I Became an Immortal in the Mountains - Chapter 7: The Foundation of Cultivation
Tempering the body strengthens one’s physique. A strong body produces abundant vital essence. Refining this essence into energy leads to becoming a Primordial Disciple. Yet, whether one is at the body-tempering stage or a Primordial Disciple, they are merely martial practitioners. Only by attaining True Martial can one barely be considered a cultivator.
Because the True Martial Core is the root and seed of true cultivation.
Gu Yuanqing turned his gaze inward and observed his core. It occupied his entire Crimson Palace, with the meridian nodes in his body flickering with light, forming a circulating array of vital energy. These streams of energy, like chains, locked the True Martial Core firmly within the palace.
Vital energy flowed into the core and was refined within, transforming into purer strands of True Qi.
Inside the Martial Core, the forces of earth, fire, wind, and water had gradually settled, forming the embryo of a tiny inner world. However, it was still in its infancy and needed the infusion of celestial and terrestrial forces to stimulate growth and evolution.
As Gu Yuanqing examined the outer membrane of the core, he noticed a swirl of multicolored light mingled within the black and crimson surface. His eyes lit up.
“This lies between the Mystic Martial Core and the Sacred Martial Core. If properly nurtured, it might evolve into a Sacred Martial Core!”
Opening the core wasn’t a fixed outcome. While transformation was possible after activation, doing so would cost far more than evolving it beforehand.
A higher-grade cultivation method didn’t guarantee a superior core. Much depended on one’s aptitude, talent, and even luck. Still, superior techniques increased the chances.
Take the Xuantian Technique, for instance—it nourished thirty-six meridian nodes and usually resulted in an Earth Martial Core, though some only awakened a Human Martial Core. Yet a gifted individual with deep roots and great fortune could unlock a Heaven Martial Core.
And only with a Heaven Martial Core did one stand a real chance of becoming a Grandmaster!
Gu Yuanqing was quite pleased with his current state. That sliver of multicolored light would save him countless years if it allowed his Mystic Martial Core to evolve into a Sacred one.
He opened his eyes and realized only his head was above the bed covers. He chuckled helplessly.
“So much for careful planning. I considered all the risks of cultivating… but forgot this one. Looks like I’ll need to sleep somewhere else tonight.”
Getting up, he drank a bit of water and stepped outside. Breaking the thin layer of ice atop a water vat, he washed away the sweat with cold water, then returned to his room, changed clothes, bundled up his bedding, and moved to another chamber in the courtyard.
It was already deep into the night, but sleep evaded him.
After months of cultivation, he had finally achieved True Martial—and only now could he truly feel the difference between that and the level of a Primordial Disciple.
The array of meridian nodes anchored the True Martial Core, but in truth, the core was now the central hub, unifying the strength of all his meridians.
His entire energy system was now one seamless whole. With just a thought, energy flowed freely. A gentle punch now carried the force of a full-powered strike from his former self.
It took him a long while to calm his surging emotions.
Sitting cross-legged on his bed, he entered his Mountain Vision and peered down. The old man was still busy within the cave, tirelessly working in the dead of night.
“He really is diligent. It’s been months, and he’s barely rested more than five days.”
Gu Yuanqing clenched his fist lightly and wondered—could he now stand toe to toe with that old man? Then he laughed at himself.
“He has nothing to do with me. Why even think about it?”
Yet at the exact moment he thought this, the old man’s movements froze slightly, cold sweat beading on his forehead.
Gu Yuanqing didn’t notice. His attention shifted toward the foot of the mountain, where soldiers were stationed at Beiquan Mountain Gate. Some were still awake in the biting cold, patrolling the winding paths in pairs.
By the blazing campfire, several soldiers were warming their hands.
A young soldier, still fresh-faced, couldn’t help but ask:
“Uncle Qian, there’s nothing here on Beiquan Mountain but two mute old servants and some rich young master being punished. Not even ghosts show up here. Why do we have to guard this place year-round?”
Uncle Qian replied, “This mountain used to be the seat of the Beiquan Sword Sect. Legend says a mysterious sword is hidden within, powerful enough to surpass the Grandmaster realm.”
“I’ve heard that too,” said the young man, “but over the decades the court has sent countless search parties and found nothing. I doubt it’s even here. Besides, if this place is off-limits, we’re only guarding one path—there are still cliffs on the other three sides. A true expert could walk them like flat land.”
Uncle Qian laughed heartily, “You overthink things, kid. If the court ordered us to guard this place, there’s a reason. Our job is to follow orders.”
The young soldier hesitated, then asked, “It’s just… this godforsaken place is so boring. By the way, Uncle Qian, do you know what crime that rich young master committed? Last time I went up with a palace eunuch, we weren’t even allowed to speak to him. After we came back, General Chen called me in for questioning!”
Uncle Qian smacked the back of his head. “Brat! Matters concerning the palace—don’t ask, don’t snoop. Tired of living, are you?”
Meanwhile, Gu Yuanqing continued watching the scene below with amusement. There was no one to talk to on this mountain, so ever since his Mountain Vision could encompass the garrison, he listened in on their gossip almost daily.
After a while, he withdrew his vision and cleared his mind, merging his consciousness with Beiquan Mountain to sense its inner rhythm.
He could faintly feel it—like the mountain itself was breathing. In the heart of this rhythm, a tiny wisp of spiritual energy was slowly forming and growing stronger.
“Soon… perhaps in a few more months, Beiquan Mountain will begin forming a spiritual core—and then it will become a Spirit Mountain!”
But the thought made him frown.
The transformation of a Spirit Mountain would inevitably cause changes. Given enough time, others might sense it—and that would bring trouble.
That was one reason he had chosen to break through to True Martial now—he needed to raise his strength as much as possible to deal with whatever may come.
***
The next morning, just before dawn, Gu Yuanqing got up and washed. He stepped out into the courtyard and sat cross-legged on a flat boulder on the eastern side, beginning his daily cultivation.
Over the course of the night, the core within his Crimson Palace had stabilized further, its connection to his vital energy and meridian nodes growing stronger.
Gu Yuanqing silently circulated his technique, sensing the subtle changes in his internal energy.
As the morning sun scattered light across the mountain, the pure Yang energy stirred the flow of Qi. The fierce heat of the sun was tempered, turning into strands of Celestial Force. Just as Gu Yuanqing was about to draw this Qi into his abdomen, a sudden flash of inspiration struck—he entered Mountain Vision once again.
In that instant, the flow of energy became crystal clear.
With each breath, the Celestial Force born from the interplay of Yin and Yang was drawn into Beiquan Mountain, guided by Gu Yuanqing’s consciousness, and gathered into the spiritual image of the mountain within his Sea of Consciousness.
As the sun climbed higher, the Yin Qi faded and no more Celestial Force was produced.
Gu Yuanqing examined his Sea of Consciousness with joy.
The strength of one man is nothing compared to the power of a mountain.
Within the phantom of Beiquan Mountain, strands of Celestial Force swirled and gathered. Gu Yuanqing restrained his excitement and guided that energy out of his Sea of Consciousness, merging it with his True Qi as it flowed into the Crimson Palace.
The core began to transform once again. It was like barren soil suddenly receiving heavenly rain—vitality returned, and life began to bloom.
When all the Celestial Force had been infused into the core, Gu Yuanqing couldn’t hold back a smile.
“I can use Beiquan Mountain to gather both Celestial and Terrestrial Force. With this advantage, my cultivation speed far exceeds any ordinary person’s! If I can become a Grandmaster before the Spirit Mountain transformation is noticed—then all my worries will be solved!”