A thousand enlightenments in one night, starting from being a menial apprentice.

Duan Rong studied the five-colored Ruyi Pearl in that secret room for a whole day, but still failed to unravel its mystery.

Strangely enough, the wish-fulfilling bead perched between his clear, glassy brows represents his understanding of artistic conception.

It was something within his spiritual consciousness, meaning it existed within the very origin of his soul. However, his mental perception couldn't fully encompass it, and he couldn't sense the faint light it emitted.

This is actually a rather bizarre and sinister thing.

After repeated investigations yielded no results, Duan Rong finally decided to give up for the time being.

He planned to ask the sect's patriarch, Lü Yinlin, about this matter when he had the chance.

Because these five-colored wish-fulfilling beads represent his understanding of artistic conception.

As a practitioner's understanding of the conception varies in depth, there will be many different situations to deal with when they condense their profound insight.

This is also one of the checkpoints for condensing the void.

Each cultivator's understanding of the realm of intent is different, and the power of the laws they comprehend through this realm when condensing the Insightful Realm varies greatly. Therefore, no two people in the world are in the same state when condensing the Insightful Realm.

This five-colored Ruyi Pearl clearly has a great influence on the process of condensing the Cave of Enlightenment. If Duan Rong cannot fully comprehend this object and cannot thoroughly understand the mysterious and strange nature of its faint light, which is so great that even his mental perception cannot cover it, he would not dare to risk starting to condense the Cave of Enlightenment.

However, there's no rush. He still needs some time to condense his Insightful Cave. After all, he's only at the first level of the Qi Cyclone Realm. He should focus on reaching the Great Perfection of the Qi Cyclone Realm first.

Duan Rong quickly composed himself. He could only discuss the matter of the Five-Colored Ruyi Pearl with his ancestor next time he met him.

Now, with peace and stability both internally and externally, and no major troubles, it is the perfect time for him to cultivate himself diligently.

Duan Rong sat cross-legged on the futon, and with a flick of his hand, a porcelain bottle appeared in his palm.

This contains a drop of the essence blood of a high-level elemental beast.

Duan Rong's eyes were cold as he saw a drop of thick blood, about a third the size of his little fingernail, float out of the porcelain bottle and appear before his eyes.

That drop of the beast's essence blood was a rich, deep purplish-red, with its vital energy contained within.

Duan Rong's eyes flickered, his consciousness sharpened, and the drop of essence blood in front of him suddenly twisted and then scattered as if it had hit something.

One drop of essence blood transformed into ten even smaller drops of essence blood.

Ten drops turned into twenty drops!

With a thought, a tiny drop of his essence blood flew into his mouth.

Duan Rong swallowed one-twentieth of the essence blood and immediately felt the pure primordial energy in his dantian surging like a vast ocean, with each wave stronger than the last...

Duan Rong's mind was as clear as a mirror as he began to refine the essence blood...

At this moment, Duan Rong is completely different from when he first condensed the cyclone.

After being forged and tempered in the Myriad Manifestations Cave, and then nourished by the whispers of gods and demons at the central altar within the ruins of gods and demons, both the strength of his divine soul and his comprehension of artistic conception have risen several levels.

At this point, refining the essence blood of high-level elemental beasts was no longer as challenging as it had been when he first condensed his qi vortex.

At that time, because of the continuous consumption of the essence blood of the differentiated high-level Yuan Beasts, the condensed Qi vortex was directly impacted, which also caused slight damage to the Dantian. As a result, for a period of time afterward, he was unable to cultivate with the essence blood of these high-level Yuan Beasts.

However, after this period of time, the hidden injuries in his dantian have long since been completely healed.

Moreover, with Duan Rong's current divine soul and his grasp of artistic conception, he is already able to completely control the strength of the spiritual pressure of the high-level Yuan Beast's essence blood spreading in his dantian...

As one's spiritual practice deepens, it tends to become more and more refined and subtle.

If one acts recklessly with brute force, not only will one waste and deplete cultivation resources, but over time, this will also leave many subtle, imperceptible injuries in the dantian and meridians.

These minor injuries are usually harmless, but when it comes to critical points in cultivation, it is often these minor injuries that cause cultivators to get stuck.

Therefore, the later stages of spiritual practice become increasingly demanding and challenging, and those who are careless or insensitive will find it difficult to achieve success in the later stages.

Duan Rong sat in that secret room for two months, becoming emaciated and disheveled.

During this time, Lü Qingzhu came in once. Seeing Duan Rong cultivating so diligently, she felt sorry for him, but ultimately did not disturb him.

Two months later, Duan Rong suddenly opened his eyes and exhaled a long breath of stale air.

At this time, although he was emaciated, his eyes were bright and his spirit was strong; he was indeed emaciated but had a strong body.

After two months of arduous training, he had completely refined the essence blood of that high-level elemental beast, and he had achieved the second level of Qi Cyclone. He felt that the third level was not far away.

