"After being left alone in the Valley of Harmonious Elements, Su Yang took his first step—not toward qi techniques, but toward understanding."
The soft humming of the elemental lake echoed across the Valley of Harmonious Elements. With Max resting under a spirit tree and the green snake curled around his arm, Su Yang sat on a carved stone bench within the secluded temple library.
The temple wasn't vast, but it held something far more valuable than size—knowledge.
Rows of ancient jade slips and crystal-bound books floated midair, reacting only to the spiritual energy of the valley's recognized disciple.
Su Yang placed his hand on a golden pedestal. With a low hum, an ethereal book materialized, titled:
> "Chronicles of the Seven Valleys – 10,000 Years of Legacy."
He read carefully.
---
[The Origin of the Seven Valleys Sect]
Nearly ten thousand years ago, the cultivation world was in chaos. Rogue clans, fallen sects, and brutal warlords reigned. Amid this strife, Seven Sovereigns, each representing a major element—Fire, Water, Wind, Earth, Wood, Lightning, and Ice—came together.
Each sovereign had achieved Nascent Soul or higher, and each saw the need for balance, discipline, and a sanctuary of growth. So they carved a domain into Stormcloud Mountain, creating the Seven Valley Sect.
Each valley focused on one elemental path, cultivating talent according to its nature.
However, it is said the Eighth Valley—the Valley of Harmonious Elements—was created in secret, for those who either had:
Unique dual-element bodies,
Uncontrollable constitutions, or
Abilities that defied normal training paths.
The knowledge within the eighth valley was restricted to very few. Most elders avoided speaking of it.
---
[Seven Valley's Cultivation Beliefs]
The Seven Valley Sect didn't just believe in raw power—it believed in balance, self-mastery, and the merging of martial and scholarly growth.
> "To wield fire without burning oneself,
To command ice without freezing one's heart,
One must understand both the soul and the sword."
---
[Cultivation Path & Lifespan Insights]
Su Yang flipped to the next section, revealing the entire cultivation hierarchy of the mortal and true paths, now presented clearly.
---
🔶 [Mortal Cultivation Path] – Body, Blood, and Soul
1. Skin Refinement – Hardens skin to resist basic injuries.
🕒 Lifespan: +5 years
2. Flesh Refinement – Enhances muscle and agility.
🕒 Lifespan: +10 years
3. Bone Refinement – Strengthens skeletal structure.
🕒 Lifespan: +20 years
4. Blood Refinement – Vitality and energy capacity improve.
🕒 Lifespan: +30 years
5. Vein Refinement – Qi circulation begins.
🕒 Lifespan: +40 years
6. Organ Refinement – Fortifies organs; sickness immunity.
🕒 Lifespan: +60 years
7. Marrow Refinement – Forms spiritual marrow; energy storage.
🕒 Lifespan: +80 years
8. Soul Refinement – Mental strength, spiritual perception.
🕒 Lifespan: +100 years
9. Core Foundation – Threshold of true cultivation.
🕒 Lifespan: +150 years
---
🔷 [True Cultivation Realms] – Power, Law, and Transcendence
10. Qi Condensation (9 Layers)
Begins true elemental qi absorption.
🕒 Lifespan: +200 years
11. Foundation Establishment
Domain creation begins; early spiritual techniques form.
🕒 Lifespan: +300 years
12. Core Formation (Golden Core Stage)
True might begins. Golden Core = compressed essence of self.
🕒 Lifespan: +500 years
13. Nascent Soul
Soul separates and can leave body. Remote projection, law comprehension, and spirit control.
🕒 Lifespan: +800–1000 years
14. (Next stages are blurred out...)
> "So that's how far this sect's records go publicly…" Su Yang murmured.
He leaned back, thoughts racing.
> "Right now, I'm at Blood Tempering Realm… but I've touched on Vein Tempering due to the system's enhancements."
> "Compared to common cultivators, I've made huge strides… but in front of people like the sect leaders, or that man riding the Level 9 Eagle, I'm still like a bug."
He opened his system panel again.
---
📜 [System Status]
Name: Su Yang
Cultivation: Blood Tempering (Low)
Physique: Karma Fire Body (Active)
: Frozen Heart Soul Incarnation (Unawakened)
Main Elements: Fire + Ice
Current Realm Boost: 2x training in Harmonious Elements Valley
System Perks:
Injury recovery via natural law
Cultivation boost during balance or emotional resonance
Karma Fire evolution petals: [16 total, 1 awakened]
Alchemy Rank: Yellow Tier (Mid)
Pill Proficiency: Skin Tempering Pill
---
Su Yang closed the panel and looked at the peaceful lake.
> "I have a long way to go… but now I understand the path. No more guessing. No more running blind."
His hands ignited faintly with his Heavenly True Fire, while a thin sheen of frost shimmered across his arms—the ice within him trying to awaken.
> "From now on… I'll train like I'm racing time itself."