Cultivation Begins with Skill Points-Chapter 174 Heaven and Earth Bridge

Zhong Lin gazed intently at Sect Master Yu Jinglei’s effortless palm strike, which seemed to carry the weight of the heavens and earth, commanding reverence and awe.

Zhong Lin took a step forward and said solemnly, "May I ask the Sect Master, is this the Grandmaster Realm?"

Yu Jinglei flicked his sleeves, placing his hands behind his back, and stated proudly, "Indeed, Zhong Lin, since you have achieved Perfection in True Qi, you should be able to sense the presence of that ’membrane’, correct?"

Zhong Lin extended his palm, grasping at the air a few times, and said solemnly, "Disciple can feel an enclosure encompassing his entire body, giving an oppressive sensation, like a bird trapped in a cage, yearning to soar high but helpless, I ask Sect Master for enlightenment."

Yin Daoyan listened attentively from the side. He had already reached the First Grade Pure Essence Realm, though his True Qi hadn’t yet reached Perfection, but such a situation would inevitably be encountered sooner or later.

"Inhabiting within heaven and earth like an ephemeral being, as insignificant as a grain in the vast seas, how boundless are the heavens and earth, and how tiny are we. Martial Arts Cultivation transitions from Ninth Grade to First Grade through Body Refining, Blood Coagulation, and Qi Refinement — merely an ongoing development of the human body, yet realizing that human strength has limits, even if True Qi is condensed it is still akin to an ephemeral being, a grain in the vast seas to heaven and earth."

Yu Jinglei sighed, looking up to the heavens.

"The so-called small universe of life, the great universe of heaven and earth; cultivation beyond First Grade is breaking through the membrane enshrouding the body, building the Heaven and Earth Bridge, connecting with heavenly and earthly energy, shedding turbid Qi, and condensing Innate True Qi; this is what is called the Grandmaster Realm."

That’s it, that’s it.

Zhong Lin’s heart was full of joy. After cultivating to the perfection of True Qi and sensing that ’membrane’, he had speculated about it. After all, having read so many martial arts novels in a previous life, he was well-aware of such tropes.

The governor and conception vessels, the Heaven and Earth Bridge, Bai Hui acupoint... novels have long worn these concepts thin.

Indeed, as Yu Jinglei said, progressing further in Martial Arts naturally involves utilizing the power of the heavens and earth.

This means that the so-called Grandmaster Realm is akin to the Innate Realm in novels.

"I see, I see, I ask the Sect Master to impart the technique." Zhong Lin said excitedly.

Yu Jinglei waved his hand and laughed, "There is no rush. Breaking through to the Grandmaster Realm is not something achieved overnight. You have just reached True Qi Perfection, you need to stabilize it for a period. Once your cultivation is stable, I will impart the secret technique to you."

While speaking, his gaze shifted to Yin Daoyan, his expression becoming serious.

"Elder Yin, did you really find the Heavenly Essence Fruit?"

Yu Jinglei couldn’t help but be so solemn. Even though there is a Sect Secret Technique, breaking through to the Grandmaster Realm is extremely difficult. The three Supreme Elders have been in seclusion for sixty years but have yet to unravel the mysteries of the Grandmaster, whereas the Breakthrough Pill can make it easy to break through. Now, all the spiritual materials for making the Breakthrough Pill have been gathered, which means that once successful, the Sword Cauldron Sect will add another Grandmaster, which made him unable to contain his excitement.

Yin Daoyan smiled and said, "For such a major matter, how could I dare deceive?"

"Good, haha, it is a great blessing for the sect, a great blessing indeed!"

Yu Jinglei was elated upon hearing this, "I shall immediately summon the three Supreme Elders, Yun Yi, and Elder Lian Shan."

The three Supreme Elders and Shi Yunyi were all First Grade Martial Artists, and Elder Lian Shan was a Fourth Grade Alchemist; these individuals were exceedingly important.

"Hold on, Sect Master." Yin Daoyan interjected.

