Chapter 59: Refining Star Radiance
While Xiao Fan had another fortuitous encounter, Zhang Yunlu wasn't idle either.
11:15 PM, the hall of the Foundation Establishment Comprehensive Service Center.
Zhang Yunlu sat upright, with several lines of golden text visible only to her before her eyes.
【Name: Zhang Yunlu】
【Realm: Qi Refining Ninth Layer】
【Current Rank: Nine】
【Trial Space Accessible】
After passing the first round of trials, she could enter the trial space at any time, no longer needing to passively wait while sleeping at night as before.
Zhang Yunlu was not very satisfied with the ninth place.
She had entered this space before everyone else, so it could be said that she had an advantage over anyone.
However, as soon as she engaged, she discovered her weakness—unfamiliarity with other types of cultivators.
Facing a Body Cultivator she had never fought before, a fighting style different from a Sword Cultivator, she suffered from lack of experience and failed to adjust her style.
As a result, she spent too much time, and her rank dropped to ninth.
So after defeating her opponent, she continued to try sparring with various types of cultivators within the trial space.
But what she found most unforgettable was that Enlightenment of Principles Sword Cultivator at the Qi Refining Eighth Layer.
Although her Realm was one layer lower, she was completely powerless against her.
'Good Fortune Dao Foundation...'
"Look, Xiao Lu, someone finished the first step of the Cailian Method and came out," Zhang Xiu's tone was somewhat amazed, "And they actually walked out standing!"
The golden text before Zhang Yunlu's eyes dissipated, and she looked in the direction her brother pointed.
It was a pale-faced young man, walking shakily, supported by others. He looked quite disheveled, but everyone waiting in the hall cast admiring glances at him.
To be able to walk out standing after completing the Cailian Method cultivation, this guy is a beast!
Facing the gazes of the crowd, that person seemed to want to walk more gracefully, but as soon as he straightened up slightly, he let out a miserable cry, nearly falling, but was fortunately supported by the person beside him.
...
Seriously, why were you trying to act tough?
The young man walked away supported by the people beside him.
"Zhang Yunlu, Cailian Method cultivation room number nine." A cold, clear mechanical voice sounded.
"Go for it, Xiao Lu," Zhang Xiu encouraged.
"Mhm."
Nodding slightly, Zhang Yunlu stood up and walked inside.
Arriving at the metal door in the corner, she took out the card, inserted it into a slot, and then injected a wisp of spiritual power into the instrument placed beside it.
"Authentication successful, Zhang Yunlu. We wish you smooth Cailian Method cultivation." The cold mechanical voice offered a blessing without any emotion.
Hiss~
The large metal door slowly opened, and a staff member in uniform was already waiting inside.
"Please follow me. You have purchased the third-tier nursing service, and I will monitor your condition throughout," she smiled.
"Thank you for your trouble."
The staff member is responsible for monitoring the condition of the person cultivating the Cailian Method in real-time and will immediately provide aid if anything is wrong.
For someone like Zhang Yunlu who purchased the nursing service, if they encounter situations like pain causing vomiting blood, or incontinence, the staff member will immediately help heal their injuries and clean up the filth.
In ancient times, this process was called 'Dao Protection', usually occurring between master and disciple, Dao Companions, or blood relatives. Besides the aforementioned content, it also included defending against external enemies.
Nowadays, there's no need to worry about the last item. Although the Sword Sect's Miscellaneous Affairs Hall cannot be said to be absolutely safe, it is far from what ordinary places can compare to.
As for cultivators who did not purchase the nursing service, after you are out of life danger, the staff member will lift you onto a stretcher and send you to the rest room through the back door, where you will be received by family members or companions.
Following the staff member, Zhang Yunlu finally arrived inside a circular, enclosed room.
The walls around were silver-gray, and there was a control panel on the innermost side.
A meditation cushion was placed in the center, and there were winding, bright patterns on the surrounding floor, which were the array Formations.
