Spirit Solidification Realm, One Shot Down

"The Contemplation Method needs to be reviewed frequently, especially before reaching the Great Accomplishment of the Spirit Solidification Realm. It's basically inseparable from me then."

"I wonder if Su Qiuzhen has the 'Twenty-Four Rank White Lotus Salvation Chart,' a mid-grade Contemplation Method?"

This thought flashed through his mind.

Li Xijun showed nothing on his face. He simply paid for the low-grade Contemplation Method and immediately opened it to view.

As expected, this low-grade Contemplation Method didn't have any obvious special effects or grand imagery.

On this extremely tough visualization chart, which felt like Xuan paper, apart from the fine clerical script for the incantations, there was only a pine and cypress tree standing in a deep mountain covered in heavy snow. At first glance, it seemed ordinary, but upon closer inspection, it exuded a resilient and solid intent realm.

"The 'Cold Mountain Pine and Cypress Chart' Contemplation Method, besides strengthening the Divine Soul, also has some ability to stabilize it. It's considered the best among low-grade Contemplation Methods."

Mister Jia stroked his goatee and continued, "I see your talent is indeed good, so I gave you this Contemplation Method. While it's not against the rules, you'll have to buy more Spirit Nourishing Incense from me in the future."

Li Xijun hesitated slightly but then nodded in agreement.

Spirit Nourishing Incense was an important resource for Spirit-Refining Cultivators in the Spirit Solidification Realm.

It could rapidly restore the Divine Soul, which became weak and fatigued from practicing Contemplation Methods.

Even when not cultivating, it could stabilize the mind and had a certain nourishing effect.

Not only Spirit-Refining Cultivators needed it; it was said that even Viscera Refinement Martial Warriors needed this Spirit Nourishing Incense to help when refining their internal organs.

Since Li Xijun had to cultivate the Spirit Solidification Realm and would refine his viscera in the future, he didn't mind buying more Spirit Nourishing Incense from Mister Jia.

"What's the price of the Spirit Nourishing Incense?"

"One box of Spirit Nourishing Incense, ten sticks, costs fifty taels. How many boxes do you want, young man?"

Hearing this, Li Xijun gasped, though he was faking it.

Because these prices were indeed outrageous in the Da Sheng world.

A Greater Blood Essence Pill only cost ten taels of silver, and an ordinary Skin and Flesh Realm Martial Warrior could save up for five to six days of cultivation with it.

A pack of medicinal bath cost two taels of silver. Generally, even if used repeatedly, the medicinal effect would diminish, but it could still last two to three days.

However, one stick of Spirit Nourishing Incense only lasted 30 minutes. Before the main visualization of the Contemplation Method was even outlined, five taels of silver were gone. In a day, twenty to thirty taels would be considered saving.

This showed how terrifyingly expensive the Spirit-Refining Path could be.

Fortunately, Li Xijun had plenty of silver, if nothing else.

"Then... I'll take ten boxes of Spirit Nourishing Incense first."

Li Xijun, who took out another five hundred taels of silver, almost made Mister Jia pull out his beard.

"You young man... are truly... wealthy."

It was evident that the middle-aged scholar wanted to call him a rich patron, but seeing the gleaming silver, he held back. He turned and took ten slender boxes from the shelf, handing them to Li Xijun.

A moment later, The satisfied individual first went to a secluded corner as usual to confirm the environment.

Then, he took off his clothes, deployed the drone, and flashed back to his home in the main world.

After closing the doors and windows and lighting the Spirit Nourishing Incense according to the "Spirit Solidification Realm Introductory Guide,"

"The Divine Soul contemplates within the Heavenly Court. The Heavenly Court is where all gods reside, the spiritual platform of all Buddhas. When it grows strong, illusions are reborn, and the Divine Soul can experience coolness, heat, sourness, and spiciness. One can see heavenly palaces and jade maidens, as well as Asuras and evil spirits, celestial maidens and Bodhisattvas, all gods of heaven and earth, and ancient sages. One can even perceive oneself falling into the cycle of reincarnation."

Disregard all these illusions. Guard your mind and soul, contemplate the cold mountain pine and cypress. The heart of heaven is high and vast, the qi of earth is deep and secluded; only the pine knows resilience, only the cypress endures. They do not wither in the cold, standing tall and evergreen. Solidify your spirit like the pine.

As he continuously recited the incantations in the fine clerical script above, For the first time practicing the Spirit Solidification Realm, Li Xijun felt a genuine coolness throughout his body.

