Cultivating Immortality in Two Realms: Sunflower Lord

Ji Ruchang's fluctuations during her breakthrough were indeed very weak.

In a place like the Immortal Academy, disciples attempt to break through bottlenecks every day, and it is not uncommon for their true essence to surge.

But at this moment, the few boys who hadn't fallen asleep in the dormitory all sensed something different.

That was neither a collapse of defeat nor a chaotic struggle.

Rather, it's a smooth, natural flow, like a thawing ice river or spring water overflowing its banks, naturally pushing open a door that was originally tightly closed.

"hiss--"

Wang Xiaoshi, who was in the opposite bunk, was the first to sit up, staring wide-eyed at Ji Ruchang.

Immediately afterwards, two other teenagers at the second level of Qi Refining also noticed it. Although their cultivation levels were not high, their desire for "breakthrough" made them particularly sensitive to this aura.

"Brother Ji...you..." Wang Xiaoshi's voice trembled.

Ji Ruchang slowly opened her eyes. The golden light that had remained in her eyes had completely faded, but her overall spirit and energy were clearly different.

From the early to the middle stages of Qi Refining, it is a preliminary leap in the level of life, and the skin seems to become slightly more radiant.

"I managed to break through by sheer luck," he said calmly.

The dormitory fell into a deathly silence.

Three years to reach one level, nine years to reach three levels—this is the fate of 99% of the disciples in the Immortal Academy.

That barrier has trapped countless people, like an insurmountable chasm, separating the mortal world from the true path of cultivation.

Those who can break through are either exceptionally talented geniuses or... have connections and resources.

Ji Ruchang is clearly not the former.

"Congratulations, Brother Ji!" Wang Xiaoshi was the first to react, his face beaming with an exaggerated smile. "I knew Brother Ji's cultivation was solid, he'd succeed sooner or later! Now that he's at the fourth level of Qi Refining, he'll be able to protect himself in Qinglan County!"

The other two teenagers at the second level of Qi Refining quickly echoed:

"Congratulations, Senior Brother Ji!"

"Senior Brother Ji is exceptionally talented; he is destined for greatness!"

His tone was tinged with envy, and also with a hint of barely perceptible bitterness.

We were classmates for nine years, starting from roughly the same point, but now we are worlds apart.

This is a typical mindset of "being afraid that my brother is suffering, but also afraid that he is driving a Land Rover."

Ji Ruchang nodded lightly, without saying anything more.

He noticed that the silent Qi Refining Level 3 youth in the corner—named Zhao Tieshan—only glanced at him before turning to face the wall, his back stiff.

Zhao Tieshan has been stuck at the third level of perfection for two years, and has failed to break through four times.

That night, the atmosphere in the dormitory became subtle.

The news spread the next morning.

During breakfast, many eyes were on Ji Ruchang in the dining hall, and whispers could be heard everywhere.

Each year, the Immortal Academy graduates hundreds of students, but usually no more than ten of them can break through to the fourth level of Qi Refining.

These people will at least be able to become night patrol captains in the county town in the future, and may even have the opportunity to be transferred to the prefectural government.

"Ji Ruchang, the instructor summons you." A teaching assistant, also at the third level of Qi Refining, called out at the entrance of the dining hall.

What's meant to come will come.

Ji Ruchang put down her bowl and chopsticks, and walked out of the dining hall under everyone's gaze, arriving at the small courtyard where the instructor lived.

There was an old locust tree in the courtyard, and under the tree, by a stone table, an old, white-bearded instructor was drinking tea.

He looked more haggard than yesterday, with heavy bags under his eyes, as if he hadn't slept all night.

"Disciple Ji Ruchang greets Instructor." Ji Ruchang bowed respectfully.

The instructor didn't tell him to get up. He silently took two sips of tea before slowly saying, "You've broken through?"

"Yes."

"When did this happen?"

"last night."

The instructor put down his teacup, his gaze sharp as needles, piercing Ji Ruchang's face: "Nine years, three levels, breaking through in one night... You are a truly hardworking person."

