“Let’s try it. Maybe one of the Cultivation Techniques will suit me…”
Lin Xuan looked at the iron piece in his hand, held a try-it-out mentality, bit his finger, and dripped blood onto the iron piece.
The next moment, the iron piece glowed brightly, dazzling like a Star, almost blinding Lin Xuan’s eyes.
Then, there was nothing left; the light on the iron piece gradually receded, and then the previously bright and shining iron piece turned into powder, scattering in the wind.
“Is that all? Huh, no, it seems like a Cultivation Technique appeared in my mind? Zhou Tian Star Art? Didn’t Xiao Feng say it was called Star Body Refining Art? Did Xiao Feng remember it wrong?” Lin Xuan observed the Cultivation Technique that appeared in his mind, and several question marks popped up above his head.
“The scope of this Cultivation Technique is truly vast: sword techniques, Body Refining, and some miscellaneous small items…”
“Wait, the Body Refining section of this Zhou Tian Star Art seems to be the Star Body Refining Art that Xiao Feng mentioned! Oh my god, could it be that I got the complete version! Am I going to be Heaven-Defying and change my destiny!” As he checked more and more content, a look of shock appeared on Lin Xuan’s face.
However, Lin Xuan quickly understood what was going on. Zhou Tian Star Art could only be Cultivated by those who had not yet absorbed Spiritual Qi.
Xiao Feng had already stepped into the Dao of Cultivation, so the iron piece automatically filtered out the Zhou Tian Star Art. Therefore, it wasn't that Xiao Feng remembered it wrong, but that he simply didn't know about the Zhou Tian Star Art.
“Hahaha, my luck is finally turning good!” Lin Xuan burst out laughing, his face filled with joy.
After a loud laugh, Lin Xuan composed himself and then began to Cultivate according to the Cultivation Technique.
As the Cultivation Technique circulated, Star Power continuously gathered, flushing Lin Xuan’s Meridians. The surging power quickly opened his Meridians, allowing him to successfully Breakthrough to Opening Meridian Stage First Level.
Feeling the changes in his body, Lin Xuan wanted to stop Cultivating and check, but at this moment, a sudden change occurred. A terrifying suction force erupted from his body, like a black hole, continuously absorbing the Star Power floating between heaven and earth.
Lin Xuan was startled and quickly stopped the Cultivation Technique, but his body's absorption of Star Power showed no signs of stopping; instead, it intensified.
At this moment, Lin Xuan discovered that this terrifying suction force did not come from the circulating Cultivation Technique but from his body itself. He could clearly feel his body's craving for Star Power, a craving from the depths of his Soul!
“Since that’s the case, then let the storm rage even more fiercely!” Feeling the abnormality in his body, Lin Xuan steeled his heart and once again activated the Zhou Tian Star Art.
Dense Star Power, like flowing water, formed a Star vortex with Lin Xuan at its center. At this moment, Lin Xuan sat cross-legged, surrounded by dazzling Stars, his figure gradually becoming hazy and ethereal, sacred and noble, like a deity.
However, Lin Xuan was unaware of all this. After fully activating the Zhou Tian Star Art, he fell into a profound state of self-forgetfulness.
In the ethereal, he seemed to touch something, but when he tried to grasp it, he found that it seemed very far from him, as if separated by a chasm, yet also as if it were right before his eyes.
At this moment, many previously incomprehensible contents within the Cultivation Technique became simple and easy to understand, easily decipherable…
As time passed, under the surging of rich Star Power, Lin Xuan’s Realm also ascended at an astonishing speed, breaking through eight small Realms in a row, finally slowing down at Opening Meridian Stage Ninth Level.
“Phew…”
Lin Xuan exhaled a mouthful of turbid Qi and slowly opened his eyes, and that profound feeling also vanished without a trace at this moment.
Lin Xuan smacked his lips, still wanting more, his face full of regret. If he had been given more time to Cultivate, he would certainly have been able to Breakthrough to the Qi Gathering Realm in one go. Unfortunately, it was already morning.
