Chapter 24: Breaking Through the Realm
Han Su, a dew that truly lived up to its name.
When consumed, besides the usual cool and sweet characteristics of spirit dew, it also had a bit of a crisp texture.
It was like eating ice cream with a crispy coating.
The taste was quite wonderful.
What was even better was the sense of clarity that washed over his soul after drinking it; the energy was hazy and cool, like... being wrapped in moonlight without harming his internal organs.
Fu Shaoguang experienced it as he ate. After finishing the spirit dew, he lay flat on the ground to receive the Earthly Qi while vibrating his wings to draw in the lunar essence.
On the first of the month, the moon is hidden; on the second, it is but a sliver.
The moon shouldn't have been visible tonight.
Therefore, this moon-sighting would soon vanish.
This moon was precious, appearing only once a year.
He had to seize the opportunity to achieve a Breakthrough.
His mind sank into his insect body, mobilizing the flow of energy to merge with the lunar essence and rush toward the Yin Aperture.
The Nine Heavens of cultivation correspond to the nine apertures of living beings.
Those with nine apertures find cultivation easy.
Those without nine apertures must first condense them.
The nine apertures consist of the Three Dantians, Three Passes, and Three Apertures.
The Third Heaven of the Art Realm requires opening the Lower Dantian, Yin Aperture, and Weilü Pass in sequence to allow energy to flow and converge.
The Yin Aperture is located between the two 'yin,' equivalent to the Huiyin point. Generally, any creature with a reproductive System has this aperture, even if reproduction and excretion share the same organ.
Fu Shaoguang definitely, certainly, and absolutely had one.
After all, male insects view the continuation of their race as their sole glory.
Whenever there is a female, they will swarm her.
Guiding the energy to the ninth segment of his abdomen and pinpointing the aperture, he performed the Flowing Light Technique.
After over a month of hard research, this technique had already incorporated the characteristics of the Mirage Technique, becoming Fu Shaoguang's own technique.
Now, it revealed its power.
A hazy moonlight rippled across the three-inch Mayfly's body, all of it surging into the ninth segment of his abdomen, making the Yin Aperture become transparent.
If not for his own sensation, he would have thought it had vanished.
Under the Flowing Light Technique, the barriers of the Yin Aperture crumbled inch by inch, and energy slowly flooded into it.
The night sky was deep and dark.
The crescent moon gradually faded.
Fu Shaoguang also successfully broke through the Realm.
As the energy flowed between his Lower Dantian and the Yin Aperture, forming an initial connection, his aura gradually grew stronger.
Finally, he shattered his shackles and welcomed a complete sublimation.
His translucent, plain white insect body became even more clear and clean, possessing a nobility that seemed untainted by dust, like a snow lotus blooming in the cold amidst the snow on a mountain peak, or a gurgling clear stream in a quiet, unpolluted valley.
Fu Shaoguang immersed himself in it, carefully contemplating and experiencing the feeling. This unspeakable beauty of breaking through the Realm was addictive to an insect.
The east grew white with dawn.
A wisp of purple Qi from the morning glow entered the insect's body.
After refining it, his Realm stabilized. Fu Shaoguang woke up, his wings vibrating as he let out a laugh.
His voice was clear and magnetic, like the sound of jade breaking on Mount Kun.
This was his own voice.
Without that slight sense of discordance that came after consuming the Hundred-Tongue Grass.
Comfortable, natural, and smooth!
Refining the transverse bone.
This was one of the signs of a minor demon in the Second Heaven of the Technique Realm.
Immediately after breaking through the Realm, Fu Shaoguang did this, saving himself an expense from then on.
Gazing at the morning clouds and sunrise, his compound eyes shone as if filled with starlight, brimming with hope and light.
Not only because he had become stronger, but also because Fu Shaoguang had successfully extended his lifespan, moving further away from a natural death:
His initial lifespan was three years.
Upon entering the First Heaven of the Art Realm, it increased to six.
Now, with the Breakthrough, it doubled, increasing to twelve.
Even though three years had passed, he still had nine years to live. Adding the one year of extended life, that made ten years.
During this time, he might even be able to take another step forward.
With his mind set, Fu Shaoguang was in high spirits. A strong sense of hunger hit him, and he flew into the kitchen.
Lighting the fire, boiling the dew, adding spirit honey, and pouring in spirit rice, his movements were practiced. After simmering for half an hour, white steam rose, and a pot of fragrant spirit rice porridge was ready.
Waiting for it to cool, Fu Shaoguang flew into the pot and comfortably swallowed and sucked. The rice porridge was soft and glutinous, tasting sweet in his mouth.
A gentle energy nourished his insect body.
This was basic dietary nourishment.
