Chapter 6: Refining Qi_2

Actually, seeing this point, Li Fan understood why the Xuantian Sword Intent insisted on choosing this technique for him.

Sword Intent, Sword Intent, it had used whatever methods it possessed before, but they were all supernatural abilities related to swordsmanship. The Bamboo Sect might not have any profound late-stage techniques, but the Xuantian Sword Intent did! It had fought its way to the presence of the Daoist Master of the Virtual Star, so how could it lack advanced sword techniques?

Therefore, this technique that could be used in the Qi Cultivation stage, which allows one to create a bunch of sword energies for use right from the start, was indeed a top-notch method from the perspective of the Xuantian Sword Intent.

So how exactly should one refine it?

Actually, it's very simple, by using one's mind.

To put it plainly, one starts by visualizing a 'view' in the Divine Court, which is in the mind. For example, with "Basic Sword Energy Introduction," one would directly imagine a treasured sword in their thoughts. Then, by illuminating the formed 'sword view' with divine light onto the inner seas of energy, it's possible to condense the true qi within the seas according to this 'view' and refine out 'sword energy'.

Thus it can also be seen that the quality of the final 'sword energy' entirely depends on the initial 'view.' If one starts off on the wrong foot, they will stray further from the truth, ending up with nothing to refine. This is why it's necessary to seek true scriptures and observe authentic cultivation methods, to 'view' the right path.

Especially since the true qi cultivated with the Five Elements Escape Techniques belongs to natural phenomena, which are hard to describe with diagrams and text. That's why the techniques of the Bamboo Sect would use spells to engrave illusion-like 'visualizations,' helping the cultivator immerse themselves in an illusory realm during meditation and facilitating the cultivation of the Five Elements true qi.

But "Basic Sword Energy Introduction" doesn't need to be that complicated. After all, the object of visualization is a real object, which indeed makes it easier to imagine. Plus, Li Fan recognized the sword style at a glance—it was the sword hanging at the entrance of the library! It even flashed me a glare!

'Xuantian Sword Intent suggests that the host first refer to the dimensions of the technique, to meticulously copy out the sword's shape ...'

Tch, it's just like CAD drawing, super simple!

Li Fan referred to the dimensions and details marked in the Sword Energy Introduction and directly projected a three-dimensional model in his mind, setting up the jig, laser printing, and finishing it all in one go!

Shhh, a sharp sword energy burst forth from the right meridian Li Fan had just circulated qi through, splitting the curling incense smoke in the meditation room and solidifying into a Han-style sword that floated mid-air.

The sword body was straight and rigid, with a round hilt and sharp point, three feet in length, with a hilt five inches long, identical in specifications to the ink sword. If there were any flaws or differences, it was that this sword wasn't made of gold or jade, but clearly, it was formed from the purple mist true qi Li Fan had cultivated on the meditation cushion in the Bamboo Forest on the outer mountain, opened up after a hundred seconds of meditative breathing.

The back of the sword was as dense as ink, with purple qi swirling around the blade. Li Fan held the sword in his hand, clearly feeling the hilt still connected to the meridians in his right arm, plunging into the palm and reaching directly into the qi sea, continuously consuming true qi to maintain its form.

He carelessly swung the sword and, unexpectedly, it had no weight whatsoever. Fast as a flash of purple lightning, the sword's edge swept through the meditation room's furniture, cutting the bed, table, chairs, and stools neatly into two, scattering pens, inks, papers, and inkstones all over the floor with a noisy crash.

"What's the matter?" Fuling's voice came from next door at that moment.

"Nothing, nothing, just fell off the bed."

Li Fan startled, casually flung the purple mist sword energy out the wall, leaving a mark as it turned into a purple light and flew towards the center of the lake.

Fuling seemed to mutter something about a little child this and that and turned over, apparently lying back down to sleep.

So Fuling was living next door, huh? Li Fan wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. Checking his inner landscape, he grimaced—casting that sword energy had drained a good chunk of the true qi in his qi sea! What a loss, at least sixty seconds of cultivation wasted!

'Xuantian Sword Intent expresses that the host's talent is remarkably mad and outrageously shocking.'

... Are you really complimenting me here?

Well okay, no need to boast—Li Fan had a clear idea of his own limits. After all, it was just drawing; he believed at least a billion people could do it in his past life.

