Chapter 59: The Crane's Cry and the Immortal Needle
Dawn broke, and the world was already bright.
Within the thatched cottage, spiritual energy converged and dispersed in a rhythmic pattern, ebbing and flowing with an unseen resonance.
“This Minor Formless Sutra truly is profound.”
Slowly exhaling a breath of white mist that lingered three feet before fading, Jiang Chen opened his eyes. After a night of cultivation, he had already begun to grasp the mysteries of the Minor Formless Sutra, and the true energy within him had been transformed into genuine Formless True Qi.
“With the Formless True Qi achieved, the next step is steady cultivation. However, if I wish to advance quickly, resources are of utmost importance. In an era when the world was saturated with spiritual energy, with my foundation of superior true energy, I could have secluded myself in the mountains and quietly breathed in the essence of nature. Now, that is no longer possible.”
A wisp of cloud-white true energy manifested in his palm, dispersing into mist, then gathering into cloud. Jiang Chen fell into contemplation.
After a moment, he took out his storage pouch and emptied all its contents.
Though Daoist White Crane had been a Qi-Refining cultivator who had lived for over a hundred years, he had left little behind. Aside from the Minor Formless Sutra and his cultivation insights, there was only a Qi-Refining-level inheritance technique called “Clear Wind Art,” a volume titled “Secret Records of Crane Rearing,” and two magical artifacts.
The “Secret Records of Crane Rearing” was a labor of love, born of his personal experience raising spirit cranes. As for the two magical artifacts, they were the Thousand-Crane Feather Robe and the Crane’s Cry Immortal Needle—each carrying its own mysteries.
The Thousand-Crane Feather Robe was crafted mainly from feathers of Qi-Refining-level white cranes, infused with twenty-four layers of magical seals. It could summon a protective breeze or let one ride the wind—making it a useful artifact for flight and escape, though the speed was not particularly fast.
The Crane’s Cry Immortal Needle was likewise forged from the beak of a Qi-Refining-level white crane, imbued with forty layers of magical seals. It could emit a crane’s cry to captivate the mind, pierce energy armor, and take lives. The two artifacts complemented each other and were well-suited for combat.
“Leaving aside the Clear Wind Art and the Secret Records of Crane Rearing, these two magical artifacts are quite useful to me—especially now. Even with an inheritance, it will take time to master the spells within. Though I have advanced in Qi Refinement, I do not yet truly possess the power of a Qi-Refining cultivator.”
He picked up the two magical artifacts, examining them closely. Jiang Chen was quite pleased.
According to Daoist White Crane’s notes, cultivators divided magical artifacts into superior, medium, and inferior grades, based on the number of magical seals they contained: artifacts with fewer than thirty-six seals were inferior, those with thirty-six to seventy-two were medium, and those with more than seventy-two seals were superior. This corresponded, in a way, to the cultivation stages of Qi-Refining disciples.
The Thousand-Crane Feather Robe, with its twenty-four seals, was an inferior artifact. The Crane’s Cry Immortal Needle, with forty seals, was a genuine medium-grade artifact. It was well known how difficult artifact forging was—many solitary Qi-Refining cultivators spent their lifetimes without ever owning a single magical artifact.
“Not bad at all. Though these two artifacts left by Daoist White Crane are no match for the Black Tiger Seal, the superior artifact left by the founder Black Tiger Sage, they are sufficient for me. After all, to wield an artifact freely requires constant nurturing with true energy and ritual refinement.”
True energy coursed through him as Jiang Chen began to gently attune and cleanse the two magical artifacts.
He had to admit, Daoist White Crane’s lineage once had a solid foundation—originally, there had even been a superior artifact. But magical artifacts were not indestructible; unless of extraordinarily high grade, they could not withstand the erosion of time. Their seals would break, their spirit would fade. By Daoist White Crane’s generation, the Black Tiger Seal had long since been ruined.
After a while, having established a faint connection with the two artifacts, Jiang Chen stopped.
“My superior true energy is abundant and enduring; it does give me an advantage in refining magical artifacts. With a few more days of cleansing, I should be able to leave my mark on these artifacts and begin using them.”
Satisfied with his progress, Jiang Chen nodded. Normally, refining magical artifacts was not so simple, but the quality of his true energy and the characteristics of Formless True Qi gave him a great advantage.
“Pity that Daoist White Crane was also poor, and left behind no resources for daily cultivation.”
Confirming that there were no spirit stones or spirit sand left in the storage pouch, Jiang Chen put everything away.
He could understand Daoist White Crane’s poverty. The environment in his time was even harsher than now, and he cultivated alone, using every bit of what little resources he gained—leaving nothing extra behind.
“When I have the chance, I might get involved in the affairs of the An family—there could be some decent gains.”
With this thought, Jiang Chen rose and walked out of the cottage. By then, Hongyu was already waiting outside with his washing things.
Despite their now-close relationship, she did not overstep her bounds. She saw herself as Jiang Chen’s personal maid, managing his daily affairs and easing his burdens wherever possible.
“Young master, you…”
As Jiang Chen stepped out, Hongyu’s face showed a mingled look of surprise and uncertainty. She had personally nurtured a strand of exotic true energy and was no stranger to its aura. At this moment, she sensed a similar energy in Jiang Chen.
Noticing this change, a certain thought arose in her heart, but she could scarcely believe it.
“I have indeed broken through to Qi Refinement.”
Seeing her thoughts, Jiang Chen answered directly, without concealment.
At his words, Hongyu was first startled, then overjoyed.
“Congratulations, young master! You have taken the first step on the path of ascension…”
Her spirits surged, and for a moment, Hongyu could not contain herself.
She had always known Jiang Chen’s potential was remarkable, and that breaking through to Qi Refinement was almost inevitable. But she had never imagined he would achieve it so quickly.
That wisp of true energy she had nurtured and given him was only of limited benefit, since Jiang Chen lacked the An family’s secret arts and had not drained her completely. At most, he could have received half the advantage. Even among the An family, when aided by exotic true energy, a breakthrough would take at least a year.
By comparison, Jiang Chen’s progress was astonishingly swift.
Looking at Hongyu, Jiang Chen was not surprised. He knew that, deep down, she was always uneasy and lacked a sense of security.
“Qi Refinement is only the beginning. Cultivate well. Once you reach full spiritual sense, I will give you a treasure to aid in Qi Refinement.”
After a moment’s thought, Jiang Chen spoke.
Hongyu’s talent was not outstanding, but it was adequate—she possessed a three-inch spiritual aperture. Moreover, the An family had often given her spiritual medicines, most of which had been used to nurture her true energy, but she had benefited somewhat herself. With diligent cultivation, she still stood a chance of reaching Qi Refinement.
Hearing this, Hongyu was momentarily stunned. She had not expected Jiang Chen to help her achieve Qi Refinement; a flurry of emotions—anxiety, gratitude, relief, joy, and thankfulness—surged in her heart. Before she could respond, Jiang Chen had already drifted away.
He was never stingy with those close to him. Moreover, Hongyu was not just a trusted servant, but also his companion—if she applied herself, he did not mind giving her a push at a critical moment.