Days have pass trying to improve his realm and he was able to go to 7h Qi cultivation to 9th Qi cultivation and at the peak of Refined Qi level.
Ecstatic he celebrated in Terra for a week in all sort of places such as bars, restaurants and tourist spots. He was enjoying his vacation until he was called by his master Hu Bin the next day.
The sun had barely crested the horizon when the young man named Joshua Carter was summoned by his master named Hu Bin. The air was cool and damp, hinting at the promise of a dewy morning. The quiet was pierced by the caw of a distant bird, a solitary sentinel heralding the day's beginning.
Hu Bin's expression was stern as he spoke, his eyes carrying the weight of unspoken warnings.
"Joshua, I've received troubling news," he began, his voice carrying the gravity of the situation.
"The Li clan has set their sights on us. They are planning to target you and the Tri Body Hall. And I believe that the one who ordered the bandits is them."
Joshua's heart skipped a beat.
The Li Blade Master Hall were renowned for their precision and ruthlessness, and the thought of them coming after him filled him with a cold dread.
The rivalry between the three martial halls had always been palpable, but this was the first time it had taken such a direct turn.
Hu Bin had done his own reconnaissance and discovered the Li clan's intentions through a network of spies and informants.
The Li Blade Master Hall, envious of the Tri Body Hall's growing influence, had decided that the most effective way to strike at their rivals was to eliminate their newest and most promising disciple. This was a declaration of war, and they knew it would draw out the full might of the Tri Body Hall.
The air grew thick with tension as the implications of this revelation settled in.
"Master, why me?" Joshua asked, his voice trembling slightly.
"What have I done to provoke them?"
Hu Bin's gaze was steady.
"It's not what you've done, but who you are and what you're capable of," he replied gravely.
"Your talent is like a beacon in the night, drawing the envy of those who wish to extinguish it. And your involvement with the masterwork swords at the Wu Flying Sparrow Shop and giving some to your fellow disciples has not gone unnoticed. They see your potential and the potential of our hall if you succeed in your cultivation."
Joshua's mind raced as he recalled the swords he had created for his fellow disciples. They were masterpieces, each one a testament to his growing proficiency in the forge and his deepening understanding of Qi.
He had hoped that they would be tools of protection and friendship, but it seemed they had become a catalyst for conflict instead.
"Master, I had no intention of causing trouble," Joshua protested, his voice filled with concern.
"I only wished to help my brothers and sisters grow stronger."
Hu Bin's expression softened slightly.
"I know, my disciple," he said.
"But in the world of martial artists, power is a double-edged sword. It attracts both allies and enemies." He paused, considering his next words carefully.
"But do not despair. Your talents are indeed great, and it is because of this that you have been chosen to bear the burden of this challenge. It is also your gift that will allow us to overcome it."
Joshua took a deep breath, trying to process the gravity of the situation.
"But master," he said, "what of the Weng clan? They rule this city. Surely, they would not stand for such aggression, especially from a clan seeking to usurp their position?"
Hu Bin nodded gravely.
"The Weng clan is indeed powerful, but their gaze extends far beyond our city's borders. They are often preoccupied with matters of the entire region and may not intervene in every squabble between lesser clans."
He paused, his gaze lingering on the map.
"However, the Li clan's actions are growing bolder. If they continue unchecked, they may soon pose a threat to the Weng's rule. The Weng clan is aware of this, but they are waiting to see how we respond. It is a delicate balance of power, and we must be cautious not to tip the scales too heavily in any one direction."
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Joshua felt a knot tighten in his stomach as he contemplated the implications.
"What can we do to prepare?"
Hu Bin laid a hand on his shoulder.
"You must focus on improving your realm," he said firmly.
"The stronger your foundation, the less likely the Li clan will consider you an easy target. And the more powerful the Tri Body Hall becomes, the more likely the Weng clan will see us as an asset rather than a nuisance."
With newfound resolve, Joshua nodded.
"I understand, Master. I will not let you down."
Joshua left after telling his Master Hu Bin that he will try to condensed a Core. Worried, Hu Bin offered encouragement to him and hope that he will succeed with his talent.
Leaving the warmth of the training hall behind, he retreated to his own quarters to begin his solitary quest. The task of condensing a core was no easy feat, even for a talented and perfect physique like him. It required an immense amount of Qi, focus, and patience.
