Gentlemen, it's time to enter the Banner of Ten Thousand Souls.

Chapter 109 The Duel Arena
Several months later, I revisited the place. The simple courtyard seemed no different. Senior Brother Wang was still drinking tea and reading books in the inner hall, looking quite leisurely.

Su Chunyi had already returned to Qinghe. It was said that she had made a breakthrough in her cultivation and was taken back by her master to go into seclusion. It is likely that when they meet again, Su Chunyi will be at the Nascent Soul stage.

"What a rare guest! What brings you here..." Wang Yichen was about to make a few teasing remarks when he suddenly exclaimed in surprise, "Huh, your Qi Sea is already overflowing?"

Chen Ye smiled and said, "After several months of diligent cultivation, I have finally made some progress."

Wang Yichen said with envy, "This is called 'some benefit'? I'm so jealous I'm about to develop inner demons."

Just a few months ago, Chen Ye had only reached the Qi Sea Realm and hadn't even completed the Spiritual Qi Cleansing Marrow Refinement. How could he be about to undergo the Gang Sha Body Refinement just a few months later? What kind of cultivation speed is this? It's simply unbelievable.

Su Chunyi can be considered a genius that the Qinghe Sword Sect has seen only once in a thousand years, but it still took him several years to go from the Qi Sea Realm to the Gang Sha Realm.

"Senior Brother Wang is joking. My cultivation level is far inferior to yours."

Wang Yichen laughed and said, "Don't give me that nonsense. Your cultivation has improved so quickly, you've come to ask for my guidance, haven't you?"

Chen Ye didn't beat around the bush and asked directly, "May I ask, Senior Brother Wang, I've heard that the Qi Refining Body is also divided into three grades: upper, middle, and lower. Is that true?"

Wang Yichen asked in surprise, "Where did you hear that? This saying dates back a thousand years. But what you're saying is true. It's just that it's extremely difficult for ordinary rogue cultivators to cultivate a superior Dao Body. The Gang Sha Body Refining is inherently very painful. The pain on the skin and flesh can be endured, but the pain that penetrates to the bone marrow is truly deadly. If you're not careful, you can die from the pain."

Chen Ye asked, "Then what are the differences between these three grades—upper, middle, and lower?"

"The most direct benefit is lifespan. A low-grade Dao Body can add a hundred years to one's lifespan, while a high-grade Dao Body can add eight hundred years. In addition, a high-grade Dao Body makes it easier to comprehend the universe and is more likely to break through to the Profound Realm."

Chen Ye had heard Mo Ci mention that "Tongxuan" refers to communicating with the mysterious gate of heaven and earth through one's thoughts, thereby seizing one's own supernatural powers. These supernatural powers differ from those of Buddhism; they do not require external assistance but are a talent bestowed upon you by heaven and earth, each with its own unique uses.

It seems that what the leader of the Crimson Serpent Demon Sect said was true.

Chen Ye couldn't help but ask another question: "Does the Qinghe Sword Sect have any secret techniques for cultivating a superior Dao Body?"

Wang Yichen smiled and said, "Of course there is, but it requires the Qinghe Sword Technique as a foundation, and it is a secret that is not passed down."

Although he had expected it, Chen Ye still felt a little regretful.

Wang Yichen didn't mention inviting Chen Ye to join the Qinghe Sword Sect. After spending time together, he knew that Chen Ye's personality wasn't suitable, and he was afraid that Chen Ye wouldn't be able to pass the sect leader's test.

But this young man is exceptionally talented and of decent character, so it wouldn't be bad to make him a friend.

Wang Yichen said, "For ordinary cultivators, it is enough to refine a low-grade Dao Body. With your talent, a hundred years is enough for you to break through to the Tongxuan realm. There is no need to force yourself to pursue a high-grade body refining technique."

Chen Ye smiled wryly. The difference between gaining a hundred years of lifespan and eight hundred years is enormous.

Even if he manages to break through to the Profound Realm, he will still have to continue his arduous cultivation, and a few hundred years later, it might be a matter of life and death.

After chatting for a few minutes, Chen Ye took his leave.

It seems the Lord did not deceive me; the difference between the upper, middle, and lower ranks is indeed enormous.

However, this old demon's conditions are not easy. Chen Ye is only at the Qi Sea Realm, still at the bottom of the cultivation level, and may not have the ability to kill a group of Nirvana Sect monks.

Chen Ye felt it was better to be cautious and first try to get more information from the Venerable Master, and then inquire about this superior body-refining technique.

Since it was a rare opportunity to go out, Chen Ye wasn't in a hurry to go back. He first rode Black Whirlwind around the valley, and then had a few cups of tea with Fu Lu Shou and the other two.

Several months have passed, and the Loose Cultivator Alliance has now been established.

Although they still cultivate individually on a regular basis, the independent cultivators often organize gatherings to exchange their cultivation experiences. The connections between them are much closer than before, and the disciples of the five major sects have also become much more restrained, rarely displaying that haughty attitude anymore.

