Chapter 59

"Practicing this method, one's life should align with the stars. Not only will all earth-based techniques become much more powerful, but even if one dies, one can use the power of the stars to protect one's life and soul, ensuring they do not perish, allowing for reincarnation. Unfortunately, the cultivator you killed did not practice this method correctly, straying onto a wrong path. With an unstable foundation, his cultivation could not progress after opening his spirit orifice. Each time he used a mystic technique, he even had to consume a significant portion of his lifespan."

Zhuang Wudao suddenly understood. Mr. Mo's reluctance to use the Fire Butterfly Technique was not just out of concern for the lives of the Lei Long Gang members. This person valued his life, so he only used it as a last resort.

However—

"Can I practice it? Is it safe?"

Zhuang Wudao knew that having more cultivation techniques was not necessarily better. There could be conflicts and contradictions between them, and if the techniques were not compatible, they could be harmful rather than beneficial.

Of course, geniuses were exceptions. For a cultivator with ordinary talent like him, it was best to specialize in one technique.

"No problem! The Big Dipper, with its seven stars, represents heaven and earth. The stars beyond the heavens are originally formed from earth elemental energy. The Tianxuan Star, in particular, is the star with the strongest earth energy among all the stars. This 'Tianxuan Zhaoshi Zhenjing' uses the Tianxuan Star as a guide, making it the purest earth-based cultivation technique, most suitable for you. Unfortunately, this book is incomplete. If you can find the complete version in the future, that would be best. You can also deduce the subsequent techniques, but it would be very time-consuming and costly."

Yun'er explained, "Moreover, opening a false spirit orifice is beneficial. The 'Tianxuan Zhaoshi Zhenjing' records two false spirit orifices, one of which overlaps with the Sword Containment Technique, while the other does not. The sword master can cultivate a spirit technique as a means of self-defense. However, the sword master should note that there is also a method to connect spirit orifices. This involves linking several spirit orifices into one, forming a more powerful mystic technique. Therefore, the sword master should plan ahead and consider the future connection of spirit orifices."

Zhuang Wudao had never heard of the concept of 'connecting spirit orifices' before and was momentarily stunned. He understood that Yun'er's intention was for him to consider more when cultivating mystic techniques. He should not only focus on the immediate power of the techniques but also leave room for future 'connection of spirit orifices' to ensure they can be integrated later.

However, his knowledge of martial arts and techniques was too shallow, and he did not know how to proceed appropriately.

But with Yun'er's constant guidance, he did not need to worry too much.

What he needed to do was carefully consider how to cultivate his innate mystic technique as his true essence was about to form in his body.

After that day, Zhuang Wudao's daily life returned to its former routine. He stayed in his small courtyard, living a life between his bedroom and the spirit room.

Yun'er did not teach him any new boxing techniques, only continuously reinforcing the practice of the Great Tumbling Hand and the Six Harmonies and Intentions.

Even with Yun'er's meticulous guidance, Zhuang Wudao, limited by his knowledge and cultivation, could not grasp more at the moment. He could no longer make rapid progress in martial arts as he did a few weeks ago. However, practice makes perfect. In the battle at Dongchuan Alley, he was still somewhat clumsy with these two sets of boxing techniques, far from being able to strike with intent. If he had been more proficient, the battle would have been much easier, and he would have saved more energy and avoided giving his opponents any opportunities.

In addition to practicing boxing, Zhuang Wudao added a few more daily routines. One was to practice the 'Tianxuan Zhaoshi Zhenjing' to cultivate his spirit energy. The other was to try to integrate the magnetic elemental energy from the Niumo Yuanba Body into the Dragon Subduing and Tiger Taming Fist, making the twelve Dragon Subduing Strikes truly have the power to capture like the Dragon Capture Hand.

The former was easier, as Zhuang Wudao already had a solid foundation and had the guidance of a master like Yun'er. In just a few days, he reached the third stage of spirit cultivation.

At this rate, Zhuang Wudao estimated that he would only need a year to advance from spirit cultivation to the Qi Cultivation stage.

He could even perform a few low-powered techniques at this moment.

However, in improving the Dragon Subduing and Tiger Taming Fist, Zhuang Wudao encountered numerous obstacles and difficulties that he could not bypass.

When he勉强 combined them, it felt extremely awkward, even worse than the original twelve Dragon Subduing Strikes. Yun'er would always mock him at such times, making him very frustrated. However, he was naturally competitive and did not let his confidence and determination be eroded. Instead, he was determined to improve this boxing technique.

However, there was an unexpected benefit. Through this process, he gradually became more adept at manipulating magnetic earth energy.

The last thing was to experience the 'true essence' forming in his body. The true essence in the spirit orifices exists independently, not connected to the body's meridians, with its own circulation path. However, it is still true essence, with similar characteristics. Familiarizing himself with it in advance would be very beneficial when he advanced to the next stage.

On the twelfth day, while practicing the Great Tumbling Hand, Zhuang Wudao suddenly felt the long-standing itching sensation in his bone marrow disappear. The blood and qi in his body no longer felt as warm as before.

