Chapter 7: Cold Mountain

If it were merely a matter of absorbing the spiritual energy emitted by the earth's veins, "The River and Mountain Secret" could not possibly become a celestial-level martial art.

Ye Xuan could not help but feel astonished: If it were a lawless land, how could the pulse observation technique possibly fail?

Thinking of this, Ye Xuan could only sigh helplessly. Under normal circumstances, for disciples with good talent practicing the Liu family's Qi Induction Technique, reaching the upper first rank around the age of twenty is not a problem at all

Moreover, since the earth's veins are formed from the natural elements of heaven and earth, containing a trace of the profound yellow true energy, if a practitioner successfully refines all twenty meridians, including the twelve regular meridians and the eight extraordinary vessels, they will naturally exude a sense of composure in their every gesture, making it much easier to connect with the forces of heaven and earth

After a sufficiently long accumulation, the earth's veins will no longer emit spiritual energy; instead, they will begin to condense. This type of earth vein is referred to as an old vein, which no longer appears on the surface but rather hides beneath the region, making it extremely difficult to locate.

However, the "Mountain and River Secret" that Ye Xuan is cultivating is not so simple

However, Ye Xuan possesses a superior cultivation technique compared to the Lu family's Qi Induction Method. If he were to be stuck at this stage due to the inability to find a suitable ley line and fails to break through to the innate level before the age of twenty, he would truly be left in despair.

Upon ceasing the use of the observation technique, Ye Xuan's vision returned to a normal state

However, Hanshan possesses advantages that other mountains cannot compare to, namely the extensive length of its mountain range

The reason why mountains, rivers, lakes, and seas are renowned is due to their spiritual connection; and the reason for this spiritual connection is the abundant essence of the heavens and the earth contained within them

To absorb the spiritual energy of the earth, it is essential to locate the source of the earth's veins.

Because this involves the second point, "A cultivator has three irreversible processes in their lifetime," he missed this point back then at mhetushucomcom. Having rarely obtained a good body through possession, he is unwilling to miss this opportunity again

Since he began practicing the "Mountain and River Secret" and learned the art of pulse observation, he has only used the method of assessing the situation twice to date

From this point, one can discern the gap between the scions of the Baiyu Dynasty and the true prestigious families and sect disciples of the Tianyuan Continent

Taking the Lu family as an example, only core disciples are permitted to practice the Lu family's Qi Induction Technique and the Listening Wind Sword Technique. To become a core disciple, in addition to talent, one must also undergo various evaluations, such as loyalty to the family, among others. Considering all these assessments, it is impossible to determine how much time will be wasted.

At this moment, Ye Xuan is in a forest called Han Mountain.

Certainly, this kind of speed does have its distinctions. If the opponent is also practicing a celestial-level qi-gathering technique, then no matter how fast one is, it is impossible to be significantly faster.

If it is said that there are sects that have established their mountain gates above the cold, then it would be understandable that they have laid down extraordinary formations to suppress the earth's veins for the use of their sects, making it impossible for Ye Xuan to observe the situation using his pulse observation technique

Because the meridians within the body have been transformed into an existence similar to that of earth veins, when practitioners perform martial techniques, the spiritual energy they invoke will not be wasted in the slightest. This ensures that the practitioners possess greater power and more enduring combat strength than their opponents when facing them

The first stage is the foundational period from the age of eight to twelve. Only after completing this foundation at the age of twelve will a cultivator's talent and abilities begin to manifest. For those with exceptional innate talent, upon completing their foundation at twelve and entering the lower ninth rank, with a good breathing technique, they can generally reach the upper first rank within three years of cultivation. Subsequently, barring any unforeseen circumstances, it is also inevitable for them to break through to the innate stage by the age of seventeen or eighteen.

However, Hanshan presented a different peculiar situation, where the observation of the pulse was completely obstructed

At this moment, Ye Xuan is located at the foot of the mountain. Since he cannot discern whether Han Mountain contains any ley lines from here, he decides to venture deeper into Han Mountain to investigate before making a decision. After all, Han Mountain is Ye Xuan's last hope; if there are no ley lines here either, then his cultivation progress is likely to encounter some setbacks.

It is merely discernible whether there are ley lines and where the source of these ley lines is, as these are two distinct concepts

Only when he finally climbed to the peak of Cold Mountain and observed the entire range of Cold Mountain did a look of incredulous shock appear on his face

If the geological veins of a region have just recently emerged, then the vein patterns will exhibit a magnificent force, and from a distance, one can see the soaring crimson and yellow hues.

However, this is the third time

What Ye Xuan detests the most are words like setbacks and surprises

If one possesses sufficient talent and demonstrates loyalty to their family and sect, then naturally, they will have access to better cultivation methods and will also receive better treatment

Of course, it is also possible that it is related to the poor quality of the Qi induction technique he practices

This Cold Mountain is the closest major mountain to Cold Water City, yet it consists of only a single peak, with a relative height of approximately 400 meters. Compared to several nearby mountains that exceed 1,000 meters in elevation, this mountain can indeed be considered rather modest.

This is precisely the reason why Ye Xuan must climb to the peak of Cold Mountain

However, the body that Ye Xuan has taken over is now nearly fifteen years old, yet it remains at the lower ninth rank, which leaves him somewhat perplexed. Logically speaking, this body has a very solid foundation, after all, it belongs to a child of a prominent family and a scholar, and is significantly stronger than his previous body. Yet, the realm has not improved, so the only explanation is that the original owner of this body was a person of dull talent.

