Chapter 380

The true qi in the room surged like flowing water, faster and faster, until it resembled intangible, formless light.

One thought for a hundred miles!

Li Rui slowly opened his eyes.

Breakthrough!

At this moment, his mind was clear and bright, all distracting thoughts cast aside.

This feeling of being able to control one's state of mind was extremely unique, and Li Rui could not help but immerse himself in it.

When the mind is free of distractions, strength is boundless.

A martial artist's strength is often hindered by many troubles, preventing it from being fully unleashed; for a Primordial martial artist, refining the heart means tearing away these shackles to achieve true single-mindedness.

Heart refinement complete.

This meant he now stood on the same level as Nie Siming and Yuan Xiong, having reached the Great Completion of the Primordial Realm.

One step further, and the Earth Immortal realm is within reach!

"Spirit refinement."

These two words rose in Li Rui's heart.

Above heart refinement is spirit refinement.

Or perhaps, everything in the Primordial Realm is preparation for spirit refinement.

Those in the Primordial Realm unite nature and life, drawing close to the Dao.

Once the soul reaches Great Completion, one can connect with heaven and earth using their own true qi, wielding supreme divine power with every gesture.

Ordinary martial artists are suppressed with a mere wave of the hand.

Below the Primordial Realm is the mortal; above the Primordial Realm is the immortal!

The difference between immortal and mortal lies in these two words: soul refinement.

Unlike other martial artists who attempt to break through to the Top Three Ranks after completing spirit refinement, he had cultivated the Great Henglian of He Qiannian, so naturally, he had to try for that legendary Dao Embryo realm.

"The Dao Embryo is the bridge between heaven and man. It contains the universe within an inch and gestates creation within the Purple Mansion. On the day the embryo is formed, one breathes out clouds and waves a hand to create mountains; yet, one wrong step leads to eternal damnation."

Looking inward at his own body, the Immortal Court within his dantian seemed to have gained a bit more vitality.

Li Rui stared intently at the Immortal Court for a long time.

He finally understood where the extra touch of vitality came from.

It was a peach blossom beside the coiled dragon pillar of the Immortal Court.

Amidst the white, mist-filled Immortal Court, a touch of charming pink had appeared.

Seeing that peach blossom.

Li Rui could no longer suppress the excitement in his heart.

The embryonic form of the Dao Embryo!

Those who refine the spirit in the Primordial Realm must use their own soul to stir heaven and earth, in order to mobilize the energy of heaven and earth.

This is also why the Top Three Ranks are called Earthly Immortals.

Every move of the Top Three Ranks can affect the primordial energy of heaven and earth; how can ordinary martial artists contend with the great power of heaven and earth?

Naturally, they are destined only to be suppressed.

"Legend has it that in ancient times, spiritual energy was abundant, and all cultivators practiced the Great Dao of heaven and earth. In later generations, spiritual energy withered, so only those in the Top Three Ranks could reproduce the divine power of the past."

But He Qiannian's Dao Embryo realm requires going one step further beyond spirit refinement.

It involves directly containing heaven and earth within an inch, opening up a small world within the dantian.

It is truly an act that defies heaven.

Over millions of years, those who could cultivate the Dao Embryo realm can be counted on one's fingers.

Even for He Qiannian, it was merely a theory; whether it could be achieved depended on destiny.

Li Rui withdrew his focus.

Feeling the true qi flowing at his fingertips, it was simply indescribably wonderful.

This time, he did not tell Elder Tiekuang.

It wasn't out of caution, but rather the worry that his good elder brother would have his Dao heart shattered upon learning of the breakthrough, causing him to lose the Great Completion of the Primordial Realm he was about to grasp.

"I have only just caught a glimpse of the mystery of the Dao Embryo, and it is ultimately difficult to find the way in."

He Qiannian said leisurely.

"The last person to achieve the Dao Embryo realm was the founding emperor of the Xuan Kingdom; he was truly a man of stunning talent."

Li Rui listened quietly from the side.

He Qiannian was a Third-Rank Tongxuan powerhouse; he certainly knew more than he did.

"Come, let me see if your Great Henglian has made any progress recently."

Li Rui nodded.

He stood up and assumed a boxing stance, his movements flowing with the technique, natural and at ease.

If one didn't know the ropes, one would never guess that what he was practicing was actually He Qiannian's Great Henglian.

Compared to He Qiannian's boxing style, it had a bit more uprightness and peace.

But that spirit of wanting to compete with the heavens was even stronger.

He Qiannian's eyes lit up as he watched.

"Good lad, I really didn't misjudge you."

He had taught Li Rui the Great Henglian, but he never expected that Li Rui would gradually develop his own style.

Extraordinary!

Practicing martial arts means that the more you practice, the less it should look like what the master taught.

The more he watched, the more delighted he became.

Soon.

He Qiannian frowned, staring fixedly at Li Rui for a long time.

When Li Rui finished his punches.

He finally spoke: "You lad, you've broken through?"

If he weren't already familiar with the Great Henglian, it would be impossible to detect that Li Rui's strength had already advanced by leaps and bounds.

Li Rui did not hide it:

"I have indeed made a little progress recently."

"Just a little?"

He Qiannian raised an eyebrow: "You lad, still trying to hide your light in front of me? Speak up quickly."

Li Rui said honestly: "I have already broken through the Heart Refinement barrier."

Hearing the words "Heart Refinement barrier," He Qiannian gasped.

How long had it been?

He had already reached the Great Completion of the Primordial Realm, and was only one step away from the Spirit Refinement barrier to enter the Top Three Ranks.

Incredible.

