Chapter Thirty-Eight: The Primal Energy of Heaven and Earth

Amidst the bamboo grove, Qi Fei concealed all traces of his martial cultivation with the peerless Lingxi Technique. Having successfully forged both his Mystic Soul and true essence, he began to slowly release the martial true energy hidden within his body, eager to experience the marvels of dual cultivation. Unexpectedly, this act once again triggered a strange transformation in the Spiritual Jade.

In an instant, the remnant spiritual energy of the jade, left after forging the Martial Spirit and Mystic Soul, began to circulate ceaselessly within Qi Fei, devouring both his martial true energy and mystic true essence. Realizing the rapid disappearance of his inner power, Qi Fei was utterly shocked.

As the cold aura of the spiritual jade absorbed ever more of his true energy and essence, it grew increasingly potent, to the point of almost bursting through his body’s acupoints and erupting outward. Qi Fei, keenly aware of the spiritual jade’s extraordinary powers, dreaded losing this wondrous treasure. Gritting his teeth, he released the martial true energy he had concealed in his meridians.

In no time, the cold aura began again to consume the martial true energy slowly seeping from Qi Fei’s acupoints. As the vital energy within him ebbed away, Qi Fei could only wonder what fortune or catastrophe this sudden mutation might bring.

Soon enough, the surging cold aura of the jade devoured all of Qi Fei’s formidable martial true energy. Now, the jade’s spiritual energy was not only chilling but also carried a hint of the fiery Martial Spirit’s heat, becoming even more vigorous—far surpassing the power it had exhibited when Qi Fei had first acquired it.

Only after consuming both his martial and mystic energies did the abundant energy of the spiritual jade cease to assault his acupoints. Instead, it now flowed gently within Qi Fei, much like the spiritual energy of heaven and earth he had previously absorbed.

Though he had lost all his martial true energy and mystic essence, Qi Fei could not help but circulate his newfound spiritual jade energy. At a mere thought, this energy flowed seamlessly between his Ice-Fire Martial Spirit and Mystic Soul.

This spiritual jade energy was akin to martial true energy yet also resembled mystic essence; surprisingly, it could blend effortlessly into both his Martial Spirit and Mystic Soul. Startled, Qi Fei tried guiding a wisp of heaven and earth energy into his body using the Xuantian Heart Sutra.

As soon as the spiritual energy entered, it split in two, being absorbed by both the Martial Spirit and the Mystic Soul. Immediately, Qi Fei felt two streams of pure energy emerging from each, fusing instantly with the spiritual jade energy within him.

Could this Spiritual Jade truly combine martial true energy and mystic essence into one?

Qi Fei marveled silently, then stood and unleashed a heavy punch. Instantly, the spiritual energy within him surged, and a fearsome fist wind burst forth, slicing through the air.

Though he had lost his martial true energy, the spiritual jade energy, now fused with mystic essence, allowed his cultivation at the fifth level of martial mastery to remain undiminished—indeed, it was subtly growing stronger.

With a thought, Qi Fei circulated the Lingxi Technique with his spiritual jade energy. At once, the new energy, Martial Spirit, and Mystic Soul all quietly sank into his meridians and acupoints.

Stunned for a long while, Qi Fei finally realized that, with the power of the Spiritual Jade, he had truly merged martial true energy and mystic essence into one. Moreover, all the spiritual energy he subsequently absorbed underwent the same transformation—there was now no distinction between martial energy and mystic essence within him.

A wave of uncontrollable joy swept over Qi Fei’s heart. Never before had he heard of such a union between martial true energy and mystic essence. Clearly, he had embarked upon a cultivation path untrodden by any before him. Calming himself, he pondered briefly, then quietly renamed this miraculous energy within him as Primordial Energy.

The thought that, in future, whether he cultivated martial arts or sought enlightenment in mystic Daoist arts, he would have the aid of this Primordial Energy—a fusion of both powers—filled him with confidence that his dual cultivation would surely reach perfection.

Now, by the Spiritual Jade’s power, Qi Fei had merged his martial true energy and newly-formed mystic essence into this unfathomable Primordial Energy. With such a foundation, his standing among Mystic Soul cultivators was surely second to none.

