Chapter 16: Master Tianxu

Only upon reaching the fourth level of Qi Gathering can one cultivate spiritual sense. Spiritual sense is a formidable mental power—it allows one to look inward at their internal organs, to probe external objects, and to see through illusions crafted by spiritual energy. For a cultivator, developing spiritual sense marks the true beginning of their journey on the path of immortality.

Among all the Yin Followers under Yang Dai’s command, only Tian Buzhong had managed to cultivate spiritual sense.

The Heavenly Firmament Grand Sword Formation!

Just the name alone sounded powerful!

Yang Dai asked, “Can I learn it now?”

Tian Buzhong nodded with a smile. “Of course you can. However, I suggest you focus on cultivation. For those in the Qi Gathering stage, spiritual energy is most important—techniques are of lesser significance. Most Qi Gathering cultivators can only cast one or two spells before exhausting their energy, so they often rely on martial arts to defeat foes. Only upon reaching the Heart Rotation stage does the contest of spells truly begin.”

Yang Dai found this reasonable. If he had many Yin Followers, he could assign them to cultivate while he focused on studying spells.

“Let’s do it this way: Tian Buzhong, Cheng Hungry Ghost, Bai Wei—you three will cultivate the Heavenly Firmament Grand Sword Formation first. Master it before anything else,” Yang Dai instructed.

The three Yin Followers immediately agreed and stepped aside to study the formation. The other followers began cultivating the True Heart of Divine Thunder technique.

Liu Junjie also wished to learn the sword formation, for his talent lay precisely in the sword, but Yang Dai refused, instructing him to first absorb energy and accumulate spiritual power.

…

Night fell.

Yang Dai felt a slight increase in his spiritual energy, lifting his spirits. He chose to exit the Deep Domain.

Three meals were delivered daily by Intelligence Bureau staff, come rain or shine—even if Yang Dai missed a delivery, they never failed to bring his food. Upon returning to his suite, he found the meal waiting on the table.

He sat down to eat. Though he had reached the first level of Qi Gathering, he had not yet attained the state of fasting.

Not long after he began, Hu Li arrived once more.

Hu Li liked to personally handle all interactions with Yang Dai—it showed the Intelligence Bureau’s regard for him and helped foster a closer relationship.

Familiar with the routine, Hu Li sat across from Yang Dai and smiled. “Yang, university recruitment has begun nationwide. There haven’t been any major demon uprisings lately, so the admissions process hasn’t been delayed. Which university would you like to attend?”

Yang Dai took a bite of rice, swallowed, and asked, “Didn’t you say I had to reach the fourth level of Qi Gathering before leaving?”

“Haha, I can reserve a spot for you in advance. With the Bureau’s support, you’ll reach the fourth level within a year at most. The cultivation pills I requested from headquarters will arrive in a few days—they were refined personally by Celestial Master Li.”

Hu Li beamed with pride.

Yang Dai’s face lit up with delight.

—

Trial-takers could not bring items from the Deep Domain into reality, nor could they take anything but the clothes on their backs into the Deep Domain from the real world.

Thus, alchemists, blacksmiths, formation masters—these special cultivators—held immense strategic value for the nation, their status surpassing that of others at the same cultivation stage.

Celestial Master Li was the only alchemist among the Twelve Pillars of the Nation, with tens of thousands of disciples and serving as honorary president of the Xia National Alchemy Association.

“Thank you to the Intelligence Bureau—I’ll always be part of the Bureau,” Yang Dai immediately pledged, further pleasing Hu Li.

This young man was tactful—unlike other geniuses who grew arrogant and complacent when favored.

Hu Li then began introducing Yang Dai to the country’s top universities. Since the appearance of demons, universities had shifted their focus, each specializing in different disciplines: alchemy, artifact forging, array formations, yin-yang, divination, geomancy, and more.

Yang Dai, being reincarnated, found this world vastly different from his previous life, so he had to relearn everything.

…

At dawn, sunlight filtered through the bamboo grove, bathing Yang Dai and his Yin Followers in a rosy glow, each one looking spirited and full of life.

Yang Dai intended to lay low for a while—the matter of the Nine Demon Divine Diagram was too critical. At the same time, he needed to advance his cultivation before heading to the battlefield.

The mysterious cultivator who destroyed Zhang Xian and Zhou Liang was most likely at the Heart Rotation stage and could very well still be searching for them.