The speed of his cultivation was much faster than he had imagined.

Besides being able to use the extremely rare resource of high-level elemental beast essence blood to refine and aid his cultivation, it also greatly helps his own spiritual strength and his profound understanding of artistic conception.

Duan Rong had a clear feeling about this when he was refining the essence blood of that high-level elemental beast.

He could sense many subtle changes during the refining process and handle them skillfully, all of which were closely related to the strength of his divine soul and his comprehension of the artistic conception.

In fact, Duan Rong was unaware that his profound understanding of artistic conception had already touched the edge of the laws.

With such profound understanding, he naturally possessed a light and agile sense of control when cultivating the second level of the Qi Cyclone Realm.

Even for ordinary cultivators who have reached the fourth level of the Qi Cyclone Realm, their understanding of the essence is probably far from what it was before they entered the Myriad Manifestations Cave.

After all, by that time, he had already mastered nearly a hundred different kinds of artistic conceptions by devouring artifact spirits. They were just somewhat different in nature.

The cloud formations behind the Myriad Manifestations Cave and the five-colored wish-fulfilling pearl behind the ruins of gods and demons both indicate that he has reached a new level in his understanding of artistic conception.

Duan Rong stood up from the futon. After two months of arduous cultivation, he not only felt no fatigue, but also felt light and free all over.

The essence blood of high-level elemental beasts can not only help him condense his qi vortex, but also nourish his body and purify some impurities in his meridians.

He slowly walked out of the meditation chamber, the afternoon sunlight shining on his face.

When Duan Rong returned to his courtyard, Zhu Xiaoqi was in the yard, drying some green beans with a winnowing basket.

She saw Duan Rong walk in with his hair disheveled and exclaimed in surprise before realizing who he was and said, "Young Master, you've come out of seclusion."

Duan Rong smiled, walked over, pinched the green beans that Zhu Xiaoqi was drying, and said, "The green beans are nice. Shall we steam some buns for dinner tonight?"

Zhu Xiaoqi smiled and said, "Okay. If the son-in-law wants to eat it, Xiaoqi will go chop the filling right away."

Xiao Yu and Lü Qingzhu were playing chess in the hall when they heard voices in the courtyard, so they came out. They were both taken aback when they saw Duan Rong. Standing at the entrance of the hall, Xiao Yu and Lü Qingzhu bowed to Duan Rong.

Duan Rong immediately came over, helped them up, and said with a smile, "I've been so focused on my cultivation that I've neglected you."

Xiao Yu said, "My husband should have this ambition. My sister and I are together, and Xiao Qi and Mi Zhi keep us company in this courtyard, so we are not lonely."

Lü Qingzhu chuckled and said, "It's rare that I don't have to cultivate. I'm already very happy to be able to play chess and drink tea with my sister."

Because of her previous severe injuries, although the ancestor had healed her, he had instructed her not to cultivate for a year, allowing her body to undergo a self-repair cycle. After a year, she would be completely healed. Therefore, Lü Qingzhu was unable to cultivate for this year.

"Really?" Duan Rong reached out and pinched Lü Qingzhu's cheek, then laughed, "You two are quite comfortable in this courtyard, but I've had a very hard time these past two months."

"Smell this..." Duan Rong deliberately sniffed his collar, saying, "You all stink. Aren't you going to prepare hot water for your husband to bathe? And this beard needs shaving too..."

Xiao Yu and Lü Qingzhu exchanged a smile.

Xiao Yu laughed and said, "Husband, why do you look like a rogue?"

Lü Qingzhu chimed in, "He's a stinking scoundrel."

"Fine! You two teamed up to mock your husband. You've turned against the Heavenly Gang, haven't you?!" Duan Rong said, then lunged at Xiao Yu, who dodged him. He then turned around and lunged at Lü Qingzhu, who also dodged him with a smile.

After they played around for a while, Xiao Yu went over and told Zhu Xiaoqi to boil some water.

After the water was boiled, Xiao Yu helped Duan Rong into the bath.

At dinner, although Zhu Xiaoqi prepared a table full of dishes, Duan Rong only ate a few steamed buns and drank a bowl of sour mushroom soup.

That night, he slept in Lü Qingzhu's west wing room.

The following morning, Duan Rong went to visit Lü Zhongtang, his father-in-law, and the two chatted over tea.

Although there had been some minor disagreements due to the divorce scandal, two months had passed and the matter was over. Lu Zhongtang was clearly very enthusiastic when he saw Duan Rong, and Duan Rong naturally wouldn't be petty.

He was in a great mood when he left Lü Zhongtang's place.

Since his father-in-law lost the battle for the sect leader position to Zhu He, he has been in a much better mood. During our casual conversation just now, he seemed to be living a carefree and leisurely life.

Life's encounters are sometimes truly hard to explain. Many things, once gained, are not necessarily a blessing. And losing them can bring profound enlightenment.

