Chapter 10, Cultivation

In the afternoon, the number of disciples coming to read increased, and the speed of reviewing noticeably declined. Nevertheless, by the time the sun was setting, I had essentially recorded the key points of the collection. As the saying goes, one cannot chew more than one can swallow; even the strongest memory is of no use without reasonable summarization and insightful understanding. The path of cultivation emphasizes comprehension, not merely who can recite the text. Therefore, today's study ends here, and it is wise to return and reflect carefully.

It is said: "When in poverty, one thinks of change; when change occurs, one finds a way." In the face of the pressing constraints of the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, it has become imperative to disrupt the existing system and establish new methods of cultivation. After decades of relentless efforts by numerous generations, the righteous path has embarked on a journey to control energy, gradually integrating the cultivation process into four stages: Lingdong, Zhongwei, Kongming, and Taiji. Although each stage is further divided into three levels based on the quantity of energy absorbed—one, two, and three units—overall, this simplification represents a significant advancement.

As the gray and white faded from his eyes, a short, chubby boy glanced at him oddly from a few meters away. After seeing him return to searching for books, he felt slightly relieved. Looking around, he realized he had nearly finished two-thirds of the first district's introductory and foundational texts, totaling about 1,800 volumes. His stomach let out an untimely growl, but fortunately, he had stored some beef and dry rations in his belt; it was time for a meal.

Sit cross-legged and try to relax all the joints in your body. Then gently press the Na Yuan Jade Wall at the top of your head, and a faint blue light will emerge. Soon, it will blend into a mass of water and milk, which is the refined spiritual energy of heaven and earth. Although it is only the size of a fist, Tian Maoping is quite generous in his investment, as the value on the jade wall has decreased by a full 30,000 points.

No one can remember all the book titles like Tian Maoping, and even fewer can comprehend the reasons behind it. It is worth mentioning that discoveries were indeed made at Lingxi Rock, a place where Ge Qingyun studied in his youth. By now, it has long been abandoned, with wild grass growing everywhere outside the building. It was easy to find three rare copies, one of which, titled "The Rite of Universal Salutation," has an inscription on its front page: "At the age of nineteen, I reached the Middle Micro Stage of the Three Origins. Now, upon seeing this book, I am immensely astonished, likely due to the extraordinary nature of its content. Upon careful reflection, it makes a great deal of sense; perhaps my previous progress was misguided! I hope that future disciples will comprehend this diligently, signed Ge Qingyun."

Since there was no one nearby, Tian Maoping stepped onto his flying sword and approached the first row of bookshelves. He calmed his mind, took a deep breath, and extended his slender fingers toward the first book in the collection. Initially, he read very slowly, but after two minutes, his speed of turning the pages increased exponentially. A strange grayish-white hue appeared in his clear eyes, as if he had lost part of his consciousness, only aware of repeating the same action.

Refill five basins with clear water, and Tian Maoping has spent a total of four hundred and fifty thousand Na Yuan. Strike while the iron is hot; since there is nothing else to do, he might as well cultivate his true spirit. Investing such a significant amount at the initial stage of the Spirit Movement period is unprecedented in the history of the Tianyi Sect

The other disciples did not feel as strongly as Tian Maoping. Among them, six had already been marked in Zheng Qinghui's mind, and to some extent, they would become key objects of cultivation in the future. In fact, the insights on cultivation were also prepared for these few disciples, and how much they could comprehend would depend on their aptitude.

Tian Maoping stood with his hands behind his back, a flying sword hovering steadily in the air beneath his feet. Nearby, disciples whispered to each other, "Have you heard? This Master Uncle Zheng Qinghui holds a prestigious position in the Tianyi Sect. In the future, not only will he impart knowledge and resolve doubts, but he will also compile his lifelong cultivation insights into a book to share with everyone. What a blessing for us."

At noon, sunlight streamed in through the skylight, making the building feel particularly warm. Tian Maoping, while eating, was deeply immersed in recalling the meanings hidden between the lines of the text, completely absorbed in the exploration of the essence of the Nanyuan in the book.

