Chapter Fifty-Two: Seventh Transformation of the Qi Condensation Realm!

After completing his body refinement secret technique, Luo Tian would return to the cave to absorb and refine spiritual energy into his body. Alternating between body and energy cultivation, by nightfall, Luo Tian finally sensed that the moment for a breakthrough had arrived.

A slight tremor coursed through his body, and at once, a vast power surged within him like the Yangtze River in flood. His joints, bones, and flesh all felt perfectly aligned, reaching a state of natural balance. Though Luo Tian's outward appearance was not particularly burly or robust but rather well-proportioned, he knew that, at full exertion, his strength now hovered around ten thousand catties—far more stable than before, when it fluctuated with his condition.

As the energy in his dantian condensed to the brink of overflowing—so rich and abundant that further progress would be impossible without a breakthrough—Luo Tian felt the urgency. Although his time at the Qi Condensation Realm was not long, his experience with breakthroughs was hardly inferior to others. As in previous breakthroughs, within this cultivation environment, the blue spiritual energy in his body advanced yet again, transforming naturally into violet energy, seamless and unhindered.

A faint purple glow emanated from Luo Tian’s body, gradually replacing the blue energy until the very last wisp was converted. Only then did Luo Tian exhale gently and stand tall.

Seventh Cycle of the Qi Condensation Realm!

Crossing this threshold marked his formal entry into the latter stage of Qi Condensation—a point where the gap with those at earlier stages would begin to widen.

Now, he could cultivate a mid-tier Human Grade cultivation method.

This was not simply about stacking and increasing the quality and quantity of spiritual energy, but rather required one to choose and refine the elemental attribute most suited to their own constitution.

Of course, this presupposed a solid foundation in body refinement techniques; otherwise, the domineering and potent elemental energy could cause irreparable harm.

Luo Tian had no such worries.

Strolling out of the cave in contentment, Luo Tian could not help but run a few laps around the valley, feeling clear-headed and invigorated. The exhilaration of his breakthrough was quietly subdued within him.

He slowly opened the Fire Origin Codex, and by the dim moonlight, read and absorbed it word for word.

This mid-tier Human Grade cultivation method could indeed set late-stage Qi Condensation cultivators apart from their peers, but it was not overly difficult. The key lay in extracting the required elemental energy from spiritual energy, after which absorption and refinement were much the same as before.

Yet this sensing and extraction of specific elements was by no means simple—it was inextricably linked to one’s innate talent.

Born of heaven and earth, everyone’s body contains traces of various elements. If one element is predominant, sensing it becomes easier.

According to the Fire Origin Codex, to sense the required element, absolute tranquility of mind is essential; otherwise, it would be a formidable task.

“With my dual innate gifts, this shouldn’t be difficult at all!” Luo Tian thought, his lips curling into a smile. He nodded confidently, gazing at the crescent moon above, full of self-assurance.

He closed his eyes, his breath growing ever fainter until it was barely audible. The valley was utterly silent, save for the occasional rustle of breeze and the chirping of insects, which only deepened the tranquility.

A mind as still as water.

Luo Tian remained motionless for over half an hour before slowly opening his eyes.

No, it was futile! Where had he gone wrong?

A slight frown creased Luo Tian’s brow. After a moment’s thought, he realized he had focused solely on reading the Fire Origin Codex more clearly, forgetting that fire elemental energy must ultimately be drawn from the ambient spiritual energy.

This valley was so close to the node of the Gathering Energy Array—how could there be spiritual energy here for him to sense?

Chiding himself for his oversight, Luo Tian immediately returned to the cave, where he felt the dense, surging energy outside his body and finally felt at ease. The content of the Fire Origin Codex surfaced in his mind, its essence already memorized.

Luo Tian began to understand the sect’s rules: although there were many copies of cultivation methods and skills to be taken from the Pill and Treasure Pavilion, if someone were to privately impart them and the sect found out, there would be consequences. After all, if anyone used a method without having spent contribution points and had no reasonable explanation, it would never escape the sect’s scrutiny.

