For most cultivators, the cultivation journey begins with awakening their spiritual roots., then sensing the spiritual Qi around them and learning how to channel and store it in their dantian. This is called the Spirit Awakening Realm. Once mortals step into this realm, they are called Spirit Cultivators, while demon beasts are called Spirit Beasts.
After accumulating enough spiritual Qi, the cultivators begin to guide this Qi in a special meridian in their body called the Awakening Meridian. It connects the dantian with the brain. Once it's fully opened and the cultivator's spiritual power has grown enough, they can form their Spirit Palace, a mystical construct that houses their consciousness. Then, the cultivators can circulate their Qi from their dantian to their Spirit Palace. This enhances the Spirit Palace and purifies the Qi even more. This realm is called the Spirit Palace Realm, and it's further divided into three minor stages:
Early Stage - Palace Enhancing Stage: The cultivator at this stage circulates their Qi from the Palace to the Dantian. Once the Palace is fully enhanced, the spirit consciousness begins to form, enabling the cultivator to reach the next stage.
Middle Stage - Consciousness Formation Stage: At this stage, the cultivator's consciousness begins to form. When it's fully formed, the cultivator can advance to the next and final stage.
Late Stage - Consciousness Control Stage: At this stage, the cultivator can begin to use their convictions and can float in the air without the need for a magic spell.
Upon reaching the completion of this stage, the cultivator can begin to break through into the Core Formation Realm. The cultivator uses their spiritual consciousness to manipulate their Qi and make it take the form of a Core.
Once the core takes shape, this indicates success in the breakthrough. The Core Formation Realm is also divided into three stages, early, middle and late stages.
Each stage is attained after a higher degree of strengthening the core. When the cultivator reaches the limit of strengthening the Golden Core, they can begin to Breakthrough through the Nascent Soul Realm by exploding their Golden Core and using the energy that comes out to form their Nascent soul.
The Eternal Void Ascension Technique uses a different approach to cultivation. Since the Infernal Void Serpent race is like most of the True spirit beings, they can sense the spirit Qi around them easily before starting cultivation. So, they do not need a spiritual awakening, and they also don't have spiritual roots. Instead of the Spirit Awakening Realm, the first realm they cultivate is called the Void Seed Realm.
In this realm, one cultivates the Void Seed, which is a small, black seed that contains immense spiritual power. The cultivator must focus their mind and spirit to nourish and grow the Void Seed, gradually awakening their spiritual potential. When the Seed is fully mature, it will begin to emit a special kind of Qi called Void Qi.
The second realm is known as the Void Palace Realm. Different from the Spirit Palace, the Void Palace is formed in a void slot that exists in the brain. The consciousness that is formed inside the Void Palace is far more powerful than the ordinary Spirit consciousness. An Infernal Void Serpent member's consciousness at the late stage of the Void Palace Realm is not any weaker than a Nascent soul divine sense.
Once the Void Palace is fully formed, and the Void Qi is circulating smoothly, the cultivator can move on to the third realm, known as the Void Core Formation Realm. At this stage, the cultivator uses their Void Qi to form a core that resembles a black hole in appearance. The core absorbs all forms of energy and can even distort time and space.
The Void Core Formation Realm is divided into three stages, with each stage representing the strengthening and growth of the core.
Once the core is complete, the cultivator can break through to the Nascent Void Realm, where they can manipulate the Void Qi with great proficiency. Like most of the spirit race and spirit beast, there is no Nascent Soul. Instead, the Core evolves and becomes a Nascent Core.
The Nascent Void Realm is also divided into three stages, with each stage representing an increase in power and control of the Void Qi.
Liang closed his eyes and began to cultivate according to the Eternal Void Ascension Technique.
***
Meanwhile.
Azure Mountain, Azure Sword Sect.
Four Black-robed figures appeared near the mountain. From the aura emitting from them, it could be seen that every one of them is a peak Nascent soul Realm cultivator and not an ordinary one.
The four black-robed figures stood tall and imposing, their dark cloaks billowing behind them in a gust of wind. Each of them emanated a powerful aura that spoke of their immense strength and skill. Their faces were obscured by the shadows of their hoods, allowing only glimpses of their sharp features and gleaming eyes.
Their attire was plain and unremarkable, yet there was a sense of deadly precision in the way they moved - as if each step was calculated with razor-sharp intent. They carried themselves with a quiet confidence that spoke of years of training and discipline.
