Chapter Five: Awakening (Part One)

“The human body contains a miraculous elixir; obtaining it grants longevity. After completing the hundred-day foundation, focus your mind and visualize the sea of qi, allowing a true seed to emerge, which then sprouts and transforms into an endless stream of true energy. The true energy automatically descends to the coccyx, ascends along the spine, passes through the Jade Pillow to the crown, traverses the face and enters the Tan Center, finally returning to the sea of qi. This is the great cycle of true energy.”

Zhen’s voice drifted gently through the air. Though Xu Cheng only half-understood, Zhen soon came over with a book, pointing to the red lines on the illustrated human figure, explaining that these marked the route of true energy. There was no need to memorize them, for after focusing his mind, the true energy would flow automatically.

Next, Zhen produced a fragrant pill and said, “This is a True Energy Pill. Starting today, take one each day—it will hasten your cultivation.”

The scent alone made Xu Cheng’s mouth water. He instantly swallowed it, feeling heat bloom within his abdomen, as if his body had become a small furnace. The pill’s effects were indeed potent.

There was no time to speak; Xu Cheng hurriedly sat cross-legged, coordinating his slow breathing with focused visualization of his dantian, using it to absorb the pill’s power.

His cultivation progressed naturally. A warm current arose from his dantian, following the predetermined route, coursing through his chest and back.

Only after several hours did Xu Cheng fully absorb the pill’s effects.

When he finally awoke, he leapt up in excitement—so high he soared more than ten feet.

“What… what… what is happening?”

Xu Cheng exclaimed as he landed. Zhen appeared at just the right moment, saying, “With true energy, you are no longer an ordinary mortal! Every punch and palm carries immense power—be careful not to injure yourself.”

Her words brimmed with authority, though she was noticeably younger than Xu Cheng. Still, he adopted a studious posture, saying, “Senior sister, teach me some moves! Hmph! Ha!”

As he spoke, he struck a pose like a wandering performer.

“Why bother learning such things? It’s a waste of time. Your most important task now is cultivation, cultivation, and more cultivation! When you open your spiritual aperture, then you may learn spells!”

Unexpectedly, Zhen scoffed at the martial arts techniques Xu Cheng mentioned.

“Spells!”

At that, Xu Cheng’s eyes shone with anticipation. He still remembered how his master, Lingxu, controlled earth in one hand and fire in the other, truly like a celestial being.

To hasten the opening of his so-called divine aperture, and to learn wondrous spells, Xu Cheng resolved to cultivate earnestly. However, having just completed one hundred and eight cycles of true energy, now was not the time for further practice.

With true energy, descending the mountain was effortless.

He followed a narrow path and soon encountered Yi, who was chewing on a tuft of velvet grass.

“Hah! Brother Yiwu, you’ve passed the hundred-day foundation! Congratulations!”

A streak of green light flashed in Yi’s eyes, and he immediately saw the constant flow of true energy within Xu Cheng.

“Brother Yi, your insight is remarkable! Haha, congratulations to us both!” Xu Cheng replied, scratching his forehead bashfully.

“The true energy cycle reverses the innate state and adds one hundred and eighty years to your lifespan! Brother Yiwu, how does it feel to gain one hundred and eighty years?”

Yi spat out the velvet grass and continued.

“Senior brother, are you saying I’ve gained one hundred and eighty years of life?” Xu Cheng, still incredulous, patted his chest.

“Yes, once the great cycle of true energy appears within, your lifespan is extended by one hundred and eighty years. If you open your spiritual aperture and glimpse the infinite heavenly light, you gain another one hundred and eighty years. When you master all the laws of heaven and earth, and they converge into one, you may live eight hundred years! Ahem, I’ve gone too far…”

Yi, swept up in excitement, revealed steps of cultivation yet to come.

“Yi! I told you to cultivate more, so you could open your aperture sooner—why do you spend your days pondering this and that? I wager that by the time Yiwu opens his spiritual aperture, you’ll still be stuck. Whose shame will it be then—yours or mine?”

