Chapter 94: Entering the Dao!

Endless streams of Heavenly Gang Qi descended continuously.

Dragon, Tiger, and the Primordial Pearl.

The three foundational paths cultivated by Qi Xiu began to undergo a metamorphosis amidst the baptism and scouring of the Heavenly Gang Qi.

The Purple-White Giant Tiger represented Yang. It governed the foundation of Qi Xiu’s life and his physical body. It was supreme in Yang and strength, fierce and intense, refined and pure. Under the scouring of the Gang Qi, the five Pure Yang Dao Seeds that formed the Purple-White Giant Tiger merged into one, evolving into a divine ability of the Dao-Entry Realm.

"ROAR!!!"

The Purple-White Giant Tiger suddenly looked up and bellowed. The rolling sound waves were as tangible as physical matter, sweeping across all directions.

The Green-Eyed Ink Dragon represented Yin. It governed Qi Xiu’s soul, spiritual intellect, and the consciousness of his sea of mind. It was vast and profound, supreme in Yin and coldness, deep as an abyss and wide as the sea. Under the scouring of the Gang Qi, the five Pure Yin Dao Seeds that formed the Green-Eyed Ink Dragon also merged into one, evolving into a divine ability of the Dao-Entry Realm.

"A-a-a-a-h—"

Refusing to be outdone, the Green-Eyed Ink Dragon let out a long, piercing cry. The sound waves whipped up boundless gales, raging across the wilderness.

"The Tiger governs Pure Yang, cultivating the physical body and life essence, embodying my entire martial intent. The Dragon governs Supreme Yin, cultivating the soul and spirit, encompassing all manner of spells. One Yin, one Yang; one Dragon, one Tiger; one martial, one magical—plus the Primordial Pearl!"

Sitting cross-legged beneath the colorful clouds, Qi Xiu suddenly opened his mouth. The Dragon, the Tiger, and the Primordial Pearl flew into his mouth as naturally as birds returning to their nests.

The Ink Dragon took residence in his sea of mind.
The Primordial Pearl took control of his heart palace.
The Purple Tiger curled up in his Dantian.

Slowly opening his eyes, Qi Xiu exhaled a mist of colors. With a flicker of his thought, a clear stream surged from the Primordial Pearl in his chest.

In the next instant, a translucent, glass-like barrier of light suddenly expanded outward. Looking at this seemingly thin, yet impenetrable barrier—which could only be broken by someone of the Dao-Entry Realm—Qi Xiu reached out and gently pressed his hand against it.

"So this is the mark of the Dao-Entry Realm: the Protective True Gang?"

Not far away, beneath the tattered and hole-ridden black demonic miasma, the three demons were covered in blood and flesh, having been riddled like a sieve by the stray Heavenly Gang Qi. Fortunately, ninety percent of the Heavenly Tribulation’s power had been drawn to Qi Xiu. Even with the remnants scattering elsewhere, the three demons had endured less than five percent of the Tribulation’s force. Yet, even so, the sweeping Gang Qi had nearly wiped away their demonic miasma and claimed their lives.

Grabbing the intestines spilling from his stomach wound and stuffing them back in, the Heavenly Lion endured the agonizing pain and spoke to his two younger brothers: "Once the tribulation clouds disperse, we must flee immediately. This fellow is a monstrous entity; we are no match for him!"

As long as the tribulation clouds locked onto them, fleeing rashly would only invite an even more violent backlash of Gang Qi. Only when the clouds completely dissipated would it be the optimal time to escape.

"Understood, Big Brother!" Having witnessed the entire process of Qi Xiu’s tribulation, the Heavenly Elephant and the Heavenly Feather also understood the horror of this human practitioner. To survive, the art of escape was the only effective path.

