Great Sun Ninefold Refinement Visualization Method

In the small courtyard, Gu Jinlai tended to his injuries and changed into fresh clothes.

"Too brittle."

He was somewhat speechless. "The reason Qi Refining and Blood Changing are considered worlds apart is because true qi can transform in countless ways. It can enhance attacks and protect the entire body. But so-called true qi body protection is merely equivalent to steel armor. Even at Core Forming, no matter how deep one's true qi is, it is at most on the level of heavy steel armor or low-grade treasure armor. A Blood-Changing Martial Artist wielding a high-grade treasured sword can break through true qi body protection."

Leather armor, iron armor, and steel armor roughly corresponded to sharp weapons, high-grade sharp weapons, and top-grade sharp weapons.

Furthermore, iron armor and steel armor could be thickened. Those weighing fifty kilograms or more were called heavy armor.

Body Tempering elites were strong and sturdy enough to charge into battle wearing iron armor for half an hour and still have strength left.

Organ Refining warriors could carry fifty kilograms of heavy iron armor for ten miles as though walking on level ground.

That was where their strength lay.

A Gang Condensing expert trapped amid an army of thousands could still break out through the encirclement with the sharp force of gang qi.

Yet so long as three hundred elites feared not death, they could make a Gang Condensing expert die with hatred on the spot.

Unless a Gang Condensing expert wielded a treasured sword, it was difficult for them to cleave through an armored elite's iron armor with a single strike. They had to unleash gang qi to tear the elite soldier apart, armor and all.

But gang qi was condensed from true qi, and its quantity was limited. A Gang Condensing expert could erupt thirty or forty times, but not eighty or a hundred.

Faced with the encirclement and slaughter of three hundred elites, they could hardly escape the fate of exhausting themselves to death.

Core Forming was no different.

That was why Gu Xiangyang had dared say that the Gu Clan's three hundred elites, eighty fierce warriors, and forty centurions could easily besiege and kill two or three Core Forming experts.

Likewise, it was the confidence that allowed City Lord Zhang Yuhua, who commanded six thousand elites, to sit high above and watch Changjun City's four great forces fight without end.

"Unfortunately, heavy armor may be good, but its weight of over a hundred jin affects a Core Forming expert's agility too much. One step ahead, every step ahead. In one-on-one fights or sect battles, few people wear armor."

Gu Jinlai remarked.

Weapons were different.

Armor...

Besides defensive power, weight and whether it hindered mobility were equally important.

That was why heavy steel armor, though its defense clearly rivaled treasure armor, and some steel armor weighing over a hundred kilograms even matched high-grade treasure armor, was not included among treasure armor.

"To do good work, one must first sharpen one's tools. My sword needs replacing, and I must arrange treasure armor as soon as possible. But armor is said to be passed down through generations and costs five times more than swords. A set of low-grade treasure armor costs from tens of thousands to a hundred thousand taels."

Gu Jinlai smelled poverty in the air.

As an elder of the Purgatory Demon Sect, his annual salary was only sixty thousand taels.

In other words, he would have to go without food or drink for two years to save enough for a set of low-grade treasure armor.

Moreover, one should not think buying treasure armor was a one-time expense. Its upkeep was equally costly.

Sometimes, one fierce battle was enough to damage treasure armor.

"No wonder cultivators fuse the blood of Demonic Beasts and vicious beasts into themselves to temper their bodies. Those cultivators' physiques cannot compare to true Demonic Beasts, but once they reach Gang Condensing or Core Forming, they can withstand ordinary blades, spears, and arrows."

With regret in his heart, Gu Jinlai began nursing his injuries.

"Elder Gu, good news, good news, tremendous news."

Early the next morning, Zhang Xiu came to Gu Jinlai's residence with a face full of smiles. "The Hall Master learned that Elder Gu slew a Demonic Beast and removed a grave threat from Changjun City. He is specially willing to open the Heaven and Earth Universe Diagram for you once. Before long, you will obtain a Spirit Refining method to your satisfaction and have your wish fulfilled."

"The Heaven and Earth Universe Diagram is being opened?"

Gu Jinlai was also pleasantly surprised. "That high-ranking Demonic Beast was enough to exchange for a Spirit Refining method?"

