Chapter 8

"Master left behind this imprint of his true self, named the Fuxi Divine Statue, which contains many profound truths about his insights into the Heavenly Dao. By constantly contemplating and experiencing it, not only will your divine soul grow increasingly powerful, but it will also aid in your understanding of the Heavenly Dao. Most importantly, with this imprint of the true self, you can cultivate the supreme body refinement technique — the 'Zhou Tian Star Slaying Body Refinement Technique'!"

Before Chen Xi could ask, Ji Yu seemed to have already seen through his thoughts and slowly said, "In the ancient times, people believed that my master deduced the profound truths of the Heavenly Dao by observing the River Chart, thus achieving enlightenment and reaching the pinnacle. However, no one knew that before observing the River Chart, my master's body had already reached a transcendent and saintly realm, and his body refinement techniques were sufficient to establish a Dao tradition and achieve a foundation for eternity."

"Unfortunately, my master left in a hurry, leaving behind only the 'Zhou Tian Star Slaying Body Refinement Technique'."

After saying this, Ji Yu's expression turned somber, as if lost in endless reminiscence, and he remained silent.

Chen Xi silently pondered the information revealed by Ji Yu, his heart surging with emotion, and he forgot to speak. After a long time, he asked, "Senior, I once heard that there is a copy of the River Chart hidden in this cave. Is this true or false?"

Ji Yu was taken aback, staring straight at Chen Xi with a strange voice, "Don't you understand yet? That imprint of the true self was left by my master after observing the River Chart and comprehending the Heavenly Dao. It inherently contains a thread of the true essence of the River Chart. Now that you have obtained the imprint of the true self, it is as if you have obtained a thread of the true essence of the River Chart. Why do you still desire the copy?"

Chen Xi suddenly understood. The River Chart copy was a misinterpretation; the true essence of the River Chart was actually contained within the cave master's imprint of the true self.

Fortunately, he had accidentally obtained it, and perhaps in the future, he could use it to find the true River Chart!

"Alright, I have told you everything you need to know. Do you have any more questions?" Ji Yu shook his dragon-like head, his attitude quite friendly, clearly viewing Chen Xi as a disciple worthy of inheriting his master's legacy.

"I..." Chen Xi opened his mouth but found too many doubts to ask, unsure which to start with.

Ji Yu couldn't help but guide him, "Your current strength is poor, and your body is weak. I suggest you first cultivate the 'Zhou Tian Star Slaying Body Refinement Technique.' Once your body refinement and qi cultivation reach the Purple Mansion realm, you should be able to pass the first level of the Heavenly Peak trial and receive the corresponding reward. As for other matters, thinking too much is futile."

Chen Xi was stunned, "But I don't know where the 'Zhou Tian Star Slaying Body Refinement Technique' is, or how to cultivate it."

Ji Yu dismissed it, "When you leave, I will teach it to you. Do you have any more questions? If not, I will teach you the technique and send you away."

"Senior, wait a moment."

Chen Xi quickly called out, "You mentioned that passing the first level of the Heavenly Peak trial would grant a corresponding reward. What exactly does this entail?"

Ji Yu shook his head, "I am just the spirit of the cave, how would I know these things? However, I do know that after you pass the first level of the trial, for every three days you spend cultivating in the cave, only one day passes outside. This is extremely beneficial for your cultivation."

Manipulating the flow of time?

Chen Xi drew a sharp breath, his heart filled with shock. Such a technique was almost divine!

Imagine, three days of cultivation in the cave equates to one day outside. Wouldn't he have two extra days of cultivation compared to others? If he stayed here every day, wouldn't he...

The more Chen Xi thought, the more excited he became, almost afraid he couldn't bear the joy. He was only at the third level of the innate realm, having lived in Songyan City since childhood, and had no idea such a divine technique existed, one that could manipulate time.

"If you can pass the second level of the Heavenly Peak trial, staying here for nine days will equate to one day outside. Passing the third level extends it to eighty-one days, and so on, until you pass the eighteenth level, where time in this place will be absolutely frozen compared to the outside world."

Ji Yu seemed completely unaware of Chen Xi's mixed thoughts and continued, "But don't get too excited too soon. The first level of the Heavenly Peak trial is not easy to pass. With your current cultivation, entering it is no different from seeking death. Focus on improving your cultivation and diligent practice; that is the most important thing for you now."

Chen Xi quickly calmed down. Indeed, passing the first level of the trial required his body refinement and qi cultivation to reach the Purple Mansion realm. What about the second level, and the third, fourth... up to the eighteenth level? Could they be passed so easily?

