Volume 5 Chapter 8

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Volume 5 Chapter 8: Rebirth

Sensing the strong Spirit Qi fluctuations coming from Xu Qingfan’s body, everyone present was visibly shocked.

It wasn’t just because Xu Qingfan, who was believed to be dead, was still alive. Even more surprising was that his Spirit Qi fluctuations were not only growing stronger, but they also seemed to resonate subtly with the Spirit Qi of the heavens and the earth.

As Xu Qingfan’s Spirit Qi synchronized more with the natural Spirit Qi, it was as if the vast Spirit Qi of the universe began to flow into Xu Qingfan, and his body, like an endless black hole, kept absorbing the heavenly Spirit Qi.

Right before everyone’s eyes, due to the intensity and density of the Spirit Qi flow, the Spirit Qi surrounding Xu Qingfan became almost tangible, transforming into a colorful spiritual glow, like a five-colored Spirit Qi vortex, continually feeding into Xu Qingfan and slowly lifting his body into the air.

Everyone could clearly feel the flow of the world’s Spirit Qi rushing towards Xu Qingfan.

Such a scene was not merely a fluctuation of Spirit Qi. It was the vision of a cultivator breaking through to a new realm, an interaction between heaven and earth!

Moreover, as the resonance with the world’s Spirit Qi occurred, a profound and mysterious wave emanated from within Xu Qingfan, signifying that he not only broke through to a new realm but also comprehended a third divine power simultaneously.

Could it be that during this battle, Xu Qingfan not only survived but broke through the late stage of the Fake Golden Core Stage and reached the Real Golden Core Stage? And also mastered other divine powers? The fortunes and misfortunes of this world are truly mysterious.

As everyone watched, Xu Qingfan, suspended in mid-air, began to shed his burned skin, revealing fresh, newborn-like skin. Meanwhile, his singed hair gradually regrew. In a moment, the once-charred body transformed back into Xu Qingfan’s original form, with even the dark red flame mark under his left eye and the faint scar on his right cheek remaining unchanged.

Seeing this scene, Gongsun Huasa couldn’t bother blaming Feng Qingtian and Xu Qingfan. He simply instructed everyone, "Leave some people here to guard Xu Qingfan. It’s crucial not to disturb him during his breakthrough and connection with heaven and earth."

Saying this, Gongsun Huasa turned his gaze to Feng Qingtian and said, "Come with me; the sect leader has questions for you."

With that, Gongsun Huasa took Feng Qingtian away. But before leaving, Jin Qinghan gave Feng Qingtian a fierce glare, signaling that this matter wasn’t over. To Jin Qinghan, Xu Qingfan was his only friend, and Feng Qingtian almost killed him, which made him angrier than when Feng Qingtian had nearly killed him.

However, Feng Qingtian paid no mind to Jin Qinghan’s angry stare. Before leaving, he glanced silently at Xu Qingfan, surrounded by a swirl of Spirit Qi, his eyes showing a trace of relief and relaxation, but mostly resolution.

Originally, in Feng Qingtian’s current state, he wouldn’t have been able to use any magic, but Feng Qingtian was naturally stubborn and didn’t want to show weakness in front of others. So he forced himself to use the "Cloud Riding Technique" and followed Gongsun Huasa, flying towards the front mountain.

As for Xu Qingfan, aside from those familiar with him like Jin Qinghan, Lv Qingshang, and Dongfang Qingling, none of the other elders were present. They sat quietly, meditating to protect Xu Qingfan. It wasn’t that Xu Qingfan was so well-liked that all these elders were willing to guard him. It was because Xu Qingfan was in the process of breaking through his cultivation stage and had entered a phase where he was attuned to the Heavenly Way, a mysterious state. Normally, when cultivators, especially those at the Condensed Core Stage, experience a breakthrough, they do so in solitude, unseen by others. Thus, Xu Qingfan’s breakthrough had become an event where all the elders volunteered to stay and protect him.

