The Opportunity for a Technique Breakthrough

Random Buff Multiplier: 6

Pulse Protecting Pill Effect ×600%, Pill Toxin -60%

Six times the Pulse Protecting Pill's effectiveness!

Han Yuan was overjoyed. The effect of this sixfold Pulse Protecting Pill was even better than taking six Pulse Protecting Pills.

Because of Pill Toxin, it was impossible to swallow six Pulse Protecting Pills in succession. Even if he could, drug resistance would prevent the effect from reaching six times its normal strength.

Yet Han Yuan could enjoy the effects of six Pulse Protecting Pills at once.

He only felt that after the Pulse Protecting Pill dissolved, a mysterious medicinal power spread through his meridians and into every part of his body. A thick layer of the pill's power protected the inner walls of his meridians, while even the walls of his Dantian were coated in medicinal power, as though his meridians had been fitted with a layer of armor!

An ordinary Pulse Protecting Pill lasted two hours. Could one with six times the effect last twelve?

Whatever the case, freed of all worries, Han Yuan finally cast aside his reservations and began absorbing the dense spiritual energy in the Cultivation Room.

"Such docile spiritual energy—it can be refined so easily!"

After circulating it through just one minor Meridian Circulation, he could guide the spiritual energy flooding into his meridians into his Dantian.

Once this fresh spiritual power merged into his Dantian, Han Yuan discovered in astonishment that it was far more refined than the spiritual power he had painstakingly cultivated before!

There was no need to test it. He knew his Spiritual Power Quality had definitely risen!

"This, this, this is practically cheating... No, this ability should count as a talent! I'm truly gifted!"

As Han Yuan absorbed it, the spiritual energy in the Cultivation Room poured into his body like water flowing backward. The Pulse Protecting Pill's effects were astonishing. Its sixfold enhancement did not merely extend its duration—the protection it gave his meridians was also multiplied sixfold. Thus, no matter how violently that spiritual energy surged, it could hardly damage his meridians.

A technique at the Major Accomplishment Realm displayed astonishing effects in cultivation, and his Meridian Circulation ran at tremendous speed.

Han Yuan devoted his entire mind to circulating the technique. As it continued operating at high speed without pause, his understanding of the Ancient Wood Nourishing Spirit Art gradually deepened by a great deal.

When he had waited for Chang Chun before, he had kept staring at the ancient tree, and it had not merely been for show.

He had been pondering where the essence of the Ancient Wood Nourishing Spirit Art lay. What did the words "ancient wood" represent?

When he had previously reached the Minor Accomplishment Realm, he had believed the key was to sense the breathing rhythm of ancient trees between heaven and earth.

But now, as he continuously circulated the technique, he gradually realized that its focus lay in the latter two words: "nourishing spirit."

"To use my body as ancient wood, nurturing the spirituality of spiritual power?"

Han Yuan recalled the Old Apricot Tree's form. Over two years of cultivation, he had unknowingly committed every detail of the Old Apricot Tree to memory. He often rested beneath it as well, keeping it company.

Whether intentionally or not, the Old Apricot Tree had been an indispensable presence throughout his two years of cultivation. It would not be an exaggeration to say they had relied on each other for companionship.

At this moment, his body relaxed and stretched. His seated form resembled an old tree with roots coiling beneath it, and faintly, it seemed as though an Apricot Tree had been planted in the center of the Cultivation Room.

He began making subtle adjustments to his breathing. It became gentle yet deep and steady. He vaguely felt that the technique's circulation route was somewhat uncomfortable, so he followed his instincts and altered it. Thus, the circulation route of the Ancient Wood Nourishing Spirit Art unknowingly began to change.

Bit by bit, it gradually became vastly different from the original.

His aura connected to the earth, and his rate of absorbing spiritual energy steadily accelerated. Spiritual energy circulated continuously through his body—one portion merged into his Dantian, while another was guided into the earth and air, returning to heaven and earth.

The spiritual power in his Dantian grew ever more refined, but it still seemed far from what could be called nourishing spirit.

Where, exactly, was the essence of the technique?

Just as Han Yuan struggled in vain to find the technique's True Meaning, his breathing rhythm suddenly resonated with the breathing rhythm of some distant existence!

Within an outer sect courtyard far away on Ancient Wood Peak, the branches of an Old Apricot Tree began to sway. Though the wind did not move, the tree did, while the surrounding spiritual energy seemed to answer a summons and gathered densely around it!

The Old Apricot Tree, already several centuries old, had finally accumulated enough to step from an ordinary species into a spiritual species!

Within its trunk, mysterious changes were being born, and the spirituality of the spirit tree began to sprout!

