Chapter 8 : Ninth Layer of Qi Refining
Chapter 8: Ninth Layer of Qi Refining!
Time flowed on, and another half year passed in the blink of an eye.
Gu Yan sat cross-legged in his room, the aura surrounding him now entirely different.
The inner force that once surged through all the Martial Dao acupoints within his body had now been completely replaced by purer spiritual power.
With a slight movement of thought, the panel appeared:
【Gu Yan】
【Lifespan: 22/200】
【Realm: Qi Refining · Ninth Layer】
【Entry: Five Elements Spiritual Body · Orange】
【Cultivation Methods: 《Taiyi Dao De True Scripture · First Rotation Chapter》, 《Flowing Light Splitting Shadow Sword》】
Two years, Ninth Layer of Qi Refining!
Such a speed would be considered outrageous in this world where Martial Dao reigned supreme,
and even in the cultivation novels Gu Yan had read in his previous life, it would be deemed inconceivable.
“An orange entry… truly terrifying…” he muttered softly, unable to suppress his speculation.
Above orange entries, there were gold, red… what kind of heaven-defying effects would those possess?
Astonishment aside, his spiritual power had now filled all nine acupoints, reaching the absolute limit that a first-rotation Martial Dao technique could achieve.
Where lay the path forward? The answer was clear—《Taiyi Dao De True Scripture · Second Rotation Chapter》.
By relying on a first-rotation Martial Dao technique and inferring from the side, he had managed to deduce a method of replacing inner force with spiritual power, forcibly advancing to the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining.
To go further, he would need guidance from a genuine Immortal Dao method.
Although the sect’s second-rotation technique still belonged to the Martial Dao framework, its core essence might open a path of light for a wild-path cultivator like him.
It was time to enter the inner sect.
The next day, at the C-Grade Herb Garden.
As usual, Gu Yan completed his duties meticulously.
Since Elder Xuanqing had not returned from his journey, the garden’s affairs were still managed by Old Chen.
In the afternoon, Gu Yan found Old Chen resting under a shade canopy and directly expressed his intention to resign from the herb garden duty.
Old Chen paused mid-fan, his face full of confusion and urgency: “Xiao Yan, have you lost your mind?
This job is easy and stable—countless outer sect disciples beg for it!
You’re still young, could it be that you find it boring?”
Gu Yan bowed slightly: “I will always remember Old Chen’s care over the years. It is not that I dislike it, but…”
“This junior was fortunate enough to break through recently to the late stage of the first rotation of Martial Dao. With inner force filling all nine acupoints, according to sect rules, I can apply to enter the inner sect for cultivation.”
“Late stage of the first rotation?!” Old Chen suddenly stood up, his cloudy eyes wide.
He carefully looked Gu Yan up and down, as if seeing him for the first time.
“You… how did you progress so quickly?”
Gu Yan had already prepared his explanation. A trace of confusion and reflection appeared on his face:
“To be honest with Old Chen, a few months ago, I saw a hazy figure in a dream, like an immortal illusion, demonstrating cultivation methods to me.
After waking, I only felt my mind become clear, and many previously obstructed points suddenly became comprehensible. My cultivation improved twice as fast… I do not know whether it was coincidence or truly an immortal’s guidance.”
Old Chen listened with doubt, his lips trembling slightly, but ultimately did not press further.
He knew Gu Yan’s parents had passed away early and that his life had been pitiful—perhaps he truly had some inexplicable fortune.
In the end, he simply patted Gu Yan’s shoulder heavily and sighed: “Good, good! If your parents knew in the afterlife, they would be comforted. Go on—the inner sect is vast. Make your mark well!”
After bidding farewell to Old Chen, Gu Yan did not feel much sorrow.
He was not someone overly sentimental, and for the past twenty years in the outer sect of Azure Cloud Peak, he had mostly cultivated alone.
The next day, he packed a simple bundle.
Just a few old clothes and a small amount of savings, then headed straight to the Ascending Sky Hall where the outer sect deacons were stationed.
Inside the hall, the one responsible for inspection was a fair-faced middle-aged deacon.
Identity token verified—records clear, background clean.
Bone age tested—twenty-one years old.
Finally, cultivation verification. Gu Yan activated his well-disguised spiritual power, simulating the fluctuations of Martial Dao inner force, and easily passed the test.
“Bone age twenty-one, late stage of first rotation of Martial Dao—meets sect requirements.” After recording, the deacon looked up at Gu Yan, a trace of surprise flashing in his eyes.
Such a young late-stage first rotation disciple was rare even in the outer sect. More importantly, his aura was steady and his gaze clear, without the slightest arrogance.
A thought crossed his mind, and a smile appeared on his face: “Nephew Gu truly shows promise at a young age.”
