Chapter 26: Breaking Through
Xiang Yu gaped at his status screen, transfixed by the unexpected addition that had materialized among his stats. A new attribute—"Enlightenment"—now displayed beneath his other characteristics, showing "Low (1/1000)". As with previous system features, understanding flooded his consciousness automatically, revealing its significance without need for explanation.
This Enlightenment stat represented exactly what he had been theorizing about: his fundamental comprehension ability. It measured his capacity to internalize cultivation principles and techniques, influencing both learning speed and the caliber of techniques he could master. The implications were staggering. Currently, only basic-level techniques remained within his grasp—his success with the Mountain Heart Scripture had been mere luck rather than capability.
But if this stat increased? High-level techniques would become accessible. Advanced methods would fall within his reach. Possibilities expanded before him like an unfurling scroll of limitless potential.
One solitary point—that’s what he had gained after countless hours of relentless practice. It wasn’t much, but cultivating natural talent was notoriously difficult. What mattered wasn’t the meager beginning but the foundation it represented. Even this single point had dramatically accelerated his comprehension speed, enhancing his technique mastery beyond normal expectations.
A grin spread across his face, excitement building as he projected future progress. If one point yielded such benefits, what would two points accomplish tomorrow? What about four the day after? Or a thousand? What if his Enlightenment advanced beyond "Low" classification?
His mind raced, mentally calculating exponential growth curves while saliva gathered at the corner of his mouth. The system would double this value just as it doubled all his other experience points—creating a progression that would eventually overcome even his lack of spiritual roots.
Abruptly, Xiang Yu caught himself, recognizing the dangerous path his thoughts were treading. Closing his eyes, he inhaled deeply, letting the cool night air fill his lungs as he centered his consciousness. With methodical precision, he recited personal affirmations that had become integral to his mental discipline—statements reinforcing his core principles and tempering unrealistic expectations.
This self-correction ritual had evolved into a crucial habit, preventing him from straying into the reckless optimism that destroyed countless cultivators. Only after completing these mental exercises did true calm settle over him. With renewed focus, Xiang Yu decided adequate rest would optimize tomorrow’s training. He retired to his humble dwelling, anticipating the system’s next doubling with cautious optimism.
From his private chambers, Elder Guo observed his disciple’s peculiar behavior with bewilderment. "What’s that kid so happy about?" he muttered, stroking his beard as he watched Xiang Yu’s expression transform from unbridled excitement to sudden sobriety. "Did he finally snap?"
The elder’s confusion deepened as he witnessed the abrupt emotional transition—jubilation vanishing completely, replaced by Xiang Yu’s characteristic composed demeanor. "What the hell? How does he change emotions so quickly?" The question lingered unanswered as the elder sighed heavily, these disciples truly tested his patience.
His attention shifted toward Li Yao’s quarters, where an unusual aura emanated with puzzling intensity. Something about it resembled the distinctive spiritual signature of Core Formation—but surely that was impossible. Shaking his head, Elder Guo chastised himself for such absurd speculation. How could she possibly be forming her Core when she had only recently broken through to Foundation Establishment?
"I must be getting old," he concluded, dismissing the anomaly as imagination born from exhaustion. With another resigned sigh, the elder returned to his cultivation, unaware of the extraordinary developments unfolding under his very roof.
...
Li Yao sat cross-legged in her chamber, maintaining the lotus posture with practiced precision as her face cycled through a kaleidoscope of expressions—concentration, frustration, impatience, and determination flickering across her features in rapid succession. The spiritual atmosphere within the room felt charged, heavy with potential energy waiting to be unleashed.
"Is it done yet?" she asked, her voice betraying her growing restlessness.
A translucent figure hovered nearby—the spectral manifestation of the empress’s remnant soul. Her ethereal hands moved through complex patterns, fingers tracing arcane symbols in the air as she manipulated invisible energies throughout the room.
[One second,] the empress replied, her movements continuing uninterrupted despite the interruption.
"How can you call yourself an immortal empress when it takes you this long just to set up a formation?" Li Yao pressed, unable to contain her impatience as anticipation built within her.
The empress’s spectral form flickered with momentary indignation. [Hmph! What do you know? If I was at my full power, I could set it up just by thinking about it,] she retorted, though her ethereal brow furrowed with concentration as she struggled with the intricate formation.
[Besides, it’s not that easy to set up a formation that can hide all the qi fluctuations that happen during Core Formation,] she added defensively, her spectral hands continuing their delicate work. Then, with a final gesture that seemed to lock something invisible into place, she announced: [Done! Happy now?]
"Finally," Li Yao exhaled, her body relaxing visibly as she prepared for the momentous transformation ahead.
Almost immediately, spiritual energy began converging within the room—streams of invisible qi flowing toward Li Yao like tributaries to a mighty river. The energies spiraled around her before being absorbed into her body with remarkable efficiency, each breath drawing more power into her expanding spiritual core.
The Qi Gathering stage represented merely the introduction to cultivation—the first tentative connection to spiritual energy that separated cultivators from mortals. Foundation Establishment followed, focusing on building the fundamental structures that would support all future advancement. This foundation wasn’t merely symbolic—it determined the stability and potential of one’s eventual Core.
Just as a tower’s height depended upon the strength of its base, cultivation progress built upon these early realms. A weak foundation might support advancement for a time but would inevitably lead to instability, bottlenecks, or even cultivation deviation as one ascended to higher realms. Regardless of how high one climbed, the journey always rested upon these initial stages.
The spiritual energy converged with increasing intensity, swirling around Li Yao in visible currents as she guided the volatile qi with masterful precision. Her body had depleted its stored energy attempting the breakthrough, yet still required more—much more—to complete the transformation. Like a spiritual vacuum, she drew in ambient energy from her surroundings, the formation barely containing the disturbance this massive absorption created.
Even with the empress’s intricate protective array, subtle fluctuations escaped containment. Li Yao’s foundation proved exceptionally robust, necessitating a correspondingly powerful core and demanding unprecedented quantities of spiritual energy. The empress found herself continuously reinforcing the formation, patching areas where the energy drain threatened to tear through her carefully constructed barriers.
She watched Li Yao with undisguised awe, admiration gleaming in her spectral eyes. Impressive. Such a strong foundation, she thought, comparing it favorably to her own legendary beginnings. It’s even better than mine was back in the day.
Pride swelled within the empress’s ethereal form as she observed her chosen vessel. With proper guidance, Li Yao wouldn’t merely serve as the means for her eventual revival—she might actually become a worthy successor, something the empress had sought fruitlessly throughout her long existence. The possibility sent a thrill of excitement through her spectral being as she continued maintaining the formation, protecting their secret transformation from prying eyes and curious elders.