During this process, a gift of spiritual power belonging to a cultivator played the role of the finishing touch. That spiritual power gradually flowed with the Old Apricot Tree's own spiritual power and was absorbed by it, but because of this, it also participated completely in the birth of the Tree Spirit.

Han Yuan knew nothing of the Old Apricot Tree's condition. At a certain moment, it was as though heaven and earth were aiding him. The route of his spiritual power's circulation became mysterious once more, and as it changed, his spiritual power seemed to develop a trace of special spirituality.

For a time, he sank into it, unable to pull himself free.

Inside Cangming Cave Mansion.

Chang Chun looked toward Cangming Tower in confusion. Then, to his surprise, he saw the trees near Cangming Tower begin trembling one after another, swaying as though they were celebrating the birth of a companion!

"What's happening to those spirit trees?"

Before he could take more than a few steps to investigate, those spirit trees calmed down again, and everything seemed like an illusion.

But he was certain his eyes had not deceived him. It seemed the Estate Master was cultivating some formidable spell that had stirred the spirit trees.

Suddenly, his Affiliated Token gave a slight reaction. He looked toward the entrance of the cave mansion and happened to see someone bowing with clasped hands in his direction!

"Is someone looking for the Estate Master?"

Chang Chun activated the Willow Flurry Movement Technique, his speed soaring. In a few steps, he arrived at the entrance and looked outside.

Upon closer inspection, Chang Chun recognized the visitor. It was Liu Xinghe, a prominent figure among the Inner Sect Disciples of Spirit Script Peak—the Ninth Level of Qi Condensation President of the Star River Society, an inner sect clique. Rumor had it that he was about to become a True Disciple, though evidently, he had not.

"I am Inner Sect Disciple Liu Xinghe. I have come today to pay a visit to True Disciple Han. Might True Disciple Han be present?" Liu Xinghe studied Chang Chun. Though separated by the formation, his sharp eyes easily saw that the other man was only around the Seventh Level of Qi Condensation and was not young anymore.

"My apologies. The Estate Master has instructed that he is in seclusion and will not see guests. Please return another time, President Liu."

Remembering the Estate Master's instructions, Chang Chun had no intention of opening the gate.

Liu Xinghe secretly frowned. He had unexpectedly learned from a disciple at the Welfare Hall of Spirit Script Peak that a newly promoted True Disciple had appeared, and he had immediately rushed to Cangming Cave Mansion.

From that disciple, he had learned that the other party had exchanged his monthly benefits for Pulse Protecting Pills, so he had guessed that the man might be entering seclusion. He had not expected it to happen so quickly.

This True Disciple had seemingly sprung from the dirt, with no news of him whatsoever beforehand. Now that Liu Xinghe had not even met him, he could not discern the slightest detail of his background.

Liu Xinghe's gaze fell upon Chang Chun. From what Chang Chun had just said, this man knew him. After thinking carefully, Liu Xinghe realized that he did seem to have seen him a few times.

"Junior Brother, if that is the case, could you help accept a gift for me and give it to True Disciple Han once he emerges?"

"My apologies, I cannot make decisions for the Estate Master," Chang Chun immediately said.

"Then could I ask Junior Brother to notify me when True Disciple Han leaves seclusion? I will certainly reward you generously!" Liu Xinghe rummaged through his sleeve and produced a bottle of Qi Condensing Pills.

When Chang Chun saw that bottle of Qi Condensing Pills, his gaze could not help but drift toward it. A bottle of Qi Condensing Pills was worth five hundred Spirit Stones!

This was merely a reward for delivering a message. For him, it would take practically no effort.

But Chang Chun had already experienced the hardships of cultivation before. He did not want to lose this rare opportunity because of it.

Therefore, he resolutely said, "I'm sorry. The Estate Master does not wish to be disturbed. Please return, Senior Brother Liu."

His tone was firm. At this moment, all the awe he once held for Alliance Leader Liu had completely vanished. Reverting to the form of address used between fellow sect disciples, he now regarded Liu Xinghe as an ordinary Inner Sect Disciple.

Liu Xinghe froze at those words, then gave Chang Chun a deep look. "Since True Disciple Han is in seclusion, I will come again another time!"

Chang Chun clasped his hands, then turned and went back to continue sweeping the ground.

Liu Xinghe turned back for another look at Cangming Cave Mansion, resentment rising in his heart toward Du Yuanhe. That old fool has gone blind with age. He does not even think highly of someone with superior aptitude like me. I'd like to see just what genuine skills this new True Disciple Han possesses! What gives him the right to occupy Cangming Cave Mansion!