74:

In the soul space, the rules were different.

As it turned out, pain was a function of the body. From what Xiao Feng understood, the Dantian was a meta-physical organ, one that belonged to both the body and the soul. The pain he was feeling had stemmed from his body, a warning not to push his Dantian beyond its limits.

A warning that Xiao Feng could choose to ignore.

Sitting on a small, grassy knoll in his college campus, Xiao Feng sat next to his predecessor as they both observed his form, sitting cross-legged within the cultivation chamber, or rather, the venous structure comprised of meridians, acupuncture points and his dantian.

To look inwards and monitor the venous structure while cultivating was a drain on his focus and mental fortitude. Now though, as he looked upon his body in third-person, watching as his dantian flooded his upper body’s meridians, the constant demand on his attention was replaced by a scientific curiosity.

It was far easier to direct the steam of Qi to his lower body’s meridians when he could dedicate his entire attention to the task without being held back by an apprehension of pain that he knew would normally follow.

The weight of filling his meridians to the brim was not something that Xiao Feng could avoid, because Qi resided in the soul. His arms and legs felt like lead, his entire body feeling like it wanted to collapse onto itself.

Yet, Xiao Feng found it far easier to bear than before, because he could think clearly, his Qi flowed more smoothly than ever and most of all, what had felt like an unattainable goal now seemed like it was well within the realm of possibility.

He willed the Qi back into his Dantian, completing a cycle without having the air knocked out of his lungs.

“Some would consider this a dishonorable way to cultivate,” His predecessor remarked as he watched Xiao Feng commit to a second cycle immediately after the first.

“You know, there is a saying in my old world,” Xiao Feng replied without looking away from the three-dimensional picture of his body that had been overlaid upon the college campus’ grounds.

“Pray tell,” His predecessor replied, a note of curiosity in his tone even though he had seen many of Xiao Feng’s memories.

“There is no honor among thieves and body snatchers,” Xiao Feng replied, a smirk playing upon his lips.

“Is that really a— No. You jest,” His predecessor replied, with a harrumph following.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

“Actually, it is. Well, partly,” Xiao Feng revealed with a chuckle, only for his smile to freeze as the weight of filling his upper body’s meridians with Qi weighed down upon him. “So…,” Xiao Feng said, taking a few moments to catch his breath before continuing, “What do you think?”

“Two answers,” His predecessor smoothly replied, as if he had pre-empted the question. “Had you asked my past self, I would’ve told you that shortcuts on the path of ascension would catch up to you. Power without will is like a deadly blade with an inept wielder, one bound to crumble under the might of the heavens.”

“What about now?” Xiao Feng croaked out, as his meridians reached full-capacity and were now being pushed beyond their limits.

“Now, I would say it would be foolish to deny a path to power naught knowing where its threshold lies. The Azure Lotus Sect lied to me about much and my own pursuit of power led me to become an unwitting sacrifice to another’s cause. No, to seek power means craving it. Only when you crave it do you realize its capabilities. The method you have discovered could be one amongst thousands that I have been unwitting of. Pursue it and see for yourself.”

“Like I have a choice,” Xiao Feng replied with a chuckle. “For you it might be one of many paths, but for me, it’s the only realistic way I’ve got,” He said, before willing all the Qi that had been building up in his meridians back into his dantian in one flush motion.

Fifteen cycles.

From four to fifteen cycles in a single cultivation session. That was how much Xiao Feng had improved after he entered the Soul Space to cultivate.

And he felt like he could keep going, even if his clothes back in the real world were drenched in sweat and his heart felt like it was pacing at the pace of a runaway horse.

“That’s enough,” His predecessor declared, an air of finality to his tone.

Xiao Feng blinked, then turned to face his predecessor.

“Why?” He asked.

“Return to your body,” His predecessor replied with a shake of his head.

Xiao Feng locked eyes with his predecessor, but his visage revealed nothing.

That was not a good sign.

In for a penny, in for a gold tael, Xiao Feng thought, before taking the plunge.

Everything hurt. Every single bone in his body hurt and it took all he had not to thrash around like a newly born infant. His nerves were flared and his soul felt like it had suffered through continuous days of manual labour.

He hurriedly and equally shamelessly retreated to the soul space.

“You knew this was going to happen,” Xiao Feng declared as soon as he returned to his predecessor’s side.

“I had my suspicions,” His predecessor calmly replied, sipping on a cup of chai that had certainly been pulled out of Xiao Feng’s memories.

“You– ugh,” Xiao Feng grunted in defeat, before wearily asking, “What happens if I just stay in here to recover?” He clearly asked, refusing to walk into any more surprises.

“That will not work,” His predecessor clearly replied, dampening the last of his hopes. “Your soul needs rest to recover. If you continue staying here, it will be forced to remain awake, in a way. Delaying it will only harm you.”

“Why couldn’t you have told me all this earlier, again?” Xiao Feng asked, before sighing out loud.

“That would’ve defeated the purpose of your attempt, would it not?” His predecessor pointedly asked.

“You cultivators are terrifying,” Xiao Feng replied, accepting defeat as he returned to the real world.