The first rays of dawn filtered through the dense foliage of the forest, casting a soft, golden light into Feng Liang's small, secluded cottage. He stirred from his sleep, his body heavy and his mind in disarray, as though he had just awoken from a dream too deep to recall.
His head ached, throbbing with a dull, persistent pain that only grew sharper with each passing moment. It was as if his mind was grappling with something vast and incomprehensible, something that refused to remain hidden.
As Feng Liang sat up, the pressure in his head intensified, forcing him to press a hand to his forehead.
"What... what is this?" he whispered, his voice strained with confusion. The memories were fragmented, like shards of a broken mirror, each one reflecting a piece of a puzzle he couldn't quite piece together.
The sensation was overwhelming... images, thoughts, and words that didn't belong to him flooded his mind, merging with his own memories. He could feel them carving their way into his consciousness, demanding to be acknowledged.
"These memories... they're not mine," he realized, his heart pounding in his chest.
"But they feel so familiar... like I've always known them."
He began to mumble to himself, trying to grasp the fragments before they slipped away.
"Cultivation... realms of cultivation," Feng Liang muttered, his voice shaky but growing more determined.
"I have to remember... I have to understand."
With each word, the memories became clearer, coalescing into a coherent stream of information. Feng Liang could feel the knowledge etching itself into his mind, refusing to be forgotten. The pressure in his head began to ease as he started to recite the details aloud, anchoring the memories in reality.
"Body Refining Realm... the first step on the path of cultivation," he said, his voice trembling but steadying with each word.
"The body must be tempered and purified, its impurities expelled. This is the foundation of all cultivation, where the body becomes a vessel strong enough to harness the energy of the heavens and the earth."
The concept was somewhat familiar... similar to the training he had undergone in Murim, where martial artists honed their bodies to perfection. But this was different. This wasn't just about physical strength; it was about transforming the body into something more, something capable of withstanding the rigors of the path ahead.
"Qi Refining Realm..." Feng Liang continued, the next set of memories surfacing.
"Here, the practitioner begins to gather and refine Qi within their body. The Qi flows through the meridians, nourishing and strengthening the body, allowing the cultivator to tap into the energy of the world around them."
As he spoke, Feng Liang felt a faint stirring of energy within his own body... a warmth in his core, subtle but unmistakable. He closed his eyes, focusing on the sensation, and as he did, more memories surfaced, guiding him to visualize the intricate pathways within the body, the meridians through which Qi flowed, the dantian where Qi was stored and refined.
"Foundation Establishment Realm..." Feng Liang recited, his voice growing more confident as the memories became clearer.
"In this stage, the cultivator solidifies their connection to the world, laying the groundwork for future breakthroughs. The body, mind, and spirit must be in perfect harmony. The dantian is strengthened, capable of withstanding the increasing flow of Qi."
He paused, taking a deep breath. The Foundation Establishment Realm was where the journey truly began, where the cultivator laid the foundation for all that was to come. It was the point of no return... the step that separated the ordinary from the extraordinary.
"And then... the Core Formation Realm," Feng Liang whispered, the next set of memories flooding his mind.
"In this realm, the cultivator begins to form a Golden Core within their dantian... a condensed sphere of Qi that serves as the source of their power. This core amplifies their strength, allowing them to draw upon greater reserves of energy and refine their abilities to new heights."
The image of the Golden Core was vivid in his mind, a brilliant, pulsating sphere of pure energy, radiating power from within the cultivator's body. It was a concept far beyond anything he had ever encountered in Murim, where the focus was solely on physical prowess and martial technique.
"But there's more... more beyond that," Feng Liang realized, the memories guiding him further.
"The Nascent Soul Realm..."
His voice trembled as he spoke the name of the next realm, the weight of its significance pressing down on him.
"In this stage, the cultivator's soul begins to take form, manifesting as a Nascent Soul... a miniature version of themselves, born from their spiritual power. This soul becomes their true essence, allowing them to transcend physical limitations, to project their consciousness beyond their body."
The idea of a Nascent Soul, a tangible manifestation of one's spirit, was both fascinating and intimidating. It spoke of a level of power that was almost godlike, a state where the physical body was no longer the primary vessel of existence.
Feng Liang closed his eyes, trying to imagine what it would be like to have a Nascent Soul, a part of himself that existed independently, capable of acting on its own, yet still connected to him in every way. The thought was exhilarating and terrifying in equal measure.
He took a deep breath, allowing the next set of memories to surface, and with them, the revelation of the next realm.
