Chapter 15: Forging the Path Forward
Riu Xian stood in the cave, feeling the pulsating energy of his newly awakened powers reverberating through his body. His breakthrough had been monumental—he had reached the middle stage of Foundation Establishment, surpassing the average cultivator of his realm. More than 25% of his meridians had been unblocked, and the surge of power coursing through him was unlike anything he had ever experienced.
His dantian had expanded to an impressive size, holding far more Qi than most cultivators at his stage. His senses had sharpened immensely—he could feel the currents of Qi moving through the cave, hear the faintest whispers in the air, and see the smallest details in the darkness. His body, too, had been transformed. Where once there had been limitations, there was now potential—limitless and untapped.
Most cultivators at the peak of Foundation Establishment could only open 18 to 20% of their meridians. Riu Xian had far surpassed that, with more than a quarter of his channels now fully functional. The feeling of power was intoxicating, but it also came with a realization: "I could take on Core Establishment cultivators, should the need arise, if I am willing to risk my life"
But there was more. After reaching the Foundation Establishment realm, Riu Xian awakened the power of the Qilin within him, a surge of ancient energy coursing through his body. The Qilin's power was not something newly acquired but a part of him since birth. The Qilin, a legendary divine beast, carried immense abilities: healing, purification, and mastery over the five elements—Water, Fire, Wood, Earth, and Metal. These powers were not fully accessible yet, but the breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment realm unlocked the first stages of this dormant potential.
For now, he could feel the soothing energy of the Qilin's healing ability flowing through his meridians. His injuries, no matter how grievous, could now be mended with a thought, making him a force to be reckoned with in prolonged battles. Alongside healing, the elements of Fire and Water answered his call, surging to his command like loyal soldiers. These abilities allowed him to use fire and water-based techniques, unleashing fiery strikes or cascading torrents of water that could both overwhelm his foes and defend against their attacks. With further mastery, he could foresee manipulating fire to a granular level—shaping flames to dance at his will or enveloping an area with searing heat. Similarly, his connection to water could evolve to harness its adaptability, creating intricate techniques that balanced offense and defense. Even at this early stage, these elemental powers made him a formidable cultivator in the Foundation Establishment realm.
But Riu Xian knew this was just the beginning. The remaining powers of the Qilin—purification and mastery over Wood, Earth, and Metal—remained sealed, waiting for him to advance further. And beyond that lay an even greater mystery: the abilities of the other divine beasts—Dragon, Phoenix, and Bixi—that Wang Wei had infused into him. With each breakthrough, fragments of their powers would awaken, making him an unparalleled force in this world. For now, the healing and dual-elemental control of Fire and Water were more than enough to push his cultivation journey forward.
Reflecting on his progress, Riu Xian acknowledged the limitations of his current Qi-absorbing technique. The Qi absorbing technique he was using was a mix of his Murim techniques and the basic Qi gathering methods from this world. It worked well enough, but he knew it wasn't strong enough for his needs. If he could find a rare Qi absorbing technique and combine it with his Murim knowledge, it would become far more powerful.
Riu Xian's body, strengthened by the powers of the divine beasts, needed a huge amount of Qi to fully unleash its potential. The energy he was absorbing now wasn't enough for him to grow quickly or to handle intense battles. He realized he needed a much stronger technique to gather Qi faster and in larger amounts. Finding such a technique became one of his top priorities.
He also knew he needed better fighting and sword skills. His Murim techniques gave him an edge, but they weren't perfectly suited for the powers and battles of this cultivation world. Riu Xian decided he would search for powerful combat and sword techniques to learn. Once he found them, he planned to combine them with his Murim skills, creating a unique style that no one else could match. With these clear goals in mind, he felt ready to take the next steps on his path to power.
Riu Xian turned his attention to the obsidian-black boat before him. Its surface gleamed faintly under the soft light of the cave, ancient runes etched into its sides exuding an aura of mystery and power. "How do I even use this thing?" he muttered, running his fingers along the cold, smooth metal. Then, a thought struck him. "Wait... the jade slip Xiao Ming gave me!"
Pulling the jade slip from his belongings, he channeled a trace of Qi into it, recalling the information she had shared. "If a treasure is ownerless," he read aloud, "you can claim it by dropping your blood onto it. Once recognized, the treasure will bind to your soul." His eyes lit up as realization dawned. "Now that Wang Wei is dead, this boat should have no master. I can claim it for myself."
Without hesitation, Riu Xian bit his finger, letting a drop of blood fall onto the boat's surface. The runes flared to life, glowing bright gold as the entire structure shuddered. Before his eyes, the massive boat began to shrink, folding in on itself until it transformed into a small, intricate ring. The ring floated toward him, slipping onto his finger and fitting perfectly.
