Liaozhai: Immortality Begins with Becoming Yan Chixia's Apprentice

Chapter 180 Early Stages of Dao Integration

Zhou Ning recounted the situation of the Western Regions Demon Cave in detail.

Sealing the demon's lair, slaying the shadowy figure, repelling the attack of the demon's clone, and helping Tuoba Lie strengthen the city's defenses...

After listening, Yan Chixia remained silent for a moment, then said:

"The Demon Cave in the Western Regions is probably an avatar released by the Heavenly Demon when its seal loosened."

"The fact that you were able to seal it shows that you are strong enough to deal with such an opponent."

He paused, then continued, "You've touched the threshold of the Dao Integration stage?"

Zhou Ning was taken aback: "How did Master know?"

Yan Chixia said:

"Your aura has changed. Although it's very faint, I can sense that your primordial spirit has resonated with the laws of heaven and earth. This is a sign of the Dao Integration stage."

"The key to cultivation in the Dao Integration stage lies in comprehension. The deeper the comprehension, the higher the level of Dao Integration. After the Nascent Soul stage, breakthroughs in cultivation will no longer be so smooth, and this step will be fraught with difficulties."

"Disciple understands, Master. The jade slip of the Dao Integration Chapter that you gave me has been deeply enlightening. Therefore, my current achievements are entirely due to Master's excellent guidance."

Yan Chixia chuckled and said, "Stop flattering me. You should focus on your cultivation. This path isn't easy to walk."

Zhou Ning smiled slightly and said, "This disciple will remember."

After chatting with Yan Chixia for a while, Zhou Ning returned to his room and continued to ponder the profound mysteries of the Dao Integration stage.

The explanation of the Dao Integration stage in the Dao Integration Chapter given by Master Yan Chixia is very thorough.

It tells how to completely integrate the primordial spirit with the laws of heaven and earth, how to mobilize the power of heaven and earth on a larger scale, and how to comprehend the essence of the Dao.

Each step requires extremely deep accumulation and opportunity.

Ordinary Nascent Soul stage cultivators may not be able to touch the threshold of Dao Integration stage even if they spend their entire lives.

"First, stabilize your initial stage of Dao Integration before considering the next step."

In the days that followed, Zhou Ning cultivated in the back mountain every day to solidify his early stage of Dao Integration.

He practiced the "Demon-Slaying Technique" hundreds of times to adapt to the new power.

The primordial spirit power of the early stage of Dao Integration is several times stronger than that of the Nascent Soul stage, and the sword energy is sharper and more powerful.

He mastered sword control to a higher level, and all six flying swords could be arranged into complex sword formations in the air under the control of his divine sense, combining offense and defense.

His divine sense could already cover an area of ​​millions of feet in radius.

He could sense what the people down the mountain were doing, he could sense the birds and beasts flying in the distance, and he could sense the flow of spiritual energy between heaven and earth.

He could even sense that the seal remained stable in the direction of Qingfeng City to the north, and the aura of the Heavenly Demon was not abnormal.

"It's safe for now." Zhou Ning felt a little relieved.

One day, he was meditating on the back mountain when he suddenly heard footsteps coming from down the mountain.

He walked to the edge of the cliff and looked down. He saw a young woman in a white Taoist robe walking up the mountain path. It was Xin Shisi Niang.

"Miss Xin?" Zhou Ning hurried down the mountain to greet her.

Xin Shisi Niang smiled slightly when she saw him.

"Young Master Zhou, congratulations on touching the threshold of the Dao Integration stage."

Zhou Ning was taken aback: "How did you know?"

Xin Shisi Niang said, "Our fox clan is very sensitive to changes in the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. On the day you arrived at Lanruo Temple, I noticed that the spiritual energy around Qingyun Mountain fluctuated abnormally, and the fox clan within a thousand miles could sense it."

Zhou Ning smiled wryly: "I see. By the way, Miss Xin, what brings you here? Did something happen at Qingqiu Mountain?"

Xin Shisi Niang shook her head and said, "Young Master Zhou, the elder asked me to tell you that there is actually an ancient magic treasure hidden in the secret realm of Qingqiu Mountain. It is said to be able to restrain the Heavenly Demon. Once you break through to the Dao Integration stage, you can go to the secret realm to find it."

Zhou Ning's heart skipped a beat: "What kind of magic weapon?"

Xin Shisi Niang shook her head.

"The elder didn't say. He only said that the magic weapon was left behind by our Qingqiu Fox Clan ancestors, and only those with a firm Dao heart and profound cultivation can wield it. He believes that you are that person."

Zhou Ning nodded: "I understand. Once I truly break through to the Dao Integration stage, I will definitely visit Qingqiu Mountain."

Xin Shisi Niang smiled, turned around and went down the mountain.

Zhou Ning watched her leave, then returned to the back mountain to continue his cultivation.

Spring has passed and autumn has come; half a year has passed in the blink of an eye.

