"Humankind is formed from the Primordial First Breath. To refine Qi is to refine oneself—purifying one's being, reversing to the Primordial, one may forge the flawless Primordial Qi, a true fruit where form and spirit merge."
A long while later, Lü Yang opened his eyes, his face alight with joy.
Compared to the Yin-Yang Ecstasy Canon, the Primordial Dao Scripture truly resembled what a complete orthodox inheritance should be.
The entire scripture began from the mortal stage. To enter, one first practiced a set of body-tempering Primordial Exercises, complete with a matching martial technique called the Primordial Great Grasping Hand.
Once the physique was perfected, the cultivator would begin "Reversing to the Primordial"—first transforming the internal organs, then the skin, flesh, sinews, and bones, until finally the physical form was completely dissolved, refined into a single stream of Primordial True Qi. From then on, one could gather and disperse at will, become impervious to mystic arts, and stand invincible in battle from the very outset.
Moreover, the scripture recorded many spells compatible with Primordial True Qi.
Techniques like the Heavenly Net Dust-Mist, the Single-Mind True Qi Sword, and the Spirit Breath Absorption Art… The sheer variety and utility of the spells left Lü Yang feeling profoundly enlightened.
Yet just as he was immersed in this wonder, Lü Yang suddenly froze.
"…Why does it stop here?"
He instinctively looked up at Liu Xin, only then realizing the Primordial Dao Scripture in his hand contained only the first half. The content ended abruptly.
"Junior Brother, the Dharma is not lightly bestowed."
Liu Xin chuckled softly. "The latter half of the Primordial Dao Scripture concerns the secrets of Foundation Establishment. It is not included in the sect's welfare and must be exchanged with Contribution Points."
Lü Yang could only shake his head wryly. "I see. This junior brother was overeager."
"No matter. The first half is sufficient for your cultivation for now."
Liu Xin amiably patted Lü Yang's shoulder. "Come, I'll take you to Butian Peak to select a cave abode. Choose a good spot; it'll make visits easier in the future."
Lü Yang nodded. "Many thanks, Senior Brother."
Half an hour later, Butian Peak.
Lü Yang officially settled into a remote cave abode at the mountain's base. The original furniture and implements inside were cleared out as junk.
Watching this, a whirl of thoughts churned in Lü Yang's mind.
Being a Formal Disciple doesn't seem easy either…
Butian Peak wasn't large. The First Saint Sect had so many nominal disciples each year—even with a mere one-in-ten-thousand promotion rate, that should be enough to cram the peak full.
But in reality?
As Lü Yang traveled here, Butian Peak wasn't just lacking crowds; it felt somewhat empty. Many cave abodes stood idle, unoccupied.
Where did all those Formal Disciples go? Surely they couldn't all be unable to afford the rent?
Lü Yang shook his head, deciding not to dwell on it. He fetched a meditation cushion, sat down cross-legged, and began his first cultivation session within the cave.
He hadn't expected much, but once he started, Lü Yang immediately felt nearly double the world's spiritual energy compared to the Outer Sect come surging in. It flooded his dantian, then flowed through his meridians to every part of his body, finally merging from the outside in, step by step, into his organs, flesh, and bones.
The efficiency was so high it left him astonished.
In the same amount of time, with the same technique, the Qi he could refine in a full day in the Outer Sect took barely two hours in this Inner Sect cave.
"No wonder you have to pay to rent an Inner Sect cave."
It was easy to adapt to luxury, hard to return to austerity. Once you experienced cultivation speed like this, it became difficult to tolerate practicing anywhere else.
The next day, Lü Yang didn't leave. He holed up in his cave, cultivating while studying the Primordial Dao Scripture.
"Cultivation in this world, while still dependent on talent, does not speak of 'spiritual roots.' In essence, anyone with the will can embark on the path."
That said, cultivation wasn't much easier because of it.
While mortals faced no spiritual root restriction when entering the Dao, the grade of the True Qi they refined still determined the pinnacle they could reach.
This was the role of "the Method."
The higher the cultivation art, the higher the grade of True Qi refined, and the greater the potential to reach higher realms—conversely, the greater the risk of encountering bottlenecks.
True Qi had nine grades and thirty-six tiers. The lower the grade number, the more superior; the higher the tier, the more powerful.
Generally, True Qi below the seventh grade had no hope for Foundation Establishment. Below the third grade, forming a Golden Core was exceedingly difficult. Attempting to condense a Nascent Soul without first-grade Qi was a tenfold death sentence.
