Beast-Taming Cultivator from Two Realms

Chapter 2: Seventh Level of Qi Refining

The classroom was eerily quiet except for the faint sounds of writing.

Teacher Lei coughed twice and reminded, “There are thirty minutes left before the end of the exam. Please take the time to check your answers.”

Chen Beiwu frowned and sped up his answering pace.

“Ding-ling-ling!”

Soon, as the crisp bell rang out, Chen Beiwu happened to put down his pen.

He shook his dazed head, got up to hand in his paper, then braced himself on the desk and flipped over it, leaping out of the window under the astonished gazes of his classmates, and rushed swiftly toward the school’s cultivation chamber.

Chen Beiwu hadn’t lied to Teacher Lei.

Blessings and misfortunes often came together; although the earlier Great Sun anomaly was terrifying, it had also triggered progress in his previously stagnant Qi Refining cultivation.

“Look, someone’s flying in the sky!”

“Flying, my foot. Don’t make a fuss, that’s Senior Chen riding the wind.”

“Hiss... If I remember correctly, isn’t Senior Chen only sixteen this year?”

“No way, really? Riding the wind is a special art that can only be grasped at the Sixth Level of Qi Refining!” a student exclaimed, eyes full of longing as they watched Chen Beiwu’s figure sweep past, wishing they could trade places.

...

“Beep! Credits -10.”

After swiping his student card, Chen Beiwu walked quickly into a First-Class Upper-Grade cultivation chamber, sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and began operating the cultivation technique he had practiced for years—Ten Thousand Beasts Manual.

As one of the Four Foundational Techniques renowned across the Immortal Alliance, the Ten Thousand Beasts Manual held three major advantages.

First: The mana cultivated from the Ten Thousand Beasts Manual was upright and balanced, less prone to deviation, and wouldn’t affect the intelligence of companion beasts.

Second: The refined mana produced could be unconditionally transformed, preparing the cultivator for switching techniques in the future.

Third: The technique was divided into four realms—Initiate, Minor Achievement, Major Achievement, and Perfection. The higher the realm, the more terrifying the effects of the beast seal created.

In Immortal Alliance legends, a perfected beast seal of the Ten Thousand Beasts Manual could even awaken the bloodline of companion beasts, granting them incredibly powerful constitutions.

Therefore, this technique was widely spread within the Immortal Alliance; nearly three out of every ten students practiced it, and Chen Beiwu was no exception—he had even cultivated it to the Minor Achievement realm.

“Clatter!”

Sensing the restlessness of the mana within him, Chen Beiwu didn’t hesitate any longer. He pulled out a jade bottle from his robe and carefully retrieved a pill of intertwined blue and green.

This Clearwater Pill was a reward for being in the top three of his grade, valued at ten spirit stones.

Clearwater Pill: A First-Class Upper-Grade rare pill. After consumption, it strengthens the physique and stabilizes cultivation. When taken during a Qi Refining breakthrough, it stabilizes the soul and greatly reduces backlash from failure. (Effective only during mid-stage Qi Refining.)

Thinking of the importance of breaking through to the Seventh Level of Qi Refining, Chen Beiwu’s eyes sharpened as he threw the pill into his mouth to refine it.

Boom!

The moment the pill entered his mouth, a surge of boundless spiritual power erupted within his body.

To fully absorb the Clearwater Pill’s medicinal power, Chen Beiwu didn’t continue to meditate silently. Instead, he stood up and began performing the Ninth Set of Guiding Techniques taught in the Immortal Alliance High School.

Time passed, minute by minute. When Chen Beiwu completed the final guiding motion, the mana inside him, flowing like a stream, suddenly broke through a barrier and entered a new realm.

“I’ve finally reached the Seventh Level of Qi Refining!” Chen Beiwu opened his eyes, unable to hide his excitement.

Although the Seventh Level of Qi Refining was just a minor stage in the overall realm, it marked the watershed between mid-stage and late-stage Qi Refining.

