< Chapter 51: The First Layer >
Humans have three dantians.
At first glance, it seems perfectly reasonable to allocate one cultivation technique per dantian evenly.
However, in reality, practicing multiple techniques simultaneously is extremely challenging.
This is because the three dantians are not isolated and independent from each other; they are all parts of the cultivator’s body and influence each other.
For example, if one dantian is cultivated with an ice-frost technique, the other two dantians will also be significantly affected, subtly shifting in that direction.
If at this time, the other two dantians practice different techniques, it is akin to pulling the human body in three different directions, which will inevitably lead to a breakdown.
Externally, this often manifests as interference, conflict, or even backlash among mana, vital essence, or spirit, leading to catastrophic consequences like cultivation deviation.
How does one assess the quality of a cultivation technique? It is quite simple.
Look at how many dantians the technique strengthens and to what extent, as well as the efficiency of the cultivation. Inferior techniques typically focus on only one dantian while completely neglecting the others and may even cause side effects.
Ordinary techniques primarily cultivate one dantian but do not have drawbacks.
Better techniques cultivate one dantian and moderately attend to the other two. Excellent techniques primarily cultivate one dantian while significantly caring for another, or both.
The best techniques, which are also the hallmark techniques of major sects, cultivate two dantians while considering the third.
This assessment purely considers the technique itself. The actual situation involves other factors and is highly complex!
For instance, the demon cultivator Han Ming practices two techniques.
One technique was the Nine-Turn Soul-Devouring Art, which focused on cultivating her middle and upper dantians.
She also practiced the Immortal Zombie Life Creation Method, cultivating her lower dantian.
Ordinary cultivators could not emulate her approach of practicing two techniques simultaneously; doing so would cause interference between the corpse-transformed body parts and the magic power of the Nine-Turn Soul-Devouring Art, at best halving the effectiveness of their efforts, and at worst leading to devastating internal conflicts and demonic cultivation disasters.
Han Ming was able to do this thanks to her lower-grade natural talent—Yin Corpse Qi.
All cultivators possess spiritual roots, but not all cultivators have natural talents.
The impact of one’s natural talent influences countless aspects, permeating a cultivator’s entire career. It has significant effects on various stages of cultivation, such as Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, and beyond.
Although Ning Zhuo had only obtained the first three levels of the technique, his innate ability as a walking library of knowledge was undeniable.
He was certain that these three techniques were exceptional.
“Cultivators can practice these three techniques simultaneously, developing a harmonious coexistence of their essence, qi, and spirit!”
“The key is this harmonious coexistence, which does not depend on one’s natural talent. As long as one has the basic spiritual roots and is qualified to cultivate, they can practice these techniques.”
“This is definitely a top-tier technique!”
The excitement in Ning Zhuo’s heart made his eyes slightly moist.
“Mother, just as you said, I have obtained the Qi Refining techniques from the Lava Immortal Palace.”
“The real techniques are even better than you imagined, simply perfect.”
“I will cultivate them all.”
His mother’s last will and testament had deeply imprinted on the young man’s heart. His mother’s expectations had become a mission, a burden, turning into Ning Zhuo’s unwillingness to be mediocre, challenging his own destiny!
* * *
Meng Chong was also taking on the challenge.
To hone his skills, he had specifically designed a training hall.
After activating Wild Sprint Thunderclap, he continuously darted through the obstacle-filled training hall.
Bang, bang, bang…
The sounds of him crashing into obstacles echoed nonstop throughout the hall.
“I can do this!”
“I can definitely achieve it.”
Meng Chong occasionally stopped, panting heavily and drenched in sweat. Yet, his eyes shone brightly, unwilling to relax even for a moment.
Soon, he resumed his intensive training.
* * *
At the Zhou family’s residence.
“I did it, A’shen.” Zhou Zhu emerged from the Gather-Disperse Spirit Tide Formation, now at the peak of the Qi Refining third layer.