"Jiang Linxian said that in the Yunzhou martial arts world, there were only him and Li Rui; it really wasn't a joke!"

It took He Qiannian a long time to calm his mood.

Then he looked up and laughed.

"Good, very good!"

Li Rui had broken through the Heart Refinement barrier, which meant he was one step closer to the Dao Embryo realm. The more stunning he was, the greater the possibility of achieving the Dao Embryo realm.

Extraordinary matters require extraordinary people.

Since he seeks the supreme realm, he naturally cannot be judged by the standards of ordinary martial artists.

The ordinary martial artists He Qiannian referred to here even included those of the Third Rank.

Li Rui: "It is all thanks to the senior's teaching."

He Qiannian waved his hand: "I myself don't have such great achievements; I couldn't teach a disciple as capable as you. It is your own destiny."

Then he stopped laughing and exhorted Li Rui:

"Do not tell anyone else about the breakthrough."

After saying this.

He felt he was worrying for nothing.

This unnamed disciple had high talent, but his ability to hide his light was even higher.

!

Li Rui must have been fully prepared.

Today, he had deliberately revealed it to him.

He Qiannian felt even more gratified.

Li Rui sat back down on the stone stool and asked: "Senior He, has there been any news from the capital?"

He Qiannian knew that Li Rui was referring to news from the Secret Guard.

A Dingshan Envoy had died, so there had to be an explanation.

He Qiannian: "In a few days, the Jiang lad will come south to Qinghe."

"Brother Jiang is coming to Qinghe?"

Li Rui's eyes lit up.

He Qiannian nodded: "The Jiang lad is the proper Southern Town Mountain Envoy; I was just helping out. Now that the Purple Gold Palace has appeared and there is an unknown Fallen Immortal taking action, he naturally should come to sit in command."

"Could it be that I should always be the hands-off manager, letting an old man like me run around?"

Li Rui was speechless.

He Qiannian clearly regretted joining the Secret Guard.

"This is what they call 'the capable do more work'."

Li Rui chuckled.

He Qiannian: "Don't you try to flatter me; I don't buy it. If I weren't afraid that you lad would die directly if you weren't careful, why would I need to be so tired?"

Hearing this.

Li Rui felt a warmth in his heart.

He Qiannian could have been a hands-off manager, but being so concerned about the Secret Guard's affairs clearly showed he was afraid Li Rui would suffer.

It was equivalent to a protector.

This kindness could not be considered light.

Seeing Li Rui about to speak again, He Qiannian said impatiently: "If you dare to say any mushy words to me, you won't need to enter this door again. If you really want to thank me, then cultivate a Dao Embryo realm for me."

"And beat up all those internal energy experts one by one."

Li Rui's mouth twitched.

This goal was truly ambitious.

In the courtyard of the Assistant Regional Commander's mansion.

Li Rui, Elder Tiekuang, and Liu Tiezhu were discussing around the anvil.

To be precise, they were discussing the Immortal Blade Zhan Jiao on the anvil.

Elder Tiekuang clicked his tongue in wonder:

"I didn't expect it, you lad actually nurtured a Third-Rank weapon spirit so quickly."

Just look.

On the Immortal Blade Zhan Jiao, a small dragon was flying and flipping.

If one looked closely, one could find a person sitting on the small dragon, but that person was too blurry, making it impossible to see their face, or even distinguish their gender, age, or seniority.

Elder Tiekuang was seeing such a unique weapon spirit for the first time.

Just a moment ago.

Li Rui's Zhan Jiao suddenly underwent a mutation and gave birth to a weapon spirit.

That was why he sought out Elder Tiekuang.

Elder Tiekuang leaned in to look for a long time, finally concluding: "This Immortal Blade can be considered thoroughly nurtured by you lad, and by the looks of it, it's not a low-grade one among Immortal Blades, but at least mid-to-high grade."

"Good fortune indeed."

Elder Tiekuang's words also held a bit of smugness.

This Immortal Blade was forged by him; the stronger Zhan Jiao became, the happier he was.

Now, Zhan Jiao could be considered top-tier among Third-Rank Immortal Blades, and there was even a slight possibility of nurturing a Second-Rank Immortal Weapon.

It was truly the pinnacle work of his life.

Without thinking, he probably wouldn't be able to forge such a weapon again in this lifetime.

Even if he still had the energy and spirit, it would be hard to find another person like Li Rui in the world.

The reason Zhan Jiao was so powerful was mostly due to Li Rui's contribution.

Li Rui was also overjoyed.

With this Immortal Blade, his combat power could increase significantly again.

Elder Tiekuang couldn't help but envy: "You lad, could you really be that legendary Son of Destiny? How come all the good things are taken by you?"

Although he said that, Elder Tiekuang actually understood that this was what the martial arts world called 'Qi Luck'.

Anyone who can reach the pinnacle, looking at their life closely, always encounters noble people everywhere, with treasures chasing after them.

It was only right that he should be invincible in the world.

Elder Tiekuang couldn't help but sigh, already seeing that a future figure extremely high in the world's martial arts rankings would appear.

Just as he was about to speak.

A young servant said loudly outside the courtyard:

"Master, there is someone outside who says he is your old friend and wants to see you."

Li Rui heard this.

He was a bit surprised.

"Old friend."

Putting the Immortal Blade Zhan Jiao into its sheath, he strode toward the courtyard gate.

When he arrived in front of the vermilion-lacquered gate of the Assistant Regional Commander's mansion, he saw a man in white, elegant as an immortal, smiling and standing before the gate.

Seeing Li Rui appear, the man smiled freely:

"Brother Li, long time no see."

(End of chapter)