Chapter Thirty-Nine: Cultivation, Consolidation of the Realms of Spiritual Practice (Part Two)

Under the guidance of Elder Carefree, Wood diligently practiced the Jade Purity Technique. After more than ten days, he finally attained a level of cultivation equal to the liquefied true essence. Thus, Carefree decided to test his pupil’s progress.

“With liquefied true essence and mastery of the first three stages of the Jade Purity Technique, you should now possess the ability to fly by controlling your qi for a short time. Show me,” he instructed.

Wood recalled the method, directed his true essence through the eight extraordinary meridians, and indeed felt a peculiar force lifting him from the ground. Joy surged in his heart, but the excitement caused him to lose control of his true essence; after rising about three meters, he tumbled down with a thud. Had his physique not greatly improved, he might have been badly shaken.

Carefree watched with a knowing smile, clearly expecting this outcome. Embarrassed, Wood scratched his head and tried again, this time cautiously controlling his true essence and flight altitude. Once he grew familiar with the movements of true essence, half an hour passed unnoticed before fatigue finally set in and he descended.

Carefree nodded approvingly. “Not bad. You’ve grasped the application of true essence. Qi-flight is only the first step. For now, your control is unrefined and you tire easily, but as your cultivation improves and your mastery deepens, long-range flight will come naturally.”

Having tasted flight, Wood was elated and couldn’t help but ask, “Master, when will I be able to ride a sword and soar through the skies?”

“You wish to wield a flying sword already? You need to reach the Golden Core stage before you can even hope for such extravagance,” Carefree replied coolly.

Wood was startled. “What? That distant? Yet I’ve heard of a B-rank skill card, Sky Dance, which grants immediate flight upon use!”

“These skill cards may grant instant results, but they are not your own cultivated power. They are fit for use, but not for embodiment. Do you understand?” Carefree’s words struck Wood’s mind like thunder, shaking his spirit. The master, fearing Wood might covet the shortcuts of certain skills and stray from the path of true cultivation, had spoken a Daoist truth to leave a lasting impression. He continued, “Though the path of cultivation is arduous, it is the supreme method beneath heaven. Your perception is excellent, and I have tempered your body and laid your foundation. In time, achieving the Golden Core and refining the Nascent Soul will not be difficult. Never let the convenience of skills or bloodlines tempt you from the path of true cultivation; such deviation leads to disaster. Remember this well!”

Grateful for Carefree’s earnest guidance, Wood quickly replied, “I understand, Master! I understand!”

Seeing Wood’s comprehension, Carefree said, “The flying sword I gifted you has been nurtured for forty-nine days. Summon it, and I shall teach you the sword-riding technique.”

Wood followed instructions, performing the incantation. The nurtured sword, Azure Sky, emerged from his true essence and hovered before him. Carefree took it, caressed its blade, formed a seal, and declared, “Watch closely—this is the Sword-Riding Technique!”

At his words, Azure Sky levitated above Carefree’s head. Streams of blue sword energy shot forth, shattering a boulder ten meters away.

“Well?” Carefree withdrew the incantation and looked at Wood.

Wood grinned. “Master, I possess a B-rank skill, Particle Wave, which has a similar effect. Perhaps you could teach me something else?”

“Particle Wave? Show me,” Carefree said.

Wood unleashed a Particle Wave, demolishing a distant boulder.

Carefree remarked, “Your skill has range limitations—about ten meters, correct?”

Wood nodded in agreement. Carefree sneered, “Watch closely…”

He stood proudly without visible movement. Azure Sky vanished from above his head and reappeared atop a faraway mountain peak. With a thunderous crash, the sword split the peak in two, startling birds and beasts throughout the forest.

Wood was dumbfounded. The power of that sword was overwhelming, unstoppable.

“This sword is yours, so I cannot display its full might. If I used my own artifact, the power would be even greater,” Carefree said calmly. “Remember my words: true cultivation is your foundation; skills are tools. True essence is the most majestic force beneath heaven. Once you master it, you can command any skill effortlessly.”

He returned the sword and carefully explained the sword-riding incantation.