"Soul Transformation Realm..." Feng Liang recited, feeling the weight of this knowledge pressing down on him.
"Here, the Nascent Soul undergoes transformation, evolving into a higher form. The cultivator's soul and body begin to merge, becoming something greater than the sum of their parts. At this stage, the cultivator can alter their very nature, transcending mortality and approaching the divine."
The Soul Transformation Realm was a stage of profound change... a point where the cultivator began to shed the limitations of their mortal existence. The merging of soul and body into a single, elevated form was a process of both destruction and creation, a rebirth into something greater.
"But there's still more... realms that go even further," Feng Liang whispered, almost afraid of what he might discover next.
"Spirit Severing Realm..." he continued, his voice trembling slightly.
"In this realm, the cultivator begins to sever their ties to the mortal world, preparing to ascend to a higher plane of existence. The severing is both physical and spiritual, a purification of the soul that allows the cultivator to transcend their humanity. At this stage, the cultivator can cut off their mortal emotions, desires, and attachments, achieving a state of true clarity and enlightenment."
The Spirit Severing Realm was a stage of sacrifice, letting go of everything that made one human in order to ascend to something greater. Feng Liang couldn't help but feel a pang of fear at the thought. Could he truly give up everything he held dear in pursuit of such power?
"And then... the Void Refinement Realm," Feng Liang whispered, his voice soft as he spoke the name of the next stage.
"Here, the cultivator refines their essence, merging with the void, becoming one with the cosmos. At this stage, the cultivator can manipulate space and time, bending the very fabric of reality to their will."
The Void Refinement Realm was a stage of immense power, a point where the cultivator became something more than human, more than mortal. To merge with the void, to become one with the cosmos... these were ideas that seemed beyond the reach of mere mortals, reserved for gods or beings of unimaginable power.
"But even this... even this isn't the end," Feng Liang realized, his voice tinged with awe.
"There's one more stage before the final step... the Mahayana Realm."
His heart pounded in his chest as the memories revealed the details of this final pre-Mahayana stage.
"The Dao Integration Realm..." Feng Liang recited, his voice filled with reverence.
"In this realm, the cultivator becomes one with the Dao... the fundamental force that governs the universe. Their understanding of the Dao reaches its pinnacle, allowing them to merge their essence with the very principles that shape reality. At this stage, the cultivator's power becomes limitless, their will intertwined with the laws of nature itself."
The Dao Integration Realm was the culmination of all that had come before... a stage where the cultivator's journey reached its zenith, where their mastery over the world was absolute. To become one with the Dao was to achieve true enlightenment, to understand and control the very essence of existence.
Feng Liang sat in silence, the weight of this knowledge pressing down on him like a physical burden. The cultivation path was far more profound and perilous than he had ever imagined. It was a journey that spanned lifetimes... a journey that could lead to either eternal glory or utter annihilation.
"But why me? Why was this knowledge given to me?" Feng Liang wondered aloud, his voice filled with both wonder and fear.
"What am I supposed to do with this? Am I meant to follow this path... to pursue these realms of cultivation?"
The idea was both thrilling and terrifying. In Murim, martial artists trained their bodies and minds to achieve perfection in combat, to protect the weak and uphold justice. But this... this was something else entirely. It was a journey that sought not just mastery over oneself, but mastery over the very fabric of reality.
And then, as if in answer to his unspoken question, another memory surfaced... this one clear and distinct, standing out from the rest.
"It's a technique... a technique meant for me," Feng Liang realized, the memory unfolding in his mind with a clarity that left no room for doubt. He could see it now, an ancient scroll unfurling before his inner eye, the delicate parchment marked with symbols that glowed faintly, as though alive with the power they described.
The name of the technique resonated within him, each syllable carrying a weight that made his heart pound in his chest.
"Heavenly Void Scripture."
The words seemed to echo through his very soul, vibrating with an energy that stirred something deep within him. Feng Liang could feel the power of the technique, the way it harmonized with the memories that had surfaced, as though it had been waiting for him all along.
"Heavenly Void Scripture... this is the path I'm meant to follow," Feng Liang whispered, the realization settling over him like a cloak. The technique was unlike anything he had ever encountered in Murim or any of the realms described in the memories. It was ancient, primordial, a method of cultivation that delved deep into the very essence of the universe.
The Heavenly Void Scripture was a guide to harnessing and refining Qi, but it was more than that. It taught the practitioner to draw upon the energy of the heavens and the earth, to cultivate not just the body, but the mind and spirit as well. It was a path that led to the understanding of the Dao... the fundamental principle that governed all things... and it promised power beyond imagination to those who could master it.
