Cultivating with Top Enlightenment

Under the night sky.

The radiance of the Yu King Pearl looked very gentle, with strands of mystical power dispersing within it.

The Blade Demon sensed some special resonance within and was shaken. He immediately understood that the resonance he had perceived a few days ago wasn't false; it probably originated from here. His anticipation grew as he let down his defenses.

Ning Qi manipulated some of the Power of Heaven and Earth to converge here.

In an instant.

The Yu King Pearl's light burst forth, and thread by thread of unique spirituality was drawn from within, with an unstable quality, as if it would crumble at any moment.

Ning Qi didn't hesitate for even a moment. The Power of Heaven and Earth he had long prepared enveloped it immediately, resonating with a special frequency.

In just a few breaths.

The original Power of Heaven and Earth and the strands of unique spirituality completely disappeared, replaced by a new force.

"This is Spiritual Qi!"

Ning Qi's eyes filled with wonder.

Even though it wasn't his first time synthesizing Spiritual Qi, witnessing it again was still astounding. Compared to the Power of Heaven and Earth, this force was brimming with vitality, as if all things were born from it. The intensity might not differ much, but the Power of Heaven and Earth without spirit lacked variation, in a sense 'deadly stagnant', its potential capped.

The Blade Demon, sensing the emergence of Spiritual Qi, was even more so.

His body trembled slightly with excitement. Ning Qi had already explained the process to him earlier, but feeling the presence of Spiritual Qi still moved him to tears, as the path he pursued so arduously was finally taking shape.

"Taoist Friend Blade Demon, prepare to absorb the Spiritual Qi. If anything feels off, expel it immediately. Do not hesitate for a second!"

Ning Qi's voice was very stern.

This was an experiment fraught with risks.

The fate of the Giant Ape he had seen in Yuan Tiancheng's bloodline always made him cautious. Although the Blade Demon was now taking the risk, Ning Qi also needed to be extremely careful, and thus he only condensed a minuscule amount of Spiritual Qi at a time, so any dire consequences could be controlled.

The Blade Demon spoke with ardor:

"Taoist Friend Tianjian, proceed without reservation!"

With that said.

He had already started to use the Secret Technique taught by Ning Qi, forming the special shape of 'Three Flowers Gathering at the Top'. Ning Qi hesitated no longer, taking a deep breath and then channeling the synthesized Spiritual Qi into it.

The Blade Demon let out a primal growl, the sound laced with excitement.

Though scarce, this Spiritual Qi was fundamentally different from the Power of Heaven and Earth. Once refinement began, the difference was immediately noticeable.

Ning Qi's eyes shimmered with golden light as he focused entirely on observing the trajectory of this thread of Spiritual Qi, analyzing the numerous transformations.

In his observations.

The Spiritual Qi passed through the 'Three-Flower Funnel', seemingly purifying some impurities before flowing effortlessly into the Blade Demon's body, much smoother than when previously absorbing the Power of Heaven and Earth.

He mentally recorded numerous changes, while countless inspirations surged forth.

Practice brings true knowledge.

A thousand simulations could not surpass a single instance of practice; many of Ning Qi's previous ideas were constantly evolving.

"Although the effect of 'Three Flowers' filtration has been optimized several times, it isn't perfect. Perhaps a few more processes are needed?"

"After the Spiritual Qi enters the body, it seems to create a peculiar entanglement with the flesh. Could this be the path of advancement beyond the Martial Saint? Judging by Blade Demon's body's transformation, the reaction of the Five Organs seems most intense!"

Ning Qi had an epiphany.

"Three Flowers Gathering at the Top, Five Qi Toward Yuan."

"In the Celestial Human Realm, one cultivates the Three Flowers. Could it be that in the Martial Saint Realm, one cultivates the Five Qi? And perhaps the Five Qi correspond to the Five Organs?"

He observed carefully, realizing more than he had imagined.

However, this instance wasn't about breaking through to the Martial Saint Realm but rather observing how the refiner integrates Spiritual Qi into the flesh.

Before long.

Under successive refinements, the Spiritual Qi transformed into a peculiar Spiritual Power, a process Ning Qi deduced using the power of the Yu King Pearl, equally effective. With this new powerful force appearing within, the Blade Demon was astounded, feeling an intense craving for this force of unparalleled nature.

Fortunately, he remembered Ning Qi's earlier admonitions.

Calming his mind, the Blade Demon began guiding this thread of Spiritual Power to disperse throughout his body. Ning Qi's Golden Pupil of Illusion-breaking operated at full capacity, prepared to observe if the Five Organs were indeed the best place to store the Spiritual Power. His alternative hypothesis was the Dantian, but this experiment revealed distinctiveness in the Five Organs.

Yet suddenly.

An abrupt change occurred.

Ning Qi vaguely sensed that from within the Spiritual Power, strands of peculiar energy surged forth, entering the Blade Demon's body. Suddenly, in his previously optimal state, the Blade Demon's body shook violently. His eyes widened, and within his pupils, ferocity and agony were evident to the naked eye.

"Roar!!"

A low growl erupted, like a beast.

Like a piece of jade suddenly losing its luster, the Blade Demon's already aged face was instantly filled with deep furrows, becoming incredibly ancient. His hair, like withered leaves, lost all luster, and his eyes turned cloudy at a visible rate.

Ning Qi was horrified, the tragic fate of the Silver Giant Ape rushing to his mind at once.

"Taoist Friend Blade Demon, reverse the Secret Technique quickly!"

Ning Qi shouted urgently, simultaneously directing the Spiritual Power from the Yu King Pearl into the Blade Demon's body to help cleanse the previously absorbed Spiritual Power.

The Blade Demon, groggy and stunned, was awakened by the loud shout, gritting his teeth as he reversed the Secret Technique.