Cultivating Immortality in Two Realms

Chapter 253 Ancient Methods and New Methods

Qi Refining Channel.

On the high seas.

"Fellow Daoist Zhan, I have other important matters to attend to, so I will take my leave now..."

Fang Qing left in a hurry, leaving Zhan Hongxiu, who was about to say a few words, stunned.

"Hmph... This kid made a fortune and ran away, he's not a human being."

Within his sea of ​​consciousness, the old turtle's cold snort rang out.

"Elder Gui... Fellow Daoist Bai is definitely not that kind of person; he must truly have something important to discuss."

Zhan Hongxiu habitually explained things to Bai Daoyou.

"Hmph... I see you're siding with outsiders. Luckily, we acquired the 'Azure Emperor Wood' this time, otherwise we would have truly suffered a huge loss..."

Old Turtle was still muttering to himself...

Whoosh!

Fang Qingli extended the range of Hongxiu's divine sense, immediately breaking through the void and entering the void.

The void was shrouded in darkness, with only silvery-white turbulent currents.

He gazed at the vast emptiness, his expression solemn:

"The cave heaven also contains the void, only it does not interact with the outside world..."

"So, the so-called Nascent Soul Ascension you mentioned is about escaping from the Great Void's seal to the outside world? Heh heh... escaping from the simple and honest cultivation world of the East Sea to that wretched place, Ancient Shu? What have we been cultivating for all these years, after all?"

He stood silently in the void, beginning to fully review his actions in the Qi Refining Path.

"That secret realm shouldn't be bait... and those spiritual herbs and treasures... if the one on [Fang Ri] still had consciousness, they would have already descended." "Since ancient times, there has never been a case of a cultivator who ascended to the Nascent Soul stage through Qi Refining returning..."

"But just to be on the safe side, it's best to store these items somewhere for now... especially those related to that 'Fuyu Yuanjun,' which absolutely must not be taken to Ancient Shu!" Fang Qing calculated with his fingers: "This Zhou Tian Xing Palace Nascent Soul ascended to heaven ten thousand years ago... while the 'Fuyu Yuanjun' of the Hehuan Sect attained the Golden Age around the beginning of the ancient calendar, with more than a thousand years of emptiness in between... Could this be the time when she switched to cultivating the Qi Absorption Dao technique and quietly accumulated experience to attain the Golden Age?"

This Golden Core True Monarch of the Joyful Union Sect is involved in far too many ancient secrets, making Fang Qing almost want to "dissect" him! *No... perhaps I should re-examine the Qi Refining Dao techniques.'

Fang Qing raised his hand, and jade slips appeared one after another.

From the most basic Five Elements cultivation techniques for Qi Refining and Foundation Building, to the Azure Sea Technique, the Sea-Swallowing Technique, and the Tortoise and Crane Longevity Formula...

His expression suddenly changed, and he took out a treasured book on Qi cultivation techniques, which was none other than the "Great Sun True Explanation"!

"The ancient method of breath cultivation...to gather one's own breath and build a foundation for the Dao..."

"The method of Qi cultivation does not require the use of magical artifacts to enter the path; one can cultivate as long as one has spiritual roots..."

He glanced at the ancient Qi Cultivation method he couldn't even begin to grasp, then at the Five Elements Basic Cultivation Method that supposedly allowed anyone with spiritual roots to begin practicing. A strange thought surfaced in his mind: "No way... these Qi Cultivation methods are simplified versions of the ancient Qi Cultivation method? So... this world and the cultivation realm are just a testing ground for simplified methods? No wonder no new Qi Cultivation methods have survived..." "But it seems... it's been simplified too much! Although the entry point is incredibly easy, there's no content on cultivating the foundation of the Dao or developing supernatural abilities; it's all about constantly accumulating spiritual power..." Fang Qing's expression shifted, recalling what Elder Gui had previously revealed about the cultivation after the Nascent Soul stage, called "Refining the Spirit and Uniting with the Dao"!

"Could this 'Refining the Spirit and Uniting with the Dao' mean refining supernatural powers and ultimately achieving the Dao fruit?"