"After entering the Dao, internal energy and magical power are baptized and scoured by the Heavenly Gang Qi, transforming into a new power. Martial artists cultivate Martial Gang or Blood Gang, while spellcasters cultivate Dharma Gang or Spirit Gang. But these powers are collectively known as True Gang. I entered the Dao using the secret teachings of the Primordial Dragon-Tiger Scripture, following the path of the ancient cultivators. By dual-cultivating both magic and martial arts, the Dragon and Tiger converge, and internal energy and magical power merge into one within the Primordial Pearl in my heart. This should be called: Primordial Gang Qi. The concept of this Primordial Gang Qi is extremely high. Although it is incredibly difficult to cultivate and carries the constant risk of demonic obsession and Yin-Yang imbalance, the rewards after completion are equally bountiful."

Silently experiencing the changes in his body after entering the Dao, Qi Xiu nodded repeatedly. It was worth the risk he had taken, the massive cost, effort, and time spent forging the secrets of the Primordial Dragon-Tiger Scripture. This scripture not only helped him cross the barrier of the ancient method of gathering Heavenly Gang, but the True Gang formed after entering the Dao was also incredibly powerful, possessing both magical and martial characteristics.

After feeling the wonders of the Primordial Gang Qi, Qi Xiu opened his hands, and the Purple Tiger and Ink Dragon, now resembling dolls, appeared in his palms. Unaware that they had become cartoon versions of themselves, the dragon and tiger, already at odds, began shouting at each other the moment they met. Their appearance and their thick, milky voices were enough to melt a maiden's heart.

"Although the ten Dao Seeds were swallowed by the Purple Tiger and Ink Dragon, causing me to lose ten divine spell abilities, the power of the Tiger and Dragon has instead seen a qualitative leap." Qi Xiu pinched the Purple Tiger’s round belly, and the little creature yawned comfortably, spitting out deep purple flames.

The Purple Tiger, now a divine ability, relied primarily on its pure and fierce purple fire. This fire had been strengthened several times, and now, after being tempered by the Heavenly Gang Qi, its power had surged once more. It was a path of breaking all techniques with raw power. No matter what divine ability or secret technique the opponent used, a sea of fire would crush them, burning everything clean.

Compared to the singular focus of the Purple Tiger, the Ink Dragon excelled in being as vast and omnipotent as the sea. Because it occupied the sea of mind, its spiritual intelligence was far higher than that of the honest and reckless Purple Tiger. After becoming a divine ability, it extended three capabilities:

First, Dragon Concealment: As long as Qi Xiu mastered any spell, the Ink Dragon would swallow it into its belly and silently cultivate it, acting like a clone.
Second, Dragon Shadow: The Ink Dragon was full of spirit and could directly manipulate techniques, operating independently of Qi Xiu’s direct control.
Third, Void Form: The birth of this ability was quite bizarre. Originally, after the Dragon, Tiger, and Primordial Pearl entered the Dao, the Purple Tiger intended to swallow all martial arts, but the "Ghostly Shadow" technique broke free from the Tiger and merged into the Ink Dragon instead. This granted the Ink Dragon the power of Void Form. This ability allowed Qi Xiu to move between the tangible and intangible, entering a state of void, within which he could perform one displacement within a certain range. It was a divine skill for saving his own life!

"Only after entering the Dao does Qi feel a bit of security." Putting away the Tiger and Dragon, Qi Xiu sighed. Just as he was about to rise and leave, he seemed to remember something and turned his head toward a certain direction. That was exactly where the three demons were located!

"Damn! He really intends to finish us off!" Sensing Qi Xiu’s tangible gaze, the three demons felt goosebumps erupt all over their bodies, a strong sense of crisis filling them with the dark shadow of death. It had only been half a day, and the roles had completely reversed. Originally, it was the three of them hunting Qi Xiu, but now it was Qi Xiu hunting them.

"The tribulation clouds have dispersed! Run!" Watching the last trace of the tribulation clouds vanish in the sky, the Heavenly Lion let out a roar. The three demons suddenly summoned demonic wind, turning into a black shadow and fleeing at full speed.

"Run? If you leave, what will I use to refine my pills?" Seeing the three demons attempt to escape, Qi Xiu thoughtfully raised his protective True Gang, following the mysterious intuition he had gained after entering the Dao. He took a step forward.

