My Two-sided Cultivation: Starting From Collecting Experiences

“Ding! Your vitality..

As Qin Huai gathered the scattered experience orbs, it felt as if powerful drums were pounding within him.

The pulsating rhythm of his life force was unmistakably heard by the nearby Purple Flame King. His eyes, filled with astonishment, locked onto the man continuously evolving amid the battle. Each moment, Qin Huai managed to surprise him anew. From his vantage point as a king, understanding this man seemed impossible.

The once formidable alliance of three kings now lay in ruins. Merely a few hundred survivors remained, all elite members of the Purple Flame King’s lineage, which represented the entirety of his clan’s combat force.

“These are your kin?” Qin Huai turned to the Purple Flame King, whose eyes carried a weight of resignation.

“Yes, Alliance Master,” the Purple Flame King replied earnestly. “All here are direct descendants of the purple flame division.”

Scanning the assembled group, Qin Huai saw a mix of men, women, the young, and the old. Every member of this group was prepared for battle, boasting remarkable skills.

“The lineage of my purple flame clan is rare, even among the eight beasts,” he chimed in, impressing Qin Huai with the clan’s unique traits. “However, despite our unique human form, continuing our bloodline is challenging. Our numbers lag far behind other branches, and the disparity grows.”

With a tinge of sorrow, the Purple Flame King added, “I had hoped this battle would carve a brighter path for our future, advancing our clan’s status. My aim was to consolidate power and seek a brighter destiny.”

He paused, a bitter smile on his face, letting the unsaid words hang in the air. But Qin Huai grasped his meaning: The Purple Flame King had isolated their lineage from the phoenix clan.

“Now that you’ve pledged allegiance to Qingzhou, you’ll reside in the imperial city,” Qin Huai declared, determining the Purple Flame King’s future. “With both you and Prince King Qing Cang guarding it, I trust that even if the combined forces of the six royal clans strike again, my intervention won’t be necessary, right?”

The Purple Flame King’s mouth twitched upon hearing Qin Huai’s words. It was evident that the leader of the Qingzhou Alliance intended to keep them under his thumb. Not only had he risen to the king realm and controlled the power of three domains simultaneously, but he had also effortlessly held back the combined might of the three kings’ army.

Yet, despite such an exertion, Qin Huai appeared to be far from his limit. Biting back his retort, the Purple Flame King nodded in acquiescence.

“Yes!” he said with a grave tone, understanding that Qin Huai still harbored suspicions about their loyalties. Tasking them with the protection of the imperial city was, in part, a test of their allegiance using Prince Qing Cang.

But the Purple Flame King saw an opportunity — he wished to use the same scenario to ascertain if the Qingzhou Alliance’s leader would realize the vision of a harmonious coexistence amongst all races, a dream the emperors of Great You had once cherished.

With a wistful air, the Purple Flame King mused that they might be witnessing a historic turning point. “Alliance Master, you’ve ascended to the mid-stage of the spiritual altar realm, haven’t you?”

Qin Huai replied with a quizzical tilt of his head. “Why do you ask?”

“Domains of kings hinge on their mental energies,” began the Purple Flame King, offering an insight into the intricate workings of the king realm. “Regardless of one’s physical prowess, there are limits to the strength and duration of the domain they can manifest. Some, even after entering the spiritual altar realm, only awaken a fragmentary domain, which demands further cultivation for refinement.’

The Purple Flame King cast a sidelong glance at Qin Huai, his voice tinged with reverence. “Given your impressive stamina in battle shortly after your ascension and your possession of three domains, you undoubtedly have profound knowledge of this realm.”

He wanted to delve deeper into the anomaly of Qin Huai’s three domains, but was aware of the sensitivity of such a topic. Although Qin Huai could sense his curiosity, he remained tight-lipped.

The Purple Flame King, however, was not done. “In the Spiritual Altar Realm, the king’s domain essentially transforms one’s life essence to give tangible form to their soul’s power. Hence, despite sharing lineage and blood, two domains might vary significantly in power.”

Qin Huai absorbed the information, nodding in agreement.

Shifting the topic, the Purple Flame King posed another question, “Alliance Master, given the recent defeat of the three kings’ allied army, how should we proceed? The six royal clans might use the threat of Qingzhou to rally the three sects and the Sacred Heart Sect against us..”