Chen Ye focused on his cultivation and didn't participate in these activities, but he did ask Fu Lu Shou and the others to pass on some of his notes and insights. For example, the method for condensing multiple Qi Seas had been reorganized and restructured by Chen Ye into a complete spell. However, for ordinary rogue cultivators, this cultivation method was novel, but it couldn't be combined with the secret techniques of powerful sects. The cultivation speed of multiple Qi Seas wasn't much faster, and the resources consumed were quite high, so not many people were willing to cultivate it.

Fu Lu Shou seemed to have recognized Chen Ye's good fortune, and apart from Chang Shou, the other two were working hard to rebuild their Qi Sea, and now they have achieved results.

Chen Ye then chatted with the three about some difficulties in cultivation. Although Chen Ye did most of the talking while the three listened, Chang Shou was also able to share some insights into the Gang Sha Body Refinement.

According to Chang Shou, he was too old. He barely passed the Gang Sha Body Refinement and still felt a lack of vitality. He asked the seniors, who said that he could only rely on pills to supplement his body, but it was hard to say how effective they would be.

Despite advancing a significant realm, Changshou's spiritual energy did not increase much.

This is why lifespan is so important. If you try to break through to a higher realm when your body is old and frail, the effect will be much less than that of an ordinary person.

Mortals think that those who cultivate immortality can live for hundreds of years, but only they know that time flies and they really can't afford to waste it.

After hearing Chang Shou's explanation, Chen Ye became even more eager for this superior body-refining method.

As the sun set, Chen Ye returned to his small cave and lay down on the stone bed once more.

I closed my eyes and drifted into a dream, waiting for the giant red serpent to appear.

The crimson serpent arrived unexpectedly, flicking its tongue and saying, "Well, after asking around all day, do you know that what I said was true?"

Chen Ye said helplessly, "When dealing with a senior like the Venerable One, one must be cautious. After all, I still have teeth marks on my leg."

"Don't bring up the past, and I won't give in. I'm not afraid to tell you that in this day and age, elixirs are everywhere, especially after the release of the Vajra Powder from the Incense Burning Sect. Everyone is pursuing comfort, and this superior body-refining method is rarely used anymore. If you want to inquire, go ahead, but even if you have a hundred years, you might not be able to find it."

"Your cultivation is currently at a point of vigorous and rapid advancement. If this momentum is interrupted, how many centuries do you have left to waste?"

Chen Ye knew that the master was tempting him, but what he said was indeed the truth.

On the path of cultivation, taking one step ahead ensures continued advancement, while falling behind may mean missing out on immortality.

Chen Ye didn't want to miss this opportunity, so he asked, "Lord, why don't you tell us about this small sect that Nirvana Sect is disguised as?"

The Crimson Serpent grinned, letting out a hearty laugh, and said to Chen Ye, "Don't worry, since I've asked you to take action, these Nirvana Sect demons are naturally easy to deal with. There are only thirty or forty of them in total, and the three leaders are only at the Profound Realm..."

Upon hearing the words "Transcendent Realm," Chen Ye immediately cupped his hands and said, "I am not capable enough, farewell!"

The Crimson Serpent laughed, "A mere Transcendent Realm cultivator? You've killed them before. I've heard a lot about you. Before even arriving at Hundred Seas Valley, you killed two Transcendent Realm demonic cultivators. Now that your cultivation is so much higher and you have many treasures protecting you, what are you afraid of?"

Chen Ye said helplessly, "My lord, I know my own limitations. The two demons I killed before were only destroyed because I set traps for them when they were about to possess my body. How could I possibly deal with a true Transcendent Realm expert?"

The Crimson Serpent sneered, "That's not self-awareness, that's self-deprecation. Do you really think everyone in the Profound Realm is as powerful as Su Chunyi?"

Chen Ye said, "It's not much different; it wouldn't even take one move to kill me."

"You're wrong, completely wrong. I can tell you have absolutely no experience in combat. But you won't believe anything I say now. There's a combat arena in Hundred Seas Valley. Why don't you go and try it? Then you'll know that whether it's Zhang Qi, Su Chunyi, or that lazybones Wang Yichen from Hundred Seas Valley, the cultivators of Qinghe Sword Sect are always outsiders."

"A fighting arena?" Chen Ye had been in Hundred Seas Valley for months and had never heard of such a thing.

The Crimson Serpent explained, "Originally, this was used by the five major sects to train their new disciples, and there was also a ranking list. As long as you were on the list, you could receive a Azure Pearl as a reward every year. However, the ranking list has hardly changed in recent years. You can go and challenge it to see if you are capable."

Chen Ye asked in surprise, "There's even a reward? Who gave it out?"

The Crimson Serpent said, "Of course it's the five major sects. Do you think they're those poor rogue cultivators? With your current abilities, if you're going to challenge them, aim for the top three. If you can't even get into the top three, then forget everything I've taught you, so as not to ruin my reputation."

(End of this chapter)