Duan Rong stood in the open space in front of Lü Zhongtang's courtyard, feeling a surge of emotions. Then, he suddenly activated his mind, and the Three Flowers Gathered on the top of his head, instantly taking shape.

His figure, like a soaring eagle, rose with the wind and flew into the clouds and mist in the valley.

After achieving the second level of the Qi Cyclone Realm, his speed increased significantly. As the Qi cyclone within his dantian rotated, it interacted with the surrounding天地元气 (Heaven and Earth Qi) through the Three Flowers Gathering at the Top, like tides lapping against each other. This interaction created a surge that propelled Duan Rong's body, allowing him to move with the wind, as graceful and ethereal as flowing clouds.

Duan Rong landed on a mountaintop, drifting down like a leaf. Then, he followed a familiar mountain path towards a spot by a stream in a dense forest.

Soon, he stopped in front of a thatched hut.

In the vegetable garden in front of the thatched hut, an old farmer wearing a straw hat stood there, leaning on a hoe, turning his head to look at Duan Rong who was walking towards him.

Duan Rong walked to the edge of the vegetable garden. Sunlight cast shadows under the straw hat, obscuring Chu Wushang's face.

Duan Rong bowed respectfully and said, "Mr. Chu!"

Chu Wushang stared at Duan Rong, a look of astonishment flashing in his eyes, and said, "You've already broken through to the second level of the Qi Cyclone Realm?"

"Hmm." Duan Rong nodded and said, "Mr. Chu, I need the essence blood of a high-level elemental beast."

Chu Wushang's expression was cold and he remained silent. He was increasingly unable to understand the guy in front of him. Even with the essence blood of a high-level Yuan Beast, it was impossible to make such progress in just two months! Not only had he broken through to the second level of the Qi Cyclone Realm, but judging from the powerful and expansive Qi cyclone in his dantian, he was probably not far from reaching the third level of the Qi Cyclone Realm.

"What a monster."

Chu Wushang muttered something to himself, then threw down the hoe in his hand, took off the straw hat on his head, and went into the thatched hut.

Soon, he came out again, walked slowly to a spot not far from Duan Rong, and with a flick of his wrist, threw a porcelain bottle to Duan Rong.

Duan Rong accepted it with his hands, and a thought suddenly struck him. He noticed that the porcelain bottle was covered in dust and even had spider webs on it. A look of doubt flashed across his face.

His gaze sharpened, and he activated his mind, sending his divine sense into the dusty porcelain bottle. Inside, he saw a single drop of rich blood radiating spiritual pressure. It was the essence blood of a high-level elemental beast.

Duan Rong clasped his hands in a fist salute to Chu Wushang and said, "Thank you, Mr. Chu."

Although he couldn't understand why such an extremely rare cultivation resource would be covered in dust and cobwebs, he didn't know how Chu Wushang had preserved it.

Chu Wushang glanced at Duan Rong and asked, "Is one bottle enough?"

Duan Rong's eyes flickered, and he said, "If you could have another bottle, that would be even better."

Chu Wushang's expression was cold and stern. With a flick of his wrist, he produced another bottle and tossed it to Duan Rong.

Duan Rong held two bottles of high-level elemental beast essence blood and said, "Two bottles should be enough to achieve the fourth level of the Qi Cyclone Realm."

Chu Wushang said, "More than enough. There are probably very few people like you in the entire Nine Provinces who eat the essence blood of high-level Yuan Beasts. The Ancestor is nurturing you as a promising talent, so don't disappoint him."

Duan Rong replied, "Yes. This disciple will remember your teachings."

Chu Wushang said, "Go ahead. I still need to weed the vegetable garden."

Duan Rong asked, "Mr. Chu, is the Ancestor in the valley?"

Chu Wushang paused, and asked, "What? Do you have something to discuss with the Ancestor?"

Duan Rong said, "I have a question about cultivation."

What Duan Rong wanted to ask was naturally about the light emitted by the five-colored Ruyi Pearl.

Chu Wushang said, "The Ancestor is not here. He just left the valley a day ago. I don't know when he will return. It shouldn't be too long."

Lü Yinlin was invited by Zhuang Tairu of the Divine Intent Sect to visit them. It's hard to say when he'll be back.

"However, before the ancestor left, he instructed you to come and see him before you condense the Cave of Netherworld. You cannot condense the Cave of Netherworld directly on your own," Chu Wushang said, looking at Duan Rong.

Actually, Chu Wushang originally thought that the old ancestor's words before leaving were a bit unnecessary, but now he doesn't think so anymore. In just two months, Duan Rong had already reached the second level of the Qi Cyclone Realm, and the third level wasn't far off. At this speed, it would probably only take him two or three months to reach the fourth level of the Qi Cyclone Realm and prepare for condensing the Cave Nether Realm. (End of Chapter)