Chapter Nineteen: The Legend of the Dragon Soul

Eighth tier—the Eighth Stage of Mortal Qi.

Feeling the surging power filling his body after advancing, Qin Feng stretched his limbs, discovering no discomfort whatsoever.

These past few days, propelled by the medium-grade mystic stones, Qin Feng had ascended rank after rank without any sign of unstable foundation. Besides his years of relentless cultivation, which had laid a solid base, most of the credit belonged to the marvelous properties of the mystic stones.

It was well known that the energy contained within mystic stones was the purest; the essence within could be perfectly absorbed by flesh and cells, leaving no side effects. In this regard, pills and medicinal stones could not compare to mystic stones.

Yet, in a remote place like Luoyang Town, few could afford to squander mystic stones as Qin Feng did. Thus, his cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds.

With a slight exertion of force, the stone in his hand—now drained of all essence—crumbled to dust beneath his strength.

How exhilarating!

Having advanced to the eighth tier, his physical strength had grown even more formidable. Though he hadn’t tested it, Qin Feng conservatively estimated that, with the enhancements from his hardening and power-doubling techniques, he could now exert at least two hundred units of Qi force.

Two hundred Qi! What did that mean?

Only masters like Ye Wuyin, who had just reached the ninth tier, could barely muster one hundred units of Qi force. With two hundred, a single punch could end Ye Wuyin’s life.

Now, purely in terms of strength, even if he encountered a tenth-tier expert of the Mortal Qi realm, Qin Feng would be able to contend with them.

He glanced at the remaining mystic stones in his hand—five still left. Originally, his father had entrusted him with sixteen medium-grade mystic stones, but Qin Feng had split them, giving eight to Qin Yuyan.

Eight were more than enough for him; the remaining five would suffice to raise his cultivation to the tenth tier before Soul Awakening Day.

For blood cultivators, the soul of their bloodline was their corporeal soul. Without awakening the corporeal soul, there was no source of strength, making advancement to the Human Qi realm impossible—a chasm dividing heaven and earth.

If one could raise their cultivation as high as possible before awakening the bloodline soul, it would concentrate the bloodline, theoretically increasing its potency. The denser the bloodline, the higher the quality of the awakened soul.

Eighteen was the optimal age, for if the bloodline soul had not awakened by then, the Azure Dragon bloodline would gradually dissipate.

Qin clan disciples bore the Azure Dragon bloodline; thus, the awakened bloodline soul was always dragon-related. The hierarchy, from strongest to weakest: Dragon Soul, Chi Soul, Flood Dragon Soul, Serpent Soul, and No Soul.

Grades were divided into celestial, terrestrial, mystic, and yellow. It was rumored there existed divine-grade bloodline souls, but only the Dragon Soul could attain it—manifesting as the Eight-Clawed Azure Dragon.

Yet, among the ancestors of the Qin clan, only one had ever awakened the divine-grade Eight-Clawed Azure Dragon, attaining the legendary Divine Qi realm.

Qin Feng felt no anxiety about awakening his bloodline soul. His father had successfully awakened a mystic-grade Dragon Soul; thanks to inheritance, even if he couldn’t attain mystic-grade, the worst would be a yellow-grade Dragon Soul. If he worked harder, reached the tenth tier of the Mortal Qi realm before Soul Awakening Day, and luck favored him, perhaps he might awaken a terrestrial-grade Dragon Soul.

Once the Dragon Soul was awakened, cultivation would accelerate severalfold—progressing rapidly. He would no longer rely so heavily on mystic stones.

There was about a month left before Soul Awakening Day; he needed to seize the time.

To advance two more levels within a month—only Qin Feng, with several medium-grade mystic stones at hand, could have such confidence.

Having just advanced today, Qin Feng chose not to continue cultivating. He knew the importance of balance; haste would only hinder progress.

Stepping out of his room, Qin Feng encountered Qin Yuyan returning from outside.

These days, Qin Feng had been so focused on improving his own strength that he hadn’t noticed the little girl’s progress—she had reached the terrifying ninth tier, surpassing him by one tier.

Not long ago, she was only at the seventh tier of the Mortal Qi realm.

This was likely thanks to the medium-grade mystic stones.

Qin Feng clicked his tongue—comparisons were always infuriating. Luckily, he wasn’t too far behind; he had to work hard, lest he always be left behind by the little girl.

“Eh? Brother, you’ve advanced?”

Qin Yuyan, seeing Qin Feng emerge from the room, bounced over and grabbed his large hand, swinging it affectionately.

“Yes. How’s your practice with the ‘Tai’a Forging Sense’ going?”

Qin Feng reached out and ruffled her hair, his smile bright and sunny.

Normally, at sixteen, the little girl would at least be nearly as tall as Qin Feng, if not quite matching his height. If she were a grown girl, Qin Feng wouldn’t dare so casually touch her head, but now—heh—it was perfectly natural.

Qin Yuyan enjoyed the gesture.

Hearing Qin Feng’s question, she shook her head dejectedly, tilting her head as she replied, “I tried the method you gave me today, but I still couldn’t master the first layer of ‘Tai’a Forging Sense.’ I don’t know why—maybe it’s because my body hasn’t matured?”

“Oh?”

Qin Feng’s brow arched in surprise; this was unexpected.

When he got his hands on ‘Tai’a Forging Sense,’ Qin Feng had studied it thoroughly. Though he hadn’t yet grasped the second layer, the first layer was mastered with ease, as though it were tailored for him.

It must be connected to individual spiritual strength and willpower.

Having lived two lives, Qin Feng’s spirit and will were far stronger than ordinary people—what cultivators called a powerful soul.

The first layer of ‘Tai’a Forging Sense’ was based on building the soul; since his soul was strong, he mastered it easily. As for the little girl…

It was likely, as she said, a matter of physical development.

Thinking this, Qin Feng patted her head in comfort. “Yaner, don’t worry. Some things can’t be forced. Just because you can’t cultivate it now doesn’t mean you won’t be able to in the future. No need to be discouraged.”

“Alright, brother. I’ll work hard, and you must too!”

“Of course. Let’s cheer each other on!”

Just then, from the sky came the call of a cloud-paper dove, catching their attention.

“There it is—must be another love letter from Sister Huo to you!”

Spotting the creamy-white dove flying toward them, Qin Yuyan pointed to the sky, her mouth pouting in jealousy.

Qin Feng paid her no mind, ruffling her hair again with a laugh. “Little brat, what do you know!”

He waved at the cloud-paper dove overhead, which, as if it had eyes, flew toward him. Before it reached him, a flash of white light transformed the dove—shrinking, thinning, flattening—until it became a slip of paper with a dove drawn in one corner, which Qin Feng caught in his hand.

Cloud-paper doves were common in the cultivation world—special message paper used for long-distance communication. Array masters would inscribe runes on them; infuse the paper with essence, and it would transform into a dove, flying to its destination.

Qin Feng unfolded the paper and found a line of elegant script:

“Midnight tonight, meet in the woods south of town.”

…