"It should be enough. Come, let us go to the Demon Refining Hall."

As Zhang Xiu spoke, he led him hurriedly toward the Demon Refining Hall.

The Demon Refining Hall was as bustling as ever.

Organ Refining, Blood Changing, and even Qi Refining and Gang Condensing experts filled the place. Some exchanged insights, some wandered about in leisure, and some sparred to test their skills.

Some of these people were affiliated with the Demon Refining Hall, while the rest were disciples recruited over the past dozen years by Zhang Xiu, Yun Guantian, and the third Hall Master.

"Elder Gu, follow me."

Zhang Xiu led Gu Jinlai straight into the main hall.

More than a dozen people were already waiting in the main hall.

Gu Jinlai swept his gaze over them.

Of the dozen or so, half were actually Core Forming experts, while the remaining few had also reached Gang Condensing.

When Zhang Xiu entered, six people clasped their hands at once. "Master."

"Mm."

Zhang Xiu acknowledged them, then said to Gu Jinlai, "Opening the Heaven and Earth Universe Diagram consumes quite a bit. As it happens, many people have recently wanted to exchange for pills and treasures, so the Hall Master and I simply summoned them all."

Gu Jinlai nodded.

Looking at the six people greeting Zhang Xiu...

Three of them were actually Core Forming experts!

As the Deputy Hall Master of the Demon Refining Hall, Zhang Xiu held a lofty position and great authority. He had abundant time and sufficient resources to cultivate disciples, but being able to teach three Core Forming experts still showed remarkable ability.

A teacher for a day, a father for life.

These people were part of his power.

They were also the finest proof of the title "Spirit Refining Giant."

"Everyone, the Hall Master and I will now open the Heaven and Earth Universe Diagram. If you wish to change what you seek, there is still time."

Zhang Xiu said.

"No need."

"What I seek is ten Qi Refining Pills."

"Thank you for your trouble, Hall Master Zhang."

Several people clasped their hands in response.

After asking, Zhang Xiu turned to Gu Jinlai as well. "Elder Gu, give me the Universe Talisman. You want a grand and righteous Spirit Refining method, correct?"

"Correct."

Seeing that everyone else had handed their Universe Talismans to Zhang Xiu, Gu Jinlai gave it no further thought and took out his own.

Zhang Xiu accepted the Universe Talisman, drew a slight breath, and even forced out a smile. "Please wait a moment, Elder Gu."

With that, he left quickly.

"At last... I can obtain a Spirit Refining method."

Gu Jinlai's emotions surged.

The original Gu Jinlai had ultimately been someone accomplished in Spirit Refining. Although the Six Desires Demon Art had been crippled, his foundation remained. Once he obtained a Spirit Refining method, he could swiftly return to the Spirit Refining realm.

Even if the foundation left by Gu Jinlai could not allow him to return to Spirit Refining in a short time, he still had Green Lotus's assistance.

He directed a portion of his attention toward the little figure in his spiritual world.

Fang Cai's entire body was drenched in karmic force as red as blood.

By killing her, he had gained another streak of clear light.

If Gu Jinlai's foundation could not let him return to Spirit Refining, he could use the clear light to raise the Spirit Refining method.

In short, after today, he would soon cast off this fate of nearly being driven out of Changjun City.

With that thought, Gu Jinlai's mood relaxed and brightened as he took a seat nearby and looked around.

Glancing at Zhang Xiu's disciples, he could not help thinking of himself.

"Four disciples are too few. Once I return to Spirit Refining, I will take ten... forty disciples! I will cultivate every one of them to the Qi Refining realm. Forty Qi Refining practitioners, drilled in battle formations—even Spirit Refining experts will have to avoid their edge."

Gu Jinlai even considered whether he should transfer to Red Wind City when the time came.

The Gu Clan's main base was in Red Wind City.

He could invent goods suited to the current environment, sell them, earn several million or tens of millions of taels of silver, then use that money to recruit troops and cultivate his clansmen.

If he could command six thousand elites like Zhao Yuhua, Lin Xiao would immediately be frightened into visiting his door, offering lavish compensation and begging to turn swords into plowshares.

