Studying the Snake Seal Curse

"This time's gains were truly substantial. I needed to sort through them properly. Being a disciple of the Endless Fire Domain for once had earned me as much as half a year of simulation income."

Lu Yu's Soul power swept through the various cultivation arts and spiritual techniques recorded in the Inheritance Jade Slip, and a satisfied curve rose on his lips.

"The Snake Seal Curse can temporarily seal an opponent's cultivation. Though the Heavenly Fire Dragon Steps are only an Earth-tier low-grade movement technique, they're perfectly suited to my current strength. And then there's the Method for Shaping Exotic Flame Spiritual Meridians..."

His eyes gleamed. "If I can fully comprehend and integrate all of these, my strength will surely rise another level."

"However, the most valuable thing to me is still this fifth-grade alchemist inheritance..."

His fingertips gently brushed across the jade slip as he said thoughtfully, "An Eighth-grade Alchemist inheritance would be immensely valuable even on the Dou Qi Continent. Moreover, alchemy in the Great Thousand World differs somewhat from that of the Dou Qi Continent. Comparing it against the Seventh-grade Alchemist inheritance Old Man Yao gave me will be of enormous benefit to my study of alchemy."

With that in mind, he calmed himself and began carefully organizing the contents of the jade slip, preparing to formulate his next cultivation plan.

"My most urgent task is to first master the Snake Seal Curse, lift Hai Bodong's seal, and obtain the Netherworld Flame Remnant Map in exchange. After that, I'll focus on the Heavenly Fire Dragon Steps to improve my movement technique. As for the Method for Shaping Exotic Flame Spiritual Meridians..."

"That can wait a little longer. Once the Great Pagoda Art reaches the Tower Transformation Realm, it will not only condense a Futu Tower, but also give rise to an extremely powerful flame within it—the Futu Flame."

"Using the Futu Flame to shape Exotic Flame Spiritual Meridians is clearly more suitable than using the Earth Core Flame. It also naturally complements the Great Pagoda Art. Even without the bloodline of the Futu Ancient Clan, my cultivation speed will certainly not be lacking in the future."

"Perhaps I can even use it to improve the quality of my Futu Tower..."

At that thought, a smile rose uncontrollably on Lu Yu's lips. Earlier, he had worried that the Futu Tower he condensed would be of insufficient quality. Now, it seemed he had been worrying for nothing.

"Still, even Futu Flame Spiritual Meridians will likely be unable to raise my Futu Tower to the level of a Saint Pagoda Tower. Mu Chen possessed the Nine Divine Meridians, which was why he could condense a Saint Pagoda."

"If that's the case, why shouldn't I create a secret art to improve the quality of the Futu Tower myself?"

As Lu Yu considered this, a glint flashed through his eyes. With the simulator, one month of his time could equal ten years for others. It was not impossible for him to create such a secret art.

"But that's all for later. First, I should comprehend the Snake Seal Curse."

He shook his head and no longer hesitated. Sitting cross-legged, he prepared to begin his comprehension. In this world where the strong were revered, every moment sooner that he improved his strength gave him another measure of confidence in protecting himself.

The next morning.

In a rear courtyard of the Barren Iron Mercenary Group.

Lu Yu sat by a stone table, leisurely sipping tea. Little Fairy Doctor sat quietly at his side, while Qing Lin stood obediently nearby. After hearing Lu Yu's request, Xiao Ding merely raised his brows in mild curiosity.

"Taking Qing Lin as a maid?" Xiao Ding stroked his chin, his gaze resting on Qing Lin for a moment before he broke into a hearty laugh. "It's this girl's good fortune to be able to follow Brother Lu. Naturally, I have no objection."

At those words, Qing Lin's emerald eyes immediately lit up, and her small hands unconsciously clenched the hem of her clothes.

"Then it's settled."

Lu Yu nodded slightly. The two chatted for a while longer, and after Xiao Ding took his leave—

Lu Yu took out a cultivation art jade slip and handed it to Little Fairy Doctor. "For the time being, teach Qing Lin the Mysterious Yellow Breathing Technique. Although this Earth-tier low-grade cultivation art is an attribute-less technique, it is upright and balanced, making it most suitable for laying a foundation."

"There's no rush to search for Exotic Flames. I still have some matters to handle, so we'll set out after waiting a while."

Little Fairy Doctor nodded gently and beckoned Qing Lin over. "Come. I'll first teach you about meridians and acupoints."