…

When Xu Qingfan was being burned by the endless Phoenix Spirit Fire unleashed by Feng Qingtian’s body, he felt not only his skin and muscles but also his internal organs being rapidly destroyed by the flames, which terrified him greatly. However, the Phoenix Spirit Fire was too overpowering, and Xu Qingfan felt helpless against its scorching heat.

At the brink of death, Xu Qingfan suddenly remembered the experience he had gone through when he was transformed by a secret technique. During that time, a violent energy constantly destroyed his body, while a gentle energy simultaneously repaired it. Through the continuous cycle of destruction and renewal, his body was transformed.

Previously, when Xu Qingfan and Feng Qingtian underwent the "Phoenix Nirvana," the process was akin to the secret transformation, as their bodies were reshaped by endless flames, reigniting the vitality within Feng Qingtian.

How similar was Xu Qingfan’s current situation to those past experiences?

Lately, Xu Qingfan had been contemplating using the "Formula of Life and Death" to transform his body but had not acted due to insufficient preparation. However, in this critical moment, he couldn’t hesitate any longer.

With this thought, he immediately stopped hesitating. He retracted the previously released "Withered qi," summoned the "Phoenix Spirit Qi" and "Flourish Qi" within himself, and began to counteract Feng Qingtian’s "Phoenix Spirit Fire." He used the "Withered qi" to corrode the fire, slowing its destructive impact, while harnessing his own "Phoenix Spirit Fire" to reshape his body. Then, he used "Flourish Qi" to restore his body’s functions, revitalizing it.

Everything was as Xu Qingfan had envisioned, except the destructive Spirit Qi, originally thought of by Xu Qingfan as "Withered Qi," had transformed into Feng Qingtian’s "Phoenix Spirit Fire."

Feng Qingtian, busy fighting against the "Withered Qi," failed to notice that after he damaged Xu Qingfan’s body, it was healed and restored by Xu Qingfan’s own Spirit Qi.

Because of this, under the power of the Phoenix Spirit Fire, Xu Qingfan only appeared charred, not reduced to ashes, which didn’t match the terrifying destructive power of the Phoenix Spirit Fire. After killing Xu Qingfan, Feng Qingtian was somewhat distracted and missed this detail.

At that time, Xu Qingfan, having healed and reshaped his entire body, was exhausted with depleted Spirit Qi and weary Divine Sense, and entered a state of apparent death.

Although unconscious, Xu Qingfan’s mind didn’t completely stop; instead, it replayed previous events as if in a dream.

Amid the continuous cycle of destruction and healing, Xu Qingfan’s mastery and understanding of "Flourish Qi," "Withered Qi," and "Phoenix Spirit Qi" grew deeper. His mind revisited the scenes when he was transformed by secret arts and insights from his "Phoenix Nirvana," suddenly experiencing a moment of clarity.

Destruction, reshaping, death, and rebirth! These are not opposites but prerequisites for each other. Destruction might be a form of reshaping, and the cycle between death and rebirth is another form.

In a daze, Xu Qingfan felt he had touched upon a new realm.

Simultaneously, based on the destructiveness of "Withered Qi," the vitality and purity of "Flourish Qi," and the powerful reconstructive ability of the "Phoenix Spirit Qi," Xu Qingfan realized a third supernatural power similar to "Phoenix Nirvana"—the "Way of Life and Death."

Like "Phoenix Nirvana," the "Way of Life and Death" has a powerful healing ability. As long as there’s a breath left, and the balance of life and death isn’t disrupted, as long as the body hasn’t completely vanished, and the three streams of Spirit Qi haven’t dried up, most injuries in the world can be fully healed.

It is even more convenient and quicker to use than "Phoenix Nirvana." After grasping the "Way of Life and Death," as long as there’s ample Spirit Qi, Xu Qingfan fears no internal or external injuries. Also, unlike "Phoenix Nirvana," which can only be used by the Feng family themselves, Xu Qingfan can use "Way of Life and Death" to heal others.

