Deep within the Magic Beast Mountain Range, a secluded valley lay hidden from the outside world.
Guided by Xiao Yi Xian, Gu Changqing led both her and Nalan Yanran through treacherous terrain, finally arriving at this isolated location.
The valley was encircled by towering cliffs, steep and concealed, while dense fog hung over the sky, masking it from view. Despite its isolation, the energy within the valley was incredibly rich, and the vegetation flourished. Rare medicinal herbs vital for alchemy grew abundantly across the landscape.
This was the very same valley where Xiao Yi Xian had once brought Xiao Yan. Both him and Zi Yan had reached the Dou Emperor realm and Sixth Rank here, highlighting the extraordinary richness of energy in this place. But now, it was Gu Changqing who would reap its benefits.
"We'll cultivate here in this valley from now on. I'll need to go into seclusion for a while. But before that, Yanran, let me pass on a cultivation technique for refining energy," Gu Changqing said, looking at Nalan Yanran.
"Refining energy? What is that?" Nalan Yanran asked curiously.
She had only heard of combat techniques and cultivation methods, as well as the fire control techniques used by alchemists and blacksmiths. But this method of refining energy was completely foreign to her.
"The method I'm giving you will allow you to perform extraordinary feats even at the Dou Fighter level. It will also unlock your potential for cultivation, enabling you to transform your body and ascend to greater heights, breaking free from the limitations of this world and roaming freely within it."
"But understand this—cultivating my technique means you'll be walking a path of no return. Either you'll achieve immortality, live as long as the heavens, or fall beneath the Heavenly Tribulation and be reduced to dust, your body destroyed."
"Well? Do you still wish to cultivate like me? You might want to reconsider," Gu Changqing warned.
He realized that once Nalan Yanran practiced the immortal cultivation method he was offering, she would be subject to the same risks as any cultivator. With every major breakthrough, a Heavenly Tribulation would descend, and failure to overcome it would result in death.
In comparison, the Dou Qi cultivation method, while less powerful, was also far safer. There was no threat of lightning strikes from the heavens.
"Wait, so if I follow this method, I'll be struck by lightning?" Nalan Yanran asked, visibly shocked. She had never heard of cultivators getting struck by lightning unless they were practicing special lightning-based techniques.
"Yes, you'll face the Heavenly Tribulation, and the danger will be immense each time—surviving will be a near-death experience. But passing through it will cause your strength to soar, and your very being will evolve to a new level," Gu Changqing explained.
"However, refining energy is usually safe. The tribulation only comes when you aim to form a perfect foundation. After refining energy, you move on to Foundation Establishment, and after that comes the Golden Core stage. Each stage brings a new tribulation. If you survive, your power increases dramatically, and your lifespan extends significantly."
"In the same realm, Dou Qi cultivators stand no chance against immortal cultivators like us, but it comes with greater risks," Gu Changqing added.
"So, it's a new system of cultivation?" Xiao Yi Xian, who had been listening quietly, asked, her curiosity piqued.
Gu Changqing hadn't hidden anything from her while explaining to Nalan Yanran.
"Yes, it's an entirely new cultivation system. Currently, I'm the only one who knows it on this continent. But if you're both willing, I can pass it on to you," Gu Changqing said with a smile.
"A completely new cultivation system?" Nalan Yanran and Xiao Yi Xian were astonished.
The Dou Qi cultivation system had been developed by countless predecessors who had dedicated their lives to perfecting it, making it highly compatible with the nature of the continent.
Other cultivation methods did exist, but they were extremely rare.
But now, Gu Changqing was claiming to possess a unique system of cultivation, one that only he knew, and he was offering to teach it to them.
If true, this could spark a revolutionary shift in the entire continent's cultivation practices.
"I…" Nalan Yanran hesitated. She still hadn't seen the full extent of an immortal cultivator's powers. Gu Changqing had only shown a fraction of his abilities, and she was unsure of what path to take.
"It's alright. Take your time to think about it. In the meantime, I can teach you the basic knowledge of immortal cultivation," Gu Changqing said, not pressuring her.
With a gentle touch to her forehead, he transmitted the foundational knowledge of immortal cultivation directly into her mind. He then did the same for Xiao Yi Xian, who had been eagerly awaiting her turn.
Afterward, Gu Changqing instructed them to take their time digesting the information while he began setting up around the valley.
He had already reached the ninth level of Qi Refining and was just a step away from Foundation Establishment.
In the immortal cultivation system, Foundation Establishment could be divided into four types: Human Foundation, Earth Foundation, Heavenly Foundation, and the mythical Perfect Foundation.
Human Foundation was the most common and depended on the quality of the cultivation method. The resulting foundation platform varied accordingly.
Earth Foundation involved absorbing natural treasures and fusing their characteristics into one's foundation platform. The strength of the platform depended on the potency of the treasures absorbed.
For example, if Gu Changqing were to absorb a Heavenly Flame and fuse it into his foundation platform, he would achieve Earth Foundation.
Heavenly Foundation required the tribulation to refine one's foundation platform. The stronger the tribulation, the more powerful the platform became. Those who survived the tribulation also received a gift from the heavens, which could be a powerful ability or a rare treasure.
Only once in a million would someone establish a Heavenly Foundation, marking them as an unparalleled genius.
As for the Perfect Foundation, it existed only in legend. It was said that those who formed a Perfect Foundation were destined to ascend to immortality. A Perfect Foundation cultivator would be akin to a primordial being, with boundless life force and unparalleled strength.
Once a Perfect Foundation was established, it was as though a divine being had been born, perfectly aligned with the Dao, immune to the wear of time.
Of course, such tales were likely exaggerated. Still, anyone who succeeded in forming a Perfect Foundation would indeed possess powers akin to those of a divine being.
Gu Changqing's goal was to forge his Perfect Foundation here, in the Magic Beast Mountain Range.
Whether he succeeded or not, he wasn't particularly concerned. He was already an eternal being, indestructible and undying. Not even the Heavenly Tribulation could erase him from existence.
Even if his body was reduced to ashes by the tribulation, he would simply reform and resurrect, unharmed.
Such was the confidence of an everlasting being like him.