Unexpected Harvest

The air outside was thick with mist.

The moment Chen Qing opened his eyes, his pores dilated. A stream of incredibly pure spiritual energy manifested from the crown of his head, flowing in like a trickle.

"Such pure spiritual energy! The spiritual energy fed back this time is even purer than last time!"

He immediately sat down and began circulating his energy.

As the spiritual energy flowed, his meridians hummed like vibrating strings, and the Yellow Court Palace three inches below his navel blazed with golden light, giving off a subtle sense of solidification.

"I wonder how far my dream body will be able to cultivate by the time I enter the dream again, and if I can directly obtain the memories and experiences from the intervening years..."

Although the spiritual energy fed back was only a tenth of what he experienced in the dream, it was pure and perfectly matched the foundation he had cultivated for seventeen years. As it circulated through his body, it gradually integrated into his limbs and bones, nourishing every inch of his meridians.

He could clearly feel that the barrier between the first and second realms was already faintly within reach.

"At this rate, why would I need to wait until I'm seventy? I'll be able to attempt to break through to the second realm soon!"

As this thought crossed his mind, he let out a soft sigh.

The feeling of breaking through to the second realm in his dream was still vivid in his memory. As the Supreme Harmony Qi cleansed his entire body, his five senses transformed, making him feel reborn. Yet, upon waking, it was as if he had fallen back to the mortal world, the stark contrast inevitably bringing a sense of loss.

But soon, his eyes cleared again.

"Others break through realms like blind men touching an elephant, but I've already experienced it once! Who else has such an advantage? When the time comes, I'll be familiar with the process, and it will be smooth sailing. What is there to be lost about?"

Just then, an anomaly occurred!

A cool, refreshing energy, finer than a silkworm's thread, suddenly descended from the crown of his head.

Though this energy was as faint as a gossamer thread, it caused Chen Qing's entire body to tremble violently!

"Supreme Harmony Qi?!"

This was clearly a profound energy that could only be absorbed and nurtured in the second realm! Although it was just a wisp, it was like a spring breeze nourishing the rain, making his meridians supple wherever it passed, and his internal energy circulation suddenly became three parts more fluid.

"Although it's extremely weak, it's genuine Supreme Harmony Qi! Could it be that breaking through in the dream can even feed back the power that represents the true essence of the realm?"

Chen Qing's heart churned like a stormy sea, but as he felt the cool energy circulating, he suppressed his thoughts, held his breath, and focused, guiding this wisp of energy through its cycle.

When he finished his practice, the sharp light in his eyes receded, but his astonishment remained.

"The Grand Void Dao Evolution Record is likely far more incredible than I imagined!"

Carefully savoring that trace of Supreme Harmony Qi, Chen Qing observed its trajectory as it flowed through his meridians. After a moment, he frowned slightly.

Although this wisp of Supreme Harmony Qi was as controllable as his own arm, it felt like a rootless duckweed, a water without a source. Every bit he used diminished it, and it could only be replenished by entering the dream.

This situation reminded him of his master's admonition from years ago—

"The path of cultivation emphasizes gradual progress. Forcibly absorbing external power is like drinking poison to quench thirst; at best, your meridians will swell, and at worst, you'll explode and die. I once had an old acquaintance who was greedy for quick success, and the result was tragic..."

He could still vividly recall his master's sighing and shaking head at the time.

"But my situation is different. Although this wisp of energy is not something that should exist in the first realm, it originates from my dream body and shares the same source and quality as my current physical body, so there is no rejection whatsoever. If this logic holds true..."

He suddenly felt his mouth dry.

"If my dream body can break through to higher realms, wouldn't I be able to glimpse the profoundness of the third realm's Yin God, or even the power of the fourth realm, and then introduce it into my true body in the real world?"

The moment this thought appeared, it was like sparks igniting, instantly spreading like wildfire, filling him with imagination—

"The difference between realms is like a chasm! Even just a wisp of the true essence of a higher realm is a trump card that can turn the tide at a critical moment! If I can effectively utilize this trace of Supreme Harmony Qi and unleash it at a crucial juncture..."

A gust of wind swept through the hall, bringing Chen Qing back to reality. He immediately became alert.

"I must not be greedy for merit or rush. The priority now is to solidify my foundation. The gains from this dream far exceeded my expectations. Not only has my cultivation improved, but I've also seen precious visualization diagrams, gained insights into cultivation, and obtained a wisp of Supreme Harmony Qi! Although the Great Mountain Art cannot be used for now, it has pointed the way to completing the Sea and Mountain Remnant Scroll. This is the time to hone my foundation and strive to break through realms with my true body in the real world as soon as possible!"

Just then, a rustling sound from outside the window caught his attention.

