panic, as if fearing something might slip away from him.

Ting’er did not realize these feelings, or if she did, she was unwilling to admit them.