Chapter Six: Attaining Embryonic Breath

Page (1/3)
Mahashanmigh Radiant Samadhi

Name: Xu Zhi.

Cultivation Techniques: Little Scarlet Dragon Sword Scripture (Great Completion—Ten Steps, One Kill); Qingnang Medical Scripture (Great Completion); Divine Land Movement Art (Intermediate); Calamity Dispelling Talisman (Beginner); Crystal Flame Talisman (Beginner); Water Parting Talisman (Beginner); Ghost Capturing Talisman (Beginner); Blood Slaughter Talisman (—)

Cultivation: Qi Refining, Sixth Level (Three Qi Illumination Technique)

...

“So, Senior Brother’s Blood Slaughter Talisman has not even reached the entry stage, no wonder so much blood was spilled that day.”

Chen Heng silently pondered as he read the words inscribed in the golden book.

It is often said: Techniques have three levels, while immortals are divided into five ranks.

These three levels are none other than Minor Completion, Intermediate Completion, and Great Completion.

However, for more precise distinction, Chen Heng insisted on adding an entry-level stage before Minor Completion.

Although it might seem somewhat contrived, since only he could see this, he simply let it be.

“This heart-impression of others is truly lifelike, no different from the real person. But what grade is this Golden Cicada—an artifact? Or has it already reached the rank of the legendary Immortal Armament?

Moreover, this realm of names and titles clearly has Buddhist origins.”

The Nine Provinces and Four Seas of Xudu Heaven are dominated by Daoism, with Buddhism in decline.

Though it’s heard that the Western Su Province still maintains a lineage of Buddhist monks, they are but a handful, long suppressed by the Thunder Palace—the foremost among the heterodox sects—unable to lift their heads, constantly bullied, let alone compared to the Eight Sects of Daoism and Six Sects of Demonhood that rule Xudu Heaven.

If he wished to uncover the deep mysteries of the Golden Cicada and the One True Dharma Realm, he would likely have to wait until his divine powers were fully realized, then venture into the vast heavens beyond to seek traces of the great Buddhist sects.

With a flick of his hand, Chen Heng tossed the item he held into the air, and the golden page hovered once more above Xu Zhi’s head.

Finding it somewhat amusing, he willed the golden book to vanish again.

This was the second use of the Dharma Realm.

Not only could it simulate his own heart-impression, it could also replicate those of others.

And by relying on the Mahashanmigh Radiant Samadhi within the realm, it could reflect the cultivation methods and heart scriptures practiced by others, identical to their real selves.

Once the One True Dharma Realm successfully simulates a person’s heart-impression, no matter how many secrets or how deep their scheming, before Chen Heng, nothing could be hidden—there was nowhere to hide…

Moreover, being able to simulate others’ heart-impressions meant that Chen Heng was not limited to solitary cultivation; he could spar and contest with these heart-impressions, honing his skills.

No matter how these heart-impressions perished in battle, his true body remained unaffected. Coupled with the rule that “one day in the real world equals ten days in the Dharma Realm,” it was as though he had an untiring opponent training him day and night.

Page (2/3)

Especially since these heart-impressions would never tire, never complain, and were immortal and indestructible.

All the more precious.

“However, after slaying someone’s heart-impression, you can randomly obtain their scattered primal spirit, which contains the cultivation techniques and heart scriptures they have learned… Unfortunately, Senior Brother’s heart-impression is useless for this, as his scattered primal spirit yields nothing I do not already possess.”

The Little Scarlet Dragon Sword Scripture and Qingnang Medical Scripture were both inherited from Xu Zhi’s family and his own insights, and Chen Heng already had the originals.

As for the Three Qi Illumination Technique listed under cultivation, it was the fundamental scripture of the Xuan Zhen Sect.

Although it could be cultivated from Qi Refining all the way to the Purple Mansion stage, the True Qi it produced was only “Ingot Gold True Qi,” a mid-tier third rank. While superior among the lower third ranks, it was still considered a lower-tier True Qi.

Moreover, this technique had no special requirements; any disciple of Xuan Zhen Sect, upon achieving embryonic breathing, could request instruction from the Elders’ Hall without hindrance.

