As Xia Lihua opened her eyes, two silver rays pierced through the shrouding darkness, their resplendence overshadowing even the celestial bodies above.
Upon ending her cultivation, she immediately noticed the flashing glow on the horizon and Xiao Yueyin standing nearby. She spared them only a fleeting glance before shifting her focus to her hands, which she raised in front of her.
“Ji Xian,” she murmured, with clear excitement. “Through your effort, I think I finally understand it. You once told me that all things originate from a single source, and that from one comes infinite possibilities. If that was truly the case, then in theory, the weaving of True Essence and Astral Essence should be possible. However… you were both right and wrong.”
“What if there weren’t only one source?” She questioned in wonder. “What if True Essence and Astral Essence were simply never meant to be compatible? What if the distinction between the two was pointless to begin with? What if…”
Xia Lihua continued, asking one question after the next, voice brimming with exhilaration upon reflecting on her meditation. For a split moment, her eyes were tainted with the same curious madness that had once been seen in Ji Xian— the desire to discover and comprehend burned brightly within their silvery depths.
In regards to cultivation, she was somewhat different from him— one viewed it as a means to an end, while the other had a passion for it. Ji Xian sought freedom and the power to see through universal truths, whereas Xia Lihua cultivated to protect and attain lasting peace.
Since reaching the extreme limit of the Lower World, she had no longer seen any improvements in her strengths. While her enthusiasm for cultivation hadn’t dwindled, it was hard to deny the impact this had on her. But since meeting Ji Xian, it was as if her world had opened up, her outlook widened. The passion that had dimmed was once again reignited, and the crazed traits she had seen in him began to surface from within herself.
Xia Lihua clenched her fist, sending a quiver through the surrounding space. “I can see it. I can see the path ahead,” she said, displaying a beautiful smile. “Body Cultivation isn’t just about simply strengthening our internal world but elevating it to become all encompassing. To make it rival the Universal Will, to make it rival even the Heavens…”
“Ji Xian,” Xia Lihua continued, “The Astral World Principles that you created for me was heading toward that direction, except it was still missing something. You made it with me in mind, so that one day it can accommodate the union of True Essence and Astral Essence, however… I don’t need True Essence.”
“What I have flowing within me is much stronger and suitable for my cultivation,” she declared, with the most absolute of conviction.———————————————————
Ji Xian used Xia Lihua’s soft lap as his pillow. When he awoke, a river of stars stretching across the darkened sky greeted him.
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Beside them, a full moon hung high, its pale glow reflecting in his pitch-black pupils.
The cold air brushed against his skin, while thick snowflakes lightly clouded his vision.
“Ji Xian, through your effort…”
Xia Lihua’s sweet voice suddenly entered his ears and he quietly listened with a gentle smile on his lips.
It had been less than a week since his conversation with Linghun Yifan in the library of the Ardent Yin Sect.
Though little time had passed, he felt like a year had gone by.
Even in his slumber, he could sense the changes occurring in the Mortal Desolate World.
He felt the tremors of distant battles, the emergence of a spatial tear that gave way to powerful beings, and the scorching touch of Empress Han Lan’s book that sat within his robe— hungrily absorbing the world’s True Essence.
The book was insatiable, despite already stealing from the Heavens, it was also pulling the True Essence from within Ji Xian’s own body. It was almost as if it was bound to him— the person who freed it from the formation that locked away its content.
The binding was one of the soul and if it was anyone else, they could only hopelessly watch on as they are sucked dry of vitality from the book. But Ji Xian was different, though his knowledge of the soul was lacking, since he arrived in the Mortal Desolate, he had gained the Soul Liberation Art and met with members of the Graha race. He was slowly increasing his comprehension, not to mention, that he had once split his soul into two to create the Hell Soul. 𝙍₳NоBЕṦ
If he truly wanted, he could remove the tether that shackles his connection to the book.
And yet, he didn’t.
Because he knew— the Empress, herself, was making a move on those who dared to invade her world. Even though she had long ascended, she left behind precautions.
“What if the distinction between the two was pointless to begin with? What if…”
Ji Xian continued listening to Xia Lihua express her thoughts. A cheeky grin appeared on his face as he felt like he was listening to himself ask questions.
While giving attention to her, he was also inwardly reflecting.
In the end, the theory I had for Lihua to absorb True Essence didn’t quite work… no… it’s not that it didn’t work, but she chose to go a different route— one that was more suitable for herself.
I guess this is what cultivation is about— choosing a path for oneself. I can’t force her otherwise, and I have no right to do so. But maybe this is for the best. It’s just like Lihua said, what if the distinction between the two was pointless to begin with?
True Essence and Astral Essence, the reason for their incompatibility was so obvious.
True Essence is of the Heavens while Astral Essence is of the individual. If that’s the case, what’s stopping the individual from transforming their internal world to becoming Heaven? Why can’t Astral Essence also be True Essence? After all, it’s only a name.
This is the reason for their conflicting nature— it’s the collision between different empyrean domains.
Lihua had chosen to forego True Essence, wholeheartedly focusing on Body Cultivation, but for me— I. Want. Both.
I can see it, I can see the path ahead for my own. In the past, I was still too close-minded, choosing to follow the universal Qi Cultivation system. Although I had perfected each realm and was looking for ways to flawlessly break through the next— I was still following the already established system. But…why do I have to? Fuck Qi Cultivation and fuck Body Cultivation— why do I need to follow what others have created? My path is my own, I’ll create my own rules for cultivation!
A menacing light flashed through Ji Xian’s eyes.
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