A disciple in white appeared before Xu Cheng and Yi, his presence imposing as he scolded Yi, who dared not retort.

“Thank you for your guidance, Brother Tong. I will remember it!” Yi replied bitterly.

“Then hurry and get back to your cultivation!”

Tong’s beard and hair whipped in the air, clearly furious.

“Yes, yes. Brother Yiwu, I’ll take my leave!” Yi tugged at Xu Cheng’s sleeve, muttered a farewell, and dashed off like a wild horse unleashed.

Xu Cheng, relieved, was about to head back when Tong turned to him: “And you—what are you doing wandering about instead of studying at night?”

“Uh… Senior brother, don’t be so angry! I just completed the true energy cycle and came out for some air. I haven’t done anything wrong!”

Xu Cheng thought to himself that Tong must be a powder keg—ready to explode at the slightest touch!

“Get some rest early, or you’ll regret it!”

With a flick of his sleeve, Tong vanished from Xu Cheng’s sight.

What a peculiar temper, Xu Cheng mused. But on a mountain this vast, every kind of bird must nest in the forest—wait, that’s not right. When birds grow big, they flock to all sorts of forests? No, that’s not it either—how does that saying go?

Hundreds of thoughts spun in Xu Cheng’s mind. Pushing them aside, he returned alone to the mountain.

He’d considered following Tong to see what he’d do, but Tong was a white-robed disciple, with status equal to Zhen’s. He probably practiced some powerful divine techniques.

The next morning, Xu Cheng sensed a different atmosphere. Upon inquiry, he learned that Yi had opened his spiritual aperture and was to undergo a ceremony.

“Did Yi open his aperture from yesterday’s scolding? He was berated, and today he’s succeeded!”

Xu Cheng mused, as the ceremony began. Yi was radiant, his gray-blue dao robe replaced by a white one.

“Yi has successfully opened his spiritual aperture and may now practice the myriad arts of the Xuantian Dao Sect. This is the Scroll of Myriad Laws. It cannot be shared or taught to others. Should you violate this rule, the entire sect will pursue you to the ends of the earth!”

Master Lingyu declared, holding the Scroll of Myriad Laws, which Xu Cheng coveted greatly—it was the record of ten thousand spells within the Xuantian Dao Sect!

Yi stepped forward to receive the scroll, grinning widely and occasionally casting Xu Cheng a glance, as if to say, “Brother, I’ve opened my aperture ahead of you and can now study all the arts!”

What a wicked heart! Xu Cheng concluded, sighing that cultivation was like rowing upstream—one must advance or be swept back. Given time, he must open his own aperture soon.

He resumed his daily routine; now, with immense strength, he chopped herbs and carried water.

Today, several new children appeared in the Xuantian Dao Sect. At first, Xu Cheng wondered if they were the sons of the sect leaders, but soon learned they were orphans brought up the mountain by the elders, with their willingness to cultivate yet to be decided.

In the evening, he continued to replenish his true energy with the True Energy Pill. Zhen had said only when true energy was full could one use it to strike the gate of the spiritual aperture.

Thus, months passed, and Xu Cheng finally understood what it meant to be filled with true energy.

He traversed the cliffs of Sky Peak as if walking on level ground, running like a soaring bird. With a single punch, he could split stone and shatter monuments.

Yet, the mystery of opening the spiritual aperture eluded him.

“Senior sister Zhen, how do you open the aperture?” Xu Cheng could not help but ask.

“That aperture lies at the center of your head! I can’t really explain it. Let me help you sense it!”

As she spoke, Zhen touched Xu Cheng’s brow with her fingertip. A warm sensation spread into his skull, gathering at a point within.

“Yiwu, open your aperture now!”

The seldom-seen Master Lingxu suddenly appeared, calling out in a thunderous voice.

Xu Cheng felt his true energy surge throughout his body, converging in a torrent, striking the spot Zhen had indicated.

A humming sound filled his mind, and Xu Cheng felt his head shake violently.