Resonance of Cultivation Methods

Chu Ning calmly circulated his true qi. A faint fluctuation emerged from the bell, resonating subtly with the Chaos Divine Order within him for a fleeting but crystal-clear moment.

His heart churned like a stormy sea.

"More importantly, it can protect the soul," Li Jing'an continued. "If someone probes you with their divine sense or uses soul-capturing techniques, this bell will automatically resist and protect your sea of consciousness."

Chu Ning's heart trembled slightly upon hearing this.

Protecting the soul?

This was an incredibly precious treasure.

Especially for a martial artist like himself, who hadn't fully matured, it was often impossible to defend against enemies skilled in mental attacks.

"I'll give it to you today," Li Jing'an said, waving his hand as if giving away an ordinary item.

Chu Ning looked at the Void Spirit Bell in his hand, but his heart was not at ease.

He narrowed his eyes slightly, pondering in his mind:

Li Jing'an has been hiding his cultivation, likely by using this Void Spirit Bell to conceal his true strength.

Yet now he gives it to me without hesitation. Could there be another motive?

But then again, this was an immense benefit. He had no reason to refuse.

With that thought, Chu Ning looked up and said frankly, "Old Li, I won't stand on ceremony then."

"Heh, you rascal, you're so straightforward," Li Jing'an chuckled.

Chu Ning held the Void Spirit Bell in his palm, closed his eyes, and slowly circulated his true qi, attempting to communicate with it.

Instantly, a strange fluctuation spread from within the bell. He could clearly feel his own aura being enveloped by an invisible force, as if he had merged with heaven and earth, becoming ethereal and indistinct.

This thing… is truly mystical.

Chu Ning marveled inwardly.

However, as he was sensing the Void Spirit Bell's peculiarity, he suddenly realized something bizarre.

He was holding the bell now. Logically, since Li Jing'an had given him the bell, he should no longer be able to conceal his cultivation fluctuations.

But Chu Ning still couldn't sense Li Jing'an's cultivation.

It was as if…

He had no cultivation at all.

Chu Ning froze, then abruptly looked up at Li Jing'an, his eyes filled with confusion.

Sensing Chu Ning's gaze, Li Jing'an's lips curved slightly into a knowing smile.

"What is it? Kid, why are you staring at me?"

Chu Ning frowned. "You gave me your Void Spirit Bell, so why can I still not sense your cultivation fluctuations?"

Li Jing'an laughed heartily, a hint of pride in his demeanor. He didn't answer immediately, but slowly raised his hand, clenched his fist, and felt the changes within himself.

"Actually, as soon as you entered, I sensed a trace of resonance from the Chaos Origin Qi Refining Method."

Chu Ning stiffened, his heart stirring slightly.

Although the Chaos Origin Qi Refining Method is simple, its profundity is endless. Once a practitioner's soul reaches the Return to Origin Realm, the cultivation method can resonate with itself. This resonance caused my blood and qi to surge, and my previously stagnant protective qi actually showed a slight loosening.

Li Jing'an's gaze was deep, as if recalling the past. "At that moment, I knew my long-standing bottleneck might have a chance to loosen. But what truly allowed me to break through was far more than that."

He wiggled a finger, which bore a faint tooth mark.

"When your little white fox bit me just now, I faintly felt my blood and qi surging within me, and the obstacles accumulated over many years actually loosened further."

He paused, his smile deepening. "And what finally prompted my breakthrough was your Thunderous Force strike."

Chu Ning's Thunderous Force was overbearing and ferocious, containing a unique shockwave power that completely activated Li Jing'an's vital energy.

Li Jing'an slowly extended his hand, his five fingers closing lightly. His aura subtly shifted.

"I had been stuck at the peak of Sixth Grade for a long time, unable to break through. But under the impact of your Thunderous Force, the gang qi within me became completely unblocked, and I broke through to the Fifth Grade realm."

Chu Ning was stunned into silence.

Martial artists often required long periods of accumulation and an opportune moment to break through.

The difference between Sixth Grade and Fifth Grade was a massive watershed.

Li Jing'an had actually broken through instantly due to the resonance of his cultivation method, a bite from the little white fox, and the stimulation of his Thunderous Force?

"What is this?" Chu Ning's expression was complex. "The resonance of your cultivation method, plus a bite from a demonic beast, plus my Thunderous Force, and you just broke through like that?"

Li Jing'an roared with laughter and patted Chu Ning on the shoulder. "You don't understand. This is called opportunity."

"Once a martial artist reaches Fifth Grade, they can conceal their aura on their own, officially stepping into the ranks of the strong."

A sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

Chu Ning looked at Li Jing'an in shock, his heart trembling.

As an Inspector of the First Grade Pavilion, Li Jing'an's strength already far surpassed ordinary Sixth Grade martial artists. Now that he had broken through to Fifth Grade, his power was likely even more unfathomable.

He pondered for a moment, then smiled. "It seems my Thunderous Force did help you quite a bit then."

Li Jing'an chuckled, "Consider it a favor you owe me."

"As for your doubt about why you can't sense my cultivation without the Void Spirit Bell's concealment, it's because below Fifth Grade, everyone is mortal."

"But above Fifth Grade, they are true cultivators."

Chu Ning pondered for a moment and slowly nodded.

Fifth Grade meant stepping into the realm of true powerhouses.

And Li Jing'an had finally crossed that threshold.

Looking at Li Jing'an before him, he suddenly realized.

Despite his rapid growth, he still had a significant gap compared to true powerhouses.

"It seems I need to improve my strength quickly as well."

Chu Ning clenched his fists, his gaze firm.

Li Jing'an retracted his smile and said seriously, "Wang Li is dead, and the Wang Family will likely be hunting for the killer extensively. The Void Spirit Bell should help you evade this calamity."

He paused, his gaze deep, "The Wang Family's Old Ancestor is a formidable opponent. Don't think killing Wang Li will solve everything. You need to be even more careful from now on."

"I've heard the Wang Family has secret dealings with the Blood Refining Hall. The Wang Old Ancestor's lifespan is nearing its end, and the Longevity Pill has become his last hope. He's cooperating with the Blood Refining Hall at all costs, even secretly providing living people for refining pills."

Chu Ning's heart trembled, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

The Blood Refining Hall extracted the vital energy of living people, their methods were extremely cruel. The Wang Family dared to collude with them?

Li Jing'an slowly explained, "The Wang Family's Old Ancestor, Wang Lin, is said to have lived for nearly two hundred years. He should have passed away long ago, but he has extended his life time and again through special secret techniques. If he weren't on the verge of death, he wouldn't be this desperate."

"His remaining lifespan is less than a year."

Chu Ning took a deep breath and solemnly cupped his hands, "Thank you."

Li Jing'an waved his hand and chuckled, "No need for thanks. The most important thing is to survive well."

Chu Ning nodded, hugged the Little White Fox in his arms, turned, and slowly walked away.

The night was deep, with scattered starlight. His figure gradually disappeared into the alleys.

Li Jing'an stood in place, his gaze profound, watching Chu Ning's retreating back and sighing softly, "I hope you can hold on until that time..."