It was only then that Yu Jinglei realized Yin Daoyan and Zhong Lin were both First Grade Martial Artists, and since they were the ones who found the Heavenly Essence Fruit, once the Breakthrough Pill was refined, they could use it themselves, so why give it to others?

Yu Jinglei’s expression shifted, quickly explaining, "Elder Yin, don’t misunderstand, the matter of the Breakthrough Pill is of great significance, I was merely in haste..."

As a Sect Master, not everything can go as one pleases. If there indeed was a Breakthrough Pill, naturally, his inclination would be to first hand it over to the three Elders or his disciple Shi Yunyi to use.

Nevertheless, even Yu Jinglei hadn’t anticipated that Yin Daoyan and his disciple had both reached the First Grade Pure Essence Realm, also qualifying to take the Breakthrough Pill, especially since they were the ones who found the Heavenly Essence Fruit, and Zhong Lin had achieved True Qi Perfection.

Yin Daoyan, smiling, said, "Sect Master, please do not misunderstand. Thanks to the protection of past Sect Masters, this time, I unexpectedly found two Heavenly Essence Fruits in the Black Wind Forest..."

"Two?"

Yu Jinglei nearly lost his composure, exclaiming in surprise, even stepping forward to grab Yin Daoyan’s arm, his voice trembling slightly with excitement, and his eyes revealing an expression of joyous urgency.

The Heavenly Essence Fruit is the primary material for the Breakthrough Pill and the hardest spiritual medicine to obtain. The Sword Cauldron Sect hadn’t found one in nearly a century, yet now had stumbled upon two, meaning more Breakthrough Pills could be made, which not only filled him with immense joy but also instilled a faint sense of envy and loss.

Taking a deep breath to calm his internal excitement, Yu Jinglei sincerely said, "Elder Yin, please pardon me."

"I wouldn’t dare, Sect Master, for the sect’s centennial plan, this is the Sword Cauldron Sect’s fortune, our fortune," Yin Daoyan praised.

"How does Elder Yin plan to handle these two Heavenly Essence Fruits?"

"Naturally, they will be refined into Breakthrough Pills. However, I would like to request one for Zhong Lin. In the Black Wind Forest, if not for Zhong Lin, I wouldn’t have been able to snatch these two Heavenly Essence Fruits from the Golden Horned Python. I’ve just entered First Grade, and achieving True Qi Perfection remains unknown, but Zhong Lin is already at First Grade Perfection and certainly eligible to take it."

Yu Jinglei nodded silently. "That is appropriate. These two Heavenly Essence Fruits belong to Elder Yin and his disciple, one ought to be retained for Elder Yin’s discretion."

Although the auxiliary materials for refining the Breakthrough Pill are also quite precious, they are insignificant compared to the Heavenly Essence Fruit. If both pills were kept within the sect, it would dissuade any future disciple who might stumble upon a Heavenly Essence Fruit from offering it to the sect.

Moreover, this time, the ones presenting the Heavenly Essence Fruit, Yin Daoyan and his disciple, are both First Grade Pure Essence Martial Artists, and Zhong Lin’s talent is no less than Shi Yunyi’s as a peerless genius, with untapped potential. It would be a huge loss to sour relations over such matters.

Yin Daoyan finally showed a satisfied smile, "Thank you, Sect Master, for agreeing."

Yu Jinglei wasted no further time and immediately instructed disciples to inform the three Supreme Elders and Shi Yunyi, and Elder Lian Shan.

Soon, several powerful energies could be felt approaching outside the great hall, and the door was pushed open, admitting several unfamiliar figures.

"Sect Master, has something major occurred that you needed us all to gather?"

Before the people arrived, their voices did.

At the forefront were three elders. To the left was a man in his fifties. His dark face bore the vicissitudes of time, furrowed with deep wrinkles like ravines across his forehead. A half-white beard on his chin slightly curled up, and his eyes shone brightly, appearing sharp and astute, yet also dignified.

In the middle, an energetic elderly man with a vigorous stride could be seen; he stood tall with white hair and beard, his face full of timeworn wrinkles, yet his eyes fiercely bright. Naturally, he was the one speaking earlier; his voice was like a great bell, full of vitality and authority.