Chapter Twelve: The Empire of Cloudpeak
Time flew swiftly during cultivation. As he watched the last piece of inferior spirit stone turn to powder, Wang Changsheng’s eyes revealed a trace of worry.
“It’s always just a little short...” he muttered helplessly.
Following the method of the second diagram of the Longevity Art, the true energy within Wang Changsheng’s body had already undergone a transformation. He was now at the peak of the Qi Refining realm, not merely at the peak of the Innate stage.
As for the distinction between the two, martial artists absorb the vital energy of heaven and earth to enhance themselves, thereby unleashing great power, while cultivators transform the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to command and defend against enemies.
At the Qi Refining stage, this difference might not be so apparent, for Qi Refining does not even touch the threshold of the cultivator’s path. Yet once one steps into the Meridian Opening realm, the divergence becomes increasingly pronounced.
With no other recourse, Wang Changsheng opened his bundle and took out the jade box within.
“I’ll have to use a medium-grade spirit stone,” he said in a low voice.
He gripped the medium-grade spirit stone and began to absorb its energy.
Boom… boom… boom…
As vast spiritual energy surged into his body, a series of thunderous sounds echoed within him.
Pfft!
A mouthful of fresh blood sprayed out. Wang Changsheng stared in shock at the spirit stone in his hand.
“Is this really a medium-grade spirit stone?”
He had only absorbed a mere thread of energy—just a thread—yet the immense spiritual force rivaled that of an entire inferior spirit stone. Such thick and pure energy—could it really be a medium-grade stone? Doubt crept into Wang Changsheng’s mind.
He had never seen a medium-grade spirit stone before, only heard it held denser energy than the inferior kind. So Wang Changsheng could only define it as such.
Caught unprepared, the spiritual energy rampaged through his body, instantly breaking one of his meridians. Fortunately, it wasn’t a serious injury.
After adjusting his breathing, Wang Changsheng resumed absorbing the medium-grade stone.
This time, he was mentally prepared, taking it in little by little, gradually adapting to the overwhelming rush.
Sensing another bottleneck, Wang Changsheng grit his teeth and increased his intake.
Bang!
A powerful shock reverberated inside him. His dantian began to churn, and his true energy transformed, becoming fluid like water.
“I’ve broken through...” Blood trickled from his lips, yet a smile blossomed on his face. “This must be the transitional state between true energy and true essence—how marvelous!”
A current of true energy appeared in his palm, and feeling the formidable power contained within, Wang Changsheng was left in awe.
“As expected, the Meridian Opening realm is incomparable to Qi Refining!” he laughed.
If his dantian before was a small lake, now it was a vast reservoir, at least ten times larger. Moreover, every strand of this transformed energy possessed terrifying potency.
All his meridians, which were once like streams, now flowed like rivers.
Should he encounter another cultivator at the peak of Qi Refining, Wang Changsheng was confident he could defeat them within three breaths.
But the greatest gain was his body—he could clearly feel his blood and vitality surging.
Had he seen himself at that moment, he would have been startled: the wrinkles on his forehead had vanished, and even his once gray hair was tinged with black.
“So it is true...” Wang Changsheng’s heart was filled with emotion.
Since being brought here by his second uncle, not a day went by without apprehension, always fearing his body would fail him. Now, at last, he had broken through to the Meridian Opening realm. His strength was greatly enhanced, and his physical condition improved dramatically.
He slowly stood, feeling the transformation throughout his body, excitement welling up inside.
Wang Changsheng believed that stepping into the Meridian Opening realm brought benefits far beyond what he had yet discovered. After all, it meant entering the cultivator’s threshold, no longer the same as ordinary mortals.
As for the medium-grade spirit stone in his hand, it still contained spiritual energy—though much thinner now, it was far beyond anything inferior stones could offer.
Storing the stone away, he gazed at the distant lake and leapt forward.
“I…”
Suspended in midair, Wang Changsheng was startled—he had never jumped so high before, and it was merely a casual leap.
“If I truly exert myself, then...” he said, excitement brimming. “This is truly a cultivator’s power... I have already transcended the realm of ordinary people...”
Splash!
He plunged into the water, a cool sensation refreshing his mood.
“Wonderful!”
A moan escaped his lips as he lay quietly on the surface, savoring the joy of breakthrough.
The Meridian Opening realm comprised nine levels. Wang Changsheng was now at the first level.
“If only I had some techniques of a true cultivator!”