He held up his hand, marveling at the transformation. "So, this is a spatial treasure," he murmured, feeling a faint connection through his soul. "It's bound to me now." A grin spread across his face as he realized the possibilities this artifact offered. "With this, I can traverse underground without being noticed. And it's not just a mode of transport—it's a storage space as well."
Riu Xian examined the ring on his finger, a faint smile playing on his lips. "So, it's true," he muttered. "This spatial treasure is now bound to my soul. I can travel underground without anyone noticing, as long as I have enough spirit stones to fuel it." He channeled a wisp of Qi into the ring, feeling its unique energy resonate with his own.
"It can also store two living sentient beings and any type of plants or beasts," he continued, marveling at its versatility. "Now, let's see what treasures Wang Wei left behind."
Closing his eyes, Riu Xian extended his spiritual sense into the ring's internal space. What he saw made his breath catch. Piles of spirit stones—low, middle, and high grade—glimmered like miniature mountains. Shelves filled with techniques, pills, and weapons stretched out in an orderly fashion. He scanned through the techniques, but his excitement waned slightly. "No rare or supreme-grade techniques," he said with a sigh. "Just low, middle, and high-grade ones. Still, this is an incredible haul."
His eyes gleamed as he thought ahead. "I'll need to find rare or supreme techniques elsewhere—perhaps in an auction or a major sect," he reasoned. "Speaking of sects, Xiao Ming's jade tablet might be my next step. If I join the Immortal Jade Sect as her disciple, I can gain access to their knowledge and resources while learning more about this world."
He clenched his fist, resolve hardening. "That's my next goal. I'll become her disciple, grow stronger, and uncover the secrets of this world."
Focusing on the ring again, Riu Xian discovered he could traverse up to five kilometers underground without needing to transform the ring back into its boat form. For longer distances, however, the transformation would be necessary. "This treasure is truly incredible," he murmured, "perfect for moving unnoticed and storing anything I need."
Determined to not leave anything of value behind, Riu Xian made a quick hand seal. The jade essence embedded in the walls of the cave shimmered and flowed into his ring, disappearing into its spatial storage. "These are precious," he said. "I can sell them for spirit stones later."
With one last glance at the now barren cave, Riu Xian formed another hand seal, channeling Qi into the ring. Moments later, he felt the ground shift above him as he ascended. A few minutes passed, and he emerged above ground, finding himself in the middle of a dense forest, blinking against the sudden sunlight filtering through the canopy.
Before he could catch his breath, he realized he was in the midst of a conflict. Two groups of cultivators in matching robes faced off against each other, their weapons drawn and their eyes locked in a fierce standoff.
Chapter 16: The Spirit Fruit Conflict
Riu Xian emerged from the underground with a soft shift of the earth, his presence unnoticed until he stepped fully into the light. Around him, a dense forest stretched out, sunlight dappling through the canopy above. In front of him stood two groups of cultivators locked in a fierce standoff. Both groups wore robes of pristine white, accented with silver thread that shimmered faintly in the sunlight. Tied around their forearms were matching hand bands embroidered with elegant calligraphy that read "Bright Snow." Despite their shared affiliation, the tension between the two groups was palpable, their glares sharp enough to cut through the air. Some gripped their weapons tightly, while others channeled qi, subtle auras swirling around them like barely contained storms. The forest seemed to hold its breath, waiting for the inevitable clash.
The first group consisted of three young women and one young man, all appearing to be between the ages of 17 and 20. The second group was made up entirely of young men, roughly the same age. Between them stood a majestic tree bearing seven shimmering spirit fruits. These fruits, glowing faintly with a golden hue, held immense power capable of boosting cultivation.
"We found the spirit fruit first," one of the young women from the first group argued. "We'll take four, and you can keep three. That's more than fair."
The leader of the all-male group sneered. "Fair? We deserve all seven. Hand them over, or prepare to suffer the consequences."
As tensions flared and weapons were raised, Riu Xian's sudden appearance startled everyone. They turned, their eyes widening in shock. One of the women spoke first, her voice trembling slightly. "Senior, who are you? How did you appear here without any of us noticing?"
Riu Xian held up a hand, signaling them to calm down. "I was in seclusion and just came out. Can someone explain what's going on here? And while you're at it, tell me the current state of affairs. What happened to the war between the Cloudspring Sect and the Bright Snow Sect?"
The mention of the war silenced the quarrel. One of the young women stepped forward respectfully. "Senior, the war ended five years ago in just two days. Our sect surrendered, and the Cloudspring Sect is now under the control of the Bright Snow Sect."
Riu Xian's expression darkened, though he kept his thoughts to himself. "Who is the current chief of the Cloudspring branch of the Bright Snow Sect?" he asked.
