“A cultivation method is extremely broad and profound. It was not something that could be described with mere words. Rather, it was a Dao that consists of all sorts of things.”

‘Raging Bison!'

Instantly, a Wood element spiritual Qi energy—formed into the appearance of a hulking Spirit Beast Bison—gushed from the weapon like a galloping creature right into the nearby tree.

Booom.

Baam.

Two flaring sounds apparently echoed.

“Ah!?”

Qai’s brows furrowed—a confused expression emanated from his face.

During the clash, the nearby tree first rumbled from the impact and was eventually cut into half. But his Guandao unexpectedly exploded as well in the process.

Qai’s mind was blown with the success of the attack but his face was ashen at the sight of his shattered weapon—it was a treasured gift from his father.

Qai deeply sighed.

What happened can no longer be unturned. At the very least the completed ‘Raging Bison’ became the redeeming development from the sudden misfortune.

Eventually, Qai once again renamed the original ‘Spear Thrust’ skill from ’Raging Beast’ to ’Raging Bison.’

From the way he developed the attack, it was unmistakable that the first Spirit Beast he encountered truly left him deeply impressed.

Unfortunately, he didn't know how he would proceed with his training.

Without his Guandao, he wouldn't be able to try the move once more. His only hope, for the moment, was to visit his home and try to get as many crafted Guandao as he could.

‘Perhaps weapons crafted by mortals cannot endure spirit Qi energy, even if they were made of materials from Spirit Beasts. No wonder Old Bu said my weapons were like trash in his eyes.’

Qai took a deep breath as he swept his glance at the horizon.

There was so much that he didn't know and could only rely on trial and error.

Indeed, most treasures and weapons used by cultivators were not technically ‘crafted’ in the strict sense.

They were apparently not melted in a furnace and hammered on an anvil but were extraordinarily ‘refined’—not forged—from different precious materials.

And mostly, only high leveled cultivators using a ‘Soulflame’ could accomplish that.

Treasure refinement was also deemed as a cultivation method with its own set of incantations. In short, to process a weapon suitable for spiritual Qi energy, it must be refined using Soulflame powered by one's spiritual Qi energy.

Qai could only sigh.

So far, only the ‘Raging Bison’ was successfully developed.

As for ‘Nightfall’ and ’Dance of Death,’ Qai had yet to accomplish any form of comprehension to properly enhance them.

In order to continue practicing with his new skill, Qai thus decided to head to the nameless village and visited his family. So he brought with him all the materials he collected, and in return, took a lot of Guandao weapons with him.

When he got back to his abode, he started to try out his new skill on a Spirit Beast.

While it was good, it appeared that his old physical attacks were still more effective than the new ‘Raging Bison.’

Were it not for the Intent that was also contained in it, perhaps the ‘Raging Bison’ wouldn't even amount into a tickle against Spirit Beasts.

Thus, Qai had no choice but to resort to his old tactics—to get near the target and practically cut it down with the blade.

Old Bu explained that the reason for that was the amount of spiritual Qi energy in his body.

“Are you stupid or what!? You have to build up your Qi, boy. There's no other reason for that.”

At just level 1 of the Qi Condensation stage, Qai indeed shouldn’t expect much. However, when he demonstrated it in front of Old Bu, the latter was actually stunned.

The old cultivator didn't say it, but in his estimation, that kind of attack might even hurt a level 4 Qi Condensation stage cultivator.

And upon proper observation, he found out that what made Qai’s ‘Raging Bison’ powerful beyond his level was precisely because of the added weapon Intent.

In the cultivation world, many claimed that the Sword Dao cultivators were the most powerful because they can unleash Sword Intent on top of their abilities.

And Qai had essentially shown Old Bu that he was following a path no different than those Sword Dao cultivators.

With Qai’s body refinement method, Old Bu was of the mind that Qai’s name would one day rise in the pinnacle should the latter turn out to have latent talent in cultivation as well.

‘Unfortunately, this boy was born in a truly remote place. Even if there are resources here, he started really late. Besides he had no proper knowledge to guide him. Genius disciples from different clans and sects in his generation, are most probably in the sixth or seventh level already in the Qi Condensation stage, or even higher.’

On the other hand, Qai was also in deep thought when he heard Old Bu’s kind explanation.

‘So I have no other choice than to breakthrough and advance from my current level.’

Cultivation indeed was a long and arduous process.

Old Bu saw Qai’s predicament and for once be tried to be a bit generous.

He flicked his hand and summoned something that streaked from his ordinary-looking pouch. He had been hoarding all of Qai’s beast cores for so long a time and so decided to extend a little help.

“Here, take these. I have no need of them.”

Three medicinal pills appeared in Old Bu's hand then tossed them over.

“They’re called Qi Condensation pills.”

“Eh!?”

Obviously, it was the first time Qai saw cultivation pills.

“Take one at a time when you cultivate and use the flow of your spiritual Qi energy to circulate it within your body. They should be enough for you to achieve a breakthrough.”

Qai’s eyes were beaming with surprise. He didn't know there were such pills in existence.

“Thank you, senior.”

Qai cupped his hands with a deep bow.

“Hah, don't thank me so soon. The cultivation world is truly vast and rich. What you truly lack is access to knowledge, boy. You will understand these words one day.”

After he said those words, Old Bu summoned his flying sword then left.

Of course, Qai knew that he was ignorant of so many things. He just stepped into cultivation—and even the things he learned from Old Bu plus the things he realized by mere observation were all just the tip of the iceberg.

His relation with Old Bu was that of a servant. So there was no way for him to demand the latter to teach him everything.

In fact, he already felt that Old Bu was already being generous for teaching him the ‘Transcending Autumn Arts.’

And even if he already became a cultivator as well, that didn't mean they were now equal in status.

Qai was not entirely new to the difference in status. His previous self as a noble would say it all when it came to the discrepancy of treatment among unequals.

Qai went straight to seclusion that day and immediately took one of the pills without hesitation.

From his mouth, rich spiritual Qi energy began to flow into his body.

He hastily sat in a lotus position and began to recite the primary incantation provided in the ‘Transcending Autumn Arts.’

Soon abundant spiritual Qi energy—both those absorbed from the outside and those produced by the Qi Condensation Pill—converged within him.

He continued his meditation for a few more days until he finally felt the thin barrier that separated level 1 from level 2 of Qi Condensation.

Since he didn't know what to do, Qai gritted and reluctantly tossed another pill into his mouth.

After a time it took to brew a cup of tea, a soft snapping sound suddenly chimed as a ton of filthy smelling dark fluid gushed forth from his body.

It wasn't his first time to see such impurities.

Back when he stepped into the first level of the Qi Condensation stage, the same thing happened—so he didn't feel strange.

Qai opened his eyed and smiled.

He circulated his spiritual Qi energy and tried to feel his power.

‘Haha, I should exchange for more of these pills with Old Bu. This is way better than eating a whole Spirit Beast.’