He took out the short sword he had seized and stared at it in contemplation.
“Hm?”
He was suddenly stunned: his true energy adhered to the blade, causing it to hover in midair.
Moreover, as he manipulated his energy, the sword could change direction at will.
“This... is this sword control?” Wang Changsheng murmured in disbelief.
He simply couldn’t comprehend—it seemed too simplistic.
“No, it doesn’t feel right!” Wang Changsheng recalled.
When he had seen a cultivator at the peak of Qi Refining control a sword, it was effortless, entirely unlike his clumsy attempt. He clearly felt his command was awkward.
“This is probably not genuine sword control, but rather my enhanced energy has reached the level where it can influence the blade,” he thought, a little disappointed.
Even so, it was a cultivator’s technique—something martial artists could never achieve. Most importantly, he would not be helpless if he encountered other cultivators.
Continuing to practice, Wang Changsheng’s control over the sword grew more proficient.
Two days later, he packed his belongings and set out for the edge of the forest.
Having reached the Meridian Opening realm, he was not in a hurry to enter the Divine Heaven Territory. According to Li Fusheng, entering was not as simple as achieving the right cultivation.
“The Cloud Peak Empire...”
Following the direction indicated by the Fourth Prince, Wang Changsheng set off.
With his previous pace, it would have taken a month to reach the Cloud Peak Empire. Now, with his new strength, ten days would suffice.
On the ninth day, he saw a towering city ahead.
“This must be the imperial capital of Cloud Peak Empire. Truly magnificent!” Wang Changsheng exclaimed.
“Entrance fee: ten taels of silver!”
As he prepared to enter, a soldier stopped him.
“What?” Wang Changsheng asked in confusion. “There’s an entrance fee of ten taels?”
“I passed through many cities along the way—all part of Cloud Peak Empire—none of them charged silver like this!” he pressed.
The soldier scoffed. “Do you think the imperial capital is just any other place? This is the heart of the empire, far more prosperous than those backwater towns. Everyone wants to come here. Without restrictions, wouldn’t all the vagrants crowd in?”
“Why didn’t that person pay?” Wang Changsheng pointed to another.
The soldier glanced back and erupted in anger. “Impudent! That’s a martial arts master—you dare question him?”
With that, the soldier kicked at Wang Changsheng.
“Hmph!”
Wang Changsheng snorted coldly, extended a finger, and flicked lightly. The soldier was sent flying.
The crowd at the gate quickly scattered.
“If even a martial artist at the Innate stage can enter freely, why can’t I?” Wang Changsheng said darkly.
The soldier, still bleeding from Wang Changsheng’s strike, crawled to his feet and knelt. “Please spare me, master! I didn’t realize you were a martial arts master as well—spare me!”
He kowtowed repeatedly, his forehead soon bloody, not daring to stop.
Wang Changsheng sighed softly and ignored the groveling man, entering the city and letting him go.
“It seems the status of martial artists is higher than I imagined,” Wang Changsheng murmured.
If not for the Grand General’s Mansion being in the capital, he would not have come.
As the gatekeeper said, the capital was bustling beyond compare—unlike any city Wang Changsheng had seen. Not only was it livelier, but the atmosphere felt lighter, perhaps due to fewer conflicts.
He didn’t know where the Grand General’s Mansion was, but he knew how to find out.
In the world of rivers and lakes, where are the best sources of information?
Of course, the tavern!
He entered a lively tavern and found a corner seat.
“What can I get for you, sir?” The waiter approached with a smile.
Wang Changsheng waved him away.
The waiter smiled awkwardly, clearly accustomed to such situations, bowed, and left. Even if Wang Changsheng ordered nothing, he couldn’t be thrown out—who knew if he was a powerful martial artist?
“Coming to a tavern and ordering nothing—no doubt this elder wishes to inquire about something!”
As the waiter departed, a young martial artist sat down beside him.
The young man’s cultivation was not high, only mid-Innate stage. Judging from his tone, Wang Changsheng immediately understood his purpose—he was no stranger to the ways of the martial world.
Wang Changsheng took out a silver ingot and asked, “How do I get to the Grand General’s Mansion?”
The youth was momentarily stunned, then pushed the silver back. “Stand on the street and shout—the answer to this question is common knowledge! Consider this a free gift.”
“Southeast direction!”
Wang Changsheng stood, clasped his hands in thanks to the young man, and left the tavern. He did not take back the silver he had offered.