Chapter 5: Secluded Cultivation

After a thorough examination and confirming that the insect-repelling talisman was indeed effective, I sat cross-legged on the grass and began my first retreat for magical cultivation

Upon arriving at the library once more, it was observed that the third-generation disciple guarding the entrance was still sitting there in a lifeless manner. This time, Ding Hao did not hastily pass by; instead, he looked at him with great interest.

Although Ding Hao has had little contact with those from the Demon Path, he has already formed an understanding based on the conduct of Ma Feng and Chen Ling. While this person’s tone may not be pleasant, there is no malice in it

Such a discovery filled him with immense joy. Ding Hao knew that he had truly entered the initial stage of Qi Refinement. However, he was unaware that reaching this stage in just one day was simply unimaginable for an ordinary cultivator. Typically, those without any foundational skills in cultivation would take around three years to reach this realm, with the fastest also requiring three years.

As a newcomer to the sect, I am completely unaware of its circumstances. I hope that my senior brother can inform me about some basic aspects of our sect, such as our strength in Duanhun Mountain, the power of our cultivation techniques, and any important matters that I should pay attention to. I will forever remember the kindness of my senior brother in guiding me

This is not the case; I just have some matters I would like to inquire about. I originally intended to wait until you woke up to ask, but it seems you are not asleep after all, which is quite convenient.

It is precisely this situation that has led to a decreasing number of disciples in our sect who practice demonic cultivation. Even those who initially entered without knowledge eventually left upon realizing the truth. Most of those who remained secretly turned to other cultivation methods. It is said that even the sect leader's breakthrough to the Spirit Severing stage was due to the aid of other techniques. Because of this, for over twenty years, you have been the only disciple received by our sect. Therefore, when I first saw you enter, I thought you were a pure fool and couldn't be bothered to pay you any attention. Joining our sect means that your future path in demonic cultivation will require you to tread carefully. It is said that even the sect leader's breakthrough to the Spirit Severing stage was due to the aid of other techniques. Because of this, for over twenty years, you have been the only disciple received by our sect. Therefore, when I first saw you enter, I thought you were a pure fool and couldn't be bothered to pay you any attention. Joining our sect means that your future path in demonic cultivation will require you to tread carefully. No sect in the Broken Soul Mountain is one we can provoke. If you do not wish to die young, do not leave the mountain gate, lest you encounter other sects and bring humiliation upon yourself. Several disciples have been humiliated outside and could not endure it, resulting in their immediate execution, leading to a fate where their souls are scattered. The sect leader, Li Nantian, does not even dare to inquire and claims to be in seclusion, truly pathetic. If you do not wish to die young, do not leave the mountain gate, lest you encounter other sects and bring humiliation upon yourself. Several disciples have been humiliated outside and could not endure it, resulting in their immediate execution, leading to a fate where their souls are scattered. The sect leader, Li Nantian, does not even dare to inquire and claims to be in seclusion, truly pathetic. This person spoke with increasing sorrow, and his expression was filled with deep pain.

However, this feeling is completely different from the first episode. During the first episode, the power of the Eight-Winged Purple Python's inner elixir erupted like a volcanic explosion, leaving you no choice, regardless of whether your body could withstand it

Sighing, I said, not fearing to be laughed at by my junior brother, our sect is the weakest among all the factions on Duanhun Mountain. Cultivating in the path of immortality is indeed a long process, yet the creator of this formless demonic technique seems unaware of this fact, instead infinitely prolonging the process. While other demonic sects take about 200 years to reach the Yuan Ying stage, we require 400 years. Regardless of the realm, our progress is significantly slower than that of other sects. If two individuals cultivate simultaneously, after a century, those who join our sect will generally be at least two levels behind others in terms of realm, and the gap becomes increasingly apparent as time goes on! It is one thing that our sect's techniques are not as fast as those of other demonic sects, but we are even slower than the Daoist techniques. What is even more frustrating is that not only do we cultivate slower than other sects, but we are also not their match even at the same realm. I truly do not understand how such a poor technique has continued to be passed down.

Before his ascetic training, Ding Hao spent his days climbing and hunting in the forest, which had remarkably strengthened his physique. Moreover, the recent activation of the inner elixir of the Eight-Winged Purple Python had further made minor modifications to his body. Most importantly, Ding Hao's comprehension ability is indeed astonishing.

The primordial Qi circulates between Yin and Yang, giving rise to the myriad things of heaven and earth. Yet the source of this Qi originally is nothingness; nothingness is the true void. The Dao is realized through the heart, and the spiritual source subtly permeates

However, Dante Hao was aware that his body had truly undergone changes; his ears could hear farther, his skin could feel the movement of the air, and he could even sense the sound of his own pulse.

It seemed as if he sensed Ding Hao's probing gaze; this person opened his eyes, rubbed them as if he had not fully woken up, and looked at Ding Hao, saying: "Kid, do I look good to you?"

For an ordinary person encountering cultivation for the first time, the abstract concepts involved are inherently difficult to comprehend. Even with detailed explanations, immediate understanding is unlikely; it is only through repeated failures that one can truly discover the correct methods of cultivation. However, Ding Hao has directly bypassed this crucial period of confusion, which makes it understandable that he has been able to reach such a stage so quickly

But at this moment, it is too late for regret. Not to mention the inability to handle the outbreak of the Eight-Winged Purple Python's inner elixir, even if I sought refuge in another sect, others might not necessarily be willing to accept me

At this point, Ding Hao had a clear understanding of the Wujimo Sect, and he felt that his initial impression upon arrival was indeed correct; he had truly boarded a pirate ship

All things in the universe are composed of the five elements: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. The human body consists of the five spirits: soul, spirit, essence, energy, and mind, as well as the five organs: heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys. Cultivating the Dao is the process of strengthening the five spirits and the five organs.