As for some classics that fell into the outside world, the Divine Sun Sect cared little. Within several hundred miles, apart from the Divine Sun Sect, there were few suitable places for cultivation. Without ambient spiritual energy, possessing a manual was like stumbling upon a treasure vault without the key—one could only look on helplessly.

It was as if everything before him was shrouded in a thin mist: though some outlines were visible, Luo Tian could not see clearly. He shook his head, banishing these thoughts from his mind.

The urgent task at hand was to cultivate the Fire Origin Codex.

The world of cultivators was, after all, a cruel one—even without the intent to oppress others, one needed to possess their own formidable strength.

Luo Tian calmed his mind and began, as the Fire Origin Codex instructed, to adjust himself to an optimal state.

A mind as calm as water, a will as steady as a mountain—tranquil and composed, without a trace of agitation or frivolity.

Except for Luo Tian’s nearly imperceptible breathing, the surroundings were utterly silent.

A faint golden light flashed in Luo Tian’s eyes as he observed the ebb and flow of spiritual energy in the world, yet somehow, his spirit eye—a technique reliable a hundred times before—failed to yield results.

Perhaps it had yet to evolve; with another step forward, he might see a more wondrous world.

He sighed softly, then naturally dispelled all negative emotions, letting his heart settle into tranquility. He continuously attempted to extend his intangible yet very real spiritual power outward to sense the world.

At first, there was no effect, but Luo Tian did not give up, tirelessly trying again and again, without discouragement or retreat.

Spiritual energy surged like a tide, enveloping Luo Tian completely. The ambient energy was so dense it resembled a heavy mist, its thickness and richness palpable.

Luo Tian remained motionless, like a meditating monk.

Mind focused, form dissolved, merging with the myriad transformations of nature.

Suddenly, everything around him changed in Luo Tian’s perception.

Though his eyes remained closed, he knew he was witnessing a scene unlike any before.

Nine colors, corresponding to the nine elements of heaven and earth, were clearly discerned by Luo Tian within the dense spiritual energy.

The blazing of fire, the lightness of wind, the solidity of earth—

The distinct sensations of each element and their color were laid bare before Luo Tian.

Among the elements present in the ambient energy, their proportions were equal, but Luo Tian felt a particular affinity for fire.

Luckily, with dual innate gifts, otherwise, relying on mere physical constitution, the boy would have been at his wit’s end.

Yet even so, Luo Tian’s talent for the fire attribute was not especially outstanding. Possessing the spirit eye was already extraordinary; to demand more would be greedy indeed!

Luo Tian smiled wryly at himself, then began to try absorbing fire elemental energy.

This process was naturally more difficult than absorbing pure energy. His talent in this area was not especially strong, so as he watched the fire energy slowly enter his body, Luo Tian could not help but feel a little anxious.

The moment the wisp of fire energy was absorbed, he involuntarily drew a sharp breath—scorching, restless, violent—this was the sensation it brought.

The fire energy coursed through his meridians, its heat spreading naturally. Luo Tian endured the pain, secretly grateful that he had never neglected his body refinement; otherwise, this would have been even harder to bear.

After the initial discomfort, Luo Tian gradually adapted to the flow of fire energy. There may be no one inherently adept at withstanding pain, but those who endure it often enough do handle it better than others.

Only after refining that wisp of fire energy and guiding it into his dantian did Luo Tian exhale softly.

The first step is always the hardest; afterward, the rest naturally becomes easier.

Luo Tian continued refining fire energy, while gradually releasing the purple energy that previously belonged to him, letting it return to the world. This transformation was vital, for only by unifying all his power could he achieve greater cohesion and control.

Time slipped by. When Luo Tian finally completed the transformation, he left the cave to find dawn already breaking.

This session of cultivation, without rest, had lasted a full day!

Luo Tian sighed inwardly—when one is fully absorbed in cultivation, time truly slips away unnoticed.

Yet within such a short span, to thoroughly stabilize his achievement at the seventh cycle of Qi Condensation and fully step into its early stage left Luo Tian deeply satisfied.

Though he could not yet wield all his strength as deftly as an extension of his will, his level had been attained; the rest would follow naturally.

Now, it was time to return to Purple Sun Mountain!