Moreover, all students knew that whether in junior or senior high, as long as one broke through to the Seventh Level of Qi Refining before the age of eighteen, they could enjoy a special privilege granted only in public schools under the Immortal Alliance—applying to purchase or even loan a spirit beast from the Alliance.

Don’t underestimate this qualification. Ranked from Ordinary to Exotic to Spirit to Treasure Beasts, spirit beasts were rarely seen in the market and were treasures only eligible for purchase by Foundation Establishment cultivators.

In the era of the Immortal Alliance, the five essentials for cultivators were: Beasts, Wealth, Techniques, Companions, and Territory—none of which could be lacking. Among them, beasts ranked first, being both the foundation of cultivation and means of protection and attack.

The higher the bloodline level and potential of the initial contracted beast, the smoother the cultivator’s future path.

Conversely, a beast with low bloodline potential would make the already difficult path even more treacherous, even turning it into a dead end.

According to Chen Beiwu’s knowledge, some Qi Refining cultivators from ordinary families could only contract Exotic Beasts, leaving their cultivation stagnated at the Qi Refining stage.

But there were also some Qi Refining cultivators who refused to accept mediocrity. They enlisted in the army to open up new lands, risking their lives to seek the opportunity to contract Spirit Beasts—or even Treasure Beasts.

“Beep-beep!”

Just then, a notification sounded, and the spiritual energy in the chamber rapidly dissipated.

“So time’s up.” Chen Beiwu glanced at the time displayed by the door and reluctantly walked out of the cultivation chamber.

Spiritual energy was hard to come by. The concentration in a First-Class Upper-Grade cultivation chamber was almost double that of a Mid-Grade one and was helpful for breakthroughs, but it consumed too many credits.

Chen Beiwu occasionally used it for breakthroughs, but relying on it constantly would deplete his student card balance in no time.

“Eh! You actually broke through?”

Just as he stepped out, Chen Beiwu ran into classmate Xu Lingling, who had just finished cultivating. Her face was filled with surprise.

“That’s right.” Chen Beiwu nodded, not intending to hide anything.

The more talent he displayed, the more attention he would receive from the school leadership, which meant better rewards and resources. There was no need to hold back.

Xu Lingling stood frozen, not yet able to speak, while the students nearby, who had been quietly watching, gasped and revealed expressions of disbelief.

“Holy moly, a sixteen-year-old in the late stage of Qi Refining!”

Chen Beiwu was extremely handsome and had consistently ranked second in his grade. At Shouhe No.2 High School, he was extremely popular. The surrounding students recognized him at a glance.

What did the Seventh Level of Qi Refining at age sixteen mean?

The senior high division was a five-year program.

Now, it was just the beginning of his second year, with over three years left before the Immortal Exams.

If Chen Beiwu could maintain this pace, he might reach the Ninth Level of Qi Refining before the exams.

If luck was on his side, he might even leap over the dragon’s gate and get accepted into the Thirteen Immortal Sects!

At that thought, all the students around revealed eyes full of envy and jealousy.

They were also sixteen. They also came from humble backgrounds. Why had their realms stagnated at the Fifth Level of Qi Refining, while Chen Beiwu had surged ahead to the Seventh?

“Amazing!” Xu Lingling looked at Chen Beiwu’s tall, graceful figure and swallowed hard.

Noticing her own slip, Xu Lingling quickly changed the subject. “Right, the exam in Exotic Beasts class was really tough today, especially the tenth multiple-choice question. What did you choose?”

In a good mood, Chen Beiwu casually replied, “Did you forget? When in doubt, choose C.”

Xu Lingling’s face lit up. “Great! I used Six Yang Divination and picked the longest option.”

“That’s nice—congrats on getting it wrong. The correct answer was actually B.” Chen Beiwu turned and waved at Xu Lingling.

“I’ve got something to do. See you tomorrow.”

Due to the anomaly of the Great Sun earlier today, Chen Beiwu was now in a rush to return home and study. He had no mood for small talk.

Xu Lingling’s face fell. Speechless, she muttered, “Ugh, that’s not fair. Why do I always get it wrong when I divine!”