Soul Cultivation Path

Drunk and awake in the mortal world, I comprehend the true meaning;Cutting all mortal ties, I seek the genuine Dao.Chanting the Yellow Court Classic, I forge my golden elixir green;I ask not for love or fate, but only for immortality.Sandaloath incense and scripture feasts last a thousand years;At leisure I lie high, resting for ten thousand years.Cross-legged on a cushion, I walk the path of eternal life;Seeking Dao, seeking Buddha—all shall become true immortals. Vast mountains rose, their peaks piercing the clouds, shrouded in mist and haze; all things seemed ethereal and illusory… Stretching a hundred thousand miles, the Huashan Mountain Range rose in clusters of giant peaks, each standing like a needle piercing the sky even from ten thousand miles away.This was the renowned Thousand-Peak Needles, the sacred mountain of the Huayan Sect—a famous cultivation sect across the Nine Provinces. Though named Thousand-Peak Needles, the Huashan Mountain Range actually held nine hundred and eighty-one peaks.Every single one belonged to the Huayan Sect, and disciples secluded themselves within them to cultivate. At the very center of the peaks stood the tallest and most majestic main peak, piercing straight into the clouds: Huashan.This was the true sect gate of the Huayan Sect. From the mountainside, a cloud ladder coiled like a serpent up toward the sky.Pavilions and towers loomed faintly through mist and rain; green pines, misty platforms, small bridges over flowing streams, waterfalls cascading down ravines.Cranes soared between the clouds; elks ran through the woods.Birds and beasts played amid green mountains and clear waters, spiritual energy surging everywhere—enough to refresh the heart and gladden the spirit, a true paradise of immortals. Melodious chimes of bells and stone chimes echoed from the summit, spreading throughout the entire Huashan immortal realm. Amid rolling clouds and mist, the hundred-zhang sect gate suddenly rumbled open.The mist that had filled the mountainside slowly dispersed, revealing a flawless white stone cloud ladder coiling like a serpent. Several streaks of sword light descended from the peak and stopped at the gate.Upon each floating sword light stood a man in white robes—dignified, eyes shining with true light, elegant and otherworldly. These were none other than the Six Swords of Mist—second-generation disciples of the Huayan Sect, already famous in the cultivation world! The Huayan Sect had been founded more than five thousand years ago and had passed down thirteen generations.Though seniority was strictly observed in the cultivation world, true status was ultimately decided by cultivation base. Even if you were a newly entered thirteenth-generation disciple, you could rise to become a first-generation disciple—so long as you possessed talent and sufficient cultivation. Thus, any thirteenth-generation disciple who reached the Nascent Soul Realm would immediately become first-generation.No matter how many years earlier other seniors had entered the sect, if their cultivation was lower, they had to respectfully call you their senior brother. The hierarchy was clear: Nascent Soul Realm: first-generation disciples Golden Core Realm: second-generation disciples Foundation Establishment Realm: third-generation disciples Qi Refining Realm, 10th to 15th layer: fourth-generation disciples Below 10th layer: fifth-generation disciples Newly entered disciples normally spent time gathering Qi.Only after sensing Qi could they practice Qi Refining arts and officially become fifth-generation disciples. The Qi-gathering period usually lasted one year.If one failed to sense Qi within a year, they were deemed incompatible with the Dao of immortality and would be sent home. All major sects in the cultivation world used this standard to judge generations and status.Even the sect leader's disciples could only remain at the bottom if their cultivation was lacking. As second-generation disciples, the Six Swords of Mist were all genuine Golden Core cultivators.Though only early Golden Core, they were still regarded as outstanding disciples of the sect. And now, these outstanding disciples were gathered at the gate to welcome a newly arriving genius! "Brother Luo, do you really think it's necessary for the six of us to welcome this so-called genius junior brother?When has Huayan Sect ever given such treatment to a new disciple?Having us Six Swords of Mist wait at the gate is simply humiliating!"Li Yue stood upon his sword light, his expression disdainful, his tone dissatisfied. Luo Renhuai smiled calmly."Junior Brother Li, the elders would not have sent us to welcome Junior Brother Li Tianming without reason.We only need to obey." Ling Haoran beside him frowned slightly."I also find it strange that Third Elder, from Fallen Cloud