The first rays of dawn broke over the distant mountains, spilling golden light across the rugged peaks and jagged cliffs. Lingxuan awoke with a calm, focused expression, his golden hair tousled by the cool mountain breeze. Today marked the beginning of his six-month closed training regimen, a journey that would test every fiber of his body, every ounce of his spirit, and every thread of his cultivation.
He rose quietly, taking a deep breath and feeling the crisp mountain air fill his lungs. The plateau he had chosen for isolation was perfect: steep cliffs, dense forests, winding streams, and a vast open area for combat practice. Every element of this environment would challenge him, shaping him into a cultivator capable of protecting the people he loved.
Lingxuan began by warming up his body. He stretched each limb meticulously, feeling the muscles elongate and tighten in preparation for the grueling day ahead. Each movement was precise: a stretch of the arms followed by a twist of the torso, a careful bending of the spine, and rotations of the neck. His legs followed, bending, kicking, and pivoting to ensure complete flexibility.
Once warmed, he moved to the endurance segment of the training. Lingxuan carried two heavy stones, each roughly the size of a small boulder, and began running along the cliffside paths. Every step required balance and focus, as the rocks threatened to slip from his grasp with every misstep. His breath came in rhythmic, controlled gasps, each inhalation and exhalation synchronized with the movement of his body and the flow of his qi.
The cliffs were treacherous, with jagged rocks and sudden drops, but Lingxuan moved like a shadow, precise and unhesitant. Occasionally, he would leap over gaps, landing on narrow rock ledges with perfect stability. The stones weighed heavily, but he welcomed the strain—they were meant to push his muscles beyond their ordinary limits, building the foundation for explosive strength later in the regimen.
After completing several circuits of the cliffside, he lowered the stones and transitioned to resistance training in the mountain streams. The icy water surged against his legs and body, each step a battle against the current. Lingxuan lifted boulders from the riverbed, feeling the cold water bite into his skin, numbing his body yet sharpening his focus. The resistance of the flowing water trained his legs for powerful, controlled movements, perfect for both agility and balance.
Lingxuan then moved to a dense forest area nearby for stealth and awareness exercises. The trees were thick, and the underbrush was tangled, forcing him to navigate carefully without alerting imaginary enemies. He practiced moving silently, stepping on twigs without a snap, blending with the shadows, and observing the subtle movements of the environment. Birds scattered at his presence, but Lingxuan ignored them, fully immersed in the exercise.
Next, he created practice targets using felled trees and carved stone dummies. With his sword at his side, he practiced strikes—thrusts, slashes, spins, and multi-directional attacks. Each movement was repeated dozens of times, until muscle memory burned into his body. Lingxuan paid special attention to fluidity and efficiency, ensuring that every strike delivered maximum force with minimal energy expenditure.
As the sun climbed higher, the heat intensified. Lingxuan welcomed it, knowing the body must adapt to extreme conditions. He took a brief rest, meditating under the shade of a large rock. He focused on his inner cultivation, circulating qi through his body, feeling it strengthen each muscle, sinew, and organ. This meditation connected his physical exertion to his internal energy, ensuring that his body and spirit worked in perfect harmony.
By midday, Lingxuan transitioned to combat simulation. He imagined multiple attackers approaching from all directions and practiced countering them. He would pivot, dodge, strike, and retreat fluidly, integrating agility, speed, and precision. His Killing Intent radiated subtly, an invisible pressure that sharpened his focus and conditioned his mind to react instinctively to threats.
For the next two hours, he pushed himself with endurance drills, alternating between running up steep inclines and descending at full speed while carrying weighted stones. His body burned with fatigue, yet he welcomed it. Each drop of sweat, each ache, was a sign of growth. Lingxuan's golden aura flickered subtly around him, a reflection of both his cultivation and the intensity of his training.
Afterward, he moved to strength training using natural obstacles. He lifted logs and boulders, threw them with precision, and even practiced breaking stones with controlled sword strikes. The goal was to combine brute strength with finesse—a cultivator must not only be powerful but also capable of precision strikes in combat.
