Daoist Competition
Chapter 82 - 5 Riding the Clouds and Riding the Mist Dominating the Skies_2

Chapter 82: Chapter 5 Riding the Clouds and Riding the Mist Dominating the Skies_2

When he first obtained this Secret Volume, he was undecided on which Daoist Book to practice first. But as he carefully read through and compared them, he discovered many intricate mysteries, realizing his prior worries were completely unnecessary.

The Ming Qi Stage essentially involves refining the True Essence and cultivating Spiritual Energy. In this regard, both Daoist Books are similar, but their emphasis differs greatly.

The "Taiyin Golden Book" focuses on the word "refine," emphasizing the grinding and cultivation of the Qi Mechanism itself, while giving only sparse descriptions of Dharma techniques.

The "Lan Yun Secret Volume," though it also contains spells for cultivating Spiritual Energy, seemed unimpressive to Zhang Yan in comparison, hardly worth mentioning next to the Taiyin Golden Book. However, this does not mean the Secret Volume lacks value—it emphasizes the word "method," focusing on how Spiritual Energy is maneuvered and transformed after refinement.

To Zhang Yan, this is perfectly understandable. Those who can cultivate the Taiyin Golden Book generally have meridians of at least Upper Middle Grade quality. Once their Qi Mechanism manifests, it is overwhelmingly fierce and domineering, obliterating all sorts of changes. Naturally, they have no need to practice more intricate Dharma techniques.

The Lan Yun Secret Volume, however, is different. Practitioners of this Daoist Book are often Fog Phase Practitioners with low-grade meridians, a significant step down from the high-grade ones. Thus, they can only rely on clever maneuvers amid spiritual transformations. In fact, cultivators with low-grade meridians are all adept at utilizing various techniques for Spiritual Energy.

To put it plainly, the Lan Yun Secret Volume inherently begins at a disadvantage, so it compensates by delving deeply into transformations of Spiritual Energy. As for Master Sun’s cultivation level, Zhang Yan dared not speculate, but he imagined that this must be someone who has perfected the art of Spiritual Energy manipulation and transformation to its utmost.

The two Daoist Books, one focused on "refinement," the other on "method," are not conflicting but rather complementary, forming a seamless unity of practice and application. Thus, he had already decided that after refining his first breath of Qianling Qi, he would test the Dharma techniques described in the Secret Volume to see what divine mysteries they might hold!

He didn’t bother returning to the Cave Mansion but stood where he was, revolving the spell described in the Daoist Book. According to its instructions, once Spiritual Energy is activated throughout the body, the physique would become as soft and light as cotton or silk, weightless as it twirls in the wind, enabling one to stride over waves with ease.

Yet Zhang Yan’s sliver of Spiritual Energy was not the ordinary type possessed by Ming Qi Stage Disciples; it was a sliver of Qianling Qi refined from Golden Fire and Fierce Wind, pure to the utmost. As he revolved the spell, he suddenly felt his body lighten. At that precise moment, a gust of wind blew, and his feet left the ground, drifting like a feather.

This was wholly unexpected. As he steadied himself, his expression subtly shifted. Taking a deep breath, he stepped forward, and his foot landed on a rising cloud of mist, which upheld him entirely. In an instant, he soared into the skies, as if spreading wings to ascend effortlessly into the clouds!

When he once again steadied himself, he found himself standing atop a boundless mist, able to gaze up at the stars above and look down over the great marshland below. He could not help but feel deeply moved: "So this is what it means to ride the clouds and mist! Once I reach the Second Realm of the Ming Qi Stage, I’ll naturally be able to gather energy into clouds and roam freely across the four directions. That is the true Immortal technique!"

Meanwhile, on another side of Spiritual Paper Island, Ling’er was complaining to Tang Yan, "Yan Lady, when will these days ever end?"

Hundreds of them crowded on the edges of the island only to avoid the Evil Qi. The Powerful Warriors were still manageable; their cultivation relied solely on various secret medicines and Golden Sand, so they needed no extra breathing practice and had robust, refined physiques, akin to a solid mass, allowing them to move about freely.

But the female servants were different. Their cultivation techniques leaned heavily toward the yin attribute, so when confronted with Golden Phoenix Fierce Fire, they felt dizzy and feverish, burning internally as if their organs were ablaze. Not only could they not practice cultivation, but they didn’t dare step beyond their huts’ doors. Only during one or two hours each night were they able to attempt a bit of cultivation—and even then, they had to tread carefully, fearful of accidentally inhaling Evil Qi.

Once Evil Qi entered the body, it would mix into the True Essence, corrupting the Qi Mechanism. Over time, it would grind down the internal meridians, ultimately destroying the foundation without even realizing it. Thus, the Chongxiao Spirit Mechanism on this island was no less than a deadly beast to these female servants.

Seeing Tang Yan seemingly indifferent to her complaints and preoccupied, Ling’er’s eyes twinkled with curiosity. She suggested, "I hear Zhang Yan took Master Sun’s Secret Volume. Perhaps right now, he’s under the moon, wracking his brain in frustration?"

Hearing Ling’er’s jest, Tang Yan gave a slight smile and replied, "The world is full of Fog Phase Practitioners, as numerous as cattle in the fields, but those who achieve true cultivation success are exceedingly rare. Master Sun is a one-in-a-million genius. How could Zhang Yan compare to him?"

"Exactly, exactly," Ling’er clapped her hands in agreement, saying, "That’s precisely right."

Tang Yan smiled and said, "Ling’er, the hour has come. Go cultivate now."

Ling’er turned her gaze outside the hut and exclaimed, "Ah! The Evil Qi has finally passed for today. Yan Lady, I’ll go meditate now."

"Go ahead," Tang Yan replied.

Ling’er bowed and left, but only moments after stepping outside, she gasped aloud, "Yan Lady, come quickly—look, isn’t that Zhang Yan?"

Tang Yan, startled, rose from her bed and hurried out of the hut. Seeing Ling’er’s shocked expression, she followed her gaze upward. There, under the bright moonlight, a figure stood weightless in midair, arms crossed, with flowing sleeves and dancing robes. The vast starry sky framed him, making him appear almost like a Heavenly Person!

Focusing her eyes, Tang Yan confirmed with certainty—it was none other than Zhang Yan.

Ling’er exclaimed in astonishment, "Zhang Yan has been cultivating for such a short time but can already control energy and ascend the skies? Wasn’t it said that he’s of average aptitude and incapable of success by those with Master Wang?"

Tang Yan suddenly felt an inexplicable irritation within her. "Could it be that Zhang Yan is truly a cultivation prodigy as Ning Chongxuan claimed? No, this man has no background and no foundation. Even if he has made some achievements now, it is nothing more than a fleeting bloom!"

Despite these thoughts, for reasons unknown to her, a restless agitation stirred within. She had been worn down by the island’s Golden Phoenix Fierce Fire in recent days, leaving her physically and mentally drained. She had considered petitioning Wang Family’s fourth son for help early but was too prideful to lower her status. However, after witnessing this scene, she felt strangely provoked, deciding not to delay any further.

Clutching the silk handkerchief tightly in her hand, she bit her lip with resolve and said fiercely, "Ling’er, prepare a letter for Master Wang. Say that we can no longer bear the torment of Evil Qi here, we are helpless and desperate. Beg him to pity our suffering and rescue us from this sea of misery as soon as possible!"

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