Zhou Zhendeep nodded, “Zhu, you really did well!”
Zhou Zhu: “If there hadn’t been any delays, I would have reached this stage even faster. Meng Chong wasn’t disturbed by assassins, he must have succeeded before me.”
“The four major powers of Puppet Immortal City, only the Ning family was not attacked.”
Zhou Zhendeep shook his head, “You think it was the Ning family’s doing? Let’s not talk about the lack of evidence for now, I personally don’t think it’s necessarily the case.”
“If the Ning family was really anxious about falling behind, they wouldn’t be so leisurely in selecting and training people.”
“From the results, the Ning family is still in last place, while the city lord’s mansion maintains its lead. Personally, I think the latter is more likely!”
“That makes sense.” Zhou Zhu nodded, about to speak when his eyes suddenly rolled back.
Thump.
He collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
Zhou Zhendeep turned pale with shock, “Zhu, what’s wrong?”
“The soul!”
“Where is your soul?”
“Someone come here!”
“Enemy attack, another enemy attack!”
With Zhou Zhendeep’s warning, the entire Zhou family was alerted and thrown into chaos.
In the main hall of the Lava Immortal Palace, the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit cowered, enduring the lashes.
In Room One.
Zhou Zhu fumbled for a long time before he thought to use The Five Elements Qi Regulation Art to attract mechanical components.
He had taken too much time.
Just as he was about to reach the first door, his spiritual power was exhausted, and his puppet body fell to the ground powerlessly.
Failure.
Zhou Zhu returned with first-hand precious intelligence.
That night, the senior members of the Zhou family stayed awake.
Zhou Zhendeep dispersed his power overnight.
* * *
Ning Zhuo ate and drank heavily, his belly noticeably protruding.
He closed his eyes, stood up straight, and secretly operated his technique—Demonic Blood Tendon Technique!
His essence blood was strengthened, his blood circulation accelerated, his essence blood circulated, and it permeated into his fascia, thickening it at a visible rate.
Essence Refining first layer!
Soon, Ning Zhuo felt hungry again.
* * *
At the Zheng family’s home.
“Oh?” Zheng Jian heard some intelligence during a break, “Zhou Zhu of the Zhou family was attacked again?”
“To prevent accidents, more people will be deployed around the artifact refining room for added protection,” reported the attendant.
Zheng Jian furrowed his brow, sensing something fishy about this intelligence.
“Never mind, I’m already at the second layer of Qi Refining. Just a bit more effort to reach the peak of the third layer.” Zheng Jian continued his arduous cultivation.
He sat cross-legged on the straw mat, continuously accumulating mana, with several hook-shaped magical instruments circling and flying around him.
* * *
Ning Zhuo also sat on a straw mat, with a stick of incense burning in front of him.
This was a tranquilizing incense, which helped him practice the Mirror Platform Spirit Technique.
This technique could enhance his spiritual storage and deepen the foundation of his spiritual sea.
By the time the incense stick had burned out, Ning Zhuo’s spiritual sense in his upper dantian had increased by over six hundred, a remarkably efficient gain.
“Having previously consumed a large amount of Golden Thread Jade Dew Cake, I already had a solid foundation. Now, relying on the Mirror Platform Spirit Technique, I’ve gradually developed it, significantly enhancing my spiritual cultivation,” he thought.
With a faint joy, Ning Zhuo ceased his rest and continued his rigorous cultivation.
Spirit Refining first layer!
Upon reaching this level, the spiritual senses in his upper dantian gathered together, forming a spiritual mirror.
Through this spiritual state, Ning Zhuo could communicate with the spirited entities of nature and the world around him.
The more sentient a life form is, the more spirited it is.
Humans are considered the most spiritually aware of all beings.
“Even the palace spirit of the Lava Immortal Palace is a spirited entity. Could I communicate with it?” Ning Zhuo wondered.