Effort and dedication are required for rewards. If he didn't work hard, relying solely on external aids, how could he become a true powerhouse?

Desires and distractions are the root of heart demons. If he constantly sought shortcuts, he would never have the chance to tread the path of immortality!

At this point, Chen Xi completely sobered from his excitement and shock, his body drenched in cold sweat. Looking up at Ji Yu, he saw the cave spirit, resembling a qilin, staring at him with eyes that seemed to see through his every thought, making him feel ashamed.

"Master once said that a clear and determined mind is necessary to comprehend what others cannot and reach the pinnacle of the Dao. Chen Xi, do not disappoint Master's expectations."

Ji Yu suddenly stepped into the clouds, raising his head and letting out a thunderous roar that echoed through the heavens. His unicorn horn pointed at Chen Xi, and a streak of colorful light shot out, disappearing into Chen Xi's body.

Chen Xi felt a darkness before his eyes, and the next moment, he found himself in his room.

"Mother was right. Not only have I gained the recognition of the cave spirit and the imprint of the true self left by the cave master, but I have also indirectly obtained a thread of the true essence of the River Chart. As long as I diligently cultivate, I will surely become stronger!"

Looking around his familiar room, Chen Xi couldn't help but take a deep breath.

After a moment, he entered his mind's sea, gazing at the Fuxi Divine Statue, which emitted an ancient and vast aura, and his heart filled with admiration once more.

Observing the River Chart to deduce the cycle of the Heavenly Dao, and then reaching the pinnacle of the Dao—could this senior be named Fuxi? What level of cultivation did he reach?

After a long time, Chen Xi reached out to the streak of colorful light floating before him. This light was left by the cave spirit Ji Yu before he left, and it should be the supreme body refinement technique left by the cave master—the 'Zhou Tian Star Slaying Body Refinement Technique'!

Swish~

As soon as his fingertips touched it, the colorful light transformed into countless dancing stars. Upon closer inspection, these stars were formed by ancient characters, each as large as a palm, shimmering with a vibrant and lively aura, dancing gracefully and full of charm.

"Condense!"

A light and ethereal voice suddenly echoed in his mind's sea, a single word carrying a sense of authority and control over all things, making one feel compelled to submit and admire.

Before Chen Xi could identify the source of the voice, the dancing characters suddenly aligned in rows, forming a page of text, each character radiating countless rays of light!

Chen Xi looked up, feeling his mind buzz as the mysterious characters flowed into his mind like a stream, indelibly imprinted.

"Indeed, it is the 'Zhou Tian Star Slaying Body Refinement Technique,' such a unique body refinement technique!"

After a quick read, Chen Xi was filled with awe. Using the power of the stars to refine the body—such a technique existed in the world?

In Songyan City, body cultivators were in a much lower position compared to qi cultivators. Those who chose the path of body cultivation were usually poor and destitute, refining their bodies to find a job to support their families, such as workers in quarries or porters in warehouses, akin to laborers.

The reason was that the path of body cultivation was extremely difficult and painful, with harsh conditions for advancement. While the path of qi cultivation required extremely high innate talent, with diligent practice, it was far easier than the path of body cultivation, leading to fewer people choosing the latter.

Moreover, even with poor innate talent, as long as one chose the path of qi cultivation, they could obtain a decent and respectable job in Songyan City, such as a spirit farmer, a spirit beast tamer, a spirit chef, or an apprentice in a talisman, alchemy, or weapon-making workshop. The treatment, status, and income were far better than that of a body cultivator.

Chen Xi, having grown up in the slums of Songyan City, often saw many body cultivators working as laborers and was well aware of their living conditions. Therefore, he had never considered the path of body cultivation.

However, after seeing the 'Zhou Tian Star Slaying Body Refinement Technique,' Chen Xi completely changed his mind.

Think about it, the senior Fuxi, the master of the cave spirit Ji Yu, had reached the point of establishing a Dao tradition and creating a foundation for eternity through body cultivation alone. How could Chen Xi still look down on body cultivators?

"From today on, besides talisman making and qi cultivation, I must also cultivate the 'Zhou Tian Star Slaying Body Refinement Technique.' The time available for my use is becoming increasingly tight, but as long as it can make me stronger, these efforts are worth it."

Chen Xi thought and planned, then suddenly remembered something. According to Senior Ji Yu, constantly contemplating the imprint