Chapter Thirty-One: The Unmatched Marvelous Method

Within the bamboo grove, Qi Fei sat cross-legged, following the cultivation methods outlined in the "Transforming Court Sutra," gathering his thoughts and slowly sensing the surge of spiritual energy from heaven and earth around him.

It was only after beginning to train in this profound Daoist art that Qi Fei understood its difficulty. To cultivate the Daoist method, one must first channel the spiritual energy between the Tian Chong and Cheng Ling acupoints within the body to open up the spiritual platform in the flesh, then condense the spiritual energy into a soul. Compared to the martial arts training that relies on the dantian and qi sea already formed, this method was even more arduous.

As Qi Fei practiced breath control, he slowly led the spiritual energy of heaven and earth into his body, but found that it was instantly absorbed by the true martial qi transformed by his Ice and Fire Martial Soul. After several hours of bitter cultivation, Qi Fei still gained nothing.

He sighed, thinking to himself that this dual cultivation method truly was not something easily mastered. Amidst his frustration, a thought suddenly flashed through his mind: since the spiritual energy brought into his body was absorbed by the martial qi of his Ice and Fire Martial Soul, what if he used the mystical abilities of the "Spirit Rhinoceros Formula" to conceal his martial soul and martial qi with the cold aura of the spirit jade? Would that break this impasse?

With this in mind, Qi Fei activated the lingering cold aura of the spirit jade in his body and slowly operated the "Spirit Rhinoceros Formula." In an instant, the Ice and Fire Martial Soul and his martial qi, enveloped by the cold aura, slowly faded into the dantian, qi sea, and the meridians throughout his body.

Qi Fei composed himself and sat quietly, as if he had forgotten the existence of the martial soul hidden in his dantian and the martial qi coursing through his meridians. As he breathed, he soon felt faint streams of spiritual energy from heaven and earth seep into his body through his limbs.

Ordinary people who reached the martial arts realm and condensed their martial soul would expend enormous effort to cultivate Daoist arts. Qi Fei, who had cleverly concealed his martial cultivation using the "Spirit Rhinoceros Formula," now discovered, quite by accident, that the Heart Demon Sect's mystical arts, combined with the spirit jade he possessed, truly were the supreme secret for dual cultivation.

With his martial cultivation hidden, the spiritual energy now circulated freely through his meridians, no longer absorbed by martial qi.

Qi Fei used the method from the "Transforming Court Sutra" to refine the energy, cultivating for half an hour until the heavenly spiritual energy gradually filled his body. In that moment, he felt a sense of comfort throughout his body, and faint tingling sensations arose between the Tian Chong and Cheng Ling acupoints.

Knowing that this method of condensing spirit and soul was not achieved in a single day, Qi Fei resisted the urge to immediately open up the spiritual platform within his body. He continued to breathe and refine the energy, constantly drawing in the spiritual energy from the bamboo grove. After an unknown amount of time, Qi Fei exhaled a long, turbid breath, finally returning to himself from the wondrous state of cultivation.

The sky had already grown dim. Qi Fei reversed the energy flow of the "Spirit Rhinoceros Formula," restoring his cultivation to the third realm of martial arts.

After finishing, Qi Fei slowly stood. At this moment, he felt a faint sense of surprise.

Recalling his first martial training in the small valley, where he spent a long time in deep meditation, he remembered awakening ravenous and disheveled. Today, after such prolonged cultivation, he should have been dizzy from hunger, yet he felt no hunger at all. Not only that, after practicing the energy-refining method from the "Transforming Court Sutra," he felt invigorated.

Martial arts strengthen the body; Daoist arts fortify the spirit. Previously, Qi Fei had achieved much in martial arts, his flesh tempered by martial qi, his muscles and bones refined, his marrow cleansed, reaching the pinnacle of his physical cultivation. Now, with his martial cultivation concealed and his focus shifted to Daoist arts, his progress was twice as fast for half the effort.

Understanding the key, Qi Fei could not help but marvel at his own fortune. If he had not encountered his master, Blood Shadow True Lord, in the valley that day, he would likely have remained a humble herb-gatherer in the outer sect of Danxia Sect for his entire life.

Turning back to his lodging, Qi Fei still did not see Elder Sun. Leaving a note in the room, he then made his way slowly to his own quarters.

After a day of cultivation, Qi Fei could sense the constant surge of spiritual energy in the world, even without operating the energy-refining method from the "Transforming Court Sutra." Unlike the domineering force of martial arts, these Daoist arts were indeed mysterious and wondrous.

Suddenly, a commotion broke out ahead. Qi Fei looked and saw a group of outer sect disciples gathered, apparently debating something.

"After Xuanzhen Temple supported Yang Zheng’s appointment as sect master of Danxia Sect, who knows how they’ll deal with us?"

