Chapter 2, The Path of Refining the Heart

According to the rules of Floating Cloud Valley, every four days, a Foundation Establishment expert will impart teachings to the Spirit Movement disciples. Receiving guidance from such an expert can significantly reduce the detours in their cultivation. Naturally, Lin Xuan would not miss such an opportunity

Suddenly, flames about one zhang high erupted from the ground, and the surrounding temperature rose sharply

You... that person glanced at Lin Xuan, his face filled with astonishment: "You went to the Heart Refining Path?"

Over the past three years, Lin Xuan has endured considerable suffering due to damaged meridians. Each recovery period requires a lengthy duration, and as an ordinary person without spiritual roots, it is exceedingly difficult to keep pace with his peers despite his relentless efforts, leaving no time for delays

After the two parted ways, the foundation-building cultivator remained somewhat dazed. Although illusions do not cause real harm, the sensations are indistinguishable from reality. It is truly remarkable that a disciple in the early stages of spiritual awakening could endure this.

... ...

At this pace, as long as one perseveres, it should be possible to enter the second layer of the agile phase

Boom

Indeed, just as the legends say. Lin Xuan checked his entire body and found no signs of injury, but the pain he had just experienced from being burned by the fierce flames was still fresh in his memory

Yes, Master Uncle

After silently calculating his progress in cultivation, Lin Xuan stood up. He had already spent four days in the Heart Refinement Path and should go out to take a look. Firstly, he had been cultivating tirelessly in the blazing fire for the past few days, and his body had reached its limit. Secondly, today was the time for the instructor to impart the techniques.

At the back mountain of Floating Cloud Valley, there is a slanting passage on the stone wall that seems bottomless. This is the Heart Refining Path. Standing at the entrance, Lin Xuan took a deep breath and walked in

Pushing open the heavy stone door, Lin Xuan stepped out of the training room. By this time, the sky had turned completely dark, and the stars blinked weakly. However, Lin Xuan had no intention of resting and headed towards the path of refining his heart.

Then, the acquired spiritual energy is circulated through the Eight Extraordinary Meridians and finally stored in the Dantian

When his endurance reaches its limit, he runs out to rest for a while. After recovering his strength, he re-enters the blazing illusion.

However, even though he knew it was false, the feeling was as real as the book. Soon, the flame raised the surrounding temperature to an unbearable level, and large drops of sweat dripped from Lin Xuan's face

Thus, in a cyclical manner, Lin Xuan diligently practiced on the path of refining his heart, relying on his own perseverance

The flames licked at his skin, and Lin Xuan's teeth clicked together, the pain becoming so intense that it eventually turned numb. However, the spiritual energy here was indeed abundant, with an absorption rate several times that of the outside.

Hearsay indeed differs completely from personal experience. Previously, Lin Xuan only listened to those foundation-building experts discuss the path of refining the heart, but he never expected it to be even more terrifying than the legends.

It seems I have no choice but to go to the Heart Refining Path, Lin Xuan gritted his teeth

Following the corridor, Lin Xuan arrived outside. Unlike when he first came, he happened to encounter a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator.

A terrifying scene unfolded, yet Lin Xuan raised his eyebrows slightly, remaining unflustered and seemingly oblivious. He continued to wholeheartedly absorb the surrounding spiritual energy, considering everything that occurred on the path of refining the heart to be mere illusions, unworthy of his attention

Although it is uncomfortable, it is worth it, because the spiritual energy here is not only highly concentrated but also extremely pure. Cultivating in this environment can yield results that are twice as effective with half the effort, significantly increasing the hope of breaking through bottlenecks

But now Lin Xuan has no other path to take; he is either stuck at a bottleneck or must seek breakthroughs on the path of refining his heart. He chose the latter

In addition to spiritual roots, cultivation also requires a resilient mindset. This disciple named Lin Xuan truly deserves to be viewed in a new light

After undergoing an internal examination, a trace of gloom flashed in Lin Xuan's eyes. Despite his efforts, his cultivation had not improved. Logically speaking, after completing a full cycle of the Great Zhou, his spiritual power should have increased to some extent.

The Refining Heart Path is a unique location within the Floating Cloud Valley. Three thousand years ago, it was discovered by the founder of our sect by chance. After investigation, it was confirmed to be a relic left behind by ancient cultivators

Lin Xuan carefully controlled the flow of spiritual energy, and fortunately, through continuous attempts, he had become very clear about the capacity of his meridians.

Master Uncle

Several days passed, and his spiritual power finally made some progress. Although the gains were still minimal compared to the effort expended, it was much faster than practicing outside.

In the first one hundred meters, there were no illusions, and the concentration of spiritual energy in the realm of the illustrated books was exactly the same as outside. However, Lin Xuan did not dare to be careless at all. Although it was his first time here, he had often heard about the terrifying nature of the Heart Refining Path.

Absorbing spiritual energy into the body is merely the first step; thereafter, one must refine it according to the secret methods taught by the sect. This process involves significant losses, as typically, after absorbing hundreds of milliliters of spiritual energy, only a strand of hair-sized spiritual power can be refined.

After taking a few more steps, the situation suddenly changed; the surrounding spiritual energy of the world became denser. This place is indeed suitable for cultivation

Even for those with a resilient mind, it is impossible to complete the entire process in the raging fire. Lin Xuan persisted for five minutes, and his endurance had already reached its limit. He stood up and ran out at the fastest speed. Once he left the area rich in spiritual energy, the illusion of the raging fire also disappeared.

Although it is an illusion, the sensation feels like a true hell, testing Lin Xuan's willpower.

Moreover, the path of refining the heart is freely accessible to the disciples of this sect. Unfortunately, apart from the experts above the Foundation Establishment stage, the low-level disciples in the Spirit Movement stage do not dare to attempt it at all. With their cultivation and comprehension, their resolve is unstable, and they cannot withstand the onslaught of illusions.

Lin Xuan's expression grew serious as he carefully surveyed his surroundings before cautiously sitting down in a cross-legged position

An hour later, after completing the cycle, the spiritual energy returned to the dantian through the meridians

After resting for a while, Lin Xuan stepped forward again, the flames reappearing. Enduring the pain of being scorched, he continued to absorb the spiritual energy

Although the path of refining the heart is daunting, the spiritual energy within is abundant, making cultivation there yield twice the result with half the effort

The flames quickly engulfed him, and with his cultivation at the first layer of the Spirit Movement Stage, he was unable to summon a protective shield, forcing him to grit his teeth and endure the pain.

While enduring the excruciating pain of being engulfed in flames, one must also concentrate and absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. The trials involved are beyond the imagination of ordinary people. However, Lin Xuan persevered through sheer tenacity and resilience.

It is a most wondrous place; once one enters, one is enveloped by illusions. At one moment, one finds oneself in a sea of blades and flames, and at another, one falls into the eighteen layers of hell. Although the illusions do not inflict real harm, they can be excruciatingly tormenting. However, the benefits are also quite evident.