Everyone Came Together, Yet You Got Special Treatment?

From the time Fang Qing began reading the Dao Scripture to the moment he entered the Bitter Sea Realm, only three days had passed.

For two of those days, he had still been reading the Dao Scripture.

In other words, Fang Qing had reached the Bitter Sea Realm within a single day!

Of course, from the perspective of cultivation, entering the Bitter Sea Realm was merely the first step. Next, he needed to continuously expand his Bitter Sea. Only when it became large enough could he proceed to the next stage of cultivation.

That was to open a passage within the Bitter Sea leading directly to the Wheel of Life at the bottom of the sea, forming a "spring eye." Only then could he release the divine source of power within the Wheel of Life. Only then could he be considered to have achieved something and begin to wield Mysterious Methods—that is, possess divine abilities.

In other words, cultivators only gained divine means upon reaching the Life Spring Realm after the Bitter Sea Realm, truly setting them apart from ordinary mortals.

Fang Qing savored the descriptions of the Life Spring Realm and the Shrouding the Heavens Method, increasingly sensing both the similarities and differences between it and cultivation in the martial arts world.

From the Bitter Sea to the Life Spring Realm, the Shrouding the Heavens Method was all about laying foundations—continuously expanding the Bitter Sea until one opened a passage to the Wheel of Life. Once all the preliminary preparations were complete, the Life Spring Realm would erupt.

As for Martial Arts Methods, whether the Longevity Art or the Purple Haze Skill, they had nowhere near so much buildup. They got straight to work from the start.

They offered combat power right away, though their potential might be somewhat lacking.

"The two methods can still benefit each other. The Longevity Art in particular allowed me to enter the Innate Realm and become one with Heaven and Earth, which is also a great help to my early combat strength."

Though Fang Qing sat on the grass, he felt intimately connected with his surroundings. Through that connection, the abundant spiritual energy that existed between Heaven and Earth and within the Grotto-Heaven entered Fang Qing's body of its own accord, turning into fine strands of vital essence.

Those threads of vital essence also helped Fang Qing expand his Bitter Sea, steadily contributing to the growth of his Cultivation Level.

This was the wonder of the Innate Realm.

"What? You're saying you've already sensed the Wheel of Life and opened your Bitter Sea?"

When Elder Wu Qingfeng arrived the next day and heard Fang Qing's words, he was utterly stunned.

He placed a hand before Fang Qing's abdomen and used Mysterious Methods to sense the movements within Fang Qing's body.

"It's true!"

The astonishment on Elder Wu Qingfeng's face deepened, eventually transforming into immense delight.

"Good, good! Fang Qing, you are even more talented than I imagined. With your aptitude, even among the many Holy Lands, you would stand among the best."

Wu Qingfeng's face broke into a broad smile. Though he was an elder of Lingxu Grotto-Heaven, he had heard of the cultivation progress of certain disciples from Aristocratic Families and Holy Lands. Those who could sense the Wheel of Life and enter the Bitter Sea Realm in merely three days were few enough to count on one's fingers.

Lingxu Grotto-Heaven had truly produced a Peerless Genius!

"However, do not spread this matter around. The two of you must not reveal it either, understand?"

The delight on Wu Qingfeng's face slowly faded into gravity. He spoke to Fang Qing, Ye Fan, and Pang Bo, and the change in his expression made all three nod.

A tree that rose above the forest would be destroyed by the wind. It was all the more necessary to remain cautious when one displayed peerless talent at the very beginning of cultivation. Throughout the ages, many geniuses had emerged, but only those who laughed last became supreme powerhouses.

"Fang Qing, cultivate well here. I will use my authority to help you cultivate at full speed."

As Wu Qingfeng spoke, his entire body transformed into a streak of light and shot into the sky.

Before long, Wu Qingfeng returned. He held five small jade bottles in his hand, each one exceptionally smooth and lustrous. When opened, they gave off waves of rich fragrance.

"This is Hundred Herb Liquid, a treasure made by the elders of Lingxu Grotto-Heaven from the essences extracted from a hundred medicinal herbs. It can help you expand your Bitter Sea. Use these five bottles first. Don't seek speed—advance steadily."

Wu Qingfeng instructed Fang Qing, suggesting that he try using one bottle every three days so he would not overload his body.

"Thank you, Elder. This disciple will certainly cultivate diligently!"

Fang Qing bowed to Wu Qingfeng.

He was basically receiving special treatment now, all thanks to Elder Wu Qingfeng.

Had it been another elder, they might have learned of Fang Qing's talent and tried to perform Body Snatching on him instead. Quite a few elders liked doing such things.

"Cultivate properly here. I won't let anyone disturb you."

Wu Qingfeng gave Fang Qing another instruction and prepared to watch him refine the Hundred Herb Liquid.

He was in no hurry to leave. He intended to remain and protect Fang Qing.

"We all started cultivating together. How can the gap be this huge? I haven't even finished reading the Dao Scripture, but Brother Fang has already reached the Bitter Sea Realm!"

At the side, Pang Bo was so envious he felt like his cells were splitting apart.

Over the past three days, he too had studied the Dao Scripture earnestly and understood the meanings of some of its words and phrases. However, he had yet to study the later sections. To finish the whole scripture, he felt that he would need three months!

That was right—not a few days, but three months!

There was simply nothing he could do about it.

Pang Bo felt that with his talent, he ought to be a martial artist or something—trading blow for blow and fighting directly. But reading some Dao Scripture and comprehending the principles within was truly asking too much of him.

That was why reading the Dao Scripture would take him three months!

Who knew what realm Fang Qing would have cultivated to by then?

Comparing oneself to others really could make one furious.

"We need to work hard too. Diligence can make up for shortcomings. For something like Enlightenment, if we read more and discuss more, perhaps we can figure it out as well."

Ye Fan spoke. He too had been studying the Dao Scripture.

As he studied it, the Bodhi Seed on his body grew warm, causing him to enter a state of extremely rapid comprehension.

As a result, he understood a great many principles.

It did not seem all that difficult.

"We can discuss it with each other."

After Ye Fan understood many principles, he began discussing them with Pang Bo.

"Oh, so that's how it is? I think I understand now."

While Ye Fan and Pang Bo discussed the Dao Scripture, Fang Qing was also absorbing the Hundred Herb Liquid.

It had to be said that cultivating with pills was far faster than merely absorbing the spiritual energy of Heaven and Earth.

Spiritual medicines grew by absorbing vast amounts of spiritual energy within Blessed Lands, while Hundred Herb Liquid was brewed from a hundred unique spiritual medicines using a particular method, making its spirituality even stronger and the vital essence it contained even more abundant.

A bottle of Hundred Herb Liquid like this was extremely valuable.

For many newly admitted disciples of Lingxu Grotto-Heaven, they could only receive one bottle of Hundred Herb Liquid every three months.

But now, Elder Wu Qingfeng had directly brought Fang Qing five bottles!

Fang Qing circulated his Mysterious Methods and swiftly refined an entire bottle of Hundred Herb Liquid.

He felt his Bitter Sea expand considerably once more, and he could even continue taking Hundred Herb Liquid.

Let the Hundred Herb Liquid come even more fiercely!