CHAPTER 22: QI CONDENSATION STAGE

The moment he finished reciting, blood essence began to condense in his lower abdomen, turning into a swirling vortex.

It rotated in the Crimson Spiral Pattern—counterclockwise first, then clockwise.

Liu Wei kept repeating the mantra to maintain the activity in his lower abdomen, while trying to summon his killing intent.

It was difficult to summon killing intent, when his Killing Dao was still in the Initial Comprehension.

Even then, he only had to visualize scenarios where he was provoked, inciting his demonic traits, causing the killing intent to manifest.

As the blood swirling vortex spun faster, the blood qi formed a scarlet mist, slowly condensing into a throbbing orb.

Once the throbbing orb was successfully condensed, he has now finally formed the Blood Dantian Seed.

He then stabilized it.

Afterward, Liu Wei took a deep breath, taking some time to relax, as he was readying himself for the next step.

He opened his eyes as they flashed with killing intent.

When his eyes regained clarity, he mumbled.

The next step is crucial. It’s a Blood Binding Ritual. If I fail, the seed becomes feral—it will devour my meridians, and eventually kill me...

Liu Wei took a deep breath and exhaled.

In fact, he was not nervous.

That was what bothered him.

After all, his life was on the line.

Yet, death seemed to be nothing to him.

For some reason, he was looking forward to it...

He shook his head and tossed the unnecessary thoughts at the back of his head and closed his eyes, focusing on the next step.

According to the Blood Demonheart Sutra, the method in the Blood Binding Ritual requires biting the tongue, spitting out heart blood essence and guiding it through his meridians and into the seed.

Without hesitation, he bit his tongue, instantly drawing out of blood.

But he remained his mouth shut.

Even when he felt the agony of biting his tongue, he did not let one drop leave from his lips.

As the blood drew out, he compressed the droplets into the heart blood essence.

Once the heart blood essence finally manifested, he followed the Blood Demon Circulation Pattern—a meridian route unique to the Sutra.

He guided the heart blood essence through his heart, chest meridians, spine, and finally the lower abdomen, where the Blood Dantian Seed resided.

The heart blood essence flowed like molten crimson qi through the meridians, leaving a faint burning sensation as it imprints its demonic brand on each closed meridian point.

As soon as it entered the seeds, the latter absorbed it greedily, slowly stabilizing the bond and making the Blood Dantian a living organ loyal to him.

Since the eating process went seamless, Liu Wei smiled.

The Blood Binding Ritual was successful.

The seeds have now recognized him as its host.

Now, all he had to wait was for the seed to finally awaken.

As soon as it was finished eating his heart blood essence, it pulses for the first time, like his second heart.

As it continued to pulse, it affected him.

His veins glow crimson, blood fog leaked out from his pores, and a faint demonic heartbeat echoes outside of his body.

The horrifying demonic phenomena lasted for half an hour, before everything settled down as the seeds finally awakened and had fully integrated into his body.

Liu Wei opened his eyes and scrutinized his surroundings.

He swept his gaze and smiled.

I guess, I just have to clean the tables and chairs. Also, it’s smelling rusty.

He said in his mind, calling for the System, "System, can you erase the rusty smell? Make the place more fragrant."

[Understood. What kind of fragrance do you want? Mint? Citrus? Spicy? Fruity?]

Liu Wei furrowed his eyebrows and shrugged.

"Whatever suits you. As long as it’s pleasant."

[Understood.]

Thankfully, the System was not playing around as the smell pervading the library was indeed pleasant.

Liu Wei was now able to focus on the changes happening to him.

He noticed that his body became a living blood furnace.

After all, his body greeds for blood—blood qi—and harnessed them to become his fuel in his cultivation.

The constant boiling and refining of blood essence inside the body gives rise to the term living blood furnace coined by the Blood Demonheart Sutra.

He also noticed that his meridians were not normal anymore.

The peak Mortal Rank cultivation technique mentioned about meridians and their nature, as the body tempering cultivation technique relied on strengthening them, so they would be opened once the cultivator reached the Qi Condensation Stage.

They were fragile, so some were strengthened depending on the cultivation technique.

Since his meridians were influenced by the Blood Demonheart Sutra, it has become Demon Chains, a term coined by the Blood Demonheart Sutra.

It was more resilient, as it is now capable of channeling corrosive qi—Blood Qi, Killing Qi, Slaughter Qi, Demonic Qi, and more, even though it was still closed.

As a result, Liu Wei could now absorb qi, blood, and life essence to grow stronger.

However, that would also mean that opening the meridian points would be more difficult since it was as tough as the meridians.

If the meridian points were not opened, meridians would not be established.

If meridians would not be established, then it would be difficult for the qi to flow inside his body, strengthening it.

In other words, Liu Wei’s first task after finally forming his dantian, setting his cultivation rank at the early stage of the Qi Condensation stage, was to open the Gate of the Crimson Heart and Gate of the Scorching Furnace.

The meridian points were called Demon Gates by the Blood Demonheart Sutra.

He smirked.

The manual itself is creating its own terms. It’s demonic, indeed.

I like it.

Suddenly, Liu Wei realized what he was thinking and he shook his head.

He sighed.

I’m disappointed in myself. When did I begin to accept that I’ll become a future demon? Even if my body itches for a kill, or my cultivation asks for the blood of others meaninglessly just to improve, I’d rather be cooped up in my library, then.

I suppose I’m forgetting my main profession here, as I’m slowly being affected by how the world works.

As though the System read his mind, she spoke.

[You don’t have to deny your interest in cultivation. It’s part of survival, after all. As long as you don’t forget your main profession, I will allow you.]

Liu Wei rolled his eyes.

"I know, but killing just to get stronger? I don’t even have to think about it."

[That’s your personal choice.]

Liu Wei sighed and could not help but nod in agreement.

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