「Ten days later.」

Jiang Yi opened his eyes, emerging from his deep meditation. The dense, concentrated Qi Mechanism around him suddenly jolted.

The entire Spiritual Truth Cottage shook violently, like a small boat tossed upon a vast ocean.

An infinite light radiated from the space between his eyebrows. Within it, a miniature figure made of gold and Jade Material, identical to him in appearance, could be faintly seen sitting atop a Twelfth Layer Dharma Platform.

The gourd in his palm suddenly felt lighter. All thirty-six wisps of Qian Heaven True Jun Qi had been completely refined, not a single drop remaining.

Such an inconceivable speed of Cultivation was likely something not even Ancestor Mingxuan could have anticipated.

’I’m still not satisfied.’

The corners of Jiang Yi’s lips curved up as he set down the gourd used for storing astral qi.

The thirty-six wisps of Qian Heaven True Jun Qi had solidified his Primordial Gate, making his frontal bone gleam brightly. It was like a solid foundation supporting the Twelfth Layer Dharma Platform, lifting his blazing Divine Sense high.

’Magical Power determines the might of a Daoist Skill; it is the foundation. The speed at which one can channel their Divine Sense, however, determines casting speed. Being just a bit faster than your opponent reveals the path to victory.’

Jiang Yi silently contemplated his new state. After stepping into the Qi Cultivation Twelfth Layer, the vast Magical Power within his Inner Mansion could no longer be increased. It was like a ferocious dragon locked behind a great floodgate, unable to advance further.

Unless he completely shattered his shackles, forged his Dao Foundation, and ascended in a blaze of glory, consuming any more Spiritual Objects or Resources would be useless.

According to the Buddhist Dao, as described in the Mahāsāṃghika Vinaya, a single "thought-moment" is the base unit of time. Twenty thought-moments make an "instant," and twenty instants make a "finger-snap."

Cultivators in the Qi Cultivation Realm could rarely cast a Daoist Skill faster than an "instant."

But after refining the thirty-six wisps of Qian Heaven True Jun Qi, Jiang Yi felt his intent precede his thoughts. Barely ten thought-moments had passed before a Magical Profound Light, like a bolt of silk, wrapped around his body. With a RUMBLE, it blasted through the air and shot out as a circular blade.

Another ten thought-moments later, the Five Fires and Seven Beasts Transformation was already unleashed. Fire Crows blotted out the sun and a Fire Phoenix set the plains ablaze, the roaring golden flames looking as if they could burn down the heavens and earth in all ten directions.

To an outside observer, it would seem as if two Daoist Skills had been launched in a single instant. They were as fast as a bolt of lightning or a shooting star, leaving no time to react.

’This will give me a huge advantage in Magical Combat.’

Through "I beg the Celestial Book," Jiang Yi got a rough idea of how far he still was from the Foundation Establishment Realm.

His accumulation in the Qi Cultivation Realm had already reached Perfection. There was no need to spend more effort deepening his foundation. He might as well use this opportunity to improve his Magical Combat methods to prepare for the impending opening of the "Juku Continent."

’If I can cast three Daoist Skills in a single instant, I’ll be invincible in future Magical Combat.’

Jiang Yi mused to himself. Based on his sparring experience with Qiao Yu, the geniuses from the Ancestral Sects all had an ace or two up their sleeves. This was especially true for the True Inheritance disciples aiming for the Daoist position, who could not be underestimated.

Take Gu Changling of Gen Peak for example. During the last examination at Yuanchu Palace, the "Xuanhuang One Qi Grand Grasp" he used was incomparably fierce, capable of seizing mountains and grasping peaks. Anyone with slightly weaker Magical Power would have been immediately put at a disadvantage.

Besides Gu Changling, there were also Zhou Shiyu of Dui Peak and Yuan Xiao of Zhen Peak. Each had their own specialized Daoist Techniques, enough to look down on their peers.

’For those outside the Ancestral Sects, trying to cultivate a Daoist Level figure to contend for a Golden Position is harder than ascending to Qingming.’

Jiang Yi dismissed his stray thoughts. His ten-day minor seclusion had been quite fruitful. Satisfied, he flicked his sleeves, stood up, and walked out of the Spiritual Truth Cottage, returning to the main hall of Changming Heavenly Lake.

At that moment, True Master Xuanmiao had his hands on his hips, directing the Gold and Silver Lads and the Day and Night Patrol Gods to move ancient texts.

Upon seeing Jiang Yi appear, the increasingly plump cat immediately put on a fawning expression and hurried to take credit:

"Xiao Jiang, the halls in the Pill Division have been tidied up. Next, we’ll start organizing the Scripture Division."

"The previous Daoist’s book collection is just enormous—enough to fill carts and boats. See? We’ve been working for days and still aren’t finished."

Jiang Yi smiled.

"Thank you for your hard work, Cat Master. I’ll have He Shouzheng refine a good batch of pills for you later."

With that, he casually chose a cloud couch to lie down on, disregarding the proper bearing of a Daoist. He had an Ear God fetch him a miscellaneous scroll and began to read with rapt attention.

The path of Cultivation required a balance between tension and relaxation.

Although a sixty-year cycle could pass in the blink of an eye, and the slightest bit of slack could lead to wasted years and failure at the final step, one couldn’t maintain a state of constant mental strain and exhaustion for long.

"All Worlds... haha, I’ve heard so much about it. I’m finally fated to read it."

Jiang Yi laughed heartily, propped his head on his hand, and immediately immersed himself in the great work compiled by the Wandering True Monarch.

This particular volume belonged to the "Heaven" section of the four-part collection. Its contents were detailed, verifiable, and written in a fascinating way.

’Beyond the Yanfu Vast Land, there are countless cosmic realms and celestial worlds, like the branches and leaves of a towering, sacred tree.’

’It seems my previous guess was correct. Since the Yanfu Vast Land is called the "Ancestral Land," it must be the main trunk.’

Jiang Yi read, enthralled. It was unknown which Daoist Lineage the Wandering True Monarch had inherited from, but he had traveled throughout the Four Directions Continent of Yanfu and was still not satisfied.

Later, owing someone a huge favor, he boarded the Taifu Sect’s Hunyuan Golden Ship that crossed the celestial sea. Over several thousand years, he journeyed through several major heavens and grand realms.

’These major heavens and grand realms are actually dojos established by worldly Daoist Lineages. For example, that "Liuli Heaven" reveres the Pure Light Benevolent King Buddha as its origin. It has hundreds of millions of monk-soldiers and followers as numerous as the sands of the Ganges, making it the place with the most abundant incense offerings in the cosmos...’

Jiang Yi cross-referenced this with the Four Directions Daoist Lineages and found several dojos that seemed to be connected to the Eight Sects that governed the Nanzhan Continent.

’Wuxiang Heaven, Zhide Heaven... The names sound grand and majestic, but at their root, they are clearly of the Demon Dao.’

He was the Daoist of the Innate Sect, after all. How could he not notice the clues?

In that Wuxiang Heaven, the "Artifact Sect" was prevalent. Everyone nurtured a life-bound artifact. At Qi Cultivation, they refined Magical Artifacts; at Foundation Establishment, they refined Profound Artifacts; and as True Monarchs, they refined Dao Artifacts.

This was clearly the same path as the Yin Puppet Sect of Beimang Ridge.

’I’m afraid these "artifact cultivators" are all just "consumables."’