As the sun rose, the Star Power in the world had been diluted by the dense fiery sun power, and it could no longer support him in maintaining that profound state.
Although he could absorb other types of Spiritual Qi for Cultivation during the day, it was much slower than directly absorbing Star Power.
Lin Xuan clenched his fists, feeling the surging power within his body. He felt that he was a hundred times stronger than before, and a single punch was enough to split mountains and rocks!
“Is this the power of the Opening Meridian Realm? What a pity, I was just a little short of Breaking through to Qi Gathering. But this is good too; increasing one's Realm too quickly isn't necessarily a good thing…” However, very quickly, a hint of regret once again appeared on Lin Xuan’s face.
Slightly composing himself, Lin Xuan looked up at the sky, checked the time, pondered for a moment, and then walked out of his house towards the forest where he usually hunted.
…
Soon, Lin Xuan arrived in the forest. To his surprise, he saw Xiao Feng there again. However, this time, Xiao Feng wasn't waiting for him but was Cultivating his fist techniques.
Xiao Feng’s fist techniques were sharp and fierce. Each move was like a fierce tiger descending a mountain, carrying a hint of wild ferocity, unstoppable and exceptionally powerful.
Seemingly sensing the movement, Xiao Feng slowly stopped his hand movements, turned his head to look at where Lin Xuan was, and smiled, “We meet again, Brother Lin. Here to collect your prey?”
“You’re really diligent. What made you decide to Cultivate here?” Lin Xuan nodded, then asked with a smile.
According to the usual tropes, it was quite common for the protagonist to pick up treasures when going out or encounter an Opportunity after falling off a cliff. Xiao Feng coming here to Cultivate must be a destined arrangement, with some Opportunity awaiting him.
If that were truly the case, Lin Xuan wanted to follow him around. Xiao Feng would eat the meat, and he would drink the soup, thus leading to the Peak of his life.
He often hunted here, but he had never seen Xiao Feng here before, which made him a little curious.
“I found this place to be very quiet and suitable for Cultivation, so I thought of coming here…” Xiao Feng wiped the sweat from his forehead and then explained.
“Alright, then you keep practicing. I need to go check my traps.” Lin Xuan nodded. Seeing that Xiao Feng had no intention of wandering around, he had to give up on the idea of following him to pick up treasures.
“Okay.” Xiao Feng nodded, then resumed practicing his fist techniques, while Lin Xuan continued deeper into the forest, quickly disappearing from sight.
And after Lin Xuan had gone far, Old Li’s figure also appeared beside Xiao Feng, looking in the direction Lin Xuan had left, murmuring with disbelief in his eyes:
“How strange, from having no Cultivation at all to Opening Meridian Stage Ninth Level overnight, and his Foundation is not at all unstable, unlike someone who was forcibly raised. Did I misjudge him before? Or does that iron piece have another secret?”
“What, Brother Lin is already at Opening Meridian Stage Ninth Level!” Xiao Feng’s face was filled with shock as he looked at Old Li in disbelief.
“Yes, that’s right. Judging by his Qi, he is indeed at Opening Meridian Stage Ninth Level. That iron piece probably has another secret. This place is sparsely populated, so why don’t we…” Old Li looked at Xiao Feng with a smile, giving him a meaningful look.
Xiao Feng naturally understood Old Li’s meaning. He gave a wry smile and refused the other party’s suggestion without hesitation: “Old Li, Lin Xuan is my friend. I can’t do something as treacherous as that. Although I want to become stronger, I also have my bottom line. Since neither of us could discover it, then it should be his Opportunity.”
“Good, good. You’re not even tempted by such a temptation. My judgment is indeed good. Cultivate well. With my help, you can recover to the Qi Gathering Realm again within half a year.” Old Li nodded in satisfaction, then his figure turned into a wisp of white smoke and disappeared.