Surviving in the Demonic Sect, one begins cultivation by retrieving corpses.

The two returned to the courtyard.

Gu Zhao felt a pang of regret for having spent eight hundred magic coins today, but his cultivation had improved nonetheless.

It wasn't a complete waste of money.

However, the celestial residence fee is due next month.

Where did they get the money?

Looks like I'll have to ask the stables tomorrow and see what a way to get there.

Now that Gu Zhao has resolved the hidden harm to his body, he also has the aid of the sacrificial cauldron.

I have a certain degree of confidence.

The stableman yawned, "Zhao-ge, get some rest, you have to go to work tomorrow."

Gu Zhao nodded and glanced at the corner room opposite, where a faint light from a magical artifact shone through the window. That was another resident of this large courtyard.

He didn't pay any attention, went back to his room, and closed the door.

He sat cross-legged on the bed.

Five hours have passed; you can now claim your reward.

He focused his mind and quietly entered a meditative state.

A large, black cauldron slowly emerged, with characters flowing across its surface.

[Should I claim the Jade Pivot Thunderous True Qi?]

Without the slightest hesitation, Gu Zhao's mind stirred.

【receive】

The cauldron trembled slightly, and a wisp of azure electric arc suddenly shot out from its mouth, crackling softly incessantly. It then transformed into a stream of light and went straight into his dantian.

Gu Zhao focused his mind and looked inward at his dantian, where he saw a bright arc of electricity surging and thrashing about.

Fortunately, the sacrificial cauldron trembled slightly again, and a steady force spread out, which gradually calmed down the wisp of Jade Pivot Thunder Qi.

The pure Yang Qi that was previously available could circulate throughout the body along the Qi channels in the Dantian, nourishing the physical body and steadily advancing one's cultivation.

However, the Jade Pivot Thunder Qi was completely different; it remained motionless within the dantian.

Thunder Qi is inherently the most volatile and violent, and among all the Daoist arts, it is the most powerful and domineering.

As soon as Gu Zhao had this thought, he slowly extended his palm.

A bright blue arc of electricity shot out, winding and flowing across the fingertip with a soft crackling sound.

"I see... Although it cannot help improve one's cultivation, it is an excellent means of attack."

He could clearly sense the violent power contained within that arc of electricity, and couldn't help but wonder what kind of power it would have if it struck someone else.

However, looking around the room, all the items belonged to him, and it would be a pity to try them out, so he had to give up for the time being.

With a renewed thought, the electric arc at his fingertips vanished instantly, returning to its quiet dormancy deep within his dantian.

There are countless kinds of true qi in the world. The Qi Refining Realm is also known as the Qi Absorption Realm. The higher the grade of true qi that a cultivator absorbs into their dantian, the greater their chances of establishing their foundation in the future.

Gu Zhao is currently still in the embryonic stage, and what he cultivates is only to continuously strengthen the innate energy in his dantian.

Only those with the inherent potential for cultivation can cultivate innate energy. If one's innate energy is insufficient, one will become physically weak and unable to cultivate.

The realm of cultivating innate Qi is called the Fetal Movement Realm.

Only when the nine stages of fetal movement are complete and the dantian (lower abdomen) and dantian (lower abdomen) are stable can the true qi of heaven and earth be drawn into the body.

Otherwise, given the violent and powerful nature of true qi, forcibly absorbing it would only cause the meridians to burst, resulting in death and the dissipation of one's spiritual essence.

Many cultivators in the world have ended up with their souls scattered because they were too eager to achieve quick success and forcibly tried to break through to the Qi Refining Realm.

Gu Zhao now possesses two precious Qi, but he is unfortunately lacking a Qi cultivation technique.

Without the guidance of cultivation techniques, it is impossible to completely refine the two precious energies and integrate them into oneself.

Generally speaking, a cultivator who can generate and activate precious Qi on their own has already entered the Qi Refining Realm.

Gu Zhao's situation is truly exceptional.

He has not yet truly entered the Qi Refining Realm, but he is already able to control two precious Qi.

However, it is also unable to generate precious Qi on its own.

Did you get on the train first and buy the ticket later?

The most urgent task now is to find a cultivation method that allows one to refine Qi, or a cultivation method that can be mastered.

