The power of faith was a mysterious force, not something that could be easily sensed by just anyone. Many cultivators, even those with great strength, failed to recognize its existence, as it was not something that could be perceived through mere cultivation or Qi techniques. Faith was subtle and intangible, often unnoticed by those who weren't attuned to its influence.
Lu Fan, however, was an exception. Through his actions, his methods, and the symbols he left behind, he had unknowingly started collecting the faith of the people. Over time, as the 108 pillars spread throughout the mortal world and as people followed his teachings, their faith in the principles inscribed on those pillars began to accumulate.
At first, Lu Fan had no idea of the power of faith that was building around him. But as more and more people began to believe in his teachings, something shifted. Once enough faith was gathered, he gained the ability to sense it—a power that was far beyond what most cultivators could comprehend. This allowed him to tap into a new source of energy, which was not tied to Qi or spiritual energy, but rather to the pure belief of others.
With this newfound ability, Lu Fan could now manipulate and use the power of faith.
As the years passed, more and more innate martial artists emerged from the mortal region, all thanks to the influence of Lu Fan's teachings and the power of the 108 pillars. However, not all of them chose to remain in the mortal world. As their cultivation progressed, many felt the pull of the cultivation regions, where greater resources, powerful sects, and higher-level techniques awaited them.
Before leaving for the cultivation regions, each of these innate martial artists made sure to copy as many techniques from the pillars as they could. The Blazing Sun Sutra—a key martial art passed down by Lu Fan—was the most sought after. It was inscribed on the pillars, and many of the martial artists made sure to take a copy with them. This sutra was now considered essential, a foundational piece of knowledge for any aspiring cultivator who had been influenced by the pillars.
These martial artists, armed with the techniques from the pillars, carried with them the potential to rise in the cultivation world. They no longer relied on the limited knowledge of their mortal origins but instead took with them the wisdom of the holy fire and the principles of Qi cultivation that Lu Fan had shared. Each of them was poised to spread the influence of Lu Fan's teachings even further in the cultivation regions, where they would inevitably encounter both opportunity and danger.
Much like Lu Fan, when the innate martial artists formed their spiritual roots, their Holy fire remained intact, acting as a unique marker of their potential. This Holy fire, which had been cultivated through the teachings of the pillars, was no longer just a source of power for martial arts—it also allowed these artists to become weapon refiners. The fire was infused with a sacred attribute, making it ideal for refining weapons, imbuing them with extraordinary strength and resilience. Each of these refiners could now craft weapons that not only resonated with their own power but also carried the divine essence of their Holy fire.
As tensions between the evil cultivators and the Qi cultivators continued to grow, these innate martial artists found an unexpected opportunity to make rapid progress. The chaos in the cultivation world provided a fertile ground for them to refine their skills, further develop their martial arts, and create powerful weapons that could tip the balance of power in the ongoing conflict. The Holy fire that had once been a symbol of their cultivation now became a weapon in itself, granting them a rare edge over the evil cultivators and those who sought to disrupt the balance.
In this unstable environment, these martial artists, armed with their newly refined weapons and deepened powers, found themselves well-positioned to rise to the forefront of the conflict, creating their own place in the tumultuous cultivation world. Their unique ability to create weapons and their continued mastery of the Holy fire made them indispensable players in the power struggle unfolding around them.
As more innate martial artists refined their Holy Fire and stepped into the cultivation world, a few among them decided to unite and establish a formal sect—the Holy Fire Sect. This sect was founded on the teachings inscribed upon the pillars and the Blazing Sun Sutra, which had guided their journey from mere mortals to powerful cultivators. Their goal was to spread the Holy Fire techniques, offering guidance to those who sought strength while upholding the principles of purification and righteousness.
They discovered a Level 1 Spiritual Vein in a secluded valley, an ideal place to establish their sect. To avoid unnecessary trouble from the established cultivation powers, they chose to keep their sect hidden. The founding members carefully concealed their presence, using natural formations and stealth techniques to prevent outsiders from noticing their activities. Only those who had proven their dedication to the Holy Fire path were allowed to join, ensuring the sect remained pure and united in purpose.
The newly formed sect organized small hunting units, each tasked with eliminating evil cultivators lurking in the mortal and cultivation regions. This served two purposes: eliminating threats to innocent people and acquiring valuable resources from their fallen enemies. Unlike evil cultivators who thrived on resentment and negative emotions, their Holy Fire grew purer and stronger with each evil soul they burned away.
Following Lu Fan's teachings, they viewed this as both a sacred duty and a path to power. Over time, their relentless crusade earned them a fearsome reputation. Cultivators began to whisper about a mysterious sect of flame-wielding warriors who hunted darkness wherever it lurked.
Their progress was astonishing. With the Holy Fire refining their bodies and the resources looted from fallen evil cultivators, many of them reached the late stage of Level 1 Body Tempering, standing just a step away from breaking into Level 2.
Unlike ordinary cultivators who relied on external pills and slow training, their method burned away impurities with Holy Fire, tempering their bodies to a far greater degree. Each battle they fought honed their strength, and each evil cultivator they purified fueled their flames, accelerating their cultivation at an incredible pace.
Their rapid advancement made them more confident.