Chapter 152: Limit of the Dao! The Sixth Realm!

Lush and verdant, towering ancient trees pierced the sky.

Two identical young Taoist priests—one clad in black Taoist robes, the other in white—sat cross-legged in the courtyard, their hands forming incantations with subtle differences.

A mist of water swirled around their bodies, faintly carrying the muffled, crashing sound of rising and falling tides.

From sunrise until sunset.

When a wisp of rosy twilight illuminated the courtyard, the two of them opened their eyes in unison.

The roaring, grand wave-like anomaly surrounding their forms vanished accordingly.

"As expected, even the Dao-Entry Realm has its limits."

Rubbing the flood-dragon pond thumb ring on his thumb, Qi Xiu's gaze was calm, his tone carrying a faint hint of solemnity.

"However, the barrier of the Dao-Entry Realm is clearly much heavier than that of the Mortal Realm. This cannot be resolved simply by practicing other cultivation methods. I have a premonition that if one can break through this barrier, it will likely be a qualitative leap."

Lightly shaking his sleeve, the black-robed Taiyin stood up.

"It's just that trying to break through this barrier is far too difficult."

With a slight shift of his gaze, a proficiency panel suddenly materialized before Qi Xiu:

【Calligraphy (Fifth Realm): 7%】
【Humanitarian Merit (First Realm): 33%】
【Mysteries of the Primordial Dragon and Tiger True Scripture (Third Realm): 89%】
【Minor Five-Elements Water-Touring Escape Technique (Sixth Realm): Awaiting Extremity Breakthrough!】
【Body-Breaking Formless Sword Technique (Fourth Realm): 32%】
【Palm Divine Lightning (Third Realm): 19%】
【Bing Fire Divine Lightning (Third Realm): 13%】
【Qi-Observing Technique (Third Realm): 65%】
【Alchemy (Fourth Realm): 21%】
【Painting (Fourth Realm): 9%】
【Culinary Arts: 98.9%】
……

A year ago, he successfully subjugated the Two-Heart Mirror, wishing into existence his second avatar, whom he named Taiyin.

This second avatar shared his state of mind. Although it also possessed an independent thought pattern, it was essentially still him. Therefore, when Taiyin practiced, Qi Xiu would also gain the corresponding proficiency.

As a result, the rate at which his proficiency grew doubled out of thin air.

However, after a month of practicing alongside Taiyin, this handsome black-robed Taoist priest suddenly proposed an idea.

"Do you remember when we were cultivating in the Mortal Realm? Whether it was true techniques or states of mind, they could at most only be elevated to the third realm. But after advancing to the Dao-Entry Realm, this restriction seems to have vanished."

To the question raised by Taiyin, Qi Xiu pondered for a brief moment before replying:

"Dao-Entry cultivation methods are different from mortal true techniques and mind scriptures; in their essence, they are complete divine manifestations. Meanwhile, true techniques and mind scriptures are merely secondary extensions of divine manifestations. Thus, once a true technique or mind scripture reaches the third realm, one can only enhance its might indirectly through continuous integration. Is there a problem with that?"

"Yet I don't see it that way. My guess is that Dao-Entry cultivation methods likewise have a restriction on enhancement. Although a Dao-Entry method is a complete divine manifestation, it is more like a single leaf on a great tree. Above it are twigs, branches, and the main trunk. If a Dao-Entry method could be enhanced infinitely, an infinitely large leaf could not grow on a twig, nor could the twig bear it."

"You mean..." Taiyin's statement sparked Qi Xiu's contemplation.

"Should we test where the limit of the Dao-Entry Realm methods actually lies?"

Daoist Taiyin wore an excited expression. Compared to his steady and conservative primary body, his personality was far more radical and extreme. Whenever he thought of something, he would set about doing it immediately. Practice always preceded plans.

"This..."

Regarding the idea proposed by Taiyin, Qi Xiu did not agree immediately, but after careful consideration, he felt it was worth a try. If the facts were truly as Taiyin said, he could make preparations for certain matters in advance.

