Heaven Refining physique Chapter 4: Cultivation realm’s

'Qi refinement,' as the name implies, is the method of fortifying your entire being with spirit qi, or one could say, an infusion of qi throughout the body to enhance its strength.

The cultivators in this realm are categorized into three distinct groups:

The first are those who solely refine spirit qi, commonly referred to as Qi cultivators.

The second group focuses exclusively on physical cultivation, known as Body cultivators.

Lastly, the third category comprises individuals who cultivate both Body and Qi; they lack a specific designation but can be aptly named Body and Qi cultivators.

As their name suggests, Qi cultivators dedicate themselves to nurturing their qi, refining and condensing spirit qi to attain higher spiritual realms.

Body cultivators, conversely, employ spirit qi to train their physical forms. Rather than advancing their qi, their focus is on fortifying their bodies.

The third group, cultivating both disciplines, requires no further elaboration.

Regardless of whether one is a Body cultivator or a Qi cultivator, the initial stage of Qi Refinement is a shared foundation, where the body is tempered using qi.

However, their paths diverge after this foundational stage.

Prior to achieving immortality, there are indeed nine major cultivation realms.

For Qi cultivators, these realms are: Qi Refinement, Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Soul Sea, Nascent Soul, Void Reversion, Heavenly King, Heavenly Emperor, and the Tribulation Ascendance Realm.

Each major realm, with the exception of Qi Refinement and Tribulation Ascendance, consists of four minor stages. These Qi Refinement and Tribulation Ascendance realms uniquely possess nine minor stages.

The four minor stages are consistently: Early, Middle, Late, and Peak.

The Qi Refinement and Tribulation Ascendance realms' nine minor stages are segmented into stages one through nine.

Body cultivators also traverse nine major realms, typically delineated by grades, ranging from Grade 1 to Grade 9.

Grade 1 represents Qi Refinement and encompasses nine stages. Similarly, Grade 9 is Tribulation Ascendance, also with nine stages, while Grades 2 through 8 each feature four minor stages.

These fundamentals are universally understood within the cultivation world.

Jiang Hao absorbed this information with rapt attention.

His learning today had been extensive, revealing knowledge perhaps unknown even to many cultivators in this world. As Senior Hu Tian had hinted, insights into upper worlds were typically privy to only the most elite experts, and such figures are exceedingly rare.

"Now, let us delve into cultivation techniques."

A myriad of cultivation techniques exists, broadly classified into Common, Earth, Heaven, and Celestial Grades.

However, the Celestial Grade techniques are largely a theoretical concept; in my home world, not a single sect or faction possessed a complete Celestial Grade technique. Those boasting even one Heaven Grade technique were considered paramount factions, with fewer than ten possessing multiple such advanced techniques.

The selection of a cultivation technique is paramount, as the unique skills derived from them are among the most potent strengths available to cultivators.

While it is ideal to cultivate a technique that aligns with one's spiritual root, this is not an absolute requirement. Regardless of one's spiritual root type, cultivating a non-elemental technique remains a viable option.

"Do you comprehend why cultivators harbor envy towards individuals possessing heavenly or celestial physiques?"

After posing this question to Jiang Hao, Hu Tian offered a knowing smile and continued:

"It is because cultivators blessed with heavenly or celestial physiques transcend the need for conventional cultivation techniques. Their very physique becomes their cultivation method.

This means that upon commencing cultivation, a person with a heavenly Grade physique will naturally absorb Qi according to their unique physical endowments. Likewise, a celestial Grade physique is equivalent to possessing a celestial Grade cultivation technique. Hehehe, you grasp the implication, do you not?"

Jiang Hao listened, utterly astonished. The concept of a celestial physique seemed almost too extraordinary to be true, leaving him speechless.

If the senior's account was accurate, even his own former world, reputed to be an upper world, lacked a complete Celestial Grade cultivation technique. Heaven Grade techniques represented the pinnacle there.

Now, the immense value of a celestial physique became undeniably clear, its worth truly incalculable.

"While you are not strictly bound by cultivation techniques, it is advisable to practice one to subtly conceal your true physique. I have imbued a non-elemental Heaven Grade technique, along with additional annotations, into that ring. It also contains some herbs and spirit stones, resources sufficient for you to reach Foundation Establishment. For another individual, these might have facilitated reaching the Soul Seal realm, but your circumstances are unique."

Celestial physiques stand at the apex of all cultivation, and the immense resources they demand mean you must depend solely on yourself for their acquisition.