Just as he finally calmed his excitement, Qi Fei sensed someone approaching. Turning, he saw Xu Yi, a familiar outer disciple, carrying a food box and looking nervous as he neared.

“Xu Yi, it’s you. Why have you become so formal after just a few days?” Qi Fei stepped forward, accepting the food box, puzzled by Xu Yi’s anxious demeanor.

Xu Yi’s face flushed with embarrassment as he answered softly, “Elder Qi, on Elder Sun’s orders, I am to attend to your daily needs from now on.”

“Elder Qi?” Qi Fei was bewildered; when had he become an elder?

Seeing Qi Fei’s confusion, Xu Yi scratched his head and explained, “Perhaps you haven’t heard yet—while you were in seclusion, Elders Mo and Sun convened all the disciples and named you an elder of the sect.”

Qi Fei was startled. “This is absurd! What virtue or ability do I possess to become an elder?”

“Elder Qi—” Xu Yi started, but Qi Fei waved him off.

“Xu Yi, stop calling me Elder Qi. I’ll ask my master about this myself. What kind of nonsense is this?”

Xu Yi hesitated, then said, “The sect is in turmoil these days. All of Elder Mo’s disciples hold you in high esteem—some even wish to become your students and learn martial arts from you. If Elder Mo hadn’t forbidden it, your senior brother would have already come to seek you as his master. If you refuse, you may disrupt Elder Mo’s plans.”

Qi Fei frowned. “I am my master’s disciple—how could I take my seniors as students? Wouldn’t that upend the generations? To be honest, I have no intention of staying in Danxia Sect long. Once I help my master through this crisis, I intend to leave and travel. How could I lightly accept the position of elder?”

“Brother Qi,” Xu Yi said after a pause, “you shouldn’t worry too much. Many outer disciples envy your good fortune.”

Xu Yi was about to say more when Elder Sun’s voice came from behind, “Xu Yi, I have matters to discuss with Elder Qi. You may leave now.”

Relieved, Xu Yi set down the food box, bade Qi Fei farewell, and quickly departed the bamboo grove.

Turning to Elder Sun, Qi Fei offered a wry smile. “Elder Sun, why did you and Master make me an elder? Isn’t this too absurd?”

Elder Sun sighed helplessly. “Qi Fei, it wasn’t to trouble you. Naming you as an elder was for the sake of the sect. You saw the situation that day—the threat of the Xuanzhen Temple weighed heavily on everyone’s hearts. If you hadn’t perceived the unrest among the outer disciples and executed the traitor Zhang Xuzhong, our sect’s outer court might have already fallen apart.”

“Even so, you and Master shouldn’t have made me an elder without consulting me. This is no small matter—why not discuss it with me first?” Qi Fei, a little angered, secretly guessed his master’s intentions.

Elder Sun patiently replied, “Qi Fei, your master and I know you are destined for greatness and have no wish to covet your fortune. We only hope, for the sake of the sect, you will help us through this crisis.”

Qi Fei replied with some distress, “I owe my life to Danxia Sect and Master’s kindness. Of course I’ll help the sect, but I cannot accept the position of elder.”

Seeing Qi Fei’s firm resolve, Elder Sun did not press further. “You should discuss this with Elder Mo. By the way, Qi Fei, have you succeeded in cultivating mystic essence these past days?”

Qi Fei considered telling him about his new Primordial Energy, but thinking the fusion of martial and mystic energies too bizarre and fearing it might alarm the aging elder, he merely said, “After several days of diligent practice, I have finally cultivated mystic essence.”

Having witnessed Qi Fei’s spectacle when forging his Mystic Soul, Elder Sun found this believable. He took several volumes of scripture from his sleeve. “Qi Fei, these are some of Danxia Sect’s mystic techniques and my own cultivation notes. They’re not supreme arts, but they are foundational Daoist methods. Now that you have forged your Mystic Soul and cultivated mystic essence, you may begin studying them.”

Delighted, Qi Fei immediately accepted the texts. “Thank you, Elder Sun. I shall study diligently and strive to live up to your expectations.”