With the primary body's consent, Daoist Taiyin directly stated that they could start with the *Minor Five-Elements Water-Touring Escape Technique*.

Although the *Mysteries of the Primordial Dragon and Tiger True Scripture* could govern all techniques and simultaneously elevate the proficiency of every method, as Qi Xiu's foundational true scripture manual, its proficiency growth rate was simply too slow!

Unlike other techniques created by predecessors with traces to follow, the *Mysteries of the Primordial Dragon and Tiger True Scripture* was purely conjured out of nothingness. The improvements gained from other methods were insights and experiences, whereas the elevation of this foundational true scripture brought entirely brand-new content. Every time Qi Xiu practiced the *Mysteries of the Primordial Dragon and Tiger True Scripture*, it was equivalent to completely recasting the entire manual. Naturally, the speed was reduced to the ultimate extreme.

Therefore, nearly six years later, the *Mysteries of the Primordial Dragon and Tiger True Scripture* still remained at the third realm.

As for the *Minor Five-Elements Water-Touring Escape Technique*, it was considered the most rudimentary among the many methods Qi Xiu had mastered. Other techniques, such as the *Body-Breaking Formless Sword Qi* and the lightning arts, were extremely difficult, and the process of elevating them took far too long.

Having made up their minds, Qi Xiu and Taiyin immediately began joining forces to fully cultivate the *Minor Five-Elements Water-Touring Escape Technique*, wanting to see whether Dao-Entry Realm methods possessed enhancement limits just like those in the Mortal Realm!

And today, the results of their experiment were out.

The limit of Dao-Entry Realm methods was the sixth realm.

Upon upgrading to the sixth realm, the method's proficiency would vanish, replaced by something similar to the Mortal Realm yet distinctly different: 【Awaiting Extremity Breakthrough!】

Once mortal true techniques and mind scriptures reached their limit, they could integrate new true techniques and mind scriptures, recasting them into a brand-new cultivation method.

However, once Dao-Entry methods reached their limit, the required conditions were far more arduous.

"True blood—that is the primordial item of a blood-stained high-level cultivator. A single drop is worth a century of bitter cultivation, and it must be true blood that aligns with the method's Dao lineage. This is practically forcing you and me to hunt down blood-stained high-level cultivators."

Speaking in an aggrieved tone, Taiyin's eyes burned with boundless eagerness deep down.

Whether it was him or the primary body, both could now achieve invincibility within the same realm! Since they were invincible within the same realm, their sole pursuit could only be to cross realms and slay superiors!

"Where are we supposed to find a blood-stained high-level cultivator of the water-attribute Dao lineage?"

Rubbing the center of his brow, Daoist Taiyin—who had just been complaining—was already plotting a hunting plan in his mind.

"Stop letting your imagination run wild. Did I say we were going to hunt down a blood-stained high-level cultivator?"

Glancing sideways at Taiyin, Qi Xiu walked toward the inner room on his own.

"I am curious about method extremity breakthroughs too, but I do not agree to recklessly hunt down a blood-stained high-level cultivator. That is simply courting danger for no reason. Since Dao-Entry methods cannot surpass the sixth realm, I will simply wait until I advance to the Blood-Stained Realm and re-cultivate Blood-Stained Realm methods. You had better put away these little schemes of yours early on."

Having his plan to hunt down a blood-stained high-level cultivator directly rejected by Qi Xiu, Daoist Taiyin's expression instantly turned dull and uninteresting.

"Following the rules and acting with utmost caution. Looking through the ten thousand words of this world, you are defined entirely by the word 'prudence'."

"What is wrong with being prudent? Cultivation is not a game where you can just reload a save file if you die. I would rather be prudent and slow than plunge into a desperate situation and perish."

Completely immune to this reverse psychology, Qi Xiu returned to the inner room, casually picked up the wolf-hair brush from the brush holder, lightly dipped it in ink, and dashed off a line of characters:

"You needn't bother plotting against me. It is impossible for me to join forces with you to hunt down a blood-stained high-level cultivator. Don't even think about sneaking out while I'm meditating, nor should you consider stealing the Thousand-Face Mask to disguise your identity. I've locked that thing away in the box at the very bottom of the curio cabinet in the inner room, and the key is in the third drawer on the left. Did you hear me?"