"From this perspective, the cultivation of Qi Refining is simple to begin with, focusing on accumulating Qi... and only after reaching the Nascent Soul stage does it involve refining supernatural powers and proving one's abilities." Fang Qing then thought of that Venerable Fuyu.

"Why was he the one who finally succeeded in the Golden Transformation stage? His foundation in the Divine Transformation stage was obviously indispensable... So, my Qi Refining Path still has an advantage. The final 'Ascension Ceremony'... Could it be some unique Golden Transformation method? This is not just Fang Qing's wild speculation. It is because the ancient Qi Refining Path emphasizes sensing the Golden Position and spontaneously cultivating supernatural powers."

The new method of Qi Refining Path omits the process of sensing the Golden Position, or rather... it deliberately uses the "Primordial Heaven" as a barrier, setting up numerous obstacles, and then continuously accumulating Qi, progressing through True Elixir, Nascent Soul, and Deity Transformation... until reaching Deity Transformation, before ascending to the Qi Absorption Path world. It's like a blank canvas, perfect for painting, allowing one to freely sense any Golden Position, and then condense the corresponding divine power, easily proving the Golden Position! "The Deity Transformation realm should be higher than the Purple Mansion, but weaker than the True Monarch... It's a commanding view, with astonishing grandeur, allowing for rapid progress in comprehending divine powers within the Qi Absorption Path." A brilliant idea!

"Unfortunately... it seems no one took control of the aftermath, resulting in someone else stealing the credit..."

"If we follow my previous theory on college entrance exam securities, then after reaching the Nascent Soul stage in Qi Refining, it's equivalent to getting extra points on the college entrance exam? Maybe even twenty or thirty points of general bonus points? If that's the case, then Fuyu Securities truly deserves its fate..."

Fang Qing's expression turned serious: "Then, the most dangerous point... is there any remnant of a Golden Core True Monarch within this cave heaven, which is suspected to be 'Primordial Heaven'?" "I personally lean towards no, otherwise, seeing me so audacious, they would have already captured me and searched my soul for treasure... Or, even if there is, they've been dormant, or perhaps they harbor goodwill towards me?" "Wait!"

He suddenly thought of a question.

"The Qi Cultivation Path has no Heavenly Tribulation, while the Qi Refining Path does... Could it be that there really is a [Thunder] or [Mysterious Thunder], [Heavenly Tribulation] level? Hidden within the 'Primordial Heaven'?" As for the cultivation infusion after the Thunder Tribulation, it is applicable to both worlds. It was a minor question before, but now Fang Qing has no doubts at all. Because they are originally based on the same rules of the same world, of course they can be used interchangeably.

Even the supernatural powers and status of those who practice the Dao of Qigong can pass through here without hindrance, and this is the reason why.

"So it seems... I fixed it wrong?"

"Why bother with this useless water-based cultivation? I should just become a lightning cultivator!"

"Who knows, I might even attain the Dao of Thunder directly within this grotto-heaven, and no one will be able to compete with me!"

"But this is just speculation. If we don't have the [Thunder] rank... well, it's just another Thunder technique to learn anyway."

The void was shattered.

Fang Qing arrived at a deserted island devoid of any spiritual energy.

A sword light flashed across the room, cutting through the rock like tofu, quickly creating a temporary cave dwelling.

He entered, sat cross-legged, sighed, and took out the spoils from this secret realm.

Many materials are needed to refine "Infant Condensation Pill"...

Dragon's inner core, dragon blood, dragon tendons...

Three thousand weak waters...

Abyss Eye Pearl, Heavenly Bell, Heart-Cleansing Futon, Soul-Nourishing Prayer Beads...

And the thousand-year-old spiritual herbs, third-tier spiritual items, and Core Formation spiritual items that you casually picked up on the outskirts...

"So many treasures, some of which are quite beneficial for condensing a nascent soul... It's impossible to lose them."

After Fang Qing consulted the oracle and received a very auspicious result, he was somewhat relieved.

"Anyway, given how unconventional I am in the Qi Refining Path... if a True Lord were to lower his gaze, I would probably have already attracted attention. If not, then I'm just worrying unnecessarily... there's no need to care, it's just a waste of energy." He activated the Devouring Sea Technique and first looked at the third-grade high-quality dragon inner core.

