Heaven's Gift Must Be Taken

The pill entered his throat, and the Five Elements Spiritual Essence poured down like a celestial river, exploding within Chen Qing's meridians in an instant!

Burning! Surging! Heavy! Sharp! Soft!

Instantly, his entire body turned as red as if branded, veins bulging. Sweat vaporized into mist before it could even fall, and his internal organs felt as if they were thrown into a furnace, repeatedly forged in the Five Elements True Fire.

"The Five Elements Spiritual Essence is within the body, and balance must be maintained. If one element is allowed to dominate, the other four will be gradually devoured and turned into nourishment, leading to a Five Elements imbalance..."

With a sliver of clarity, Chen Qing managed to gather his focus and, following the cultivation tenets, visualized the diagrams!

The phantom image of a mountain in his sea of consciousness crashed down, suppressing the violent medicinal power!

Next came the gentle, long-lasting ocean waves, which combed the rampaging spiritual essence into a stream.

"Crack—"

His bones popped like exploding beans, and a jade-like golden light emanated from his body!

Under the impact, the meridians of his dream body continuously expanded, their inner walls shimmering with glazed treasure light.

Time flew by!

After an unknown duration, as the torrent gradually became docile, a dragon-like roar suddenly echoed from his Dantian's sea of Qi!

The Supreme Harmony Qi surged like a raging river, spinning madly under the impetus of the medicinal power. Strands of clear light were born from within, weaving into a hazy radiance that illuminated the entire sea of Qi, making it dreamlike and illusory.

"Condense!"

The myriad rays of light abruptly contracted, coalescing into a single point of brilliant starlight in the center of the sea of Qi!

A profound and mysterious aura immediately permeated the surroundings.

"This child's disposition is truly remarkable!"

Deep within the separate courtyard, inside a small octagonal pavilion, Lord Dingbo held a cup of tea and spoke with emotion.

His and Lord Zhengshuang's gazes pierced through the courtyard walls, falling upon the quiet room.

"Facing the Nine Orifice Meridian-Opening Pill, even cultivators at the third realm would have their Dao heart waver," Lord Dingbo said, setting down his cup, his voice filled with undisguised admiration. "Yet he remained like an old monk in meditation, enduring to refine his essence, Qi, and spirit to peak perfection! Such resolve!"

Lord Zhengshuang was silent for a moment before saying, "The Princess has a discerning eye." Though his tone was even, this was extremely high praise.

Meanwhile.

In a waterside pavilion further away from the separate courtyard.

Xu Zhaoying stood by the window, cradling her long sword, gazing in the direction of Chen Qing's quiet room.

"Holding back, accumulating power for the opportune moment?"

Just then.

"Boom—"

An intent as deep and silent as an abyss shot up into the sky, startling all the spiritual birds in the garden into flight!

"It's coming!"

Lord Dingbo, Lord Zhengshuang, Xu Zhaoying, and all others who were paying attention, collectively focused their attention!

"Seven days of seated meditation, one day of swallowing the pill, and it's as if he's grasped the profound meaning of a Destiny Talisman!" Lord Dingbo was stunned at first, then sighed, "If his Spiritual Bone were still intact, his achievements would likely be beyond our comprehension! Alas!"

Lord Zhengshuang mused for a moment, then suddenly said, "I heard Brother Lü is investigating where Chen Xu's excavated Spiritual Bone went."

"Investigate! We must investigate!" Lord Dingbo's expression was stern. "Whoever dug out this Spiritual Bone might have destroyed a true immortal of the mortal world!"

Saying this, he stood up.

"However, we must first stop him from condensing a complete Destiny Talisman. Without inherited techniques or bloodline succession, attempting to condense it rashly is like a blind man touching an elephant, or a blind person embroidering – it's all up to fate! This first Destiny Talisman is his Natal Talisman, and it cannot be taken lightly!"

Lord Zhengshuang nodded and said, "When his Spiritual Bone was dug out, his Destiny Talisman was already crippled once. He must be exceptionally careful with this reconstruction."

Inside the room.

Within Chen Qing's Dantian's sea of Qi, a phantom talisman image, interwoven with mountains and seas, was inhaling and exhaling spiritual light. Its runes resembled ancient seal script, and each flicker caused the Magical Power around him to surge.

The nascent form of a Destiny Talisman!

Chen Qing's mind trembled violently. If he could seize this moment and push forward, he could achieve the qualitative leap of "Condensing Qi into Destiny Talisman," stepping into the late stage of the second realm, Soothing Harmony Foundation Establishment, comprehending Innate Techniques, and his techniques' power would surge when cast!

But the next moment, he suddenly awoke, and his master's dying admonition surfaced in his mind--

Destiny Talismans are naturally formed, their fortunes and misfortunes unpredictable. In the past, someone condensed the "Nine Heavens Thunder Talisman" in one go, capable of summoning heavenly lightning with a single thought! Yet there were also those with extraordinary talent who condensed the "Weak Water Talisman," their Magical Power becoming soft and weak, unable to break through the third realm their entire lives!

