Chapter Seventy-Two: I Am an Innate Dao Body

As expected, Zhang Ziying did not press for details. After contemplating for a few seconds, she spoke again, “Zixiao is looking for you.”

Li Yunfei’s expression froze for a moment, then he smiled, responding calmly, “It was only a matter of time. The loopholes left at Xiuyuan Tower were too obvious; anyone paying attention would have figured it out.”

Zhang Ziying followed up, “So your so-called spontaneous trip was actually to avoid Zixiao?”

Li Yunfei shrugged and teased, “What else did you think it was for? Inferiority complex? Afraid to face you?”

Zhang Ziying rolled her eyes and shook her head with a laugh—she had indeed thought that at the time.

Reality had proven that what she believed was not what she thought it was.

Mocking herself inwardly, Zhang Ziying then asked in confusion, “Given your feelings for the country and the military, I’d imagine your sense of duty is quite high. Why are you unwilling to join Zixiao?”

Li Yunfei sighed, “You don’t understand. I have my own path to follow. Joining Zixiao would only limit my development.”

“But don’t worry. If the country truly needs it, I would never stand aside.”

Zhang Ziying pressed, “How would it limit you? If you joined Zixiao, you’d have access to the nation’s cultivation resources. Without them, you’ll fall behind others.”

In truth, she didn’t particularly care whether Li Yunfei joined Zixiao. She simply didn’t want him to lag behind, and her every thought was for his sake.

Li Yunfei smiled, and asked leisurely, “Did you choose the martial path or the cultivation path?”

Zhang Ziying replied, “Cultivation—or rather, I practice both. My main technique is a cultivation method, but I also learn some martial arts.”

“In the early stages, cultivators don’t have much of an advantage. Only upon reaching the Spirit Resonance Realm does the edge of cultivation truly show. To quickly gain combat power, I learned some martial arts as well.”

Li Yunfei was intrigued. “You wouldn’t happen to be training as a Sword Immortal, would you?”

Zhang Ziying looked surprised. “How did you know? I’m following the Sword Immortal path of the Qingcheng Sect.”

Li Yunfei replied confidently, “That was easy to guess. The Spirit Resonance Realm is a watershed in cultivation; only after reaching it can one condense spiritual awareness.”

“Ordinary sects might have some special techniques even before the Spirit Resonance Realm, but the path of the Sword Immortal requires spiritual awareness to control flying swords.”

Zhang Ziying smiled, “You’re quite clever.”

Li Yunfei continued, “You’ve been cultivating for over a month now, haven’t you? What stage are you at?”

This question touched upon classified information, but Li Yunfei was no ordinary person, and their relationship was special, so she didn’t hide it.

Zhang Ziying replied, “I established my Foundation in six days, and now I’m at the mid-stage Qi Channeling. Why?”

Li Yunfei was inwardly astonished. The mid-stage Qi Channeling for her would be equivalent to levels 14–17 for him.

For Zhang Ziying to reach such a stage in just over a month through her own efforts—her Grade A top-tier talent was clearly extraordinary.

Though he marveled inwardly, he spoke lightly, “As expected of a Grade A top-tier talent. Impressive. But do you know what stage I’m at?”

Recalling the strength Li Yunfei had shown when dealing with that awakened killer, Zhang Ziying asked curiously and expectantly, “What stage?”

Li Yunfei replied with some pride, “As it happens, I broke through to the Spirit Resonance Realm a week ago.”

“What?” Zhang Ziying exclaimed in shock, her tone anxious. “How long have you been training? You didn’t take some crooked path, did you?”

Li Yunfei laughed wryly, “You’re overthinking it. I started about two weeks before you, practicing the orthodox Shangqing Sect’s Supreme Cave Imperial Canon from Maoshan. You can look it up and see that it’s not some heretical technique.”

“I only needed three days for Foundation Establishment, eight days to break through Qi Channeling and reach the Enlightenment Realm, and now, about a month and a half in, I’m already at the Spirit Resonance Realm.”

“Grade A top-tier talent isn’t the strongest out there. You could ask your teacher about the Innate Dao Body.”

This was something he’d learned from the system. When the system integrated with his body and converted his stats, he was already endowed with the so-called Innate Dao Body.

Thus, he didn’t need to follow the usual cultivation steps. He simply needed to level up according to the system’s rules, and as he reached new levels, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth would automatically pour into him, transforming into spiritual power.

Though Zhang Ziying didn’t yet know what the Innate Dao Body was, she could imagine from Li Yunfei’s cultivation process just how extraordinary it must be.

For her, taking six days to establish her Foundation and a month to reach mid-stage Qi Channeling was already among the fastest progress nationwide.

But for her to break through late-stage Qi Channeling would take at least another month and a half, reaching the Enlightenment Realm in no less than three months, and to reach the Spirit Resonance Realm might take a year.

And that was with the aid of spirit stones.

Li Yunfei’s cultivation speed made her both surprised and delighted, though she still wanted to persuade him to join Zixiao.

“But even so,” Zhang Ziying said, “there’s no downside to joining Zixiao! With your talent, the state would surely give you top priority and support. With those cultivation resources, wouldn’t your progress be even faster?”

Li Yunfei frowned and, after a moment’s thought, decided to reveal a little more, lest Zhang Ziying remain constantly uneasy.

“You don’t need to worry about me. I’m not lacking cultivation resources. When can you go out? I’ll bring you some demon beast meat.”

Zhang Ziying was momentarily stunned. “What demon beast meat?”

Though Zixiao had taken note of demon beasts and hunted a few, their numbers were limited and the meat only circulated in a small circle. As a newcomer to the cultivator academy, Zhang Ziying had no idea.

Li Yunfei was surprised. “You don’t know? With the resurgence of spiritual energy, some animals have gained opportunities, awakened intelligence, and begun to cultivate instinctively.”

“When they’ve gained sufficient cultivation, they become demon beasts. Demon beast meat is rich in spiritual energy; eating it has the same effect as absorbing spirit stones and can rapidly enhance your cultivation, especially early on.”

“At my current stage, ordinary demon beast meat doesn’t do much, but for you, it’s still very beneficial.”

Zhang Ziying exclaimed in amazement, “I really didn’t know. The instructors never mentioned it. You have demon beast meat?”

Li Yunfei replied, “Yes, I stumbled across a few boars that had gained sentience. Each one was as big as an elephant. After taking them down, I ended up with several tons of demon beast meat.”

“Apart from the meat, I also have other resources. In short, you needn’t worry about my cultivation. My future is at stake—I’m not taking it lightly.”

It took Zhang Ziying a while to digest everything Li Yunfei had said. She couldn’t help but smile wryly. “It seems you really do have your own fortunes. Immortal fate, indeed—you must have obtained your so-called immortal fate long ago!”

Li Yunfei laughed, “Something like that. Let’s leave it at that for now. Don’t report anything about me yet. I know you’re required to, but give me a few days. When can you go out next?”

Zhang Ziying replied, “We’re allowed out once every half month—three days from now. Call me when you get here.”

Li Yunfei said, “It’s settled then. Goodbye.”

“Goodbye,” replied Zhang Ziying.