Then Gu Jinlai made a quick calculation.

"Elites wearing iron armor—three hundred taels for each set of iron armor, two hundred for military pay, plus daily expenses... establishing six thousand elites requires eight million taels, and annual maintenance costs more than three million taels!"

The number made him suck in a cold breath.

If he remembered correctly, the Purgatory Demon Sect possessed nineteen cities in Chi Province, yet its annual tax revenue was less than two hundred million.

Changjun City earned less than ten million a year.

In the end, he reached one conclusion.

"Soldiers must be elite, not numerous."

Time passed, and two hours quickly went by.

At that point, one of Zhang Xiu's disciples invited Gu Jinlai into the inner courtyard.

In a reception room in the inner courtyard, Zhang Xiu and another Core Forming disciple were waiting.

The moment Gu Jinlai entered, the Hall Master solemnly said, "Elder Gu, what you sought was a 'grand and righteous Spirit Refining method,' correct?"

"Correct."

Gu Jinlai nodded.

But looking at Zhang Xiu's expression...

"Was the merit insufficient?"

"Not at all."

As Zhang Xiu spoke, he handed over the Universe Talisman and a manual. "This is the method bestowed by the Heaven and Earth Universe Diagram. Elder Gu will understand once you look."

Gu Jinlai accepted the manual and flipped through it quickly. A moment later, his expression changed. "The Heavenly Master Spirit Refining Method?"

"I did indeed activate the Heaven and Earth Universe Diagram according to Elder Gu's request, seeking a grand and righteous Spirit Refining method. And this is what the Heaven and Earth Universe Diagram bestowed."

Zhang Xiu wore a regretful expression.

"The Heavenly Master Spirit Refining Method requires essence as firewood and qi as fuel, refining qi into spirit... It was a system created a century ago to deal with demonic spirits. Now demonic spirits and vicious beasts have merged into Demonic Beasts, and the Heavenly Master system has been cast aside by history. A Spirit Refining method like this..."

"Elder Gu, you are mistaken. The Heavenly Master Lineage has endured for thousands of years and still has much worth taking from it, such as artifact refining and beast taming. If one achieves success in either path, one will be treated as an honored guest in any sect, with wealth rolling in and inexhaustible gains."

"But what I want is a Core Forming Spirit Refining method that nourishes the spirit, conceals one's presence, and accumulates spirit."

Gu Jinlai said in a low voice.

"This method cannot refine spirit?"

"It can, but at what cost?"

"Heh."

Zhang Xiu's expression gradually turned indifferent. "Elder Gu, does this Great Sun Ninefold Refinement Visualization Method fit your description of 'grand and righteous'?"

"That may be so, but..."

Just as Gu Jinlai was about to speak, Zhang Xiu cut him off directly.

"You only need answer me: yes or no?"

"Yes."

"Then that settles it. If anyone is to blame, blame Elder Gu yourself for describing it unclearly."

"..."

"This was bestowed by the Heaven and Earth Universe Diagram. I have no power to alter it."

As Zhang Xiu spoke, he looked at Gu Jinlai. "Elder Gu would not hold a grudge against me over this, would you?"

Gu Jinlai looked at the two Core Forming experts beside Zhang Xiu, who had been staring at him the entire time.

Only after quite a while did he force out a faint smile again. "I was vague in my wording and caused the Heaven and Earth Universe Diagram to misjudge."

"It is best that Elder Gu sees it that way."

Zhang Xiu slightly raised his head, his eyelids drooping. "The Great Sun Ninefold Refinement Visualization Method is a supreme inheritance of the Heavenly Master Lineage. It can be cultivated to the realm of a Primordial Spirit True Lord, and it has many derivative secret arts. Its value is immense. For Elder Gu to receive this method is a generous bestowal from the Heaven and Earth Universe Diagram."

Having said that, he picked up his teacup and took a sip.

Tea served, guest dismissed.

Throughout the entire process, the gazes of his two Core Forming disciples never left Gu Jinlai. If he dared make trouble here, he would face the joint assault of two Core Forming experts.

"Thank you, Hall Master Zhang. Farewell."

Gu Jinlai put away the manual, lowered his eyes, clasped his hands, and rose to leave.