After the two had walked away, Lu Yu took a completely emerald-green jade slip from his Storage Ring. It contained the inheritance of the Snake Seal Curse.

Because simulations often rewarded him with various cultivation arts, he had prepared many such cultivation art jade slips in case they were ever needed.

Last night, he had only given this secret art a cursory look. It was considered an Earth-tier low-grade sealing technique, but its intricacy far surpassed ordinary techniques. It could continuously grow stronger along with the caster's cultivation and was sufficient for use all the way to the Dou Zun stage.

Even against high-level opponents, as long as the quality of one's Dou Qi was pure enough, it could still produce a considerable suppressive effect.

Its sole drawback was that casting it consumed an enormous amount of Dou Qi, far exceeding that of ordinary Earth-tier Dou Skills. If used to seal someone above one's level, the expenditure would be even more shocking.

Half a month later, inside a quiet chamber.

Lu Yu's eyes were slightly closed as Dou Qi surged around him like the tides. The emerald jade slip floating before him emitted a faint glow, while countless ancient runes flowed through the air, outlining the phantom of a lifelike spirit snake.

"Condense!"

With a sharp cry, his hands formed an enigmatic seal. Crimson Dou Qi rushed through specific meridians, gradually gathering in his palm into a snake-shaped mark. When it first took shape, it was only three inches long, yet it emitted a palpitating fluctuation.

"Truly profound..."

As Lu Yu sensed the sealing power contained within the mark, a thought suddenly stirred in his mind. The not-yet-formed phantom of the Futu Tower within his body trembled slightly, and a strand of pitch-black Xuan Guang flowed out through his meridians.

"Buzz—"

The crimson snake seal was suddenly stained with a layer of profound black. Fine tower-shaped patterns emerged across its surface. The already formidable sealing power surged by more than thirty percent, causing even the surrounding space to faintly distort.

"So it works!"

Lu Yu's eyes shone brightly. Although the Futu Tower had yet to be condensed and could not leave his body to fight, he could use its power to enhance the Snake Seal Curse, elevating the might of this sealing technique to another level.

He carefully experienced the mysteries of the new mark. The Great Pagoda Art was originally one of the Great Thousand World's foremost sealing cultivation arts. Now that the two had fused, this improved version of the Snake Seal Curse was likely comparable to an Earth-tier high-grade secret art.

A moment later, "It's time to set off."

Lu Yu put away the jade slip, rose to his feet, and patted away dust that did not exist. With a sweep of his sleeve, the wooden door to the quiet chamber silently opened, and he strode out.

In the courtyard, Little Fairy Doctor was guiding Qing Lin's cultivation. When they saw Lu Yu emerge from seclusion, both stopped what they were doing. Fine beads of sweat still hung on Qing Lin's little face, but her emerald eyes sparkled brightly.

"I need to go out for a while." Lu Yu walked over to the two of them, took out several bottles of pills, and placed them on the stone table. "Take these cultivation-aiding pills according to the method I explained before."

Little Fairy Doctor nodded gently, her gaze lingering on him for a moment. "Do you need me to come with you?"

Lu Yu shook his head. "It's just a minor matter. I'll be back soon, so there's no need for you to come. Stay here and look after Qing Lin."

He then turned to the uneasy Qing Lin. "How is your cultivation progressing?"

"R-Reporting to Young Master," Qing Lin said, nervously twisting the hem of her clothes, "I've already memorized the breathing technique Sister Little Fairy Doctor taught me. I've also been using the Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid you gave me. I'll be able to break through to the Dou Practitioner realm very soon."

"Not bad."

A trace of approval flashed through Lu Yu's eyes as his hand gently brushed through Qing Lin's hair. The young girl's hair was soft and smooth, carrying a faint fragrance of grass and trees.

"When I return, I hope to see that you've broken through to the Dou Practitioner realm." His tone was gentle, carrying an unspoken expectation. "Remember, you must not rush things. On the path of cultivation, one's foundation is the most important."

"Even if you haven't broken through by then, it's fine. Young Master won't blame you."

The moment his words fell, Qing Lin's little face turned bright red. Determination shone within her emerald snake eyes. "Qing Lin definitely won't disappoint Young Master!"

Lu Yu smiled and nodded. As he turned to leave, he gave Little Fairy Doctor a slight nod. The two exchanged a knowing glance, understanding each other's thoughts without needing to say a word.

"I'm leaving."

"Take care."

After that simple farewell, his figure gradually disappeared beyond the courtyard.