The leader of the group was a tall and imposing figure, his broad shoulders and muscular frame suggesting years of intense physical training. His eyes were cold and calculating, his jaw set in a permanent scowl. He carried a long, curved sword at his waist, which glinted ominously in the dim light of the mountaintop his aura seemed to be fluctuating between the peak of the Nascent Soul Realm and the spirit Severing Realm.
The other three members of the group were equally imposing, their bodies honed and toned to perfection. They carried a variety of weapons - from longbows and arrows to twin daggers and hidden poison blades. It was clear from their weapons and their stance that they were expert assassins, trained to strike quickly and efficiently without hesitation.
They moved with deadly grace, their steps silent as they traversed the stone pathways of Azure Mountain.
As they approached the entrance to the Azure Sword Sect, The disciples guarding the entrance of the Azure Sword Sect immediately sensed the danger and sounded the alarm. However, before they could even react, the black-robed figures had already made their move, slicing each disciple's throat.
With a nod from their leader, the group entered the sect, moving in a coordinated fashion, They moved swiftly and silently, their steps muffled by the soft earth beneath their feet.
Without hesitation, the four assassins darted forward, their movements fluid and precise as they slipped unseen through the crowd of unsuspecting disciples.
In a matter of seconds, chaos erupted within the sect as the assassins struck, their swords flashing as they cut down one disciple after another. Their movements were swift and brutal, leaving no room for mercy as they carved a path of destruction.
The Azure Sword Sect was caught off guard and their defences were quickly overwhelmed by the assassins. The disciples put up a valiant fight, but they were no match for the skilled assassins who moved like shadows. In no time, the entire sect was in chaos.
As the assassins cut through the elders and disciples alike, they finally reached the inner courtyard, four Majestic figures appeared in their sight they were the most powerful four elders in the sect each one of them emitting the aura of a peak Nascent soul Realm, The four black-robed figures stood facing the four elders of the Azure Sword Sect, their eyes flickering with deadly intent. The air around them crackled with energy, and sparks of magic flew from their fingertips as they prepared to strike.
The tension in the air was palpable as both groups stared at each other, waiting for someone to make the first move.
"You dare to attack the Azure Sword Sect! Who sent you?" shouted one of the Elders, his voice shaking with anger.
The leader of the assassins stepped forward, his sword gleaming in the dim light. "Why we wouldn't dare ? " he said, his voice cold and menacing. "The Azure Sword Sect has offended someone they shouldn't have. And now, we are here to make them pay."
The elders of the Azure Sword Sect exchanged a glance, their faces grim. They knew that they were facing a powerful enemy - far stronger than any they had ever fought before.
Without warning, the assassins launched their attack. The leader charged forward, his sword flashing as he sliced through the air. One of the elders responded with a series of intricate hand gestures, summoning a powerful magic shield to protect himself.
But even as the shield crackled with energy, one of the assassins darted forward and struck, his hidden blade piercing through the magic and deep into the elder's chest. The elder gasped, his eyes widening in shock as he crumpled to the ground.
The other elders reacted quickly, unleashing volleys of powerful spirit arts that sent waves of energy blasting towards the assassins. But they were too late - the assassins moved like shadows, dodging and weaving with a deadly grace that left the elders struggling to keep up.
With a flick of his wrist, one of the assassins summoned a bolt of lightning that struck one of the elders squarely in the chest, sending him crashing to the ground in a burst of smoke and lightning.
The remaining two elders fought valiantly, their swords flashing as they tried to defend themselves against the relentless attacks of the assassins. But it was clear that they were outmatched - each blow they struck was deflected with ease, and each counterattack they attempted was met with a swift and deadly response.
In the end, it was a simple stroke of the sword that ended the fight. The leader of the assassins lunged forward, his blade slicing through the air and striking one of the elders with deadly precision. With a final gasp, the elder crumpled to the ground, his lifeblood spilling out onto the stones.
As the last of the elders fell, the assassins stood victorious, surveying the wreckage of the Azure Sword Sect with grim satisfaction.
The sky outside grew dark as smoke billowed from the burning buildings, the once-proud sect now reduced to ruins.
The four black-robed figures turned and began to walk away, their mission accomplished.
The assassins vanished into the swirling mists, leaving behind only devastation and destruction.