Chapter 28: Buffs of the Cultivation Method

"Forgotten?"

Zhou Chen's eyes, blurred by alcohol, suddenly sharpened, his voice a soft whisper: "Yes... someone used memory-altering techniques on the Third Prince?"

The Duke of Wucheng was a staunch loyalist to the throne, and had long been at odds with the Prime Minister in the court. This incident would only deepen the rift.

But before the words fully settled, Zhou Chen abruptly turned back to Si Ziyu, his gaze strange and bewildered:

"Wait—that's not right. You just said you were in charge of the Third Prince's security at that time. If he can't remember, how could you, as a Grand Master, not remember?"

"..."

A cold wind swept across the sky, rustling their robes.

Si Ziyu stared quietly at Zhou Chen for two seconds, then gently shook his head:

"Yes, I also can't remember."

"Someone from the Primordial Realm?"

"I don't know. It's said that the Grand Minister has dispatched shadow guards to investigate for over a year, yet still—no results."

Zhou Chen remained silent for a long time, then clinked down a large gulp of spicy liquor, exhaling slowly:

"Ugh, it's a turbulent time. Fortunately, I've been assigned to protect the Third Prince in Jingjiang City... "

"Don't forget the mission entrusted to us by the eldest prince," said Si Zi-Yu.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chen lazily rubbed his thick, fluffy hair, waved a hand dismissively, and casually replied:

"It's nothing—just teaching the Third Prince how to cultivate. I know, you can rest assured..."

...

Inside the main chamber of the attic, Xu Yuan was gasping heavily.

At this moment, every piece of fine furniture in the room had been stripped clean.

Of course, except for the bed he had woken up on.

After all, once he dismantled it, Xu Yuan would have to sleep on the floor.

But now dismantling a simple piece of furniture leaves him so exhausted—his physical strength seems to have not even reached the level of the two-hundreth-year-old hounds he used to keep at home.

This frail body, though blessed with innate vitality, has not undergone any significant transformation—it remains as weak-kneed and depleted as ever.

Practicing breath control to accumulate primordial qi does gradually strengthen the body, yet Xu Yuan is only just beginning his journey into cultivation, so the changes are still barely noticeable.

Standing still, he took two deep breaths before retreating back onto the bed and settling into meditation.

As the Blood Yuan Heart-Devouring Technique began to activate, his previously frantic breathing quickly calmed.

Since officially stepping into cultivation, Xu Yuan has discovered many fascinating things.

For instance, a well-developed cultivation technique typically contains multiple distinct pathways for meridian circulation, each tailored to different circumstances.

There’s one set for healing, another for training, and yet another for combat—each serving its own purpose.

These various pathways complement one another, yet remain distinctly different.

For instance, all cultivators' strengths can essentially be divided into two phases.

The first phase is the normal state—put simply, when a cultivator is not activating their cultivation techniques.

In this stage, the cultivator relies entirely on the solid foundation built through years of prior practice.

Much like when Ran Qingmo previously subdued the great white tiger with a few sword strikes—Xu Yuan likely relied solely on her accumulated experience and training, without any enhancement from the active use of cultivation techniques.

The second phase occurs when the cultivator's internal techniques begin to activate.

The activation of these techniques dramatically amplifies a cultivator's power.

The extent of this amplification increases with the efficiency of the technique's activation.

This was clearly evident when he faced Xu Changge's whip strikes earlier.

With the first two lashes, he merely needed partial activation to evade them; however, with the third strike, he had to fully activate his techniques to withstand it.

Moreover, Xu Yuan observed that the type of technique being used would also influence the nature and magnitude of this amplification effect.

The more powerful the technique, the greater the enhancement it provides.

Since his arrival in this world, Xu Yuan has practiced only two techniques—thus allowing for comparison.

One is the "Lotus Sword Technique" passed down to him by Ran Qingmo; the other is the current blood-tier "Blood Yuan Heart's Fall Technique."

The enhancement effects of these two are entirely in a different class.

Under the influence of the Blood Yuan Heart's Fall Technique, Xu Yuan's endurance, reaction speed, and strength have all begun to surpass normal human limits.

Of course,

the benefits of a technique extend far beyond mere enhancement—there are also accompanying techniques and maneuvers.

For instance, Xu Yuan's crimson flame, or Ran Qingmo's Ice Cloud Stage.

The deeper he practices, the more he marvels at the intricacies of this world's cultivation system.

As to why cultivators cannot maintain their techniques in a constant state of activation, preserving peak combat strength to ward off sudden attacks—this remains a mystery that continually stirs his thoughts.

First, the meridians were fragile structures; save for those blessed with extraordinary constitutions, cultivators could not channel their techniques at full momentum for prolonged periods, lest the unremitting strain tear them asunder.

Second, the combat pathways of the meridians demanded an incessant, draining toll upon the source qi within.

Once he had aligned his physical form into its peak state, Xu Yuan retrieved two vials of elixirs from his Sumeru ring.

Pouring a single pill of Verdant Forest and another of Meridian Ward from their respective flasks, he swallowed them back and closed his eyes, sinking into a meditative trance.

The dual medicinal potencies dissolved and rippled outward through his flesh.

A gossamer film of refined essence materialized along the inner walls of his meridians, while simultaneously, Xu Yuan felt his soul-intent stirred by a sudden stimulus, sharpening to a crystalline clarity.

The effects were remarkably potent, fitting for early-stage divine medicines that even within the world of Cang Yuan he had rarely chanced to consume.

Wasting no more time, he extended his soul-intent, immediately sensing the surrounding source qi, which had already condensed into a viscous, liquid-like density.

A flicker of astonishment crossed his mind.

Even back in that hidden cavern with its pool of spiritual essence, he had never felt source qi quite so thick.

Xuan Ying Pavilion, serving as Xu Changge's mode of transportation, naturally bore countless spells—among them, those aiding the cultivation of the Spirit-Concentrating Array.

The Spirit-Concentrating Array possessed effects akin to the Locking Spirit Array, yet its application differed greatly.

The Locking Spirit Array remained concealed, preventing the dispersion of spiritual qi within a given space—commonly employed in sacred springs or spirit eyes.

In contrast, the Spirit-Concentrating Array gathered ambient spiritual qi from the surrounding area. It was typically deployed in open terrains, where after construction, the resulting fluctuations of gathered qi could easily be sensed by others through their spiritual consciousness.

Yet, gazing upon the source qi now fully liquefied, even with a Spirit-Concentrating Array present in the room, such an effect could not be achieved.

As Xu Yuan silently pondered, he did not immediately begin cultivation. Instead, he drifted through the sea of liquid source qi, tracing its origins.

He deduced that his elder brother’s chamber must contain something valuable.

The innate talent of a primordial soul body once again manifested—through the subtlest shifts in the source qi, Xu Yuan ultimately traced the origin of these liquid spiritual essences.

Opening his eyes, Xu Yuan stepped slowly to the center of the chamber.

A silent pause. Then, the cultivation technique activated, and crimson flames erupted from his palm, followed instantly by a single punch slamming into the ground.

"Boom!"

Shavings flew through the air, and Xu Yuan was violently propelled backward by a powerful rebound force.

"Thud!"

A dull impact echoed as he crashed against the wooden wall.

Xu Yuan felt his head spin, his senses blurred, and the internal flow of his martial arts technique shattered by the force of the impact.

When Xu Yuan finally struggled to rise and looked again, he saw a white bead, half a cun in diameter, emerging from beneath the shattered floor!