Chapter 84: Opening the Ten Acupoints

August, the heat was growing ever more intense. Two months had passed since the Taiping Sect was founded. In that short span, Taiping Sect had expanded rapidly, wielding honeyed dates in one hand and blades in the other, its roots burrowing into every corner of Qinghe County. Elsewhere, the Taiping Sect might have been little more than an obscure clan, but within the boundaries of Qinghe County, it had already become a dominant force.

This remarkable rise stemmed chiefly from the sect’s unorthodox approach, starkly different from other sects. It accepted all comers, imposed few restrictions, and was far less rigid than its rivals. With such policies, the Taiping Sect quickly drew over a thousand disciples, its momentum swelling. Among them were five top-tier martial artists from various backgrounds; second- and third-rate practitioners were even more numerous. Its influence soon surpassed the Drowning River Brigands, who had spent over a decade painstakingly building their presence.

Yet, while this approach fueled the sect’s rapid expansion, it also sowed seeds of hidden danger. Many of the martial experts who joined did so solely in pursuit of advanced techniques and demon pelts, not out of genuine loyalty to the Taiping Sect. Gathered by profit, they would disperse for profit as well. The sect’s current flourishing appearance was, in truth, nothing more than a vast alliance of interests. Jiang Chen cared little about this; he knew the fickleness of human hearts and preferred the tangible clarity of self-interest.

Any lurking threat could be easily suppressed so long as he remained strong enough. If he failed to maintain his own pace of advancement, then the Taiping Sect would not be worth preserving.

Within Muyu Island, in a secluded chamber, as the ambient spirit sand lost its luster and became ordinary gravel, Jiang Chen slowly opened his eyes.

“Two months spent, countless spirit sand consumed—at last, the true energy in my dantian aperture is complete.”

Sensing the changes within himself, Jiang Chen smiled.

Though the Taiping Sect had been lively these past months, he enjoyed tranquility, focusing wholly on cultivation. Mundane affairs were handled by his subordinates: internal matters were entrusted to Wang Yuan, external to Cao Banshan, and the strongest fighter, Skinny Monkey, oversaw the sect’s protection and trained new disciples.

Notably, during this period, the Taiping Sect had received five “spirit aperture” children: the youngest seven or eight, the oldest already thirty-three. Jiang Chen had examined them; their talents were average at best, most possessing only a one-inch aperture, the best barely two inches. Their path of cultivation would inevitably be arduous.

Because of this, these children were placed under Hongyu’s tutelage. Though her own cultivation was not high, she had received proper guidance and could teach newcomers the basics.

In all likelihood, these disciples would cultivate the Green Grain Technique and specialize in Small Cloud and Rain Arts, taking the path of spiritual agriculture. This lineage was not particularly powerful, but its low threshold, combined with An Jia’s farming experience, would be invaluable in managing the sect.

Currently, though Taiping Dao possessed four immortal cultivator lineages, only the Green Grain Technique and Earth Lung True Flame Scripture were actually taught openly. The latter was far more difficult and demanded higher talent, unsuited for ordinary people.

As for the Little Wuxiang Scripture and Yin Sha Corpse Refining Method, Jiang Chen had no intention of teaching them yet. The former had an extraordinary origin and was his main technique; recklessly spreading it might expose his own cultivation secrets—a risk he refused. The latter was too unconventional, ill-suited for the sect’s current state.

But if needed, Jiang Chen was not overly concerned about outside opinions; he could always repackage the techniques.

“Having filled my dantian aperture with true energy, my path of Qi Refinement has truly begun. Yet this is only the start.”

Turning his awareness inward, Jiang Chen’s expression grew solemn.

In the next instant, with a sweep of his sleeve, he summoned a fresh heap of spirit sand into the chamber. Though he had perfected one aperture, Jiang Chen had no intention of ending his seclusion yet.

“Strike while the iron is hot—let’s see how many apertures I can open this time.”

With that thought, his mind grew silent.

At this moment, the true energy within him began to transform, shifting from gentle mist into hidden, sword-like sharpness.

“Cut!”

Mind and energy united, Jiang Chen’s consciousness soared. In his vision, the human body became a sea of stars, each aperture a star; most dim, only the central dantian aperture shining brilliantly.

“Normally, opening an immortal aperture is a slow, grinding process. First, you must locate the point, then gradually wear away the barrier with true energy, eventually breaking through and lighting the aperture. It often takes years. But that method doesn’t suit me.”

With a single thought, Jiang Chen unleashed his Wuxiang true energy.

Whoosh—a sword unsheathed, cutting edge revealed. As his true energy roared, the invisible barrier shrouding the aperture was instantly severed, the radiance of true energy dispelling the gloom and lighting the point.

But this was not the end. After illuminating one aperture, Jiang Chen turned his gaze to others.

“Cut!”

With unbroken force, Jiang Chen struck down nine more swords.

As the blades flashed, nine apertures were lit, orbiting the dantian aperture like satellites, forming a network. Compared to the dantian’s brilliance, their light was faint and insubstantial.

“This is my current limit. In the end, my foundation is still a bit thin.”

Sensing his Wuxiang true energy waning, Jiang Chen did not force himself further. Ten apertures opened in succession—already a fine result; there was no need to overreach.

In truth, such progress was unimaginable for ordinary Qi Refinement cultivators. For them, opening a single aperture would exhaust all their strength. Jiang Chen’s effort in a single breath equaled their ten years of toil. Sometimes the difference between people was greater than that between man and beast.

Exhaling, Jiang Chen calmed his mind, suppressing his mental fatigue, and once again began to circulate the Little Wuxiang Scripture.

At that moment, spiritual energy surged, flooding into his body like mist, transforming into true energy to fill the newly opened apertures.

Normally, a Qi Refinement cultivator would fill one aperture before attempting to open another. Jiang Chen was a true anomaly, thanks to the superior quality of his true energy. If ordinary true energy was water, needing momentum to break through, his was a sword, able to cut through any obstacle by virtue of its nature. Moreover, Jiang Chen possessed a powerful spirit, fully unleashing the sword’s potential.

Time passed in silence. Jiang Chen’s cultivation advanced visibly. Soon, he would possess the true energy of eleven apertures. Once the apertures were opened, filling them with true energy was a far simpler task.