Chương 17: Anew

"Elder Bao, I have an idea regarding my future cultivation that I want to consult you about" Lin Yi said, and when Elder Bao signaled for him to continue, he did.

"I recently broke through in my cultivation and formed the second Qi circulation. I now have a foundation for my Kidney Meridian and my Heart Meridian."

"After this breakthrough, my spirituality grew greatly, likely due to my innate gift, and now I can see all 12 Standard Meridians and 8 Extraordinary Meridians." Lin Yi had a wry smile during the next part.

"I am a little picky and want to pursue the best foundation possible."

"I know that forming the Qi circulation for all 12 Standard Meridians would be the best possible foundation, and I already lost that chance." He paused for a moment before speaking again.

"However, I know that it is possible to abolish one's already formed Qi circulations, even without damaging the cultivator's meridians and future potential." Lin Yi could see slight skepticism in Elder Bao's expression, but carried on.

"From what I learned in my research, if I were to undergo this process, my spirituality should stay around the same level of strength, especially if supported by my Innate Spirituality." Elder Bao opened his mouth and spoke before Lin Yi's could continue speaking.

"And you want to emulate those geniuses to form the Qi circulation for the whole 12 Standard Meridians?" Lin Yi nodded but added another goal.

"Yes, Elder Bao. However, I don't just want to form the Qi circulation for the twelve meridians, but for all twenty; the 12 Standard Meridians and the 8 Extraordinary Meridians. I want to create a foundation that would allow someone like me, with a Mortal Spirit Root, to pursue even higher realms." Elder Bai looked at Lin Yi with a smile. This was not a smile of an elder who looked at a too ambitious junior, but a smile of approval. One could see the satisfaction in his eyes.

"It is good that you can look at the bigger picture, Disciple Lin. While the Foundation Establishment Realm is called foundation establishment, and one indeed cultivates the foundation of the dao in that realm, the true foundation of one's three splendors is cultivated in the Qi Condensation Realm." Lin Yi gazed at the elder expectantly.

"So it is possible, Elder Bao?" Elder Bao nodded in return.

"Yes, it is more than possible. In truth, the method you described is the most orthodox path of cultivation. Alas, most do not have the talent to pursue this orthodox path."

"And even if they have the chance later, once their spirituality has grown strong enough, few would choose it. They are already older and put years of effort into their current cultivation. They do not have the heart to redo all that, just for, in their mind, a slightly better foundation." His gaze wandered and turned, not sad, but disappointed, for a moment.

"I was one of those who did not have a strong enough heart, and I regretted this every day. Maybe…" Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. He paused slightly." Maybe then I would have succeeded in establishing my foundation." He looked back at Lin Yi.

"Sigh, this method is mostly reserved for true geniuses with Profound Spirit Roots or equivalent talent. Even among Dao Masters, not many cultivated all twenty meridians at the same time, regardless of talent. Some did not even do this for the 12 Standard Meridians, and only entered the Foundation Establishment Realm through luck." One could hear the slight resentment in these last words, but Lin Yi did not focus on that. He was surprised by the open knowledge regarding this method.

Before, he was pretty sure he wasn't the first one with this idea. That would be unrealistic, but he didn't expect such procedures to be semi-common knowledge.

"I assume you know what will be expected of you if you choose this path?" Lin Yi had to think for a moment, but nothing came to his mind about what the elder could mean.

"I don't really understand, Elder Bao." He looked at Lin Yi deeply, as if trying to understand and see through him. In the end, he let out a sigh again.

"Hah, the difficulty of forming the Qi circulation for the twelve and eight meridians each, let alone all twenty together, at the same time is not just because of individual talent. But also one's state of mind, one's dao heart." That Lin Yi understood. He wouldn't say his willpower and dao heart were stronger than anyone else's in his age group. Definitely far from that, even with his past life's experience. But the dao heart had multiple aspects, and every one was unique.

Some strove for the highest height they could reach, battled countless foes, never bowed their head, and tried to dominate the world one day, etching their names in the annals of history. Others didn't care about their reputation. They groveled, begged, stole, and murdered their way to immortality. As long as they stood above the high heavens at the end, they didn't care how they got there. Lin Yi's dao heart was different again, though he wouldn't say it was unique.

He wasn't so arrogant as to think he was the only one on a similar path. His path was one of steady development, not inserting himself into needless conflict, and reaching higher than he could currently. He had a clear belief. As long as he polished his foundation to the best possible state, pursued the path he most wanted and was most suitable to him, he would slowly but steadily progress till his self transcended heaven and earth, and his gaze laid eyes upon the true Dao!

"I understand, Elder Bao. I might need years before truly advancing my cultivation base. My fellow disciples would, one by one, advance beyond me, even if only in the first three levels. I cannot promise I won't ever waver at some point, feel envy or jealousy, or even some regret. But I will promise that I will continue this method till the day I succeed." Elder Bao smiled in appreciation and told him.

"Good, good. Then I won't hold you back. To properly abolish and return your cultivation to the first level of Qi Condensation, you will need the help of a Purple Mansion Stage cultivator. I can help you with this if you wish." Lin Yi let out a sigh of relief. This conversation was smoother than he thought it would be. He had feared that the elder might caution him more, or even try to deter him. Luckily, none of that happened. Furthermore, Elder Bai even made himself available.

Lin Yi had nothing against that and even welcomed it.

"Thank you, Elder Bai. I gladly accept your offer." Elder Bai himself was quite happy too. It was not every day that a disciple was ambitious but also so farsighted enough to pursue the immortal dao properly.

"Hmm, which day is your next free one?" Lin Yi thought for an instant as his memories came freely to him and replied.

"The day after tomorrow." Elder Bai already had his own schedule appear in his mind and nodded.

"Good, then the day after tomorrow." Lin Yi agreed as Elder Bai continued.

"I will come to your courtyard, Disciple Lin. It is best to undergo such a deep procedure at your own home. Also, read and make yourself familiar with the side effects of abolishing one's cultivation; of course, they will only be temporary."

"I still have an additional meeting with another disciple. You may go back to the rest of your day." At the dismissal, Lin Yi stood up, bid farewell, and left. The rest of the day, and the following day, outside his sect assignment, Lin Yi did as Elder Bao said. He searched in the immortal dao texts about the possible effects of abolishing one's cultivation and what one would experience. It was mostly things Lin Yi already expected. Pain would be one of the most notable variables.

Physical and spiritual discomfort was also natural and could last for days or even weeks. Furthermore, a great amount of Qi could disperse, and the body, spirituality, as well as the Qi Flame, could weaken. Of course, most of these effects would be drastically reduced by Lin Yi's own low and shallow cultivation, containing, to begin with, not much Qi, and his Qi Flame was not big enough to take proper damage. His Innate Spirituality would also anchor his spirituality, the most important thing.

The appointed day quickly arrived, and Lin Yi welcomed Elder Bao at his courtyard.