Volume Two: The Appearance of the Nine Provinces Map, Entering the Spirit Void Sect Chapter 105: Opening the Apertures and the Sea of Qi

Chu Yang and his companions were filled with amazement as they listened to Chu Shu’s account.

"To progress from the fifth breath of the Dantian to a practitioner of the First Origin Realm in just a few years?" Chu Yang remarked with keen interest. "If that is truly the case, then his aptitude is certainly no less than yours, Shu’er."

"Is he really that impressive?" Chu Qian asked skeptically. "In terms of age, he is actually a few years older than my brother, and his cultivation level isn't even as high as my brother's yet."

"Qian’er, that is not the right way to look at it," Xia Ru said with a smile. "If what Shu’er says is true, he has had no guidance for these past years. To break through several levels through his own insight alone, to reach the First Origin Realm using the incomplete Hunyuan Scripture, and to grasp the first form of the Tai-Zhuo Sword Technique in just a month—it is clear that his comprehension is extraordinary."

"Is it really like that?" Chu Qian remained doubtful.

"Father, do you have some concerns?" Chu Shu asked, noticing the hesitation in Chu Yang’s expression. "Are you worried that he might be a spy from another sect?"

Chu Yang nodded and said, "That is indeed a possibility. But it is unlikely; after all, no sect would send a disciple with such terrifying potential to act as a mole elsewhere."

"Then shall I help you look into his background, Father?" Chu Shu asked, now quite intrigued.

Chu Yang laughed, "There is no need. I shall handle it myself."

"Ah? You are going to take care of it yourself, Father?" Chu Shu asked, her face full of surprise.

"My dear, are you thinking of taking him on as a disciple?" Xia Ru, knowing her husband well, immediately began to laugh.

Chu Yang did not deny it. "If this Chen Yu has a clean history and no ill intentions toward Lingxu, and if his talent truly rivals that of Shu’er, I do indeed intend to take him as my student."

"But Father, don't you already have my brother as a student? Besides, he is already a true disciple of our Tianqiong Peak. Why take on another?" Chu Qian asked.

"Haha... your brother is my son, but he cannot yet be considered my student," Chu Yang replied with a laugh.

Chu Shu gave a sheepish smile; Chu Yang’s logic held up. Although he was a true disciple of Tianqiong, he was not a personal disciple of Chu Yang, the Master of Tianqiong Peak. It was only natural for Chu Yang to have such an idea.

Xia Ru covered her mouth and chuckled, "But if you do that, Senior Brother Han Cheng might not be willing to let him go."

"Haha, it’s fine. I will have the matter settled before he even finds out," Chu Yang said with a mischievous grin.

"It seems you are planning to pull a fast one, my dear," Xia Ru laughed.

...

As for Chu Yang’s intentions, Chen Yu, the person in question, was completely unaware. After his duel with Chu Shu, he had returned to his residence.

As Chen Yu practiced his breathing and meditated, he reflected on his battle with Chu Shu, feeling that his understanding of the first form of the Tai-Zhuo Sword Technique, "Plain and Simple," had deepened. Indeed, combat made it easier to discover the strengths and weaknesses of one's own practice.

A night of quiet cultivation left Chen Yu feeling refreshed and energized.

Although he had already broken through to the First Origin Realm, it remained a weakness for him. Now that he had grasped the Tai-Zhuo Sword Technique and made some progress in his sword mastery and the "Hundred-Cycle Heart Refining Method," it was time to elevate his cultivation.

Over these past days, he had already come to understand the focus of cultivation in the First Origin Realm.

The First Origin Realm primarily involves opening the Nine Orifices, using them to connect with heaven and earth, allowing the practitioner to possess a more powerful capacity to absorb spiritual energy and laying a solid foundation for future realms.

The Nine Orifices are: the Baihui (Crown), Tianmu (Eye), Yuzhen (Jade Pillow), Jiang Palace, Jiaji, Mingmen, Qihai (Sea of Qi), Weilü, and the Yin Gate.

Since his Dao Seed was located in the lower Dantian, and the lower Dantian is the Qihai, it could be considered that he had already opened the first orifice.

Following the practice method of the Hunyuan Scripture, Chen Yu performed one cycle of breathing after another, gathering the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to fill his Qihai and nourish the Dao Seed, allowing the two to merge.

Two hours passed in the blink of an eye. A soft "pop" sounded from Chen Yu’s Qihai, like a soybean dropping into water. His body trembled slightly, and through internal observation, he could see the Dao Seed suspended in the Qihai, nourished by the spiritual energy, waiting for the vitality to sprout.

Although it was merely the spiritual energy filling the Qihai, he could clearly feel the increase in his cultivation.

Chen Yu did not stop there. He circulated the Hunyuan Scripture once more, intending to open the second orifice, the Weilü.

However, he had overestimated himself and underestimated the path of cultivation. Although his power had indeed grown much stronger, half a day passed, and the Weilü orifice remained stubbornly shut, showing no movement at all.

Helpless, Chen Yu had to give up. He gave a wry, awkward smile. "It seems this is not something to be rushed!"

Though he had failed to open the second orifice, Chen Yu felt no disappointment. His gaze was firm, filled with confidence for the future.

Chen Yu stretched and walked out of his room. He had been a member of Lingxu for quite some time, yet he had not properly taken in the sights. Cultivation, after all, requires a balance between tension and relaxation.

Moreover, he had not spoken with Xue Ren and the others for a while, and he wondered how their training was progressing.

He headed toward their residence, but found no sign of them; they had likely gone to the Mission Hall or the Outer Sect Hall. With nothing better to do, Chen Yu decided to walk over.

Halfway there, he noticed something strange. All the disciples were rushing in the same direction, their expressions suggesting they were eager to see a spectacle.

Chen Yu was curious. Had something happened?

"Junior brother, where is everyone heading?" Chen Yu asked, stopping one of them.

"Ah..." The disciple was startled by Chen Yu’s sudden appearance but quickly calmed down. "There is a duel happening in front of the Demon-Suppressing Hall! We are all in a rush to see it."

"A duel? What kind of duel? Who is fighting?" Chen Yu asked, intrigued.

"Oh... it seems to be Senior Brother Zheng Geng and the others!" the disciple said before running off, "If I'm late, I'll miss it!"

"Zheng Geng? Why is he getting into a fight?" Wondering, Chen Yu followed quickly, wanting to see what was going on.

Although the Demon-Suppressing Hall was located on a separate mountain peak, it was not far from the outer sect. With his sword mastery, Chen Yu arrived in less than fifteen minutes.

Looking out, Chen Yu saw that the massive Demon-Suppressing Hall was surrounded by ten arenas and a vast plaza. This was where the disciples usually gathered for collective practice, though Chen Yu had never been there before.

An overwhelming sense of grandeur emanated from the place. With his keen senses, Chen Yu could feel that this area was extraordinary, as if some secret were hidden within the mountain ranges.

Chen Yu shook his head, deciding not to dwell on it. Soon, he spotted the ring surrounded by the crowd. Standing on it were Zheng Geng, Zheng Huai, Xue Ren, and Xue Xin. Their opponent was a fellow disciple of the First Origin Realm.