Lingxuan then performed high-altitude breathing exercises on a cliff edge. The thin air forced him to regulate his breathing carefully, ensuring every inhalation and exhalation was deep, precise, and controlled. This not only strengthened his lungs but also increased his endurance and the efficiency of his qi circulation.
As the afternoon sun began to wane, he transitioned to mental and tactical exercises. Lingxuan placed markers throughout the plateau, each representing enemy units. He visualized attacks, ambushes, and defensive maneuvers, predicting movements, and countering them in his mind. This sharpened his strategic thinking, ensuring that physical power was always complemented by keen insight.
Before nightfall, Lingxuan engaged in sword meditation. He held his weapon lightly, performing slow, deliberate movements, each one precise and perfect. The combination of meditation and sword practice harmonized his qi, refined his reflexes, and prepared him for both combat and cultivation in the coming days.
Finally, as dusk settled over the mountains, Lingxuan paused to reflect. His body ached, his muscles burned, and sweat drenched his clothes, but he felt a deep satisfaction. The first day of training had been exhausting, yet it had laid the foundation for the following months.
He found a quiet spot on a rock ledge overlooking the valley below, the wind brushing against his skin. Lingxuan closed his eyes, circulating his qi once more, consolidating all the energy, strength, and focus he had accumulated. The six-month journey had begun, and he was determined to push himself beyond every limit.
As the sun disappeared behind the peaks, casting a warm glow across the plateau, Lingxuan allowed himself a brief moment of rest. Tomorrow, he would begin day two, intensifying his training, further integrating strength, skill, and strategy. But for now, he let the satisfaction of a well-spent day settle in, ready to rise again at dawn.
Lingxuan knew that every day, every drill, every push of his limits would bring him closer to his goal: a level of cultivation unmatched by others, capable of protecting those he cherished, especially Qingyue. With that thought, he closed his eyes, letting the mountain winds lull him into a deep, restorative sleep, his golden aura dimming gently in the twilight.
The first morning of Lingxuan's training arrived with the piercing light of dawn filtering through the mist-shrouded peaks. The mountain air was crisp and invigorating, filling his lungs with a vitality he hadn't experienced in months. Lingxuan stretched his body deliberately, feeling every muscle awaken from the slumber of his journey. The soreness from yesterday's trials reminded him that his body had been pushed beyond its limits, yet now, every ache seemed to transform into a strange kind of energy, invigorating him for the day ahead.
Today would be different. Yesterday had been largely physical preparation, endurance, and familiarization with the environment. Today, he would start the process of breaking through the Eternal Sovereign realm, a feat that had challenged even the most seasoned cultivators. Lingxuan's mind was clear, his determination absolute.
He began his morning ritual with a breathing exercise, inhaling deeply, letting the mountain air fill his lungs, and slowly exhaling while focusing his mind. Each breath was synchronized with the circulation of his qi. Lingxuan concentrated on refining his aura, allowing it to expand and circulate evenly through his body. He felt it stretching through his limbs, penetrating every muscle, every bone, every organ. The sensation was electrifying—a tingling that reached his fingertips and toes.
Once his internal energy had been aligned, Lingxuan began physical conditioning with weighted stones. He carried two boulders along a narrow mountain path, each weighing as much as his own body. Every step required perfect balance, precise foot placement, and controlled breathing. The path twisted sharply along cliff edges, and the stones threatened to slip from his grasp at every misstep. Yet, Lingxuan pressed forward with unwavering focus. His muscles burned, sweat poured down his face, but he welcomed the pain. It was a reminder that strength must be forged through struggle.
After completing several circuits, he moved to the river resistance training. The icy mountain water surged against his legs as he lifted rocks and pushed against the current. Lingxuan used the resistance to strengthen his lower body, forcing his legs to carry not only the weight of his body but also the weight of his cultivation potential. Here, he began to visualize the breakthrough, imagining the Eternal Sovereign realm as a barrier that could be shattered by sheer will, precise technique, and absolute focus.