“By custom, a mountain-patrolling disciple should guide you into the inner sect, but today I happen to be free, so I will personally escort you.”
“My surname is Zhao. I serve as an outer sect deacon elder, with early-stage second rotation cultivation.”
Gu Yan understood that Elder Zhao intended to build goodwill and did not refuse, calmly bowing: “Many thanks, Elder Zhao.”
On the way to the inner sect, Elder Zhao was quite enthusiastic, explaining the layout.
“Do you see those mist-shrouded peaks in the distance?”
“Those are the fundamental grounds of the various inheritance branches of our Taiyi Dao Sect.”
“The Profound Mechanism branch, specializing in talismans and formations, resides on Cloud-Mist Peak to the north.”
“The Hidden Sword branch, strongest in offense, occupies Sword-Resting Peak to the east. Their disciples often spar at the Sword Discussion Platform.”
“As for the Hundred Herbs branch, devoted to alchemy, they are on Pill Glow Peak to the west. Their Pill Pavilion contains many precious texts.”
As they spoke, both moved quickly.
Elder Zhao used lightness skill, his figure graceful and drifting.
Gu Yan, on the other hand, subtly circulated spiritual power beneath his feet. Though his steps appeared ordinary, his speed did not lag behind at all.
This made Elder Zhao regard him even more highly.
After about half an hour, the two passed through a mist-shrouded mountain gate boundary stele, and the scenery before them suddenly opened up.
In the distance, the mountain peaks vied in splendor, shrouded in drifting clouds and rosy mist, with pavilions and towers nestled along the slopes.
Nearby, a wide bluestone road stretched forward, and beside it had formed a bustling marketplace, with orderly buildings and streams of people.
Disciples set up stalls trading medicinal herbs and weapons, halls displayed mission bounties, and there were even deacon pavilions dedicated to distributing monthly stipends…
Amid the bustle, there was a sense of prosperity and weight.
This was completely different from the quiet cultivation land Gu Yan had imagined—merely larger and with fewer people.
For the past twenty years, he had almost remained confined to a corner of Azure Cloud Peak, focusing on bitter cultivation. Not only did he know little of the outside world, but also of the inner sect.
Only now, seeing it with his own eyes, did he realize that he might have greatly underestimated the true foundation of this dominant Taiyi Dao Sect.
“Heh, everyone is stunned the first time they come here.” Elder Zhao smiled with some pride.
“This is Evergreen Market at the foot of the inner sect mountains. Disciples trade, take missions, and receive supplies here.”
“Further up are the blessed lands of spiritual peaks held by each inheritance branch.”
“Come, I’ll first take you to the Registry Hall to change your identity token and collect your items.”
At the Registry Hall, Gu Yan returned his outer sect disciple token and received an inner sect black iron token of finer quality and more intricate patterns.
He was also given two sets of finely crafted black inner sect disciple robes.
Most importantly, he obtained the cultivation manual he had long desired—《Taiyi Dao De True Scripture · Second Rotation Chapter》.
In addition, food and lodging for inner sect disciples were provided by the sect, with residence arranged in unified disciple quarters.
If one desired a more secluded private courtyard, contribution points would be required to exchange for it.
After all, though the inner sect territory was vast, prime residences were still scarce.
As for master-disciple inheritance, it differed somewhat from what outsiders imagined.
There was no rule of immediately taking a master upon entering. Instead, every seven days, large lectures were held at the Teaching Hall at the foot of the mountain, where elders from various branches took turns giving teachings, and all inner sect disciples could attend.
This was the greatest opportunity for newly promoted inner sect disciples to gain guidance and display their talent.
If one demonstrated exceptional comprehension during lectures, or showed astonishing performance in sect trials, they might catch the eye of an elder and be accepted as a true disciple.
Hearing this, Gu Yan’s expression remained calm, though a trace of internal complaint flashed through his mind.
He had thought that, following common patterns, entering the inner sect would at least assign him a master.
Unexpectedly, it was still a laissez-faire approach—if he wanted a master, he would have to rely on his own efforts and performance.
However, this was consistent with his long-held impression of Taiyi Dao Sect.
And it suited him just fine.
What he needed now was not a famous master’s personal guidance.
Rather, it was the 《Taiyi Dao De True Scripture · Second Rotation Chapter》—a crucial reference for deducing the path forward in Immortal Dao.
After escorting Gu Yan to the disciple quarters, Elder Zhao took his leave.
Gu Yan found his own simple, quiet room, closed the door, and sat cross-legged, his gaze falling upon the book in his hands.
“《Taiyi Dao De True Scripture · Second Rotation Chapter》… let me see whether this second-rotation Martial Dao method can point the way toward Foundation Establishment for a Ninth Layer Qi Refining cultivator like me.”