Chapter 456 - 161: The Realm of Inner Qi and the Senior Sister’s Mind
Bai Bing looked at the two people standing respectfully in the hall and gave a few more instructions, her tone softening. "You’ve just broken through to the Qi Eating Realm, so your main focus should be on consolidating your foundation. Don’t be impatient for quick results during this period. You need to settle your mind and polish your Inner Qi. In the future, if you have any questions about your cultivation, you can come find me in Lingxi Hall or ask your Senior Sister."
She paused, her gaze falling on Yang Jing, and added, "Come to Lingxi Hall tomorrow morning. You will accompany me to Zhenyue Peak."
"Yes, Peak Master," Yang Jing said solemnly.
"That is all." Bai Bing waved her hand, dismissing them.
Yang Jing and Si Jiawen replied in unison, "Your disciples take their leave."
The two bowed, then turned and slowly exited Lingxi Hall.
The daylight outside the hall was a bit jarring. Seeing them emerge, the disciples on guard on either side quickly bowed to Si Jiawen, respectfully calling out, "Senior Sister."
Si Jiawen merely gave a slight nod, her pace unwavering as she headed straight for the stone steps outside the hall. She seemed lost in thought, a hint of a daze clouding her features.
Yang Jing followed behind her. Noticing her somewhat unsteady gait, he quickened his pace to catch up, falling into step beside her. "Senior Sister," he asked respectfully, "I’ve just broken through to the Qi Eating Realm, but I’m still a little fuzzy on the realms beyond Transformation Strength. I was hoping you could enlighten me."
Si Jiawen’s steps faltered at the sound of his voice, and she snapped out of her daze.
She turned her head to glance at Yang Jing, her expression a complex mixture of wistfulness, admiration, and a faint, almost imperceptible sense of rivalry.
Then, she took a light breath, schooling the emotions in her eyes, and her expression regained its former composure.
"Since you want to know, I’ll give you a brief overview," Si Jiawen said calmly.
As she spoke, she began to walk again, but her pace slowed considerably to match Yang Jing’s.
Yang Jing focused intently, listening carefully as he kept up with her.
The two ambled along the bluestone path at the summit. A mountain breeze swept past, making the hems of their robes flutter. They looked like any other pair of disciples out for a walk and chat in the mountains, the atmosphere less formal than usual.
Si Jiawen gazed at the distant, cloud-wreathed mountains and began to speak, her voice crisp and lucid. "The stages you’ve experienced—Overt Strength, Covert Strength, and Transformation Strength—can all be categorized under one major realm: the Inner Strength Realm."
She paused, glancing at Yang Jing. Seeing how intently he was listening, she continued, "Inner Strength is condensed from one’s own tempered qi and blood. Once a Martial Artist develops Inner Strength, they are considered to have truly surpassed ordinary people and stepped across the threshold of the Martial Dao."
"The stronger the Inner Strength, the stronger the Martial Artist."
"In essence, the three stages of Overt Strength, Covert Strength, and Transformation Strength are all about refining your Inner Strength. It’s a gradual process with the goal of making your Inner Strength more profound, condensed, and easily controlled."
Si Jiawen’s gaze drifted to the green bamboo swaying in the wind beside the path as she continued, "And above the Inner Strength Realm is the Inner Qi Realm."
She walked on, her voice as clear as a mountain spring. "The qi cultivated in the Inner Qi Realm is completely different from the Inner Strength derived from one’s own qi and blood. Instead, it is the Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi that permeates the world. A Martial Artist must open all the pores of their body to connect with the outside world, drawing this Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi inside to be tempered, condensed, and made their own."
Si Jiawen turned to look at Yang Jing, her eyes shining brightly. "The power of Inner Qi far surpasses that of Inner Strength. Now that you’ve broken through to the Qi Eating Realm, you should be able to feel the difference for yourself."
Yang Jing nodded eagerly. "Yes, I feel it keenly. The difference between Inner Strength and Inner Qi is like night and day."
Since breaking through to the Qi Eating Realm, he felt an unprecedented power in his every move. The Inner Strength he had once been so proud of now seemed utterly feeble compared to his Inner Qi.
The two continued their quiet conversation as they descended the winding stone steps of the peak.
It was early May, and the afternoon sun filtered through the clouds, dappling the forests of Lingxi Peak in light. The sunlight painted the green leaves a faint gold, and wildflowers bloomed in profusion on either side of the path, releasing their delicate fragrance.
The mountain breeze carried the fresh scent of vegetation and the melodious sigh of the wind through the pines.
A gust of wind stirred the dark strands of hair at Si Jiawen’s temples. She raised a hand to tuck them behind her ear and continued, "Within the broad category of the Inner Qi Realm, there are three distinct stages."
Yang Jing’s expression immediately grew serious. He straightened his back, his gaze fixed intently on Si Jiawen as he listened with even greater focus.
’These are secrets that disciples of the Inner Strength Realm never get to hear. To me, this is invaluable knowledge.’
Sensing his earnestness, an almost imperceptible smile touched the corners of Si Jiawen’s lips. She went on, "The Inner Qi Realm is divided into the Qi Eating Realm, the Qi Absorption Realm, and the True Qi Realm. The gulf between each stage is enormous."
"The gap between these three stages is immense." Si Jiawen stopped walking and looked at Yang Jing. "I, for example, am in the Qi Absorption Realm," she stated calmly.
A chill went down Yang Jing’s spine as the scene from outside the Training Room flashed through his mind.
He had just broken through to the Qi Eating Realm then, confident in his newfound power. Yet in Si Jiawen’s grasp, he had been like a helpless child, his wrist seized so easily that he couldn’t even struggle free.
’So this is the difference between the Qi Absorption Realm and the Qi Eating Realm?’
’The gap is that enormous!’
As if reading his thoughts, Si Jiawen raised an eyebrow, a hint of pride in her voice. "Of course, I’m no ordinary practitioner of the Qi Absorption Realm. You need to remember that the lead Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters of the Xuanzhen Sect’s Seven Veins are all elites of their respective realms, far surpassing ordinary disciples."