"Brother Yi, may I ask—how valuable are body refinement techniques compared to Qi cultivation methods?" Yang Yanping suddenly asked.
"Body refinement techniques are extremely rare. Though the entry threshold isn't high, the training is excruciating. Even those suited to it must endure pain like being cut by blades. Few can persevere. But at the same cultivation level, their combat power is the strongest.
As for Qi cultivation techniques, they're plentiful and suitable for everyone. With enough effort, anyone has a chance to become a cultivator. The difference lies in talent and eventual achievement," Yi Tianxing replied calmly, sharing his understanding of cultivation.
In his view, Yang Ye and the Yang Family Army, once they entered Xuanhuang Village, would undoubtedly become his future generals. They would come to know these things eventually. Yang Yanding especially had the makings of a peerless war general.
Such body refiners held immense value for the entire Xuanhuang Village.
"After joining Xuanhuang Village, you can go to select a military cultivation technique. For instance, Iron-Blood Baleful Qi is designed specifically for military soldiers. Of course, you can choose other techniques too. We have quite a few suited for warriors—including top-tier ones. However, those won't be free. You can earn merits and exchange them in the Scripture Pavilion. Alternatively, you can trade in techniques that the Pavilion doesn't yet have, and it will give a corresponding appraisal."
Yi Tianxing smiled faintly as he spoke.
His words subtly hinted that there were more advanced and suitable techniques for warriors in the Scripture Pavilion, even better than Iron-Blood Baleful Qi. These laid even firmer foundations.
That was enough to plant a seed in their hearts.
With their status, they would never settle for cultivating the same technique as common soldiers if they had the chance. They would naturally seek out superior techniques and battle arts.
Hearing this, Yang Ye and the others fell into deep thought. A hint of longing emerged on their faces for the Scripture Pavilion. A new desire stirred within them.
After a satisfying meal, the exhaustion from the recent fierce battle overwhelmed many villagers. They gradually drifted to sleep beside the campfires, leaning on one another. After the sequence of shocks—terror, grief, excitement, and anticipation for the future—their minds were stretched to their limits. Now that they could relax, sleep came easily.
In the village, only the Yang Family Army continued silently taking turns on patrol.
Even though many had shed blood and been injured earlier, none voiced a single complaint. They simply did what needed to be done.
Yi Tianxing, meanwhile, sat cross-legged on an open patch of ground and entered meditation.
He began circulating the Imperial Dragon Heaven Scripture, letting true Qi flow through his body.
Most of the nutrients from the food he'd eaten were absorbed by his body, enhancing his physique. But this body refinement also significantly boosted his Qi cultivation. As the flesh strengthened and the meridians grew tougher, his capacity to absorb the world's spiritual energy increased drastically.
"My meridian channels have widened."
Through internal observation, Yi Tianxing could clearly sense the transformation—his meridians had silently expanded and become more resilient. This was the benefit of body refinement. It's why many cultivators eventually practice body cultivation alongside Qi refinement.
"My blood and Qi are vigorous now. The amount of true Qi I've built up is quite large. With a full night ahead, I can attempt to break into the Extraordinary Eight Meridians. Body refinement makes the breakthrough process much safer and won't damage my foundation."
Normally, after clearing the Twelve Primary Meridians and reaching the peak of the Divine Sea Realm's second layer, a cultivator would need time to stabilize, to adapt to the rising Qi within them, and to nourish their flesh and bones through repeated Qi circulation—gradually.
But for someone like him, already a body refiner, such limitations didn't apply. He could endure any amount of true Qi.
"The first of the Extraordinary Eight Meridians—Yang Linking Vessel (Yangwei Mai)."
"Yangwei Mai starts from Jinmen (Bladder Meridian) and connects through Yangjiao (Gallbladder), Naoshu (Small Intestine), Tianliao (Triple Burner), Jianjing, Touwei, Benshen, Yangbai, Toulinqi, Muchuang, Zhengying, Chengling, Naokong, Fengchi, Fengfu, and Yamen. Once unblocked, it links the Bladder, Gallbladder, Small Intestine, and Triple Burner meridians—forming a river network."
