After Faking Her Death and Fleeing, the Emotionless Daoist Master Regretted It - Chapter 8

Chapter 8: Qi Condensation Level Five – Breaking Through

After a long while, Su Lingqing gradually came to her senses and shared the new information she had gained.

“Master, the mass of Wood-attributed spiritual power in my dantian is related to the Dao Comprehension Divine Tree. To be precise, it is transformed from a single leaf that fell from the Dao Comprehension Divine Tree. Does Master know the origin of this tree?”

“It is rumored that the Dao Comprehension Divine Tree has existed since the creation of heaven and earth, originating from the Chaos and descending to the Immortal Realm. The true body of the Divine Tree split into ten thousand parts, landing in the Three Thousand Great Worlds, evolving into multiple opportunities. Those with destiny obtain them.”

Ling Yunyue felt quite emotional at this moment. Having cultivated until now, her strength was among the best in the Profound Heaven Realm, and rarely was anything able to surprise her.

However, after accepting Lingqing as a disciple, first came the discovery of the supreme-grade Spiritual Spring, and now she heard of an opportunity related to the Dao Comprehension Divine Tree. All signs indicated that Lingqing was destined for an extraordinary future.

“Any opportunity related to the Dao Comprehension Divine Tree, the increase in spiritual power is secondary. The most important thing is the potential to comprehend unknown Dao laws.”

“But Master, this disciple hasn’t sensed any information regarding Dao laws.”

“The comprehension of Dao laws has realm restrictions. Lingqing’s current strength is insufficient. When the time is right in the future, you will naturally sense them.”

“Will there be a time limit for this? If, by then, this disciple’s strength is still insufficient to meet the conditions for comprehension, will this opportunity be wasted?”

Ling Yunyue mused: “I am also unsure about this. All rumors about the Dao Comprehension Tree have never been confirmed. Lingqing is the first person in recorded history I know of to obtain an opportunity related to the Dao Comprehension Tree.”

Hearing this, the young girl smiled freely: “Then I shall let nature take its course. If I can comprehend it in the future, it is my good fortune; if not, I will take it as the opportunity simply has not arrived.”

She tried to mobilize the dense Wood-attributed spiritual power within her dantian. After a brief moment, a layer of misty azure light gradually emerged around her body.

Ling Yunyue knew her disciple had entered cultivation and did not speak to disturb her. She quickly formed a seal with her fingers, setting up a soundproofing restriction in the room.

In this way, external noises were completely isolated, ensuring the quietest possible cultivation environment for her disciple.

As time went on, the mass of condensed Wood-attributed spiritual power within Su Lingqing’s dantian began to change slightly.

The dense spiritual power gradually spread outward from the dantian, flowing into all the meridians in her body, circulating through the Major Heavenly Cycle…

The Qi Condensation stage has a total of ten layers. For each layer ascended, an additional spiritual power vortex is formed in the dantian.

Upon reaching the tenth layer of Qi Condensation, successfully merging the ten vortices into one and transforming it into liquid True Essence, one is considered to have successfully entered the Foundation Establishment realm.

At this moment, the second vortex was slowly forming within Su Lingqing’s dantian.

This continued for about half an hour. Her cultivation base broke through in one go, advancing to the second layer of Qi Condensation.

Driven by the Wood-attributed spiritual power transformed from the Dao Comprehension Tree leaf, the third vortex immediately began to form…

Ling Yunyue focused her divine sense on her disciple’s cultivation changes. She waved her sleeve, taking out a thousand spirit stones, and quickly formed several seals with her fingers, setting up a Spirit-Solidifying Array in the room.

This array had only one purpose: to assist the advancing cultivator in consolidating their cultivation realm.

Continuous improvement in strength was a good thing, but it came with potential risks, easily leading to an unstable foundation.

Having the Spirit-Solidifying Array in place would minimize the occurrence of such risks.

With mornings passing and nights falling, two days quickly went by.

Within Su Lingqing’s dantian, the fifth spiritual power vortex was slowly condensing.

