Chapter 19: Constraints Of The Mortal World.
Mortal World~
Unknown Room~
Endless Catacombs~
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In her assigned room Lu Xie Tong had been going on about a plan on how to break through the shackles of the body augmentation stage and attain the qi condensation realm for several hours now, several ideas had popped up, but none ideal and feasible under the restrictions of the mortal world.
"Had it been a higher world this problem would have been all to easy to solve." Xie Tong thought to herself.
In higher worlds there were many treasures that could help one break through the meager body augmentation stage and even the qi condensation as easy as drinking tea.
Such treasures were so many in the higher worlds that if the world was high enough a simple common weed along the road could achieve this feat seamlessly.
But here in the mortal world if she did ever make that mistake of uttering or declaring that she would achieve the qi condensation realm within two days, people would probably drown her in a spit-full river of curses.
"How frustrating!" Lu Xie Tong said as her formally found confidence deflated, her current environment was just too poor,
"No wonder some people from the higher worlds loath coming here even in their dreams, while others believe the mortal world to be just a myth." A few hours ago when she had made such grand declaration she had been confident in the powers of her "hack" to the system, which was her memories.
"With over ten millennia worth of experience and yet nothing? Did I live those ten millennials in vain? come on brain, find a solution." Lu Xie Tong dived back into her memories, this time with new found bravery.
A revelation dawned upon Lu Xie Tong, as a luminous bulb lit above her head metaphorically,
"Eureka! I have not lived my past life in vain,"she mused, a self-satisfied grin adorning her countenance before giving way to a deep, resonant chuckle. In that moment, she had unearthed a pathway to realizing her aspirations, one that held also the promise of bestowing upon her a unique and formidable ability.
The method was exceedingly perilous, yet deemed worthy of pursuit. The grand method she had unearthed was none other than the untamed energy sealed within her being. Harnessing its wild powers could propel her into the early stages of the qi condensation realm, at the very least.
However, the Millon dollar question that loomed was the approach to take. If she were outside the boundless catacombs, she could seek the guidance of her family's essence alchemist for an easier attainment.
Yet, she found herself with only two choices - the ancestral primordial guardian carps Yin Yu and Yang Chen, or the enigmatic youth within the Sky Reaching Pagoda. The former held a far greater allure and promise than the latter, with whom she shared a complicated relationship with.
"Besides, if he had truly possessed sincerity, he would have facilitated my assimilation rather than sealing it off, thereby sparing me from my current predicament." Upon reaching this juncture, Lu Xie Tong chose the ancient carps Yin Yu and Yang Chen.
Attaining the realm of qi condensation proved to be a formidable challenge. In this world of cultivation, the most formidable figures of the mortal world were constraints to the Eminent Monarch realm, a level which she believed the ancient carps Yin Yu and Yang Chen should be equal to at the very least.
In the mortal world, the cultivation journey commences from the Body Augmentation Stage, which is further segmented into three realms;
The realm of temperance, where the body is refined to withstand the burden of qi.
Acupoints unearthing realm involves the unveiling, connecting, and activating of one's acupoints and meridians. Lu Xie Tong had been ensnared at the pinnacle of this phase for a span of six years now.
The True Augmentation realm entails the circulation of falsified qi throughout the body.
Subsequent to the Body Augmentation Stages, the Qi Condensation Stage emerges. During this phase, falsified qi transitions into ordinary qi through condensation. It is further categorized into the initial/primary realm, intermediate/secondary level, and advanced/tertiary level.
Following this isthe Qi Refinement Stage. Here, genuine qi undergoes refinement to crystallize, achieved through the purification of ordinary qi. This stage is also segmented akin to the qi condensation stage.
Lastly, the True Qi Stage unfolds, marking the pinnacle of qi refinement and mastery.
Then the special acts stages to trigger the initial Heavenly Tribulation and Retribution stage to subsequently achieve The Cultiva Tempering Stage, which are further subdivided from the first tier/level to the ninth tier/level.
This progression is succeeded by the Profound Occultation Stages, structured also from the first to the ninth level, similar to the Cultiva Tempering Stage.
Following these stages are The Immaculate Stage, leading up to The Eminent Monarch Stages, which currently represent the boundaries within the mortal realm. However, rumors suggest that an elusive few have managed to surpass these primary realms.
The stages from Body Augmentation to the Heavenly Tribulation and Retribution phase were regarded as preliminary cultivation realms. Without transcending the Heavenly Tribulation and Retribution stage, one would not be acknowledged as a true cultivator, as this stage serves as the initial threshold in the realm of cultivation.
From the Body Augmentation Stages to the Heavenly Tribulation and Retribution stage were considered as pre-cultivation realms. If one doesn't transcend the Heavenly Tribulation and Retribution stage they wouldn't be deemed as cultivators, as the Heavenly Tribulation and Retribution stage was the first threshold in the world of cultivation.
While progressing from the Cultiva Tempering Stages to the Eminent Monarch Stages marked the primary phase of cultivation, it was only upon surpassing the Eminent Monarch Stages that individuals transitioned from mere mortals to true cultivators. This distinction explained why the mortal world earned its moniker, considering that the majority remained below the Eminent Monarch Stages, with only a whispered few said to have transcended this pinnacle. While this universal standard prevailed, it remained veiled from the awareness of many denizens within the mortal realm.
Delving into the annals of knowledge she possessed on the cultivation boundaries of the mortal world, Lu Xie Tong sought to refine her strategies for the imminent future. She navigated through intricate loops and loopholes in the system, aiming to accelerate her cultivation pace without compromising its stability.
Having charted her course of action, she rose from her plush bed with a determined resolve, embarking on a quest to locate the ancestral primordial guardian carps.
Navigating the labyrinthine catacombs made her comprehend why they were named the endless catacombs. The seemingly infinite paths seemed to defy memorization, no matter how diligently she tried. Strangely, she perceived that the paths in the catacombs' layout might be changing by themselves. yet each wall and corridor appeared indistinguishable from the next, leaving her unable to prove her theory.
In essence, one does not seek out their destination within the endless catacombs; rather, the destination unveils itself to the seeker.
After a leisurely stroll through the intricate catacombs, she eventually arrived at the black and white themed hall, only to find it unoccupied. A sense of disappointment washed over her as she had eagerly anticipated encountering the primordial carps there after all her wandering.
Just as she was on the verge of continuing her exploration elsewhere, she noticed that the tapestry leading to the realm of the Sky Reaching Pagoda no longer displayed a mountain range, but had reverted to its original image of two carp fishes chasing each other's tails. As though sensing her presence, the familiar sight of both carps transforming into human forms unfolded onces again as they stepped out of the tapestry, materializing before her.
"Why do you seek us?"inquired Yang Chen. Lu Xie Tong was inwardly impressed by their perceptive abilities, as they discerned her intentions merely by looking at her,
'I must improve my poker face,' Lu Xie Tong noted to herself.
Without delay, she elucidated her elaborate plan and grand scheme to achieve The Qi Condensation Stage within two days.
Yin Yu and Yang Chen exchanged a glance, mirroring each other's astonishment before turning their gaze back to her, their eyes silently conveying disbelief. Interpreting their expressions, Lu Xie Tong thought to herself, 'Yes, I may be an freak, but you have yet to witness the extent of it,' a cunning smile accompanying her thoughts.