Tian Buzhong, Bai Wei, and Cheng Hungry Ghost had already memorized the cultivation method for the Heavenly Firmament Grand Sword Formation. Yang Dai stored the Nine Demon Divine Diagram in his storage pouch. The three Yin Followers’ primary goal now was to master the sword formation.

Yang Dai had previously scavenged over a dozen swords and sabers from corpses. Though not magical artifacts, they would suffice for now.

After Iron Ox and the seventeen new Yin Followers learned the breathing technique, Yang Dai’s cultivation speed increased again—but not by much. Most of these guards had mediocre talent. As Cheng Hungry Ghost had put it, not everyone was qualified to cultivate, but what surprised him was that all the Yin Followers could generate spiritual energy.

Could becoming a Yin Follower grant an ordinary person the qualification to cultivate?

Realizing this, Yang Dai grew even more eager to one day command tens of thousands of Yin Followers.

He then noticed that, while all the Yin Followers could cultivate spiritual energy, their speeds varied. It seemed this still depended on their innate talent. However, the Yin Follower transformation granted them cultivation potential; many people failed to generate spiritual energy simply because their spiritual roots clashed with their techniques’ attributes. In a sense, perhaps everyone could cultivate if they found the right method.

In this way, the spiritual roots of Yin Followers seemed compatible with all attributes, though their overall aptitude was unchanged from life.

Time trickled by.

Morning passed swiftly.

The three were still drilling sword moves—the formation was difficult, requiring mastery not just of sword techniques but also of energy circulation, footwork, and controlling swords with spiritual energy. Yang Dai was in no rush and let them focus on their training.

“What a marvelous sword formation.”

—

A sudden voice startled Yang Dai and his followers, who opened their eyes in alarm.

Looking toward the source, they saw a white-robed Daoist emerge from the depths of the bamboo grove. He was tall—nearly two meters—with silver hair, a gentle smile, and a robe that fluttered slightly, exuding an air of transcendence.

Behind him walked a woman dressed in white, draped in a black mantle. The contrast of black and white, combined with the veil hat she wore, lent her an air of mystery. Her graceful figure alone was enough to set a man’s imagination racing.

All twenty-nine Yin Followers immediately closed ranks around Yang Dai, standing at the ready.

Tian Buzhong studied the Daoist’s face and blanched, murmuring, “Master Tian Su…”

The Daoist smiled and asked, “You recognize me?”

Before Tian Buzhong could reply, the Daoist’s gaze fell on Ying Ji. He sighed, “Ninth Prince, I heard you had died—so it was true.”

Ying Ji, ashamed, stepped forward and bowed. “After leaving the royal city, I was hunted down and starved to death near the Wailing Ghost Ridge. It has nothing to do with my current master.”

Relief washed over Yang Dai—this lad knew how to speak and would deserve a reward later.

Master Tian Su surveyed the Yin Followers, chuckling. “Like ghosts, yet without malice or resentment—rather, pure souls. And yet you retain your will. How curious! I have long heard that outsiders possess all manner of extraordinary talents. It seems, little friend, your gift is soul-related.”

His eyes finally rested on Yang Dai.

Yang Dai was tense—he noticed even his strongest follower, Tian Buzhong, was visibly nervous, a rare occurrence. It was clear this Master Tian Su was formidable.

He quickly replied, “Indeed, Senior, my followers and I are cultivating here. Have we disturbed you?”

“Followers of Yin? A good name. This is not my abode, so how could you disturb me? Don’t be nervous—I am no demon or villain. I am simply curious about the sword formation those three are practicing. Might you tell me its name?” Master Tian Su asked with a gentle smile, though Yang Dai dared not trust him easily.

He often browsed the web, and according to netizens, the minds of Deep Domain cultivators were inscrutable—one could not be too trusting.

Ying Ji edged close to Yang Dai and whispered, “Master Tian Su is a famed grand cultivator of Great Xia, wandering the world—a true enlightened one. He would never seize treasure by force.”

Yang Dai was speechless—if you know he’s a grand cultivator, why whisper so quietly? As if he couldn’t hear?

He was about to answer when Master Tian Su smiled and said, “No matter if you won’t say. Little friend, my disciple and I plan to train nearby and observe your sword formation. If you agree, I shall teach you a spell in return—you will not be shortchanged.”

At these words, Tian Buzhong and Ying Ji were both stirred, while Shi Long and Cheng Hungry Ghost, now recognizing Master Tian Su, looked at Yang Dai, eyes alight with excitement.