Understanding the most fundamental principles makes the practice much simpler. According to the initial mantra of the Wuji Demon Technique during the Qi Refinement stage, concentrate your soul, essence, and spirit in the dantian where the Eight-Winged Purple Python's inner elixir resides. Gradually, you will sense the fluctuations of spiritual power. By guiding this fluctuation with your mind and allowing it to flow cyclically according to the mental methods of the Wuji Demon Technique, this is what is referred to as cultivation

After Ding Hao opened his eyes again, he realized it was already noon the next day. However, after a night of cultivation, he not only felt no discomfort in his body but instead felt invigorated and refreshed. His eyes could even see the pores of plants dozens of meters away. Ding Hao was no longer surprised by the changes in his body; the mysteries of cultivation had begun to make him believe that anything was possible.

This cave is five meters deep and approximately three meters wide. Aside from a mat for sitting, there are no other items, making it quite rudimentary

The first occurrence of the Eight-Winged Purple Python's inner elixir had already made a slight modification to Ding Hao's five internal organs: heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys. Although Ding Hao endured this process in great agony, he had gained some understanding of the Eight-Winged Purple Python's inner elixir. This time, as he operated his dantian through it, his body was already prepared.

Although the techniques in the library are all fundamental, they are perfectly suitable for Ding Hao, who has just begun his journey

After recalling and digesting the incantation for the initial stage of Qi Refinement from the jade tablet, one gradually enters a state of clarity. Based on the recent insights, one begins to immerse their spirit into this state.

The person's lazy demeanor vanished in an instant, and they appeared invigorated, looking at Ding Hao with much more amiable eyes

Ding Hao is not a person of boredom, but being new to the Wuji Demon Sect, he knows very little about it. In such circumstances, it is more prudent to clarify matters rather than rely on books for future actions. This is also a reflection of Ding Hao's caution as a hunter

However, Ding Hao can now guide the flow of this spiritual energy based on his Dantian. Unfortunately, the inner core of the Eight-Winged Purple Python resembles a stagnant pool, only emitting a small amount of spiritual energy, which leaves Ding Hao feeling quite frustrated. Although the inner core of the Eight-Winged Purple Python provides only a little spiritual energy, Ding Hao has already sensed changes in his body.

Ding Hao found this person somewhat interesting. Although he is also driven by profit, this individual does not seem to exhibit the typical behavior of the demonic sect, making him truly an anomaly

Oh, kid, do I have any obligation to answer you? What benefit do I gain from responding? Just by looking at your attire, it's clear that you are just a beginner. What good things can you possibly offer me?

Due to the departure and death of many members of the Infinite Demon Sect, the cultivation caves have become significantly emptier, allowing Ding Hao to directly utilize what is available. As Ding Hao has not yet reached the Nascent Soul stage and lacks the ability to fly, he can only circumvent the cold pool and choose a cave that is surrounded by vines and situated at a relatively obscure angle.

If he were to escape, Chen Ling only needed to claim that he possessed the inner elixir of the Eight-Winged Purple Python and a small Eight-Winged Purple Python. He would immediately be regarded by cultivators as a precious being akin to Tang Seng. The methods of cultivation are numerous, and with his mere beginner's abilities, no matter whom he encounters, he would only face a dead end. To die in one piece would be a luxury.

This person has an extremely ordinary appearance, belonging to the type that could be easily killed by a thrown stone in a bustling market. He looks to be around twenty years old, but Ding Hao knows that the age of a cultivator cannot be determined merely by appearance, as evidenced by Ma Feng's remark that there have been no new disciples in the past twenty years

Tomorrow marks the time when the Eight-Winged Purple Python's inner elixir will once again manifest. Since this decision has been made, Ding Hao will no longer dwell on it. The inner elixir of the Eight-Winged Purple Python must not be discovered by anyone. The most concealed training location, of course, is the cave behind the Cold Pool

The changes in the five organs are most pronounced; after each passage of spiritual energy, I can feel that the five organs have become more resilient and that my vitality has become more vigorous. This sensation is profoundly mysterious, and it is difficult to accurately describe in words

This junior disciple, although newly initiated, possesses remarkable insight, having guessed most of it correctly. Very well, I am in a good mood today, so feel free to express any doubts you may have, and there is no need for you to offer me anything in return

Looking at my senior brother, he possesses a dignified appearance. Although we are both third-generation disciples, he is already capable of managing such a vast library. Every time I see him, he is diligently practicing, and his skills must be quite profound, which makes me admire him greatly! However, when he has a request of others, his tone changes swiftly, and his emotions seem sincere, as if they come from the depths of his heart

After careful consideration and weighing the pros and cons, Ding Hao ultimately decided to temporarily remain in the Infinite Demon Sect. It is precisely because of its decline that it has become safer; others simply do not pay attention to it. Although the progress in cultivation techniques is slow, for Ding Hao, who has no other techniques, it is still better than nothing

A pest-repelling talisman was affixed at the entrance, and several bundles of grass were gathered to simply cover the hole. The pest-repelling talisman is the simplest type of talisman to create; it only requires applying the juice of the leaf orchid onto yellow paper in a specific pattern, and it can be activated with spiritual energy. It has no offensive capabilities; it merely serves to confuse animals and ordinary people. Before coming here, Ding Hao had made several of these.

Although he did not feel hungry, Ding Hao was still some distance away from the fasting period, so he still hunted a deer to replenish the energy he had expended