"This inner core is full of energy. After I digest it, it will surely allow me to make a significant leap forward in my cultivation at the mid-stage of Core Formation..."

Theoretically speaking, a third-tier high-grade dragon is already capable of going toe-to-toe with a cultivator who has reached the peak of Core Formation.

His death at Fang Qing's hands was entirely due to the fact that the "Water Dividing Ring" perfectly countered his Weak Water Divine Power, and he also had Zhan Hongxiu's help, who launched a sneak attack with the third-grade superior Myriad Transformation Thunder Pearl. Otherwise, his late-stage Core Formation and Perfection stages... in the Qi Cultivation Dao, would be comparable to a mid-stage Purple Mansion cultivator.

It's not something Fang Qing, who's barely at the early stage of the Purple Mansion realm, can pull off.

"However, even in ancient Shu, a cultivator at the early stage of the Purple Mansion realm who comes from a great lineage and possesses several Purple Mansion magic treasures might be able to defeat those at the mid-stage of the Purple Mansion realm who are associated with Earth, Wood, and Water... It seems not impossible." "Not to mention, this dragon is a demonic beast that only relies on its physical strength and innate divine abilities to wreak havoc... It's too easily restrained."

"The restraint between cultivators is even more complex than this, with differences in Daoist methods, magical treasures and supernatural powers, and even temperament. The outcome of a battle can change at any time... "Unless it's a crushing defeat where a late-stage Purple Mansion Grand Master bullies an early-stage Purple Mansion cultivator... In the Qi Refining Dao, it's like a Nascent Soul old monster ambushing a Core Formation cultivator... In that case, all Daoist traditions and magical treasures... are basically useless." Fang Qing thought to himself, while staring at the dragon pearl.

The aura emanating from this pearl was faintly similar to that of the "Tide-Rising Pearl." It was slightly translucent, and inside, it seemed, a dark green dragon coiled. He silently circulated the "Sea-Swallowing Technique," and his mid-stage Core Formation power surged forth, transforming into a black hole that devoured the dragon pearl.

"Even if there are problems, after I activate them, I will use the 'Dao Sheng Zhu' to transform them into Yuan Xi, and that will solve everything once and for all..."

"Back in the day, when I first entered the world of martial arts, I wasn't afraid of any pitfalls at all. It's true that the older you get in the martial arts world, the more timid you become... Is it because you've accumulated quite a few tricks up your sleeve? Boom!"

As soon as the Flood Dragon Pearl entered his stomach, Fang Qing immediately felt the "Sea-Swallowing Technique" operating at an efficiency far exceeding its usual level.

Splash!

A layer of thick gray-black mist emanated from his body, within which were the phantom images of demon kings.

hoohoo!

With a dragon's roar, a dark green dragon soul appeared, faintly resembling a leader of many demon souls.

"A dragon-type demon beast, truly worthy of being the king of sea monsters... born with the ability to rule."

"Once the soul of this dragon is fully condensed, the black mist accompanying my 'Sea Devouring Technique' will probably be able to serve as a trump card in battles between Core Formation stage cultivators... This is the power of a top-tier technique!"

Feeling his spiritual power still rapidly increasing, Fang Qing was quite satisfied and took out the "Abyss Eye Pearl" again.

"This bead was originally of a high grade, probably refined by a certain Yuan Qu Old Demon who cultivated the 'Swallowing the Sea Technique'... but it encountered that 'Fuyu Venerable'..." Fang Qing shook his head, feeling the bead's grade drop, and spared no effort to consume his true core essence to refine it.

In an instant, he felt a cool sensation rising from his dantian and reaching the Niwan Palace between his eyebrows.

Fang Qing touched his brow and saw that a black mark had suddenly appeared there.

With a slight movement of magic, the black mark immediately cracked open, transforming into a pitch-black vertical eye.

In an instant, the range of his divine sense expanded, from the original ten miles to twenty or thirty miles!

"Not bad, this level of spiritual power is comparable even to those in the late stage of Core Formation."

"And the range of divine sense can extend for hundreds of miles; that's a strength only a Nascent Soul stage expert possesses..."