But merely refining sword energy doesn't seem like it would be enough to build a foundation, right?

```

According to the understanding Li Fan just had, refining Qi is considered the fundamental practice for cultivating the body and refining one's innate essence. Foundation building, simply put, involves expanding the body's meridians and vital points after which an automatic real essences reactor is created within the body.

For instance, using the Five Elements Escaping Technique as an example, it involves opening up specific meridians in the human body to form a circuit. This allows the spiritual essence inhaled during normal breathing to circulate and generate real essence within the body, forming a microcosmic orbit on its own. In this way, the Dao replenishes itself from within the body, continuously and without end. Thus, there's no longer a need to spend time every day sitting in meditation and enduring arduous cultivation.

However, the Bamboo Mountain Sword Art falls short in this area because it is merely a sword technique, and the intent behind sword Qi is purely for killing and combat. If one truly uses sword Qi to circulate within the body's meridians, wouldn't it be like stabbing oneself with holes?

But Xuantian Sword Intent reassures the host not to panic!

'Xuantian Sword Intent says that the host has astonishing talent and it doesn't need to waste time explaining. In a moment, it will demonstrate the practice, and the host just needs to remember the routes the Xuantian Sword Intent takes through the meridians. By doing the same, the accumulated Xuanming real essence in the body can be transformed into Zixia real essence.'

As the system explained, Li Fan could distinctly feel the Xuantian Sword Intent coursing through his body. The sensation was indeed very clear. After the Xuantian Sword Intent repeated the process three times, Li Fan had memorized the route of the practice. He followed the example, only feeling a chill rising from the kidneys, traveling through the meridians to reach the liver, then turning into a stream of pure Qi before settling into the Qi Sea within. In an instant, his Qi Sea was brimming with Zixia real essence, instantly refilling what had been depleted by a great extent just moments before.

'Xuantian Sword Intent says the host is incredibly daring. Now it will demonstrate the route for transforming Zixia real essence into Chi Sha real essence. Please remember this in silence.'

Then, Li Fan felt the Xuantian Sword Intent move from the Qi Sea below the navel, along another meridian back to the liver, then surrounding the heart, and finally returning to the Qi Sea.

Li Fan was beginning to understand the principle behind Xiantian (post-celestial) Immortal Dao. So, he gathered the Zixia real essence in the Qi Sea and circulated it following the route taken by the Xuantian Sword Intent. When it returned to the Qi Sea, it had transformed into a warm flow, undeniably Chi Sha real essence.

"The inner Five Elements beget one another..."

Water, wood, fire, earth, metal – the Five Elements generate each other in an endless cycle. Similarly, the human body has the heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys, corresponding to the Five Elements' vital organs.

Xuantian Sword Intent looks down upon the foundational techniques of the Five Elements Escaping Method, and Master Wangshu also pays little heed to the selection of techniques for the Foundation Building phase. That's because even though cultivators of ancient times might not have understood meridians and vital points, today's cultivators have likely already grasped these fundamental principles.

Therefore, for a genuine cultivator, Foundation Building is probably not even considered a threshold.

'Xuantian Sword Intent says that the host catches on with a single hint, a teachable child. As long as one memorizes the principle of the Five Elements generating each other and refines a microcosmic orbit within the body, one can practice breathing exercises and accumulate cultivation while going about daily activities. Within a few months, the Qi body will be replete, and Foundation Building will be successful.'

Indeed, if one were to figure it out alone, it would require a lot of effort. At the very least, several years of learning about meridians and vital points, and memorizing the human anatomy back to front would be needed. One could even mistakenly channel energy incorrectly and injure the internal organs.

But with Xuantian Sword Intent directly circulating within, it's as though a pen has neatly delineated the body's meridians. All Li Fan needs to do is to follow and copy the outline. It is indeed quite simple.

Thus, by simply completing a microcosmic orbit of breath circulation, Li Fan felt refreshed, as if he had eaten a ginseng fruit, indescribably invigorated and clear-headed.

That sensation, how to describe it? It's like before, when you follow the meridian from the kidneys, it shoots to a climax and is over in three to five seconds.

But with the grand circulation of the microcosm, it's as if all the extraordinary meridians and channels have been traversed! The sense of thorough refreshment and comfort throughout the whole body is beyond wonderful!

Ah~~ So cultivation is such a delightful thing~~~

'Li Fan's mood has greatly increased by 1 point.'

'Xuantian Sword Intent says, now the host understands, right?'

Li Fan understood. He finally grasped what it meant to aspire to become an immortal and experience boundless joy...

Cultivate! Damn cultivation!

```