Chapter 39 – Peaceful Cultivation
Flux exhaled softly, his eyes scanning the landscape of the Blessed Land as he muttered,
"Time to find a good place to cultivate."
He wandered through the quiet valleys, the air rich with spiritual energy. Verdant hills rolled beneath clouds kissed by the sun, and ancient trees stood tall like guardians. Occasionally, he passed by abandoned cultivator abodes—modest huts and carved stone dwellings, overgrown with vines but still emanating faint traces of spiritual residue.
"Leftover abodes from those who cultivated here before," he said, more to himself than anyone else. "This place must've hosted many in the past."
As he walked deeper, he noticed rare spiritual plants scattered across the terrain. Some were protected by faint, lingering arrays. Glimmering herbs with translucent petals swayed gently in the breeze. One in particular caught his eye—a beautiful flower with petals that shimmered like starlight, pulsing softly with spiritual qi.
"I've never seen anything like this... must be a rare spirit plant," Flux murmured, crouching near it. "It's probably highly valuable. Each plant here has a unique presence… and the spiritual qi is incredibly dense."
Suddenly, a faint presence stirred nearby. He turned sharply.
A soft glow hovered beside the flower. A small, ethereal figure emerged—delicate and translucent, resembling the very flower it guarded. A flower spirit.
"A sentient spirit?" Flux whispered, blinking. "Well, with how rich the qi is here, I guess it's not too surprising."
The spirit tilted its head curiously at him before retreating into the petals.
Flux smiled faintly. "The elder warned not to disturb the plants... best to leave it alone."
He continued his search, riding his flying sword through forests and over hills. Hours passed as he surveyed the terrain. Eventually, he reached a towering mountain peak that pierced the clouds. The air was thick with spiritual qi, and ancient qi-gathering arrays still glowed faintly beneath the moss-covered stones.
Flux stood in awe. "This... this is the densest spiritual qi I've felt in this land."
He landed and took a deep breath. The qi filled his lungs like morning dew, clean and potent. Traces of past cultivators lingered—faint footsteps, residual auras, long faded but unmistakable.
"Looks like this place has been used many times before," he muttered. "I should inspect it... just in case."
He spent hours scouring the area, using spirit sense and detection techniques. He left no stone unturned. Only when he was certain there were no hidden dangers did he finally relax.
"No traps, no lurking beasts, no hostile spirits. Good."
He removed his wide-brimmed hat and placed it into his pouch. A thoughtful look crossed his face.
"I should be alone here," he mused. "It's probably safe to return to my true form."
A gentle mist unfurled from his body as he deactivated his concealment spell. His form shimmered, shrinking slightly. When the fog cleared, a young boy with sapphire-blue eyes, soft fox ears, and two elegant tails sat calmly on the mountaintop. His robe adjusted to fit his smaller form, reshaping itself thanks to its automatic size-altering formation.
Flux looked up at the sky. "Time to begin."
He seated himself at the center of the ancient qi-gathering array, legs crossed, hands resting gently on his knees. His eyes closed, and his breathing slowed. The qi surged toward him like a river responding to a familiar call.
Not long after, faint spirits from the surrounding woods began to gather. They floated closer, curious and drawn to Flux's aura. Some resembled little animals formed of mist and starlight, others were motes of glowing light.
Surprisingly, they didn't disturb him. Instead, they lingered nearby, gently enhancing the flow of qi as if they too were basking in the tranquility.
Flux smiled inwardly and allowed them to stay. "They're harmless… and they're helping, in their own way, I should let them be."
A day passed, and as the sun set in golden hues, Flux's cultivation reached a peak. A soft pulse echoed from within.
"9th level of Foundation Establishment," he whispered, inspecting his inner dantian. His foundation, carefully built and maintained during his time in Mologan City, now allowed for a smooth breakthrough. He spent the next few days stabilizing, adjusting to the new level.
Time passed quietly. He remained on the mountain, absorbing qi daily. Weeks turned into a month, and then another. His foundation grew stronger with each passing day.
Finally, one morning, as mist curled around the peak, Flux opened his eyes. Determination flickered within.
"It's time."
He glanced around. More spirits had gathered, floating peacefully in the gentle breeze, drawn to the purity of his aura. Some played near the edge of the cliff, others danced through the trees.
Flux gave them a rare, soft smile. Unaware of his expression, he closed his eyes again and sank deeper into meditation.
He summoned all the qi within him, guiding it slowly, deliberately. The Stardust Spiral Sutra glowed softly inside him, patterns spinning as if responding to a cosmic rhythm.
After several hours, his qi surged. In a single breath, he broke through—reaching the 10th level of Foundation Establishment.
His eyes snapped open.
"It feels… completely different," he murmured. "My qi has more than doubled. The Stardust Spiral Sutra… its power is truly starting to show now."
The spirits around him floated closer, sensing the shift in his aura. Some perched beside him, as if in silent celebration.
Flux chuckled lightly. "Next is Core Formation… I need to build an unshakable foundation first."
He resumed his cultivation. Time passed like water slipping through fingers—slow and silent.
Months past, yet Flux remained on the mountain. He cultivated without rest, deepening his understanding of his technique, his body, and his spirit.
Nearly five months passed.
When he finally opened his eyes again, his cultivation base felt like a mountain—immovable and vast. His qi spiraled in perfect harmony within him. His body was honed, refined. The time had come.
He stood, stretching his limbs, and looked around. The mountaintop had become a peaceful haven filled with gentle spirit creatures. They gathered near him, sensing the change.
He reached out and patted the nearest one with his small hand, a glowing fox-like spirit with misty tails.
"I'm about to face my Core Formation tribulation," he said calmly. "Can you guide me to a suitable place for it?"
The spirit perked up and spun in a circle before floating ahead, motioning for him to follow.
Flux smiled and walked behind it. They descended the mountain slowly, passing fields of luminous flowers and silent stone paths. After several hours, they arrived at a wide, open clearing surrounded by distant cliffs. The land was flat, isolated, and perfect for surviving a thunder tribulation.
Flux nodded. "Thank you. This is perfect."
He gently patted the spirits around him. "Once I begin, this area will become dangerous. Stay safe, alright?"
The spirits moved away, watching with concern.
Flux smiled to ease their worry. "Don't worry. I've been preparing for this."
He walked to the center of the clearing and sat down. He drew a deep breath, his focus intensifying. Spiritual qi flooded into him. Hours passed as his dantian shimmered, glowing like a crystal star. Then, slowly, it began to condense—forming into a brilliant sphere: the embryonic Core.
The sky above darkened. Clouds spiraled.
Flux took out the Thunderlight Protection Orb he had purchased back in Mologan City. With a surge of qi, he activated it. The orb floated into the air and expanded, forming a shimmering protective barrier above him.
He returned to his cultivation.
A thunderbolt split the sky.
The first strike descended, passing through the orb's barrier. Flux welcomed it. The lightning struck his body, surging through his meridians and into the forming core. He gritted his teeth and guided the energy carefully, tempering the core.
More lightning followed. Each bolt more powerful than the last.
Flux used the energy to fortify his foundation, refine his dantian, and stabilize the formation of his Core. When the pressure became overwhelming, he activated the orb's full defense. Even then, some lightning seeped through—but he absorbed it, enduring it without fear.
The tribulation lasted for nearly a full day.
At last, the dark clouds receded. The sky cleared. Sunlight returned.
Flux opened his eyes, breathing slowly.
"I've done it. Core Formation."
His voice was calm, but inside, a quiet joy bloomed.
He looked at the sky, then the land around him—and smiled.