Contemplation methods needed to be viewed and reviewed regularly. Especially before reaching major completion in the Spirit Solidification Realm, they were practically never to leave one's side.
I wonder whether Su Qiuzhen has the mid-grade contemplation method, the "Twenty-Four Rank White Lotus Salvation Chart," on him.
The thought flashed through his mind.
Outwardly, Li Xijun showed nothing. He simply paid for the low-grade contemplation method, then opened it and began reading.
As expected, this low-grade contemplation method had no obvious special effects or grand imagery.
On the exceedingly tough yet xuan-paper-like contemplation chart,
aside from the densely packed, tiny regular-script incantations,
there was only a pine and cypress standing amid the snowy mountains. At first glance, it seemed utterly ordinary, but upon closer inspection, it carried a steadfast, grounded artistic conception.
"The 'Cold Mountain Pine and Cypress Chart' not only strengthens the soul, but also has some ability to stabilize it. It is among the finest of low-grade contemplation methods."
Mister Jia stroked his goatee and continued,
"I can see that you truly have talent, so I gave you this contemplation method. Though it does not count as breaking the rules, young man, you will have to buy more Spirit Nourishing Incense from me."
Li Xijun hesitated slightly, then nodded in agreement.
Spirit Nourishing Incense was an important resource for Spirit Solidification Realm cultivators training their souls.
It could quickly restore souls weakened and fatigued from cultivating contemplation methods.
Even when one was not cultivating, it could calm the mind and provide a certain nourishing effect.
It was not only needed by Spirit-Refining Cultivators. It was said that even Viscera Refinement Martial Warriors needed Spirit Nourishing Incense when refining the five viscera and six viscera.
Li Xijun intended to cultivate the Spirit Solidification Realm and would eventually refine his viscera as well, so he did not mind buying more Spirit Nourishing Incense from Mister Jia.
"May I ask how much the Spirit Nourishing Incense costs?"
"One box contains ten sticks and costs fifty taels. How many boxes would you like, young man?"
Upon hearing that, Li Xijun sharply drew in a breath. Of course, he was faking it.
Because those 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 artist could cultivate for five or six days with one if they were frugal.
A packet of Medicinal Bath ingredients cost two taels of silver. Generally speaking, repeated use would certainly diminish the medicinal effect, but it could still last two or three days.
Yet a single stick of Spirit Nourishing Incense only lasted thirty minutes. Before the main outline of a contemplation method had even taken shape, five taels of silver were gone. Spending twenty or thirty taels a day was already considered economical.
It was clear that the Spirit-Refining Path burned through silver at a terrifying rate.
Fortunately, Li Xijun did not have much of anything else, but silver was something he had plenty of.
"Then... give me ten boxes of Spirit Nourishing Incense first."
When Li Xijun once again pulled out five hundred taels of silver, Mister Jia nearly yanked out his beard.
"Young man... you truly are... immensely wealthy."
It was obvious that the middle-aged scholar had wanted to call him a filthy rich bastard, but he swallowed the words at the sight of all that gleaming silver. He turned, took ten slender boxes from the shelf, and handed them to Li Xijun.
A moment later,
the thoroughly satisfied Li Xijun first slipped into a secluded corner as usual to confirm that the surroundings were safe.
Then he took off his clothes, released the drone, and flashed back to his home in the Main World.
After closing the doors and windows, he lit the Spirit Nourishing Incense according to the instructions in the "Spirit Solidification Realm Introductory Guide."
"The soul shall dwell in the Heavenly Court. The Heavenly Court is where the gods return, the spiritual platform of all Buddhas. As it grows stronger, illusions shall arise in abundance. The soul may feel coolness, heat, sourness, and spiciness. One may see celestial palaces and jade maidens in the heavens, as well as asuras and evil ghosts. One may see heavenly maidens and bodhisattvas, the gods of heaven and earth, ancient sages, and even feel oneself falling into reincarnation."
"Pay no heed to these myriad illusions. Steady the mind and contemplate the cold mountain pine and cypress. The heart of heaven is lofty and remote; the Earth Veins are deep and secluded. Only the pine knows strength; only the cypress endures. Unfading through the cold years, solitary and upright, evergreen forever—condense the spirit like a pine."
