The Path Of Ki Devourer

Every thread of ki that entered his body became denser and more potent, creating a foundation far beyond ordinary cultivators at the same level.

That explained why, despite consuming so many resources, his advancement was slower than expected.

Each realm he reached wasn't just a number—it represented a level of power several times greater than his peers.

However, this also meant that his ki stone requirements would increase exponentially with each advancement.

Doing a quick calculation, he estimated:

To break through fully to the 7th stage? At least 35,000 more ki stones.

To reach the 8th stage? Around 98,000 ki stones.

To reach the 9th stage? Over ki stones 196000.

And that was just the Ki Refining Realm.

Once he entered the ki warrior realm, Element Disciple Realm, the numbers would increase dramatically.

By the time he reached the Element Realm or higher, he might require millions of ki stones just to advance a single stage.

A deep frown formed on his face.

"This path... it's like an insatiable beast," he muttered. "The stronger I get, the more it devours."

Yet, despite the alarming realization, a thrill coursed through him.

Because this also meant that his cultivation method was far superior to anything else.

If others needed 10,000 ki stones to break through, but he needed 100,000 or millions or more, then his foundation would be hundreds times stronger than theirs.

Ye Xian sat still, his thoughts racing. His power, even at the same realm, was vastly greater than that of ordinary cultivators. His ki reserves were incomparable, almost boundless compared to others at his level.

Yet, with that incredible strength came an equally formidable obstacle—his cultivation required an unimaginable amount of resources.

No matter how many ki stones he gathered, it was never enough. Even if he were to drain all of the Ye Clan's resources, he wouldn't be able to break through to the Element Disciple Realm.

A deep sigh escaped him.

"There has to be another way," he muttered.

And then, he remembered.

The moment Lu Zhe had shattered his ribs and broken his arms, something extraordinary had occurred.

The berserker ki from Lu Zhe's infused strike had rampaged through his body, threatening to tear him apart from the inside. His bones cracked, his organs trembled, and his consciousness had been on the verge of slipping away.

But then, the Reverse Taiji Treasure had acted on its own.

Without his command, it had instinctively absorbed the berserker ki, refining and integrating it into his cultivation.

The violent, chaotic energy that should have destroyed him had instead become nourishment, pushing his cultivation to the 3rd stage of the Ki Refining Realm.

That wasn't all.

At that moment, something even more mysterious had occurred—a defensive web had formed, shielding his heart from destruction.

If that had not happened, Lu Zhe's attack could have crushed his heart in an instant. He had been on the brink of death, but the Reverse Taiji Treasure had intervened, protecting his vital organ.

Ye Xian frowned, his fingers tightening into a fist.

"I don't know how it happened… but it did."

This opened up an entirely new possibility.

If he could absorb the ki infused within his opponents' attacks, then wouldn't that solve his cultivation problem?

Every time a powerful cultivator attacked him, their energy would become his nourishment. He wouldn't need to depend solely on ki stones—he could cultivate through combat itself.

But there was a catch.

If the attacker was of the same rank, their attack wouldn't contain enough ki to make a significant difference—it would be like a single drop in a vast ocean.

For this method to be truly effective, he would need to absorb attacks from powerful cultivators, those who were leagues above him.

But that was incredibly dangerous.

If the attack was too strong, he wouldn't be able to absorb it fast enough—it could kill him instantly.

He wasn't sure how to control this ability yet. What if he failed? What if his Reverse Taiji Treasure couldn't absorb the energy in time?

Would he survive?

The risk was immense, but if he could master it, he would have an endless source of cultivation energy.

Absorbing ki from an opponent's attacks was only the first step.

The next stage would be even more terrifying—devouring ki directly from elemental-based techniques.

If he could do that, he could neutralize attacks before they even reached him or at least decrease the power behind it. His enemies would exhaust their own ki while he grew stronger with every strike.

But beyond that lay an even more forbidden possibility—stealing ki directly from his opponent's body.

There were cultivation techniques that allowed one to drain an opponent's ki, forcibly absorbing their life force and energy. But such techniques were considered taboo.

