[Beep! Host Has Successfully Breakthrough! Congratulations! You Have Reached Body Transformation Stage 1!]

Jiufeng opened his eyes and clenched his fist. He felt that his body was tougher as natural energy was naturally flowing inside his body like a river. At the same time, he also felt vast amount of natural energy all around him. It was in the air in breathed in, the water he bathed in, and everywhere else around him. He could sense all the natural energy around him that could be absorb and make him stronger.

This was the result of cultivating, the result of treading the path of the strong! 

Although he was extremely excited about having natural energy, Jiufeng knew that he was only at the first step of cultivation. An early, weak step.

Before cultivating, Qin Daozi explained that there were two primary path of cultivation in the world: Body Refining and Energy Refining. Body Refining cultivators usually have advantages over people who cultivate other things such as energy. This is because the body is strengthen by the energy of nature and while those that refined energy only increase the quality of energy that they use and in the earlier stages, it doesn't amount to much. 

Just breaking through to the Body Transformation Stage 1 of the Body Refining path was equivalent to obtaining the peak-level power of Body Transformation Stage 1 of the Energy Refining path. This advantage continued for a long time for body cultivation, however, just as strong as it is, it's also hard to cultivate. 

If not for the fact that the Divine Asura Idol was a top-grade body refining art and easy to cultivate in the beginning, Jiufeng wouldn't have been able to absorb natural energy into his flesh even with other body refining art so quickly in the beginning. 

Jiufeng took a moment to admire the natural energy and power of his body before getting out of the tub, put on clothes, and went to bed. 

.....

The next morning, Jiufeng woke up and went downstairs for breakfast. On a large table, multiple large dishes were placed around as Bai Yangjian and Old Man Hai were sitting around the table. 

Old Man Hai turned around and said, "Good morning, child, and congratulations on having a cultivation base." 

"Congrats Little Jiu, you can cultivate now!" Bai Yangjian excitedly said. 

"Huh?" Jiufeng was stunned. How did they know that he was cultivating and entered Body Transformation Stage 1 last night? 

"Hm? What with that surprise look for?" Bai Yangjian asked. "Oh! You're wondering how we know. Well you see, we felt natural energy coming from upstairs. I went up to check and saw natural energy going in and coming out from you. I realize that this was probably your time and so I didn't disturb and went back to tell Grandpa Hai about it." 

Old Man Hai nodded his head and smiled. "Children usually cultivate at around your age while some naturally absorb natural energy before twelve. Either way, they will enter the realm of cultivation. However, to naturally breakthrough at such a young age is quite an achievement. You have talent for cultivating." 

Old Man Hai went under the table and brought out a black box. He opened the black box and took out a purple, hard covered book and handed it over to Jiufeng. 

On the book were several characters that Jiufeng couldn't identify and so Eden stepped in and translated it for him. 

[Item Obtained: 1 Cultivation Manual!]

[Violet East Air Scripture (Volume 1): In ancient times, it was believe that when the early morning sky and sun turns purple, an Immortal has descended to the Mortal Realm to bring good fortune to all. Absorb the violet energy of the sun. Only usable during early sunrise, before noon, and late sunset.] 

"This is a basic cultivation manual that'll help you cultivate to further stages," Old Man Hai. "It's a tradition to give children cultivation manuals once they enter the realm of cultivation, so don't you dare give it back. I know your character by now and can also see your deep desire to cultivate." 

Although a month wasn't much, Old Man Hai has already gotten a firm grasped of Jiufeng's personality. He noticed that the boy was kind and didn't take gifts as much as he given gifts. Thus he handed him this cultivation manual, not truly because of tradition, but because of the boy's character. 

Jiufeng was extremely happy and said with a smile, "Thank you, Grandpa Hai!" 

"Haha, come! Let’s hurry and eat before the food gets cold." Old Man sat on the chair again and picked up his chopstick and picked up a slice of pork. 

Jiufeng also sat and ate as did Bai Yangjian. However, Bai Yangjian was looking at the purple book in Jiufeng's lap before he actually start eating. No one knew what he was thinking of, beside Old Man Hai, who quickly glanced at the young man. All three people ate and celebrated before noon as the sun slowly and timely rises. 

.....

Night ascended as Jiufeng was already asleep. 

On the first floor of Sea Dragon restaurant, Old Man Hai and Bai Yangjian were sitting at a table while a tea pot was releasing steam into the air. The smell of green tea encompassed them.

"Grandpa Hai, why did you give him the Violet East Air Scripture?" Bai Yangjian asked. 

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"Why are you jealous?" Old Man Hai said teasing tone.

"Of course not! But you giving him the scripture if the same as accepting him as your disciple right?" Bai Yangjian worriedly asked. 

"Nope. Although it's precious to me, that scripture was given to him as nothing more than a present." Old Man Hai poured himself a cup of tea and took a slow sip of it. 

"However, him cultivating in the scripture is equivalent to him following the Daoist path. If he follows the Daoist path, then wouldn't he be in major trouble in the future?" Bai Yangjian also poured himself a cup and drank. 

"The seed of the Dao has already been implanted in him," Old Man Hai calmly said. "I'm not sure how, but it is. He also has a top-grade Body Refining Art. This child is most likely the descendent of a powerful clan. However, as to why he is here and doesn't remember anything...hopefully time will tell us." 

He took another sip of tea and remained silent as he watch the stars in the night sky. Bai Yangjian also remained silent. In truth, the cultivation manual that Old Man Hai gave to Jiufeng was something very profound and special. Normally, he wouldn't give it out, even if it's for a ritual or tradition.