The more Wood listened, the more delighted he became. He began to glimpse his path: cultivation was essential. From Carefree’s demonstration and explanations, it was clear that cultivators possessed powers capable of moving mountains and overturning seas. If he added some unpredictable skill cards, his combat strength among plane agents would be unparalleled. No wonder Rudao Xuan insisted on having a cultivator in the contract team!

However, advancing to the stages of condensing and forming the core would not be easy. Cultivation required the tempering of time.

After memorizing the sword-riding incantation, Wood tried it himself. The technique consumed a fair amount of true essence—not as much as Particle Overlap, which required a third of his reserves per use, but each successful application still cost nearly a tenth.

Carefree explained that the sword-riding technique would gain greater power at the Golden Core stage, but wanted Wood to practice now to prepare for higher techniques in the future.

“The Jade Purity Technique is a systematic cultivation method. As your level rises, you’ll unlock more defensive, offensive, artifact-refining, and pill-refining techniques within the jade orb. If you have questions, come to me at any time,” Carefree said, then added, “In a few days, I must enter the Exquisite Pagoda to prepare for the first heavenly tribulation. I’ll be in seclusion for some time. If you have questions, leave a message. When I emerge, I’ll contact you.”

Hearing his master would soon be in seclusion, Wood remembered something and said, “Master, do you recall the trial task I mentioned before?”

Carefree replied, “Yes, you spoke of it in the plane trading space. Judging by your expression, you must have completed it.”

Wood nodded and recounted his results. When Carefree heard he had chosen an SS-rank item, he nodded in approval. “You made a wise choice. Our methods and power as cultivators are formidable. Once you reach my level, your attacks will rival S-rank skills. In contrast, SS-rank items are rare. The Demon Refining Jar you obtained is remarkable; its item-melting function is truly extraordinary.”

He pondered and continued, “I’ve read notes from senior elders in our sect. There is a treasure capable of sealing and storing demon spirits, but it is a celestial artifact, impossible for cultivators to craft or use. The first function of the Demon Refining Jar may be just that.”

Wood wasn’t particularly concerned, thinking it not very useful (though this feature would prove invaluable later). With Rudao Xuan’s intellect researching it, the proper use would become apparent in time.

Wood then shared Rudao Xuan’s deductions from the space-time management area, which astonished Carefree. “Is that so? According to his theory, are we all experimental subjects raised by the so-called Space-Time Administration or even higher beings?”

Wood sighed, “Though I wish it weren’t so, his reasoning makes it seem likely.”

Carefree paced, frowning, then suddenly clapped his hands. “That’s it. It must be so. I always wondered why we all reach that point!”

“That point?” Wood queried.

“Exactly!” Carefree said excitedly. “I’ve always been puzzled—why does cultivation inevitably lead to a tribulation and ascension to immortality? Why must we ascend to another realm? Now it appears this is just a means for that existence to select suitable experimental subjects.”

He summoned the plane system, exchanged a few words with contacts above, then turned to Wood. “Indeed! I asked some agents from the fantasy plane. In their world, powerful mages and warriors can achieve godhood by certain methods—it’s much the same as our ascension in the cultivation world.”

Carefree’s explanation closely matched Rudao Xuan’s theory. It seemed there were two distinct ways of selecting qualified experimental subjects. So, were immortals the higher life forms that governed the Space-Time Administration? Wood did not know, nor could Carefree answer. Perhaps only someone as profoundly intelligent as Rudao Xuan would deduce the truth in future missions.

“Originally, I intended to give you this item when your Golden Core was perfected, but since you have completed the hidden trial, future missions may bring peril.” Carefree retrieved a blue armor from his storage bracelet, covered in sun and moon motifs, ancient script, and strange symbols—just like those Wood had seen on the mythic fragments with Fatty. “This Azure Ripple Immortal Armor is meant for cultivators at the Golden Core stage. I’ll give it to you now. Before your core is perfected, it offers no protective effect, but it will preserve your soul. If your friends can bring your soul, shielded by this armor, to me, I have ways to restore you.”

As he spoke, Carefree formed seals. The blue immortal armor adhered to Wood and then faded from sight. Simultaneously, Wood’s plane system prompted: Azure Ripple Immortal Armor: Cultivation item. Function: Protection. Usage: Cultivation techniques.