Another member of the group answered quickly, "The former sect leader, Lu Wen, became the branch chief. The Lu family has been hunting the killer of their young master ever since. Some of his friends who escaped during the war reported the incident after the merger."
Riu Xian's mind raced. It was a mistake to let them escape after I killed Lu Hao. Now, those lackeys have exposed everything about me.
One of the young men from the second group squinted at Riu Xian, suspicion creeping into his voice. "Senior, there's a high-reward mission posted for capturing the man who killed the young master. It's been five years, though, and no one actively searches for him anymore. Honestly… you bear a resemblance to him. But that man was weak, just some crippled outer sect disciple. You, on the other hand, are clearly far too strong to be him."
Before the conversation could spiral further, one of the young women snapped, "Enough! Senior, please, can you help us resolve the matter of the spirit fruits?"
Riu Xian glanced at the glowing fruits, then back at the two groups. "Very well. There are seven fruits, two groups, and myself. Each group will take three fruits, and I will take one."
The leader of the all-male group bristled at the suggestion. "Why should we listen to you? You're only at the Foundation Establishment stage. If we join forces, we can kill you and take all the fruits for ourselves!"
A faint smile tugged at Riu Xian's lips. Without a word, he released the full pressure of his cultivation, his middle-stage Foundation Establishment aura rolling over them like a tidal wave. The air grew heavy, and the cultivators from both groups stumbled, their faces pale with fear.
The male leader quickly dropped his weapon, his bravado gone. "We're sorry, Senior! Your arrangement is fair. We'll distribute the fruits as you said."
Satisfied, Riu Xian nodded. "Good. But I have one more condition. Whoever provides me with a detailed map of this area, marking the location of the Azure Immortal Sect, will receive my share of the spirit fruit."
The groups exchanged uneasy glances, but one of the young women stepped forward. "Senior, I have a map that marks the locations of major sects in this region, including the Azure Immortal Sect. I'll share it with you."
Riu Xian's expression softened. "Excellent. Hand it over, and the seventh fruit is yours."
The chapter ends with Riu Xian studying the map while the young woman retrieves the spirit fruit as promised, her group's faces lighting up with relief. Meanwhile, the male group silently retreats, too intimidated to make another move. Riu Xian's thoughts turn to the Azure Immortal Sect, his next destination in this vast and perilous world.
Riu Xian unfolded the map handed to him by the young woman, his sharp eyes scanning its details. The intricate markings revealed the geography of the region, with major sects and key landmarks clearly outlined. His gaze lingered on the symbol representing the Azure Immortal Sect, his next destination. As he studied the map, the young woman carefully plucked the spirit fruit from the tree, her group's faces lighting up with relief at their unexpected fortune. Meanwhile, the all-male group silently retreated into the shadows of the forest, too intimidated by Riu Xian's overwhelming presence to dare another challenge. Holding the map tightly, Riu Xian's thoughts turned inward, planning his journey toward the Azure Immortal Sect and the mysteries it might hold. The forest around him grew still, a fitting prelude to the trials and opportunities awaiting him in this vast and perilous world.
Chapter 17: Market of Thousand Lanterns
Riu Xian arrived at the Market of Thousand Lanterns, a bustling trade hub nestled within a valley surrounded by jagged peaks, not far from the Cloudspring Sect—now a branch of the Bright Snow Sect. The air buzzed with the hum of voices, the scent of sizzling street food, and the vibrant glow of countless lanterns swaying above the stalls. Merchants shouted out deals, cultivators bartered for rare treasures, and the faint hum of Qi-infused artifacts lent an otherworldly charm to the lively scene.
As Riu Xian strolled through the crowded marketplace, his senses sharpened, attuned to the chatter of cultivators and merchants. The scent of exotic spices mingled with the fragrance of rare herbs on display, while rows of wooden stalls glittered with treasures—from shimmering spirit stones to intricate talismans etched with runes. Amid the vibrant chaos, he overheard whispers of an exclusive auction taking place nearby.
The star attraction, the rumors claimed, was a shard of an ancient artifact said to contain the essence of a primordial beast. Riu Xian's interest piqued. Studying the map he carried, he confirmed that this area fell under Bright Snow's territory—the same sect whose juniors he had encountered in the nearby forest. Their influence here was undeniable, as many merchants wore robes adorned with the emblem of Bright Snow.
With curiosity guiding his steps, Riu Xian decided to investigate the auction, sensing that his journey to the Market of Thousand Lanterns might hold more than just trade and treasures.
