Concentrating on Cultivation

Concentrating on Cultivation...

Qin Wentian stood upon the ground, inhaling deeply. His heart now mirrored tranquil waters, submerged in complete self-absorption.

Suddenly, a shudder coursed through him. Instantly, his entire body's strength converged as Astral Energy surged mightily into his arms. The enveloping demonic qi cast a pall over the sky, while Qin Wentian's minute motions wove a distinctive 'Rhythm'.

He metamorphosed into a wrathful demonic beast, poised to rend the very fabric of space.

Peng...

His punch erupted, quaking the void.

The Barbarian King stood flabbergasted. The depth of this kid's comprehension...

"Not enough, your synchronization was off. You must attain a state where your strength doesn't leak," the Barbarian King instructed. "Also, your stance is feeble—utterly unimposing. You're merely tapping into your physique's limits, unable to harness external Heavens and Earth forces to enhance your 'Rhythm'. And they call you a genius? You're just a feeble twerp."

"Ouch." Qin Wentian grinned, repeatedly unleashing punches. Gradually, he slipped into a unique mental zone, a candle flame igniting in his heart. He was the sole entity in this world.

As he moved, so did the cosmos.

Witnessing the notable progress in Qin Wentian's punches, the Barbarian King's eyes bulged nearly out of their sockets. Seriously, is he truly at the sixth level of Yuanfu? This brat's talent was monstrously abnormal.

A day later, Qin Wentian had mastered synchronization. His blows resonated with the forces of Heavens and Earth, yielding limitless attack potency—a rageful Azure Dragon's roar rending the void. This state, this sensation, enthralled Qin Wentian. Through synchronization, his body's cells united harmoniously with external Heavens and Earth forces. A seamless fusion.

"Enough," the Barbarian King barked. Qin Wentian halted, casting a smile at the Barbarian King. "How much have I improved?"

"Eh, it's alright, I suppose." The Barbarian King furrowed his brows. His silhouette flickered out of sight, reappearing abruptly before Qin Wentian to deliver a sharp rap on the head. Qin Wentian broke into a sweat, glaring at the Barbarian King with a forlorn expression that seemed to say—No matter what, you're still a senior expert. Shouldn't you avoid bullying your junior?

"What? Got a problem? Square up if you've got issues." The Barbarian King propped his hands on his hips, shooting a challenging glare at Qin Wentian. Qin Wentian was at a loss, unsure whether to laugh or sigh, he could only muster a feeble smile.

"Such smugness just because you grasped this tiny tidbit. Feeble. Do you even grasp the essence of your Mandate?" The Barbarian King's voice shifted into a didactic cadence as he lectured Qin Wentian.

"Your Mandate of Force only reaches the first level of insight, and barely at the Transformation Boundary. After that comes the Perfection Boundary, which you ought to reach swiftly. And if you can fathom your second level of insight within the Mandate of Force, especially at the eighth or ninth level of Yuanfu, you'd stand as a god among gods in the entire Yuanfu Realm."

"Is the second level really that remarkable?" Qin Wentian inquired, intrigued.

"Are you kidding? First-level insights are the fundamental bedrock; the second-level insights are erected upon those foundations. Naturally, they pack a punch," the Barbarian King expounded. "Don't underestimate the Mandate of Force just because it's a common one. Many presume it's unremarkable, but let me tell you, they're mistaken. The more ordinary a thing appears, the more profound it proves once mastered. From my perspective, the Mandate of Force reigns supreme. Contemplate this—reaching the Perfection Boundary of the first level equates to a sixteenfold amplification in strength. What does that entail? Who in the same Realm can challenge you? A single punch from you could obliterate your adversaries."

"But you've got to actually hit them," Qin Wentian weakly argued. The Barbarian King's reasoning held merit, but the Mandate of Force didn't equate to the Mandate of Arrows. Once the Mandate of Arrows attained the Perfection Boundary of its first level insight, "Insta-shot," the speed of arrows surged sixteenfold, essentially making them impossible to evade. However, the Mandate of Force, governed by the insight "Strength," required one's attacks to land on their opponent to be effective.

"Hmph, that's just because you're lacking. Even if I moved at a snail's pace, I'd still pummel you without fail." The Barbarian King advanced step by step towards Qin Wentian, his pace exaggeratedly leisurely. Qin Wentian stiffened, instinctively backpedaling. Yet, he discovered an inexorable force curtailing his retreat, a sort of compelled influence "sealing" the area around him. The Barbarian King's power proved astonishingly overwhelming, far surpassing the Heavenly Dipper Sovereigns Qin Wentian had encountered.

"What's this..." Qin Wentian's forehead glistened with a film of sweat.

"This is my second insight of the Mandate of Force, called 'Impose.' As you said, killing you would be as effortless as squashing an ant." The Barbarian King continued his verbal onslaught, verbally pummeling Qin Wentian as he stood imposingly before him.

Qin Wentian's heart quaked as he recollected his past encounters. Thankfully, the Heavenly Dipper Sovereigns he had faced hadn't wielded such overpowering mastery. Had their insights been more profound, he would have met his demise for certain.

"Utilizing my second insight of the Mandate of Force to suppress you, I can leisurely close the distance between us. With a single punch, you'd be history." The Barbarian King's declaration loomed heavily.

"Among Stellar Martial Cultivators, beyond our cultivation bases, the comprehension of our Mandates reigns supreme. Enhancing techniques that magnify our strength are secondary. Don't forget this. Strive to ascend to the second insight quickly. Then, who in the Yuanfu Realm could oppose you?" The Barbarian King's wisdom flowed forth. Catching sight of contemplation in Qin Wentian's eyes, he quipped, "But whatever, your brain's about as solid as mush. Your talent's paltry, so I won't be your guide anymore. Mull it over by yourself."

