Tianxu still floated beside Yang Qi, his kind face radiating ancient wisdom. Yet, a faint glint of urgency flashed across his golden eyes.
"Master," he began softly, cutting off his previous explanation, "there's no point getting too bogged down in details right now. The most important thing is for you to become stronger as quickly as possible. All knowledge will come in due time."
Yang Qi nodded, understanding the importance of this recommendation. But a worry lingered, and he couldn't hold it back any longer.
"I understand, Tianxu," Yang Qi replied seriously. "But… my meridians are still cut. Even now, I don't know how I'll be able to cultivate."
Tianxu let out a soft laugh before replying, his voice calm and reassuring, "Don't worry about that, Master. The Starry Pagoda is full of treasures that can heal your broken meridians, but since you are here in person, I will personally take care of them."
Yang Qi was stunned by this statement. His broken meridians had condemned him to a life of suffering and weakness, but here in this mysterious world, healing seemed to be within reach. Tianxu continued,
"The process will take some time. It would be beneficial for you to stay in the Starry Pagoda until your meridians are healed, and most importantly… awaken your physique."
Yang Qi frowned, baffled.
"My… physique? What are you talking about, Tianxu?"
Tianxu smiled with a secretive smile before continuing,
"When my creator created the Starry Pagoda, he left many treasures and resources for the next master. Among them is an extremely powerful physique, intended only for the one who would be deemed worthy of becoming the new master of the pagoda. This physique was reserved for you. My creator master, placed it in the form of seals in me. Now that you have become my new master I can release the seals."
Yang Qi felt his heart beat faster. The idea of possessing such an exceptional body disturbed him as much as it excited him. A whisper of ambition awoke within him, and he couldn't help but think that power was truly synonymous with freedom. The more powerful he became, the more he would be the master of his destiny. He looked up at Tianxu, a glint of excitement in his eyes.
"And this physique… what is it called?"
Tianxu, proud to see his master so interested, replied gravely, "This physique is called the Supreme Yang Physique. It is an immortal physique, one of the most powerful in existence. It ranks fifth among the 10 Immortal Physiques."
Yang Qi's breath caught. An immortal physique? The mere thought of it was enough to send him into a state of deep shock. But curiosity quickly took over.
—"A list of physiques…?" he murmured. "Explain to me, Tianxu, what are these immortal physiques?"
The divine spirit crossed his arms, his gaze turning thoughtful as he answered.
—"Throughout the cosmos, there are different ranks for physiques. First, the Mystic Rank, which consists of 300 physiques; next is the Heavenly Rank, which has 100 physiques. Then comes the Supreme Rank, which only has 50 physiques. After the Supreme Rank is the Divine Rank, which has 20 physiques. And finally, at the top, is the Immortal Rank, which only has 10 physiques. These are the rarest and most powerful."
Yang Qi was stunned. The scale of power he was beginning to be initiated into was completely beyond him. But he felt, deep down, that if he could truly obtain this physique, his destiny would change forever.
— "So if I understand correctly, the holders of physique, whether mystical or immortal, are unique?"
— "Master, you really need to change your vision of things, you're like a little child who was locked up in a house for his entire childhood. But in short, only the holder of an immortal physique is unique. In the spiritual domain that contains the 20 universes, you will soon be the only holder of this physique. The same goes for the other domains above the spiritual domain."
— "You mean the celestial domain?" Yang Qi spoke, remembering very well the events in his previous life that led to his death.
— "The celestial domain can be compared to a planet that is the size of 20 universes combined, it is extremely vast and brings together all the cultivators of the 20 universes who have surpassed the emperor's realm, of course the emperor's realm is just a name, there are civilizations or planets where the different realms have other names. However, once you surpass the level of Emperor and arrive in the Celestial Domain, the levels will be the same for everyone."
After a brief moment of silence, Tianxu continued,
—"But before you worry about that, you must prepare yourself. The process of integrating the Supreme Yang Physique will be difficult and long. You will need to devote all your willpower and endurance to it."
Yang Qi nodded, determined. He would stop at nothing to become stronger.
—"Very well, Tianxu. I am ready. Do what you must do."
Tianxu smiled as he saw the resolve in Yang Qi's eyes. He raised his arms, and immediately, ancient symbols and golden runes appeared in the air. They danced around him, illuminating the room with a shimmering golden light. These runes slowly began to move closer to Yang Qi's body, as if drawn by a mysterious force.
—"Close your eyes, take off your clothes, and lie down," Tianxu murmured. "Take a deep breath. This will be painful, but you must endure." »
Yang Qi obeyed. He closed his eyes and suddenly felt an intense heat course through his body. The runes penetrated his skin, each symbol sending searing waves of pain through his meridians. The pain was indescribable, as if his entire body was being rebuilt from its foundations.
The days passed in endless agony. Each minute was a battle against a pain that seemed to want to devour him from the inside out. His bones, his muscles, his organs, everything was reshaped by the power of the runes and the energy of the Starry Pagoda. Yet, despite the intensity of the pain, Yang Qi remained focused, firmly resolved to endure until the end.
A week passed in this ordeal. Yang Qi finally felt his strength abandon him, his mind growing numb from the incessant pain. And then, everything went black. He lost consciousness, his body collapsing under the pressure.
---
When Yang Qi opened his eyes again, he found himself in the room illuminated by the soft light of the Starry Pagoda. Tianxu floated above him, his smile filled with pride.
"Congratulations, Master," the divine spirit said. "You are now the wielder of the Supreme Yang Physique."
Yang Qi blinked, still numb from exhaustion, but a new energy pulsed within him. He slowly straightened up, immediately feeling that something had changed. His body felt lighter, as if he had been freed from an invisible weight. His muscles were firmer, his breathing steadier, and his mind incredibly clear. He looked at his hands, then turned to a sword to see its reflection. What he saw there left him speechless.
His body had been transformed. His figure was more harmonious, his features more defined and elegant. He radiated an unearthly, almost divine beauty. His skin seemed to shimmer slightly under the light, and his eyes shone with a new intensity.
"My body…" he murmured. "It's incredible."
Tianxu nodded, satisfied.
"You are stronger, faster, and more resilient than ever, Master. The Supreme Yang Physique has granted you abilities that you will soon discover."
Yang Qi took a moment to absorb these words. Then he asked, still in shock, "How long was I unconscious?"
"Half a month," Tianxu replied calmly.
Yang Qi sighed in relief. Fortunately, time had slowed down in the Starry Pagoda. Half a month here was nothing compared to the outside world.
Tianxu slowly approached him, his expression serious but benevolent.
— "Now that you are healed and your physique is awakened, it is time to begin cultivating in earnest."
Yang Qi stood up, determined. He was ready. More than ever, he knew that the path to ultimate power had just begun.
— "Very well," he replied, his eyes burning with a new flame.