Chen Haotian stood upon the vast, suspended platform, his state of mind gradually calming. Having passed the trial of the Inner Demon, his heart grew firmer and clearer, as though no external disturbance could ever shake his inner peace.
"You have passed the mental state assessment. Next comes the Dao of cultivation," the Guide's voice sounded once more, carrying a hint of casual detachment. "Although the ultimate goal of immortal cultivation is longevity, every single step along the way is an endless trial and growth. You may choose a path of cultivation that suits you and stride toward higher realms."
Chen Haotian nodded slightly, listening quietly to the Guide's explanation. The path of immortal cultivation was fraught with shifting mysteries. Although he had heard plenty of legends about cultivation since childhood, experiencing it all firsthand still left him deeply shaken.
"The realms of cultivation are divided into multiple tiers," the Guide continued. "Every cultivator must endure layer upon layer of tempering, from the lowest to the highest. Each realm is a critical moment for breaking through the self and sublimating the soul. Where you stand now is merely the initial stage; you will soon enter a far more complex cultivation system."
A thought stirred within Chen Haotian: "The initial stage?" He suddenly realized that despite possessing spiritual qi and being able to perceive the flow of spiritual energy within his body, he seemed to know precious little about the true Dao of cultivation. He remembered that in the cultivation novels of the real world, cultivation usually began from the most basic Body Tempering Stage and progressively stepped into higher levels. So, what realm was he currently in?
"Your current realm is the Qi Condensation Stage," the Guide's voice interrupted Chen Haotian's train of thought. "The Qi Condensation Stage is the introductory phase of immortal cultivation and the starting point for all cultivators. In this stage, cultivators primarily focus on practicing Qi, clearing the meridians within the body, and condensing spiritual qi to lay the foundation for subsequent cultivation. Although the spiritual energy within you is not weak, it is still at the preliminary phase of Qi Condensation, and you are still some distance away from entering Foundation Establishment."
"Qi Condensation Stage?" Chen Haotian murmured softly. "Does this mean I need to advance further on the foundation of Qi Condensation?"
"Precisely," the Guide's tone was calm yet filled with majesty. "Cultivation is not merely the accumulation of spiritual qi; it is also an elevation of one's mental state. The breakthrough of each realm is an upgrade in self-awareness. The most important task of the Qi Condensation Stage is to open up the 'Qi meridians' within your body, condense them into 'vital energy,' and transform spiritual energy into a purer force. If you can successfully open your Qi meridians, your spiritual energy will no longer be limited to external absorption; instead, internal and external will unite, becoming an intrinsic part of you."
Chen Haotian listened with rapt attention. The Qi Condensation Stage might seem like mere beginnings, yet it was already this profound. Clearly, every step of cultivation was fraught with challenges and was far simpler than just accumulating spiritual qi.
The Guide went on, "The focus of cultivation in the Qi Condensation Stage is practicing Qi and regulating the breath, harmonizing the spiritual energy within the body to achieve a state where spiritual qi is contained within. Once the spiritual energy condenses into form, you will be able to use it to drive the power inside your body, and even employ spiritual qi to cast simple spells. As for the Foundation Establishment Stage, it is a qualitative leap. Once you break through, you will be able to wield more powerful spiritual energy, acquire the ability to refine some basic pills and talismans, and even unlock certain seals."
"So, the Qi Condensation Stage is just the beginning?" Chen Haotian asked, a sudden, urgent yearning rising in his heart. "How long does it take to break through to the Foundation Establishment Stage?"
"A breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment Stage is not a matter of simple time estimation," the Guide's voice held a hint of profound meaning. "The speed of cultivation depends not only on the amount of spiritual qi within your body, but also on your comprehension of the 'Dao'—whether you can truly grasp the laws of heaven and earth. Many cultivators spend years or even decades without breaking through, while others may complete a qualitative leap in just a few short years."
"Comprehend the 'Dao'?" Chen Haotian felt a jolt in his heart. So cultivation did not rely solely on accumulating spiritual qi; more importantly, it required the comprehension of the laws of heaven and earth. He suddenly realized that previously he had only focused on cultivating spiritual qi while neglecting a deep understanding of his mental state and the Daoist arts. Immortal cultivation turned out to be a long road of refining both mind and body.
"Every cultivator has their own path of cultivation," the Guide seemed to see right through Chen Haotian's mind and said softly. "However, your task right now is to focus on your cultivation in the Qi Condensation Stage. Only after breaking through will you be qualified to comprehend the 'Dao,' and true breakthroughs still depend on your cultivation base and fortuitous encounters."
"I understand," Chen Haotian nodded slightly, suddenly feeling the spiritual energy inside him shift once more. He began to perceive the trajectory of spiritual qi circulating through his body, and the faint fluctuations of his Qi meridians seemed to guide him steadily forward.
Seeing this, the Guide smiled faintly. "Since you have gained some comprehension, you can try to begin regulating your breath for your next step of cultivation. Remember, the core of cultivation in the Qi Condensation Stage is 'regulating the breath.' You must control the spiritual energy within your body, maintaining its fluidity and purity while avoiding external interference."
Chen Haotian took a deep breath, quieted his mind, and began to regulate his breath according to the Guide's instructions. He slowly closed his eyes, feeling the fluctuations of spiritual qi within him as though the entire world had come to a standstill. With each deep breath, spiritual qi began to flow through his body—delicate and gentle, as clear as spring water.
He gently circulated the spiritual energy, causing his internal Qi meridians to vibrate slightly under the momentum of the spiritual qi. Gradually, he began to feel an unprecedented sense of comfort. The spiritual energy seemed to merge with his body, flowing around his meridians to form a faint energy field.
"Just like that," the Guide's voice came from afar. "Maintain this state, regulate your breath slowly, and the spiritual energy will gradually condense. As long as you can stabilize the fluctuations within your heart, the spiritual qi you condense will grow stronger and stronger."
Chen Haotian maintained this posture, feeling the changes in his internal spiritual energy. As time passed, his cultivation gradually fell onto the right track. The speed at which spiritual qi circulated through his body became smoother, and that gradually converging sense of energy made him even more clearly aware of his connection with heaven and earth.
The sounds of the outside world slowly blurred, and his state of mind grew ethereal, as though he had merged into this heaven and earth. He began to perceive an unprecedented power; spiritual qi flowed out from within him, then rapidly converged to form a tiny vortex of energy. Though small, that energy was exceptionally pure, as though it enveloped his entire body.
At that very moment, Chen Haotian suddenly opened his eyes, a fierce flash of insight igniting in his heart. His spiritual qi grew more solid, and the spiritual energy within the vortex continuously rotated, gradually transforming into pale blue specks of light that flickered with a faint radiance.
"Finally..." Chen Haotian said softly. The turbulence in his heart finally stabilized, and the spiritual qi completely condensed within his body.
At this moment, Chen Haotian finally took the first step on the path of immortal cultivation, successfully entering the preliminary phase of the Qi Condensation Stage. His spiritual energy grew more powerful, and his perception improved immensely. Although there was still a long way to go before a true breakthrough, he knew he had already taken that first step.
The Guide's voice sounded once more, carrying a hint of approval: "Not bad, you have begun to grasp the essence of the Qi Condensation Stage. Your cultivation going forward will require you to continuously stabilize your spiritual energy and further elevate the internal energy. Remember, the path of immortal cultivation is about self-cultivation and self-restraint; do not be impetuous or restless."
Chen Haotian nodded, a resolute gleam flashing in his eyes. No matter how difficult the journey ahead, he was ready to face every challenge.