Chapter 25: Qi Condensation

Time flew by in the mountains, and two months later, Wang Lin was meditating with his eyes closed inside the Dream Dimension. During these two months, he had thoroughly studied the Mysterious Bead.

He could enter this bead three times a day, and each time lasted for more than twenty hours, totaling about six days.

Two months in reality was equivalent to him Cultivating for one year.

cultivation was an extremely monotonous affair. Wang Lin hadn't realized this before, but he felt it deeply during this period. With the spring water helping him every day, he didn't even need to eat. He spent the entire day meditating, Cultivating, and breathing.

He repeatedly absorbed the Spiritual Qi brought by the spring water within his body using the method of one long breath and three short breaths. If his will hadn't been incredibly firm, and if the expectant gazes of his parents hadn't constantly lingered in his mind, he feared he wouldn't have been able to persevere through this tedious cultivation.

Especially when he remembered that Wang Zhuo could reach the First Layer of Qi Condensation in three months, a strong sense of unwillingness immediately surged in Wang Lin's heart. He immersed himself completely in cultivation, barely leaving his room.

At the Hengyue School, Wang Lin was merely a joke people discussed after meals. He was an insignificant figure; although many were jealous, few paid him any attention.

Sun Dazhu had completely forgotten about this Disciple. Even when he occasionally thought of him, anger would immediately flare up, forcing him to filter Wang Lin out of his mind.

Given these circumstances, coupled with Wang Lin's precautions—every time he was about to fall asleep and enter the Dream Dimension, he would immediately tuck the bead into his bosom—the past two months had been peaceful, and no one had discovered Wang Lin's Mysterious Bead.

Over the past two months, the amount of spring water Wang Lin had drunk was incalculable. Essentially, whenever he felt a lack of Spiritual Qi in his body, he would immediately drink several large mouthfuls.

If Sun Dazhu knew about this, he would surely be heartbroken and driven mad, likely killing this Disciple with a single palm strike. Throughout the Cultivation World of the State of Zhao, Cultivators who, like Wang Lin, so lavishly consumed spring water rich in Spiritual Qi all day long were extremely rare. Only Old Monsters within certain Schools enjoyed similar privileges, controlling the Mountain Caverns with the densest Spiritual Qi on entire peaks to achieve the effect of Spiritual Qi spring water.

Spiritual Qi held an extremely important status in the eyes of Cultivators. The State of Zhao was not a Land Abundant in Spiritual Energy, though it was enough to sustain several Schools. However, if anyone knew that Wang Lin was Cultivating in this manner, they would be heartbroken, just like his Master.

If this spring water were used for refining Medicinal Pills, it would certainly increase the success rate of Alchemy. It must be known that although Materials are crucial for Alchemy, assistance from objects filled with Spiritual Qi can yield miraculous effects.

With the aid of virtually endless Spiritual Qi, the Spiritual Qi within Wang Lin's body grew more and more abundant.

On this day, Wang Lin was meditating in the Dream Dimension. He clearly felt the strands of Spiritual Qi flowing throughout his body. With his breath, two white long Dragons sprayed forth from his mouth and nose.

A feeling like ants crawling, growing from weak to strong, slowly emerged from inside and outside his body, sweeping over every part of him like a tide. Drops of black substance, emitting a foul odor, were expelled from the pores of his body.

His clothes were quickly soaked. Wang Lin was completely unaware of this, as he was immersed in a marvelous sensation. He could clearly see the spring water within his body continuously decomposing, and strands of Spiritual Qi slowly changing his body's structure.

After an unknown amount of time, Wang Lin opened his eyes, and a light brighter than ever before flashed within them.

His mind was crystal clear, and his heart was as calm as a placid lake. All the experiences of his youth flashed through his mind: his father's loving gaze when he was learning to speak, his mother's caring words while he studied late at night, the expectant expressions of his parents before he entered the Hengyue School, the mocking faces of his relatives, the envious looks of the villagers. He viewed all of these calmly, as if looking at strangers.

After a long while, he exhaled deeply, a bitter taste rising in his heart. The moment he stepped into the First Layer of Qi Condensation, he gained a sliver of enlightenment.

As described in the Three Chapters of Qi Condensation, the First Layer of Qi Condensation is like a great door. Those who can push it open enter the ranks of Cultivators, henceforth severing ties with the Mortal World and dissolving Obsessions.

Everyone experiences this process upon reaching the First Layer of Qi Condensation. Wang Lin didn't know about others, but he felt he could sever all trivial matters of the Mortal World, yet he could not sever the affection for his parents.

With a soft sigh, Wang Lin patted his clothes and stood up.

With bright eyes, he looked around. At this moment, he could perceive the differences in the Dream Dimension. For instance, the Luminous Bodies surrounding him—previously he couldn't see anything unusual—but now he could detect faint Spiritual Qi flowing within each of them. Although he still couldn't discern the specific changes, compared to before, it was like a blind man regaining his sight.

While observing, the tearing sensation appeared. This time, the feeling was much milder. Although it was still painful, it no longer caused cold sweat to break out.

In reality, Wang Lin opened his eyes, sat on the bed, and pondered for a moment. He immediately picked up the gourd and opened it. The spring water inside, in his view now, had faint wisps of light Spiritual Qi slowly drifting out, showing the Spiritual Qi was extremely abundant.

A smile played on his lips. After reaching the First Layer of Qi Condensation, he could already sense the Spiritual Qi between heaven and earth. Taking a deep breath, Wang Lin suddenly realized his entire body was sticky. He looked down and burst into laughter. The Three Chapters of Qi Condensation recorded that anyone who achieved the Breakthrough to the first layer would expel large amounts of Impurities from their body; this was a necessary stage for body modification.

Wang Lin pushed open the door. It was already afternoon outside. With light steps, he quickly walked out of the East Gate and arrived at the mountain spring. He found a downstream location, stripped off his clothes, and began washing. The pitch-black Impurities were oily, and it took him a long time to wash them off completely.

After washing, he lay down on a nearby stone, looked up at the sky, and recalled a Celestial Spell recorded in the Three Chapters of Qi Condensation.

It detailed a celestial technique called the 'Gravity Spell,' which belonged to the most basic Spells and could be used as soon as one reached the First Layer of the Qi Condensation Stage.

After all, the Hengyue School unified the State of Zhao 500 years ago. Although it is now in decline, it still holds a large number of Cultivation Methods. The rule is that every Inner Sect Disciple can freely choose from the Scripture Pavilion, but the elders mostly advise them to choose the Sword Cultivator section.

Sword Cultivators focus all their cultivation on a Flying Sword. Although future cultivation is difficult, the initial power is quite significant and easy to Master. This Gravity Spell is the foundational Celestial Spell required before driving a Flying Sword.

Besides the Gravity Spell, the Three Chapters of Qi Condensation also recorded two other Spells: one was the Fireball, and the other was the Earth Split Spell.