Cultivation relies on a strong tenacity. For five days, Tian Maoping remained motionless, only able to gauge his progress by the continuous reduction of his nascent energy from the top of his head. Miraculously, he absorbed 450,000 points of nascent energy into his body. Even those esteemed elders of the sect could only indulge in such extravagance after reaching the Clear Void stage, yet now it has been surpassed by a mere undercover agent of the demonic path.

It seems that the contemporary master Ge Qingyun inadvertently came across the notes of his predecessors, and perhaps his achievements today are indeed a result of this book. He hurriedly began to study it, and the more he read, the more astonished he became. Although it only elaborated on the methods of cultivation during the Spirit Movement period, it was entirely different from other notes, even possessing a hint of malevolence.

The shortcomings of "Stagnation Leads to Stagnation" are hardly significant for Tian Maoping, as he has discovered a peculiar manuscript titled "Sword Body Vibration Technique." This discipline, akin to swordsmanship, discusses the properties of various media and substances throughout. When one substance exists within another, the latter serves as the medium for the former. A flying sword can be viewed as an entity that continuously seeks to penetrate other material media, aiming to destroy all things in the world through vibration. As long as the energy intensity is sufficiently strong, no enemy can withstand a gentle strike from the sword.

A disciple nearby scoffed, "Hmph, if those cultivation insights didn't require purchasing with Na Yuan, I believe it would truly be a blessing for us. Each volume costs three thousand Na Yuan! And this is just the first volume; there are a total of nine volumes, with each subsequent volume increasing in price. Even if one comes from a well-off family, they will eventually be drained dry. My family is in business, and no matter how I look at it, Zheng Qinghui seems to be better at business than my father. The initial investment is negligible, yet the returns are a hundredfold."

Upon stepping outside, one could see the starry sky obscured by several clusters of dark clouds, with only a faint light visible in the direction of Fengyuan Mountain City, while the surroundings were nearly pitch black. Tian Maoping mounted his flying sword and soared into the sky, with the wooden house behind him appearing increasingly diminutive.

Uncertain how much time had passed, Tian Maoping sensed someone approaching and had to slow down. Although he had devoted most of his attention to shorthand, he still retained a sliver of clarity, ready to extricate himself from that "sponge absorbing water" state at any moment

Tian Maoping has always been unable to decide on a starting point for his cultivation, but the emergence of this book has enlightened him. After searching for so long, wasn't he precisely looking for a unique path? What could be more unconventional than organizing a small-scale war of true spirits within one's body? The book also presents certain limitations, which are merely sufficient Yuan absorption and the willpower to endure the pain of self-inflicted harm; these are not issues.

The method of full-force operation has restrained the true spirit, causing a sweet sensation in the throat, nearly resulting in a violent spurt of blood, as it turns out to be a minor internal injury

The demonic path does not show weakness either, firmly establishing human-shaped weapons based on body refinement, which is divided into four stages: Demon Soul, Blood Transformation, Heavenly Burial, and Chaos. It is said that the Great Perfection of Chaos corresponds to the ancient cultivation realm of the Integration Stage, but no one can clearly define how to measure this.

A solitary wooden cabin not far from the warehouse emanates a hazy aura, as if a red light is seeping through the somewhat flimsy wooden planks. It also seems that some kind of force field is hovering over the roof, preventing the cold wind from intruding. If someone were to witness such a scene, they would likely be somewhat astonished, for it is quite surprising that someone is practicing in such a desolate area

The stars in the sky gradually fade away, and the hard work of the night yields satisfactory results. Tian Maoping possesses high innate talent, and with so many theories as a foundation, the fact that he is older than the standard age has not led to any significant negative impact. Therefore, his true spirit is basically fully condensed, with no risk of dispersal. This is a minor checkpoint on the path of cultivation. Others do not complete it as quickly; they spend three to five hours each day to achieve their full potential.

Opening his eyes, he noticed that the water in the basin around him had decreased by more than half. He raised his arm, attempting to exert a subtle force from a distance. The incense burner on the wooden table toppled over with a sound, shattering into fifty or sixty pieces. He was quite dissatisfied with this outcome, furrowing his brow as he patiently reflected on the shortcomings. The ideal effect should have been nearly complete destruction, and it was evident that he had fallen far short of that.

