Chapter Three: The Path of Cultivation

As dusk deepened and night gradually descended, a bonfire sprang to life in the quiet, secluded valley. Its flickering light illuminated Qi Fei’s face, unable to mask his excitement; he wore an expression of eager anticipation. Tonight, the Lord of Bloodshadow would impart to Qi Fei certain methods of cultivation within this very valley. Having already witnessed the myriad wonders of the Mystical Sect’s arts, Qi Fei felt a mix of awe and apprehension, uncertain as to what kind of supernatural techniques the Lord of Bloodshadow might choose to teach him.

After a hearty meal, the Lord of Bloodshadow and Qi Fei sat cross-legged before the wooden cabin. The master examined Qi Fei’s innate potential and bone structure, then his face clouded with a trace of difficulty. “Qi Fei, your natural aptitude is far from exceptional. No wonder the Danxia Sect did not accept you as a disciple. Yet, fortune has smiled on you today, for you have met me. Though you have missed the prime years for cultivation, it is not yet too late. The path of cultivation is divided between martial training and immortal cultivation. This evening, I shall first teach you a martial arts method.”

Qi Fei was momentarily stunned, puzzled. “Master, have you not already reached the fourth stage—the Manifestation Realm—of the Mystical Sect’s arts? How is it that you are also versed in martial techniques? Is it truly possible to practice both martial arts and immortal cultivation at once?”

A flicker of venomous hatred flashed across the Lord of Bloodshadow’s pallid face, his voice trembling slightly. “In those years, I was a disciple of the Xuanyin Sword Sect, a martial sect. Betrayed by a villain, my martial cultivation was destroyed. To seek vengeance, I renounced my sect and entered the Demon Heart Sect, there to begin anew on the path of the Mystical Sect’s arts.”

Qi Fei was startled to learn that his master had once belonged to a righteous sect, but he curbed his curiosity and listened intently.

The Lord of Bloodshadow paused, then continued, “To train the body through martial arts and to strengthen the spirit through the Dao—these are as the dualities of yin and yang. Naturally, one can pursue both paths, though not all are suited to such dual cultivation. First, one must possess innate talent in both martial and immortal disciplines. Second, the practitioner must use esoteric techniques to expand their meridians, refining both martial qi and mystical energy within, so that the two complement rather than conflict with each other; otherwise, one risks madness or death at any moment. Finally, once both martial soul and spiritual essence coexist within, ascending to the supreme Dao that transcends life and death becomes all the more difficult.”

Qi Fei asked in alarm, “So if I practice martial techniques and then cultivate the mysterious arts, would I too risk falling into madness?”

“The boundless Dao is unfathomable; how could it be mastered easily? For centuries, among countless orthodox and unorthodox cultivators, only a rare few have attained the Eleventh Heaven of martial arts, becoming Martial Saints with bodies sanctified, or reached the sixth stage of the Mystical Arts to become Immortal Sages—such individuals are as rare as phoenix feathers. Only the most gifted, cultivated by great sects and noble families, focus solely on a single path. Most in this world practice both. As long as you proceed methodically and guard against greed, there is little danger of disaster. You need not worry.”

The Lord’s words reminded Qi Fei of the time on Mount Cangyun, when he had once secretly observed a few elders of the Danxia Sect practicing a vigorous set of fist techniques. It seemed those elders also cultivated martial arts to strengthen their bodies.

After some thought, Qi Fei asked, “Master, between martial techniques and the mystical arts, which is truly more powerful?”

The Lord of Bloodshadow pondered for a moment before answering gravely, “The mystical arts, though divided into only seven stages, are far harder to master than the twelve heavens of martial cultivation. Before a martial artist attains the seventh heaven—the Innate Spirit Realm—they stand little chance against a practitioner of the mystical arts. But once the Innate Realm is reached, any mystic below the third stage—the Out-of-Body Realm—would be at their mercy. As for Martial Saints and Immortal Sages, their power shapes the fate of the world, capable of sundering mountains or seas, annihilating all before them. Which is stronger? That is not for us to judge at our meager level.”

Qi Fei nodded in understanding, growing excited. “I see now. I was overthinking it. Master, please teach me the martial arts without delay!”

