The twelfth meridian was the hardest one to clear. It took Jiang Tao about three weeks to accomplish; the last of his impurities flowed out of him like a waterfall according to Master Yao who had witnessed it.

He had to use a rock to scrub the grime that coated his body, he pretty much scraped his skin raw but that was a small price to pay for the feeling of cleanliness that followed.

The breakthrough itself was wondrous, having all twelve meridians open felt like nothing he had ever expected. His body resonated with the harmonious flow of the essence of the world, he was finally aligned with the path to immortality. Qi could finally flow through his being free and impeded.

Tao felt his cultivation base solidify, his power surged to new heights. The sensation was nothing short of exhilarating.

The external changes were pretty sweet as well, he wasn’t a bad looking guy before but now everything was subtly fixed; he was more symmetrical? It was weird but it explained why he had never seen an ugly cultivator.

He stood at the precipice of the foundation realm, but it was not yet time to advance. Regardless of it being a rather common achievement by most cultivators. For Jiang Tao, it was monumental.

Still having all twelve unlocked within six months of starting his cultivation journey was incredible according to Master Yao who said it had taken him a year and five months to achieve it and he was considered a major talent in his time.

"Your progress is remarkable, Jiang Tao," Master Yao had said, his voice tinged with a mix of pride and wistfulness. "You remind me of a different time, a different student."

The man's face was pretty melancholy when he expressed his admiration for Jiang Tao's swift progression, something he chalked up to nostalgia for the previous cohort.

Likely thinking of Zhang Yuhan's uncle in particular, who was cut down by his ascendant brother, the Emperor at the culmination of the imperial sect's purpose—a point that Jiang Tao was slowly marching toward himself as a disciple of the imperial sect.

To be an inner disciple of the Celestial Illumination Sect meant stepping into a perilous legacy that hinged on luck and might.

The path ahead was perilous, but he had died once before and was allowed to be reborn. Whether or not it was a cosmic fluke, he would make sure he realized his potential and would gladly cut down anyone who stood in his way.

___________________________________________________________________________

It was four days after his breakthrough that he stood before Master Yao Xiang, ready to carry out his final tasks and delve into learning formations. The elder cultivator, with his weathered face and piercing eyes, regarded Jiang Tao with a mixture of expectation and solemnity.

“And so we begin…” Master Yao Xiang intoned with a sense of finality. “For your last task, you will have to find a medium, something that conducts qi excellently”

Jiang Tao's mind raced as tried to think of something that would prove to be a suitable medium. Were all things in this world not made of qi? It was the essence of everything.

"All things in this world are made of qi," Jiang Tao murmured to himself, recalling the teachings of Elder Yan Ming. "It’s the essence of everything..."

Master Yao Xiang nodded slightly, acknowledging Jiang Tao's words. "Indeed, young disciple. Qi permeates all existence, but some substances are more attuned to its flow than others.”

His thoughts turned inward, contemplating the myriad materials he had encountered during his travels through the Howling Valley Territory. Many substances could conduct qi, but to find one perfectly suited for his task to be used as a paint-like substance required deeper insight.

Then, a realization struck him. Humans stood preeminent amongst the creatures of the earth and were the most suited to pursuing the immortal path.

He couldn't help but frown at the answer he came up with.

"Asking master, is it blood?" He asked.

Master Yao Xiang's expression remained impassive, his eyes fixed on Jiang Tao as if assessing the depth of his understanding.

"Indeed, blood is a potent medium. Worry not, it is not human blood we seek, though potent, it is a path not suited for you. Instead, we seek that of monkeys," Master Yao Xiang replied with a nod, his expression remaining impassive.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Relief flooded Jiang Tao as Master Yao Xiang clarified. The thought of using human blood had sent a chill down his spine, he wanted to advance his abilities but using people like that felt too nefarious for him.

Monkeys though? Humans of this world were created if legends were to be believed and shared no common lineage with common creatures like monkeys. So why monkeys? What set them apart from other animals?

Master Yao sensing his inquiry answered. “The monkeys descend from a tribe of demons that lived in the valley before the dominion claimed it and expelled all demons from their lands,”

"Demons?" Jiang Tao asked, his curiosity piqued.

His knowledge of demons was pretty sparse. The books back at the sect were vague or didn't expand on them, probably reserved for higher levels. All he knew was they were a sapient race that looked like animals.

“Indeed, a tribe of howler monkey demons, which lend their name to this land,” Master Yao Xiang said, not bothering to explain anymore.

Huh… Howling Valley territory, neat. He thought nodding at the revelation.

“One body should suffice, the task should not give you trouble, the creatures are mortal not spirit beasts,” Master Yao further clarified.

Jiang Tao nodded thoughtfully, absorbing Master Yao's instructions. Retrieving a dead monkey seemed straightforward enough, especially given his recent experiences.

As Master Yao continued to explain the task, he mentally mapped out his approach. He would venture into the depths of the valley, locate a suitable howler monkey, and respectfully procure its body.

"When you have retrieved the monkey's body, bring it back here," Master Yao instructed, his voice carrying a hint of expectation. "We will then proceed with your formations tutelage."