Cultivators who used them became known as "Demonic Cultivators"—feared, hunted, and despised.

Those who followed this path often lost their humanity, becoming monsters in the guise of men. Their personalities twisted, their minds consumed by an endless hunger for power.

Ye Xian exhaled slowly, staring up at the ceiling.

Would he be willing to take that step?

Could he walk that line without losing himself?

Or would he become something inhuman, a creature that devoured others to grow stronger?

There were still too many unknowns about the Reverse Taiji Treasure.

The more he advanced, the more secrets of it were revealed.

It wasn't just a cultivation method—it was something more. Something that acted beyond his conscious control.

How did it work?

Why did it react differently in battle?

One thing was certain—if he could figure out how to absorb ki from enemy attacks, he could use it as both an offensive and defensive advantage.

Not only would it weaken the enemy's attack, but it would also strengthen him mid-battle.

And when Lu Zhe had been about to deliver his second strike, the Reverse Taiji Treasure had rotated twice as fast as usual.

That meant it reacted differently depending on the level of danger he was in.

If he could harness that…

Wouldn't that allow him to fight stronger opponents and cultivate at an even faster rate?

Ye Xian closed his eyes. His mind had been racing all night, but now, he had a clear direction.

First, he had to test his theory.

Ye Xian needed to learn how to absorb ki from attacks. That was the key to unlocking a whole new path of cultivation, one that would not only enhance his offensive capabilities but also provide him with a defensive system to counter attacks more effectively.

If he could master the absorption of ki from enemy strikes, his fighting style would evolve drastically, allowing him to turn his opponents' strength into his own advantage.

He also had not forget that he could absorb ki from the surrounding environment. However, the problem lay in the fact that the energy of ki in the air was incredibly thin. If he used the Reverse Taiji technique to absorb it, he risked drawing attention to himself.

That attention could be dangerous—if someone noticed the strange fluctuations in energy, it could lead to life-threatening consequences. For now, his focus was on his own growth, but he understood that learning how to absorb ki from attacks would be essential for his long-term survival.

With those thoughts lingering in his mind, Ye Xian closed his eyes and drifted into a peaceful slumber, knowing that tomorrow would be a day for testing his limits.

The following morning, Ye Xian didn't make his way to the academy. Instead, he headed straight for the Martial Pavilion of the Ye Clan.

Today, he needed to test himself, to see just how much stronger he had become. Every breakthrough brought a surge of power, reinforcing his bones and muscles beyond their previous limits.

His flesh was tougher, his perception sharper, and his ki flowed more smoothly than ever before. He could feel the power coursing through his body, but now it was time for confirmation. He needed to measure his progress against someone.

Upon arriving at the training grounds, Ye Xian saw several members of the Ye Clan practicing their martial arts. Some were engaged in swordplay, others were refining their palm techniques, and a few were sparring in hand-to-hand combat. The sounds of fists meeting flesh, blades clashing, and the occasional grunt of exertion filled the air.

As Ye Xian stepped forward, the whispers and murmurs from the crowd started up.

"That's Ye Xian! The one who defeated Yang Mu!"

"He looks different… could he have gotten stronger again?"

Among the younger disciples, several children ran up to him, their eyes wide with admiration. They looked at him as though he were a hero, a beacon of strength and ability.

"Young Master Ye Xian! Can you teach us swordsmanship?"

"How do you move so fast? We want to learn!"

"Teach us how to jump like you! We saw you do it past, and it was amazing!"

Ye Xian smiled slightly, enjoying the admiration but not letting it distract him from his true goal. He didn't stop to answer their questions, though, knowing that this was not the time for idle conversation.

His gaze swept over the training grounds, scanning the familiar faces of the Ye Clan's disciples, before eventually landing on Yang Mu and his companions, who were standing off to one side.

Yang Mu, once humiliated by Ye Xian in front of the entire clan, couldn't help but steal a glance at him. The moment their eyes met, Yang Mu quickly looked away, pretending to ignore Ye Xian's presence.