Among them, "Stagnation Leads to Stagnation" discusses defensive techniques. It begins by dividing the space in front and behind the body into sixteen zones, followed by individual training for each zone until any aggressive object entering that zone is reflexively countered. Once the sixteen zones are perfected, they are gradually integrated to form an impenetrable barrier, aiming for a state where external forces cannot breach the supreme realm. While this sounds easy, it is, in fact, extremely difficult. Many areas are blind spots of the body, and achieving the required level necessitates exceptionally refined sword control techniques, with the force applied being exquisitely precise. Otherwise, one may only reach a tenth or a twelfth of the described progress, not to mention the considerable time spent practicing. Ultimately, when the sixteen zones are perfected and integrated step by step to achieve an impenetrable barrier, the goal of preventing external forces from breaching the supreme realm remains elusive. This is easier said than done, as many areas are blind spots of the body, and achieving the required level necessitates exceptionally refined sword control techniques, with the force applied being exquisitely precise. Otherwise, one may only reach a tenth or a twelfth of the described progress, not to mention the considerable time spent practicing, and ultimately, one is bound to end up like the story of the man from Handan, learning to walk but failing to master it, resulting in a defensive strategy full of flaws.

As night fell, Tian Maoping entered the relatively cozy wooden cabin, where five basins of clean water were placed on the floor. This was to prevent the high-temperature phenomenon caused by the body's rejection during the infusion of the Na Yuan. Generally, the optimal age for this process is between 6 and 10 years old; the later it is delayed, the less effective it becomes. Even according to Ouyang Haotian's age, being 16 years old is already considered overage, not to mention his actual age of 32.

At the time when the sun is high in the sky, a surge of restlessness arises within the body, signaling the imminent birth of the true spirit. This moment is exceptionally critical; as the saying goes, two tigers cannot coexist on the same mountain. If not handled properly, two true spirits will immediately clash. The "Ten Thousand Spirits Salutation Technique" comes with a method for severing meridians, forcibly cutting off the connection between the brain and a certain meridian, creating a cage to imprison the true spirit

Many disciples of the Xu Tian Yi Sect have already achieved outstanding results at home. Upon entering, they follow the prescribed methods of cultivation step by step. As long as they gradually absorb the essence of Yuan, they will eventually reach the third stage of spiritual agility, which will bring them to the first "threshold." Whether they can advance to the Intermediate Micro Stage will depend on their individual qualities. At this moment, Tian Maoping has no time to think about long-term matters; he is earnestly praying for the transformation of his body by the Heavenly Demon Sect to take effect, as the issue of age alone can create a significant gap.

Tian Maoping originally harbored a sense of disdain, yet a gaze as pure as snow swept across, instantly enveloping him in a fog. It was a manifestation of pure spiritual power. Looking up, he noticed that all the surrounding disciples were affected, with only three to five managing to break free from the confines of their hearts. Naturally, such a method was difficult to ensnare someone who had resisted the demonic devouring for many years. Tian Maoping was merely slightly surprised before returning to normal.

Only those with a talent for the demonic arts would be interested in martial arts, as disciples of the righteous path primarily focus on swordsmanship. They always keep a few flying swords in their storage space for emergencies, which is why the library seldom delves into such topics

Just as he pushed towards the incense burner, he employed the "Sword Body Shock Technique," creating small area shock waves in the air with lethal potential. However, Tian Maoping discovered that this technique, when integrated into physical attacks, demands extremely high physical conditioning, akin to "inflicting a thousand points of damage on the enemy while suffering three hundred points of self-damage." Prolonged use of this method could harm the internal organs.

In the center of the mountain rock stands a square stone pedestal, upon which sits an elderly man with a white beard, dressed in a dignified manner. This old man is remarkably handsome, with a slender waist and broad shoulders, a fan-shaped physique, and a prominent forehead. His face resembles a jade crown, exuding an air of heroism. Each strand of his hair is wind-swept, and his sword-like eyebrows extend to his temples, radiating an aura of immense authority. As the mountain breeze stirs, his garments flutter gracefully, embodying the demeanor of a distinguished elder.

