And once the Dao Seed matured, it would be time for Zhong Ming to break through. Reaching Foundation Establishment in three years would absolutely earn him the title of a prodigy.

But Zhong Ming couldn’t bear the wait.

Besides, he could feel that his current Dao Seed, the Candlelight Vortex Dragon, was of extremely high quality despite being incomplete. It even had the potential to be upgraded.

But that upgrade required Zhong Ming to infuse it with other things.

If he only nurtured it with his Qi, blood, and Magical Power, the Dao Seed would still mature successfully. However, at that point, it would be low-grade Celestial Level at best—or worse, even just Earth Level.

"..."

It was a good thing Zhong Ming was only muttering these thoughts to himself. If he had said them out loud, the world would have wanted him dead.

For the vast majority of Foundation Establishment Cultivators in the world, over ninety percent of them had a Moral Dao Foundation.

An Earth Grade one was already a privilege reserved for prodigies and the fortunate few.

Just like Zong Chengze, the Sect Leader of the Seven Profound Sect—the Dao Foundation he had condensed was also merely Earth Grade.

Law Enforcement Elder Wei Jingcheng’s was also Earth Grade.

Their Cultivation Techniques had limited them, leaving them almost no chance to forge a Celestial Grade Dao Foundation.

The reason Zhong Ming’s Candlelight Vortex Dragon had a chance of becoming Celestial Grade was thanks to his Candlelight Heart Eye. Without this Divine Treasure, the Vortex Dragon alone was fated to become an Earth-level Dao Foundation.

Of course, without the Daoist Canon - Celestial Derivation, Zhong Ming wouldn’t be on the verge of advancing so quickly either. He would have to grind the Longxi Technique relentlessly, pushing its progress to the Fifth Realm, the Sixth Realm, and even the Seventh Realm. Then, even with a low-grade Cultivation Technique, he could still grind his way to a Celestial Grade Dao Foundation.

...

’To quickly advance the Dao Seed’s progress, or to make it even stronger, I need to invest more precious things. Things like other Dao Rhymes, rare treasures, or high-quality abilities like the Candlelight Heart Eye. All of these count as resources...’

’I have to participate in the upcoming Qinghe County City assembly.’

To condense a perfect Dao Foundation and reach Foundation Establishment faster, Zhong Ming prepared to secure more resources.

’It’s a necessary step... The second impact is approaching. If my strength is only at the Qi Cultivation realm, I might not survive, even with the sect’s protection!’

Zhong Ming understood one thing very clearly: as a prodigy, while he enjoyed the glory, he would inevitably have to face corresponding dangers.

If the second impact truly occurred, the strange Evil Spirits would be one thing. Terrifying, yes, but they lacked intelligence.

But Cultists, or some intelligent Demons, would absolutely try to assassinate him, not giving him the chance to grow powerful.

This thought made Zhong Ming’s fist tighten. ’I have to reach Foundation Establishment. Only by successfully establishing my foundation will I not be like an ant, easily crushed by anyone!’

...

With the evolution of his Dao Seed complete, Zhong Ming’s advancement was nearing its end. Only the transformation of his Dantian was yet to be finished.

Like his Dao Seed, Zhong Ming’s Dantian had also undergone a massive change.

As Zhong Ming advanced to the late stage of Qi Cultivation, the scale of his Dantian expanded, but this wasn’t what excited him the most.

HUMMM...

What made him happy was that his Dantian had finally developed a phenomenon.

A massive vortex was roaring and spinning within Zhong Ming’s Dantian.

Beside the vortex, a reflection of the Candlelight Vortex Dragon was circling around it.

A phenomenon gained during a Cultivator’s advancement wasn’t just for show. The massive vortex increased the initial flow speed of Zhong Ming’s Magical Power.

Now, both his efficiency in refining Magical Power and the force of its release were somewhat stronger than that of an ordinary Longxi Peak cultivator.

Moreover, the reflection of the Dao Rhyme of the Candlelight Vortex Dragon acted like a celestial pillar, allowing Zhong Ming to firmly control his Magical Power, ensuring it would never spiral out of control and would move as an extension of his will.

However, while the Dantian phenomenon pleased Zhong Ming, there was one aspect of this advancement that made him frown.

’Even after expanding, my Dantian can only be called a lake, not a Qi Sea... This doesn’t count as a true Breakthrough for my Magical Power!’

’Furthermore, for the Longxi Peak lineage, the transition of the Basic Technique from the Third Realm to the Fourth Realm, and its supplementary techniques from the Fourth Realm to the Fifth Realm, all require "Clear."’

’A stream is valued for being clear enough to see its bottom!’

’Applied to Swordsmanship and the Heart Spirit, this means cutting away distracting thoughts, reflecting one’s truest self and one’s Dharma Aspect, and ultimately achieving Enlightenment!’

At this point, Zhong Ming began to muse aloud. "If I’m not mistaken, it is here that Cultivators of Longxi Peak first encounter Conceptual Intent—using a clear stream as a mirror to reflect one’s own true nature. That is Enlightenment."

’And when the Heart Spirit is as clear as a mirror, it can reflect not only the self but also heaven and earth... By reflecting the image of a stream into one’s Heart Lake, and then validating it against one’s own spirit and Cultivation Techniques, one can easily nurture this Conceptual Intent.’

Thinking of this, Zhong Ming realized that the Longxi Peak lineage’s Cultivation Techniques weren’t bad at all. By grasping Conceptual Intent, an ordinary Cultivator would have a chance at Foundation Establishment, with the probability being at least thirty percent.

The addition of Conceptual Intent could also enhance the grade of one’s Dao Foundation.

’If the Conceptual Intent they grasp is exceptional enough, a prodigy from Longxi Peak would have no problem forging an Earth-level Dao Foundation, albeit a low-to-mid-grade one.’

As he thought this, Zhong Ming’s expression didn’t brighten. Instead, he grew somewhat frustrated.

’The Longxi Technique is decent, but it’s only just decent. Because at this realm, the main purpose is to make one’s mind Clear and use a stream as a mirror to reflect one’s true self. It doesn’t provide much of a boost to one’s Magical Power, at most making it a bit purer.’

’But purity alone isn’t enough to allow my Magical Power to achieve a Breakthrough.’

’Therefore, even if I raise all my Cultivation Techniques to the Fifth Realm and grasp the Conceptual Intent of "Clear," I still won’t be able to achieve a Breakthrough.’