Crimson Sun Sutra

The crimson wheel rose in the east, its flowing radiance swift as an arrow.

—"Nineteen Old Poems"

After three months of revisions.

Wu Tong had finally completed his modification of the Mysterious Heaven Skill.

Drawing on the principles and theories within five cultivation methods, combined with novels he had read in his previous life, the wild ideas of silly forum users, and useful knowledge passed down over ten thousand years on Douluo Continent, Wu Tong created a cultivation technique.

The original technique had long since been altered beyond recognition. It could be said to have become an entirely new cultivation method.

Qi Cultivation Method: Crimson Sun Sutra.

The crimson wheel was another name for the sun in mythology. Using the 840 million particles from the Godly Elephant Suppressing Prison Strength in a novel as reference, Wu Tong opened 720 Acupoints throughout his body. The Acupoints housed divinity, and each of the 720 apertures served as a Dantian.

Then, using the principles behind the Purple Demon Eyes refining Pure Yang violet qi, he cultivated by borrowing the power of the great sun. He condensed great suns within his Acupoints, created Pure Yang, and gathered 720 crimson wheels within them. With a single movement, he could burn the heavens, boil the seas, and extinguish the stars.

The imagined realms were divided into five great stages: Lesser Sun, Pure Yang, Sun, Ultimate Yang, and True Sun. However, due to insufficient information, he had only created the Lesser Sun Chapter. Even so, it could still be cultivated to the level of a Titled Douluo, though the resources required would be beyond count.

The Crimson Sun Sutra had many advantages. Once mastered, one would not only possess an indestructible body but could also form a Lesser Sun Golden Body; one could control flames and use fire against enemies; the true qi within the body would be as vast and boundless as the sea; and it could temper one's vitality and blood, refining the fleshly body.

However, it also had some flaws. The greatest was its enormous consumption of resources. Secondly, before reaching the Sun Realm, one could only absorb the non-scorching Sun Power of dawn and dusk. The Sun Power at other times was far too fierce to endure.

In truth, Wu Tong had entertained even more insane ideas while creating this cultivation method. As the saying went: "Samantabhadra's form knows no duality; within eighty-four thousand pores lie worlds. Each pore contains a Tathagata, and each Tathagata possesses a pagoda temple."

If Acupoints that existed between being and nonbeing could be opened to store energy, there was no reason other places could not do the same—especially since Buddhists believed that gods dwelled within human pores! But one had to eat one bite at a time and walk one step at a time. With his current lack of accumulated knowledge, even if he had the ideas, they were useless.

"I've finally finished it. Even if I only completed the Lesser Sun Chapter, it's enough for me to run rampant across Douluo Continent.

"Although I no longer need to worry about protecting myself, the plan should continue. After all, if I want to accumulate enough information, only Spirit Hall can temporarily meet that requirement."

After compiling the Crimson Sun Sutra, Wu Tong stood up and slowly stretched his body, which had become somewhat stiff after staying indoors for three months.

As he walked toward the dormitory entrance, he thought to himself.

Duang~

Not paying attention, Wu Tong crashed into a soft, fragrant embrace.

Wu Tong hurriedly pulled away. Looking up, he said, "Sister Mu Lan, why are you here?"

The visitor was Mu Lan, one of only two female members of the Soul Hunting Squad. Today, she wore a snow-white dress like falling snow. Its hem swayed gently in the breeze, making her seem as cold and tranquil as a lone moon.

The dress was perhaps made of smooth silk or light gauze. With her every movement, its hem lightly fluttered, revealing and concealing two ivory-white legs.

Her long white hair cascaded over her shoulders like a waterfall, lightly held in place by a few simple blue ornaments. She looked noble yet natural, elegant without losing her grace.

A simple necklace hung around her neck, perhaps set with a dazzling gemstone. It complemented her white dress perfectly and made her extraordinary temperament stand out even more.

"Little Wu Tong, I'm an Esteemed Guest instructor at Notting Academy. When the members of the Soul Hunting Squad don't have missions, we all find part-time work." Mu Lan answered expressionlessly.

There was an indescribable magic to Mu Lan's cool voice. Her tone was like the gentle autumn wind—soft and calm, lonely and tranquil, like a bright moon hanging high in the night sky, cold and solitary.

Mu Lan was not very old, only seventeen, yet she had already cultivated to Level 39. Given the difficult cultivation speed of an auxiliary Martial Soul, she could already be considered a genius.

"What? Then does that mean you're my teacher, Sister Mu Lan?"

Hearing Mu Lan's cool reply, Wu Tong was immensely shocked.

"That's right, Little Wu Tong. Remember from now on, when you see me, you must call me Teacher."

Seeing how shocked Wu Tong was, a trace of mischief flashed through Mu Lan's calm eyes.

"Uh... okay, Sister Mu Lan, I understand, Sister Mu Lan. Next time for sure, Sister Mu Lan."

Wu Tong used the same perfunctory tactic he used on Xiao Pang.

Mu Lan: (﹏)

Seeing that Wu Tong had not fallen for it, Mu Lan was somewhat unhappy.

Wu Tong did not mind and asked in confusion, "Then why are you here, Sister Mu Lan?"

"I broke through to Soul Ancestor. Our squad was originally planning to hunt a Spirit Ring for me today.

"But after hearing your theory earlier, Big Brother Wu Tu and the others felt that you might be able to offer a better choice of Spirit Ring. They wanted to treat you to a meal and have you help plan which Spirit Beasts I should seek for my Spirit Ring."

Seeing Wu Tong's confusion, Mu Lan explained.

"Sister Mu Lan, you broke through to Level 40 Soul Ancestor?"

Wu Tong was a little surprised. He had heard while chatting with the others that Mu Lan had only reached Level 39 four months ago.

She had reached Level 40 so quickly. Could auxiliary-type cultivation really be this fast?

"That's right. My Martial Soul, the Moon Rhythm Radiance Lyre, is a beneficially mutated Martial Soul. It can absorb moonlight at night to cultivate and raise Soul Power. That's how I was able to break through to Level 40 so quickly."

Seeing Wu Tong's puzzled expression, Mu Lan explained further.

"Alright, then I'll hear what you all have in mind for this Spirit Ring."

Wu Tong nodded in agreement.

As the saying went, three cobblers could match Zhuge Liang.

This saying did not mean three cobblers could be used as Zhuge Liang. Not to mention three—even thirty, or three hundred... could not compare to Zhuge Liang.

What it meant was that the more people there were, the more strange and ingenious ideas they could come up with. Ideas someone thought of by chance could even inspire geniuses.

Wu Tong had considered this as well. He intended to see what arrangements Wu Tu and the others had for Mu Lan's Spirit Ring and learn how a team that hunted souls year-round viewed certain Spirit Beasts.

After all, knowledge from books was always incomplete. To understand everything, one had to absorb the ideas of others. After all, what one gained on paper would always feel shallow.

Before long, Mu Lan led Wu Tong to a hotel west of Notting City.

Rose Hotel.

Seeing the somewhat familiar name, Wu Tong's mouth twitched. Could this be a branch of that Rose Hotel in Suotuo City? Both were named after flowers, and both were hotels. It was simply too similar.

Shaking his head, Wu Tong stopped thinking about such trivial matters and followed Mu Lan inside.