Chapter 3: Qi Cultivation
644 Words
Staring at the worn ancestral tablet before him, Li Dangge slapped himself across the face.
Because of this simple object, he had overlooked something for three entire years.
Just from its aged appearance alone, it was obvious that the original owner of this body had treasured it deeply.
Yet he had ignored it.
Three years.
Not once had he paid proper attention to it.
Li Dangge let out a long sigh.
Although delayed by three years, his cheat finally seemed to have arrived.
A path beyond martial cultivation.
Qi Cultivation.
The martial arts of this world focused on refining physical power to its absolute limit.
Li Dangge, however, lacked the qualifications.
His internal organs and meridians were too fragile to endure the circulation of spiritual energy.
Any amount of spiritual energy was dangerous.
Even energy used for healing would damage his body.
Li Dangge wasn't surprised.
After all, considering he had survived this long while living beside such a politically dangerous stepmother, it would be strange if there weren't hidden issues surrounding him.
Since martial cultivation was impossible, he could only find another path.
Qi cultivation was that path.
His only path.
According to Ruchen, ancient times had been dominated not by martial cultivation, but by the Art of Qi Refinement.
Qi referred to the power of thought that permeated all things.
Everything possessed intent.
Where intent existed, power naturally followed.
Qi Refiners cultivated that power.
At the highest levels, a cultivator could transform thought into tangible reality.
Mountains.
Weapons.
Beasts.
Anything.
Their very thoughts became instruments of battle.
However, ancient wars had devastated heaven and earth.
Legendary experts fought with such terrifying force that they shattered the world itself.
The heavens changed.
The connection between heaven and earth was severed.
Eventually, Heaven's Will descended and completely cut off the inheritance of Qi cultivation.
From that point onward, every visualization diagram became little more than a useless picture.
Future generations could only comprehend fragments of their lingering intent and incorporate those insights into martial cultivation.
At first, Li Dangge believed he had no chance.
Qi cultivation required one to imprint a visualization image directly into the mind.
But after Heaven and Earth were severed, no visualization diagram could be successfully engraved into one's consciousness.
Li Dangge couldn't do it either.
However...
He had discovered a loophole.
If he couldn't imprint the diagram into his mind—
He could imprint it onto his body.
Earlier, he and Ruchen had tested this theory.
They tattooed a fragment of the Dragon-Tiger Heavenly Diagram onto a white bear that had accidentally wandered into the temple.
The results were immediate.
The bear went berserk.
A faint golden barrier erupted around its body.
Blades could not cut it.
Weapons could not harm it.
Despite exhausting every method he knew, even Ruchen failed to kill the beast.
Instead, the bear chased him relentlessly for three days and three nights.
Only after its life force was completely depleted did it finally die.
Because that experiment had succeeded, Li Dangge now possessed a measure of confidence.
...
"You really intend to do this?"
Ruchen sighed as he looked at the shirtless Li Dangge.
Li Dangge rolled his eyes.
"You've asked me eight times already."
"You promised me."
"As long as I comprehended Zen Intent and could sense Qi, you'd help me."
"Now I've cast aside worldly distractions and awakened that Zen Intent."
"You're not planning to go back on your word, are you?"
Holding a silver needle, Ruchen looked helpless.
"You saw what happened to that white bear."
"If we tattoo the diagram onto your body, you might ascend to greatness in a single step."
"You might even surpass your genius younger brother."
"But the more likely outcome..."
Ruchen paused.
"...is that you'll die on the spot."
Li Dangge suddenly laughed.
He turned and looked directly at the monk.
"Then..."
To be continued...
- Writer