"In the legacy texts of my Ancestor, Senior Uncle, and Master, there are essential points and secrets for condensing Destiny Talismans. Before, my realm was insufficient, and they were just gathering dust in the quiet room. But now, my cultivation in the dream is sufficient, and I can barely take a look!"

He was in a dream. Although his realm was sufficient, rashly condensing a talisman could lead to one that didn't align with his physical body in the real world, thus losing the opportunity and convenience of mutual reference!

His thoughts raced, and Chen Qing immediately followed the cultivation tenets, using the true intent of mountains to suppress the nascent Destiny Talisman.

Hum!

Just then, white mist suddenly rose around him!

An irresistible sense of being pulled away descended instantly!

The seven-day period in the dream had arrived!

Chen Qing was prepared for this and showed no panic. In the final moment, just like last time, he left a few lingering thoughts for his dream body--

"Settle your cultivation, don't rush to condense a complete Destiny Talisman!"

"Study painting and calligraphy, no need to force it, practice whenever you have time!"

"Comprehend the cultivation methods from within and outside dreams, exchange and learn from each other!"

As the last divine sense was transmitted, Chen Qing completely let go of his mind.

White mist billowed, engulfing his consciousness.

But what he didn't know was that his dream body, having lost its main soul, had entered a wondrous state at that very moment.

No thoughts, no desires, yet his spiritual platform was clear and bright;

No self, no attachments, yet Dao rhythm arose spontaneously!

Supreme Forgetfulness of Emotion!

But this state did not last long, vanishing in an instant.

Outside the dream, within the Hidden Star Gate.

Chen Qing, who had slept for a night, suddenly opened his eyes!

"Boom!"

A stream of pure spiritual energy poured down from the crown of his head!

Instantly, the pores all over his body relaxed, his internal energy surged like a raging river, and the golden light of his Yellow Court Palace flared, almost bursting out of his body.

"A night's feedback is equivalent to half a year of arduous cultivation!"

Chen Qing rejoiced in his heart, circulating his energy. His internal energy surged like a tide, becoming even more abundant!

However, the perfection of the first realm still had its limit. After surging through his body several times, the surging internal energy, like a tide hitting a dam, could no longer advance!

"If my realm were not yet complete, this feedback alone would have saved me at least half a year of hard work!"

Just as he was lamenting--

"Buzz!"

Another stream of Supreme Harmony Qi fed back, and wherever it passed, his meridians felt like they were bathed in sweet dew, and his internal energy circulation suddenly became smooth and harmonious.

Chen Qing's spirits immediately lifted, but before he could rejoice, his five senses suddenly roared!

A warm spiritual energy, as red as fire, poured in from the crown of his head!

"Fire Element Spiritual Energy!?"

Closely following were the verdant Wood Element Spiritual Energy, the heavy and steady Earth Element Spiritual Energy, the sharp and murderous Metal Element Spiritual Energy, and the soft and flowing Water Element Spiritual Energy!

Five streams of pure spiritual energy poured in one after another!

"All Five Elements are present!"

Chen Qing's pupils contracted.

The Nine Orifice Meridian-Opening Pill he had consumed in his dream had actually fed back the Five Elements Spiritual Essence to the real world!

"Although it's only one or two-tenths of what was in the dream, its quality is excellent! This way, I won't have to collect Five Elements Spiritual Items anymore and can attempt to advance on a chosen auspicious day!"

To break through from the first realm to the second, one needed to gather Five Elements Spiritual Items and harmonize Yin and Yang to draw upon the Supreme Harmony Qi, cleanse the marrow, and establish the foundation. However, after years of planning with his master and searching in many places, they had not obtained much spiritual material. The formation array and cultivation methods, as well as the expenses of his senior brother during his lifetime, had consumed a lot. Now, only Wood and Earth elements remained.

This night's feedback had completed the most crucial puzzle piece!

"I'll nourish myself for three days first. Once my essence, energy, and spirit are full, I'll choose an auspicious time to break through..."

Chen Qing suppressed his joy and slowly withdrew his technique, allowing the Five Elements Qi to circulate within his meridians, absorbing his aura. He didn't just sit there; he got up and pushed open the window, and the mountain wind carrying moisture rushed towards him.

In the distance, Fang Da'ao was practicing in the morning, his fist winds whistling with sounds like tigers and leopards; Qu Xiaoyao was squatting by the herb garden, carefully loosening the soil for a spiritual herb.

"Uncle-Master!" Seeing him open the window, Fang Da'ao immediately stopped his movements and bowed. "Just as dawn broke, a traveling medicine seller came and lingered outside the mountain gate, saying he wanted to buy our herbs. I saw his eyes were shifty, so I sent him away. Since you were asleep, I didn't disturb you."

Chen Qing frowned slightly.

