There Was a Path to Contemplation, but Reaching Spirit Condensation Was Hard

"Oh!"

"Why is that?"

Chen Ming's heart jolted, and he couldn't help thinking of the Taiyin Cold Water art Situ Yuelan had given him earlier.

Seeing his confusion, Situ Yuelan explained, "The art I gave you is a fundamental art. There's no harm in cultivating it."

"Of the arts in this world, those cultivated through a fundamental art become one's own path.

"There's another kind of art, though—one fabricated by a Great Cultivator based on their own Supernatural Ability!

"Take those Seven-Colored Clothes from the Chayi Sect. The arts they cultivate were all derived by Fairy Caiyi from her own Supernatural Ability, so they can borrow her power to rapidly increase their strength.

"But it also cuts off their path forward. Their entire cultivation is influenced by Fairy Caiyi.

"Even if they reach the peak, all they can do is add to the power of Fairy Caiyi's Supernatural Ability.

"Earlier, the Divine Dharma Bodies cultivated by Golden Light Divine Lord, Ling Yangzi, and even the Totem God of the Minping Tribe were all illusory arts derived from my Spirit Condensation Realm Supernatural Ability.

"Their roots all lie in me. No matter how they cultivate, they'll never surpass me.

"If I recover my Spirit Condensation Realm strength and recite a spell, they'll all come meekly to my side and obey my commands!"

"Spirit Condensation Realm Supernatural Abilities are actually this powerful!"

Chen Ming had only known that there was a path to Contemplation, but that reaching Spirit Condensation was hard.

The gap in strength between the Contemplation Realm and the Qi Gathering Realm was already like a heavenly chasm.

The Spirit Condensation Realm was even more formidable. Its practitioners could suppress others with their Supernatural Abilities, establish sects, and become revered founders!

The more Chen Ming learned, the more he yearned for it.

Now, in the Contemplation Realm, Chen Ming had few rivals once he unleashed those few Supernatural Abilities of his.

But from Situ Yuelan's description, if he encountered someone in the Spirit Condensation Realm, he'd probably have no choice but to flee.

"She said the arts she gave me are all fundamental arts, not illusory arts. But either way, it makes no difference to me!"

"I cultivate those few arts only to gather Void Qi and nourish the Creation Lotus Platform. In time, it can evolve Supernatural Abilities and Magic Arts on its own. Whether they're fundamental arts or illusory arts won't affect me!"

Chen Ming asked Situ Yuelan a few more questions about the Spirit Condensation Realm.

Her memories were incomplete, so she could only give him a rough outline.

But even a glimpse of the Spirit Condensation Realm's mysteries was enough to inspire longing.

"Though this place is hidden, we're still in the Vast Mountain Range. Fellow Daoist Situ, please watch over me while I cultivate my art!"

"Go ahead and cultivate without worry, Fellow Daoist."

Knowing Chen Ming was about to cultivate his art, Situ Yuelan slipped into the Bronze Mirror. Whatever method she used, the mirror trembled in midair and then vanished without a trace.

Chen Ming swept the area with his Spiritual Sense, but found nothing amiss.

Still, he knew Situ Yuelan was hidden nearby.

He tossed the branch in his hand to the ground. It took root and rapidly grew into an ordinary tree, blending inconspicuously among the mountain's many trees.

Chen Ming turned into smoke and curled around the tree, entering the Grotto-Heaven Dojo within it.

Inside the Grotto-Heaven Dojo.

Qing Ling held the Void-Breaking Magic Sword, demonic qi curling around her. She had already worn away the seals on the seven Flying Shuttles Chen Ming had subdued.

When she saw Chen Ming enter the grotto, she hurriedly bowed. "True Person, here are the seven Flying Shuttles. They can now be used as materials to refine Magic Tools anew."

Chen Ming waved a hand. "The Void-Breaking Magic Sword in your hand and those seven Flying Shuttles come from the same source. I'll pass the art to you. Refine them yourself and put them to use!"

Chen Ming knew Qing Ling had put in considerable effort to wear away the seals on the seven Flying Shuttles, so he had no intention of treating her unfairly.