He immediately understood that he was about to enter the Qi Cultivation stage, forming true essence, taking the first step.

He stopped his boxing stance, stood steadily, and breathed calmly, waiting quietly. Then, in just a moment, countless spiritual energies surged into his body, flowing through his limbs and every meridian branch.

It felt like a thin stream flowing through his body, concentrating in his chest and abdomen, bringing a cool sensation. It made him feel refreshed and clear-minded, with every pore on his body feeling extremely comfortable.

The entire process was smooth, and Zhuang Wudao did not need to manipulate anything deliberately to enter the Qi Cultivation stage.

He clearly knew that the 'qi' flowing in his body was the true essence, the foundation of a cultivator.

At this moment, he needed to be free of thoughts and intentions, allowing the true essence to continue to condense and cleanse his body. The longer it lasted, the more benefits he would gain. Deliberate manipulation would be counterproductive.

After an unknown amount of time, Zhuang Wudao felt a loud noise in his mind. The obstruction in his chest and abdomen seemed to be broken, and all the true essence in his body flowed down into a new territory, circulating and then dispersing into his limbs and every part of his body.

"Opened?"

Zhuang Wudao opened his eyes, surprised. At this moment, the innate spirit orifice in his lower abdomen had been penetrated by the true essence in his body.

Originally, he needed to guide the true essence with his mind to break through the obstruction. However, due to the abundance of true essence in his body, it broke through the obstruction without his guidance!

"Perhaps reaching the second level of Qi Cultivation is not far off! Is this the benefit of laying a solid foundation as Yun'er suggested?"

With the innate spirit orifice open, Zhuang Wudao could feel the dramatic changes in his body. Waves of powerful spiritual energy rushed in, merging with his flesh and bones. His body was now vastly different from before.

With this direct connection to the spiritual energy of the universe, he could borrow more of it in the future, whether for qi cultivation or physical training, providing greater assistance.

He knew that in the next few dozen days, his true essence and physical body would become stronger day by day, potentially increasing his strength by nearly double!

The innate spirit orifice, once opened, gave him a similar feeling he had experienced before.

Without Yun'er's reminder, Zhuang Wudao controlled his mind and began to cultivate his innate mystic technique.

"Have you chosen, sword master?"

"Um!"

Zhuang Wudao silently responded, his mind focused on a figure standing firm, immovable. Wrinkles spread out, forming countless palm shadows, striking in all directions. It seemed chaotic, but there was no blind spot, engulfing the sky and earth.

Yun'er laughed lightly, "You chose the Niumo Yuanba Body? As expected."

Zhuang Wudao showed no sign of guilt, remaining calm. He chose the Niumo Yuanba Body.

For a cultivator to achieve longevity, the most important thing is to protect one's life. The Niumo Yuanba Body, within ten breaths, could make one invulnerable to blades and swords and immune to mystic techniques below the Foundation Establishment stage. Even at the Foundation Establishment stage, it depended on the force used. It was indeed the best technique for self-preservation.

Mr. Mo's Fire Butterfly Technique had truly frightened him. Mystic techniques were mysterious, and there might be some that could instantly take his life.

With this third-grade extraordinary mystic technique 'Niumo Yuanba Body,' he could have enough confidence.

Moreover, his mystic technique was not weak. Perhaps due to his solid foundation, the innate spirit orifice he opened was unusually spacious, capable of holding more.

Besides endlessly reinforcing his 'Niumo Yuanba Body,' the remaining space in the spirit orifice was reserved for the Great Tumbling Hand.

Within close range, he could use the 'Great Tumbling Hand' to strike from any angle, continuously delivering 81 palm strikes!

Anyone who got close would face a nightmare.

He called this mystic technique 'Niumo Dance.' Combined with the Dragon Capture and Tiger Subdue techniques, it could capture and bring an opponent close, and if the 12 Tiger Subdue strikes failed to kill, his 'Niumo Dance' could crush the opponent to death!

Yun'er said with a helpless tone, "You are really being reckless. Who cultivates such an innate mystic technique?"

Zhuang Wudao laughed, not finding it inappropriate and even feeling somewhat proud. He knew that although Yun'er said this, she did not stop him, indicating that his mystic technique had some merit.

In fact, the 'Niumo Yuanba Body,' which no one could break, was the foundation. He enjoyed the feeling of fighting alone against a group in Dongchuan Alley, where no one could harm him.

The 81 continuous Great Tumbling Hand strikes were just an addition, ensuring he did not become a punching bag when using the Niumo Yuanba Body.

The best self-preservation techniques were evasion and light body techniques. Unfortunately, Yun'er was unwilling to teach them, and the academy did not have any satisfactory ones.

In the following days, Zhuang Wudao temporarily stopped practicing boxing, focusing on consolidating his Qi Cultivation stage and began taking Qi Nourishing Pills and Bone Strengthening and Tendon Forging Pills.

His cultivation was extremely stable, with no risk of regression. However, according to Yun'er, his true essence was sufficient. It was the right time to make a concerted effort and quickly advance to the second level of Qi Cultivation within a few months.