The room was a bit cold.
Zhang Yunlu walked to the very center and sat down cross-legged on the meditation cushion.
Buzz, buzz, buzz!
The ceiling above opened up, and the Starry Sky was like a piece of black velvet dotted with diamonds, deep and mysterious.
The staff member stood before the control panel: "You may begin."
Hearing this, Zhang Yunlu closed her eyes, mobilized three parts of her spiritual power, and expertly formed the 'Fishing Star' seal.
The array Formation also activated accordingly, and soon, faint silver illusory threads appeared—Star Radiance!
Anyone can succeed at this step; the difficult part is what comes next.
She extended a wisp of soul power, like tiny tentacles, gently wrapping around the descending threads of Star Radiance.
But as soon as her soul power touched the Star Radiance threads, a tidal wave of intense pain spread throughout her body. Her brain felt like it was being repeatedly sawed by a saw.
Qi Refining stage cultivators have limited soul power they can mobilize, so there is only one chance.
Zhang Yunlu furrowed her brow slightly. For her, this pain was still within the bearable range.
Enduring the pain, she withdrew her soul power and at the same time 'gathered' the Star Radiance into her body.
The silver threads around her seemed to be pulled, slowly approaching the Chengjiang acupoint and merging into it.
At this point, the 'Gathering' was basically more than half complete.
The Star Radiance that entered her body began to move downward from the Chengjiang acupoint, traveling along the Ren meridian, passing through Acupoints like Xuanji, Zigong, Tanzhong, until it reached the Qihai acupoint.
This process was extremely painful, like countless small knives cutting back and forth in her Meridians. Her entire body felt as if it was being torn in half.
Even though Zhang Yunlu died many times every night and had extremely strong pain tolerance, she still clenched her teeth in pain, her lips turning pale.
After a long half minute, the Star Radiance finally flowed into her Spiritual Sea through the Qihai acupoint, merging into the hexagonal crystal.
Whoosh~
'Drawing' and 'Gathering' were now complete.
Next was 'Refining'!
This was the most painful step. Ninety percent of cultivators couldn't endure this step; light cases would vomit blood, while severe cases could even suffer incontinence.
In one go!
Zhang Yunlu didn't pause for too long. Her hand seals changed, and she drew a small wisp of Star Radiance from her spiritual imprint. After the Star Radiance entered her Spiritual Sea, it quickly merged with her spiritual power.
Itchy, her whole body was itchy, and it was getting itchier!
But soon, this itch turned into a stinging pain. Every part of her body was in pain, and it took a long time for this stinging pain to slowly dissipate.
Not too painful.
According to the records in the 'Basic Refining Method', one could gradually increase the extraction amount, and the pain would intensify accordingly, until it became unbearable, or until it was completely refined, but...
That's too slow!
Zhang Yunlu's hand seals changed again.
Crack!
The hexagonal crystal storing the Star Radiance shattered, wisps of Star Radiance scattered, and nine whirlpools appeared above her Spiritual Sea, drawing the Star Radiance into them.
'Nine Qi Refining Method'!
Instantly, an indescribable intense pain spread to every corner of her body. Every inch of her flesh and blood felt as if it was being cut open. Zhang Yunlu clenched her teeth tightly, her face turning deathly pale.
The severe pain made her nearly faint, but Zhang Yunlu desperately held onto the last shred of clarity in her mind.
If she fainted, all her previous efforts would be wasted!
The staff member observing nearby was somewhat surprised.
The Cailian Method this person was using turned out to be a very violent one. This was extremely dangerous.
And violence also meant speed.
Tens of seconds later, Zhang Yunlu suddenly opened her eyes, but her body tilted to one side due to exhaustion.
Seeing this, the staff member quickly stepped forward and gently extended a wisp of magical power to check her condition.
Soon, she said with a smile, "Congratulations, you succeeded!"
Truly remarkable. She actually endured such a violent Cailian Method, and remained silent throughout.