However, the "Way of Life and Death" has its shortcomings compared to "Phoenix Nirvana."

You see, "Phoenix Nirvana" has unique qualities related to the soul, something that Xu Qingfan can’t comprehend yet. Compared to "Way of Life and Death," which can heal as long as there’s a breath left but consumes a vast amount of Spirit Qi, "Phoenix Nirvana" requires less Spirit Qi and has even more terrifying healing capabilities. It can heal as long as the Original Soul remains, even if the body is entirely dead. Everyone knows that to kill someone from the Feng family who has mastered "Phoenix Nirvana," you must completely shatter their body while they’re injured.

Nevertheless, this "Way of Life and Death" is absolutely top-notch in the realm of magical skills in the cultivation world regarding its mysteriousness and wonders.

At the moment Xu Qingfan comprehended the "Way of Life and Death," he felt a roar in his mind, falling into a mysterious realm as if he were the world and the world were him. The previously elusive Heavenly Way now appeared so clear.

The vast Spirit Qi between heaven and earth, under the guidance of Xu Qingfan or the universe itself, continuously flowed into his body, transforming it once more. Not only did it completely heal Xu Qingfan’s earlier burns, which hadn’t been healed due to exhaustion, but it also widened his meridians, making them more stable and resilient. His dantian grew larger, increasing his body’s capacity to store Spirit Qi.

Earlier, after Xu Qingfan consumed the "Sky Spiritual Pill," his internal Spirit Qi had already reached the limit of the Fake Golden Core Stage. It was only due to insufficient understanding of the Heavenly Way that he couldn’t break into the Real Golden Core Stage. However, over time, Xu Qingfan first realized the magical skill of "External Incarnation," and now he comprehended the "Way of Life and Death," significantly deepening his understanding of the Heavenly Way. Breaking through to the "Real Golden Core Stage" now happened naturally.

As Xu Qingfan broke through his stage, three out of the ten streams of Spirit Qi that Niu Hualian sealed inside him long ago were released and merged into Xu Qingfan’s body. His internal Spirit Qi, at the moment of breakthrough, was nearly on par with a mid-level Real Golden Core cultivator.

…

In this mysterious and profound state of mind, Xu Qingfan didn’t know how much time had passed—it seemed like just a moment, yet it felt like countless years—until he finally woke up.

When Xu Qingfan opened his eyes, he was surprised by the scene before him. Almost all the Jiuhua elders were standing around him, seemingly protecting him.

Recalling the events before he lost consciousness, Xu Qingfan quickly understood the reason. After Feng Qingtian "burned" him, the Jiuhua elders finally arrived. They encountered Xu Qingfan breaking through his boundary and comprehending divine abilities, so they stayed either to sincerely protect him or to learn from the experience under the guise of protection.

As for Feng Qingtian, he was nowhere to be seen, likely summoned by Zhang Hualing for questioning. Xu Qingfan wondered why Feng Qingtian had suddenly harbored murderous intentions toward him this time. It seemed he needed to think carefully about it and possibly discuss it with Liu Huaxiang.

Reflecting on how he narrowly escaped death and still turned the disaster into a blessing, not only did he break through to the Real Golden Core Stage, but he also comprehended the "Way of Life and Death" divine ability. It was a miraculous turn of events indeed.

Seeing Xu Qingfan open his eyes, the Jiuhua elders all stood up, bowed to him, and said in unison, "Congratulations to Deacon Xu on breaking through and comprehending divine abilities."

Xu Qingfan smiled slightly, returned the bow, and said, "Thank you, fellow Taoist friends, for your protection."

As Xu Qingfan returned the bow, he couldn’t help but find it odd. Although the elders were congratulating him, their expressions were very peculiar, and the female cultivators like Dongfang Qingling were blushing and didn’t dare to look him in the eye.

Xu Qingfan suddenly thought of something, looked down, and even with his usual calm demeanor, his face turned beet red and he looked quite embarrassed.