He knew that the success of this endeavor would not only bolster his personal power but also serve as a declaration to the Li clan that he and the Tri Body Hall would not be trifled with.
For weeks, Joshua secluded himself from the world outside.
He spent every waking moment in deep meditation, guiding the Qi within him to coalesce into a stable and dense core. His meals were simple and light, consisting mostly of spiritual herbs and Qi-nourishing foods. His every movement, every breath, was calculated to aid in his training. The air in his room grew thick with the accumulated energy, and his eyes began to glow with a faint light as the Qi in his body grew denser.
To his amazement, the process was smoother than he had ever dared to hope. His strong soul, a gift from his Immortal cultivation, provided the necessary foundation for the core to form without much resistance.
The Qi flowed more readily than ever before, and the core grew at a pace that astonished even him.
The pain and hardship that others experienced during this critical juncture were absent for him, replaced by an intense concentration and a growing sense of achievement.
The two weeks passed in a blur of energy and focus.
His mind was singularly set on the task at hand, and the world outside the confines of his training chamber faded into insignificance.
The only indication of time passing was the steady pulsing of his core, which grew stronger and more defined with each passing day. It was as if the very essence of his being was coalescing into a beacon of power, ready to be unleashed upon the world.
Finally, the moment arrived. The core in his dantian pulsed once, twice, and then with a final, thunderous beat, it stabilized. A warm glow suffused his entire body, and a sense of boundless energy surged through him. He knew that he had done it. He had formed his core, and with it, he had reached the first true milestone on the path to martial arts.
Elated by his achievement, Joshua decided to share the news with his master, but something held him back. He felt a strange pull towards the Immortal World, as if his newfound power was beckoning him to take the next step in his immortal cultivation.
The thought of the Li clan and the impending conflict grew more pressing, and he knew that he had to act swiftly to ensure his newfound power would not go to waste.
With a firm resolve, Joshua teleported back to the Immortal World. His arrival was met with a gentle breeze that whispered through the ancient trees, carrying the faint scent of blooming flowers. The vibrant colors and sounds of the world around him were sharper than ever before, a testament to the increased sensitivity that came with his new core. He could feel the energy of the world itself, the Qi that flowed through every living being, and the very fabric of reality seemed to hum with potential.
In a secluded grove, he began the final preparations for his soul solidification ceremony. The area was meticulously clean, adorned with mystical symbols drawn in the soil to amplify and focus his Qi. The air grew thick with anticipation as he sat cross-legged at the center, his palms pressed together in a gesture of concentration.
He took a deep breath, feeling the Qi energy from the core in his dantian spread throughout his body, filling every cell with vitality.
As he exhaled, he began to chant the ancient incantations that would guide his soul to its new form. The words flowed from his lips like a river of power, resonating with the very air around him. His eyes glowed with a fierce determination as he pushed his Qi to its limits. The pressure mounted, and he felt his soul quiver, eager to break free of its mortal cage and ascend to new heights.
The core within him pulsed in response, sending waves of energy through his meridians. It was as if a star had been born in the center of his being, casting a warm light that bathed his soul in strength. The Qi swirled around him, picking up speed as it coalesced into a tornado of power, the colors shifting from deep crimson to a brilliant gold.
Joshua's eyes snapped open, and the world around him grew still. The leaves on the trees stopped rustling, and the air grew dense with anticipation. The Qi in his core surged, filling his entire being with a sense of boundless potential. He felt his soul stretch and expand, reaching out to the very fabric of the universe.
With a final roar, he broke through the foundation realm.
But something strange about his foundation cultivation, he should be able to manifest his soul but he was not able to even though he is at foundation realm.
Closing his eyes he look at his body and found his soul is missing, terrified but was quickly able to calm himself down and taught of where his soul ended up.
The place where he felt at home, the place where it all began.
The Crack.
Knowing this is the only place where his soul could have been he entered the crack.
Inside he notice some things have change, he felt all around him was his soul and able to control it.
After he had control his soul he was able to glimpse some info on how his soul became like this.
Shock he now knew why he can't manifest his soul in reality.
It is because his soul is stuck here... no, its more appropriate to say that his soul have ascended beyond realms.
It seems the first time he fell he had come in contact with the powerful energy release by this place.
As a child with weak body, it is expected to be destroyed but my soul was able to transcend beyond reality becoming a high dimension being. And this body was recreated by my unconscious will and send it to the nearest world so that it can survive.
So technically I died and reincarnated as a higher being.