Zheng Qinghui stroked his beard and spoke in front: "The practice of the right path emphasizes a gradual progression, divided into four realms: Lingdong, Zhongwei, Kongming, and Taiji. Each realm is further divided into three sub-levels. For instance, most disciples here have received good enlightenment before entering, stepping into the Lingdong phase, which is already quite commendable. It is important to understand that cultivation relies on innate qualities; a good starting point is crucial. However, disciples with slightly inferior conditions need not feel disheartened, as there are countless examples of those who have worked hard to achieve greatness. Now, if anyone has questions, feel free to ask. I particularly enjoy being challenged by energetic younger disciples, as the saying goes, one learns as long as one lives, and among three people, there must be a teacher for me."

In the following nine days, Tian Maoping traversed seventeen locations to preach and listen to Wu Yan. All the treasured texts had been absorbed into his mind, and the findings were roughly as anticipated. The collections at each location were almost identical, with only a few rare volumes that seemed to have been deliberately included as unique editions. Even the most essential parts were concentrated within this minuscule fraction.

The reason why the "Detailed Explanation of Twenty-One Demon Beasts" is included in the five notebooks is that Tian Maoping has suffered significant losses at the hands of these demon beasts. This notebook not only introduces nineteen types of imperial demon beasts but also mentions two types of royal beasts, elucidating their shortcomings and characteristics one by one. At the time, it was truly alarming to read; the author of this book must have personally challenged the royal beasts, likely possessing cultivation akin to that of the ancestral figures of the Tian family, with combat power that is unimaginably formidable. In addition, the book also covers over one hundred common demon beasts of various levels. Although it only leaves a few brief notes, it succinctly reveals the methods for defeating them, which is indeed remarkable. At the time, it was truly alarming to read; the author of this book must have personally challenged the royal beasts, likely possessing cultivation akin to that of the ancestral figures of the Tian family, with combat power that is unimaginably formidable. In addition, the book also covers over one hundred common demon beasts of various levels. Although it only leaves a few brief notes, it succinctly reveals the methods for defeating them, which is indeed remarkable.

Tian Maoping endured the initial pain of bodily rejection, and as he tempered his heart, the heat dissipated. The following period was much easier. The true spirit cultivated in the early stages within him was rapidly devouring the absorbed essence, much like a hungry infant waiting for its parents to feed it

As the day grew late, he changed into a set of blue cloth garments, appearing neat and composed. He lifted a long wooden box, inside which were three second-tier flying swords and two third-tier flying swords, all intended for sale, while the rest would be kept for modification purposes. He made sure to carry a Yuan Jade Bi with a value of around 50,000, as in the dark of night, one could never tell if there would be any petty thieves about. The destination was the "Black Market" of Tianyi Gate, so it was wise to make ample preparations.

On the evening of the fifth day, his clear eyes suddenly opened wide, and with a flash like lightning, he cast two sharp glances around the wooden house. Slowly exhaling a breath of turbid air, he thought to himself: "If only I had enough Na Yuan to provide, I could cultivate two more true spirits. Unfortunately, I must pause for now. There is a very important matter to attend to on the evening of the second day of the new year, which is to go to the nameless valley to purchase materials for making flying swords. Money is always regretted to be insufficient when needed. I initially thought that the Ouyang family was doing well, with over 3.4 million Na Yuan making me quite wealthy, but after just half a month since entering, over 500,000 has vanished. At this rate of development, I believe it won't be long before I have to sell off my assets."

So fast, it is truly too fast; in less than thirty minutes, I have finished browsing through two rows of bookshelves. The sound of pages flipping, "whoosh whoosh," continues incessantly, and this frenzy shows no signs of stopping.

On the stone pedestal, Zheng Qinghui's mind momentarily wandered as he looked back at the crowd. Every five years, there is a covert assessment of the qualifications of new disciples, but this year has proven to be the worst in history, with only six barely passing. However, just now, when he displayed his ultimate skill, it seemed he encountered something unusual, as if a vast tide suddenly met an inconspicuous rock, and any trace of it has vanished. Could it be an illusion

In recent days, I have discovered five extremely important manuscripts among the more than 300,000 books in the Tianyi Gate's Seventeen Library, namely "The Art of Stagnation: Achieving Balance," "Sword Body Vibration Technique," "Gentle Breeze and Floating Cotton Body Technique," "Detailed Explanation of the Twenty-One Demons," and "The Rite of Universal Salutation"