Ji Ruchang's heart tightened.

He wasn't deliberately putting on a show; rather, the breakthrough came so suddenly that even he was caught off guard.

But I can't say that, because no one would believe me anyway.

"I was just lucky," was the only answer he could give.

The instructor stared at him for a long time before letting out a long sigh: "Well, a breakthrough is a good thing. It's just... a pity."

Ji Ruchang looked up, her face showing confusion.

"If you had broken through a month earlier, I could have shamelessly gone to the prefectural capital to try and find you a more stable job." The instructor's voice was deep. "In Qinglan County... three Qi Refining Level 4 cultivators died a few months ago, one of whom was the son of an old friend of mine."

Ji remained silent as usual.

"But you've only just broken through, the transfer order has been issued, and your identity has been recorded. It will be difficult to change it now." The instructor shook his head and took out a long, narrow object wrapped in gray cloth from under the stone table. "Take this."

Ji Ruchang accepted it with both hands.

The gray cloth was lifted, revealing a three-foot-long sword.

The sword was dull, and the blade was covered with fine nicks, as if it had been gnawed by countless tiny teeth.

The cord wrapped around the hilt of the sword was badly worn, revealing the dark red wood underneath.

The sword looked worn and dilapidated, with the only bright spot being the faint dark red lines along its spine, resembling congealed blood.

"A low-grade magic weapon, the Fire Copper Sword," the instructor said. "Don't let its broken appearance fool you; this is exactly how it looked when I obtained it."

For thirty years, I've slain evil spirits and demons, suffered countless wounds, but it just won't break.

He paused, his tone complex: "I don't need it anymore, so I'll give it to you."

Remember, even a broken magical artifact is still a magical artifact, far superior to ordinary iron.

Ji Ruchang was startled.

A well-preserved low-grade magic weapon is worth thirty to fifty spirit stones.

Even though this sword is badly damaged, it is still worth at least ten spirit stones.

The night watchman's monthly salary consisted of only one spirit stone.

This is a very generous gift.

"Your Excellency, this is too precious..." Ji Ruchang subconsciously wanted to decline.

"Take it!" the instructor glared. "You think I'm just a freeloader?"

"Qinglan County is dangerous. Don't die too soon, or you'll embarrass me!"

Ji Ruchang's throat tightened slightly, and he solemnly embraced his sword and bowed, saying, "This disciple... will certainly not fail the teachings bestowed upon me!"

"Hmm." The instructor's expression softened slightly, and he continued, "Now that you've reached the fourth level of Qi Refining, it's time to learn a method of protection. What would you like to learn?"

Ji Ruchang replied without hesitation: "This disciple wishes to learn a spell that is easy to master and, ideally, capable of suppressing evil spirits!"

This was something he had planned long ago.

Golden Sunflower needs to devour evil spirits; he must be able to kill them.

The instructor pondered for a moment: "Simple and easy to learn... then let's use 'Fireball'."

This technique is simple to learn, consumes a moderate amount of energy, and has additional destructive power against evil and malevolent entities.

Most importantly, it can attack enemies from a distance, and in a critical situation, it can be detonated at close range to buy time to escape.

Fireball?

Ji Ruchang had heard of this spell before; it was recorded in the Immortal Academy's library and was one of the most commonly used attack spells in the mid-stage of Qi Refining.

However, what is recorded in books and what is passed down in the true tradition are two completely different things.

"Please instruct me, Your Excellency!" He bowed deeply.

The instructor didn't speak, but stood up and walked to Ji Ruchang.

He raised his withered right hand, and a crimson light shone from the tip of his index finger.

The light was not intense, but rather warm and gentle like jade, yet it caused Ji Ruchang to feel a stinging pain between her brows.

Do not resist.

As soon as he finished speaking, he placed his index finger on Ji Ruchang's brow.

boom!

Ji Ruchang felt a jolt in her mind as countless crimson characters surged in like a tide, arranging, combining, and evolving on their own.

