Chapter 66: The Realms of Cultivation
The royal banquet had ended, yet Jiang Zhaoming did not imdiately return to Anxi. Instead, he first paid a visit to the Qin Clan residence.
The vast Qin Clan mansion still stood as dignified and solemn as ever, with officials coming and going, bearing gifts without end.
Only this year, without the presence of his maternal grandfather Qin Peng, the place felt sowhat desolate.
Though Jiang Zhaoming’s mind was filled with plans for Anxi, he knew well the concerns of his mother, Qin Guiyan.
Suppressing his urgency, he decided to accompany his mother for half a day before setting out for the west again.
When he entered her courtyard, she was sitting beneath the magnolia tree, sipping tea.
The winter sunlight filtered through the branches, casting a soft glow upon her luxurious palace attire.
Upon seeing Jiang Zhaoming, her eyes imdiately filled with gentle affection, and she beckoned him. “Ming’er, co here.”
“Mother.”
Jiang Zhaoming quickly stepped forward, sat down, and accepted the hot tea handed to him by a maidservant.
Qin Guiyan carefully observed him. “Did the banquet go well? You look as though you have sothing on your mind, yet also seem to have gained sothing?”
Jiang Zhaoming smiled. “You truly see through , Mother. I sought so assistance from Father. Matters in Anxi now have a clear direction.”
He deliberately omitted ntioning the Burial Dragon Mountain Range, then continued, “Also, I had so insights during the audience and, by chance, broke through to the Divine Power Realm.”
“Oh?”
Qin Guiyan sat up in delight, quietly sensing the restrained yet heaven-and-earth resonating aura around him.
She nodded in satisfaction. “Good. My son’s talent is extraordinary—breaking through in the palace and condensing a Dao Seed!”
She took Jiang Zhaoming’s hand. “The Divine Power Realm is the true beginning of the extraordinary path. The foundation is crucial. Let tell you about the cultivation thresholds, so you won’t go astray.”
Jiang Zhaoming straightened up with focus. “Please instruct , Mother.”
Qin Guiyan took a sip of tea, her gaze distant. “The Flesh Refining, Tempering Bones, and Blood Refining Realms are the foundations for tempering the body. Only after passing them does one truly begin to touch the Grand Dao of Heaven and Earth and enter the Four Realms of Shedding the Mortal—Divine Power, Myriad Phenona, Golden Body, and Profound Core.”
She pointed lightly in the air. “The Divine Power Realm marks the beginning of transcendence. Its core lies in comprehending the fragnts of laws that pervade all of creation and engraving them into yourself, thus forming your initial ‘Dao Seed.’”
She looked at Jiang Zhaoming. “The Dao Seed is the root of your future cultivation. The might and refinent of your divine powers depend on the depth of your understanding of the laws and the quality of your Dao Seed.”
Jiang Zhaoming’s mind stirred. Within his sea of consciousness, a golden sword of majestic radiance appeared faintly. He nodded.
“I understand, Mother. But… what level is my Dao Seed?”
Qin Guiyan examined him carefully, pride flashing in her eyes.
“Your Dao Seed contains the essence of multiple laws, already showing signs of the Myriad Phenona—it is among the highest grade of Dao Seeds.”
Jiang Zhaoming’s heart grew even steadier.
Qin Guiyan continued, “After the Divine Power Realm cos the Myriad Phenona Realm. This is the crucial step where your Dao Seed sprouts and evolves into myriad manifestations.”
“One must expand the core laws comprehended in the Divine Power Realm outward, like a seed sprouting branches—integrating more related laws into one’s Dao Foundation, constantly developing and strengthening it, until forming an all-encompassing ‘Myriad Phenona Dao Foundation.’”
She smiled. “With your foundation, as long as you continue to cultivate insight diligently, this step will not be difficult.”
“And the Golden Body Realm?”
Jiang Zhaoming asked, knowing well that Qin Guiyan had deep understanding of this realm.
“The Golden Body Realm…”
Qin Guiyan’s expression turned solemn. “Its core lies in channeling the imnse power of your ‘Dao Seed’ and ‘Myriad Phenona Dao Foundation’ to nourish your body in return!”
She pointed gently at his brow, chest, and body. “This power, like the slting fire of heaven and earth, tempers your tendons, bones, blood, viscera, and even the essence of your soul!”
Her voice carried a deep rhythm. “It is the process of shedding the shackles of the mortal flesh and reshaping the Dao Body. Once complete, you will possess a Golden Body—impervious to blades, unhard by fire and water; your soul will be steady, unshaken by inner demons; more importantly, your lifespan will greatly increase. You will truly gain the foundation to advance toward higher realms.”