Having said his piece, the Barbarian King took a giant step forward, vanishing into the horizon. Qin Wentian stared, flabbergasted, in the direction of the Barbarian King's departure. He bent into a respectful bow, recognizing that with the guidance of a master, one could traverse a thousand miles in a single day. Left to his own devices, he wondered how long he'd have toiled. It was clear why the Unmatched Realm enjoyed such popularity—the eccentrics of the thirty-six mountains wielded expertise in diverse Mandates, drawing in countless geniuses from Grand Xia.

Following a day of consolidating his insights, Qin Wentian proceeded to other Dao-Cultivation Halls.

Given that every expert's comprehensions of Mandates varied, Qin Wentian could only employ their guidance as a point of reference. Whenever the eccentrics lectured, Qin Wentian absorbed their wisdom in silence. More often than not, he shadowed two eccentrics proficient in the Mandate of Dreams and the Dao of Divine Inscriptions respectively. These eccentrics provided him with exclusive guidance, catalyzing a rapid surge in his experiences and grasp of both disciplines.

Qin Wentian's rapid progress filled him with a sense of accomplishment. He wasn't inclined to isolate himself in closed-door seclusion for excessive periods. After all, insights gained in seclusion held limitations. His desire was to broaden his understanding, whether through observation or sparring with peers. This was how his strength would continue its ascent.

Going it alone, one might still be lacking in breakthroughs even after ten or twenty years. Conversely, those gifted could isolate themselves in the mountains for decades, emerging with newfound prowess. Such behavior was utter folly.

Yet, within the Unmatched Realm, Qin Wentian sensed an absence of such constraints. Time appeared to flow differently here.

In the blink of an eye, two more months passed. Several months had slipped by since Qin Wentian began his cultivation in this realm.

Today, the Dao-Cultivation Hall was under the tutelage of the Arrow Emperor—both Fan Le and Chu Mang attended the session.

Although the Arrow Emperor formally accepted Fan Le as his disciple, he also extended an invitation to Chu Mang due to his archery prowess.

"Enough, take a break." Following a demanding training session, the Arrow Emperor gestured for them to rest.

Fan Le and Chu Mang approached Qin Wentian, both sporting smiles.

"How's it going? We've been here for a few months already," Fan Le inquired.

"Can't complain." Qin Wentian chuckled, nodding in agreement.

"Of course, there's no room for complaints. You've already made a breakthrough. Looks like you have a shot at the Heavenly Fate Rankings," Fan Le chimed, his grin growing wider. Though Qin Wentian was at the sixth level of Yuanfu, he could rival those at the eighth or ninth level when fully exerting himself. Given more time to elevate his cultivation, he'd undoubtedly secure a spot on the Heavenly Fate Rankings.

"You're no slouch either," Qin Wentian countered. Naturally, he had gauged Fan Le's prowess. The plump fellow had also reached the sixth level of Yuanfu. With the Arrow Emperor's rigorous mentorship, Fan Le had little opportunity to slack off.

"Big Bro Chu Mang, you've got to put in some effort too." Qin Wentian's gaze shifted to Chu Mang, his grin infectious.

"Hehe, my progress is a tad slower than you guys." Chu Mang chuckled.

"No, Big Bro Chu Mang's speed is already impressive. It's just that breaking through at the later stages of Yuanfu is more challenging," Fan Le supplemented. Qin Wentian nodded, the difficulty was to be expected. Transitioning from Yuanfu to the Heavenly Dipper realm was not merely challenging, but excruciating. One needed a firm foundation and to grasp second-level insights of their respective Mandates.

"Interested in archery? I could show you the ropes as well," the Arrow Emperor suggested with a faint smile directed at Qin Wentian.

"Senior, I believe it's best not to get too greedy. Right now, I'm inclined to focus solely on my Mandate of Force. Perhaps in the future, when I'm ready to condense my fourth Astral Soul, I'll then decide whether to explore another Mandate," Qin Wentian respectfully declined the Arrow Emperor's offer.

"You're absolutely correct. The Mandates chosen by Stellar Martial Cultivators often align with their Astral Soul selections. The fourth Astral Soul is a crucial decision that should complement your existing strengths. At the pinnacle of your journey, Astral Souls play an immensely significant role. Choose wisely," the Arrow Emperor offered his advice.

"Understood, Senior." Qin Wentian nodded. The elders of the Unmatched Realm were remarkably approachable. In the outside world, encountering individuals of their stature would be a rare occurrence. However, this was one of the distinct features of the Unmatched Realm—it attracted geniuses of remarkable talent who sought cultivation.

During the months Qin Wentian dedicated to arduous cultivation, Lin Haotian attempted to approach him on multiple occasions. Yet, upon discovering Qin Wentian's presence in the Dao-Cultivation Halls, he refrained from causing any disturbances, even avoiding entering.

Lin Haotian subsequently spread a rumor—a whisper that circulated among the realm's cultivators. It led them to assume that Qin Wentian was deliberately evading a challenge, driven by fear of Lin Haotian and Yue Bingying.

The rumor held a certain logic. Given Qin Wentian's current cultivation level, it was evident he would face difficulty contending against both Lin Haotian and Yue Bingying. Not to mention the imposing figure looming in the shadows—Situ Po. Antagonizing Situ Po was an endeavor that lay far beyond Qin Wentian's means, at least for the moment.