As for the entry-level talisman arts, there was even less to be said—they were common and of little value.

Chen Heng secretly lamented that if he could simulate the heart-impression of a disciple from a great immortal clan, he would no longer have to worry about Qi Refining methods.

But he had never even heard of such people, let alone seen one in person.

“Still, my Dharma Realm’s simulation, though marvelous, is not omnipotent. At most, it can cross one cultivation stage to imprint others into the realm… That I could simulate Senior Brother’s heart-impression was due to his complete lack of vigilance toward me, and because he shed so much blood while teaching me the Blood Slaughter Talisman. Lacking either, such a chance would not have arisen.”

Chen Heng shook his head at the thought.

A few days ago, due to the abundance of demons and ghosts in the Abyss, Xu Zhi had enthusiastically come to teach him how to draw the Blood Slaughter Talisman.

Human blood is the most potent of yang energies; newborn demons and ghosts, when feasting on humans, must first corrupt the blood energy before they can feed to their heart’s content.

Talismans crafted with blood are even stronger.

Once struck, weaker demons would be instantly annihilated, their souls scattered.

Yet Xu Zhi was unskilled in talisman craft; he hadn’t even mastered the basics, spilling much blood in vain. In the end, Chen Heng, unable to bear it, hurriedly stopped him.

“Senior Brother, I trust you’ve been well.”

Chen Heng looked at the expressionless Daoist, cupped his hands, and asked, “Have your wounds healed?”

The Daoist gave no answer, his face as blank and hollow as a clay or wooden statue.

Knowing that this heart-impression bore no emotion, Chen Heng paid it no mind. He smiled faintly and, with a wave of his sleeve, said,

“Please go ahead, Senior Brother. I’ll join you after I comprehend embryonic breathing.”

With this gesture, Xu Zhi’s figure gradually faded into the void, like a water stain in sunlight, slowly vanishing.

Chen Heng lifted his hand to his temple, his long, jade-like fingers—honed from years of qin playing—tapping lightly in a delicate, graceful motion, reminiscent of an exquisite ink painting.

Page (3/3)

“With this in hand, I now possess over half of the Four Essentials: Dharma, Companion, Land, and Wealth—the opportunity to attain the Way draws near.”

Within the Dharma Realm,

First, it could regulate the flow of time, rendering one immortal and indestructible; second, it could imprint the heart-impressions of others, so that after defeating them, one could acquire their cultivation techniques and divine powers.

Such an extraordinary treasure, even ancient texts dared not describe so boldly.

“Life and death inspire awe; the spirit finds its own accord. Heaven and earth are but a finger’s breadth, all beings a single steed. One forgets both the traces and the reason for traces; thus is one boundless, embracing transformation as essence, with nothing left unconquered. This is the mark of initial entry into True Contemplation.”

Chanting softly the essentials of the Embryonic Breathing of Life and Death,

Chen Heng raised the sword that lay across his knees to his throat. The blade was newly purchased; though mere mortal iron, it was keen.

After a moment’s contemplation, Chen Heng struck decisively.

A sharp sound—

A crimson line appeared at his throat, widening steadily.

Blood gushed forth like a spring.

...

...

Elsewhere.

High above the clouds, from the azure palace in the sky, came the sounds of music—strings lightly plucked, pearls falling onto a jade plate, water flowing into a pool, all mingling with flutes and zithers, layer upon layer, the echoes lingering.

“Aunt, it’s been quite a while, hasn’t it? Thirty years? For you to come all the way from Shangyu to Little Gan Mountain truly flatters me.”

Lounging lazily upon a crane-shaped cloud couch was the young master of the Xuan Zhen Sect. Two beautiful girls in gauzy dresses stood by with large silver trays, now and then offering him spirit fruits and delicacies.

“You’re so formal, Xiaojian, to greet your aunt so coldly!”

The answering beauty laughed softly, her ripe, voluptuous figure moving with a teasing chide, making her splendid feathered gown ripple with golden waves.

“Have you forgotten? When you were little, I doted on you more than anyone in Shangyu.”

She licked her lips, her almond-tinted fingernail tracing the jade table before her. “If it hadn’t been forbidden by the Ancestor, I might have dual-cultivated with you myself…”