He "saw" the true energy flowing through specific meridians, saw every detail of the hand seals, and witnessed the complete process of the fireball condensing, compressing, and shooting out.

This is not a written instruction, nor is it a visual explanation.

Instead, it directly imprints the "insight" into the sea of ​​consciousness!

The method of heart-to-heart transmission!

Ji Ru had often heard of this method of transmission, which was extremely taxing on the caster, causing minor damage to vital energy or even severe damage to the soul.

The instructor was already a cultivator at the ninth level of Qi Refining, but he was old and frail after all. As soon as he pointed his finger, his face visibly paled.

It took a full ten breaths for the crimson light at the fingertips to dissipate.

The instructor withdrew his hand, his body swaying slightly, and steadied himself against the stone table.

"Your Excellency!" Ji Ruchang quickly stepped forward to help him up.

"It's alright." The instructor waved his hand, panting, "The energy flow, hand seals, and control methods of the Fireball Technique are all imprinted in your mind."

Go back and practice diligently; you should be able to grasp the basics within three days.

Ji Ruchang's eyes welled up with tears.

Over the course of nine years, the instructor was always strict with his disciples, often scolding and beating them.

But on the eve of parting, he gifted her a sword and taught her the techniques, even at the cost of his own vital energy.

This kindness is too heavy.

"Thank you for your instruction!" He bowed deeply again, his voice slightly hoarse.

"Remember," the instructor said, looking at him and emphasizing each word, "preservation of life is the first priority."

Fight if you can win, run if you can't, and call for help if you can't run. There's nothing shameful about that.

As long as the green hills remain, there will always be firewood to burn.

"This disciple has remembered!"

"Go ahead. The team that will pick you up will be delayed on the way and will arrive in three days."

"These three days, you should diligently cultivate, familiarize yourself with the magical implements, and practice your spells."

"yes!"

Ji Ruchang took three steps back, bowed again, and then turned and left the courtyard.

As he reached the door, he glanced back.

Under the old locust tree, the instructor sat alone on a stone bench, his back hunched, staring blankly at the empty teacup.

The morning light filtered through the branches and leaves, casting dappled shadows on him, making him appear particularly desolate.

Ji Ruchang gripped the fire copper sword in her hand tightly.

When I got back to the dormitory, the other seven people had already left.

Wang Xiaoshi and Zhao Tieshan set off this morning, while the two Qi Refining Level 2 cultivators were taken away yesterday.

On the empty dormitory bed, only Ji Ruchang's thin quilt and a tattered rattan trunk remained.

Nine years have passed.

Ji Ruchang put down the Fire Copper Sword, sat on his bunk, and looked around the room where he had lived for more than three thousand days and nights.

The walls were marked with marks left by bored boys, the window frames had repaired cracks, and the roof rafters were blackened by smoke.

The air still carried the scents of sweat, herbs, and the vibrant energy unique to young people.

He memorized the incantation of the "Longevity Formula" here, meditated and practiced his qi until late at night here, boasted and dreamed about the future with his roommates here, and secretly missed his relatives from his past life here.

Now, it's all over.

Ji Ruchang took a deep breath, suppressing the surging emotions in her heart.

Being sentimental won't change anything.

He now has more important things to do—refining the fire copper sword, mastering the fireball technique, and… exploring the misty courtyard in his sea of ​​consciousness.

He first picked up the fire copper sword.

The sword was cold to the touch and felt heavy, much heavier than it looked.

Ji Ruchang sat cross-legged, placed the long sword horizontally on his lap, pressed his hands lightly against the sword, and slowly poured true energy into it.

The true essence of the fourth level of Qi Refining is nearly twice as solid as that of the third level, and it carries a faint golden warmth fed back by the Golden Sunflower.

When the true essence touched the sword, the Fire Copper Sword trembled slightly.

The dark red lines lit up, as if dormant blood vessels were being awakened.

But the light was extremely faint and intermittent, as if it might go out at any moment.

