Chapter Fourteen: The Realms of Cultivation

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As the disciples from various peaks gathered in the square, they spotted several familiar figures among them. Ouyang Bo and Bai Lu strode over to the pair. Bai Lu gazed at Lin Cheng, her eyes overflowing with undisguised admiration as she called sweetly, “Senior Brother Lin Cheng, I never expected you would become a direct disciple of Hidden Sword Peak as soon as you arrived. I’m so envious, truly!”

Watching Bai Lu fix her affectionate gaze on Lin Cheng, Ouyang Bo, at her side, felt a surge of indescribable emotion. Though he cupped his hands in greeting to Lin Cheng, his eyes betrayed a hint of jealousy.

The two seated themselves cross-legged nearby. Bai Lu, intentionally or not, pressed herself closely against Lin Cheng. Seeing Fat Lin throw him a mischievous wink that seemed to say, “I get it!” Lin Cheng could only feel his mind covered in black lines.

Just then, Pang Bo came running from not far away, waving at Lin Cheng and his companions, shouting in a voice like drums and gongs, attracting curious glances from nearby disciples.

Because of the earlier incident with the red-haired youth, a large space had unconsciously cleared around Lin Cheng’s group. Coupled with Lin Cheng’s status as a direct disciple clad in black, the crowd regarded them with a measure of respect and awe.

“Heh… So you’re all here. Senior Brother Lin, you really aren’t being fair, coming to hear the lecture without calling me…”

Niu Shisan, who knew Lin Cheng and Lin Hu’s relationship, arrived with confident strides, a large sword resting on his shoulder. Seeing the swaggering fellow, the group was speechless—he clearly had a storage pouch, yet insisted on carrying his sword. Was he afraid people wouldn’t know he was a sword cultivator?

Everyone: “…”

Fat Lin nudged Lin Cheng. “Who’s that guy?”

Niu Shisan sat down carelessly, finding a spot at random. He grinned, baring his teeth, and said, “Let me introduce myself: Niu Shisan, an inner disciple of Hidden Sword Peak. My master is Master Hidden Edge.”

Lin Cheng rolled his eyes at Niu Shisan’s narcissism but still introduced everyone. With Niu Shisan joining, the group quickly grew familiar and exchanged lively conversation.

A cry of “Silence!” rang out.

A gray-haired elder of Qingyang Sect appeared atop the lecture platform, holding a horsetail whisk, exuding the bearing of a true immortal master.

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“The world we live in is called the Heaven Vast Realm. There are four great continents and five forbidden regions known to us. In this boundless realm, our Qingyang Sect is but a speck of dust…”

“If, one day, you walk out of Qingyang Sect, out of the Zhao Kingdom, out of the Qingzhou continent… always remember, there is always someone better, somewhere higher…”

The gray-haired elder’s voice echoed powerfully.

“The path of cultivation is one of defying the heavens, fraught with hardship and danger. You must contend not only with heaven, earth, and your fellow man, but with all things in the world. The cultivation realms we know, from lowest to highest, are as follows: the True Qi Realm, with twelve stages. The first to third stages are called Early True Qi; fourth to sixth, Middle True Qi; seventh to ninth, Advanced True Qi; tenth to twelfth, True Qi Master…”

“The Spirit Realm also has twelve stages: first to third are Lesser Spirit Realm; fourth to sixth, Earth Spirit Realm; seventh to ninth, Heaven Spirit Realm; tenth to twelfth, Spirit King Realm; advancing further brings you to the Half-step Pill Realm…”

“The Pill Realm has nine stages: first to third, Profound Pill Realm; fourth to sixth, Earth Pill Realm; seventh to ninth, Heaven Pill Realm; beyond that is the Half-step Sovereign Realm…”

“The Sovereign Realm has nine stages: first to third, Human Sovereign Realm; fourth to sixth, Earth Sovereign Realm; seventh to ninth, Heaven Sovereign Realm; after that, the Half-step Saint Realm…”

“As for what realms may lie beyond, you will learn when you truly step out of Zhao Kingdom and enter new worlds…”

“The path of cultivation is also the path of self-cultivation. Do not lose yourself amidst the endless journey…”

“…”

Everyone below was captivated, listening intently to the elder’s wise words. Even when the elder left unnoticed, they remained immersed in reflection.

