Chapter 9, Diligent Practice

In terms of strength alone, Baiyun Tower has already surpassed the average martial heroes of the Jianghu.

However, within the dantian, there is a highly refined and pure energy sphere, radiating a brilliant white light, slowly rotating, with streams of white energy rising and falling in the meridians with each breath.

When the Baiyun Tower activated the Heavenly Eye to observe itself, it finally saw clearly its own narrow meridians and obscure acupoints

The most important thing is that under the Eye of Heaven, this piece of charred wood emanates a green glow. While stroking this smooth, dark charred wood with his hand, Baiyun Tower asked, "What is the origin of this piece of wood?"

The golden essence stone placed by the bedside radiates a soft golden light, while the charred wood no longer emits any green light. However, a trace of fluctuation within the consciousness seems to have established a connection with the charred wood

Speaking, the girl with the surname Xia opened her carry-on bundle, which contained a hodgepodge of items, but there was no food inside

Indeed, it can devour. Unlike the green fluorescent dots, this time the devouring process was relatively slow, taking a full incense stick's duration to be completely consumed

After finishing the morning exercise, I returned to the inn in a cheerful mood, only to find Uncle Li waiting at the entrance of the inn

During those days at the Liuyun Temple, I read numerous Taoist scriptures and medical texts at the Baiyun Pavilion, among which several volumes elaborated on the theories of the five elements—metal, wood, water, fire, and earth—and their correspondence with the human organs and viscera.

Baiyun Lou twitched the corner of his mouth: "Feel free, as long as you are happy. Take this twenty taels of silver as a trade for that piece of charred wood. Do not spend the silver recklessly in the next few days; after covering your food and drink, the remainder will be enough for you to rent a carriage to the academy."

Before nightfall, they checked into an inn located at the city gate of a small county. The young girl with the surname Xia also requested a guest room, exchanged greetings with Baiyun Tower, and then took her leave to return to her room

In the afternoon, within the carriage, Bai Yunlou sensed a radiant object beneath the Heavenly Eye, which could subtly stir his divine consciousness. It was only when the night grew deep and quiet that he decided to take it out for a test

Baiyun Corridor: "Just this piece of charred wood will do, the rest you can put away. There are a few items that should be considered rare treasures, and they should fetch a good amount of silver when we reach the capital."

The White Cloud Tower gradually concentrated its spiritual consciousness, gently probing out from the sea of consciousness, reaching towards the area on the forehead where the charred wood flickered with emerald light. The spiritual consciousness gradually enveloped the emerald light, and after wrapping it, the consciousness slowly returned to the sea of consciousness

In the moment of devouring the green radiance, the consciousness of Baiyun Tower seemed to transform into a piece of charred wood, yet it exuded a vibrant vitality. A primal fluctuation imprinted itself upon the divine consciousness, representing a unique wave of divine awareness. Deep down, Baiyun Tower understood that what it had consumed was the essence of wood.

Baiyun Tower roughly deduced that the Heavenly Eye ability should belong to the wood element. In the afternoon, when it obtained the charred wood, Baiyun Tower prepared to attempt to use the charred wood to assist in cultivating the Heavenly Eye supernatural power

Although she shook her head in refusal, the girl with the surname Xia's eyes were fixed on several cloth bags and paper packages in the carriage, and she swallowed hard.

Since entering the Condensation Stage two days ago, the vital energy has been continuously circulating within the Baiyun Tower, nourishing and enriching both the meridians and the physical body

Then I must thank Young Master Xia. Compared to your treasure, what is my pastry? Come, let us eat together

Baiyun Tower felt as if there had been a profound transformation within him over the past two days, his aura becoming much more prolonged, and he could practice the Cloud-Pushing Palm several times in succession without feeling the slightest bit of fatigue

The Baiyun Tower can finally be viewed from within, as the celestial eye technique cultivated over many days has finally achieved a minor success

The girl with the surname Xia looked on with sparkling eyes, swallowed slightly, and said: "To me, these are all treasures, they feel so familiar, I just want to taste a little bit."

