Chapter Twenty-Six: The Three Marvelous Realms

The first realm of cultivation is Internal Breath, the art of breathing. Through breath, one draws energy from the world and makes it their own. The more power one masters in the realm of Internal Breath, the easier it becomes to gain a head start on the path ahead.

The second realm is Blood Transmutation. The power awakened through breath comes and goes like the wind; if it cannot be stored, brief strength will only be followed by lingering hunger and exhaustion. Blood Transmutation is the refinement and elevation of Internal Breath. By storing the strength gained from breath within one’s blood, one accumulates power quietly, ready to unleash it in torrents. Only then can a cultivator be said to have stepped into a new domain.

Liuru achieved success in Internal Breath within just fifteen days, but it took her nearly half a year to complete the Blood Transmutation realm. While this speed would be considered miraculous for ordinary cultivators, by Su Ziye’s standards, it was nothing short of sluggish.

Today, Liuru was to bring this half-year’s slow grinding to its conclusion. The medicinal baths Su Ziye provided her may not have used the rarest ingredients, but their combined efficacy formed one of the finest prescriptions in this world. On one hand, they stimulated her body’s potential; on the other, they healed and mended her wounds. Day by day, Liuru had relied on these baths, breaking through one barrier after another, step by measured step, until she reached this moment.

Now, the blood in the young girl’s body was already boiling, her entire form tormented as if by searing fire. Still, she kept her eyes and lips tightly shut, focusing inward, following the methods Su Ziye had taught, single-mindedly channeling the wild energy swirling outside into her body.

But human strength has its limits. The Blood Transmutation realm tests the vessel’s capacity—whoever can contain the most power here will find their future path smooth and broad. Liuru absorbed energy almost to the point of madness; crimson blood began to ooze from her nose and mouth. Su Ziye, observing coldly from the side, quietly maintained the delicate balance around her, waiting for Liuru to ask for help.

If she asked, he would end the process. In truth, not all Blood Transmutation cultivators suffer so. Liuru was slightly older when she began her training, and Su Ziye, with his own plans, intended to shape her into a first-class cultivator. For this reason, she was destined to face harsher trials.

Of course, if Liuru could not endure, everything would come to naught.

Yet, it was precisely Liuru’s tenacious and unyielding spirit that had first caught Su Ziye’s notice.

One hour, two hours, three full hours passed.

At first, only blood dripped from Liuru’s nose and mouth, but in the end, every pore of her body began to seep blood, covering her completely in red. She sat cross-legged, a girl transformed into a blood-soaked figure, but not once did she make a sound.

Only her heartbeat echoed in the silence.

Then, as if an unbreakable lock had finally been opened, Liuru parted her lips and drew a long, deep breath.

As she inhaled, the blood coating her skin began to crawl, as though imbued with life, retracing its path and flowing back into her body.

When all was finished, Liuru slowly opened her eyes.

She saw Su Ziye watching her, applauding softly.

“Splendid,” Su Ziye said quietly.

“Have I broken through?” Liuru asked, curiosity in her voice. Her face was pale, and her words weak. Yet she knew she had never felt better. The power now slumbered within her, ready to surge forth at her command.

“Of course you have,” Su Ziye replied coolly. “And you’ve proven you possess the potential to break into the Three Marvels.”

“The Three Marvels?” Liuru echoed, intrigued.

“I’ve told you before,” Su Ziye said, “what you’re cultivating now is called the Realm of Investigation—seeking the utmost of your own potential. It has four stages: Internal Breath, Blood Transmutation, Meridian Shift, and Integration.”

“Internal Breath is the beginning, Blood Transmutation the foundation, Meridian Shift the transformation, Integration the culmination.”

“Many cultivators, not reaching Integration, rush upwards on shaky foundations, and the higher they climb, the harder they fall.”

“Integration means having mastered the previous three realms, fusing them together, and forging your own path.”

“Only after Integration can one touch upon the three Marvelous Realms: Pinnacle, Inner World, and Perfection.”

This was something Su Ziye had not explained before, so Liuru listened in silence, determined to remember every word.

“What’s different about them?” she asked.

Su Ziye smiled. “The essence of the Realm of Investigation is to temper the body. By the time one reaches Integration, even the most ordinary cultivator can wield three to five hundred catties of strength, or more. The truly exceptional, at Integration, command thousands of catties—such warriors are famed as invincible on the battlefield, their might built upon mastery of this realm.”

“Yet few know that, beyond Integration, the Marvelous Realms exist.”

“This is proof your potential has yet to be exhausted.”

“Of course, each person’s Marvelous Realms manifest differently. For example, my own path.” Su Ziye looked at Liuru, his tone calm. “After Integration, my physical strength was thirteen thousand catties. Yet, with potential untapped, I lingered in the Realm of Investigation, seeking further progress. Thus, after Integration comes the Pinnacle.”

“In the first Marvelous Realm, one gains a wondrous ability. My own is ‘Discernment of Words and Expressions.’”

“Discernment of Words and Expressions?” Liuru’s curiosity deepened.

“You’re disappointed it’s not a battle skill, aren’t you?” Su Ziye chuckled. “The best ability is always the one that suits you. To discern words and expressions means you can glean more information from others’ faces and mannerisms—not only in daily dealings, but also in combat. By observing your opponent’s micro-expressions, you can judge their state, allowing you to know yourself and your enemy, remaining undefeated.”

Liuru nodded.

“After the Pinnacle, there is nowhere higher, so one must seek in all directions, forming one’s own domain—this is the Inner World.”

“In the Inner World realm, one establishes a sect, becomes a grandmaster.”

“At this stage, the ability I gained was an advanced form of Discernment, called ‘Empathic Perception.’” The youth smiled. “You might call it mind-reading.”

“Of course, it’s not true mind-reading, but I can clearly sense others’ emotions.”

“Expressions and movements can deceive, but emotions do not. By reading others’ feelings and intentions, and combining this with Discernment, I can grasp their state of mind.”

“Just like that first time you met me,” Liuru interjected.

“You once said: ‘I only found you interesting. In my eyes, you were shouting for death while wailing to be saved. I found it amusing, so I decided to spare you.’” Liuru recalled.

Su Ziye shook his head with a smile. “You have a good memory.”

“I remember every detail since then,” Liuru insisted.

“Yes,” Su Ziye acknowledged. “That is one application of Empathic Perception.”

“As an extension of this sense, I can subtly implant psychological suggestions in others—calming, inciting, agitating, or intimidating them as needed.” He spoke without reservation.

“And what of the Perfection realm?” Liuru could not help but ask.

Su Ziye regarded her with a faint smile. “Perfection means flawless completion—unique in a million.”

“And yes, I have attained Perfection.”

“My ability at this stage is—”

“Perfect Impersonation.”

He gazed at Liuru, his expression serene.