The Witch Does it All

Chapter 4 : Chapter 4

Chapter 4: Cultivation Realms and the Stranded Scholar

“Ha… ha… Immortal Lady, stop, I can’t walk anymore…”

On a forest path, I looked at the dense greenery ahead, the distant mountains shrouded in mist, feeling my blood pooling downward, my head dizzy, my limbs numb.

It was now six days later.

Yun Qingping and I had been traveling north, covering nearly a hundred li a day—a distance far beyond my endurance.

If not for the nightly medicinal baths tempering my body, I’d have collapsed from exhaustion long ago.

Yun Qingping wasn’t deliberately tormenting me or trying to forge some intangible “Dao heart”—I didn’t even have one.

The reason was simple: my bone structure and meridians were too unique, like a tangled ball of thread.

The bath’s medicinal power couldn’t penetrate my body unless I pushed it to its limits, forcing my body to instinctively absorb the effects.

But she didn’t need to tell me that.

She stayed by my side, her steps unhurried, always just a bit ahead, making me feel I could catch up with one more step.

But when I took that step, the gap only shrank slightly, urging me to keep trying.

It was a subtle form of motivation.

“Can’t even handle this hardship, and you want to cultivate immortality? Xun Qiu, among the juniors I’ve seen, your resolve is among the weakest.”

Yun Qingping said calmly.

I’d never heard such classic rhetoric and, for a moment, doubted myself:

“For real…? We walk seven or eight hours a day. I think I’m trying hard enough. I haven’t walked this much in my entire life…”

Seeing my effort to argue sparked some energy, absorbing more of the medicine’s power, even giving me strength to talk, Yun Qingping nodded inwardly.

This method worked best.

“Next, I’ll explain cultivation realms. Focus and listen well. Fall behind, and I won’t repeat myself.”

I muttered:

“Then I’ll just ask my new master…”

Thud—

With a bump on my head, I put on a serious face:

“Immortal Lady, go ahead.”

Yun Qingping paused, as if organizing her thoughts.

It had been a while since she’d explained such basics, and she needed a moment to decide where to start:

‘’The path of cultivation is divided into twelve realms: the first five, middle four, and last three.’’

This is the universal classification established by ancient sages.

In great clans and sects, they’re also called the five foundation steps, four building floors, and three heavenly tiers.

“As the name suggests, the first five realms build the foundation, tempering the body and expanding the divine sense, like laying a house’s base. The stronger the foundation, the higher the building. Only by completing the five steps can you claim a place in the cultivation world. Specifically, these are qi refining, foundation establishment, core formation, nascent soul, and spirit transformation—but you don’t need to memorize them. Just call them one, two, three, four, five.”

I listened intently, my steps subtly lighter.

“The middle four realms, or four building floors, are where most cultivators reside today. Those below are juniors needing protection; those above are senior experts who rarely act, listed on the heavenly rankings, no more than a handful across the Five Continents and Four Poles

.”Yun Qingping looked ahead, her brow briefly furrowing before relaxing, unnoticed by me.

“This stage involves cultivating techniques and sensing divine charm, where cultivators truly enter the hall and widen gaps. These realms lack specific names; we just say sixth realm, seventh realm, or first floor, second floor, and so on.”

I asked with a hint of anticipation:

“So, Immortal Lady, you’re in the last three realms?”

“No, I’m in the middle four, ninth realm, fourth floor,” Yun Qingping said with a touch of wistfulness.

“More precisely, a unique ninth realm, a step beyond the likes of Bo Qiuyun, but not quite reaching the last three realms. It’s an awkward in-between. Some consider this realm the true limit of humanity, calling it the supreme human realm.”

“So, you’re a supreme human realm super expert,” I nodded.

“Only the last three realms’ seniors are stronger. You’re so young, Immortal Lady—you’ll definitely surpass them.”

Yun Qingping elbowed me, unamused:

“I don’t need your flattery.”

I grimaced in pain:

“I meant it… What about the last three realms?”

“The last three realms, three heavenly tiers, I don’t know much about,” Yun Qingping shook her head slowly.

“I only know the first is called ‘celestial,’ comprehending the laws of heaven and earth, embodying the universe’s creation. One word can become law… In terms you’d understand, a single sentence could make waterfalls flow upward, mountains hang upside down… The Tai Xuan Sect’s leader is in this realm. Ask her if you want details.”

I was about to speak when a miserable cry echoed from afar, followed by a strange, piercing roar that shook the forest, startling countless birds.

I froze, instinctively looking at Yun Qingping.

“Should we save them?”

She turned to me.

“You decide.”

“This…” I pondered seriously.

If I were alone, I’d never go near trouble.

But with Immortal Lady here, maybe this was a test of my character.

“Immortal Lady, let’s go!” I said earnestly. “If we delay, they might die.”

The corner of Yun Qingping’s mouth, hidden under her veiled hat, curved upward.

She said nothing, just quickened her pace.

I rubbed my aching limbs, gritted my teeth, and followed.

…

In the forest, a young man in plain scholar’s robes, a net cap on his head and straw sandals on his feet, ran for his life.

Suddenly, he tripped over a root hidden in the leaves, falling hard.

The wooden box on his back slammed into him, spilling books across the ground.

As he scrambled up, the inhuman footsteps and heavy panting closed in.

He stumbled, dodging a claw swipe from behind, but the box flew off, and he fell again.

Turning, he saw his pursuer—a bizarre beast with a wolf’s body, red head, and rat-like eyes, massive in size, its roar oddly pig-like.

As the beast’s drool corroded small pits in the ground, the scholar crawled back, terrified.

The stench and breath overwhelmed him, signaling imminent danger, blanking his mind.

It’s over… my short, futile life…

He closed his eyes, feeling the beast lunge, but it stopped at the last moment.

At the same time, a loud voice rang out nearby:

“Wow! Immortal Lady, look, this thing is ugly!”