Chapter 8

Having instructed Yamada Kuni to not disturb him and to wait until he came out for any matters, Chi Shangzhen began to study the cultivation techniques in the Supreme Yang Scripture within the room of the relief shelter. After his initial trial against the初级鬼境 (初级鬼境 refers to a lower-level ghost realm, but in context, it means a lower-level ghost) spirit, he felt his own inadequacies. With the chaotic times ahead, it wouldn't be long before defeated Japanese soldiers returned in large numbers, making society even more turbulent. He realized he had no self-defense capabilities, and the few skills he knew were only effective against the weakest of ghosts, not humans. His combat strength was far from sufficient.

According to the Supreme Yang Scripture, the purer the energy absorbed for the first time, the better it is for the body. In ancient times, cultivators with strength would prepare celestial crystals for their first energy absorption, even if it was the lowest grade. This was better than absorbing only the stray energies from the environment, which contained a lot of impurities. Only cultivators with energy could filter and purify these impurities. If one used stray energies for the first absorption, their future prospects would be much worse compared to those who used celestial crystals. Their magical power would also be less condensed, and they would be inferior to other cultivators of the same level. In ancient times, such cultivators were called Fifth-Rank True Bodies. Those who used celestial crystals were ranked according to the grade of the crystal: Fourth-Rank True Body for low-grade crystals, Third-Rank True Body for mid-grade crystals, Second-Rank True Body for high-grade crystals, First-Rank True Body for supreme-grade crystals, and the legendary Transcendent True Body, which was achieved by using precious celestial materials that matched one's attributes.

Now, with no energy in the outside world, Chi Shangzhen could only rely on celestial crystals for his first energy absorption to practice the Supreme Yang Scripture. Fortunately, the spatial ring left him with plenty of celestial crystals, which should be enough.

After reading the instructions in the Supreme Yang Scripture, Chi Shangzhen began to set up the environment. First, he took out twelve high-grade crystals to form a Three Talents Array to assist his first energy absorption. Then, he placed three supreme-grade crystals in front of him. After a moment of calm, he began to circulate the Supreme Yang Scripture, using his mental energy to guide the energy into his body.

As soon as he started, Chi Shangzhen felt a warmth in his Yintang point, and a subtle suction force in his Baihui point. Sensing this, he quickly placed a supreme-grade crystal on his Baihui point. As the crystal touched his Baihui point, he felt a cool, refreshing energy flow into his body, a sensation that was almost indescribable, making him feel as if he were floating in bliss. However, he remembered the importance of the first energy absorption and maintained his composure, continuing to circulate the cultivation technique.

As time passed, the energy flow slowly circulated throughout his body. When it completed one cycle, Chi Shangzhen immediately felt a drastic change, from a pleasant sensation to a burning, piercing pain, as if his bones were being scraped. He almost lost control of the cultivation technique but managed to suppress it with his strong mental energy. The instructions he had read stated that if the first energy absorption failed, the person would have limited achievements and no significant development.

Because of this, Chi Shangzhen gritted his teeth and endured, as he could not afford to fail. If he failed, he would be ruined.

Gradually, a foul-smelling black liquid began to seep from his body, starting in small amounts but increasing until it covered his entire body. Fortunately, his Netherworld Robe could automatically clean itself.

As time passed, Chi Shangzhen was now using the third supreme-grade crystal. He was unsure if he could achieve a First-Rank True Body, as the first energy absorption not only involved absorbing celestial energy but also cleansing and strengthening the body. This was why the combat power of different ranks of True Bodies varied so much in ancient times.

He only had 120 crystals in the spatial ring, with only three being supreme-grade. While this seemed like a lot, it was the accumulation of several generations of a sect. This showed how precious celestial crystals were even in ancient times, which was why high-rank True Bodies were so rare.

The third supreme-grade crystal on his Baihui point was drained and became dim. His body still needed energy, so he had to absorb the energy from the twelve high-grade crystals in the Three Talents Array. This made him feel a bit disheartened, but he quickly adjusted, as this was beyond his control.

Soon, the twelve high-grade crystals were almost drained, and the suction force in his body ceased, indicating that his first energy absorption was complete.

"Phew, using all the crystal energy for the first absorption is quite wasteful, but I've directly surpassed the Earth Ghost Realm and reached the peak of the Wandering Ghost Realm. With some time, I should soon enter the Fierce Ghost Realm. I should first check what rank of True Body I've achieved and then learn some spells that match my body attributes for self-defense."

After getting up, Chi Shangzhen stored the three drained supreme-grade crystals and the twelve severely depleted high-grade crystals. In ancient times, supreme-grade crystals would slowly recover their energy even after being drained, which was why they were so valuable. Although there was no energy in the modern world, he thought he might be able to use other forms of energy, like electricity, to replace celestial energy in the future. He would try it later.

After storing the crystals, Chi Shangzhen practiced the martial arts techniques taught by his old Daoist master from his previous life, feeling the changes in his body. He realized that his physical standards now exceeded those of special forces (of course, only in terms of physical fitness). His senses had also become much sharper. Finally, he used his mental energy to inspect his meridians, checking their width and color.

"Hmm, my meridians are transparent, like crystal, and their width is visible to the naked eye. This is a sign of a First-Rank True Body. How can I still be a First-Rank True Body? Didn't I use up all the supreme-grade crystals? Never mind, being a First-Rank True Body is better, with greater potential in the future."

Chi Shangzhen didn't know that in ancient times, if the crystals were insufficient, the stray energies from the environment would rush into the body, bringing in a lot of impurities and waste, which would lower the rank. In the modern world, with no energy in the environment, this wouldn't happen. The high-grade crystals were of good quality, and the amount he absorbed was small (ten high-grade crystals equaled one supreme-grade crystal), so he could achieve a First-Rank True Body.