He pointed to the bundle at his feet and continued, "Most of what is in this bundle is collected by me. I have an innate affinity for some peculiar and strange things."

The next morning, at Baiyun Tower, a spot by the stream was found, where several rounds of the Cloud Dispelling Palm were practiced. With the enhancement of the heavenly eye's perception, the Cloud Dispelling Palm became increasingly proficient.

The young girl with the surname Xia said: "My father mentioned that there is no need to spend silver in the academy, and he also said that if I need anything, I can just go directly to the headmaster to request it."

It seems that recently one must persist in opening the other meridians of the Eight Extraordinary Vessels. The true energy of the Cloud-Pushing Palm technique can only exert its true power when circulating through the eight meridians. Moreover, practicing this palm technique can also expand the meridians and enhance their resilience.

Although his eyes were closed, the consciousness of Baiyun Tower, like antennae, could still clearly identify everything within a radius of three zhang.

This time, the nurturing was markedly different from the previous days, as the wood essence energy enveloped within my consciousness seemed to take root and sprout like a seed in the hidden orifice

The strength has increased significantly, allowing one to easily lift and throw stones weighing dozens of pounds over one's head and several yards away

The girl with the surname Xia said: "This piece of charred wood was picked up from the roadside. At that time, I passed by a village entrance where an old tree was struck by lightning and caught fire. After the fire was extinguished, only this piece of charred wood remained. I found it interesting, so I picked it up."

The young girl with the surname Xia was not polite, grabbing two ingots of silver and putting them away, while also sampling all the pastries. Seeing her enjoy the food, Baiyun Tower couldn't help but pick up a piece of pastry and start eating as well

The girl with the surname Xia said: "I will not exchange, these are all my treasures. Once I arrive at the academy, I will have money. Brother Bai, you have helped me, and that is why I am willing to exchange with you. I am not greedy for your pastries."

This piece of wood is the size of a palm, featuring the texture of wood, resembling charred charcoal, yet it feels as heavy as iron or stone in hand

The divine consciousness orb successfully absorbed the essence of the wood spirit, and within the divine consciousness, a trace of the wood's aura was contained, perpetually thriving

Baiyun Tower opened its eyes, simultaneously activating the heavenly eye. A green light seemed to flash between its eyes, and a faint green hue enveloped its vision. The blurred outlines of the tables and chairs in the dimly lit room suddenly became clear, and the characters and paintings on the wall were distinctly discernible

Baiyun Tower casually opened several cloth bags and paper packages, having purchased a variety of delicious pastries from Zhao Family Collection, including osmanthus cake, mille-feuille, and caramel twists.

In the stillness of the deep night, with divine powers beginning to manifest, Baiyun Tower gazed at the golden essence stone in hand, yet refrained from further attempts. The hour of the rat had passed, and after tidying up a bit, Baiyun Tower fell into a deep sleep.

Baiyun Tower fell silent for a moment, speaking as if all the academies were established by her family. Suddenly, Baiyun Tower's hand came to rest on a piece of dark wood.

The leap has gradually transcended the realm of traditional martial arts agility, with a single jump reaching nearly 2 yards and a bound exceeding 3 yards.

In the end, the voice weakly said: "I still have some treasures in this bundle. If Brother Bai finds them appealing, I would like to exchange them for some silver... and some pastries?"

After a brief contemplation, Baiyun Tower placed the golden essence stone down and picked up the charred wood, pressing it against the center of the forehead.

As the essence of wood and the innate energy were nurtured and refined, it was unclear how much time had passed, when suddenly the surrounding world sensed by the consciousness of Baiyun Tower became clear all at once

Baiyun Tower smiled and said, "This young lady is a bit fierce, but she has her principles. Just casually rummaging through her belongings, she asked, 'Brother Xia, you have spent all your money halfway through your journey. How will you live at the academy?'"

As the spiritual awareness condensed into the Baiyun Tower, it penetrated the hidden orifice that connects to the Heavenly Eye. The technique was activated, and the energy was nurtured and refined.

That night, at the Baiyun Tower, the golden essence stone and the charred wood were taken into hand, and the heavenly eye was activated, with golden and emerald lights flashing in alternation