The intelligence Zhao Xuanqi had secretly passed on was quickly disseminated among the various sects of Heqing Dao overnight. Under the coordination of the Celestial Net Department's Heqing Dao Garrison Command, they immediately began searching for survivors of the previous incident within each sect to verify the information.
Everything was proceeding with intense urgency. The dissemination of this intelligence was bound to stir up new trouble among the various sects.
However, Zhao Xuanqi, the instigator of all this, was unaware of these developments. After sending the report, he had stealthily returned to the new disciples' residence as quickly as possible and gone back to his room.
Inside his room, he sat in silent meditation, focusing his mind and sensing his surroundings. An hour later, having confirmed that nothing was out of the ordinary, he finally relaxed his concentration.
He knew this method of passing intelligence was not very sophisticated and worried that an expert in Guming County might pick up his trail. After all, the various skills and methods in this world were bizarre beyond imagination; he had no way of knowing if he would be exposed.
It seemed things had gone smoothly. If such methods did exist, an hour would have been more than enough time for them to pinpoint his location.
Assured that he was not in immediate danger, Zhao Xuanqi relaxed slightly and began to consider his next steps.
'In a short time, I've finished cultivating the Fierce Soaring Two Stances and reached the peak of Cross-Training. Combined with the Golden Fire Heavenly Ding Skill, my power should have taken a qualitative leap. Yet, even with all that, I still couldn't resolve this incident. It might be because the source is too powerful, but it's more likely that it recovers very quickly after feeding on blood. I'm growing, but so is it. Therefore, to eliminate it quickly, I need the various sects to get involved.'
'Yes, I need to keep improving my strength. I've already reached the peak of Cross-Training. The next step should be to start practicing the Black Tortoise Gangsha. But I have less than three days, and I can't easily take time off without arousing suspicion. My progress won't be fast. I wonder if I can even complete the training for Internal Organs Resonating...'
Zhao Xuanqi weighed his options. He wasn't prepared to expose himself unless he had no other choice. The bizarre abilities and methods of this world were beyond his imagination. Even at his peak in his past life, he wouldn't dare claim he could contend with this world's top experts.
Through subtle inquiries over this period, he had come to a rough understanding of this world's cultivation hierarchy.
Below the Innate realm, there were three stages: Blood Strengthening, Refining the Internal Organs, and the Sensing realm. All of them were fundamentally related to the physical body. The specific divisions were actually quite similar to the realms of the Martial Arts Secret Transmission, though there were some differences.
For example, in the realm divisions of the Secret Martial Dao, once the body was fully honed, one reached the peak of Cross-Training. The next stage was the realm of Inner Cultivation.
But this world was different. They didn't have a distinct realm for the Internal Organs Resonating stage. The sign of entering the Refining the Internal Organs realm was opening the Mystic Gate of any one of the five major organs, which was roughly equivalent to the Five Qi Mysterious Realm of the Martial Arts Secret Transmission. The Internal Organs Resonating stage was actually considered part of the Blood Strengthening realm.
After all, the Primordial Qi Vibration of the True Essence Skill could effectively stimulate the entire body, maximizing the enhancement of one's Blood Qi.
Once one's Blood Qi was enhanced to a certain level, the internal organs would naturally be strengthened as well, achieving an effect comparable to the Internal Organs Resonating stage in the Secret Martial Dao.
In fact, by relying on the gradual progression of the True Essence Skill, people of this world could complete the initial strengthening of their internal organs much more easily. It was unlike his past life, where one had to painstakingly fumble their way forward, strengthening their physical control with the caution of someone walking on thin ice.
The transition from the Cross-Training to the Inner Cultivation stage had stumped countless people.
This was a result of the differing power and intensity between the two worlds.
Of course, at this stage, the masters of the Secret Martial Dao from his past life had far greater fine control over their bodies than the people of this world.
With great effort comes great reward.
Therefore, although Zhao Xuanqi had reached the peak of Cross-Training, by this world's standards, he had not yet actually reached the peak of the Blood Strengthening realm.
If He Xijun were to learn this fact, one could only wonder what she would think.
'In any case, I need to complete the Internal Organs Resonating stage as soon as possible.'
Zhao Xuanqi slowly rose to his feet. He began to assume the Turtle and Snake Form of the Black Tortoise Gangsha, using the Six-layered Training Method to enhance his strength. He used his extremely powerful control to suppress any noise generated by his cultivation as much as possible.
WHOOSH!! HISS!!
WHOOSH!! HISS!!
Even though he was doing his utmost to suppress the noise, rhythmic breathing sounds still emanated from Zhao Xuanqi's room. However, any disciple passing by wouldn't find it too strange; they would simply remark to themselves that Zhao Xuanqi's snores were exceptionally loud.
...
...
The next day, after being verified by all relevant parties, the intelligence Zhao Xuanqi had sent was compiled and delivered to the South Mansion Garrison Command. It landed in the hands of Yang Zhongyuan, the Governor of the Celestial Net Department for Heqing Dao.
"Evil Spirit Codename: Ghost City in the Dream... So that Evil Cultivation incident in Guming County was never fully resolved? To think that even a 'Realm' was left behind, and it's become even more secretive and has a wider range of influence?"
Yang Zhongyuan's expression grew solemn.
This meant that if the phenomenon was given enough time, it would likely recover to an extremely high level, surpassing a Grade-A Evil Affliction and perhaps even evolving to a level higher than before.
After all, the fundamental nature of an Evil Cultivation event was of an extremely high order; with just a little time to fester, it could become a major catastrophe.
"Yes. Judging by the current rate of spread of this Ghost City in the Dream, we probably don't have much time. We must deal with it as quickly as possible. Furthermore, the resurgence of this Realm is quite peculiar. Back then, we conducted a thorough investigation. The incident was only closed after we confirmed the root of the Evil Cultivation had been eliminated."