Chapter 22: The Tenth Level of the Crimson Bright Nine Heavens Chart

Luo Qing truly knew Jiulian very well. They had known each other for many years, and she had never seen such an expression on Jiulian's face. In her memory, her senior sister Jiulian had always been composed, and with her astonishing background, she had long been designated as the heir of the Dongyan clan. Therefore, as the future leader of the Dongyan clan, Jiulian had naturally been groomed from childhood, making it nearly impossible for her to show embarrassment or shyness.

"You, you..." Luo Qing's eyes widened, her mouth agape as she pointed at Jiulian. "You really..."

"Is it necessary to be so surprised?" Jiulian quickly recovered.

"Surprised? Senior sister, back when you were still in the Dongyan clan, countless people pursued you. Even in the Black-White College, many fellow disciples didn't know your background, yet still many pursued you. You never fancied anyone!" Luo Qing said in astonishment. "How did you come to fancy him? He's from a minor tribe and won't be of much help to you when you take over the Dongyan clan."

Jiulian frowned, showing displeasure.

"I meant nothing else, it's just that you..." Luo Qing shook her head.

"Although the tribe Ji Ning comes from is very weak, his own potential is astonishing," Jiulian said. "You must know that some people don't need to be judged by which tribe they come from, because one person alone can be stronger than an entire powerful tribe."

There was a hint of anticipation in Jiulian's eyes. "And... choosing a Dao companion follows the feeling of the heart. He gives me a very good feeling."

"Are you really choosing him as your Dao companion?" Luo Qing looked at Jiulian.

"No rush," Jiulian shook her head. "Immortal cultivators have long lifespans, and a Dao companion is a matter that affects one's entire life. Naturally, one must observe more and feel more. He and I have only been in contact for a little over three months; it's still too early to talk about Dao companions."

Even mortals in love take a year or two before marrying.

Immortal cultivators...

Some who entangle with each other for hundreds of years before finally becoming Dao companions—that happens too!

"If word gets out that the future female leader of the Dongyan clan has chosen a Dao companion, tsk tsk!" Luo Qing sighed. "It will surely cause an uproar!"

"Who can control whom I choose as my Dao companion?" Jiulian said calmly.

Luo Qing sensed Jiulian's determination and said, "Senior sister, since you've decided, I won't try to persuade you. You can stay here, improve your lotus spells, and observe your future Dao companion. I'm useless here... I plan to leave tomorrow, travel for a year or so, and then return to the Black-White College."

Jiulian showed a look of shame and took Luo Qing's hand. "Qingqing, we agreed to travel together. It's my fault."

"It's fine. As your junior sister, of course I support you in choosing a Dao companion," Luo Qing said with a smile.

...

The next day, Luo Qing bid farewell to Ji Ning and the others and left.

Ji Ning and Jiulian continued as before, living a very peaceful life on Mingxin Island, discussing the Dao every so often.

"Hmm?"

Late one night.

Ji Ning, who had been sitting cross-legged in meditation, felt a stir in his heart and showed a hint of joy. "It seems that after more than five months of discussing the Dao with Senior Sister Jiulian, I've made considerable progress in understanding the mutual generation and restraint of 'water and fire.' I've finally grasped the last barrier and can break through to the tenth level of the Crimson Bright Nine Heavens Chart."

"Enter." With a thought, a phantom of a bear's head appeared in the room, opened its mouth wide, and swallowed Ji Ning, who was sitting on the bed.

Ji Ning vanished like that.

...

Inside the main hall of the Water Mansion.

Ji Ning appeared and casually chose one of the huge prayer mats beneath the hall, sitting down cross-legged.

"Kid Ji Ning, why are you here again so soon?" the black ox asked, looking at Ji Ning.

"He's about to break through," the yellow-furred bear said, appearing out of nowhere. "If he breaks through in his room, it would probably destroy it. And to be cautious... it's safest to come to my cave dwelling."

Ji Ning sat cross-legged, retracting his dharma robe into his body, completely naked.

"Let's begin."

Having understood the key, Ji Ning directly activated the technique of the Crimson Bright Nine Heavens Chart.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

The Taiyin Divine Mark and Sun Divine Mark on Ji Ning's bare back lit up brightly, extremely dazzling, instantly resonating with the two supreme stars—Taiyin Star and Sun Star—in the distant depths of space, separated by countless spatial barriers. Taiyin Star and Sun Star immediately transmitted a stream of Solar True Fire and Lunar True Water.

The leap from the ninth level to the tenth level was a major realm breakthrough.

Each major realm breakthrough receives assistance from Taiyin Star and Sun Star, causing the divine body to undergo another transformation.

"The breakthrough of a major realm in the Crimson Bright Nine Heavens Chart is truly extraordinary," the yellow-furred bear said, watching the lotus leaves and petals condensing around Ji Ning, forming a lifelike lotus that began to envelop him. "Each time, it's aided by Lunar True Water and Solar True Fire. Such a divine body has the potential to control Lunar True Water and Solar True Fire in the future."

"From Earth Fire and Cold Sha, first rising to Heavenly Fire and Heavenly Water, then breaking through to Solar True Fire and Lunar True Water," the black ox shook his head. "That's too far off. Generally, only Celestial Immortals and Heavenly Gods have hope of mastering Solar True Fire and Lunar True Water, and even then, it's only a possibility."

An immortal cultivator must first nurture Earth Fire.

Then, step by step, through continuous improvement and hardships, there is hope to master Solar True Fire at the Celestial Immortal stage.

"It's about to succeed," the yellow-furred bear said.

Indeed.

