Chapter 003: The Nine Transformations of the Dragon and Serpent

Nine Levels of Body Refinement.

This was already the pinnacle for mortal practitioners of body refinement. For Xu Xuan, it was a realm utterly out of reach; even Xu Da Hu, the village’s local bully, had only reached the fourth level of body refinement.

Among the more than two thousand inhabitants of Yang Mu Village, Xu Xuan had never heard of anyone attaining the ninth level. Yet, in his previous life, before the age of sixteen, he had reached the terrifying ninth level, and was on the verge of stepping into the ranks of “Immortal Practitioners”—a realm countless mortals could only dream of.

All cultivators, at the beginning of their journey, must first temper their bodies. Therefore, any being who remains at the ninth level of body refinement is called a mortal practitioner, commonly known as a mortal.

If one possesses exceptional talent and transcends the limitations of body refinement, stepping into the mysterious and sacred “Qi Refinement” stage, they become exalted “Qi Refinement Immortals.”

It was said that Qi Refinement Immortals wielded powers beyond mortal imagination, possessing abilities unfathomable even to gods and spirits. At that level, ordinary mortal practitioners were as insignificant as ants before them, easily obliterated with a flick of a finger.

But those who reached the rank of Qi Refinement Immortal were all unparalleled prodigies, one in a thousand.

Now, Xu Xuan was receiving memories from his past life, his heart surging with shock. In comparison, though he was not yet sixteen, his current self was only at the first level of body refinement.

The difference was as vast as heaven and earth.

“You need not be discouraged. Your former talent was extraordinary, but this body’s aptitude is truly mediocre…”

A broken, ethereal shadow appeared beside him.

Xu Xuan felt slightly comforted by these words.

At this moment, the tidal wave of memories poured into his mind, making him dizzy and nearly overwhelmed.

“Fortunately, it’s only the memories up to the age of sixteen. If the entire sea of memories flooded in at once, your consciousness might have been extinguished.”

The broken shadow spoke with relief.

Xu Xuan shuddered inwardly; the memories in that entire sea were unimaginably vast and terrifying.

The star he had merged with was but a speck of dust within it.

After a long time, Xu Xuan finally managed to absorb the torrent of information.

These memories were only fragments from before his sixteenth year in his previous life.

The clearest part concerned the cultivation of the ancient body refinement technique, “Nine Transformations of Dragon and Serpent.”

Swish!

After absorbing the memories, Xu Xuan found himself once more upon the sole bright star in the sea of memories.

He was eager to leave the starry sea and return to reality to begin his cultivation.

“No need to hurry. In reality, you’re still unconscious. You can use this opportunity to practice here.”

The remnant soul of his previous self smiled faintly.

“Practice here? How is that possible?”

Xu Xuan’s expression was perplexed.

Even if he were foolish, he knew this was not a real space.

“Cultivation here is limited to the realm of consciousness. Once you have mastered the technique here, returning to reality, you will already have comprehended its essence; all that remains is practice, and progress will come naturally.”

The remnant soul explained.

“So that’s how it works.”

Xu Xuan immediately understood.

Since merging with his past life’s memories, his comprehension had improved; the broken shadow had only to explain once for him to grasp the concept.

Without further instruction, Xu Xuan sat cross-legged upon the star, closed his eyes, and began to cultivate.

Instantly, every minute detail of the “Nine Transformations of Dragon and Serpent” as practiced by the youth in his previous life merged into his soul.

“The body refinement stage is usually monotonous and tedious, but ‘Nine Transformations of Dragon and Serpent,’ as an ancient inheritance, possesses remarkable vitality.”

The remnant soul praised.

“Body refinement technique?”

Xu Xuan was slightly startled.

“Body refinement is an ancient tradition, vastly different from the usual immortal, sword, or demonic cultivation. This path relies neither on heaven nor earth, seeking only the most primal and fundamental power within ‘man.’ Its limitation is that all strength derives from the self, and it is exceedingly difficult to master, almost lost in the cultivation world.”

The remnant soul spoke with obvious solemnity.

Xu Xuan asked no more, immersing his mind fully in the memories, pondering over the technique so highly esteemed by his former self.

“Nine Transformations of Dragon and Serpent” was divided into nine layers, each with a secret formula: Soft, Bend, Drift, Coil, Still, Poison, Hard, Roar, Awe.