By mid-morning, Lingxuan transitioned into meditation and qi refinement. Sitting cross-legged on a large flat stone, he closed his eyes and focused entirely inward. He visualized the structure of the Eternal Sovereign realm—a massive wall of spiritual pressure, overwhelming yet precise in its formation. His thoughts traced every layer, every lock of energy, seeking the weak points, the subtle seams that might allow his qi to penetrate.
Lingxuan let his Killing Intent rise, not outwardly as a weapon, but inwardly as a force of concentration and power. He synchronized his breathing with his heartbeats, channeling the energy he had refined over years into a single, coherent flow. It was a delicate balance: too much force, and his body might shatter under the pressure; too little, and the realm's threshold would remain unbroken.
The first attempt came slowly. Lingxuan extended his hands, forming a subtle aura around him. He imagined the Eternal Sovereign realm before him, and with a deep, deliberate intake of qi, he pushed forward with mental pressure, attempting to resonate with the realm. A sharp tremor ran through his body—his qi clashing with the unseen barrier. His vision blurred, a sensation like being crushed by an invisible weight pressed on his chest. He gritted his teeth, forcing his energy to align, and for a brief, fleeting moment, he felt the first crack in the threshold.
Lingxuan exhaled sharply, sweat and blood from tiny bursts of strain dripping down his forehead. The pain was intense, yet invigorating. He collapsed onto the rock briefly, catching his breath, feeling the immense potential that lay before him. This was only the beginning, the initial contact with a realm that demanded absolute mastery of self and cultivation.
After regaining his composure, Lingxuan rose and continued with combat drills, integrating the breakthrough attempt with physical motion. He slashed through stone dummies, his movements precise, flowing, yet charged with an internal pressure that reflected his intent to surpass mortal limits. Each strike was not just a physical attack, but an expression of his qi, refined to the point that even imaginary opponents would feel its weight.
The afternoon brought environmental adaptability training. Lingxuan climbed sheer cliff walls, jumped across narrow crevices, and balanced on ledges where a single misstep could mean a fatal fall. This segment was critical: the Eternal Sovereign realm demanded not only spiritual mastery but also perfect bodily control. Lingxuan's muscles and reflexes had to respond instantly to the slightest change, synchronizing with the flow of qi coursing through him.
During a brief rest, he practiced mental visualization again. He imagined the Eternal Sovereign realm as a massive, incomprehensible fortress of energy. In his mind, he moved through layers of pressure, dodging, slicing, and threading his qi through cracks in the barrier. He saw himself standing beyond the threshold, his aura blazing, his power harmonized with the realm itself. The vision was both inspiring and terrifying—the realm was overwhelming, yet attainable through discipline and strategy.
As evening approached, Lingxuan engaged in integration drills, combining physical exertion, swordsmanship, and qi control. He moved through sequences of combat, striking, dodging, and flowing in patterns that mimicked actual battle scenarios. Each movement reinforced his internal focus, each strike channeled his energy more efficiently, bringing him closer to the cohesion necessary for a realm breakthrough.
Finally, night fell, and Lingxuan sat on a cliff overlooking the moonlit valleys. The air was cold, the wind harsh, yet he felt a profound sense of clarity. Today had been exhausting, yet productive. Every drill, every exertion, every strain on his muscles, and every push against the realm's threshold had built upon the last.
He closed his eyes, letting his qi circulate through his body in a gentle, steady rhythm. In the quiet of the mountains, he felt a whisper of progress toward the Eternal Sovereign realm, a sensation of alignment between body, mind, and energy. Though he had not yet broken through, the first day had laid the foundation—both physically and spiritually—for the months to come.
Lingxuan opened his eyes, gazing at the stars. "Six months… I will surpass my limits. I will break through the Eternal Sovereign realm, and I will return stronger… to protect Qingyue, my friends, and everyone who relies on me," he murmured.
With a final breath, he lay down on a bed of soft moss, letting the mountain winds lull him into a deep sleep. His body ached, his muscles burned, but his spirit was unyielding. The journey had begun. Tomorrow, he would push further, combining his physical training with even deeper attempts at the breakthrough, refining his energy and strategy with every passing moment.
The plateau remained silent under the moonlight, but Lingxuan's aura glowed faintly—a beacon of determination, power, and the unstoppable will of a cultivator stepping toward a new horizon.
