After learning about cultivation and spiritual energy at the Alchemy Academy, Xiao Wuchen began to deeply question his martial arts system. He returned to his inner chamber and immediately entered a state of seclusion, attempting to absorb the power of spiritual energy.
Using the Minor Heavenly Circuit Guiding Technique (Fragment 1), Xiao Wuchen began trying to absorb the spiritual energy floating in the air around him.
Though the palace's spiritual energy was thin, it was denser than that of the outside world as the core of the imperial capital. Xiao Wuchen forcefully guided the spiritual energy into his meridians.
However, he immediately encountered tremendous resistance.
The mid-stage Meridian Building true energy circulating in his meridians, though refined by the "Martial Intent Array" and the "Life Force Sword Intent," seemed too "crude" and "impure" compared to the spiritual energy's purity.
Every wisp of spiritual energy that attempted to enter Xiao Wuchen's sea of true energy was repelled by the "crude attribute" of that mortal true energy. The two were like oil and water and difficult to mix. Even his "Life Force Sword Intent," with its transformative power, could not quickly overcome this fundamental difference.
"This is the difference between mortals and cultivators..." Xiao Wuchen opened his eyes, his inner shock beyond measure.
He realized that, unless he abandoned his true energy and started cultivating spiritual energy methods from scratch, he would remain at the level of mortal martial arts forever.
Just as Xiao Wuchen was struggling with uncertainty about his path in martial arts, the system issued another notification.
System Notification: "Detected: The host has crossed the fundamental chasm between mortal martial arts and cultivation techniques."
Core problem: The structure of Foundation Establishment Qi is coarse and cannot adapt to pure spiritual energy."
Breakthrough direction: Utilize the host's "Vitality Sword Intent" special transformation ability to convert the existing Foundation Establishment Qi into "Yin-type Spiritual Energy" with similar characteristics."
This direction enlightened Xiao Wuchen. It wasn't about wasting his Qi, but rather, "transformation"!
His "Vitality Sword Intent" possesses the characteristics of transformation and dissolution. He had used it to transform the Mysterious Elder's corrosive toxins and dissolve the Ancient Abyss's true energy. Now, he needed to use this power to "refine" himself!
System activation: Optimizing the "Spiritual Energy Adaptation" process of the core cultivation technique, "Purple Qi Comes from the East."
The optimization principle is that the original method of nourishing the meridians in "Purple Qi Comes from the East" is upgraded to a "Spiritual Qi Refining Furnace." Using the conversion power of the "Life Force Sword Intent," it simulates a cultivator's absorption of spiritual energy, gradually cleansing and refining the true qi.
Following the system's detailed instructions, Xiao Wuchen began circulating the Purple Qi again.
He directed his Meridian Building True Qi to his body's most resilient meridians, then used this external force as fuel to absorb a wisp of spiritual energy.
This time, he didn't allow the two to collide directly. Instead, he used the Persistent Vitality Sword Intent as a medium to slowly fuse and refine them.
This process was excruciatingly painful; each refined wisp of energy was accompanied by violent tremors in the true qi structure. However, the reward after the pain was immense.
Within his dantian, a wisp of vibrant yet pure energy appeared in his Meridian Building True Qi. This was the prototype of Yin-type Spiritual Qi!
Though this wisp of spiritual energy was weak, it broke the shackles of mortal martial arts. This signified that Xiao Wuchen's cultivation system had officially entered the realm of true cultivation!
Xiao Wuchen was overjoyed. He knew that, as long as he continued in this direction, he would become a true cultivator, not just a mortal martial artist!After determining the direction of his breakthrough—transforming true qi into "yin and soft spiritual qi"—Xiao Wuchen did not rush to produce it in large quantities. Instead, he concentrated on increasing his total true qi and developing a transformation system.
Xiao Wuchen knew this was a long, meticulous process requiring a massive amount of true qi as its "raw material."
While circulating the optimized Purple Qi and refining his true qi with Life-Giving Sword Intent, he consumed the Foundation Building and Spirit Nourishing Pill he had purchased. This rapidly consolidated and expanded his total true qi at the mid-stage of the Meridian Building realm.
As the transformation progressed, the nascent "yin-type spiritual qi" within his body began to weakly attract the surrounding spiritual energy. This increased his efficiency in absorbing spiritual energy by more than a hundred times compared to ordinary martial artists.
System Notification: Purple Qi "Spiritual Qi Compatibility" Optimization Level: 15%. The host's soul strength and true qi compatibility are well matched.
He could feel every breath he took and every circulation of true qi becoming lighter and more efficient. His martial arts were irreversibly advancing towards the realm of cultivation.
Three days later, Xiao Wuchen, the Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guards, summoned the Commander of the Xuanyi Guard, who was under the direct command of the Inner Court. The Xuanyi Guard served as the emperor's secret eyes and ears, possessing confidential information unknown to the martial arts world and the imperial court.
Xiao Wuchen didn't mention the term "spiritual veins" but instead cited the need to "prevent the Xuan Yin Sect from causing trouble in the capital." He instructed the Xuanyi Guard to gather intelligence on the Xuan Yin Sect's recent "geographical exploration" and "special resources."
The Xuanyi Guard was extremely efficient. Soon, a secret report on the Xuan Yin Sect's recent movements and several special maps were presented to Xiao Wuchen.
The report revealed that a remnant force of the Xuan Yin Sect had been operating secretly in several mountain ranges north of the capital, connected to the back mountain of the Alchemy Academy. They had drawn numerous unusual geographical maps, not for military or mineral exploration purposes, but marked with the unique orientations of underground water veins and rock strata.
Xiao Wuchen combined the description of the "spiritual vein" in the secret letter with these maps, quickly sketching out the Xuan Yin Sect's operational trajectory in his mind.
"The Xuan Yin Sect is using some kind of secret cultivation technique to pinpoint the exact route of this spiritual vein beneath the capital. They aren't after the ore in the mountains, but rather the underground 'source of spiritual energy'!"
The value of this intelligence was immeasurable. Xiao Wuchen knew it was his bargaining chip to establish absolute trust and an irreplaceable position among the emperor, the imperial preceptor, and the inner palace secretariat.
"I need to speed up my progress to reach the peak of the Qi Condensation stage." Xiao Wuchen put away the map, a sharp glint in his eyes. "Once the Xuan Yin Sect starts construction, it will be too late."