As he continuously recited the tiny regular-script incantations above,
during his first attempt at the Spirit Solidification Realm, Li Xijun truly felt a coolness spread through his entire body.
It was as though something were trying to hook his soul and draw it out for a Soul Out of Body journey.
It seemed that the outside world held endless beauty, limitless immortal treasures, and immortal maidens tempting him.
Fortunately, he had already steadied his mind.
He began to devote himself fully to outlining and inscribing the "Cold Mountain Pine and Cypress Chart."
All the illusions that arose as his soul strengthened and grew
were dispelled by the cold mountain pine and cypress that he painstakingly drew bit by bit with the power of his mind.
The mental energy he expended was also continuously replenished by the burning Spirit Nourishing Incense,
helping Li Xijun gradually complete 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 Level 9.0 to Level 9.1.
Feeling that he had broken through, Li Xijun opened his eyes.
In an instant,
within the dim room, its doors and windows shut and its curtains heavy,
a pure, glazed radiance seemed to emerge,
then vanished without a trace. The Divine Light that had just illuminated the room seemed as dreamlike and fleeting as a passing gleam.
Amid such a scene, the youth seated cross-legged on the bed remained as calm and motionless as a cold mountain pine and cypress.
His mind was empty, tranquil, and clear as he sensed a world that seemed to have become somewhat different.
"From Zhuangzi: In the World of Men: 'Look upon that empty chamber; white light is born in the vacant room, and auspiciousness lingers.'"
"The benefits of a growing soul really are plentiful."
As he watched the alarm clock's second hand, moving with perfect precision in his vision, it now seemed to crawl at half speed.
Li Xijun grew even more satisfied.
During martial arts classes over the previous two weeks, he had often sparred with Ye Liuyun, whose Blood Essence Level was 7.8.
But against the other's absolute stats of seventeen meters per second and a punching force of seven hundred and forty kilograms, he had naturally lost often.
But now that he had entered the Spirit Solidification Realm, he could easily track the other's movements and attacks.
Although the physical gap brought by their Blood Essence Levels was still enormous, preventing him from defeating Ye Liuyun, he could at least remain undefeated.
Of course, all of that applied only when they were unarmed.
If both sides held weapons, Li Xijun's lethality would rise dramatically, making the outcome an even match.
If he used a gun, then with his Spirit Level and Spirit Solidification Realm cultivation, he could kill Ye Liuyun a hundred times, and the other would not have the slightest ability to fight back.
"Spirit Solidification Realm cultivators are already highly lethal with Flying Swords, but I use an Electromagnetic Handgun, so I'm stronger!"
Feeling that he was in excellent condition, Li Xijun no longer hesitated and activated the traversal ability again, returning to the Da Sheng World.
Late at night,
the instant he put on the Nano Protective Suit, the target location sent by the Mockingbird Drone appeared before his eyes.
"Activate combat defense mode!"
The liquid nano-material instantly transformed into a lightweight suit of black full-body armor that blended into the darkness.
Li Xijun now darted nimbly through the streets and alleyways of Jinmen.
His Spirit Solidification Realm cultivation allowed him to easily avoid pedestrians along the way in advance.
He arrived at a dark alley not far from the stone bridge.
When he activated shock absorption and silent mode and quietly approached to within fifty meters of Deng Gao, who was lying in ambush at the entrance of the alley,
"Not good!"
Suddenly struck by a sense of danger, Deng Gao explosively pushed off with both legs. Relying on a Viscera Refinement Realm martial warrior's instincts, he pounced toward Li Xijun like a fierce tiger.
"Trying to ambush me? At worst, we'll die together."
The vicious expression on Deng Gao's face, set off by the centipede-like scar on it, made him resemble an evil ghost emerging into the world, a fierce tiger descending the mountain.
Martial artists below Viscera Refining, and even Orifice Opening cultivators, would have their minds thrown into disarray by that imposing aura in such a life-and-death clash.
But in Li Xijun's eyes, Deng Gao was simply charging straight toward his gun muzzle in an incredibly obvious posture of seeking death.
Zzt!
A streak of blue electricity flashed.
Deng Gao, who had lunged like a tiger pouncing on prey, now had a massive hole blasted through his heart. His corpse hit the ground with a thud, while his mouth mumbled the indistinct words, "Die... die..."
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