"There's really no path for rogue cultivators."
Lü Yang couldn't help but sigh. Compared to major sects with complete inheritances, what choice did rogue cultivators have? They practiced whatever they could get.
In such circumstances, even with supreme talent and comprehension, they lost at the starting line, destined to regret it for life.
The difficulty of immortal cultivation was plain to see.
Thinking of this, Lü Yang gradually furrowed his brow.
"The 'Primordial Qi' refined by the Primordial Dao Scripture is ranked at the First Tier of the Sixth Grade. Practitioners have hope for Foundation Establishment. Strictly speaking, it's not weak."
But it still fell short of his expectations.
If he were an ordinary cultivator, it might suffice.
But now he possessed a treasure like the Book of a Hundred Lifetimes—his future was boundless. A technique that stopped at Foundation Establishment could no longer satisfy his ambitions.
"If only I could obtain a supreme, peerless transmission of the First Grade…"
Lü Yang fantasized briefly, then let out a sigh. "Forget it. The path must be walked step by step. Stride too wide, and… snap… you might rip something vital."
"First, cultivate the Primordial Dao Scripture and become a Foundation Establishment expert…"
Once the Dao Foundation was built, one would enjoy a lifespan of three hundred years—almost an entire mortal dynasty. In the cultivation world, that alone warranted the title "Great Cultivator."
With strength would come the means to seek higher inheritances. Once obtained, he could restart anew.
Repeating this cycle, his dream would surely come true one day.
As long as he was patient and not reckless, time would always be his ally. This was the confidence the Book of a Hundred Lifetimes gave Lü Yang.
Ten days later, Lü Yang's cave abode.
A stream of white mist swirled and steamed, at times transforming into billowing black smoke, at times into an intangible sword of Qi, and finally into a graceful, immortal-like human silhouette.
"I've succeeded!"
Although profound, the Primordial Dao Scripture was not difficult to practice. In just ten days, Lü Yang had successfully dissolved his physical form, refining his body into a stream of True Qi.
[Name: Lü Yang]
[Lifespan: 18]
[Cultivation: Qi Refinement, Layer 1]
[Talent: Dual Cultivation Prodigy (White)]
[Techniques: Yin-Yang Ecstasy Canon (Perfected), Primordial Qi Refinement Transformation Art (Perfected)]
[Supernatural Abilities: None]
[Treasures: None]
[Remaining Pages in the Book of a Hundred Lifetimes: 99]
Looking at the updated information in the Book, Lü Yang stepped upon the empty air, feeling in peak condition. Even the previous body's venereal disease had healed without treatment.
"Hm?"
Suddenly, the triumphant Lü Yang frowned. He halted his movements, then looked again at the Book of a Hundred Lifetimes, falling into deep, puzzled thought.
"…Something's wrong."
It felt like he had overlooked something.
He instinctively recalled: this lifetime, he hadn't encountered any real obstacles. He smoothly became a Formal Disciple, smoothly received the Primordial Dao Scripture…
The next second, Lü Yang finally realized what he'd missed.
[After draining you through dual cultivation, Yu Suzhen had broken through to Qi Refinement. However, the venereal disease was deeply rooted, resistant to True Qi. Bedridden for months, she eventually succumbed to severe illness and died.]
Last lifetime, why did Senior Sister Yu die?
As a Formal Disciple, she must have also received the Primordial Dao Scripture. If she successfully refined it, transforming her body into Qi, how could she possibly die from a venereal disease?
Did she fail to master it?
"Impossible!" Lü Yang shook his head.
The Primordial Dao Scripture wasn't that hard. Since Yu Suzhen had the capability to break through to Qi Refinement, even with the poorest aptitude, she couldn't have failed to master it in several months.
"Unless… she never practiced the Primordial Dao Scripture at all!"
In that instant, Lü Yang felt as if he'd plunged into an icy abyss.
The beat of his heart had never sounded so clear. His breathing grew rapid. The excitement vanished from his face, replaced by a spreading chill.
"The Primordial Dao Scripture… was it specially prepared for me by Liu Xin?"
Lü Yang recalled the scene he witnessed at the Treasure Refining Hall.
That nominal disciple believed his Great Dao was accomplished, only to bring about his own demise—failing to break through and instead refining himself into a magical artifact.
That moment then… is it exactly like this moment now?
Just then, a familiar, kindly voice called from outside the cave:
"Junior Brother Lü… are you in?"