The initial stage of true qi begins with it leaping within the dantian, like an infant, and this is called “fetal movement.” As long as one’s aptitude is not poor, and one is sincere and fortunate enough to receive orthodox instruction, this stage can be mastered within a year or so.

If one can use the nascent true qi to open the twelve main meridians and the eight extraordinary vessels, circulate it through all the body’s acupoints, and fill all 365 acupoints with abundant true qi, this is called “entering the acupoints.” This step also requires slow, steady effort: those with poor aptitude may take eight or ten years, while the talented may succeed in three to five. Achieving perfection in refining qi and entering the acupoints is considered the pinnacle among mortal martial artists, but on the path of immortality, it is only the beginning.

These first two steps, as long as one perseveres, will eventually bear fruit. Although David Stone was dull-witted, he cultivated diligently; his true qi had long since filled all 365 acupoints, and the Chicheng true qi he cultivated was pure and powerful, no weaker than any of his peers.

However, the stage of “sensing” cannot be passed unless one possesses extraordinary talent and a stroke of luck.

Chapter Four: The Four Innate Realms

Some people, upon mastering true qi entering the acupoints, can instantly attune themselves to the mysteries of heaven and earth, passing the sensing stage in a flash. If one’s talent is not so monstrous, breaking through this level in a few months or even years is still considered excellent aptitude. For those less gifted, even taking thirty or fifty years to pass this stage is still considered fortunate. As for those with even poorer talent, it is not uncommon to spend seventy or eighty years—or even a lifetime—without ever passing the sensing stage. Such people are often seen as having no hope in cultivation: they either remain at the sect doing menial work, or are sent down the mountain to manage mundane affairs for the sect.

Upon reaching the level of sensing the qi of heaven and earth, a cultivator can perceive changes in the weather: when clouds will gather, when rain will fall, winds from the east, snow from the north—these are sensed with a mere movement of the mind. One can even faintly grasp the mysterious and unpredictable future, sensing omens of disaster or fortune before they occur. For sects that focus on flying sword cultivation, reaching the stage of sensing the qi of heaven and earth is the true beginning of refining and controlling flying swords with ease.

Within the Daoist tradition, the fetal movement and entering the acupoints stages are collectively called “postnatal methods,” while the sensing stage is called “innate,” and is further divided into four minor realms: Yuqi (Controlling Qi), Tongling (Spirit Communication), Lianfa (Refining Methods), and Tianren (Unity of Heaven and Man). These four minor realms are collectively known as the Four Innate Realms, and there are clear distinctions between each stage.

As for the higher levels—Condensing Sha, Refining Gang, Forming the Elixir, and so on—these are already close to the realm of true immortals, far beyond ordinary mortals. This is one reason why the final stage of the Four Innate Realms is called “Unity of Heaven and Man.”

After Brian White received all of David Stone’s memories, he couldn’t help but want to experience what it truly felt like to be a sword immortal. He silently recited the Chicheng mental method in his mind several times, and to his surprise, it was unexpectedly easy: his true qi naturally broke through the barriers, dispersed into the world, and subtly connected with everything within dozens of miles around him. This effortless, natural breakthrough was completely different from the bitter struggle in David Stone’s memories, where he could never disperse his spirit into the world.

The whole world suddenly became vivid in Brian White’s mind. Even without using his eyes, he could sense the birds singing, the fragrance of flowers, the grass as soft as felt, ancient trees towering to the sky, everything thriving with vitality. All the lingering attachment to the past and anxiety about his new identity, accumulated from his transmigration, vanished without a trace.

With a soft shout, the unique true qi of the Chicheng Immortal Sect within him surged like the Yangtze River, circulating throughout his body. That inferior flying sword resonated with his true qi, just like when he controlled swords in “Shushan 2,” emitting a faint hum and transforming into a dim yellow beam of light several feet long, standing upright in the air.

Even the fierce winds high above could not shake Brian White’s seemingly dim sword light in the slightest; the sword light was straight as an arrow, steady as a rock.

Within the sword light, Brian White’s Chicheng true qi vibrated repeatedly, turning into layers of gentle force that neutralized the impact of the fierce winds. This was one of the sword-controlling techniques Brian White had mastered in “Shushan 2”—the most stable way to control a sword! Almost at the very instant he broke through the sensing stage, Brian White immediately broke through two more levels, crossing the Yuqi stage of the Four Innate Realms and stepping into the Tongling stage, barely able to activate the sword light.

“As expected, there’s nothing wrong with this formula. Why did that fool David Stone fail after thousands of attempts? If I had been the one cultivating, I’d probably have achieved unity with my sword and soared through the skies long ago. He actually wasted so much time on such an easy stage. No wonder his master looked down on him—he’s almost thirty and still doesn’t have a wife.”

That unlucky Chicheng disciple David Stone had cultivated with incredible diligence, paying a huge price in hardship and effort for every bit of progress, as if cultivation was impossibly difficult. In Brian White’s view, David Stone’s mind was like glue—there was no need to take so many detours; the straight path was right there! Yet he insisted on making unnecessary twists and turns, only to stumble in the end.

What Brian White didn’t realize was that he and David Stone had different experiences, and naturally, different mindsets.