Chapter 339: Nascent Soul Realm Imminent

What was the Nascent Soul?

To lay the foundation for transcendence, one first had to gather the essence of their entire body, condense the spirit of the Heavenly Abode, shatter the Golden Core, unite the three fragments of the ethereal soul[1], and temper the corporeal soul[2].

To form the Nascent Soul, the Golden Core had to be broken. The Nascent Soul was essentially born from within the Golden Core itself.

While at the Golden Core Realm, one's soul would undergo an initial fusion with the spirit, each drawing upon the other. At the Heavenly Abode Realm, it would gradually solidify. One would also condense a divine spirit of their own. Once it had merged with their Golden Core, the Nascent Soul could be formed, paving the way to the formation of the Primordial Spirit.

Though the process sounded simple, every step risked the soul being scattered to nothingness.

Yaoyun had once explained the path of cultivation to Wang Sheng. Across countless star domains, the Daoist arts that had been passed down from the Three Pure Ones and the cultivation paths that countless living beings had discovered for themselves could all be broadly divided into three categories: the Dao of the Primordial Spirit, the Dao of the Flesh, and the path of nurturing both together.

When the immortal spirit world had just been born, the Great Dao manifested the Three Pure Ones, who preached to all living beings. They primarily taught the Dao of the Primordial Spirit.

Most of the Daoist heritage that the Heavenly Court had passed down originated from the Three Pure Ones. Naturally, their main path of cultivation was the Dao of the Primordial Spirit. Through it, one pursued the Great Dao and roamed freely between heaven and the boundless cosmos, discovering the mysteries of the Dao.

Hence, within the Heavenly Court and the Daoist sects, the majority of the immortals and gods nurtured their Primordial Spirit. It had become the conventional path of countless living beings in the endless starry sky.

However, Wang Sheng cultivated in the Dao of the Sword, which could be divided into three paths: the Heavenly Dao, the Earth Dao, and the Human Dao.

The Earth Dao emphasized the cultivation of the Primordial Spirit, while the Heavenly Dao and the Human Dao demanded the joint cultivation of both Primordial Spirit and flesh.

To bring forth the full power of the Heavenly Ziwei Sword Art at every realm, one didn't just need profound enchanted power and a strong Primordial Spirit. They also required a resilient physique.

It would be laughable if they ended up being physically too weak to endure the impact of their enchanted power, or if they suffered injuries from the mere aftershocks of their own sword techniques in the middle of combat.

Wang Sheng had a technique that allowed him to bathe in heavenly tribulation, continuously strengthening his body. However, this method had its limits. Once he had developed sufficient resistance to heavenly tribulation, it would lose its effect.

Yaoyun knew many cultivation techniques, but none were particularly advanced when it came to tempering one's body. Hence, Wang Sheng also had to consider how to further forge his physique in the future.

While in the Earth Qi Seal, Yaoyun had once advised Wang Sheng to abandon the Dao of the Sword and instead follow the path of controlling laws through the Primordial Spirit. He rejected the suggestion without hesitation.

If one did not believe in the sword, why practice the sword at all? If one did not believe in the Dao, why pursue cultivation at all?

Wang Sheng looked at his sword-shaped Golden Core. Starlight shimmered faintly across its surface, and below it lay a violet-gold qi sea so vast it seemed like a boundless ocean.

He had already made all necessary preparations. He was at the peak of the Heavenly Abode Realm, and his soul had completed its initial fusion with his spirit, forming his own "Illusory Soul."

Now, he was ready to guide his soul into the qi sea, which would mark the beginning of his breakthrough to the Nascent Soul Realm. This next step was self-evidently dangerous, but he was already almost eighty percent confident of his success. Anyone else, even the Celestial Master or Qing Yanzi, would not dare even be fifty percent certain.

Wang Sheng's confidence was not due to youthful arrogance. He had simply prepared thoroughly.

Once Xiaomiao wakes up, I'll enter seclusion.

He brushed his fingers across the scabbard of Spiritless, which was beside him. Sitting cross-legged on the rooftop, he opened his eyes and gazed at the lake in the distance, which was faintly shrouded in mist.

Snapping out of a brief daze, he lightly shook his head and once again closed his eyes to look within him.

Around midday, Xiaomiao finally woke up. Still drowsy, she stretched and shuffled off to the restroom. Immediately noticing it, he walked to her bedroom door and waited, listening to the faint movements inside. After several minutes, Wang Sheng raised his hand and knocked twice.

"Xiaomiao, may I come in?"

"Hold on, Big Brother! Give me two minutes! Just two minutes!"

As he heard her rummaging through drawers and boxes, the opposite bedroom door opened. A wave of indescribable fragrance swept forth, instantly clearing his mind and lifting his spirits.

The glimmer of the sunlight on the lake's surface was reflected where Mu Wanxuan stood. She smiled at him.

Wang Sheng took two steps forward, intending to get closer to her, but she raised her hand and tapped his forehead, signaling him to observe proper conduct. They had yet to bow to heaven and earth as husband and wife.

Wang Sheng spread his hands helplessly. "Xiaomiao, once you're done, come to Senior Sister's room."

"Okay!" Xiaomiao answered obediently.

Wang Sheng followed his senior sister into her room. She sat quietly by the window and gestured for Wang Sheng to sit opposite her, just as they had done many times during cultivation in the past.

Wang Sheng smiled. "May I go into seclusion and attempt my breakthrough here?"

"

Mm.

" Mu Wanxuan nodded gently. She summoned her phone. When a virtual screen appeared before her, she typed a few words.

Go ahead. I'll stay nearby to watch over you.

