Chapter 23: Breaking Through the Innate Realm

Two days later.

A squad of Embroidered Uniform Guard entered from the east gate of White Cloud County and headed straight to the Chief Banner's office.

The scholar gently knocked on the door of Shen Qing's room.

"Sir, Company Captain Zhang Shan has arrived."

Shen Qing tidied up his attire slightly and walked out of the room.

This Zhang Shan also came for Shen Qing; Shen Qing's capture of a harmful evil cultivator was also considered a notable merit.

Of course, the main matters are still two other things.

First, Shen Qing's Blood-Swallowing Wood Crystal Core; as soon as the Guard Command of Luo River City heard of the crystal core's appearance, there was also an undercurrent.

The Guard Command also offered a high price of two Red Jade Fruits to exchange for the crystal core with Shen Qing.

This was unexpected for Shen Qing.

Second, he came to take away that traitorous petty flag officer.

Last time, a traitorous chief banner officer appeared; it could be said to be an accident.

But not long after, an internal spy was uncovered again, and he was one sent out by Luo River City.

Then this problem becomes serious.

It is said that the Guard Commander of the prefecture was furious, and even the news reached the capital.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard of Yongning Prefecture is about to undergo a major purge.

Shen Qing walked out of the courtyard and immediately saw Zhang Shan.

Zhang Shan also looked at Shen Qing with a beaming smile.

But suddenly Zhang Shan's expression froze for a moment; he felt that Shen Qing's aura seemed to have undergone a qualitative change.

"Has he broken through?"

Although shocked, it was still within Zhang Shan's acceptance range, so he quickly restored his smile and clasped his hands.

"Long time no see, Chief Banner Shen."

The two exchanged pleasantries again.

Only then did they move on to the main topic.

"Chief Banner Shen, the order from Luo River City this time is urgent; it has me come to you to fetch something, and by the way bring back that internal traitor."

"Company Captain Qin will also arrive at White Cloud County at noon, to escort together with me."

Zhang Shan also revealed a curious gaze.

"What exactly is it?"

"It's nothing much; I just happened to kill an Acquired Realm blood cultivator, the gain wasn't big, basically just obtaining a Blood-Swallowing Wood Crystal Core." Shen Qing said lightly.

Zhang Shan was stunned, what the hell does 'just that' mean?

Is this even human speech?

One Blood-Swallowing Wood Crystal Core is enough to keep him busy for a while.

He has caught quite a few blood cultivators, even several Innate Realm ones, but he has never obtained such a treasure before.

This is nice; killing an Acquired Realm blood cultivator got him one.

In an instant, the air was filled with sourness.

"Chief Banner Shen, you're so fortunate!"

Afterward, Zhang Shan stared at the Blood-Swallowing Wood Crystal Core, examining it closely a few times, inwardly resenting why he never encountered such an opportunity.

Although sour, he didn't feel too much jealousy.

He has encountered many opportunities himself, but most of them just slipped past him, being taken by his colleagues.

Take this Blood-Swallowing Wood Crystal Core, for example; a few days ago when he came to White Cloud County to deliver Red Jade Fruits, he happened upon a blood cultivator.

He casually captured him, but because he had pressing duties, he did not continue the investigation.

He planned to deal with this batch of blood cultivators after finishing his current tasks.

As a result, Shen Qing got there first.

Zhang Shan also took it in stride, believing that it was merely accumulation; with enough accumulated luck, he would eventually soar to the skies and meet a benefactor.

It's a matter of time and fate!

Zhang Shan withdrew his gaze, made a slight adjustment, and then brought up the second matter of his coming to White Cloud County, his expression turning a bit solemn.

"I heard you've uncovered another internal spy?"

Shen Qing nodded: "He's in the prison; the White Dragon Sect arranged for him to come in, and we haven't gotten much more out of him yet."

"Then I'll trouble Company Captain Zhang to take him away together; his condition isn't good, so don't let him die on the way."

Last night during the interrogation, because he returned too late, Old Li personally prepared the torture using pounded small chilies.

That night was filled with cries for father and mother.

Company Captain Zhang furrowed his brows: "Again the White Dragon Sect, truly a hassle, always giving us things to do."

"This time the matter is no small affair; I heard the Supervisory Bureau will send people to conduct a heart‑testing examination on our Yongning Prefecture's Embroidered Uniform Guard."

Shen Qing raised his eyebrows.

The Supervisory Bureau, whose members are personally selected by the emperor, exists to oversee officials and seek those with divided loyalties.

Most of its members are at the Innate Realm or above, mastering special techniques for probing the heart.

They even mobilized the Supervisory Bureau this time? It seems the matter has indeed stirred the capital.

But if we're going to ask, let's ask; it's better to get it clear.

Otherwise, we'd have an internal traitor here and a rebel there, and later we might get stabbed in the back.

All the way until noon, another Company Captain arrived at White Cloud County, and only then did the two take the Blood-Swallowing Wood Crystal Core and leave.

Inside the chief commander's office, Shen Qing looked satisfied at the two Crimson Jade Fruits before him.

Two Crimson Jade Fruits were enough for Shen Qing to attempt another breakthrough.

Shen Qing adjusted his breathing slightly, brought his condition to peak, then directly grabbed a Crimson Jade Fruit and stuffed it into his mouth in big bites.

The massive energy instantly cleared several apertures, like a flood, and with undiminished momentum continued rushing toward the subsequent apertures.

With the enlightened Dao-heart state, meridian damage? That simply doesn't exist.

Shen Qing, Old Master Shen, has only one thing to do: exert great force to create missiles!!!

Old Master Shen only needs to exert great force; leave the rest to miracles.

Apertures connected one by one quickly, in less than the time to burn an incense stick.

Shen Qing's realm broke through to Acquired Realm Rank Seven.

Immediately after came Acquired Realm Rank Eight.

Soon, the energy of the first Crimson Jade Fruit was perfectly absorbed by Shen Qing, but one Crimson Jade Fruit was still far from his limit.

The second Crimson Jade Fruit quickly entered his belly; Shen Qing opened his eyes, and even his eyes had essence qi spilling out.

"Meridians, let me see where your limit lies!"

The Crimson Jade Fruit seemed to have heard Old Master Shen's words, and compared to the previous one, it became even more violent.

The final aperture of Acquired Realm Rank Eight connected, breaking into the final stage of Acquired Realm, Rank Nine.

Until the final aperture connected.

Then finally it is the Innate Realm.

The Shen Clan's cultivation techniques are all complete sets.

For the Acquired Realm it is the Overbearing Meridian-Passing Technique; for the Innate Realm's cultivation method it is the Overbearing True Qi Technique.

What is cultivated is the Overbearing True Qi.

Shen Qing quietly contemplated; the internal force constantly surging in the meridians also gradually subsided.

After about the time to drink a cup of tea.

The internal force throughout the body was instantly activated, beginning to madly surge toward the dantian.

The originally dim, lightless dantian, as if split open by Pangu creating heaven and earth, saw the first ray of light appear.

This is the Innate Realm.

Refining internal force into true qi, opening the yin and yang of the dantian.

In this Yongning Prefecture territory, the Innate Realm is already a remarkable personage.

But Shen Qing hails from a great clan, so his vision naturally cannot be compared to that of someone from a remote place like White Cloud County.

Entering the Innate Realm is merely the start of the cultivation path.

If cultivation is compared to building a house, then the Innate Realm is laying the foundation.

Cultivating true qi, expanding the dantian, increasing the amount of true qi—that is expanding the foundation.

While refining true qi, increasing its purity is strengthening the foundation.

Only when the foundation is solid can one erect towering buildings.