Staring blankly at the solemn primary body, Taiyin took a good while to recover. His right hand, hidden within his wide sleeve, gave Qi Xiu a thumbs-up.

As expected of the primary body. When it comes to shamelessness, you take the crown.

……

"Seventh Master."

Early the next morning, Qingyi arrived beside Qi Xiu holding a basin of hot water and a towel.

"Master Taiyin left down the mountain last night while you were meditating."

Accepting the steaming towel, Qi Xiu gently wiped his face. Although divine elixirs like the Leaving-Dust Pill ensured that cultivators never accumulated grime on their bodies, after all these years, Qi Xiu still maintained the habit of wiping his face with a hot towel upon waking up.

"Forget it. I've advised him time and again, but he won't listen; just let him go as he pleases. Let's only hope he doesn't stir up any trouble."

After tasting a few bites of breakfast prepared by Qingyi, Qi Xiu set off for Guanslan Cliff.

Half a month ago, his master, Daoist Yunxiong, had sent him a message asking him to visit today, seemingly to discuss something with him.

Riding a blaze of fierce thunder, Qi Xiu arrived at Guanslan Cliff. From hundreds of meters away, he spotted that mist-churning cliff. Aside from his master Daoist Yunxiong, there sat two young people—a man and a woman.

"Master."

Landing before Daoist Yunxiong, Qi Xiu bowed slightly and raised his hands in a salute.

"Xiuer has come. Let me introduce you: these two are the Gao family's eldest daughter, Gao Qingyue, and the Cheng family's young master, Cheng Yang. You two, this is my young disciple, Qi Xiu."

Turning sideways, Qi Xiu looked toward the young man and woman.

Gao Qingyue? Someone from the Gao family?

Gao Qingyue's appearance was ordinary, and her temperament unadorned; one could never tell she hailed from the premier family of Dianchuan.

As for the Cheng family young master beside her, he was strikingly handsome and imposing. With merely a glance, Qi Xiu sensed that this person carried at least five magical artifacts on him.

"So Your Excellency is Daoist Qi. A pleasure, a pleasure. I am Cheng Yang. Although we have never met, you might have heard my older brother's name. His name is Cheng Hua."

Standing up, Cheng Yang smiled and cupped his hands toward Qi Xiu, uttering a name.

Cheng Hua?

After a brief moment of thought, Qi Xiu remembered.

During the God霄 (Shenxiao) Sect examination six years ago, he had indeed encountered someone named Cheng Hua. At the time, that person had attempted to intercept and kill a lone Great Liang wolf cavalryman and was blocked by himself. Though he had already walked away, that fellow acted smart and tried to probe his identity, prompting Qi Xiu to resolutely silence him.

He knows Cheng Hua was killed by me? Seeking revenge?

Glancing at his master behind him, Qi Xiu wore a quirky expression.

Coming to the Shenxiao Sect to seek revenge against me? Little brother, you must be wishing for your entire clan to be wiped out.

"Daoist Qi, do not misunderstand. My elder brother was overbearing and lacked ambition; I never got along with him. My visit today is certainly not on his account."

Noticing the peculiar look in Qi Xiu's eyes, Cheng Yang hurriedly explained:

"Actually, Princess Qingyue and I came here today to ask Daoist Qi for a favor."

"How so?"

"When my elder brother participated in the examination, he took a magical artifact from home—an artifact our Cheng family had leased from the Gao family. After my brother went missing, that magical artifact's whereabouts became unknown. Since it was leased, it must be returned to its owner. The Daoist once had contact with my elder brother; I wonder if you have seen that artifact? Rest assured, if the Daoist truly knows the whereabouts of the artifact, we will not let your efforts go to waste. Name your conditions, and as long as it is within our power, we will never bargain!"