The Difference Between Qi Cultivation and Spirit Power, Life Itself is the Foundation!

"Hmm, Granduncle, what do you mean by that? What is the difference between Qi and Spirit Power?"

Qin Qi stopped his movement to leave; he had spent study credits to extend the duration of the Study Space.

"Before, I heard you say that you used Qi-refining techniques to directly increase your Spirit Power. At that time, I also assumed that what they call Spirit Power..."

"Was just another name for the Qi in this world you are currently in."

"But through continuous learning and my observation of you, I have discovered that Spirit Power and Qi are not the same thing!"

Tang Jiaren's expression turned serious. The vague concept of Qi was a massive issue.

It could lead to a significant hidden danger of an unstable foundation, so he had to clarify this matter with Qin Qi right now.

"I'm listening. Please, continue."

Qin Qi sat cross-legged in front of Tang Jiaren, his expression also turning serious as he spoke.

"In our world, there is no such thing as the level of Qi; we only speak of the level of one's 'Nature and Life' cultivation."

"'Life' refers to all tangible things; all visible living tissues belong to Life."

"'Nature,' on the other hand, refers to everything that is invisible yet truly exists, such as the soul, Qi, and mental will."

"In the sects of our world, so-called Qi-refining is the process of tempering one's own Nature and Life!"

"We never speak of how much Qi one has in isolation; we only speak of how high one's Nature and Life cultivation is."

"Do you understand what I mean?"

Tang Jiaren looked at Qin Qi and asked.

"Hmm... I understand."

"Qi-refining cultivation is essentially Nature and Life cultivation; it is the sum of the body, soul, Qi, and will."

"Spirit Power, however, is merely a label for energy; it does not encompass anything else!"

Qin Qi nodded, finally beginning to grasp the distinction between Qi-refining and Spirit Power.

"Exactly. The Qi we cultivate is an existence formed by the condensation of essence, energy, and spirit."

"But the Spirit Power spoken of in this world seems to be purely energy—to put it bluntly, it is just the 'energy' component of essence, energy, and spirit."

Worried that Qin Qi might mistake the two, Tang Jiaren specifically wrote the characters for 'Qi' (氣) and 'Qi' (炁) in the space.

These were two different characters pointing to two different things; the latter was not simply a traditional form of the former.

"So that's how it is!"

Qin Qi suddenly realized why it had been so simple for him to absorb the five-hundred-year-old Datura Snake earlier.

It was because, while he was refining Qi, his body and soul had been improving simultaneously.

With the same amount of Spirit Power, his physical strength and mental fortitude far exceeded those of other Spirit Masters!

For the remainder of the time, Qin Qi and Tang Jiaren discussed many more things, thoroughly distinguishing between Qi and Spirit Power.

They also re-evaluated Qin Qi's strengths and weaknesses while formulating a subsequent cultivation plan.

"Your Qi-refining has several advantages over cultivating Spirit Power."

"First, your body, soul, and Qi all increase in sync, so there are no weak points."

"Second, because of your physical strength, the age limit of the Spirit Rings you can absorb will also increase."

"Third, at the same level, your Qi is far superior to others' Spirit Power in both quality and quantity."

"However, there is a downside: because you are improving your body, soul, and Qi all at once..."

"The speed of your cultivation will require more time than simply cultivating Spirit Power alone."

Tang Jiaren said, looking at Qin Qi.

"That's not a problem. I don't have much, but I have plenty of time and good talent."

Qin Qi smiled. Although it would take more time than it would for others, he had his cheats!

The various talent attributes he had previously stacked from Tang Jiaren made his Qi-refining speed twice as fast as anyone else's!

Coupled with the Study Space, where he could make one day last like two or three, he was not lacking in time at all.

"Good. Next is the subsequent training. Among Spirit Masters, there are no techniques specifically for tempering Nature and Life."

"But we in the Tang Sect do, and I will teach them to you later."

"Nature and Life do not just need to be nurtured; they also need to be tempered. Only a well-tempered Nature and Life can be resilient and powerful!"

Tang Jiaren stated.

"I understand. Cotton and iron have the same volume, but their strength is different, and iron is different from steel that has been tempered a thousand times."

Qin Qi nodded. In his understanding, nurturing Nature and Life was like eating—you had to eat enough to grow.

But if you just ate without exercising, you would only grow fat.

Only by eating well (nurturing Nature and Life) and exercising well (tempering Nature and Life) could one eventually become strong!

"Well, you've studied long enough for today. Go and rest, and take some time to digest this knowledge."

"Starting tomorrow, I will begin teaching you the Tang Sect's Instant Strike and Catkin Step."

Tang Jiaren nodded in satisfaction as he watched Qin Qi studying diligently, then told him to go and rest.

"Alright, Granduncle, I'm heading off then. Bye."

After bidding farewell, Qin Qi exited the Study Space; he needed to properly digest everything he had learned today.

Returning to the real world, Qin Qi saw Tang San practicing not far away.

Sigh, having a reliable teacher really is important.

Watching Tang San, Qin Qi was reminded of how Grandmaster would later make Tang San and the others run while carrying stones.

The next morning, everyone attended classes as usual. During lunch, Teacher Zhao found Qin Qi.

"The principal is planning to organize a sparring tournament between spirit master academies. Would you like to participate?"

Teacher Zhao looked at Qin Qi and asked.

"A sparring tournament between spirit master academies?"

"What are we supposed to spar with? We're a Junior Spirit Master Academy."

Qin Qi couldn't help but laugh; most of the students in their Junior Spirit Master Academy were just children without even a single Spirit Ring.

What were they supposed to spar with? Nothing.

"Yes, it's the Junior Spirit Master Academy Tournament. The principal is inviting academies from the surrounding cities to come and spar."

Teacher Zhao's expression was a bit unnatural; to be honest, she also felt like the principal was joking.

"Wait... the principal doesn't happen to know about Xiao Wu and Tang San, does he?"

Qin Qi was about to continue complaining, but suddenly thought of something and asked tentatively.

"Yes."

Teacher Zhao nodded awkwardly.

"The principal is truly cunning; that old guy is incredibly devious!"

"Sending us few spirit masters to fight against Spirit Scholars who don't even have Spirit Rings—the principal is truly brilliant!"

Qin Qi couldn't help but laugh out loud; it really was a case of making dumplings just to have an excuse to use the vinegar.

"Although it's not great for the principal to do this, it can effectively boost the reputation of our Nuoding City Academy."

"It's beneficial for the academy's development; well, the principal is doing this for the sake of the school."

Teacher Zhao couldn't help but lower her head as she spoke, her voice growing quieter; even she felt embarrassed.

"Yes, yes, the principal is the principal after all."

"I'll sign up, but remember, after we win, the principal better give out some scholarship money."

"Don't just settle for a few empty words of praise."

Qin Qi sighed at the principal's wisdom and then agreed; victory was certainly his.

The only question was what kind of reward the principal would provide after winning this tournament.

"That's a given; the principal has put up quite a bit of money in collaboration with the other academies this time."

Teacher Zhao replied.

"Brilliant, truly deep and brilliant!"

Qin Qi gave the principal a thumbs up. It looked like several academies were competing for the prize money, but in reality, the outcome was already decided.

Qin Qi didn't believe that any of the nearby cities had monsters who were already level twenty at six years old.

The advantage is mine; victory is certain!