The sun had just risen above the jagged peaks, casting golden light over the plateau. Lingxuan's body had already warmed from yesterday's exertions, but today would test his limits in ways far beyond the ordinary. He had prepared the heaviest stone yet—an enormous boulder estimated to weigh 100,000 kilograms. Its surface was rough, pitted with natural grooves, making it almost impossible to grip. Yet, this was the exact challenge he needed to push his physical strength and qi synergy to a new threshold.
He approached the massive stone with calm determination. His golden hair swayed in the morning breeze as he closed his eyes, inhaling deeply and letting his aura radiate outward. The surrounding mountains seemed to echo with the sheer intensity of his presence, as if nature itself recognized the magnitude of the feat about to begin.
Lingxuan placed his hands on the stone, feeling its immense weight press against his arms, shoulders, and chest. The first attempt to lift it was excruciating; the stone barely budged, shifting only millimeters despite his concentrated strength. He gritted his teeth, feeling every fiber of muscle, tendon, and bone strain under the impossible load.
To accomplish this, he synchronized his breathing with the circulation of his qi, channeling energy from his core to every limb. His aura flared violently as he focused on drawing power not just from his body, but from the mountain itself. Slowly, inch by inch, the boulder began to rise. The ground trembled slightly with the shift of weight, and Lingxuan's muscles quivered under the immense strain.
Once he had lifted it, he stabilized it above his shoulders, his arms shaking violently. He began the first repetition, lifting and lowering the stone with deliberate precision. Each lift was a battle against gravity itself; each controlled descent required absolute focus to prevent collapse. He set a goal: 10,000 repetitions, a number that seemed unimaginable, even for immortal cultivators.
Hours passed. Lingxuan's muscles burned, sweat poured down his face, and small cuts opened on his palms from the stone's rough surface. Yet, he pushed forward relentlessly. Every repetition was accompanied by a deep focus on qi alignment, ensuring that his internal energy supported his physical exertion instead of depleting it. The synchronization of muscle and qi allowed him to lift with greater efficiency, but even so, each set of a thousand lifts left his body trembling violently.
By midday, Lingxuan had completed roughly 2,000 repetitions. He paused briefly to meditate while holding the stone mid-lift, letting his qi circulate through his body and ease the strain on his muscles. The sensation was both painful and exhilarating—a pure test of endurance, strength, and mental fortitude. He felt every fiber of his being stretched to the absolute limit.
Returning to the repetitions, he adjusted his stance, placing his feet firmly on the uneven plateau surface. He envisioned each repetition not as a mechanical task, but as a ritual of strength, each lift a connection between body, spirit, and the mountain itself. His arms burned like molten iron, his legs shook like reeds in the wind, yet his determination never wavered.
By afternoon, he had reached 5,000 repetitions. His aura flared visibly, a golden glow enveloping him as the mountain winds whipped around him. He had reached a point where sheer physical effort alone was not enough; he relied increasingly on his qi to sustain muscle function and reduce fatigue. Every breath, every heartbeat, synchronized perfectly with the movement of his body.
The plateau was silent except for the grating sound of the stone scraping the ground and Lingxuan's controlled breathing. Sweat had soaked through his clothes, and dirt and small pebbles had embedded into the cuts on his hands and forearms. Yet, he welcomed every sensation, knowing that the body must endure and adapt to surpass mortal limits.
By evening, he had reached 8,000 repetitions. His back was drenched in sweat, and the muscles of his arms, shoulders, and legs burned intensely. Every movement required a conscious effort to maintain balance, form, and control. The mental strain was almost as severe as the physical, testing his focus and discipline.
Finally, as the sun began to dip behind the peaks, Lingxuan approached the final 2,000 repetitions. With a deep breath, he summoned every ounce of strength, channeling Killing Intent into each lift, enhancing his aura and creating the sensation of lifting not only the stone but the weight of the entire mountain. Inch by inch, the boulder rose, trembling under his absolute control. Each repetition now felt like a single, deliberate strike against the barriers of his own physical and spiritual limits.