Behind Lanruo Temple, the pine trees still rustle and the wind still whispers.

Zhou Ning sat cross-legged on the boulder where he had practiced his sword countless times, closed his eyes and concentrated his mind. The primordial spirit power within his body surged through his meridians like a giant purple-gold dragon.

Within the dantian, the illusory image of the primordial spirit was no longer an illusion, but had condensed into a physical entity, radiating a warm and profound purple-gold light.

The light was no longer dazzling, but became soft and restrained, like the brightest star in the night sky, quietly illuminating the entire dantian.

After half a year of arduous training, he finally touched the threshold of the Dao Integration stage and steadily crossed it.

In the initial stage of attaining the Dao, it is accomplished.

Zhou Ning opened his eyes, a glint of light flashing in them.

He stood up and stretched his limbs.

The bones crackled and popped, the muscles were full of elasticity, and the skin was as smooth as jade.

The primordial spirit power within his body has been transformed into a more refined Dao-integrating power, and his divine sense can cover an area of ​​millions of feet in radius.

He could even sense that in the distant northern void, the seal remained stable, and the aura of the Heavenly Demon was not abnormal.

"The Dao Integration Stage is indeed extraordinary," Zhou Ning murmured.

He reached out and gently shook hands.

The spiritual energy of heaven and earth within a radius of a thousand feet gathered with his will, transforming into a ball of purple-gold light in his palm, which slowly rotated.

He could feel that he could mobilize the power of heaven and earth on a larger scale, and with every move he made, he seemed to resonate with heaven and earth.

"This is the power of the Dao Integration stage." Zhou Ning nodded in satisfaction.

He walked down the rocks and came to the main hall.

Yan Chixia was meditating when he heard footsteps and opened his eyes.

His gaze fell on Zhou Ning, and he nodded slightly.

"In the early stages of the Dao Integration stage, the resonance between the primordial spirit and the laws of heaven and earth is very stable. You are probably the most renowned Dao Integration stage cultivator in the world, unlike some old fellows who chose to sever their ties with the mortal world and live in seclusion in order to break through their cultivation realm at the Nascent Soul stage."

Zhou Ning bowed respectfully: "Thank you for your guidance, Master. Without you, I would not have come this far."

Yan Chixia chuckled and said sarcastically, "Your cultivation has improved, that's true, but I didn't expect you to have become so adept at flattery. It seems your path is to flatter."

Zhou Ning rarely saw his master joking with him, so he smiled awkwardly and said, "Master, please don't tease your disciple. Master must have something on your mind about not breaking through to the Dao Integration stage. Being at the half-step Dao Integration stage is probably because Master is deliberately suppressing his cultivation."

Yan Chixia snorted and said, "Don't worry about me, Zhou Ning. Your cultivation has greatly improved, but the Heavenly Demon is still a hidden danger. Even if you have entered the Dao Integration stage, you cannot let your guard down."

He stood up, walked to the window, and looked out at the distant mountains with his hands behind his back.

The afterglow of the setting sun shone on his blue robe, casting a long shadow of his back.

"After the Dao Integration stage comes the Tribulation Transcending stage. After the Tribulation Transcending stage comes Ascension. The path of cultivation is still very long. No rush, take it slow."

Zhou Ning nodded: "Disciple understands. Master, I heard from Miss Xin that there is an ancient magic treasure hidden in the secret realm of the Qingqiu Fox Clan, which is said to be able to subdue the Heavenly Demon. Disciple would like to go and see it."

Yan Chixia turned around, looked at him, and remained silent for a moment.

"I've heard of the secret realm of the Qingqiu Fox Clan. It does indeed contain many ancient magical treasures, but the strange object sealed within is not to be underestimated. You've witnessed its power before."

"Also, don't become arrogant just because your cultivation has reached the Dao Integration stage. After all, the existence that even the Fox Clan Ancestor couldn't kill and had to seal away is definitely not weak."

Zhou Ning said, "Although the Heavenly Demon is sealed, it will break through the seal again sooner or later. I need that magic weapon to completely eliminate the Heavenly Demon. Even if I can't kill the strange thing inside the seal, I can reseal it and strengthen the seal completely."

Yan Chixia nodded: "Alright. Go ahead. But remember, don't push yourself. If you encounter danger, retreat immediately."

He took out a jade talisman from his sleeve and handed it to Zhou Ning.

"This is a 'Boundary-Breaking Talisman,' which can temporarily open a gap in the seal of the secret realm without destroying the seal's effect. This might reduce the strange rage as much as possible."

Zhou Ning accepted the jade talisman and solemnly said, "Thank you, Master."

He returned to his lodgings and packed his bags.

The three flying swords, talismans, pills, and jade slips were all packed away one by one.

He also brought extra pills to restore his true energy, just in case.

With everything prepared, he left Lanruo Temple and headed to Qingqiu Mountain.