The second is close observation

Utilizing the method of situational observation is not as straightforward as the previous two methods; it is a practice somewhat related to terrain and feng shui. It requires the practitioner to rely on their own experience and discernment to make judgments. Fortunately, Ye Xuan has been studying the "Mountain and River Secret" along with various schools of feng shui and terrain studies for several years, so this aspect will not pose a challenge for him

He glanced around and did not notice anything unusual. After hesitating for a moment, he chose to continue climbing the mountain

At this moment, one can only approach this area for careful observation. If any discoveries are made, one would witness streams of spiritual energy erupting from the crimson-yellow veins of the earth, cleansing the surrounding region like a galaxy of stars.

Logically, such a great mountain must necessarily have geological veins.

How could this happen? The golden sheen in Ye Xuan's eyes faded, yet his brows furrowed tightly. "The Pulse Observation Technique has actually failed? Could it be that a master has set up a formation here?"

The earth veins are spiritual veins formed by the accumulation of the spiritual energy of heaven and earth over hundreds or even thousands of years. Earth veins do not only arise in high mountains; they can also emerge in rivers, lakes, seas, or even within a specific region

The third is to observe the situation

Moreover, in addition to this, cultivating the "Shanhe Jue" also has other benefits

However, on this cold mountain, there is nothing at all; everything is no different from ordinary mountains. Although the spiritual energy of heaven and earth is indeed more abundant here than in other forests and mountains, this energy is clearly scattered everywhere and has not been harnessed. This is evidently a land without an owner

Moreover, the earth's veins are transformed from the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, allowing practitioners to absorb and utilize this energy significantly faster than others

However, whether it is to observe the situation or to trace the source of the geological veins, one must at least stand at a high vantage point.

This Cold Mountain is the final destination of Ye Xuan. However, when he arrived at this Cold Mountain to perform the Pulse Observation Technique, what he saw was a sea of white mist, which was completely different from what he usually encountered. If there were no earth veins present, then the situation observed under the Pulse Observation Technique would not differ much from what could be seen with the naked eye.

Under the influence of pulse observation techniques, regions rich in earth veins will emit a long strip of reddish-yellow color. If the history of this earth vein is sufficiently long, the shades of red and yellow will deepen, and the strip will become longer and thicker

The cultivation practiced in "Shan He Jue" involves directly absorbing a ley line, incorporating the spiritual energy contained within the ley line to transform one's own meridians

On the Tianyuan Continent, the locations of the sects' mountain gates are mostly chosen in places where ley lines exist. This is because the spiritual energy emitted by the ley lines is extremely abundant, which can accelerate the cultivation speed of practitioners, making it comparable to so-called blessed lands.

At this moment, what Ye Xuan intends to employ is the method of assessing the situation. He has already utilized the first two methods, and aside from the inscrutable Cold Mountain, there are no geological veins present in the nearby high mountains.

According to the old residents of Hanshui City, the mountain range of Hanshan stretches over 10,000 miles, spanning across the two states of Hanzhou and Jingzhou. Such an extensive length has naturally nurtured countless living beings, sustaining several cities, towns, and villages near this great mountain, particularly in the region of Jingzhou.

The birth of ley lines is not easy. Although the master who created the "Mountain and River Secret" had unique ideas, he also understood the importance of leaving a glimmer of hope. Therefore, while this technique absorbs the ley lines, it still leaves a trace of the source. After thousands of years of sedimentation, this source will eventually give rise to a new ley line, ensuring that the energy of a region does not become completely extinguished.

However, in the several mountains near Hanshui City, when Ye Xuan employed this vein observation technique, he did not detect the presence of any earth veins

After more than a hundred years of accumulation and sublimation, the new pulse is steady and reserved; from a distance, one can only see the aura permeating, making it impossible to determine whether there is a geological vein.

However, those prestigious sects and powerful families are not the same. Although there will still be some assessments and examinations of loyalty, the techniques for cultivating energy that they provide to their disciples are uniform. Only by practicing the same skill can the speed of progress serve as a criterion for judging one's talent.

Han Shui City, although its name includes 'water', is also a port city. However, in reality, there are several seemingly majestic mountains in the vicinity of the region where it is located

Through this secret technique, practitioners can easily discern whether a particular area contains ley lines.

The "Mountain and River Code" records three methods of pulse observation.

The first is distant observation

Moreover, before becoming core disciples, the cultivation techniques and martial skills practiced by these clan members were diverse and varied, lacking any form of standardization

A cultivator's life encompasses three irreversible processes

He slowly closed his eyes, then opened them again, and a hint of gold appeared in his pupils. However, the scene before Ye Xuan was no longer the cold mountain landscape, but instead a shrouded expanse of white mist.

The so-called exceptional individuals and favorable geographical conditions are largely influenced by the underlying geological features.

Unbeknownst to him, Ye Xuan had arrived at the halfway point of Han Mountain. He cast a glance at the only peak of Han Mountain—there lay the destination of his journey.

However, at this moment, Ye Xuan, who is situated in the cold mountains, has a look of confusion on his face

The Art of Observing Pulses is a form of divination prepared for practitioners in the "Shan He Jue".