Gu Zhao glanced at the sky; it was still early before dawn, so he focused on his cultivation once more.

The key to spiritual practice lies in perseverance; Rome wasn't built in a day.

The next day!

Before the sun had risen, only a thin layer of morning light spread over Qingmao Mountain.

Gu Zhao had already gotten up and gone to the courtyard to wash up.

There was still no movement in the stables.

This large courtyard house is shaped like a traditional courtyard house, covering an area of ​​over 500 square meters. Its layout is ingenious yet elegant.

In the center is an open space with several stone tables and chairs, where people can enjoy tea and chat at their leisure.

A simple washbasin made of water tanks was set up on the side, which was quite practical.

In the northeast corner of the courtyard, an ancient pear tree stands proudly, its branches gnarled and vigorous.

The pear blossoms on the tree are as white as snow, flourishing in all seasons and blooming year-round.

Gu Zhao didn't recognize what kind of creature it was either, after all, there were many wondrous things in the cultivation world.

He walked to the water tank.

Suddenly, the sound of a door being pushed open was heard.

Gu Zhao looked in the direction of the sound.

Suddenly, a beautiful female nun in a blue dress and skirt emerged from the north side of the courtyard.

A jade flute hung from her waist; the jade was warm and lustrous, its luster subtle and restrained, clearly an extraordinary object.

She has an oval face with two dimples.

Her almond-shaped eyes were large and bright, and she looked quite spirited.

At this moment, she was holding a spirit fruit in her hand, taking a bite, and juice was splashing slightly.

The woman in the silk skirt was startled when she saw the person in the courtyard, and quickly wiped her mouth.

"..."

"Senior Brother Gu, why are you up so early today?"

When the female cultivator saw that it was Gu Zhao, she put the half-eaten spiritual fruit behind her back, was slightly surprised at first, and then greeted him with a smile.

Living in the same courtyard, they saw each other all the time. She had met the stable boy and Gu Zhao a few times and knew each other's names.

Gu Zhao recognized that this person was another resident in the courtyard, and also the "rich woman" that the stable had mentioned—Pei Xiaoxiao.

"It's Junior Sister Pei."

Gu Zhao responded, and without pausing, scooped up water to wash his face.

"Junior Sister Pei, are you going out?"

His question was not without reason; although Pei Xiaoxiao was nominally a handyman, he had never seen her work a single day.

Emperor Mingyi was already used to such things; as long as someone could be found to be on duty, the seven-year construction period would be completed without any delays.

Pei Xiaoxiao spends her days visiting teachers and friends, or spending money to find someone to supplement her spiritual practice.

I must say, it was a pretty busy day.

Gu Zhao felt that this woman's allowance might even exceed his and the stable's savings.

Pei Xiaoxiao walked into the courtyard. "Yes, I need to visit my teacher soon to ask about my doubts in cultivation."

"I have been too lazy lately and should be more diligent in my spiritual practice."

In the Mingyi Sect, whether one is a servant, an outer disciple, or an inner disciple, anyone who wants to ask a teacher for clarification must pay a Dharma fee.

In another sense, it represents equality for all.

Gu Zhao didn't know exactly how far this young rich woman's cultivation had progressed, but since she had entered the servants' quarters, her aptitude was probably not outstanding.

After saying hello, Pei Xiaoxiao prepared to leave the courtyard.

Goodbye, senior brother.

She suddenly remembered that when she greeted Gu Zhao before, he always had a cold expression on his face.

It's getting lively today?

Gu Zhao nodded in agreement. To be honest, the young rich woman was quite polite, which was completely different from what he had initially imagined.

Pei Xiaoxiao stepped out of the courtyard, took a bite of the spiritual fruit, and then looked back at Gu Zhao.

Pear blossoms fluttered down, swirling and landing on the young man's shoulders. He was tall and straight, with clear and bright eyes, possessing a unique and handsome demeanor.

"This... Senior Brother Gu, is quite a sight to behold."

She quickly patted her cheeks, "Pei Xiaoxiao, Pei Xiaoxiao, what are you thinking about?"

"Practice, practice!"

"You have strengthened your resolve to follow the Dao."