The first step in cultivation is sensing the Heaven Qi. This marks the beginning of the Warrior Stage, which is divided into three ranks:
◇ Rank 1 Warrior: By sensing Qi in nature, one's five senses are sharpened, becoming far more accurate and refined.
◇ Rank 2 Warrior: By storing Qi within the flesh, physical strength increases exponentially.
◇ Rank 3 Warrior: At this stage, cultivators convert their blood into Blood Qi, expanding their lifespan by a hundred years.
♧ Next comes the Foundation Realm, consisting of seven stages. Here, cultivators open their meridians, laying the groundwork for their future. They can produce Qi outside the body and envelop weapons in it. Lifespan: 300 years.
♤ After that is the Blessing Realm, also with seven stages. Cultivators refine their soul, unlocking a unique soul ability, often referred to as a "blessing." In this realm, flight becomes possible. Lifespan: 800 years.
◇ Then comes the Opening Realm, again, seven stages. One opens their Sea of Consciousness and trains their consciousness. At this level, one begins to grasp the Dao, mastering fundamental laws like Fire, Ice, or Shadow. Lifespan: 1500 years.
"Sensing Heaven Qi depends on both talent and the cultivation technique used," Kaal said, seated in a lotus position. "If the talent isn't enough, then a high-ranking technique can compensate, to a degree. That's why Lauren must have access to the clan's secret technique."
Talent is ranked as:
(Red is the lowest, Violet the highest)
Cultivation techniques are ranked as:
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Each with sub-ranks: Low, Mid, High, Superior
"My talent was Blue, but I cultivated our clan's Superior-rank Heaven technique. Yet I know… the Myriad Thousand Demon Body is far beyond Heaven rank." Kaal exhaled deeply and closed his eyes, initiating the cultivation of the forbidden art.
First Stage: Body of the Hell Ashura Demon
Suddenly, Kaal felt everything vanish around him—no sound, no light, no time. Only endless darkness.
His soul floated there, identical in shape to his body but translucent.
In his soul form, he noticed something strange. Where his heart should've been… now pulsed a glowing Green Bead Seed.
"Did I die...?" he murmured, but realization struck—this was his Sea of Consciousness, something only Opening Realm cultivators could access.
Looking closer, he confirmed the irregularity.
"This... Soul Treasure... It's bonded to my heart."
A rare treasure indeed. Soul Treasures were born with a cultivator and died with them. Their abilities were vast and mysterious, and this one brought the soul of an Earthling into the Azure Sky Continent. It must be unimaginably powerful.
"This must be because of the Cursed Soul Orb... I read Raven's soul, and somehow the Green Bead Seed survived—even after his death. I need to speak to Father about this."
Time passed—how much, he didn't know.
Suddenly, a massive suction force surged from the darkness. Kaal tried to resist, but it was futile.
The next moment, he awoke standing on lava ground, surrounded by rivers of molten rock and towering magma mountains. Just as he tried to understand where he was, a roar of war cries shook the world.
He turned—behind him knelt millions of demon-like beings, each with horns, wings, and sharp claws. They bowed before a mountain, atop which stood a giant red demon with long black wings, twisted horns, and a body blazing with infernal might.
The demon's gaze locked onto Kaal.
And in that moment, Kaal felt it—a pressure so overwhelming that he nearly collapsed. It wasn't just power. It was divinity.
"It's like an ant… looking upon a god," Kaal whispered.
Then, the being spoke.
"IT'S YOU..."
The ancient voice echoed across the realm, shaking Kaal to his core. His vision went black.
When Kaal opened his eyes, searing pain wracked his body, as if every bone had shattered. He gasped, realizing he was back in his room, his black robe soaked with impurities and dark blood.
But alongside the pain... he felt reborn.
"Despite the agony, I've never felt so refreshed. It's like... a dragon now sleeps inside me."
He checked his Qi—no longer Blood Qi, but Asura Qi, glowing with a distinct azure hue.
His senses were sharper, his connection to Heaven Qi clearer.
"My talent... it must've risen to Indigo. My comprehension has soared, too. Shadow Sword Art reached the fourth level, and Shadow of Thousand Faces… the sixth."
Walking over to the wall, he summoned a sword from his ring. Instinctively, azure Qi wrapped around the blade.
"Sword Aura...!" he muttered. Only Foundation Realm cultivators could usually perform this.
He now understood how Raven used Sword Aura at Rank 2 Warrior—it was due to the Myriad Thousand Demon Body.
The block preventing his breakthrough to the Foundation Realm was also weakened—what would've taken a year... would now take a week.
Taking a stance, Kaal punched the wall—
BOOM!
The stone cracked like a spider's web.
"This body... holds the strength of a 3rd Stage Foundation Realm cultivator."
He grinned.
"Marvelous. I want to know the next stage of the Myriad of Thousand Demon Body... but it seems each stage awakens only at a new realm."
Then he noticed—his bruised knuckles had already healed.
"It... even enhances regeneration."
"Young Master !"
"Kaal!"
Jane and Mia burst into the room, eyes wide with panic.
"Don't worry," Kaal said, looking up calmly. "Nothing happened."
He turned to Mia. "Prepare a bath."
Still breathless, Jane nodded. She hadn't realized... she had just called him Kaal, not Young Master.