Also, the tradition in which the old man spoke of was indeed a tradition, however, it was an old tradition that hasn't been practiced in many years. No one practiced such a tradition as children at this day and age would be given a cultivation manual instantly as long as they can read the manual.

The old tradition implied that only when a child gather natural energy and step onto the realm of cultivation on their own will they be given a manual to help them go further. Such a tradition was harsh and natural unpopular and so this tradition has long since been forgotten by many, but not all. 

Bai Yangjian shook his head and sighed. "I guess so. By the way, Grandpa Hai, I was wondering if you're going to sign him up for Everdawn Academy." 

"Everdawn?" Old Man Hai pondered. "Yes, I was thinking about sending him there. Are the requirement still the same or have the change?" 

Everdawn Academy was an old, but famous educational institution that has existed for countless generations. It was established thousands of years ago and it since its beginning, it has only accepted geniuses. All figures that managed to get in the academy were top talents of their generation and those that graduated the academy were even more terrifying! 

One thing was for certain about this academy though: all that ever got in the academy, graduated or failed, later became extremely famous figures. Some established sects, some made their own schools, and even some went back to their countries and became the leader of it in a few years! No small amount of kings, emperors, sect masters, or leaders came from Everdawn and so the academy had another name under it banners.

The Academy that Produce Deities! 

Such an academy that produce "deities" held the interest and attracted all sorts of powerful group to send their geniuses over. Be it ancient sects, holy empire, divine kingdoms, large countries, or powerful clans, everyone tried to send their greatest talent to Everdawn Academy.

However, how could it be so easy to get if you want to? Although it produces "deities", Everdawn had an extremely low acceptance rate! 

In could be said that in one out of a hundred monstrous genius that applies there would make it in the institute! Everdawn had three major requirement for a student to go in:

1) The child's age must be below 13.

2) They must have a cultivation level of Body Transformation Stage 9. 

3) They must be able to defeat a 3-cycled Spirit Cycle Golem. 

The first two requirement were simple, especially for strong organization that have lots of resources. However, the third requirement, defeating a Spirit Cycle Golem was the trickiest one. A Spirit Cycle Golem was a puppet that was created with the same power as a regulator Spirit Cycle-level cultivator, which wasn't much. However, the distance between the Body Transformation realm and Spirit Cycle realm, although not much, was still significant to a certain degree. 

A regular Spirit Cycle realm cultivator was at least 5x stronger in body or energy compared to a Ninth Stage Body Transformation realm cultivator, depending on the path the cultivators chose and for every cycle that a Spirit Cycle cultivator goes through, their strength and power doubles!

So, in addition to a 5x superior strength, going through three cycles meant that the Spirit Cycle Golem that Everdawn Academy sent out was at least 20x stronger than the average peak Body Transformation cultivator!

Although the geniuses that were sent to the academy weren't average, very few would actually have the power to skip levels and fight what was 20x stronger than them! Alas, it was this requirement that gave Everdawn the name 'Academy that Produces Deities' and it was fully deserved.

"The requirements are still the same, unfortunately," Bai Yangjian sighed again. "Little Jiu isn't going to have an easy time if he wants to get in. Even if he has the scripture to cultivate, he needs cultivation skills to fight against the golem." 

He raised his cup and took a sip again while peeking at Old Man Hai's face. The latter's face was still calm and peaceful as his old eyes stare at the night sky. 

Bai Yangjian sighed. "Grandpa Hai, I have a mission tomorrow so I'll go to bed early." 

"Hm." Old Man Hai made a sound as Bai Yangjian walked upstairs to his room on the second floor. 

Old Man Hai continue to watch the night sky. His eyes twinkled like the stars as a blue glint appeared in his eyes from time to time. 

"The formation of the stars has changed; its has reverse. So another one has fallen, huh?" He said to himself. 

A small green light twinkled in the sky and Old Man Hai looked over. He sighed as he pointed a finger to the sky. In the next minute, the green light faded away. 

"That old geezer wants me to go back now? Hmph! It's still my vacation time, so unless he wants to go to war, I'm staying here for ten more years!" The old man distainfully said as he stared at the green light fade away. 

At the same time, a blue light launched from his pointed finger and soar to the sky. The blue light was brilliant and excessively bright, like a minature sun. However, no one in Black Pinecone City spotted this light as though it was never there. Not even in residence of neighboring cities could see this light. 

However, distance away, on a mountain, a man in black clothing sighed as he was apparently the only person to see this light. His body was tall and slender, but his face was covered by the a mask and the hood of his clothing. 

"Elder Eastsea has responded. Huh? What's with this message?" Under the mask, the man had an incredible expression as he stared at the blue light. "How can I possibly take this back?!" 

The masked man was instantly thrown into a mess. The man just received a message from that blue light, but the content of that blue light made him hesitant to send it back to the person who wanted him to send a message to Old Man Hai.

"What do I do now?!" A tiny cry resounded in the mountains. 

.....

At Sea Dragon restaurant, Black Pinecone City, Old Man Hai had a smile on his face as he stare into the sky. 

"Now then, time to turn off the lights and go to sleep. This is old man is tired." He turned around and turned off all the lights in the restaurant and went to second floor to his bedroom. 

The restaurant was silent as was Black Pinecone City. On a table somewhere near the windows of Sea Dragon, a tea pot was still seeping tea and steam rise into the darkness of the night, only visible when occasional moonlight shines upon it.