Ning Zhuo ultimately failed to succeed in one attempt; he had no choice but to stop halfway through.
A strong sense of fatigue enveloped his body and mind as his condition deteriorated severely.
In the Upper Dantian within his Divine Sea, where once countless flat-mirror-like Mirror Intents densely filled the space, they had now almost dissipated entirely.
A considerable amount of Essence Blood in his Lower Dantian was also consumed, as he needed it to maintain the functioning of his brain.
The Mana in his Middle Dantian was the least depleted, even though Ning Zhuo kept infusing it continuously through the Life Hanging Thread.
Ning Zhuo entered the Ten-Thousand-Li Travelling Dragon.
He arrived at the Cultivation Cabin, took out a cushion, and sat down cross-legged.
He pulled out handfuls of Spirit Food, stuffed them into his mouth, and began meditation to replenish his state.
First, he replenished his reserves of Essence Blood, then he utilized the Five Elements Qi Regulation Art to replenish his Mana.
The last part, the Mirror Stand Spirit Communication Technique, was the key.
Ning Zhuo took out the Calming Bell and, accompanied by the light ringing of the bell, he immediately sank into a deep meditative state.
In his Divine Sea, a multitude of Mirror Intents rapidly formed.
At this moment, the value of the top-tier Mirror Stand Spirit Communication Technique was exhibited!
Only a top-tier Divine Sea Cultivation Technique could create specific thoughts so quickly and fiercely.
Yet Ning Zhuo still found it insufficient.
"If the Spirit Hidden Willow were by my side, my comprehension of the Stone Cast Earth Treasure Divine Power would certainly be easier and swifter."
Southern Bean Country, Ten Thousand Medicine Valley.
Inside the forbidden area of the valley, many branches of the Spirit Hidden Willow suddenly trembled.
Below the tree, Hua Guzi, who was bent over fertilizing, straightened up in confusion and looked at the Spirit Hidden Willow.
She activated a Spell to investigate but found nothing out of the ordinary.
"But I did feel the Spirit Hidden Willow shudder just now. What happened?"
At that moment, a path opened in the Array, and a young girl in a tender yellow dress entered.
It was Lin Shanshan, the young lady of the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect.
"Why have you come again?" Upon seeing Lin Shanshan, Hua Guzi's face darkened, and her strong hostility did not try to hide as it overflowed directly.
Lin Shanshan smiled, "This is a key location in my Sect; it's naturally my responsibility to inspect it regularly."
Hua Guzi sneered, "You're just here to bring up old memories. Humph, Young Master Ning Zhuo asked me to take care of the Spirit Hidden Willow before leaving. Get lost!"
"No wonder the Spirit Hidden Willow shivered a moment ago; it must really dislike you."
Hua Guzi then went to the nearby ground spring.
The Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Water Essences in the pond, which had transformed into swimming fish, got startled and immediately dissipated, merging with the waters of the pond.
Hua Guzi pointed at the spring water, "These two Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Water Essences also belong to Young Master Ning Zhuo. See, you scared them away too."
"Come less often in the future!"
Lin Shanshan's smile grew wider.
She immediately understood the implication in Hua Guzi's words—both the Spirit Hidden Willow and the Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Water Essence belonged to Ning Zhuo, not her, meaning by extension—Ning Zhuo had nothing to do with Lin Shanshan.
Fire rose in Lin Shanshan's heart, and she retorted with words that made Hua Guzi grind her teeth, "Young Master Ning Zhuo and I are close friends. We practiced martial arts together, so naturally, I will also take care of his belongings."
Hua Guzi sneered, "Martial arts? How impressive is that? I too have sparred with Young Master Ning Zhuo."
Lin Shanshan smiled, "But I was the first to start, even before Hanzhou. If not because I was grounded to help Young Master Ning Zhuo and temporarily lost my freedom, how could Hanzhou and you have had your turn?"
Hua Guzi's face was as still as water, teeth clenched, "It seems Miss Lin is quite skilled at martial arts. How about we have a sparring match between us?"
Lin Shanshan's smile was colder, "What if I made you cry? How would that look?"
"Huh huh huh..." Hua Guzi looked up, laughing spitefully.
Suddenly ceasing her laughter, she glared at Lin Shanshan, "Come, let's go to the Martial Arts Arena now!"
The two Female Cultivators immediately left the valley's forbidden area, striding angrily towards the Martial Arts Arena.
Thousand Peak Forest.
Ten-Thousand-Li Travelling Dragon.
Ning Zhuo recovered quickly and shot out to face the Stone Ball once more.
Sun Lingtong had been tirelessly carving and was already drenched in sweat.
He had gathered countless Treasures, the value of which was beyond measure. The wearier Sun Lingtong worked, the more worthwhile he felt it was!
Seeing Ning Zhuo emerging, Sun Lingtong quickly asked, "Little Zhuo, the deeper we mine, the harder it gets, almost impossible to chisel through. How much longer will it take you to completely bypass this defense?"
Ning Zhuo immediately answered, "Boss, I've grasped roughly thirty percent of the Stone Cast Earth Treasure Divine Power. This next insight should push it to sixty percent."
Sun Lingtong chuckled and nodded repeatedly, "Not bad, not bad! Such progress is even beyond my expectations, truly astounding."
But Ning Zhuo showed no pride, "Sigh, if only I had a high-level of Body Cultivation."
"In that case, 'Heavenly Born Earth Nourished Fetal Breath Great Method' wouldn't stump me."
Sun Lingtong said, "I've been considering this Cultivation Technique these past few days and have gained some insights."
"Fetal Breathing Skill, on the surface, is about not using the mouth and nose to breathe, as if within the womb. The mouth and nose are merely the gateways of breath, Dantian is the foundation of Qi, where the sages' work resides, the dwelling place of our true essence, hence the term Fetal Breathing."
"But in reality, Fetal Breathing aims to achieve a state of unencumbered and effortless nature between the heart-mind and life itself."
"Fetal implies root or beginning; tranquility and steadiness, unmoving and unshakeable, without worry or fear, free from thoughts and desires, like an infant in the mother's belly."
"Breathing signifies settling, stopping; the spirit and Qi return to the root and thoughts cease, the heart is undisturbed, without coming or going, no in or out, naturally abiding forever. When the heart-nature is settled and immobile, that is termed Fetal Breathing."
Sun Lingtong spoke of petrifaction.
"Why, after becoming petrified and with the help of the Fetal Breathing Spirit Boat, do I experience such effective Body Refinement?"
"It's precisely because the petrified body coincidentally aligns with the tranquility and steadiness, unmoving and unshakeable, without worry or fear, free from thoughts and desires, no in or out."