Li Xuan awoke the next morning, the lingering fatigue in his body a reminder of the relentless cultivation he'd endured the day before. Yet, beneath the exhaustion, there was a burgeoning sense of power—a power that had not been there before. The Eternal Codex had begun to reveal its secrets, and with it, a path to strength that Li Xuan could scarcely have imagined just days ago.
He sat up, feeling the difference immediately. The Qi in his body flowed with more ease, the blockages in his meridians loosening ever so slightly. But it wasn't just that. He had managed to break through, advancing to the 7th level of the Qi Refining Realm. It was a small victory, but in a world where strength meant survival, every victory counted.
"The Ninefold Ascension Technique," he murmured to himself, recalling the name of the cultivation method that the Codex had revealed to him. This technique was no ordinary method—it was an ancient, forbidden technique, lost to time and obscured by the sands of history. Legends spoke of it being used by a sect long since vanished, its members ascending to heights that defied the heavens themselves. The technique was designed to refine Qi and strengthen the body even with blocked meridians, perfect for someone in Li Xuan's current predicament.
The Ninefold Ascension Technique was said to be unparalleled in its ability to break through cultivation bottlenecks, to forcefully open meridians and dantian that were otherwise irreparably damaged. But it came with a heavy price. The pain was excruciating, and the technique demanded an iron will, for a single misstep could result in irreversible damage or even death. Perhaps that was why it had been sealed away, its very existence erased from common knowledge.
Yet, the Eternal Codex had revealed it to Li Xuan, as if recognizing his desperate need. The Codex itself was a mystery—a relic from a forgotten era, imbued with powers that defied comprehension. It was not just a guide or a manual; it was a living entity, an artifact of immense power with its own will and consciousness. The main ability of the Codex was reincarnation—allowing its wielder to be reborn infinitely, retaining knowledge, skills, and cultivation progress from each life. But this was only the surface of its power. The Codex seemed to evolve alongside its user, revealing new techniques and knowledge as they grew stronger, as if it was grooming them for a higher purpose.
This raised questions that gnawed at Li Xuan's mind: Why had the Codex chosen him? What did it want from him? And, perhaps most troubling of all, what lay at the end of the path it was leading him down?
He began his morning routine, this time with renewed vigor. The Ninefold Ascension Technique required intense focus, and as he sat cross-legged on his bed, he directed his consciousness inward, guiding the Qi through his body in the prescribed pattern. The technique was intricate, requiring him to circulate his Qi through nine specific pathways that intertwined within his meridians, gradually wearing down the blockages like water carving through stone.
Hours passed, and Li Xuan barely noticed the time slipping by. His focus was absolute, his determination unyielding. The pain that accompanied the cultivation was intense, but he welcomed it, knowing that each wave of agony brought him closer to his goal. By the time he finally stopped, his body was drenched in sweat, his muscles trembling from the exertion. Yet, there was a gleam in his eyes—a fierce determination that had not been there before.
As he wiped the sweat from his brow, a knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. Li Xuan's heart skipped a beat. Visitors were rare, especially for someone in his lowly position within the sect.
He opened the door to find Zhao Chen standing there, his expression unreadable.
"Senior Brother Zhao," Li Xuan greeted, forcing calm into his voice. He couldn't help but feel a surge of wariness. Zhao Chen was a well-known figure in the sect, someone not to be taken lightly.
"Li Xuan," Zhao Chen began, his tone uncharacteristically serious. "We need to talk."
Zhao Chen stepped into the room, closing the door behind him. He glanced around, taking in the sparse surroundings before his gaze settled on Li Xuan.
"You're not the same as you were before," Zhao Chen stated, his eyes narrowing slightly.
Li Xuan tensed. "I'm not sure what you mean, Senior Brother."
Zhao Chen sighed, as if contemplating whether to speak further. After a moment, he continued, "You've changed, Li Xuan. It's subtle, but I can sense it. Your Qi… it's different. Stronger. More refined."
Li Xuan felt a chill run down his spine. He hadn't expected anyone to notice his progress so quickly, especially someone like Zhao Chen. But the real question was: why did Zhao Chen care?
"It's true," Li Xuan admitted cautiously. "I've been working hard to improve."
"It's more than that," Zhao Chen pressed, his voice dropping to a whisper. "I'm not the only one who's noticed. The Elders are watching you."
Li Xuan's heart pounded in his chest. The Elders? Why would they be interested in him, a crippled disciple with no prospects?
"Why would the Elders care about someone like me?" Li Xuan asked, trying to keep the fear out of his voice.
Zhao Chen hesitated, as if weighing his words carefully. "There are rumors, Li Xuan. Rumors that someone in the sect has obtained something… ancient. Something powerful."
Li Xuan's mind raced. The Eternal Codex. Could it be that they somehow knew? But that was impossible. He had been so careful.
"I don't know what you're involved in, Li Xuan," Zhao Chen continued, "but you need to be careful. The sect is not as peaceful as it seems. There are forces at play here—forces that would crush you if you stand in their way."
The gravity of Zhao Chen's words settled over Li Xuan like a dark cloud. He had known that his journey would be fraught with danger, but this was more than he had anticipated. If the Elders were truly watching him, then his every move would need to be calculated, every decision made with the utmost caution.
But even as fear gripped his heart, another emotion began to take root—determination. If the world was against him, then he would fight back with everything he had. The Eternal Codex was his lifeline, his key to rising above his circumstances.
"Thank you, Senior Brother," Li Xuan said, his voice steady. "I appreciate the warning."
Zhao Chen nodded, though his expression remained troubled. "Just be careful, Li Xuan. The path you're on is dangerous, and there are those who would do anything to see you fail."
With those final words, Zhao Chen turned and left, leaving Li Xuan alone with his thoughts.
As the door closed behind him, Li Xuan took a deep breath, his mind racing. The Ninefold Ascension Technique had already brought him this far, but he would need more—more power, more knowledge—if he was to survive the trials ahead. The sect was a place of hidden dangers, and he could no longer afford to be the weak, crippled disciple he once was.
With renewed resolve, Li Xuan sat down again and closed his eyes, focusing on the Eternal Codex within his mind. He knew that time was running out, that he would need to advance quickly if he was to stay ahead of those who sought to control him.
"The Ninefold Ascension Technique is just the beginning," he murmured to himself, feeling the Codex stir within him. "I will rise, no matter the cost."
And so, as the sun set on the Azure Sky Realm, Li Xuan plunged deeper into his cultivation, determined to forge a path that would lead him to the pinnacle of power—or to his destruction.