Before long, the misty spiritual light surrounding her body abruptly surged, only to instantly become invisible.

From this moment on, her cultivation broke through again, stabilizing at the fifth layer of Qi Condensation with the aid of the Spirit-Solidifying Array.

Afterward, the mass of Wood-attributed spiritual power transformed from the Dao Comprehension Tree leaf in her dantian returned to peace, ceasing its continuous spiritual power supply.

Su Lingqing meditated for a moment, then slowly opened her bright eyes, which were filled with joy.

From the first to the fifth layer of Qi Condensation, her strength was considered rapid progress for someone just starting on the immortal path.

Although she had been immersed in cultivation for the past few days, her divine sense had always been able to perceive the outside world, knowing that her Master was always there guarding her and had even set up an array to assist.

She was deeply grateful to her Master, remembering all the kindness shown to her deep within her heart.

After stopping her cultivation, a rumbling sound came from her stomach.

During the Qi Condensation stage, one cannot abstain from eating. Having not eaten or drunk anything for two consecutive days, the long-lost feeling of hunger resurfaced in her mind.

Ling Yunyue was already prepared. The moment her disciple stopped cultivating, she removed the array and the soundproofing restriction.

Opening the door, a group of maids entered in an orderly manner with delicious spiritual meals. A moment later, they quietly retreated, maintaining silence throughout the process.

Su Lingqing smelled the fragrance, and her appetite was stimulated.

Her Master’s gentle voice also reached her ears at this moment.

“The past two days, I instructed the innkeeper to temporarily suspend the supply of spiritual meals. I only re-ordered them when I sensed Lingqing’s cultivation was about to be completed.”

Su Lingqing knew that the Mahayana realm had long achieved bigu (abstention from grain), and her Master would not starve even without spiritual meals, but she still felt a little heartache.

“Although this disciple was cultivating, Master shouldn’t have been so considerate. Everything should have continued as normal. Now, because of this disciple, the meals were interrupted for two days…”

Ling Yunyue walked a few steps forward, took the young girl’s delicate hand, and slowly led her to the sandalwood table.

“Before accepting Lingqing as my disciple, I had actually not eaten for a long time. For me, spiritual meals are not a necessity. Lingqing, you don’t need to worry about such small matters.”

While speaking, she sat down at the table, picked up her bamboo chopsticks, and placed some of her favorite spiritual meals into her disciple’s bowl.

“Today’s meal is much more than before. The spiritual meals that were interrupted for two days will slowly be made up over the next few days.”

Cultivators are different from mortals. If one is full but still wants to eat, they only need to circulate the spiritual power around their body to slowly compress the food in their stomach, thus allowing them to continue eating.

In the Profound Heaven Realm, many Qi Condensation cultivators would use this method to consume a large amount of food before going into secluded cultivation, saving it for slow consumption.

Of course, a similar effect could be achieved by consuming medicinal pills.

There is a pill called the Grain Abstinence Pill, which, when consumed, can eliminate the feeling of hunger and provide a certain amount of energy for a limited time.

However, except for supreme-grade pills, most contain pill toxins. Long-term consumption is detrimental to the body, so few people do this.

Carrying such pills is generally only for emergency preparedness.

Su Lingqing’s eyes curved in a smile. Eating the spiritual meals personally served by her Master, she felt immensely satisfied.

As the delicious food was consumed bite by bite, the feeling of hunger quickly disappeared.

Due to the increased food intake, grease gradually stained her lips. As the meal concluded, a perfumed handkerchief was offered from beside her, lightly touching her soft lips.

Su Lingqing was startled at first, then her pretty face turned red again against her will.

The fragrance on the handkerchief… was her Master’s body scent.

At this moment, she couldn’t help but let her mind wander, and her Master’s admonition immediately resurfaced in her mind…

A moment later, she silently recited the Heart Cleansing Mantra a few times, forcibly suppressing her chaotic thoughts.

