Chapter 14 – Guidance
Yang Xie sat cross-legged, his body still buzzing from the energy surging through his veins. He had just completed his first cycle of Zhou Tian, and despite his exhaustion, a sense of accomplishment filled him.
Nangong Batian, standing nearby, nodded slightly, clearly impressed. "Your cultivation speed is rapid. You're already running Zhou Tian without much difficulty."
Yang Xie smiled humbly, but Batian's face turned serious as he continued. "However, remember this: only by pushing Zhou Tian to its limits can you generate spiritual seeds. If you don't reach that stage, your future cultivation will be stunted."
Yang Xie listened closely, feeling the weight of Batian's words.
"For those with poor talent and slow cultivation, running Zhou Tian even once is a great achievement. But their potential is limited—many will never rise beyond the Martial Master realm. Only those who complete the Small Zhou Tian Cycle can reach the Military Commander rank, while those who complete the Large Zhou Tian Cycle might reach the Martial King level. But even Martial Kings are not invincible."
He paused, allowing the words to sink in. "The key to advancement lies in the Perfect Zhou Tian Cycle. Only then can one break through the Martial King stage. But be warned—talent and opportunity play a huge role in that."
Yang Xie absorbed the information, but he was still puzzled by one thing. "But, Uncle… how many cycles of Zhou Tian should one complete to form a spiritual seed?"
Nangong Batian gave him a rare smile. "It depends on the person's talent. Those with B-level talent or higher should aim for the Perfect Zhou Tian Cycle. It will provide a strong foundation for your future cultivation."
Yang Xie nodded in understanding, but the question lingered in his mind: How could his talent be so extraordinary, even surpassing the limit of 108 Zhou Tian cycles?
Sensing his thoughts, Batian spoke again. "Tell me, how many Zhou Tian cycles have you completed?"
Yang Xie hesitated for a moment before answering honestly. "I've completed 139 cycles."
Nangong Batian's gaze sharpened as he heard the number. There was no sign of shock on his face, but Yang Xie could sense the gravity of his answer.
139? Batian thought, That's beyond even most SSS-level talents.
After a brief pause, Batian spoke again. "It seems your talent is far beyond ordinary. There have been some rare individuals who've surpassed the 108-cycle limit, but they are few and far between. I believe you're on the path to something extraordinary."
Yang Xie couldn't help but feel a mix of awe and confusion. "So… does that mean I'm ready to form a spiritual seed?"
Batian shook his head. "Not yet. You need to push your Zhou Tian to its absolute limit. Only when you feel like you've reached the edge of your power should you attempt to form your spiritual seed."
Yang Xie nodded, grateful for the guidance.
"But tell me," Batian continued, "why did you hesitate to tell me about your cycles?"
Yang Xie lowered his gaze, a little embarrassed. "I just wasn't sure if it was appropriate to mention such a thing. I don't want to seem arrogant."
Batian smiled, a faint twinkle in his eyes. "It's not arrogance; it's the result of your hard work. No one should be ashamed of their talent."
Then, Batian turned to Nangong Ya. "Ya, come here. Let me see how well you've been training."
Nangong Ya stood up, her eyes sparkling with energy. "Okay, Dad!"
She stepped forward, pulling out a whip from her waist. "I've been practicing the Qingling Whip Technique and Zhenwu Fist, as you suggested."
Yang Xie watched her, impressed by her graceful movements. Batian nodded approvingly.
"You're doing well, Ya. Keep refining your techniques. It's not just strength that matters; precision and control are equally important."
As Nangong Ya continued her demonstration, Yang Xie couldn't help but reflect on his own path. He was beginning to understand the depth of his talent and the weight of Batian's teachings.
As he sat quietly observing, he realized that this journey—this path of cultivation—was just beginning.