Breaking through the Realm required a lot of energy; simply drinking dew could no longer satisfy his needs. He had bought the spirit rice from an Ox Demon a month ago. One tael of spirit rice cost five wen. In a rare display of extravagance, he had haggled and spent forty-eight wen to stock up on a jin, which he ate daily mixed with spirit honey.
He ate until he was seventy percent full.
Fu Shaoguang basked in the winter sun in the south room.
He thought of nothing and did nothing, emptying himself and enjoying the moment to the fullest.
The bright winter sun rises, shining on the southern corner of my house.
Sitting with eyes closed, basking in the warmth, a harmonious Qi arises in my skin.
At first, it's like drinking fine wine, then like a hibernating creature waking up.
Externally melting, the insect body is at ease; internally comfortable, not a single thought remains.
Vast and open, forgetting where I am, my heart is one with the Void Realm.
The whole insect was like he was possessed by Lan Yangyang.
Perhaps this was the so-called Breakthrough sequela.
There were always some confusing behaviors that went against biological habits.
After all, he usually preferred damp and cool environments, similar to the preferences of fungi.
After a cup of tea's time.
The sunlight gradually grew stronger.
Fu Shaoguang opened his eyes and flew back into the house.
From the corner of his compound eyes, he caught sight of the long zither. With a thought, he turned and landed on the body of the instrument. Moving all six legs, he jumped and plucked the strings.
The strings vibrated, producing sound.
Perhaps it was because he was in a good mood.
Perhaps he had accumulated enough.
Perhaps his outstanding Comprehension Ability was at work.
Or perhaps it was all of the above.
In short, Fu Shaoguang's playing this time was different from before. There was a significant change; the sound was no longer ear-piercing but had a rhythm, and he even managed to play a complete little tune stumbling through it.
After finishing the piece, his confidence surged.
Plucking the strings to play again, he was like a snow elf dancing across the long zither. The music became smoother and smoother.
His wings vibrated along with the melody.
His three tail filaments swayed with the rhythm.
After performing it three times, Fu Shaoguang stopped. The whole insect was in a state of excitement, as if he had caught the scent of pheromones.
I've realized it!!!
He had gained a deeper understanding of the zither.
At dusk, the Cicada Demon appeared on time.
"You've had a Breakthrough!"
Seeing the change in Fu Shaoguang, he was quite surprised. Then he vibrated his wings in congratulation, looking even happier than Fu Shaoguang himself.
"By the Empress's grace, I was lucky enough to achieve a Breakthrough."
said Fu Shaoguang. Although there was an element of trying to please Empress Yuli, it was also the truth.
The Cicada Demon vibrated his wings, even more delighted.
"Then do not forget the Empress's kindness."
Fu Shaoguang nodded, "Of course!"
Although the twelfth lunar month had passed, the weather was still freezing. In the room, the firelight flickered, dispelling the chill.
After listening to Fu Shaoguang play the zither, the Cicada Demon fell silent. After a moment, he sighed with emotion, "Back then, it took me three months to reach your current level."
Then, Dan Gui said excitedly:
"Demon Friend Fu, your talent in the Dao of the Zither is outstanding. In time, you will surely become a great talent. The Empress has high hopes for you. I will also adjust the lesson plan next to be more rigorous with you. If we work together with one heart, we will surely fulfill the Empress's trust."
Fu Shaoguang: (-'`-)
"Demon Friend Dan, I've heard that balancing work and rest yields the best results. I've studied hard for a month, exhausting my mind and soul to achieve today's success. Now, my spirit is weary and my strength spent. Why not rest for a few days to recover our spirits before practicing the zither again? It might even lead to twice the result with half the effort."
Dan Gui, who had been as excited as if he'd taken a worry-forget pill, paused. The cicada's skin turned from green to red, and he vibrated his wings in apology:
"Demon Friend Fu is absolutely right. It was my lack of consideration; I was too eager for success. I hope you can forgive me."
"Demon Friend Dan only wanted to give the Empress an answer as soon as possible. If I were in your place, I would have done the same. This is only natural for a demon."
"Thank you for your understanding, Demon Friend. We shall rest for two days, and both of us can take some time to adjust."
"That would be excellent!"
Fu Shaoguang was overjoyed.
It's the New Year; who wants to study?
Being able to relax for two days was wonderful.
No matter how much he wanted to cling to the Empress's favor, he had to look after himself first.
At the crack of dawn, the Cicada Demon left.
Flying out of Ankang Alley, he turned to look back at the Ancient Pine Courtyard with complex emotions. He had lied to Fu Shaoguang.
In the past, it had only taken him two months to learn the zither.
He said that to encourage Demon Friend Fu.
After all, the hope for the Dan family to return to the Empress's service rested on Fu ShaoguanNext Chapter »g.
Headmaster Ji Mo had finally given them a chance; he had to seize it no matter what.
"Demon Friend Fu, I will certainly teach you everything I know."
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