"No, you shouldn't. Never mind, I was joking," Wang Sheng replied. "Breaking through to the Nascent Soul Realm may cause disturbances. If this place is destroyed, we will have nowhere to live."

How about the mountain nearby?

Mu Wanxuan pointed toward the west.

Wang Sheng nodded. "It'll do. I'll only have to make a few arrangements there. Besides, there are several military bases in the vicinity."

After Wang Sheng decided on the location of his seclusion, Mu Wanxuan volunteered to guard him during the breakthrough. He readily accepted.

Soon after, Xiaomiao came running from her room in a sleeveless nightdress. Her large eyes still had a hint of drowsiness.

"Good morning, Big Brother and Senior Sister."

Wang Sheng smiled. "Come here and try sitting in meditation."

Xiaomiao rolled her eyes but properly sat cross-legged on the floor anyway. She then closed her eyes to concentrate. Wisps of primal qi gathered around her, managing to absorb a small amount of it.

"Do you have a cultivation method now?" Wang Sheng asked.

"Master has already passed one to me," Xiaomiao replied softly. "When she touched my forehead, my mind was suddenly filled with countless information. I can't forget them even if I try. She gave me cultivation techniques, combat spells, and even detailed instructions for what I should practice at every realm. She has prepared it all for me in a way that's easy to understand."

The way immortals passed down teachings was certainly very convenient.

Wang Sheng's expression turned serious. With the authority of an elder brother, he said, "It's really fortunate that you obtained a path of cultivation. Still, there is one thing you should never forget."

"What is it, Big Brother?"

"I have already ordered the complete set of textbooks and exercise books for your nine years of compulsory education. Every day, you have to devote at least four hours to them."

Seeing his sister's happiness collapse, he could not help but smile in satisfaction.

With heartfelt earnestness, he added, "Xiaomiao, you'll benefit from studying. I also prepared several sets of extracurricular reading since you have to read a lot of books. Cultivation also requires you to develop your cognitive abilities. Don't waste the opportunities that this world has given you."

"Alright, alright. I'll study." Xiaomiao sighed reluctantly. "Why are you such a tyrant?"

"If you need a teacher, let me know. I can hire a tutor for you."

"No need. I'll self-study," Xiaomiao replied. She then exhaled wearily.

After instructing her further on both cultivation and study, Wang Sheng left her a contact number. Whatever she wished to eat, she only had to call ahead. As long as the dish was not too rare, it would be delivered within half an hour.

Wang Sheng contacted the Special Investigation Unit the previous night to have dedicated personnel deliver all of Xiaomiao's daily necessities. She would never go hungry. Xi Lian was nearby as well. He didn't have to worry about her safety.

After talking to his sister, Wang Sheng sought out Xi Lian to formally entrust Xiaomiao to her care. Before he could even rise, Xi Lian had already appeared in her youthful form. Arms folded and sunglasses on, she bounced in with a smug look on her face.

"Guess what I just accomplished!"

"Were you permanently banned?" Wang Sheng blurted out.

Xi Lian ground her teeth in frustration.

Mu Wanxuan smiled softly. "Devilish seed?"

"Of course not. If I could rid myself of my devilish seed that easily, I would have ascended long ago."

Xiaomiao whispered, "Did the landmines you planted on Sakura Island finally explode, Big Sister?"

"Wow, Xiaomiao! Clever girl!" Xi Lian pounced, pinching and tugging at Xiaomiao's cheeks.

Xiaomiao immediately retaliated. Unrestrained, the two wrestled playfully.

After a while, Xi Lian remembered what she had come over for. She quickly adjusted her sunglasses, clasped her hands demurely before her stomach, and stood in an elegant posture.

Imitating the formal tone of news broadcasters, she stated, "Now for international news! Breaking report: last night, a serial killer on Sakura Island murdered a hundred and seventy-two people, including sixty-eight government officials and over a hundred shadow dwellers. This is the second large-scale killing spree since last month, when the serial killer massacred people across three cities in one night."

Wang Sheng simply listened quietly and nodded.

The murderer was Akiu Masayo, who had come into possession of the devilish sword that Xi Lian had reforged. Now, it was slowly devouring his life. To gain more power, he had to offer more blood and souls. The trade was as clear as day.

Xi Lian's plan wasn't regarded as shameless and dishonorable. After all, when it came to the century-old blood feud against the Hua Republic, no method could be considered excessive. Furthermore, the Hua Republic benefited from depleting the strength of Sakura Island's cultivation world.

Moreover, Xi Lian had chosen a good pawn. Akiu Masayo had not wantonly slaughtered ordinary people.

"What do you think?" Xi Lian asked proudly. "I just used their devilish sword to kill their own people!"

"It's certainly clever," Wang Sheng replied. "You shouldn't do it often, though. Otherwise, you may find yourself unable to restrain your devilish nature."

"I know, I know. You're nagging again." Xi Lian rolled her eyes. "

Ugh.

If you're going into seclusion, then go. Leave Xiaomiao to me. I will take care of her and make sure she doesn't starve."

Xiaomiao pouted. "Can I at least have my taste preferences considered, instead of just being fed so I wouldn't go hungry?"

"Of course." Xi Lian raised an eyebrow. "Wait until your brother leaves first, then I'll show you the splendor of the secular world."

Wang Sheng could not help but feel concerned.

His little sister was currently diligent and motivated. He only hoped that Xi Lian would not lead her astray.

1. The conscious, yang part of the soul, which is composed of three fragments. ☜

2. The bodily, yin part of the soul, which is composed of seven fragments. ☜