Cultivation: When you take things to the extreme

Chapter 410: Chapter 263: Divine Bridge_1

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Breaking through and ascending was a non-issue, since several lifetimes of cultivation meant it was now all too familiar. With a single inhalation of the Relic Essence, a turn of the Internal Power True Yuan, the Qi Sea Yuan Pill was formed.

It is worth mentioning the difference in systems.

Although the realms are comparable, the Martial Path Yuan Core and the Yuan Spirit Golden Core are not the same entity.

The Martial Path Yuan Core refers to the Yuan Qi in the Dantian, which accumulates the body’s Qi Blood to develop the Qi Sea in the Dantian, thereby producing a higher quality and greater quantity of true martial arts essence, with a corresponding substantial enhancement of the physical body’s Qi Blood.

On the other hand, the Yuan Spirit Golden Core is merely a Golden Core, activated by cultivation techniques to draw the Heavenly Earth Prime Spirit into the body and convert it into mana, which then solidifies within the Dantian. However, it is not the same as the Dantian and focuses on harnessing the power of the Heavenly Earth Prime Spirit. While it also strengthens the body, the effect is not as significant as with the Martial Path Yuan Core.

If the Yuan Core were the same as the Golden Core, then why would Xu Yang bother with martial arts? Wouldn’t it be better to just focus on Qi Refinement and cultivation?

The Martial Path Yuan Core and the Yuan Spirit Golden Core are two different entities, two different systems, but both can coexist within the human body, serving as a foundation for the cultivator.

Using a not very accurate, but commonly understood description, it would be akin to—dual cultivation of magic and martial arts.

Is it inappropriate to cultivate both systems simultaneously?

Xu Yang wasn’t sure, but at least for now, he saw no conflict, no hidden dangers, but rather a harmonious and mutually beneficial relationship.

Therefore, he still planned to develop both systems—the Qi Blood martial arts and the Dao of Heaven and Earth Yuan Spirit—in parallel.

Should any problem arise, he would solve it. Only by overcoming all obstacles can one reach the grand avenues of the Dao.

After all, he possessed Zhuanzhou Mengdie, the method of Divine Travel Through Worlds, which allowed him to continuously experiment, taking each success and failure not just as experience but as wisdom paving his path and building steps towards a Heaven Reaching ladder.

…

With his cultivation complete, Xu Yang opened his eyes, his presence deeply concealed and unfathomable.

Upon witnessing this, Su Shaoqing was extraordinarily delighted and immediately knelt on the ground, “Congratulations to Ancestor Sovereign on advancing to Yuan Core!”

Although it might seem like flattery, the joy was genuine, born out of a life-and-death connection, as well as devout respect and longing that surpassed even familial bonds.

Xu Yang shook his head and said with a light chuckle, “There’s no need for ‘Ancestor Sovereign’ in the future. It doesn’t sound right and isn’t convenient.”

“This… Yes!”

Hearing this, Su Shaoqing hesitated but obediently nodded, asking, “Then what should this disciple call you from now on?”

Xu Yang replied with a smile, “Call me Master.”

“That cannot be!”

Hearing this, Su Shaoqing was startled and stammeringly responded, “How could I be considered equal to our Ancestors?”

Xu Yang shook his head, “A true man is not bound by trivialities, and a cultivator even more so prioritizes the Tao over worldly concerns. Why bother about the public’s view?”

“But this disciple is… Please allow this disciple to address you as Ancestor Master!”

While Su Shaoqing insisted, he still harbored some reluctance and ultimately proposed a compromise.

“So be it, have it your way.”

Xu Yang didn’t persist too much and continued, “However, a different title must be used in public, otherwise, even for cultivators who are Youthful Forever, it may raise suspicions.”

“This disciple understands.”

Su Shaoqing nodded, saying with a light chuckle, “Then in the presence of others, this disciple shall address you as Young Master, how’s that?”

“Young Master…”

Xu Yang fell silent upon hearing this.

“Ancestor Master?”

Seeing Xu Yang suddenly fall silent, Su Shaoqing was puzzled, “Did this disciple say something wrong?”

“No,”

Xu Yang shook his head and said in a low voice, “It’s just that such a title reminds me of an old acquaintance.”

“An old acquaintance?”

Su Shaoqing observed his expression, curious yet not daring to inquire further, cautiously ventured, “Then shall this disciple change to another form of address?”

“There’s no need.”

Xu Yang shook his head, choosing not to dwell on the subject and changing the topic, “After the Yuan Core, it’s the Divine Bridge, right?”

“Indeed!”

Seeing Xu Yang’s intention to change the topic, Su Shaoqing cooperated and replied, “It is said that Divine Bridge Martial Artists can use their own body’s Yuan Qi as a bridge from the Sea of Qi in the Dantian, connecting to the Dao of Heaven and Earth, and ultimately wield the power of Heaven and Earth with their own strength.”

“Oh?”

Xu Yang raised an eyebrow, “That sounds somewhat similar to the Unity of Heaven and Man mastered by Condensing Spirit Martial Artists.”

“While it may resemble it, it only appears to be so!”

Su Shaoqing shook his head, explaining, “The Unity of Heaven and Man of Condensing Spirit Martial Artists involves channeling heavenly Yuan Qi with the spirit to enhance the power of their martial arts, whereas the Divine Bridge of Divine Bridge Martial Artists uses their own potent Yuan Qi to form the bridge, controlling the Dao of Heaven and Earth with the strength of their own Qi Blood. It touches upon both the great secrets of the human body and the Dao of Heaven and Earth.”

“The strength of one’s Qi Blood?”

“The ability of the Dao of Heaven and Earth?”

Xu Yang murmured, his eyes lighting up with interest, “Is there a specific cultivation technique?”

“This… your descendant has failed you!”

Su Shaoqing gave a wry smile, “The Divine Bridge technique is supremely secret, accessible only through the insights from the War God’s Atlas for inheritance. And now, the major powers seem to favor families over sects, with even the Heavenly Demon sect being dominated by several large families. We have tried to steal the techniques, but the results…”

His words trailed off into a bitter smile.

“Is that so?”

Xu Yang was not surprised by this news.

From the moment he heard that the War God’s Atlas could transform one’s constitution, Xu Yang had anticipated this development.

Sect?

Family clan?

These represented two different power structures, each with its strengths and weaknesses.

Sects have the advantage in quantity and aptitude, as they can recruit disciples from all over the world. Naturally, the number and talent of the disciples would be higher than those of a family clan, but without the ties of kinship, internal factional strife is likely to lead to division.

The strength of family clans lies in their blood relations, as the bonds among family members are tighter than those between sect disciples, but this can also be their downfall, with nepotism often hindering progress, outranking merit-based ascent. As a result, families develop slower, their size is limited, and conflicts between the main and branch lineages can surface, sometimes creating tension akin to the saying “like father, like son.”