Misty Gorge Mountain was located in a remote area, and ordinary merchants would not come here. This traveling seller might be scouting the area.

"Next time something like this happens, report it to me promptly." After giving instructions, Chen Qing rubbed the top of Xiaoyao's head as she nuzzled him. "Go and check the Spirit Marrow in the storeroom and see how many more days it can sustain the formation array."

"Yes!"

After the two children left, Chen Qing went to patrol the mountain and check the formation. He found that the protective mountain formation's spiritual light was dim and could only last for another half a month at most.

"Driving the great formation requires Magical Power. When Master was here, he could replenish it with Magical Power, and even then, he had to go down the mountain to trade for it every month. Now the reserves are running low, and I have to go out and trade. But small sects are most afraid of being targeted. Temples like Sea Abyss Temple have roped in Han Sha. If they find out the truth, they can calculate the date and set an ambush for me when I go down the mountain."

Just as Chen Qing was contemplating, an unexpected change occurred within his body!

After circulating in his meridians for a few rounds, the five streams of pure spiritual energy returned to his Dantian, but they intertwined with the Supreme Harmony Qi, transforming into a multicolored Qi, and then began to expand uncontrollably!

The multicolored Qi suddenly erupted, and wherever it passed, the acupoints trembled, faintly showing signs of spontaneously impacting the bottlenecks!

"Not good!"

Chen Qing urgently circulated his profound technique to suppress it, but the torrent was like a runaway wild horse, carrying the Supreme Harmony Qi and rushing all over his body, clearly showing signs of qi deviation!

"Boom!"

The Dantian's sea of Qi boiled, and in an instant, a vortex formed, frantically swallowing the internal energy within his body and the Heaven and Earth Yuan Qi from the outside!

This situation was almost identical to when I broke through in my dream!

"It was my oversight! The Five Elements spiritual energy mutually generates and restrains, achieving a delicate balance within my body. However, upon merging with the Supreme Harmony Qi, it spontaneously triggered the breakthrough! After all, Supreme Harmony Qi is only available in the second realm, and the Five Elements spiritual energy is required to break through to the second realm. The order is reversed, yet they are still intrinsically linked!"

Actually, it wasn't his oversight. Ordinary cultivators couldn't refine Supreme Harmony Qi in the first realm. Naturally, no one would have thought that the premature encounter between the Five Elements spiritual energy and Supreme Harmony Qi would spontaneously create an opportunity to break through!

At this moment, the torrent grew increasingly violent. If he forcibly suppressed it, it would lead to damaged meridians at best, and qi deviation at worst!

Chen Qing steeled himself, his decision made!

"If Heaven offers an opportunity and I don't take it, I will suffer its consequences! I shall use this heaven-sent chance to break through in one go!"

Meanwhile.

In a rock cave at the foot of the mountain, a faint light flickered.

"The Sect Master of Hidden Star Gate usually lives in seclusion," Shi Hong, dressed in green, frequently glanced towards the peak of Misty Gorge Mountain. "Except for that time at the Mystic Chess Academy, he hardly ever appears or comes down the mountain otherwise."

Liu Wang of Sea Abyss Temple, sitting on a nearby bluestone, chuckled and said, "He's probably just thinking about how to break through to the second realm. But are Five Elements Spiritual Items that easy to find?" He then flicked some dust off his white robe.

Shi Hong hesitated, "But that day during the test at the Mystic Chess Academy, that person showed remarkable presence. I fear he has some luck on his side; he's quite talented."

"We've already taken his disciples and created enmity! It's precisely because of this that we can't wait for him to break through; instead, we must seize his Dao Foundation!" Liu Wang sneered, and a short sword emitting a blue glow slid out from his sleeve. "Don't worry, junior sister. There are many talented people, but many also die. Talented people who die are simply those with shallow luck! I began my Dao at sixteen and have slain quite a few geniuses."

Shi Hong, however, said, "But what if he never comes down the mountain..."

"He will come down the mountain," Liu Wang stated with absolute certainty. "The Spirit Marrow of Hidden Star Gate can only last for another half a month at most. Once the great formation is extinguished, he'll be a trapped beast! Moreover, to break through to the second realm, he needs Five Elements Spiritual Items, so he'll have to come down the mountain to gather them. Right, what about the things you were asked to prepare?"

Shi Hong took out a brocade pouch from his embrace and produced a few items. "Five Poisons Powder, and three Thunder Fire Talismans. I acquired them recently. This... is it really necessary? He's just a first-realm cultivator."

"Even when hunting a rabbit, one must use their full strength," Liu Wang nodded with satisfaction. "Go tell Junior Brother Zhao to guard the northern foothills. Once you spot the Sect Master of Hidden Star Gate, don't alert him; send a signal first."

"Senior brother intends to...?"

"You all say he has an extraordinary presence," Liu Wang stroked the short sword. "If I don't slay him myself, my Dao heart will not be at peace."