Your cultivation speed will not be dictated by innate talent or comprehension like others; rather, it hinges entirely on the quantity of resources you can gather.

You possess the Heaven Refining Physique. It's a rather imposing name, and it surely comes with abilities befitting its title. The specifics remain unknown to me; you will need to uncover them yourself.

Hu Tian retrieved the ring and presented it to him, stating, "This ring is a storage artifact, but it is no ordinary one."

"This ring possesses three primary functions: storage is its core purpose, followed by a protective shield, and finally, major or minor teleportation."

Recall my earlier explanation that my clone managed to survive only an hour in this lower realm? That was due to the Heavenly Dao's restrictions, which prohibit beings of superior strength from existing within a world of lesser power.

However, treasures are treated differently. They do not disintegrate like living entities. Even if a treasure exhibits sentience, it will merely face limitations, unable to utilize powers exceeding the world's established maximum capacity.

This ring is currently under such restrictions, yet its functions remain accessible. Its capabilities will be bound by the limits imposed by the Heavenly Dao—the very pinnacle of this world's power.

Should you activate the protective shield, even the most formidable individual in this world would be rendered incapable of harming you. However, always remember, it can only withstand three assaults consecutively. Following this, it requires approximately one full day to regenerate the necessary Qi for subsequent activation.

Similarly, you are permitted to execute one instance of major teleportation and ten instances of minor teleportation in rapid succession. These two abilities are distinct, meaning your usage of minor teleports does not preclude you from employing major teleportation.

Nevertheless, a ten-day interval is necessary before the major teleportation can be used again, and a one-day cooldown applies to minor teleportation after each use.

You will gain the ability to comprehend and utilize these functions fully once you bind this ring to your essence, which is only achievable upon attaining the Foundation Establishment realm.

Within the Qi Refinement realm, you are incapable of expelling Qi beyond your physical form; its sole purpose is the refinement of the body. Upon reaching Foundation Establishment, your capacity to project Qi externally will be unlocked.

While you cannot bind it at this moment, its functions are still at your disposal. Simply adorn it on any finger and concentrate your thoughts on accessing its interior, and you will be able to perceive its contents. Then, focus your intent on retrieving any desired item, and it will materialize. Conversely, you can deposit items within by willing the ring to absorb them, provided they are within proximity.

You can also activate its functions by simply focusing your attention on the ring and willing the desired action.

Upon reaching the Foundation Establishment realm, you must anoint the ring with a drop of your blood and infuse it with your Qi. Subsequently, it will be irrevocably bound to you, granting you full mastery and clear understanding of all its capabilities."

After his discourse, Hu Tian fell silent, his gaze fixed upon Jiang Hao with profound seriousness.

"As I am now deceased, I cannot formally accept you as my disciple."

"However, given that you have inherited so much from me, you must pledge a single promise to me."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Hao inclined his head in deference to Hu Tian.

"Senior, I shall fulfill any request you have. Not only for bestowing upon me a second life, but also for safeguarding my mother's well-being."

For Jiang Hao, the individual before him represented the paramount benefactor of his existence. He felt capable of undertaking far more than a mere promise.

"Excellent. Then heed my words. When I acquired that particular pill and became marked by formidable experts, the very cultivators who relentlessly pursued me with the intent to kill hailed from the Sword Harmony Sect."

"Consider that the strength of a single individual is insufficient to dismantle a premier sect. This is not a reflection of your future weakness—the reality is far more complex than you can currently fathom; you will comprehend it upon reaching that echelon of power."

"While not every member of the Sword Harmony Sect bears guilt for the events that transpired concerning me, I no longer concern myself with such distinctions. Your sole mandate is to inflict suffering upon them. Let them understand that even in death, I am the architect of their unending tribulations. The method you employ is entirely at your discretion."

Hu Tian regarded him once more.

"Simply grant me this promise, and I can depart this world with peace."

Jiang Hao sighed inwardly. Though his acquaintance with Hu Tian was brief, the latter had already ascended to become the most significant benefactor in his life.

"Senior, I solemnly vow to make the Sword Harmony Sect atone for their transgressions against you. Yet, Senior, given your prolonged existence, could you not remain a while longer?"

Hu Tian responded with a gentle smile upon hearing this.

"I cannot. Do you truly believe that aiding you in refining your physique was a natural occurrence... hahaha... Never mind. I too wish to depart now. Since you have given me your word, I can leave this realm with a tranquil heart. Do not overthink it—my time in this world has concluded."