Peak, would order us disciples of Mist Cloud Peak… it seems somewhat inappropriate." Luo Renhuai still smiled gently."Brothers, even our master has not objected.Put your complaints aside.Welcoming Junior Brother Tianming is our duty.We must do it properly, lest others speak ill of us.Understood?" "We obey your teachings, Brother!"Reluctantly suppressing their dissatisfaction, Li Yue and the others waited patiently. Silence weighed heavily.Staring at distant sword lights in the sky, Li Yue suddenly chuckled."Brothers, while we welcome this new genius, do you think our renowned first-generation genius senior brother from Sword Knowing Peak will successfully form his Nascent Soul this time?I hear this is already his ninth attempt." "Ninth time?"The quiet Xiao Ting sighed."How many cultivators spend their entire lives without even reaching Golden Core, let alone Nascent Soul—the true path to longevity!Yet our senior brother has tried nine times.Truly a genius blessed with great fortune." It was impossible to tell if he was mocking or sincere. Li Moyu, fourth among the Six Swords, sneered."Genius? More like a waste!How can he still face keeping the position of first-generation senior brother?All nine first-generation disciples are genuine Nascent Soul experts—except him!He has failed again and again, still stuck at Great Perfection Late Golden Core.If he fails this time, his cultivation will fall back to Foundation Establishment and he'll have to start over. He can calmly cultivate, but because of him, our Huayan Sect has been mocked by other sects time and again.Even we, the Six Swords of Mist, get pointed at when we go out for training.Those bastards from the Nine Sons of Qingcheng are especially shameless…" Li Moyu grew more and more agitated.Influenced by his anger, the usually silent Zhang Wuyan finally spoke."If Senior Brother fails his ninth Nascent Soul formation, I say he no longer deserves to be first-generation senior brother.He should step down and make way for the worthy." Luo Renhuai glanced faintly at Zhang Wuyan."You support Senior Brother Liu Qinghe's collective petition, then." Zhang Wuyan nodded silently."If his cultivation falls to Foundation Establishment, do you still think he deserves to remain our senior brother?" Luo Renhuai smiled lightly, leaped off his flying sword.The sword circled once in the air before sheathing itself behind his back.Standing before the hundred-zhang gate, he gazed at the winding cloud ladder. "Whether Senior Brother Linghu remains senior brother is for the sect elders to decide—not us juniors.Brothers, we should not concern ourselves with Senior Brother Linghu of Sword Knowing Peak.Instead, we should focus on how our Mist Cloud Peak will perform in the upcoming sect tournament." Xiao Ting also dismounted his sword and stepped beside Luo Renhuai."Brother Luo is broad-minded and far-sighted.We juniors have been too attached.On the path of cultivation, personal strength is all that matters.From today on, we should focus on ourselves." The other four were moved by his words.They all descended from their swords and stood beside Luo Renhuai, lost in thought. What did it matter to them who was senior brother? As second-generation disciples, they had no power to interfere in first-generation disputes.They would gain nothing, only invite trouble.Why bother? Many already thought Linghu unfit.Those truly eager for him to step down were not second-generation disciples like them. With this realization, the Six Swords of Mist relaxed and stopped overthinking. At the foot of Huashan, a lone figure trudged up the winding cloud ladder toward the sect gate. He was a handsome young man around fifteen or sixteen years old.Though dusty and covered in yellow soil, his eyes remained bright and spirited, every step light and agile. After a journey of ten thousand miles, he was exhausted, yet his bearing remained elegant.A gentle smile lingered on his lips. This was Li Tianming—the new disciple for whom the Six Swords of Mist had come to wait. Gazing at the serpentine cloud ladder and the distant hundred-zhang gate, listening to the melodic chimes drifting down from the peak, Li Tianming's spirit suddenly cleared.A bright smile spread across his face. "Huayan Sect… I have arrived!" Reaching the gate, he saw the six imposing, extraordinary figures of the Six Swords of Mist waiting for him.His smile grew even brighter. "Disciple Li Tianming pays his respects to all senior brothers!" Six pairs of sharp eyes scanned the polite, elegant, and gentle Li Tianming without reserve. "Junior Brother Tianming is indeed a hero among men, remarkable in appearance," praised Luo Renhuai. He then introduced the Six Swords one by one, before leading Li Tianming through the gate, up the hundred-step Summoning Platform, onto a flying boat, and toward the Inner Palace.