The Extraordinary Eight Meridians were unique. While the twelve primary meridians were natural but clogged pathways, the eight extraordinary meridians were like newly forged canals—dug between completely disconnected river systems. Carving such a passage was inherently far more difficult.
Without immense amounts of true Qi, it was impossible to open.
"Visualize the Ancestral Dragon of the Four Seas, use true dragon Qi to strike the Jinmen point!"
Without hesitation, he activated the Imperial Dragon Heaven Scripture. Streams of true dragon Qi surged forward under his will, rushing through the Bladder Meridian toward Jinmen—launching an aggressive assault.
A piercing pain accompanied the process.
This was like opening a new tributary in the meridian river.
True Qi drained rapidly, yet simultaneously, worldly spiritual energy flooded into his body, replenishing what was lost. Though it couldn't keep up entirely, it ensured steady momentum.
Time passed silently.
Above, the moon hung high, veiled by drifting clouds.
From outside the village came the cries and roars of beasts and monsters locked in battle. Even they fought amongst themselves.
No one knew how much time passed.
Suddenly, a vortex of wind formed around the meditating Yi Tianxing, drawing in spiritual energy at double the usual speed.
"Yangwei Mai is fully open! I've advanced to the Divine Sea Realm, third layer. As expected, Qi circulation and absorption have both improved!"
Yi Tianxing was overjoyed.
It had taken him the entire night—and nearly exhausted all his true dragon Qi—to open the Yangwei Mai.
Now, a slender meridian branch extended from the Bladder Meridian. Though not as thick as the twelve main ones, it gradually absorbed spiritual energy and grew tougher and wider with each passing moment.
Next would be the nurturing phase—tempering the new meridian until it matched the twelve main ones in durability and volume. This process could be slow and natural, or accelerated by using his own true Qi. But doing so consumed an entire strand of true dragon Qi, which wouldn't regenerate—because the Qi seed had already been absorbed as fuel.
"If I had pills to nourish the meridians, this process would go even faster. Still, it's fine. I'm a body refiner. My abundant blood and Qi will naturally temper the new meridian faster than ordinary cultivators."
He opened his eyes and saw the morning sun rising in the east. He activated his cultivation technique and inhaled deeply.
A wisp of purple qi drifted from the horizon into his mouth.
Eastern Purple Qi!
The moment it entered, it rushed into the newly-formed meridian and immediately thickened and reinforced it.
Eastern Purple Qi represented endless vitality.
"I actually managed to absorb Eastern Purple Qi? I couldn't before… Could it be because of my breakthrough just now?"
Yi Tianxing was slightly startled.
He had tried in the past, but never succeeded in absorbing it. Now, unintentionally, he had succeeded—and gained enormous benefit, skipping much of the meridian-nurturing process.
"What a fortunate surprise. I'll have to try again tomorrow and see if I can draw in more Eastern Purple Qi."
He fell into contemplation.
"Morning already! Get up, build the fires, and bring out the leftover wolf meat. We're moving out soon!"
"That's right! We're finally heading to Xuanhuang Village… I wonder what it's like. Is it really like Mister Yi described? And how far is it from here? Will there be danger on the way?"
Villagers awoke one by one, swiftly lighting fires and preparing breakfast.
The place buzzed with activity.
"Sir Yi, the villagers are awake and making breakfast. Everything in the village is prepared. We've already buried the fallen soldiers. We can leave at any time. Though… is the migration route safe?"
Yang Ye had clearly been up early and taken care of everything. They had gathered anything useful, ready to bring along. Anything that couldn't be taken was left behind or distributed among the villagers—who were many and could easily carry supplies.
Yi Tianxing smiled.
"I cut a path through the forest on the way here. One night isn't enough for it to become overgrown again. It won't be hard to travel through. There may be some dangers along the way, but with the Yang Family Army and myself, there shouldn't be any major problems."