The Lord of Bloodshadow drew a deep breath and spoke in a resonant voice, “To cultivate martial arts, one must first use a martial method to harness the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, condensing it within the body’s meridians to form true qi. This is the First Heaven: Shaping Qi. As your true qi grows, it gathers in the dantian, forming a martial soul. This is the Second Heaven: Gathering Qi into Soul, which marks true entry into the martial path. After forming the martial soul, you then use inner techniques to temper muscles and bones, cleanse and renew the body, reaching the Third Heaven: Forging Muscles and Bones, and the Fourth Heaven: Cleansing Marrow and Skin. As the body is reborn, true qi can be transformed into sword energy, fist force, and protective aura—this is the Fifth Heaven: Externalizing Inner Strength. The Sixth Heaven, Returning Qi to Origin, refines all true qi in the dantian into spiritual consciousness. When this consciousness breaks through the body’s apertures and floods the senses, that is the Seventh Heaven: Innate Spirit. Crossing the Bridge of Life and Death to the Eighth Heaven marks the pinnacle of the innate stage. Beyond the Eighth Heaven, the realms grow ever more profound, beyond simple explanation.”

“To form the martial soul is true entry into the martial path? Master, with my modest talent, could I hope to achieve that?”

“It is no easy feat. When my dantian was destroyed and my martial soul obliterated, my entire cultivation was lost. Yet, a trace of true qi remains within me, which will be of great aid to you in forming your own martial soul. Whether you succeed before powerful enemies arrive depends on your own fate.”

With that, the Lord of Bloodshadow extended a withered right hand and gently pressed it to Qi Fei’s forehead. “You know nothing yet of the apertures, meridians, or dantian within. Even if the world’s finest techniques were laid before you, they would be useless. I’ll inject a strand of my remaining true qi into your body, guiding it through your apertures and meridians, and call out their names using Daoist incantations. Empty your mind and remember everything I say—do not squander my efforts.”

Qi Fei immediately stilled his thoughts and set aside all distractions. In the next moment, a current of warmth flowed from the Lord’s calloused palm, winding through Qi Fei’s body like a living thing.

“Divine Court Point!”

The Lord’s sudden shout thundered in Qi Fei’s mind like a clap of lightning. The incantation’s power was extraordinary, and Qi Fei instantly memorized the position of the aperture through which the current flowed.

“Hundred Meetings Point!”

…

The tedious and painstaking journey through the body’s points continued deep into the night. By the time it ended, the bonfire in the valley had long since died, and the silent darkness was thick. Qi Fei was utterly exhausted, drenched in sweat.

Only now did Qi Fei realize how naïve it was to think he could master the mystical arts in a single night; truly, as the Lord of Bloodshadow had said, the path of cultivation was fraught with hardship.

Without pausing to rest, Qi Fei forced himself to his feet, groped around the cabin for more dry wood, and rekindled the bonfire.

By the faint glow, he saw the Lord of Bloodshadow sitting cross-legged, black blood trickling from the corners of his mouth, his already pale face now tinged with a ghastly blue. Qi Fei felt deep gratitude, yet could not help but feel a twinge of fear.

Staring at his master, Qi Fei’s thoughts swirled in chaos. His early years, wandering amidst chaos and strife, had long since shown him the world’s dangers. Later, on Mount Cangyun, he witnessed firsthand the bitter struggles among the mountain’s three great sects. He and the Lord of Bloodshadow had met only by chance; the master himself claimed to be of the demonic path—why, then, would he risk worsening his own wounds to teach Qi Fei the way of martial cultivation?

Taking a deep breath, the youth finally made up his mind. If the Lord of Bloodshadow was truly sincere, willing to suffer grave harm to impart his knowledge, then this debt must one day be repaid. On the other hand, even if the demon harbored ulterior motives, what did Qi Fei have to resist him with?

With a long sigh, Qi Fei, drained of all strength, lay down in front of the cabin and drifted into a fitful sleep.

In the depths of the night, the Lord of Bloodshadow slowly opened his eyes. The look he cast upon Qi Fei was chilling, filled with a murderous intent that would make one’s blood run cold.