In this moment, there is a sense of fear or perhaps reluctance deep within the soul. The struggle of true spirits is too cruel; each true spirit nurtured is like a child, bound by blood. Of course, this is merely the awakening of spirituality in the mind, and the surging fiery flow within is just a mass of natural spiritual energy, devoid of any life. Even so, it is still quite uncomfortable. Tian Maoping has never lacked determination, but he no longer possesses the aggression and coldness of over a decade ago. Perhaps this is a mark left by the passage of time

In ancient times, the path of cultivation involved defying the heavens and altering fate. The cultivation process is divided into twelve stages: Rotation, Illumination, Heart Movement, Integration, Spiritual Tranquility, Nascent Soul, Out-of-Body, Spirit Division, Body Fusion, Tribulation Crossing, Great Ascension, and Ascension. Each level of advancement represents a qualitative leap. However, since the cosmic catastrophe that occurred 19,000 years ago, countless celestial bodies have been destroyed, and the spiritual energy of heaven and earth has been increasingly depleted. Neither the righteous path nor the demonic path can sustain the immense consumption of cultivators, leading to a regression in the original realms of most practitioners, causing suffering for several generations.

Not long ago, the ancestor of the Tian family learned of a secret and entered seclusion to attain enlightenment, stating that the Great Perfection of Chaos is not the end, and that there should be special levels beyond it. Tian Maoping did not take this to heart, as such a level was too distant for him; it was enough for him to be aware of it in secret. In this lifetime, his greatest interest remains in the study of mechanisms.

"The Art of Light Breeze and Floating Fluff" as the name suggests, discusses the techniques of evasion and maneuvering. The sword sheath flying in mid-air is only suitable for combat in spacious areas. Once the terrain is restricted, the techniques of movement become the most effective. Therefore, while the orthodox path neglects physical techniques, it remains persistent in this aspect, achieving results that even surpass those of the demonic path.

In fact, due to the astonishing number of inquiries from the disciples, all the books have undergone special treatment. The paper is not only extremely thick but also highly resilient, which results in each book containing no more than thirty pages. These pages are kept in sets; otherwise, even Tian Maoping's terrifying memory could not sustain a speed of one book every ten seconds.

Where there is loss, there is gain. Tian Maoping still felt a bit smug in his heart, having exchanged 480,000 Nayan for 37 true spirits. It is worth mentioning that he made slight improvements to the "Ten Thousand Spirits Salutation Technique," allowing the nurturing of the 37 true spirits to occur simultaneously, significantly shortening the "construction period." At present, the only uncertainty lies in whether the true spirits can withstand mutual devouring; even the bold have their limits. Even if he still has the energy to create two more true spirits, he does not intend to take action, as being overly aggressive can lead to breakage; it is always wise to leave some room.

At night, the cold mountain stream is met with the howling wind, and the half-person-high wild grass is pressed to the ground. Warehouse No. 1 lies in the darkness like a giant beast, quietly resisting the harsh weather. The massive copper-clad wooden door emits a "clang, clang" sound, audible from a distance, accompanied by the whimpering that escapes from the door's crevice

The "Sword Body Vibration Technique" is overly theoretical; without a certain level of knowledge, one might think the author is insane. However, this is precisely to Tian Maoping's taste. Scholars and experts engage with scholars and experts, and the more abstract the methods, the more effective they tend to be. Truth is held by a select few.

The ability to sense spiritual energy depends on the strength of one's mind, a feat that Tian Maoping accomplished with ease. However, the subsequent challenges were far from simple, as he experienced severe rejection reactions. First, his blood circulation accelerated, followed by a sensation of heat radiating from his skin. Within three minutes, he felt as if he had turned into a furnace, steam rising from his head. Despite this, he gritted his teeth and persevered, feeling fortunate that the consumption of his internal energy began to accelerate, no longer being absorbed drop by drop.

