10. A glimpse of true strength

Second stage of the ki Refining Realm…!

Shock filled his mind. He had unknowingly broken through with the aid of the Reverse Taiji! This wasn't just an increase in strength—it was undeniable proof that the heavenly treasure's power was now truly part of him. And if a single night had granted him such a leap, what would happen when he truly mastered it?

Yet, what stunned him even more wasn't just his newfound strength—it was the time. The sky beyond his window was already bright. Morning had come, yet it had felt like mere moments in that strange realm.

Ye Xian sat cross-legged on the bed, assuming the lotus position. Taking a deep breath, he steadied his mind, raising his palm upward. With focused will, he attempted to summon the Reverse Taiji.

A small projection materialized above his palm. The yin-yang symbol within the jade pulsed with a mysterious glow—one side shimmered like moonlight, while the other was as dark and vast as the abyss. The two fish-like shapes rested at the edges of the jade projection, motionless, like ancient stones untouched by time. Ye Xian willed the symbol to move, and though it obeyed, its motion was slow, almost hesitant, as if the very essence of the Reverse Taiji was reluctant to reveal its full power.

Closing his eyes, Ye Xian extended his spiritual senses, feeling the surrounding ki stir in response. The ambient energy began to shift and ripple, responding to the pull of the Reverse Taiji as if drawn by an invisible force. Slowly, the two fish tails at the edges of the jade projection began to twitch, then flicker, as though the yin-yang symbol itself was waking from a long slumber. A moment later, the symbol began to rotate, its movement steady but deliberate.

The tails of the two fish flipped, their movements slow and measured, swimming along the edges of the jade projection. The pace was deliberate, almost languid, as if the fish were gently gliding through a vast, unseen ocean, with each movement calculated and precise. The dual forces of light and dark intertwined, the yin and yang spiraling in an eternal dance that seemed to bend the very fabric of space. The ki in the air converged, swirling around the projection as if caught in the powerful pull of the ancient forces within..

The ambient energy slowly converged toward the projection, drawn in like ripples across a vast ocean. But instead of being absorbed by the projection itself, the energy began to flow directly into Ye Xian's body, trickling into his meridians, a process painstakingly slow, as though testing his endurance. Yet, despite the slow pace, Ye Xian felt no disappointment—this was a start, a beginning.

At his current level of cultivation, drawing ki from the atmosphere was an impossible feat for most. The ambient ki was far too thin compared to the concentrated energy within ki stones. Only cultivators who had reached higher realms could draw ki from their surroundings to aid them in battle. Yet, Ye Xian was already defying convention.

His ability to absorb ki from the environment, even at this early stage, was an undeniable testament to the extraordinary nature of the Reverse Taiji. Although the absorption was slow now, Ye Xian could sense its boundless potential. This was merely a first step—one that would expand exponentially with time and practice, and with it, his power.

But the journey toward mastery had only just begun.

With renewed focus, Ye Xian reached into his storage pouch and retrieved several ki stones. These stones, though simple in appearance, pulsed with concentrated energy. He placed them onto the projection on the bed, willing it to react. As if responding to his command, the projection began to rotate slowly, its movement deliberate and steady.

Ki strands emerged from the stones, flowing toward the projection, threads of ki pulled by an invisible force. Within moments, the energy from the ki stones was drawn in, flooding his meridians into dantoan, the power surging through him with breathtaking intensity.

Normally, a cultivator could only absorb around 90 percent of the ki from a ki stone—the remaining 10 percent dissipating or being lost in the process. The efficiency of traditional cultivation methods was hindered by the limitations of the body, unable to fully draw in all of the stone's energy.

But with the Reverse Taiji, the outcome was far different.

Ye Xian felt the ki from the stones flow into his body without resistance, 100 percent of the energy fully absorbed. The projection's rotation intensified, its power siphoning every last trace of energy until the ki stones themselves were reduced to ash. The dust scattered into the air, vanishing as if they had never existed. This was the true power of the Reverse Taiji—its ability to consume and utilize the full energy within a resource, leaving nothing behind.

Ye Xian marveled at the efficiency of the process. It was a level of mastery over energy no ordinary cultivator could ever dream of. With traditional methods, the absorption process was slow and deliberate. But with the Reverse Taiji, the process was effortless, seamless, and complete. There was no need for complex breathing techniques or arduous cycles of focus. It was simply absorbed.

The energy flowed into him, coursing through his veins with a purity far beyond what he had ever experienced. He could feel it: a vast potential, one that would only grow as he continued to refine his connection with the Reverse Taiji. This technique didn't just refine his cultivation—it was a shortcut to transcending the limits of traditional methods.

The pace of absorption was still slow for now, but with each passing moment, Ye Xian felt the potential growing, the power building, and he knew that with practice, the speed would accelerate. Soon, he would be able to draw upon the boundless ki of the environment itself without restraint, without the need for external resources like ki stones. This was the foundation of his future, and Ye Xian couldn't help but feel a spark of anticipation igniting within him.

If this was the first step, then the heights he would reach were beyond comprehension. He smiled, a slow, knowing grin spreading across his face. This was only the beginning—he was standing at the threshold of a power that would reshape his destiny. No force could stand in his way now.

A slow, knowing smile spread across Ye Xian's lips.

This is only the beginning.

His thoughts drifted to Xuan Lingshuang—his fiancee, his rival, the woman who was both a distant star and an unshakable force in his heart. If he was to stand beside her, he could not remain weak.

Ye Xian took another deep breath, his body thrumming with newfound energy, his thoughts a mixture of longing, ambition, and purpose. And as the first rays of dawn shone through his window, Ye Xian smiled.

As Ye Xian was about to close his eyes, basking in the newfound power that surged within him. But before he could dwell further, another voice interrupted his thoughts.

A servant's voice came from outside.

"Young master, the family has gathered for breakfast. An important guest has arrived, and your presence is requested."

Taking a deep breath, he rose from his bed, wiped the sweat from his brow, and donned a clean robe.He headed toward the dining room

As he stepped forward, his mind sharpened with resolve. The past had awakened. The path ahead was uncertain.But one thing was certain—Ye Xian was no longer the same.

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Inside, a long rectangular table had been set, and at the head of it sat a man whose imposing presence filled the room. Wrinkles creased his forehead, speaking of years of labor and responsibility. His beard, touched with hints of grey, added weight to his mature demeanor, but the subtle smile he wore as he conversed with a guest hinted at his warm nature. This was Ye Xian's father, Ye Feng—the younger brother of the Ye Clan's patriarch.

To his right sat the house lady—Ye Xian stepmother, a woman whose regal bearing was matched only by her quiet strength. Beside her sat her son, Ye Shen, and his younger sister. On the opposite side of the table, Ye Xian's second stepmother, a stern woman, sat with her two young twin daughters. The twins were lively, their innocent chatter a stark contrast to the formal air of the gathering.

Sitting next to his second stepmother twins was a beautiful young woman, Xuan Lingshuang. Her cold, ethereal presence seemed to bring a strange sense of calm to the room.

Opposite his father sat another man, one who matched his presence—strong, self-assured, and dignified. This was Xuan Hong, the younger brother of the Xuan Clan's patriarch. He was in his prime, with a warm smile that suggested a man who was at ease with both his status and the company he kept. As he spoke with animated interest, it was clear that this was no mere business meeting but rather a reunion of old friends.