Upon entering the inner district, Riu Xian immediately noticed a palpable shift in the atmosphere. The air felt thicker with tension, and the cultivators here exuded sharper, more commanding auras, their gazes filled with a mix of caution and ambition. The streets were less crowded but more refined, illuminated by the soft glow of spirit lanterns that hung from intricately carved poles. At the heart of this district stood the auction house, a grand building adorned with jade carvings and gilded accents that shimmered under the twilight sky.
The auction was scheduled to take place at night, and as the sun dipped below the jagged peaks, the air grew cooler, carrying an undercurrent of excitement. Riu Xian approached the imposing structure and paid a modest entry fee to gain access. Stepping inside, he found himself in a spacious hall lit by luminous orbs of condensed Qi, casting a warm golden glow across the room.
Cultivators from various sects and clans filled the seats, their eyes fixed on the raised platform where treasures were being unveiled one by one. The auctioneer, an elderly man with a commanding presence and a voice that carried effortlessly across the hall, presented an array of coveted items—high-grade spirit stones, rare pills, and even advanced cultivation techniques. Each new item drew gasps and murmurs of appreciation, the energy in the room crackling with anticipation as the night deepened.
Finally, the auctioneer, standing tall beneath the focused gaze of the audience, unveiled the shard. It shimmered with an ethereal glow, exuding a faint pressure that seemed to hold the room in awe. All eyes were drawn to it, the atmosphere growing heavier as the cultivators assessed the mysterious artifact that was said to contain the essence of a primordial beast.
Riu Xian narrowed his eyes and extended his spiritual sense to examine the artifact. A few moments later, he frowned. The shard was a fake. The essence it supposedly held was weak and artificial. He glanced around, curious to see if anyone else had noticed. Surely, with so many high-level cultivators present, others would see through the deception.
Yet no one said a word. The bidding began, and offers quickly soared to astronomical amounts. Riu Xian leaned back in his seat, observing. "There's more to this auction than meets the eye," he thought.
After the shard was sold, the auction continued with a variety of items. A few caught his interest, but he held back, waiting for something truly valuable. Then, a Supreme-grade technique was presented. The auctioneer's voice rose as he described its worth, emphasizing its rarity and power. It was a cultivation method tailored for enhancing spiritual energy flow, ideal for female cultivators.
Riu Xian considered the technique. Its value was undeniable, but the price quickly escalated beyond the spirit stones in his spatial storage ring. He could have sold some jade stones he had collected from a hidden cave, but he dismissed the idea. "This technique isn't suitable for me," he decided, allowing others to battle for it.
The winning bidder was a hooded man wearing a dark crimson robe. His aura was sharp, and there was an air of hostility about him. Beside him stood a veiled woman, her presence calm but enigmatic. Riu Xian felt the man's gaze linger on him for a moment before shifting away.
As the auction progressed, another technique was introduced. This time, it was a high-grade fire attribute technique, designed for palm and fist attacks. The auctioneer described its ability to harness fire's destructive power, making it perfect for those with a fire-based affinity.
Riu Xian's heart stirred. During his last breakthrough, he had awakened his innate Qilin powers, activating a strong fire attribute within him. This technique would complement his abilities perfectly. He decided to bid.
The auctioneer started the bidding at a reasonable price, and several hands shot up. Riu Xian raised his hand, matching the offers. As the price climbed, the number of bidders dwindled, leaving only a few competitors. Among them was the hooded man, who seemed determined to win the technique.
Riu Xian's gaze hardened. He wouldn't let this opportunity slip away. The bidding war intensified, with each offer raising the stakes. Spirit stones exchanged hands at a dizzying pace, and tension filled the room.
The hooded man raised his hand again, his voice cold as he announced his bid. The crowd murmured, sensing the hostility between the two. Riu Xian remained calm, his expression unreadable as he countered with a higher offer.
The veiled woman beside the hooded man leaned in, whispering something. The man hesitated for a moment before raising his bid once more. Riu Xian's mind raced. He could still afford to go higher, but he had to be strategic. If the hooded man decided to make things difficult after the auction, Riu Xian already had a plan in mind. He would escape with his boat, capable of traversing underground unnoticed.
Taking a deep breath, Riu Xian made his final bid. The room fell silent, all eyes on the hooded man. For a moment, it seemed he might counter. But then he lowered his hand, his expression hidden beneath his hood.
"Sold!" the auctioneer declared, striking his gavel. "The high-grade fire attribute technique goes to this young gentleman!"
Riu Xian allowed himself a small smile. He had won. The technique would be a valuable addition to his arsenal, enhancing his combat abilities and pushing his cultivation further. As he rose to collect his prize, he couldn't shake the feeling that the hooded man's gaze was still on him, filled with unspoken animosity.
"Let him glare all he wants," Riu Xian thought, clutching the scroll tightly. This was only the beginning of his journey, and he would let nothing stand in his way.