"Yes. Thank you for bestowing this treasure, True Person!"

After receiving Chen Ming's Artifact Refining art, Qing Ling took the sword and Flying Shuttles and happily withdrew.

Chen Ming then summoned the Spirit Devouring Jar. The Red Spirit Worm was still asleep inside. Judging by its appearance, it had nearly finished digesting its meal and was about to wake.

He took out the Green Tiles he had obtained from the Minping Tribe and carefully studied the patterns on them.

Suddenly, an idea struck him. The Green Tiles crumbled to powder, leaving behind only a few strands of ancient, unadorned aura.

"Go!"

Chen Ming barked the command, and the strands of ancient aura landed on the Spirit Devouring Jar, flowing into its surface.

The jar slowly turned as it absorbed the aura, taking on a mysterious, ancient air. At a glance, its material looked even finer than before.

"Not bad. Its material is sturdier now, and it can hold more spells!"

Those strands of ancient aura had only one function: to bear and store things.

The Spirit Devouring Jar had likely already contained some of this aura, which was why it could hold Void Qi and transform it into spells.

But it had only been able to hold one defensive art. Now Chen Ming had refined those strands of aura into the jar, allowing it to hold two more spells.

"With the protective art that forms a barrier from Azure Wood Life and Death Gas, that makes three in all. Just right!"

"Once I master the Taiyin Cold Water, I'll refine both it and the Golden Light Divine Flame into the jar. Then it'll be able to attack and defend, making it a rare Magic Tool!"

Setting down the Spirit Devouring Jar, Chen Ming sat cross-legged and closed his eyes, drawing his Spiritual Sense back into his Sea of Consciousness.

His Divine Soul sat upon the Creation Lotus Platform. Suddenly, it opened its eyes.

Azure light gleamed in his left eye, golden light danced in his right, and the Lotus Platform beneath him shimmered with blue and gold.

"The Taiyin Cold Water draws on the northern Water Qi of the void. Once refined, it can become a Supernatural Ability called the Great Yin Demonic Water Lightning. It belongs to the yin-and-cold path. It explodes without a sound, silently shattering both a person's body and Divine Soul. What a fine Supernatural Ability!"

Chen Ming studied the Taiyin Cold Water art closely until he understood it thoroughly.

The spell talisman condensed by Situ Yuelan then dispersed.

Throughout the process, the Creation Lotus Platform hadn't reacted to the spell talisman at all. It seemed Situ Yuelan's art really wasn't an illusory art, but a fundamental one!

Only then did Chen Ming circulate the Taiyin Cold Water art, contemplating it with his Divine Soul as he chanted the incantation.

He stirred the northern void, drawing in Northern Ren-Gui Water Qi. First, he let the Creation Lotus Platform devour eighty-one strands.

Once the Creation Lotus Platform had devoured enough, it changed again, taking on a hint of blue. The blue mingled with its original azure and gold, then settled into stillness.

Only then did Chen Ming begin gathering Eastern Ren-Gui Water Qi, turning it into Taiyin Cold Water and refining it into the Great Yin Demonic Water Lightning Supernatural Ability.

After refining the Great Yin Demonic Water Lightning, Chen Ming slowly came to.

The azure and gold faded from his eyes, but a mark of blue lightning flashed across his forehead and vanished.

A deep-blue orb of water appeared in his hand, flickering in and out as if it might explode the very next moment.

Chen Ming gave it a gentle squeeze. The orb dissolved into a stream of Taiyin Cold Water and slowly dissipated.

"Good thing I was quick. If the Great Yin Demonic Water Lightning had exploded here in my Grotto-Heaven Dojo, wouldn't that have been a terrible loss!"

Through this cultivation and art refinement, Chen Ming had mastered the Water Path as well.

He had now cultivated the Wood Path, the Metal Path, and the Water Path. His strength had advanced once more, and his understanding of his own cultivation had grown more profound.

Chen Ming slowly steadied the sense of unreality brought on by his increased strength. I must never let my guard down. If I unsettle my mind and fall into confusion, I'll invite disaster!