At the 10,000th repetition, Lingxuan dropped the stone with a controlled thud, the vibration echoing across the plateau. He collapsed onto his knees, utterly exhausted, sweat and blood mixing with dust and dirt. His breathing was ragged, his muscles screaming, yet a radiant sense of satisfaction filled him. He had pushed himself beyond ordinary human endurance, touching a level of strength only attainable by cultivators who combined physical might with qi mastery.
Lingxuan sat cross-legged, letting his qi circulate, repairing muscle strain and fortifying his body. He could feel the first real progress toward his Eternal Sovereign breakthrough: his body was stronger, his qi circulation smoother, and his focus sharper than ever before. Today had not only strengthened his muscles—it had refined the connection between body and energy, the foundation for transcending realms.
As night fell, the mountain winds cooled his overheated body, and Lingxuan gazed at the stars. The path ahead was long, and six months of intense training awaited him, but today had proven that his determination, combined with precise cultivation and raw strength, could overcome even the most impossible challenges.
He whispered to himself, "One day… I will stand in the Eternal Sovereign realm. Six months, and nothing will hold me back." With that, Lingxuan lay down on the plateau, exhausted but fulfilled, his golden aura dimming gently in the moonlight. Tomorrow, he would begin day four, pushing even harder, integrating more qi techniques, and preparing for the next step of his breakthrough.
The mountain plateau was bathed in a soft, golden light as Lingxuan rested, the cool breeze ruffling his golden hair. After the grueling physical training of the previous day—lifting the massive boulder ten thousand times—his body was still aching, and his muscles screamed for relief. He leaned against a jagged rock, closing his eyes and letting the wind carry away the lingering tension in his limbs.
Lingxuan's mind, however, remained sharp and focused. He knew that strength was not forged solely through relentless training. Recovery, patience, and reflection were equally critical. Pushing the body beyond its limits without rest would only lead to injury and stagnation. True power, he reminded himself, required balance—a harmony between exertion and recuperation, between body and spirit.
Sitting there, he allowed his qi to circulate gently, repairing microtears in his muscles, reinforcing his stamina, and consolidating the energy he had painstakingly cultivated over months of training. The sensation was invigorating, almost meditative. Lingxuan reflected silently: "Strength isn't only built in effort… it is cultivated in the pauses, in the moments when the body and mind harmonize. Even the Eternal Sovereign realm cannot be reached by force alone. I must learn patience, control, and the wisdom to wield my power."
After some time, Lingxuan rose and began walking slowly through the expansive cavern beneath the plateau, a massive hollow space that seemed almost endless. The cave walls glimmered faintly, reflecting the sunlight filtering in through cracks above. Stalactites hung like jagged teeth from the ceiling, and small streams trickled across the stone floor, forming crystalline pools that reflected the golden light. The cavern was both serene and imposing, its silence broken only by the occasional drip of water echoing through the vast expanse.
As Lingxuan ventured deeper into the cave, he noticed an enormous gate at the far end, partially obscured by shadows. Its sheer size was astonishing—taller than any building he had ever seen, wider than the largest training hall in the Azure Cloud Sect. Carved into the gate were ancient symbols, swirling with a faint, ethereal glow. Lingxuan approached cautiously, feeling a subtle pressure radiating from the stone that made his chest tighten slightly.
He crouched before the inscriptions, scanning them with interest. The characters were ancient and unknown, and despite his extensive cultivation knowledge and experience with mystical texts, he could not decipher them. They were unlike any cultivation manuals or novels he had studied, unlike any sacred writings he had encountered. The gate radiated an aura of both mystery and immense power, a presence that seemed to test the very limits of those who approached.
Lingxuan muttered softly to himself, his voice echoing slightly through the cavern: "There is nothing like this in the cultivation manuals… nor in any of the novels I have read. This must be… something extraordinary. Perhaps it is a remnant of an ancient era, a hidden domain untouched by ordinary cultivators."