Ji Ruchang dared not be careless and carefully controlled his true energy, gradually penetrating the inside of the sword.

He could "sense" the condition of the sword—it was indeed dilapidated.

At least 30% of the inscribed runes inside are missing, and the spiritual essence in the material has been severely lost, making it like an old man in his twilight years who cannot withstand any further damage.

No wonder the preacher said, "It is what it is when it is received."

The fact that this sword has lasted for thirty years without breaking suggests that its material is probably quite extraordinary.

Ji Ruchang slowed down the pace, her true essence flowing gently like a stream, nourishing every inch of the sword, repairing the tiny cracks, and nurturing the remaining spirituality.

This process is extremely mentally taxing.

It took him two full hours to barely complete the initial refining process.

At this moment, the Fire Copper Sword had a slight mental connection with him, though it was weak, it was already as easy to use as an extension of his own arm.

With a thought, his longsword hummed and floated up, slowly circling around him.

However, it is sluggish and heavy to control, far from the legendary "sword light as fast as lightning".

"That's enough," Ji Ruchang said softly.

It just needs to be able to fly; we don't expect it to kill enemies. It can block attacks in critical moments or throw out interference from a distance, which are all ways to save our lives.

After putting away the Fire Copper Sword, Ji Ruchang began to study the Fireball Technique.

As his mind sank into his sea of ​​consciousness, the crimson "inheritance mark" immediately appeared.

Countless pieces of information flowed out, a hundred times more detailed than any book record.

True essence rises from the dantian, ascends along the Lung Meridian of Hand-Taiyin, passes through Yunmen and Tianfu, and reaches the Shaoshang acupoint on the thumb.

At the same time, another stream of vital energy flows from the Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian, passing through Hegu and Yangxi, and reaching the Shangyang acupoint on the index finger.

The two streams of true energy converge at the Laogong acupoint in the palm, oscillating, compressing, and rubbing at a specific frequency.

"laugh--"

A spark appeared in Ji Ruchang's palm.

But the next moment, the fire went out.

His control over his true essence was unstable, and the frequency was incorrect. Undeterred, he continued to try.

The second time, Mars lasted for a moment.

The third time, the fire turned into a flame the size of a mung bean.

The fourth time, the fifth time...

Before I knew it, the sun was setting outside the window, and dusk was beginning to fall.

Ji Ruchang was completely immersed in it.

The advantages of the mind-based method are now apparent—the details of the flow of true energy, the frequency of vibration, and the intensity of compression are all etched into the depths of his consciousness like instinct. He only needs to practice continuously to make his body remember them.

Midnight.

Ji Ruchang opened her eyes, her right hand outstretched, palm facing up.

True energy flows, and two fingers form a hand seal.

"Freeze!"

The air in his palm distorted, and a point of crimson light appeared out of thin air, quickly expanding into a fireball the size of a fist.

Flames swirled on the surface of the fireball, and runes flickered faintly within, radiating a scorching heat.

Fireball spell, I've gotten the basics down.

Although it is not yet stable and its power is limited, it is indeed a genuine spell.

With a slight thought, Ji Ruchang caused the fireball to float up slowly and burn quietly three inches above her palm.

He could sense that he could only maintain this fireball for a maximum of ten breaths, as it consumed a great deal of his true essence.

But enough.

Against low-level evil spirits, this fireball is enough to cause considerable damage.

He dispersed the fireball and exhaled a long breath of stale air.

Looking out the window, the moon hangs high in the sky, its gentle light bathing the ground.

The team that will pick him up will arrive in three days.

Before that, there was one last thing he needed to do—

Explore the misty courtyard in your sea of ​​consciousness and see what secrets that golden sunflower holds.

Ji Ruchang sat cross-legged and focused her mind into her sea of ​​consciousness.

The gray fog persisted, and a corner of the courtyard remained silent.

But this time, he could feel a clear longing emanating from the frail sunflower in the dry well.

It was hungry.