Chapter 227: Chapter 50: Sheng Xie’s Progress_3
After an unknown amount of time, Ah Dai gradually awakened, surprised to find his body completely empty where the thick silver energy used to be. In its stead, a tiny silver figure about an inch tall rested in his Dantian. Looking closely, he discovered that this figure bore a striking similarity to himself. What was happening here?
Slowly opening his eyes, Ah Dai realized the stone cave had completely transformed. The previously dark stone cave seemed to have become imbued with countless colors, appearing stunningly vivid. Raising his right hand using the practice method he used to employ, a yellow energy sword appeared in his hand at more than the previous speed, while the small figure in his Dantian seemed only faintly less radiant.
"You’re awake." The voice of the Sword Saint of the Tian Gang reached him.
Ah Dai turned towards the Sword Saint, seated on the rock. To his surprise, he could see every crease and line on the Sword Saint’s face, which now appeared much more haggard and pale. "Master, what... what happened to me? Why has the vital true qi within me disappeared?" He inquired.
The Sword Saint of Tian Gang opened his eyes, smiling kindly. "Child, do you know? You’ve entered the eighth realm of the cultivation technique – the realm of reforming life and body. The liquid true qi you had did not vanish. Instead, it coalesced into the figure in your dantian, which is like yourself. It’s the accumulation of all the energy within your body. In your future cultivation, you can still follow the original method."
The eighth realm? Ah Dai was stunned. Just half a year ago, he had only entered the fifth realm; it was incredible to think that after merely another half a year, he had already achieved the eighth realm. Does that mean his powers were now equivalent to those of Uncle Owen?
The Sword Saint of Tian Gang seemed to have perceived Ah Dai’s internal conflict, and he said with a smile, "Child, you are indeed fortunate to have reached this realm so rapidly. In the sword sect, you are the first one to achieve this. But remember, reaching the eighth realm does not signify you have attained the same strength as your senior brothers. It’s significantly harder to advance with each rank of the cultivation technique, particularly after the sixth realm, as your power mostly depends on external forces, rendering your internal power impure. Therefore, even the consolidation of the eighth rank power will take quite some time. Furthermore, all disciples of the eighth realm are not equal in their strength. With the exception of Zhou Wen, who couldn’t break through the limitations of the eighth realm owing to his impulsive nature, all other senior brothers, after several decades of arduous cultivation, have achieved the eighth rank. However, their strengths vary. Among them, Xi Wen and Feng Wen, your eldest and second eldest senior brothers, are the strongest as they have maintained their eighth-ranking status for over two decades. It took even me, thirty suffering years to rise from the eighth rank to the ninth. Thus, you still have a long way to go and the future progress will depend on you." He paused a bit and then continued, "You should call your senior brothers here, I have some instructions for them. After you have called them, stay in the sword sect until they leave, then you can come back. Ah, considering your existing powers, you are more than able to tread your path on the continent now. Maybe it’s time for you to venture out."
Ah Dai was taken aback. Initially, when he began cultivating, he looked forward to the passing of the training phase quickly so that he could leave the cave to search for the missing members of the Elf Clan. But now, when the Sword Saint suddenly mentioned him leaving, his heart was filled with reluctance. Over the last six months, although the Sword Saint had never shown his warm side, he had imparted Ah Dai with his unique skills and transferred two-tenths of the power he had painstakingly amassed. How could Ah Dai not feel deeply touched by such profound kindness?
The Sword Saint of Tian Gang closed his eyes, speaking indifferently, "What should leave, will leave. Your journey is still long; you can’t behave like a child anymore. Go."
Ah Dai nodded, saluted the Sword Saint of Tian Gang deeply, glanced at Sheng Xie who was still asleep in a corner, and then floated out of the cave.
Breathing in the somewhat cold air at the peak, Ah Dai could feel that his power had considerably improved after attaining the eighth rank. Every movement, every gesture, seemed to be infused gently with energy. With a shift of his mind, his body took flight and took off towards the sword sect of the Front Mountain.
The gates of the sword sect were wide open, and as soon as he entered, he ran into Liao Yi.
"Ah! Little Uncle, it’s you! It’s been so long," Liao Yi greeted him warmly. Acknowledged as the third-generation disciple of the Sword Sect by the Sword Saint of Tian Gang, Ah Dai was higher in seniority than Liao Yi. Liao Yi admired Ah Dai immensely. Despite being younger than himself, Ah Dai had far superior powers. Evidently, his power would have improved by leaps and bounds after the recent tutelage from the Sword Saint himself. Seeing Ah Dai again, Liao Yi could sense the evolution. Even though Ah Dai still had the same naive look, his skin glowed with radiance beneath a layer of bright moisture. He didn’t display any formidable powers on the surface, but Liao Yi knew that Ah Dai had made significant advancements compared to half a year ago.
"Brother Liao Yi, just call me by my name. Please, don’t call me ’Uncle.’ I’m not older than you!" Ah Dai replied with some embarrassment.