"Da'ao and Xiao Ya have woken up."

Composing himself, he stood up and walked.

He pushed the door open, and the mountain wind hit his face.

In the distance, Fang Da'ao's shouts were vigorous and full of spirit.

"Uncle-Master!"

Upon seeing Chen Qing, the young man stopped his movements and bowed. His breathing was already much stronger than it had been a few days prior.

Chen Qing nodded slightly. "Your fist technique is good, but your breathing needs to be synchronized with your movements." His gaze fell on his dantian. "Do you still feel that warmth?"

Fang Da'ao quickly nodded.

"That's good," Chen Qing said with a smile. "It's a sign that your Yellow Court is about to open. Remember to meditate on it diligently. Once the opportunity arises, you can step into the first realm, and it will be a natural progression."

"Yes!"

Watching the boy's joyful retreating back, he fell into thought.

"I need to plan the cultivation path for these two children."

Suddenly, an idea struck him.

"Although the visualization diagrams from the dream cannot be brought out, if I can use painting to convey the Dao and reproduce the dream's visualization diagrams in the real world, even capturing just a fraction of their essence would be immensely beneficial to my disciples. But I'm not skilled in painting. I need to learn this, practice it, but where can I learn it?"

Thinking of this, Chen Qing's heart stirred.

"The insights gained in dreams directly enter the heart and can even provide spiritual energy feedback. Then, wouldn't the masterful brushstrokes learned in dreams also become mine?"

The more he thought about it, the more feasible it seemed.

"However, there's no rush to enter a dream right now. Cultivation is like building a platform; it requires solidifying each layer. Although the insights gained from breaking through the second realm in dreams are plentiful, if I can't fully digest them, it will only destabilize my foundation. Furthermore, that wisp of Supreme Harmony Qi, while marvelous, needs careful nurturing before it can truly be made my own."

As the mountain mist gradually dispersed, Chen Qing already had a plan in mind.

Thus, from then on, Chen Qing would sit cross-legged on the mountain peak every morning, inhaling and exhaling with the rising sun, circulating that trace of Supreme Harmony Qi within his body, and feeling its fusion with his internal energy.

"Supreme Harmony Qi harmonizes yin and yang, connects the Five Elements... So that's how it is!"

He opened his eyes, his gaze clear and bright.

"I previously thought that 'mountain momentum hides sea rhythm' from the Sea and Mountain Remnant Scroll referred to needing to consider both mountain and sea imagery during visualization. Now it seems it was hinting that internal energy circulation requires a blend of hardness and softness, like mountains and seas giving rise to each other!"

The previously obscure passages in the Sea and Mountain Remnant Scroll suddenly became clear.

"Master always said, 'When one method is understood, all methods are understood.' He wasn't just bragging..."

After seven days of quiet contemplation, Chen Qing felt he had digested most of what he gained in his dreams.

"It's about time, I can enter a dream again."

Buzz--

Just as he thought this and returned to the mountain gate, the talismans in his room suddenly shot out, vibrating in the air as a warning.

Chen Qing's pupils constricted!

The mountain protection formation had been triggered!

"Uncle-Master!" Qu Xiaoyao ran over, panting, a hint of panic in her eyes. "Outside the mountain gate... a lot of people have arrived!"

"Don't panic," Chen Qing reassured her, then asked, "Who has arrived?"

Xiaoyao took a deep breath before replying, "There are many people, but they're all gathered around an old gentleman with a white beard. That old gentleman said he's from the Mystic Chess Academy and has come specifically to visit our Hidden Star Gate!"

Mystic Chess Academy?

Chen Qing's gaze sharpened.

He had heard his master mention this sect before, calling it a major sect in the Southern Flame Kingdom, with cultivators of the fourth realm stationed there, holding a very high status in the cultivation world.

The Southern Flame Kingdom occupied most of the land in the southern part of the Eastern Spirit Continent and was a regional overlord. Its major sects were naturally incomparable to small sects like the Hidden Star Gate on the remote border. But why would such a figure condescend to come to this desolate mountain wilderness?

"And..." Xiaoyao suddenly clutched the corner of her clothes, her lips turning pale.

"And what else?" Chen Qing's tone was calm. "Just say it."

"Senior Brother Han is also here. He... he's wearing the clothes of the Sea Abyss Temple and is guiding that old gentleman."

Han Sha? Guiding?

Chen Qing narrowed his eyes, a cold glint flashing within them.

"It's good they've come; it saves me the trouble of looking for him." He flicked his sleeve and stood up. "Since guests have arrived, is there any reason to refuse them? Go and call Da'ao..."

Suddenly!

Fang Da'ao's angry roar echoed from the mountain gate.

"Let's go!" Chen Qing grabbed Qu Xiaoyao and hurried over!