*Whoosh—*

In an instant, Qi Xiu transformed into a streak of light, rushing forward. This was the second ability mastered by a Dao-Entry practitioner: Escape Light!

The True Gang evolved from the tempering of internal energy and magical power by the Heavenly Gang Qi also contained some of the characteristics of the Gang Qi itself—that sense of clear, ethereal spirit! After opening the protective True Gang, a Dao-Entry practitioner could use it for low-altitude flight. The speed was far superior to any worldly lightness skill.

Driving his Escape Light, Qi Xiu quickly pursued the fleeing three demons. The light formed by his Primordial True Gang was average in speed but incredibly flamboyant. It not only circled with dazzling colorful light but also dragged a long, trailing tail of flames. It was eye-catching to an extreme!

Looking at the rainbow-like light, Qi Xiu helplessly touched his forehead. It seemed that it would be difficult to keep a low profile in the future.

Qi Xiu's escape speed was moderate, but his total amount of True Gang was terrifying. For ordinary humans or demons, refining ten or eight strands of True Gang after entering the Dao was considered top-tier talent. But relying on the ancient cultivation method of the Primordial Dragon-Tiger Scripture, Qi Xiu had a full one hundred and eight strands of Primordial True Gang in his Primordial Pearl after entering the Dao—ten times that of a normal Dao-Entry practitioner! Even though the three demons had entered the Dao for several years, their total amount of True Gang was still inferior to Qi Xiu, a mere newcomer.

They chased and fled for an unknown amount of time, covering nearly a thousand miles. Having been affected by the remnants of the Heavenly Gang Qi tribulation, the three demons were already seriously injured. Coupled with their damaged demonic miasma, the consumption of demonic Gang to control their wind was significantly higher. Gradually, their speed began to slow down.

"Big Brother, what should we do? We can't escape!" Seeing the figure behind them, which they could not shake off, getting closer and closer, the Heavenly Elephant asked the Heavenly Lion anxiously.

"If we really can't escape, we have no choice but to fight him to the death!" Knowing that if they continued to run, they would only be slaughtered once their demonic Gang was exhausted, the three demons gritted their teeth and suddenly dissipated their wind. Roaring, they revealed their true forms, intending to fight Qi Xiu to the death!

"Want to struggle in your final moments? Fine, Qi will fulfill your wishes." Seeing the three demons stop, Qi Xiu smiled freely. Without using any complex techniques, he simply drove his Escape Light and crashed directly toward them.

The rainbow-like light rushed toward them, illuminating the faces of the three demons in a riot of colors.

*CLANG—*

The sound of metal clashing was deafening. Qi Xiu’s protective True Gang collided heavily with the demons' miasma. The colorful True Gang boiled, and the pitch-black miasma surged. The two forces intertwined and rubbed against each other, bursting into countless blinding sparks.

Watching the rainbow-like protective Gang continue to crush forward, the three demons roared repeatedly, constantly driving their demonic Gang to repair their damaged miasma, but it could not keep up with the speed of the destruction. This was pure power crushing them! Qi Xiu had aimed at the fact that the three demons were currently wounded, exhausted, and drained of their demonic Gang, using his immense total of True Gang to overwhelm them.

"We are from an ancient demon clan! If you dare kill us, our elders will surely avenge us!" With his face twisted, the Heavenly Lion howled, playing his final trump card.

"Oh, noted." Replying calmly, Qi Xiu took a sudden step forward, and his Primordial True Gang ground down fiercely. The tattered miasma in front of him shattered with a roar, and the three demons hiding behind it were instantly shaken by the True Gang, falling to the ground in screams.

"Capture!" With the three demons having lost their combat capability, Qi Xiu immediately opened his Spirit-Gathering Bag and collected the three Dao-Entry demons into it. The quality of Spirit-Gathering Pills was determined by the quality of the ingredients. The pills refined from ordinary demons and evil cultivators were of little use to a Dao-Entry practitioner, but if they were replaced with Dao-Entry demons, it would naturally be a different story.