"Once the succession ceremony is over in a month, Yang Zheng will have the authority to drive us from Cangyun Mountain. I wonder what plans Elder Mo and Elder Sun have to counter this."

"Such matters are for the elders and the true disciples of the sect to deal with, it’s not our concern as outer sect disciples."

Listening carefully, Qi Fei understood the gist. It seemed Xuanzhen Temple had found Guo Huai’s corpse and now wanted to support Elder Yang Zheng’s ascension as sect master of Danxia Sect.

"Senior Brother Qi, you’re here too!" An observant outer sect disciple spotted Qi Fei and called out in surprise.

Qi Fei, who had slain the wicked Ma Deyuan that day, was highly respected among the outer sect disciples. Seeing him arrive, the group quickly gathered around.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Qi Fei asked, "Where did you hear this news? Is it true that Xuanzhen Temple will support Yang Zheng as sect master in a month?"

"Senior Brother Qi, the news came from Qingyang Peak. It won’t be false. Alas, we only hope to find a place to survive in these troubled times, but Xuanzhen Temple and Yang Zheng likely won’t allow us to stay in the mountain."

Another disciple sighed, "Danxia Sect is a shell now. Xuanzhen Temple controls everything here. I think we’ll have to find another path."

"Considering the fate of others, we of the outer sect, with mediocre talent, are nothing but ants in the eyes of Xuanzhen Temple. Why bring humiliation upon ourselves?"

Seeing the group’s low spirits and wavering resolve, Qi Fei quickly spoke, "There's no need to worry. Since Xuanzhen Temple has taken the herbal garden and cultivation grounds of the sect, if they drive you all out, it will ruin their reputation. Xuanzhen Temple claims to be a righteous sect, so they won’t act so brazenly. Furthermore, Marquis Weiwu, who governs the nine counties of Yongzhou, is managed by Elder Huo, and Xuanzhen Temple must also be cautious."

After Qi Fei’s analysis, the disciples calmed down somewhat.

A disciple gazed at Qi Fei’s scarred right hand with concern. "Senior Brother Qi, I heard you barely escaped from the Cliff of Reflection and were gravely injured. How is your recovery?"

Qi Fei smiled lightly. "It’s nothing. I’ve been recovering while training in Daoist arts with Elder Sun. It’s no trouble."

Hearing this, the disciples showed admiration. The difficulty of dual cultivation was known even among the outer sect. Qi Fei, injured and yet pursuing Daoist arts, surely endured hardships far beyond their imagination. Compared to him, they truly fell short; who knew when they might encounter such opportunities.

Their expressions grew bleak, their mood low, and seeing this, Qi Fei felt a faint unease. Suddenly, a serious thought struck him.

Previously, Xuanzhen Temple had treated outer sect disciples as ants, insulting those who wished to join Qingyang Peak and injuring those who persisted. Now, as Xuanzhen Temple hurried to support Yang Zheng as sect master, they likely intended to deal with the outer sect. To establish legitimacy, they would surely try to divide the disciples. The outer sect owed little to the master and Elder Sun, while the inner sect disciples, for survival, had already joined Xuanzhen Temple. If Yang Zheng and Xuanzhen Temple sought to recruit them, it would not be long before all outer sect disciples flocked to Qingyang Peak.

Anxiety gnawed at Qi Fei. Desperate, a new idea flashed through his mind, and he resolutely declared, "The chaos within the sect is your best chance to rise. If your talent is lacking, make up for it with sweat. I may seem hypocritical, having gained an opportunity myself, but I too came from the outer sect. If I hadn’t risked my life beneath the claws of that beast and survived, then endured many trials afterwards, how could I have obtained that chance and transformed myself? Now, with the sect in upheaval, it needs your efforts. I will plead with the master to grant sect pills to the outer sect disciples."

"Opportunities do not descend from the heavens. The turmoil within Danxia Sect is your opportunity." Leaving these words behind, Qi Fei turned and made for his master’s quarters.

The disciples fell into deep thought. By the time they regained their senses, Qi Fei was already gone.

"Senior Brother Qi is right. Instead of envying his fortune, we should seize the chaos within the sect as our own opportunity. We were mere servants before, but if Danxia Sect is to rise again, it will need our help. I, Ge San, will ask Elder Mo for sect pills. Who will join me?" Ge San, an outer sect disciple, stood atop a boulder and shouted with excitement.

"Let’s go together! If we can get pills from the sect, even if it costs our lives, we’ll do our part."

"Elder Mo is straightforward and generous. He’ll surely agree. Let’s go see him now."

Qi Fei’s words of encouragement were like a small stone cast into the still, lifeless lake of the outer sect disciples’ hearts, stirring ripples that would not soon fade.