As the technique revealed itself in his mind, Feng Liang's breathing quickened. He could see the intricate diagrams, the complex instructions that detailed the circulation of Qi through the meridians, the way it flowed through the dantian, the way it resonated with the energy of the universe itself.
"It's... perfect," Feng Liang thought, his heart racing with excitement.
The Heavenly Void Scripture was not just a technique for cultivating Qi; it was a roadmap to ascension, a guide that would take him from the Body Refining Realm, through all the stages he had just learned about, and beyond. It would help him navigate the perils of each realm, from Qi Refining to Core Formation, from Nascent Soul to Dao Integration, and ultimately, it would lead him to the Mahayana Realm.
"But first," Feng Liang reminded himself, forcing his excitement to a manageable level,
"I have to start from the beginning. I've already entered the Body Refining Realm... but there's so much more to do."
He rose from his bed, feeling the weight of the knowledge he had just acquired settling in his mind, a solid and unyielding presence. The pain in his head had faded, replaced by a clear sense of purpose. Feng Liang could feel the difference in his body... stronger, more resilient, and yet, still in its early stages of transformation. There was a long road ahead, and he knew he couldn't rush it.
As he stood there, taking in the quiet morning, the memories continued to swirl in his mind, the details of the Heavenly Void Scripture becoming clearer and clearer. It was a technique that required patience, dedication, and a deep understanding of the world around him. It was not about brute strength or simple endurance; it was about balance, about finding harmony with the forces that governed the universe.
He stepped outside, the cool morning air brushing against his skin, awakening his senses further. The forest was alive with the sounds of nature... the rustling of leaves, the chirping of birds, the distant roar of the waterfall. Feng Liang closed his eyes, breathing in the crisp air, and let the energy of the world around him flow through his body.
"I need to cultivate," he thought, feeling the stirrings of Qi within him.
"I need to understand this power... to control it."
He sat down in the clearing outside his cottage, crossing his legs and placing his hands on his knees. With a deep breath, he began to focus on his dantian, the center of his Qi. He could feel the energy there, faint but steady, a small spark waiting to be nurtured.
Following the instructions of the Heavenly Void Scripture, Feng Liang guided the Qi through his meridians, feeling it flow like a river through his body. It was a slow, deliberate process, each movement carefully controlled, each breath measured. The Qi responded to his will, flowing through him with increasing ease, filling him with a warmth that spread from his core to the tips of his fingers and toes.
Time seemed to slow as Feng Liang continued to cultivate, the world around him fading into the background. The Qi within him grew stronger, more vibrant, as he followed the path laid out by the Heavenly Void Scripture. He could feel his body changing, the impurities being expelled, his muscles growing denser, his bones hardening. It was as if he was being remade from the inside out, each breath, each movement bringing him closer to the next stage of cultivation.
But even as he cultivated, a part of his mind remained focused on the knowledge he had gained... the realms that lay ahead, the power that awaited him. He knew that the path would not be easy, that each stage would bring new challenges, new trials to overcome.
But he also knew that he was ready. The Heavenly Void Scripture would guide him, and he would rise through the ranks, surpassing anything he had ever imagined.
After what felt like hours, Feng Liang finally opened his eyes, the world coming back into focus. The sun had risen higher in the sky, casting long shadows across the clearing. He could feel the difference in his body... the Qi flowed more freely now, his mind felt clearer, sharper. It was only the beginning, but it was a beginning filled with promise.
"I will master this," Feng Liang vowed, his voice steady with conviction.
"I will rise through the realms, and I will find out who I truly am."
But first, there was the matter of his current situation. He needed to prepare, to continue cultivating, to build his strength. He had no illusions about the dangers that lay ahead, both from the world and from within himself. The path of cultivation was fraught with peril, and he could not afford to be careless.
With one last deep breath, Feng Liang stood up, a sense of calm determination settling over him. He was ready to begin the journey, to walk the path laid out before him. The memories that had surfaced, the knowledge he had gained... it was all a part of his destiny, a destiny that he was now ready to embrace.
And as he took his first steps into the forest, the words echoed in his mind once more, the name of the technique that would guide him on his journey:
"Heavenly Void Scripture."
The path ahead was long, and it would be filled with challenges, but Feng Liang knew one thing for certain: he would face them all, and he would emerge victorious. The journey had only just begun.