It was as if something was trying to hook his Divine Soul and pull it out to roam, as if the outside world held endless beauty, infinite immortal treasures, and celestial maidens tempting him.

Fortunately, at this moment, he had already calmed his mind and soul.

He began to fully dedicate himself to outlining and inscribing the "Cold Mountain Pine and Cypress Chart."

All the fantasies that arose as his Divine Soul grew stronger were dispelled by the pine and cypress he meticulously drew with the power of his mind.

The consumed mental energy was continuously replenished by the burning Spirit Nourishing Incense, helping Li Xijun gradually complete the inscription of the "Cold Mountain Pine and Cypress Chart."

[Your 'Cold Mountain Pine and Cypress Chart' Contemplation Method has increased from 0% to 3%.]

[Your Spirit-Refining System: Spirit Solidification Realm has increased from 0% to Proficient 1%.]

[Your Spirit level has increased from 9.0 to 9.1.]

Feeling the breakthrough, Li Xijun opened his eyes.

In an instant, Within the dimly lit room with its closed doors and windows and heavy curtains, a pure, glass-like radiance seemed to appear, then vanished without a trace, as if the divine light that had just illuminated the room was merely a fleeting, dreamlike illusion.

Amidst this scene, the youth sitting cross-legged on the bed remained as still as a pine and cypress on a cold mountain, his mind clear and tranquil, experiencing a world that felt subtly different.

"Zhuangzi, 'Discourse on the Equality of Things,' Chapter 'The World of Men': 'Behold that emptiness; in a quiet room, white is produced, and auspiciousness resides.' "

"The benefits of the Divine Soul growing stronger are indeed numerous."

Gazing at the second hand of the alarm clock, which appeared to be moving at a slow 0.5x speed in his vision, Li Xijun grew even more pleased.

During his martial arts classes over the past two weeks, he had often sparred with Ye Liuyun, who had a Qi and Blood level of 7.8.

However, he had frequently been defeated due to Ye Liuyun's superior stats: 17 meters per second speed and 740 kilograms of punching force.

But now, having entered the Spirit Solidification Realm, he could easily track Ye Liuyun's movements and attacks.

Although the physical disparity caused by their Qi and Blood levels was still significant, preventing him from defeating Ye Liuyun, he could at least hold his ground and remain undefeated.

Of course, this was all in a state of unarmed combat.

When both parties were armed, Li Xijun's lethality would increase significantly, and the outcome would be a fifty-fifty split.

If he were to use a gun, Li Xijun's mental level combined with his Spirit Solidification Realm cultivation would allow him to defeat Ye Liuyun a hundred times over without the latter being able to mount any counterattack.

"Spirit-Refining Cultivators using flying swords are already very lethal, but I use an Electromagnetic Handgun, so I am stronger!"

Feeling that his condition was excellent, Li Xijun no longer hesitated and activated his traversal once more, returning to the Da Sheng world.

Late into the night, The moment he put on the Nano Protective Suit, character positioning data from the Mockingbird Drone was sent directly to his eyes.

"Activate combat defense mode!"

The liquid nano-material instantly transformed into a lightweight, full-body armor of black that blended into the darkness.

At this moment, Li Xijun, with his extremely agile movements, weaved through the streets and alleyways of Jinmen.

His Spirit Solidification Realm cultivation allowed him to easily avoid pedestrians along the way, and he arrived at a dark alley not far from a stone bridge.

As he silently approached Deng Gao, who was ambushing at the alley entrance, within fifty meters, activating his shock-absorbing and silent mode.

"Not good!"

Suddenly, Deng Gao had a premonition and a sense of crisis. He forcefully pushed off the ground with his legs, and relying on the intuition of a Viscera Refinement Martial Warrior, he lunged towards Li Xijun's location like a fierce tiger.

"Trying to sneak attack me, huh? Fine, we'll go down together..."

The ruthlessness on Deng Gao's face, accentuated by his centipede-like scar, made him look like a vengeful spirit emerging from hell or a fierce tiger descending from a mountain.

Under the Viscera Refinement Realm, martial warriors, and even Aperture Opening cultivators, would be intimidated by this life-or-death aura, their minds thrown into disarray.

But to Li Xijun, Deng Gao at this moment appeared to be charging directly into his gun's muzzle in an incredibly clear act of suicidal defiance.

"Zzzzt!"

A flash of blue electricity appeared.

Deng Gao, who had been charging like a fierce tiger, had a large hole blasted through his heart. His corpse fell to the ground with a 'thud,' mumbling incoherently, "Die... die..."