These moves were strange and awkward; many required movements beyond the limits of the human body.

Xu Xuan first observed the movements of the initial “Soft” formula—it was almost like a dance, demanding extraordinary flexibility.

“Even the first layer would be difficult for my real body.”

Xu Xuan frowned, stood up, and began practicing in the consciousness realm.

Just attempting the first two movements left him exhausted.

He soon paused, suddenly laughing, “I nearly forgot—this body refinement technique must be practiced alongside a breathing method.”

In his past life, he had used a breathing technique in conjunction with “Nine Transformations of Dragon and Serpent” to achieve maximum effect.

With this in mind, Xu Xuan sat quietly once more.

In this barren, silent world, he quickly emptied his mind and merged with the unique breathing of his former youth.

The breathing method within “Nine Transformations of Dragon and Serpent” was erratic in length, requiring complete relaxation, allowing the spirit to blend with the strange, uneven breaths.

Whoosh! Whoosh, whoosh! Whoosh…

In the peculiar rhythm, Xu Xuan’s soul unknowingly entered a state of selfless immersion.

Breath, heartbeat, body temperature, even the faintest movements of wind and grass outside all became startlingly clear.

From the moment he was born, Xu Xuan’s mind had never felt so peaceful and lucid.

“Ten levels of body refinement—I will not give up!”

In a trance, he transformed into his former youth, merging with his past life.

At the same time, more memories of “Nine Transformations of Dragon and Serpent” and the youth’s experiences surged forth, becoming increasingly vivid.

Two hours later, Xu Xuan awoke, a divine light flickering in his eyes, astonished, “I’ve mastered the first layer of the breathing technique so quickly!”

He knew that most people would need at least ten days or half a month to grasp this breathing method; even his former self had required nearly half a day to master the first layer.

“A trifling achievement, and you’re already so pleased? You practiced this breathing method once in your past life, with deep understanding; this time, it’s merely a second cultivation.”

The remnant soul said with a trace of ridicule.

“A second cultivation? So that’s it—the insights from my past life have all been absorbed.”

Xu Xuan’s mind was exceptionally clear, and he cared little for the remnant soul’s tone.

He then began to practice the first move, the “Soft” formula.

As expected, with the assistance of the breathing technique, Xu Xuan’s cultivation of the strange, difficult body refinement moves became twice as effective.

During the process, his body moved with the agility and flexibility of a serpent, his limbs and torso executing all manner of incredible, high-difficulty actions.

After half a day, he successfully mastered the “Soft” formula.

“Now for the second move!”

Xu Xuan’s face was filled with excitement and anticipation, a sense of unprecedented accomplishment.

According to his past life’s knowledge, the nine transformations of “Nine Transformations of Dragon and Serpent” corresponded exactly to the nine levels of body refinement.

If he could master the second transformation, the “Bend” formula, he would attain the second level of body refinement in the consciousness realm.

Again, he first practiced the second layer of the breathing technique, mastering it with ease.

Then he tackled the second move, “Bend,” which demanded that the body be bent to an alarming degree.

The “Bend” formula was an extreme test of the bones and flexibility of the body.

It took a full day, but Xu Xuan succeeded in mastering the second transformation.

“Wonderful! Once I return to reality, I’ll quickly advance to the second level of body refinement.”

Xu Xuan was overjoyed.

He then prepared to attempt the third transformation, but met considerable resistance.

“The third transformation exceeds your current physical realm by two layers; its difficulty is several times greater.”

The remnant soul remarked with a smile.

“Besides, your body in reality is about to awaken…”

As the words faded, Xu Xuan felt his form drifting away.

Swish!

In a flash, he shot across the blurry threshold, leaving the sea of memories and returning to his own mind.

His sea of memories was but a small spring, compared to the vast sea from his past life—a difference as great as dust and universe.

Next, Xu Xuan’s vision darkened as his consciousness returned to his body.

“Have I returned?”

Xu Xuan took a deep breath and slowly opened his eyes.

Having gained the memories from the sea of his past life and returned to reality, would he still be the bullied youth he once was?

He could not help but look forward…

(Thanks to “Fiao Kun” for the generous reward of one hundred thousand reading coins. Within a day of opening, the River of Immortals has already welcomed a new leader. Deep gratitude for this veteran reader’s steadfast support.)