Chapter 9: The Seven Mortal Realms, Tempering the Body

Su Chen asked,

“System, what are these three things?”

“They enhance your aptitude, tempering your body, meridians, and mental state. They lay an unmatched foundation for your future cultivation, giving you a stronger, more charming body for living off soft rice.”

The first part was fairly serious, but the last bit… Su Chen chose to ignore it.

He continued,

“Can I start cultivating now?”

“Not yet. These are just the foundation. You still need a proper cultivation technique.”

“How do I get one?”

“Host, don’t you have a walking technique library right beside you?”

“Your Empress Senior Sister has access to Great Qin’s entire treasury. If not now, when will you live off her?”

“…”

Su Chen turned to look at his senior sister nearby.

He’d almost forgotten she was a super-rich patron.

In an instant.

“Senior Sister, I’m planning to cultivate. Do you have any suitable techniques?”

Facing Su Chen’s request, Ying Qingge’s beautiful eyes sparkled as she gazed at him thoughtfully.

“Little Junior Brother, you want to cultivate?”

“That’s right.”

“Have you thought about what you’ll offer in exchange?”

“Huh? I need to trade for it? But I don’t think I have anything valuable to offer.”

Seeing Su Chen’s earnest expression, as if witnessing something amusing, Ying Qingge covered her mouth and chuckled.

“You yourself are quite valuable enough.”

Su Chen’s expression turned serious.

“Senior Sister, I’m being serious!”

Ying Qingge waved her hand dismissively.

“Alright, alright, no more teasing.”

“I do have the world’s most suitable beginner technique for body tempering—Nine Revolutions of Ascension.”

“It uses imperial dragon might to refine the body, maximizing your potential. Want to use it?”

Su Chen nodded.

“Thank you.”

“Why thank me?”

Ying Qingge shot him a dissatisfied glance, then smiled meaningfully.

“You should show some real gratitude~!”

“…”

This time, Su Chen decided it was best not to respond.

***

Soon after.

Ying Qingge stopped teasing her little junior brother and led him to a secluded, spiritually rich paradise deep within the palace.

This was her exclusive cultivation ground.

Su Chen was the first—and only—man to set foot there.

After retrieving the Nine Revolutions of Ascension, Ying Qingge explained with a smile,

“Little Junior Brother, as a beginner, you’ll need guidance. I’ve reached the Divine Connection Realm, so I’m somewhat experienced. How about I guide you to get started?”

Her casual tone belied a revelation that would shock outsiders.

The path of cultivation consisted of seven mortal realms: Body Tempering, Foundation Building, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Divine Connection, Celestial Phenomenon, and Heart Inquiry.

The Divine Connection Realm was a definitive dividing line, with many never breaking through in their lifetime.

At just over twenty years old, Ying Qingge’s achievement was unparalleled, matchless in the world.

Talk about subtle bragging!

Her “bit of experience” could outshine ninety-nine percent of cultivators.

However.

Su Chen, a complete novice, wasn’t overly shocked. 

He simply nodded.

“Alright, I’ll trouble Senior Sister then.”

No trace of doubt or suspicion—just unconditional trust.

This made Ying Qingge’s lips curve upward, her heart sweet as honey.

“Why so formal with me?”

“Senior Sister will teach you—flawlessly~!”

Ying Qingge playfully lifted his chin, teasing him at every opportunity.

Su Chen swatted away her jade-like hand, his expression helpless.

‘Why couldn’t Senior Sister break her habit of always getting handsy? And her words carried zero credibility!’

Fortunately, Ying Qingge soon reverted to her usual cool and elegant demeanor.

“Alright, no more teasing.”

“The first step in cultivation is to draw spiritual energy into your body, completing a full cycle to temper your physique.”

After listening to his senior sister’s explanation, Su Chen focused for a moment but soon called out in confusion,

“Senior Sister… how exactly do I do that?”

It was a perfectly ordinary question.

But—

His soft, helpless demeanor made Ying Qingge clutch her chest, unable to resist.

She wanted to savor her adorable junior brother’s expression a bit longer.

‘Would he get so frustrated he’d cry?’

Of course, her mischievous streak didn’t last long. 

She cleared her throat with feigned composure.

“No helping it! Let Senior Sister guide you hand-in-hand!”

As she spoke, she took Su Chen’s hand, intertwining their fingers intimately.

Meeting her junior brother’s puzzled gaze, Ying Qingge explained solemnly,

“Don’t overthink it! Senior Sister is helping you sense spiritual energy.”

“Next, try guiding it into your body and let it flow through your meridians.”

Su Chen sat cross-legged in the room. 

With Ying Qingge’s help, he finally sensed the presence of spiritual energy.

The next moment.

He vaguely felt himself entering a pitch-black world, everything around him falling silent.

In the darkness, tiny specks of light began to flicker.

He tried to accept them.

The lights gradually merged into his body.

Crack!

A sound like something shattering rang in his ears.

The card bearing Ying Qingge’s image floated before him, the three reward texts on its back glowing brightly.

As the first two texts dimmed, countless light particles surged into Su Chen’s body.

“Ding! Imperial Extreme Body and Meridian Dragon Transformation Technique are being integrated. Host, prepare yourself.”

The system’s prompt came just in time.

Su Chen immediately felt a surge of heat coursing through his body, followed by intense pain.

Pain!

Excruciating pain!

It felt as if every bone in his body was being shattered and reassembled.

The process repeated, each time strengthening his bones to a new level of resilience.

During this, Su Chen lost track of time, relying solely on his willpower to endure, pushing through each wave.

If he could see himself, he would notice golden markings spreading across his bones.

This was the Imperial Extreme Body!

His entire frame became incomparably tough through this repeated tempering.

Just as the Imperial Extreme Body was completed, another wave of agony struck.

This pain, deep in his marrow, felt like something was carving and grinding through his meridians.

The Meridian Dragon Transformation was a life-or-death trial to become a dragon soaring through the gate!

Anyone else would have been writhing in agony, but Su Chen gritted his teeth and endured.

Meanwhile, outside his consciousness, Ying Qingge watched.

“Body tempering, Little Junior Brother… you must hold on.”

While concerned, Ying Qingge’s phoenix-like eyes narrowed slightly.

“Why is simple body tempering causing such intense pain?

Could there be some secret hidden in Little Junior Brother’s body…?”

But for now, no matter how many questions she had, Ying Qingge could only stand guard by his side.

The man she chose would surely overcome this trial with ease.

Her role was simply to stay by his side!