Three hundred meters to the east stands a tall building perched on a sheer cliff, appearing both perilous and steep. Without the aid of flying swords, it would be extremely difficult to ascend. This is the target of Tian Maoping: the Library Pavilion

The standard method of cultivation involves continuously channeling energy into the Baihui point at the top of the head, with the aim of awakening the "spirit" and nurturing the true spirit to grow within the body. However, this book advocates for cultivating a true spirit every seven days, totaling forty-nine days, after which the seven true spirits engage in mutual combat until one emerges victorious. It further states: "Heaven and Earth are indifferent, treating all things as mere fodder. Humanity's dominion over the world is due to the refinement of spirit. This book, however, promotes the cultivation of a true spirit every seven days, totaling forty-nine days, after which the seven true spirits engage in mutual combat until one emerges victorious. It continues: 'Heaven and Earth are indifferent, treating all things as mere fodder. Humanity's dominion over the world is due to the refinement of spirit. Survival of the fittest is the law of nature; only through continuous innovation and challenge can one truly cultivate. Additionally, this method is derived from the ancient art of nurturing insects, and caution must be exercised during cultivation, as the one hundred and twenty-second generation of disciples should not question the heavens.'

The "Ten Thousand Spirits Greeting Technique" need not be elaborated upon, as it is currently the method for foundation establishment. Cultivating the first true spirit consumed a total of 23,000 Na Yuan, and now it is being suppressed in the corners of the meridians, with 7,000 Na Yuan supplied to allow it to lie dormant and gradually absorb.

Tian Maoping is exceptionally intelligent; it is not an exaggeration to say that he can deduce five things from one. Upon careful consideration, he sees a shortcut to body refinement through the technique of oscillation. As long as he carefully supplements it with various medicinal materials, along with the jade ginseng obtained from the Ouyang family, he can achieve great things. The records in the Tianyi Sect's library state that the liquid from jade ginseng is an important proof of ascension for ancient cultivators, emphasizing the consumption of jade marrow to refine the true body. No matter how good something is, if it is hidden away in Tibet, it is still useless. Once the opportunity arises, it is destined to consume this heavenly treasure.

Subsequently, many disciples raised common questions encountered during their cultivation, to which Zheng Qinghui responded with a smile and patience. Tian Maoping slowly withdrew from the crowd; if he were truly valued by the Tianyi Sect, many of his future actions would be greatly restricted, which would ultimately be counterproductive. Realizing that staying behind held little significance, he decided it was more prudent to leave early.

Shh, speak softly. Those cultivation manuals are not available for purchase even if one is willing to spend money! Master Zheng is not short of funds; this is merely a formality. In my view, this is already quite rare.

The possession of such thoughts demonstrates Tian Maoping's brilliance; he is not someone who lacks adaptability, as he seeks to maximize benefits while also mitigating risks

With the first success, the second time was much easier, and the rejection reaction was not as severe.

Suddenly, it seemed as if something in his mind had shattered, and at the same time, a more intense flow of heat began to tremble within him, as if a small water snake was being nurtured, playfully swimming through his meridians, creating a strange sensation. Tian Maoping did not feel elated upon reaching the Spirit Movement stage; having read numerous books, he had considerable insights into the initial cultivation of true spirits. Perhaps he could create seven true spirits, or even more, in less than forty-nine days.

Due to Zheng Qinghui's lecture today, the building is exceptionally quiet, and all the disciples have gathered at the Immortal Slaying Rock. Lightly leaping into the building, one can see that the tall bookshelves on the walls reach a height of four to five meters, forming a rough circle. The building is divided into four areas, including "Introduction, Sword Techniques, Body Techniques, and Miscellaneous Studies," with a total of over 17,000 books.

Throughout the generations, the disciples of the Tianyi Sect have not been lacking in those who believe in fate. Some clever individuals think that the skills they have cultivated are difficult for their direct disciples to inherit, and they hope to find a successor from a later generation. Therefore, they have deliberately left behind certain manuscripts stored in the library, waiting for a fated person to peruse them. However, with a total of over 17,000 volumes of books, the probability of any being passed down is exceedingly slim. Even if a disciple happens to come across one, they may treat it as an ordinary book, and whether they are qualified to comprehend the insights within remains uncertain.

Silently nurturing and recuperating to recover from injuries, he absorbed 16,000 points of essence to nourish the second true spirit, which can be considered a certain degree of progress. In summary, the number of true spirits refined depends on the strength of brain control. Tian Maoping's nerves were sufficiently resilient; without even raising an eyelid, he immediately began cultivating the third true spirit, demonstrating an unmistakable spirit of a fierce bull.