Hu Shu watched the busy members of the Human Race, then glanced at the equally focused Mysterious Rogue Cultivator beside him. He knew the road ahead would remain difficult. Cultivating techniques and forging magical artifacts were both fraught with challenges, but he had no intention of retreating. He clenched his fists and secretly swore that no matter how many obstacles lay ahead, he would lead the Human Race toward strength. The Mysterious Rogue Cultivator seemed to sense Hu Shu's resolve as well. Their eyes met, filled with determination.
"Senior, may I ask why exactly you were trapped here?" Hu Shu broke the silence and spoke first.
The Mysterious Rogue Cultivator sighed softly and gazed into the distance, as though lost in memory. "I devoted myself to pursuing a higher realm. I heard that this Ancient Battlefield held an opportunity for a breakthrough, so I rashly entered it. Who could have known that the restrictions here were far beyond my imagination? One misstep, and I became trapped within. It has been a hundred years now."
Hu Shu's heart stirred. After pondering for a moment, he said, "Senior, I have an idea. I can use the Invincible Domain System to help you break the restrictions, and in return, you can teach cultivation techniques to the Human Race and help improve their strength. What do you think?"
A trace of hesitation flashed through the Mysterious Rogue Cultivator's eyes, but it quickly faded. After studying Hu Shu for a moment, he slowly nodded. "Very well. If you can truly help me escape, I will naturally honor my promise."
Hu Shu hesitated no longer and activated the Invincible Domain System. At once, a vast force surged from within him and swept toward the restriction trapping the Mysterious Rogue Cultivator. The restriction's light flickered as it began to shake violently, cracks rapidly spreading across it.
Seeing this, the Mysterious Rogue Cultivator cooperated with all his strength. He muttered incantations under his breath while his hands swiftly formed seals. For a time, fierce winds howled across the Ancient Battlefield, sending sand and stones flying. Sharp whistling filled everyone's ears, as though the restriction were making one final desperate struggle.
Beads of sweat covered Hu Shu's forehead. He gritted his teeth and continuously increased his power output. Finally, with a thunderous boom, the restriction shattered and its light faded. A powerful current of air spread outward from the two of them, making everyone's robes snap loudly in the wind.
"Thank you for your help, young friend!" the Mysterious Rogue Cultivator said gratefully as he looked at Hu Shu.
"You are too polite, Senior. I only ask that you fulfill your promise," Hu Shu said.
The Mysterious Rogue Cultivator nodded, then turned to face the members of the Human Race and announced loudly, "From this day onward, I will teach you a cultivation technique—the Lingxiao Body Tempering Technique. This technique focuses on tempering the physical body. Once your foundation is solid, cultivating other methods will yield twice the results with half the effort."
With that, he began explaining the Cultivation Method and its key points in detail. The members of the Human Race gathered around, listening with rapt attention, their eyes full of anticipation.
"In the early stages of cultivating this technique, you must draw Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy into your body, circulate it through the meridians for thirty-six cycles, and then gather it in the Dantian..." the Mysterious Rogue Cultivator explained as he personally demonstrated.
Hu Shu listened carefully from the side while observing the reactions of the Human Race. He noticed several young people whose eyes gleamed, as though they had already gained some understanding.
"Come, you few. Follow the method I described and give it a try," the Mysterious Rogue Cultivator said, pointing at those young people.
They did as instructed and circulated their spiritual energy. Before long, a faint glow emerged from their bodies, and delighted expressions appeared on their faces.
"Not bad. You have good talent. Keep working hard," the Mysterious Rogue Cultivator encouraged them.
Afterward, the Mysterious Rogue Cultivator picked up the mysterious materials and said, "These materials are highly unusual and can be used to forge magical artifacts of extraordinary power. However, the forging process is extremely complicated and cannot tolerate the slightest mistake."
He explained the steps and techniques for forging magical artifacts in detail. Though the members of the Human Race only half understood, they committed every word to memory.
"Little friend Hu Shu, next, we must select some dexterous people to try forging magical artifacts," the Mysterious Rogue Cultivator said.
Hu Shu nodded and immediately arranged for members of the Human Race skilled in handicrafts to come over.
"First, place the materials into this specially made furnace cauldron and refine them with Samadhi True Fire..." the Mysterious Rogue Cultivator explained as he worked.
The flames inside the furnace cauldron blazed fiercely, radiating scorching heat that made everyone's faces burn. The Mysterious Rogue Cultivator controlled the flames with complete concentration, fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead as well.
As time passed, the materials gradually melted and emitted a strange glow. At the same time, a pungent odor spread through the air.
"Quick, add this Spirit Crystal. It can enhance the artifact's spirituality," the Mysterious Rogue Cultivator shouted.
A member of the Human Race hurriedly followed the instruction and tossed the Spirit Crystal into the furnace cauldron.
However, at that moment, a violent tremor suddenly came from within the furnace cauldron. The flames shot upward fiercely, as though they were about to spiral out of control.
"This is bad! Everyone, hold steady!" Hu Shu shouted, swiftly circulating his magic power to help the Mysterious Rogue Cultivator stabilize the furnace cauldron.
Working together, everyone finally stabilized the furnace cauldron after considerable effort, allowing the forging of the magical artifact to continue.
Under the Mysterious Rogue Cultivator's guidance, the members of the Human Race gradually mastered several techniques. Though setbacks arose one after another, no one gave up.
As night fell, darkness enveloped the Ancient Battlefield. Only the flames in the furnace cauldron continued to burn, giving off a warm glow. The members of the Human Race sat around the furnace cauldron, some cultivating with their eyes closed, others exchanging insights.
As Hu Shu watched this scene, warmth welled up in his heart. Though the road ahead remained full of uncertainty, everyone was united at this moment, allowing him to see hope for the rise of the Human Race.
However, he also knew well that the Mysterious Rogue Cultivator's origins remained unclear. Did he have other intentions toward the Human Race? And could this cooperation truly make the Human Race stronger? These questions weighed on his heart like heavy stones. But he had no time to dwell on them. What mattered most now was seizing this rare opportunity and allowing the Human Race to increase its strength as quickly as possible.
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