Inner Sect Qi Cultivation Art

In the days that followed, Shen Hao immersed himself entirely in cultivating the Ziyang Inner Sect Basic Qi Cultivation Art. He barely set foot outside, spending each day cross-legged on the Jade Bed, diligently probing the mysteries of the breathing technique and sensing the flow of Spiritual Energy through his body.

This inner sect breathing technique was far more complex than the outer sect version. It revolved around the three-character essence of "Draw, Refine, Condense"—each step interlocking, none dispensable. Drawing meant guiding heaven and earth's Spiritual Energy into the body; refining meant using one's own true fire to temper the Spiritual Energy, removing impurities; condensing meant gathering the refined Spiritual Energy in the Sea of Qi to increase its density.

Shen Hao sat cross-legged on the Jade Bed, following the records of the breathing technique as he slowly closed his eyes and steadied his mind. He adjusted his breathing, making it long and even. The inner sect's Spiritual Energy was extremely dense; strands of it, like gossamer threads, converged toward the tip of his nose, swirling around him.

He carefully activated the breathing technique, guiding those drifting strands of Spiritual Energy through his nasal passages into his body, then along his Meridians and slowly into his Sea of Qi. This process demanded extremely precise control—too much Spiritual Energy guided in would burst the Meridians; too little would yield half the result with twice the effort.

Relying on the foundation laid by his recent cultivation of the Meridian Tempering Art and his keen control over Spiritual Energy, Shen Hao regulated the flow rate perfectly. The Spiritual Energy coursed like a gentle stream, flowing slowly along the Meridians, warmly nourishing the Meridian walls and making them tougher and wider.

Once the Spiritual Energy had gathered to a certain degree in his Sea of Qi, Shen Hao mobilized a thread of it and, following the breathing technique's instructions, transformed it into a faint wisp of true fire. This wisp was extremely weak yet carried a scorching heat—it was Spiritual Power transformed from his own cultivation.

He manipulated that wisp of true fire, beginning to refine the Spiritual Energy he had just drawn in. The true fire slowly burned the Spiritual Energy; the black impurities mixed within were incinerated, turning into streams of turbid qi that exited through his pores. After refinement, the Spiritual Energy became purer, its color shifting from a faint cyan to a deep, rich cyan, and its texture grew more condensed.

Though tedious, this process was extremely taxing on the mind. Shen Hao had to focus completely; one slip and the true fire would backlash, scorching his Meridians. But he dared not slack off, patiently controlling the true fire to refine every strand of Spiritual Energy.

Finally came the condensation technique. Shen Hao gathered the refined, pure Spiritual Energy into his Sea of Qi, compressing and condensing it, making the density of Spiritual Energy there higher and higher. The lake of Spiritual Energy in his Sea of Qi grew visibly denser; light flickered on its surface, and the Spiritual Energy was so thick it nearly turned liquid.

Though cumbersome, the effect was remarkable. After just one hour of cultivation, Shen Hao felt that the Spiritual Energy in his Sea of Qi was much denser than before. He could clearly sense his cultivation base steadily rising, faintly touching the barrier of the Qi Refining Fourth Layer.

"No wonder this is an inner sect breathing technique—truly formidable!" Shen Hao rejoiced inwardly, a gratified smile spreading across his face. The outer sect breathing technique could only absorb Spiritual Energy, not refine it, making its cultivation speed far inferior.

He did not pause. After a brief rest to regulate his breath, he activated the breathing technique again, throwing himself fully into cultivation. Outside the window, sunlight shifted from dawn to noon to dusk, slowly sinking; moonlight crept up the branches and spilled across the window lattice. Inside, all was silent, save for Shen Hao's steady breathing and the faint sound of Spiritual Energy flowing.

After an unknown stretch of time, Shen Hao slowly opened his eyes and exhaled a mouthful of turbid qi. That breath carried a faint black tinge—the impurities expelled by the true fire—and as it fell to the ground, it even left a slight burnt smell.

He looked inward at his dantian. The lake of Spiritual Energy in his Sea of Qi had become extremely dense, its color shifting from deep cyan to a faint blue. This was the hallmark of the Qi Refining Fourth Layer! One more step—fully converting the Spiritual Energy to blue—and he would break through to Early Qi Refining Fourth Layer!

"At this rate, I'll break through to Early Qi Refining Fourth Layer within a month!" Shen Hao murmured to himself, a delighted smile on his face. The inner sect's cultivation resources truly lived up to their reputation; in the outer sect, breaking through to the Qi Refining Fourth Layer would have taken at least half a year.

He stood up and stretched, feeling invigorated and full of strength. Spiritual Energy flowed freely through his Meridians without any stagnation, and his physical body had grown tougher from the nourishment.

Shen Hao walked to the Stone Table, took out a jade bottle from his storage pouch, and poured out a Body Tempering Pill. The pill was dark red, exuding a rich medicinal fragrance that lifted one's spirits. This was a common Pill for Qi Refining Stage cultivators; after taking it, it tempered the body, enhancing its strength so it could withstand denser Spiritual Energy.

Shen Hao placed the Body Tempering Pill in his mouth. It dissolved instantly, turning into a warm current that flowed down his throat into his abdomen. That current was very gentle yet carried a powerful force, spreading through his Meridians all over his body. Wherever it passed, his muscles and bones tingled with numbness, as if countless tiny hands were gently massaging them, making his muscles and bones tougher.

Shen Hao sat cross-legged on the ground, activated the breathing technique, and guided that warm current to temper his body. Half an hour later, he slowly opened his eyes, feeling brimming with power. When he threw a punch, he could even hear the air crack.

"The Body Tempering Pill's effect is indeed impressive." Shen Hao sensed the changes in his body and nodded with satisfaction.

He understood well that the path of immortality required not only raising one's cultivation base but also tempering the physical body. Only with a strong enough body could one withstand denser Spiritual Energy and unleash greater strength. Otherwise, no matter how high one's cultivation, a frail body would never bring out full power.