Standing back to assess the gate, he realized the weight and density of the stone would make it impossible for any ordinary cultivator to open. Lingxuan took a deep breath, centering himself. He placed his hands on the massive surface, feeling the immovable energy that radiated from it. Its weight, sheer physical and spiritual mass, was unlike anything he had encountered—approximately 500,000 kilograms in sheer resistance, a number that made even his previous feats seem trivial in comparison.
Lingxuan's expression became determined. This was no mere trial of strength; it was a test of will, cultivation, and the ability to harmonize his internal energy with external force. He began circulating his qi through every fiber of his being, allowing it to flow into his arms, legs, torso, and ultimately, into his hands. His aura flared around him, creating a faint golden shimmer in the cavern as the ancient gate responded, vibrating subtly beneath his touch.
He gritted his teeth and began applying force, channeling every ounce of physical strength and refined qi he had accumulated. His arms quaked, his legs trembled under the effort, and beads of sweat streamed down his face. The weight of the gate was immense, but Lingxuan did not relent. He visualized his energy as a flowing river, merging seamlessly with the stone itself, seeking the weaknesses in its seemingly impenetrable structure.
The initial moments were grueling. The gate barely shifted, moving only fractions of a millimeter despite his immense effort. Lingxuan adjusted his stance, anchoring his feet firmly into the rocky ground, feeling the cavern beneath him vibrate as his aura expanded. With a deep exhalation, he let his qi resonate throughout the gate, subtly harmonizing with the ancient energy embedded within the stone. Slowly, the immense pressure began to yield, the surface vibrating and humming under the flow of his power.
Hours seemed to pass as Lingxuan continued, the weight of the gate challenging every ounce of his strength. His arms burned as though on fire, his back screamed under the strain, and his golden aura flickered under the intensity of the effort. Yet, he did not falter. He understood that true cultivation was a blend of perseverance, patience, and focus. Each micro-movement, each subtle adjustment, brought him closer to success.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, a loud rumble echoed through the cavern as the gate began to creak open, sliding ever so slightly under Lingxuan's synchronized qi and strength. A small gap formed, glowing faintly with an ethereal light from beyond. Lingxuan's breathing was ragged, his muscles trembling violently, but a faint smile appeared on his face. The ancient gate had yielded, if only slightly—but it was enough to signify the immense potential hidden behind it.
Lingxuan allowed himself a moment to catch his breath, sitting on the stone floor as he reflected on the task he had just completed. The exertion had been extreme, pushing his body to the absolute limit and requiring every ounce of his cultivated energy. Yet, the experience was enlightening: it reminded him that power was not only a matter of raw strength but of wisdom, timing, and harmony with the world around him.
He gazed into the narrow opening of the gate, the faint light from within shimmering mysteriously. His heart raced slightly, anticipation mingling with caution. This gate was unlike anything he had ever seen, and it radiated an aura of immense cultivation potential. He could feel that beyond it lay secrets, techniques, or perhaps challenges that could elevate him far beyond the limits of ordinary cultivators.
Lingxuan muttered softly, almost to himself, "This is only the beginning… The gate may be heavy, the challenge immense, but I will overcome it. In six months, after refining my body, qi, and spirit, I will be able to unlock its true secrets."
As night descended on the plateau, the moon casting silvery light across the cavern, Lingxuan sat quietly near the gate. His body ached from the exertion, his hands were calloused and bloody, yet a serene sense of purpose filled him. Today had been a day of insight as much as strength, demonstrating that even the most impossible obstacles could be overcome with determination, harmony, and disciplined cultivation.
Lingxuan rested against the cold stone, gazing at the massive gate. It seemed almost alive, humming softly as though acknowledging his effort. He knew that beyond this gate lay a power that could accelerate his breakthrough to the Eternal Sovereign realm—a challenge he would face after months of training. For now, he allowed his mind to settle, his qi to flow gently, and his body to recover.
He whispered to himself as sleep overtook him, "The path ahead is long… but I will not waver. Strength, patience, and perseverance—this is the way. Tomorrow, I continue my journey."
The cavern remained silent, except for the faint echo of Lingxuan's breathing and the subtle, otherworldly glow of the ancient gate—a promise of challenges, revelations, and unprecedented power waiting patiently for him beyond.