With a firm nod, Jiang Tao acknowledged his understanding.

“Understood, Master. Await my return.”

____________________________________________________________________________

The monkeys were remarkably easy to find. Their loud screeching howls could be heard for miles once he went deeper into the valley following the directions Master Yao had provided.

As he approached their territory, the canopy of ancient trees grew denser

Navigating through the dense undergrowth, Jiang Tao moved with quiet grace, his senses heightened.

He knew better than to underestimate the creatures of the Howling Valley Territory, even those that appeared mundane.

Soon, the telltale signs of their presence became apparent—a scattering of discarded fruit peels and the occasional glimpse of agile forms swinging through the trees above.

After what felt like hours of careful tracking, he spotted a lone howler monkey perched high in the branches, its fur a beautiful dark red.

The monkey seemed unaware of Tao's presence, engrossed in grooming itself with meticulous care.

With deliberate movements, Jiang Tao reached into his pack and withdrew a small offering—a handful of ripe fruits gathered earlier.

He approached the monkey slowly, ensuring his intentions were clear. As he extended his hand, the monkey glanced up, its eyes widening in curiosity and wariness.

"Peace, little friend," Jiang Tao murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "I mean you no harm."

The monkey chattered nervously but didn't flee. Tao maintained his calm demeanor, allowing the creature to sniff at the offered fruits.

Gradually, a sense of trust formed between them, a silent understanding that transcended words.

With practiced ease, he coaxed the monkey closer, his movements fluid and non-threatening.

He waited patiently until the monkey finally accepted the fruits, nibbling cautiously as it eyed him with a mixture of caution and curiosity.

Tao watched the monkey as it nibbled on the fruits, ensuring not to make any sudden movements that might startle it.

Trust was a fragile thing, and he knew that the slightest misstep could ruin the progress he had made. He remained still, allowing the monkey to finish its meal and grow more comfortable in his presence.

Once the monkey had eaten its fill, he slowly extended his hand again, this time empty, and the monkey reached out to touch his palm, its tiny fingers brushing against his skin.

Tao felt a pang of guilt for what he was about to do, but he steeled his resolve. This task was essential for his cultivation, and the sacrifice, while unfortunate, was necessary.

“Sorry little buddy” He muttered apologetically.

With a swift and practiced motion, Tao struck a vital point on the monkey's neck, ensuring a quick and painless end.

This was strangely easy… He mused.

The monkey slumped into his arms, its body limp. He took a moment to honor the creature's life, whispering a quiet apology.

Carrying the monkey's body carefully, Tao made his way back to the stone pavilion where Master

Yao Xiang awaited.

___________________________________________________________________________

Back at the pavilion, he exsanguinated the creature, collecting its blood in a hollowed-out stone vessel. Master then further refined it, concentrating and purifying it into a meager but potent amount, enough for the elders' ancient inkstone.

“Formations are a way to channel and harness the ambient qi that permeates our surroundings. They serve as tools to manipulate and direct this qi to achieve specific effects or enhance our abilities”

Jiang Tao listened intently, absorbing every word as he watched Master Yao Xiang meticulously prepare the refined blood.

The elder’s practiced hands moved with the precision of a master craftsman as he mixed the concentrated blood with other materials, creating a dark, shimmering ink.

The elder showed him how to use the ink to draw intricate patterns on a piece of stiff rawhide from the beasts he had slaughtered, his movements deliberate and fluid.

He observed the delicate brush strokes and the way the ink seemed to come alive as it touched the hide, glowing faintly as it absorbed the surrounding qi.

“These formations,” Master Yao Xiang explained, “are not merely artistic creations. They serve as conduits for qi, allowing us to direct and amplify its flow. The more precise and harmonious the formation, the more effective it will be. Excellent formations must be indistinguishable from the environment”

“This is the basic formation suitable for qi awakening disciple like yourself,” Master Yao Xiang said, guiding Tao’s attention to the complex array of symbols and lines taking shape on the hide.

“It channels and enhances the flow of qi in a controlled manner. With practice, you will change and create your own formations to suit your needs.”

Jiang Tao nodded, absorbing every detail. The patterns were beautiful, their complexity almost mesmerizing.

Master Yao continued, “Each symbol must be drawn with precision. Even a slight error can disrupt the flow of qi, rendering the formation vastly ineffective or even dangerous.”

Tao was eager to begin. He took the offered material from Master Yao and laid out the rawhide in front of him.

“Start by drawing the basic lines,” Master Yao Xiang instructed. “Focus on maintaining a steady hand and an even flow of ink.”

The task was challenging, requiring both concentration and patience. Jiang Tao could sense the qi being drawn into the formation as he worked, its flow becoming more pronounced with each line he completed.

Despite the difficulty, he found the process meditative, his mind focused solely on the task at hand.

After several hours of meticulous work, He stepped back from the rawhide to assess his creation.

The formation was not perfect, but it was a solid attempt. The lines were clear, and the pattern seemed to flow harmoniously. Master Yao Xiang inspected it with a critical eye.

“You’ve done well for your first attempt,” the elder said, a hint of approval in his voice. “Again.”