After some time, a loud shout echoed from afar:

“Lin Cheng, get over here!”

The crowd in the square was startled from their reverie and turned to look.

A man clad in black, upright and imposing, walked over, holding a folding fan and appearing every bit the refined gentleman. Behind him followed the red-haired youth and Zhang Bao, among others.

Seeing his arrival, the crowd quickly parted to make way. Those who recognized him hurriedly bowed and cupped their hands, saying, “Greetings, Senior Brother Dongfang.”

Ignoring the others, Dongfang Yu, guided by the red-haired youth, strode directly toward Lin Cheng and his group.

“So, you’re Lin Cheng? No wonder you’re so arrogant. True Qi Realm, fourth stage, direct disciple. If you were just bullying others, I could let it go. But to dare lay hands on my younger brother… do you have a death wish?”

Seeing trouble brewing, Ouyang Bo quickly pulled Bai Lu aside, cupping his hands to Dongfang Yu and explaining, “Senior Brother Dongfang, we’re not with him—we’re only here for the lecture. We won’t interfere in your dispute and will take our leave…”

Bai Lu shook off Ouyang Bo’s hand and glared, saying, “You can leave if you want. I’m staying with Senior Brother Lin.” Though she said so, she still didn’t dare meet Dongfang Yu’s gaze. After all, he was the chief disciple of Qingyang Peak’s master, his strength deep and unfathomable, far beyond Lin Cheng who had only just entered the sect.

As the saying goes, a person’s reputation precedes them. Those who knew Dongfang Yu watched him with obvious fear.

“Tell me, Senior Brother Dongfang, what reckless fool offended you, forcing you to come in person…”

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Amid whispered conversations, two men in purple robes strode up, looking to curry favor with Dongfang Yu. Dongfang Yu glanced at them and nodded slightly.

“This fellow is abusing his status as a direct disciple to bully my brother. I came today to see just who he is… but now I find myself disappointed. Suddenly, it all feels rather dull…”

Lin Cheng watched their back-and-forth coldly.

At this moment, Zhang Bao stepped forward, approaching one of the purple-robed men and bowing his head. “Cousin Zhang Yan, I’m Zhang Bao. Do you remember me?”

Zhang Yan replied, “You’re Little Bao? So, you know these people?”

He studied Zhang Bao for a moment, recalling this child from a distant branch of the family.

Zhang Bao whispered something in Zhang Yan’s ear. Upon hearing it, Zhang Yan raised his eyebrows and said coldly, “Looks like fate truly brings enemies together.”

Lin Hu interjected, “Hey, are you done performing yet?”

Zhang Yan was infuriated and bowed to Dongfang Yu, saying, “Senior Brother Dongfang, these people aren’t worthy of your attention. Allow me to handle them.”

Dongfang Yu flicked his folding fan lightly and smiled. “If that’s so, then I’ll leave it to you, Junior Brother Zhang.”

Zhang Yan turned, clenched his fists, and his joints cracked audibly. Seeing this, Lin Hu and Niu Shisan immediately stepped up beside Lin Cheng, Pang Bo rolled his neck and took a step forward as well. The four stood shoulder to shoulder, facing Zhang Yan.

Witnessing this scene, another purple-robed inner disciple of Qingyang Peak teased, “Brother Zhang, need any help?”

Zhang Yan replied, “Just a few reckless youths who haven’t reached Advanced True Qi. One hand is all I need.”

As he spoke, his body trembled, and a surge of formidable energy erupted, drawing exclamations from the surrounding disciples.

“Advanced True Qi!”

Basking in their astonishment and envy, Zhang Yan was full of pride.