Old Man Feng's eyes widened at the weight of those words. He had heard tales of powerful techniques in the martial world, but a cultivation method so revered that it could spark wars? Yet Yi Chang continued, unflinching.
"This technique is incomplete, but it's still incredibly potent. It allows one to absorb qi not just from the world but from the starlight itself. At night, when the stars are out, the technique becomes even more powerful," Yi Chang explained. He paused, considering how much to share. "I'll only pass you the first part of the technique. It will take you far—until you reach the Core Formation stage. Any more than that, and it might and break your will toward cultivation and lead to your death."
Old Man Feng swallowed, his heart racing. The mere mention of cultivation stages sounded like something out of a fable, but Yi Chang spoke with such clarity and authority. Despite his nervousness, Old Man Feng felt a spark of excitement. Yi Chang had entrusted him with something sacred.
Yi Chang reached out, placing his hand gently on Old Man Feng's forehead. With a faint glow, the knowledge of the Starlight Cultivation Technique flowed into Old Man Feng's mind. His eyes fluttered as he tried to process the vast information. It was as if a whole new world had opened up before him—a world full of intricate pathways, of energy coursing through the body, and the mysterious connection to the stars themselves.
After a brief moment, Yi Chang removed his hand, stepping back slightly to give Old Man Feng space. "Let's begin," he said, his voice soft but filled with purpose.
Old Man Feng, now understanding a bit the technique in his mind, closed his eyes and began following Yi Chang's instructions. His breathing deepened, slowing until it matched the rhythm of the energy surrounding them. At first, it was difficult—he could only sense faint threads of qi in the air, barely perceptible. But Yi Chang was patient, guiding him through each step.
As time passed, Old Man Feng felt a shift. The qi he had been trying to gather began to flow more freely, as if the barriers around him had thinned. The world around him seemed to pulse with a subtle energy that he had never noticed before. Under Yi Chang's careful direction, the qi began to seep into his body, slowly but steadily refining his physical form. His muscles, his bones, even his blood seemed to come alive with power.
Yi Chang watched closely as Old Man Feng's body began to respond. The first flickers of success were evident in the subtle changes to Old Man Feng's aura. After what felt like hours, a sudden surge of energy passed through him, and Yi Chang recognized the breakthrough. Old Man Feng had entered the Qi Gathering Stage 1.
Opening his eyes, Old Man Feng gasped, his body drenched in sweat but filled with an energy he had never known. He could feel it—the difference was unmistakable. His body had become stronger, his senses sharper.
"You've done well," Yi Chang said, his voice carrying a rare note of approval. "But this is only the beginning."
Old Man Feng, though exhausted, was filled with awe. "I… I can feel it. The qi… it's real. This power…"
"There's more to it than just this," Yi Chang continued, now pacing slowly. "Cultivation is a long and dangerous path, but if you follow the Starlight Cultivation Technique, you'll rise through the stages."
As he spoke, Yi Chang explained the nature of cultivation, describing how the body would continue to refine itself, how the meridians would open, and how the dantian—the very core of one's cultivation—would form over time. The universe, he said, was much more vast than anyone could imagine. Each stage brought with it new challenges, new dangers, but also immense power.
Yi Chang then explained the cultivation stages to Old Man Feng, giving him a glimpse into the vast and complex journey ahead. From, Qi Gathering/Body Cleansing Stage: The beginning of cultivation. You take in qi and use it to refine and strengthen your body. You can't store qi yet, but the process fortifies your physical form. Then, Meridian Passage Opening Stage: After your body has been sufficiently refined, you begin opening your meridians. There are 12 meridians, and they must all be opened. As you progress, your body can control and hold more qi, though you still cannot store it. Then, Foundation Establishment Stage: When all meridians are fully opened, they converge, leading to the creation of the dantian—a vessel that can hold qi. This is the true start of cultivating qi for later stages. Then, Expansive Forbearance Stage: The dantian continues to expand, capable of holding more qi as it fills. You build up an immense reservoir of energy. Then, Embryonic Consolidation Stage: Here, the qi inside you solidifies from a liquid form into a tightly compressed embryonic sphere. This prepares you for the next breakthrough, where you face lightning tribulation to ascend to the spiritual world. Then, Core Formation Stage: At this point, you transform the embryo of qi into a core, adapting to the spiritual plane and turning your qi into spiritual qi. This stage has five sub-stages, and each brings you closer to true spiritual mastery.
"There are more stages beyond these," Yi Chang continued, "but for now, this is enough for you to understand."
Old Man Feng listened in stunned silence. The world he had known was expanding before his eyes, the mysteries of cultivation slowly unraveling as Yi Chang revealed more. It was overwhelming, but at the same time, it filled him with a sense of purpose. He bowed deeply. "Thank you, Young Master… I will follow this path with everything I have."
Yi Chang nodded, satisfied. With the Starlight Cultivation Technique, his future was now tied to a journey that would take him far beyond the limits of ordinary cultivators. But for now, the first step had been taken, and the road ahead was full of possibility.
Liang Huiyan arrived home, the car gliding smoothly to a stop in front of a grand, sprawling mansion. The estate was a testament to modern luxury, with its sleek glass walls reflecting the evening light, and perfectly manicured gardens stretching out on either side. The entrance was flanked by tall marble columns, leading up to a set of heavy oak doors polished to a gleam. Elegant fountains adorned the front yard, their waters sparkling under the soft glow of strategically placed lights.
As he stepped out of the car, the subtle scent of jasmine from the surrounding gardens filled the air. He glanced up at the house, its towering presence a reminder of the wealth and power his family wielded. With a tired sigh, he walked up the grand staircase, the soft crunch of gravel beneath his feet fading as he reached the smooth marble steps. The automatic doors opened with a quiet hiss, welcoming him inside.
Inside, the house was equally impressive. The foyer was expansive, with high ceilings and chandeliers casting a soft, golden light over the pristine marble floors. Expensive artwork lined the walls, and every piece of furniture seemed carefully chosen for its elegance and comfort. The air was cool, almost clinical, a far cry from the tension that Liang carried with him. Without pause, he headed down the wide corridor toward his father's study, his footsteps echoing in the vast space.