She spoke earnestly. “The strength of the Golden Body directly determines whether you can withstand greater powers in the future. Ming’er, your foundation is exceptionally deep. The Golden Body you forge will surely be extraordinary.”
Qin Guiyan took another sip of tea, gazing at Jiang Zhaoming with warmth, not saying more.
Jiang Zhaoming, absorbed in every word, could not help but ask, “Mother, what cos after the Golden Body? What kind of realm is the Profound Core Realm?”
At this, Qin Guiyan set down her teacup. A profound look flashed through her eyes before softening into a gentle smile.
“The Profound Core Realm… that is another world altogether. Its mysteries cannot be fully explained in words. When you reach that point, you will naturally understand. To speak too soon may instead disturb your Dao Heart.”
Her tone held both maternal tenderness and undeniable authority, laced with a reverence for that higher realm.
Jiang Zhaoming’s heart stirred. He knew she had spoken all that was proper—the Profound Core Realm was still far beyond him, and forcing understanding would be futile.
He respectfully replied, “Yes, Mother. I will rember your teachings.”
The mother and son chatted leisurely beneath the magnolia tree for a while longer, enjoying the rare mont of warmth and peace.
As the sunlight slanted westward, Jiang Zhaoming finally rose. “Mother, matters in Anxi Prefecture are pressing. I must return soon.”
Though reluctance lingered in Qin Guiyan’s eyes, her tone was filled with encouragent. “Go, then. Since your father has granted permission, act boldly. If difficulties arise, rember—the Qin Clan and I will always be your backing.”
“Thank you, Mother!” Jiang Zhaoming bowed deeply.
With his father’s consent and his mother’s support, his resolve grew stronger, and anticipation surged for the grand plans awaiting him in Anxi.
He used the Dragon-Patterned Jade Pendant to depart from the Qin Clan.
Within the Anxi Army’s barracks, Jiang Zhaoming stepped out of the courtyard.
The mont he appeared, Wan Donglai descended before him.
Wan Donglai saluted respectfully, his gaze sweeping over Jiang Zhaoming. At once, surprise and delight lit up his face.
“Your Majesty… you’ve broken through to the Divine Power Realm?”
“Mm. A small realization,” Jiang Zhaoming nodded. “General Wan, I have concluded my affairs. I intend to return to the Prefectural City today to oversee matters.”
Upon hearing this, Wan Donglai imdiately clasped his hands. “Your Majesty, with the sandworms’ assistance, the pressure on our defense line has greatly lessened. We can now reassign many troops to fill vacancies. I suggest that Your Majesty order the Yili Army to return to the Prefectural City first!”
Jiang Zhaoming paused for a few seconds, then a look of pleasant surprise appeared on his face.
The Yili Army—nine Divine Power cultivators and seventy thousand Blood Refining soldiers—was an exceptionally formidable force.
“Good! Excellent!”
Jiang Zhaoming’s expression was joyous, though he did not forget the contribution of the Anxi Army.
He said, “General Wan, rest assured. I will resolve the issue of this Other-Dinsional Passage soon, so the Anxi Army can depart from here.”
Wan Donglai’s face showed a touched smile. “Your Majesty need not make such a promise! Guarding Anxi has always been the duty and honor of all our officers and n!”
Jiang Zhaoming shook his head slightly, saying no more, yet Wan Donglai fully understood the sincerity behind his words.
Soon after, Jiang Zhaoming signed the deploynt orders, instructing the Yili Army and Anxi Army to hand over their defensive duties.
Once the transition was complete, the powerful Yili Army would return to the Prefectural City.
As for Jiang Zhaoming himself, he, together with Xu Guangqi—who had long been waiting—took the lead, soaring into the sky to return to Anxi Prefectural City.
Upon his return to the city,
Jiang Zhaoming imdiately summoned Fan Kang and handed him the “Geomantic Map of the Western Four Counties’ Veins of Anxi Prefecture.”
Fan Kang, after taking the map and examining it carefully, was so astonished that he could not speak.
“Your Majesty! This—this…”
Jiang Zhaoming smiled faintly and then revealed his plan to him.
He explained his plans for developing industries across Anxi, as well as his “Gold Rush” strategy to attract population.
After hearing Jiang Zhaoming’s plan—especially that “Gold Rush”—Fan Kang was utterly speechless.
Beyond being shocked by Jiang Zhaoming’s boundless imagination, he was deeply curious:
What kind of Anxi would erge after such a Gold Rush?
Without further delay, Fan Kang went off to begin implenting Jiang Zhaoming’s plan.
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