I cannot think too much. Master does not like that…

The grease on her lips was slowly wiped clean. Ling Yunyue was about to withdraw the handkerchief but was stopped by the young girl.

Su Lingqing subconsciously grabbed her Master’s slender wrist. When she realized what she had done, she immediately let go as if shocked, her face flushed as she met her Master’s slightly confused gaze and explained:

“The handkerchief is dirty. This disciple will clean it with a technique before returning it to Master.”

Ling Yunyue smiled and shook her head: “There is no need for trouble. I have many handkerchiefs in my storage ring. I can just change to a new one when this one is dirty.”

“Master is going to throw it away?”

Seeing her Master slowly nod, Su Lingqing bit her lip and whispered: “This disciple does not have a handkerchief yet. If Master is going to throw it away, why not give it to this disciple?”

“If Lingqing likes it, I can give you a few new ones.”

“But this disciple only wants the one in Master’s hand. Master, please agree, okay?”

To get what she wanted, Su Lingqing, for the first time, acted slightly spoiled.

Stared at by the young girl’s moist eyes, Ling Yunyue felt a rare trace of awkwardness.

“Since Lingqing likes it, then take it.”

“Thank you, Master!”

Su Lingqing happily took the grease-stained handkerchief, cast a Purification Spell to remove the stains, carefully folded it, and placed it in her bosom.

Watching the young girl’s joyful demeanor, Ling Yunyue seemed to sense something, and the expression in her eyes was indistinct.

To divert her attention, she brought up a matter.

“At the wei hour (1 PM to 3 PM) today, the Hundred Treasures Pavilion in Qingyun City will hold an auction. Does Lingqing want to go and see?”

“Master, what is an auction?”

“A common event in the Profound Heaven Realm where treasures are purchased through bidding.”

“Is it possible for any kind of treasure to appear at an auction?”

“Theoretically, yes.”

“Then this disciple would like to go and see, to broaden my horizons.”

Ling Yunyue put on her veil and nodded: “Without further ado, let’s leave immediately.”

Half an incense stick later, they arrived at the Hundred Treasures Pavilion in Qingyun City.

As the auction time drew near, more and more cultivators gathered here. However, space inside the pavilion was limited. Therefore, to enter, one needed to show at least three thousand spirit stones or equivalent valuables to prove they had the qualification to participate in the auction.

Su Lingqing, having no money, stood at the end of the line, feeling somewhat uneasy in her heart.

When it was their turn, her Master took out a purple-gold jade token.

The guards on both sides of the pavilion door immediately changed to a respectful expression upon seeing the object. After bowing, they cleared the way.

Her Master successfully led her into the pavilion.

She was slightly curious, secretly speculating that the jade token likely represented some significant status, otherwise the two guards would not have reacted this way.

She wanted to ask but was unsure if the matter involved secrets.

Due to the purple-gold jade token, they were invited to a private box on the top floor of the pavilion.

Inside, many fresh spiritual fruits were placed, along with various pastries, and a pot of steaming hot spiritual tea was brewed.

The attending maid stood to the side, waiting for instructions.

Ling Yunyue disliked strangers being close to her and asked the maid to withdraw. Thus, only she and Lingqing remained in the private box.

She guessed her disciple was curious about the previous event and voluntarily explained: “Just like the mortal world, the cultivation world has banks where spirit stones can be deposited and withdrawn, generating additional income. The purple-gold jade token I showed indicates a deposit of over ten million spirit stones in the bank.”

Hearing this, Su Lingqing was completely astonished.

The spirit stones in the Profound Heaven Realm were each about an inch long and wide. If ten million spirit stones were piled up in one place, they would be as massive as a mountain.

“Master, what are the ways to earn spirit stones?”

“When Lingqing goes to the Heaven-Extending Sect, registers, and becomes a direct disciple, you will receive three thousand spirit stones as a monthly stipend. Besides that, you can also take on sect missions and exchange the contribution points for them. Furthermore, when the spiritual herbs in the Spatial Pouch mature in the future, you can sell them in exchange for spirit stones…”