The water-fire lotus enveloping Ji Ning had gradually become transparent, as the true water and true fire inside were being fully absorbed by Ji Ning's body. Then the transparent water-fire lotus slowly bloomed, revealing the naked Ji Ning inside. Every inch of Ji Ning's body was perfect—this was a divine demon body!

Ji Ning opened his eyes, and a beast-skin robe appeared on his body, still in the style his mother had made.

"I've broken through," Ji Ning said with a smile.

Vast divine power.

The surging power within his body!

At the ninth level, it was only comparable to the Wanxiang early stage divine demon body refinement. But at the tenth level, it was comparable to the Wanxiang late stage divine demon body refinement! Importantly, every three levels constitute a major realm, and each major realm breakthrough is the hardest. Minor realm breakthroughs are much easier, requiring only sufficient absorption of Taiyin and Sun power to break through.

Thus, from the tenth level to the twelfth level, there will be no bottlenecks.

"I have a Wanxiang late stage divine demon body, and I've comprehended the third stance of 'Three-Foot Sword'!" Ji Ning thought to himself. "Moreover, I have the divine ability 'Star Picking Hand'... My strength now is much greater than when I was in the Yushan Great Wasteland. If I encounter a dragon-whale great demon at the Primordial Soul stage again, I should be able to confront it head-on without difficulty."

"Compared to Senior Brother Blood Shadow, I'm probably not far off," Ji Ning rejoiced inwardly.

In terms of divine demon body refinement, Senior Brother Blood Shadow was at Wanxiang perfection, while Ji Ning was comparable to Wanxiang late stage, slightly inferior.

But in divine abilities! He was much stronger.

Coupled with his swordsmanship...

"With such strength, I can definitely compete with a Primordial Soul Daoist. Even if I can't defeat one, I'm confident I can escape," Ji Ning thought to himself.

"Ji Ning," the yellow-furred bear spoke.

"Senior," Ji Ning looked over.

"With your foundation improved, your overall strength naturally increases," the yellow-furred bear said. "If you were to challenge the third level of the War God Hall now, even without using a bow and arrow, you would have a ten out of ten chance of winning in close combat."

Ji Ning smiled. "What about the fourth level? Can I pass it?"

"The chance of passing is less than one in ten," the yellow-furred bear said. "When your divine demon body reaches the eleventh level, you should have a thirty to forty percent chance. If your swordsmanship improves further, the chance will be greater. To pass the fourth level of the War God Hall, one generally needs the strength to defeat a Primordial Soul Daoist."

Ji Ning shook his head inwardly.

San Shou Daoist.

The threshold he set for later masters of the cave dwelling was too high. Even someone as monstrous as Ji Ning found it difficult. Poor Immortal Juhua was forced to become a loose immortal for many years before finally passing the seventh level and choosing a very strong immortal-grade dharma treasure. Unfortunately, it was too late.

"No rush. Next time, I'll challenge the fourth level of the War God Hall," Ji Ning said with a smile. "This breakthrough in my divine demon body refinement counts as breaking through to the Wanxiang level, right?"

The yellow-furred bear nodded. "Yes."

"Then I can go to the Treasure Hall and choose another treasure," Ji Ning said, his eyes burning with excitement.

"Of course. You have at most three chances to choose. Be careful each time you select a treasure; once chosen, there's no going back," the yellow-furred bear said. "Come, let's go to the Treasure Hall and take our time choosing."

...

Half an hour later, having chosen another treasure and greatly increased his strength, Ji Ning quietly returned to Yishe Lake. No one knew that Ji Ning had left Yishe Lake for a short time, nor did they know that his strength had greatly increased.

Time passed.

In the blink of an eye, Jiulian had been at Yishe Lake for a year.

Far away in Anchan City, at the Black-White College.

"Junior Sister Qingqing! Junior Sister Qingqing!" A young man in black robes called out loudly from above a mountain peak.

"Senior Brother Liuyun rarely comes to see me," said the tall, silver-robed girl Luo Qing, walking into the courtyard and looking up with a smile.

The young man in black robes descended directly and landed in the courtyard.

"Senior Brother Liuyun, have a seat," Luo Qing said.

The young man in black robes sat down and said with a smile, "I heard that Junior Sister Qingqing had returned from traveling, so I came to visit. I remember that you and Junior Sister Jiulian went out together. It's been a year; you've returned, but Junior Sister Jiulian hasn't. Why is that?"

Luo Qing hesitated, then said, "Chen Jin!"

The young man in black robes was taken aback. Chen Jin was his real name, but Junior Sister Qingqing usually called him 'Senior Brother Liuyun.' Now she used his real name... it must be something important.

"You, me, and Senior Sister Jiulian all came to Anchan City together," Luo Qing said in a low voice. "You and I both know Jiulian's background."

Chen Jin nodded. "Of course I do."

"Back when Senior Sister Jiulian was in the Dongyan clan, you were always pursuing her. When Senior Sister Jiulian brought me to the Black-White College in Anchan City, you also entered the Black-White College. I know you've never given up," Luo Qing said.

Chen Jin smiled. "Although Jiulian has never agreed, I'll wait, for ten years, a hundred years, slowly waiting."

"There's something..." Luo Qing gritted her teeth. "I think I should tell you."

"What is it?" Chen Jin smiled. Could it be that Luo Qing, finding it so hard to speak, was going to confess her feelings to him?

Luo Qing took a deep breath. "Senior Sister Jiulian has chosen a Dao companion."

Chen Jin was stunned.

"Unfortunately, it's not you," Luo Qing looked at him.

Like a thunderbolt from a clear sky, Chen Jin was completely dazed.