A Path for Visualization, Difficulty in Focusing the Mind

"Oh!"

"Why is that?"

Chen Ming was startled, and he couldn't help but think of the Taiyin Cold Water technique that Situ Yuelan had given him earlier.

Seeing Chen Ming's suspicion, Situ Yuelan explained, "The technique I gave you is a fundamental method, so there is no harm in practicing it."

"In this world, techniques cultivated through fundamental methods become one's own Dao."

"There is another type of technique, however, which is fabricated by Great Cultivators based on their own supernatural abilities!"

"Take the Seven-Colored Clothes of the Chayi Sect, for example. The techniques they practice were all derived from Fairy Caiyi's own supernatural abilities, which is why they can borrow her power to rapidly increase their strength."

"However, this cuts off their path forward; their entire cultivation will be influenced by Fairy Caiyi."

"Even if they reach the peak, they have merely increased the power of Fairy Caiyi's supernatural abilities."

"Earlier, that Golden Light Divine Lord, Ling Yangzi, and even the Totem God of the Minping Tribe—the Divine Dharma Bodies they cultivated were all illusory techniques derived from my Spirit Condensation Realm supernatural ability."

"The root lies with me; no matter how they cultivate, they can never surpass me."

"If I were to recover my Spirit Condensation Realm strength and recite the incantation, they would all have to obediently come to my feet and take orders!"

"The supernatural abilities of the Spirit Condensation Realm are actually this formidable!"

Chen Ming only knew that there was a path in the Contemplation Realm, but the Spirit Condensation Realm was difficult to achieve.

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

The Spirit Condensation Realm was even more terrifying, using supernatural abilities to suppress others, establish sects, and reign as ancestors!

Thinking of this, Chen Ming felt an even greater yearning.

Currently, in the Contemplation Realm, once Chen Ming unleashed his few supernatural abilities, he could be said to have few rivals.

But according to Situ Yuelan's description, if he were to encounter someone in the Spirit Condensation Realm, Chen Ming would likely have no choice but to flee.

Although she said the techniques she gave me are fundamental methods and not illusory ones, it doesn't matter to me anyway!

I practice those techniques only to collect Void Qi to nourish the Creation Lotus Platform. When the time comes, it will naturally evolve its own supernatural abilities and techniques. Whether it's a fundamental method or an illusory one, it makes no difference!

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

Situ Yuelan's memories were incomplete at this time, so she could only give a general overview.

Yet, even catching a glimpse of the leopard through a tube, the profound mysteries of the Spirit Condensation Realm were still something to yearn for.

"Although this place is secluded, it is still within the Vast Mountain Range. Please, Fellow Daoist Situ, guard me!"

"Fellow Daoist, rest assured and refine your techniques!"

Knowing that Chen Ming needed to refine his techniques, Situ Yuelan hid within the Bronze Mirror. Using some unknown method, the Bronze Mirror trembled in the air and then vanished without a trace.

Chen Ming swept his Spiritual Sense across the area but found nothing unusual.

However, Chen Ming knew that Situ Yuelan was hiding nearby.

He tossed a tree branch onto the ground, and it took root, rapidly growing into an ordinary tree. It blended in with the various trees in the mountains and was not at all conspicuous.

Chen Ming transformed into a wisp of smoke, circled around the tree, and entered the Grotto-Heaven Dojo within.

Inside the Grotto-Heaven Dojo.

Qing Ling was holding the Void-Breaking magic sword, her body wreathed in devilish Qi, having already erased the imprints on the seven flying shuttles Chen Ming had suppressed.

Seeing Chen Ming enter the Grotto-Heaven, she hurriedly bowed and said, "True Person, these are the seven flying shuttles. They can now be used as materials to re-refine into magic tools."

Chen Ming waved his hand and said, "The Void-Breaking magic sword in your hand and those seven flying shuttles share the same origin. I will pass the magic art to you; you can refine and use them yourself!"

Chen Ming knew that Qing Ling had spent a great deal of effort erasing the imprints on the seven flying shuttles, so he naturally would not treat her harshly.

"Yes, thank you, True Person, for the treasure!"

Having received the artifact refining method from Chen Ming, Qing Ling took the magic sword and the flying shuttles, retreating with joy in her heart.

Chen Ming then summoned the Spirit Devouring Jar. The Red Spirit Worm was still sleeping inside; judging by its appearance, it had almost finished digesting and was about to wake up.

Taking out the Green Tile obtained from the Minping Tribe, Chen Ming carefully studied the patterns on it.

Suddenly, Chen Ming's heart stirred, and the pieces of the Green Tile turned into powder, leaving behind only a few strands of ancient aura.

"Go!"

Chen Ming shouted, and those strands of ancient aura descended onto the Spirit Devouring Jar, merging into its body.

Upon receiving the aura, the Spirit Devouring Jar rotated slowly, taking on a more mysterious and ancient air. At a glance, its texture appeared even more refined than before.

"Not bad, the texture is sturdier, and it can carry more spells!"

Those strands of ancient aura had only one purpose: to carry and store.

The Spirit Devouring Jar must have contained this type of aura before, which was why it could carry Void Qi and transform it into spells.

Previously, it only had one defensive method, but now that Chen Ming had refined those strands of aura into the Spirit Devouring Jar, it could carry two more spells.

"Combined with the original protective method formed by the Azure Wood Life and Death Gas, it is just right!"

"Once I master the Taiyin Cold Water, I will refine both the Taiyin Cold Water and the Golden Light Divine Flame into it. From then on, the Spirit Devouring Jar will be capable of both offense and defense—it will be a rare magic tool indeed!"

Setting down the Spirit Devouring Jar, Chen Ming sat cross-legged with his eyes closed, withdrawing his spiritual sense into his Sea of Consciousness.

His divine soul sat upright upon the Creation Lotus Platform, suddenly snapping its eyes open.

The divine soul's left eye flashed with a cyan glow, while golden light danced in the right; the lotus platform beneath him also shimmered with alternating cyan and gold.

"The Taiyin Cold Water is formed by drawing upon the Northern Ren-Gui Water Qi from the void. Once refined, it can manifest as a supernatural ability called the Great Yin Demonic Water Lightning. It belongs to the path of yin and cold; it detonates without a sound, silently shattering both a person's physical body and divine soul. Truly a fine supernatural ability!"

Chen Ming studied the Taiyin Cold Water carefully, understanding it thoroughly.

The magic art talisman condensed by Situ Yuelan then dissipated.

Throughout this process, the Creation Lotus Platform showed no unusual reaction to the talisman magic art, suggesting that this magic art from Situ Yuelan was indeed not a false technique, but a fundamental one!

Only then did Chen Ming begin to circulate the magic art of the Taiyin Cold Water, his divine soul contemplating and chanting the incantations.

He stirred the northern void, drawing in the Northern Ren-Gui Water Qi, first allowing the Creation Lotus Platform to consume eighty-one strands of it.

Once the Creation Lotus Platform had consumed enough, it underwent a change, gaining a hint of blue that blended with the original cyan and gold before returning to stillness.

Only then did Chen Ming begin to gather the Eastern Ren-Gui Water Qi, transforming it into Taiyin Cold Water and refining it into the Great Yin Demonic Water Lightning supernatural ability.

Having refined the Great Yin Demonic Water Lightning, Chen Ming slowly awakened.

The cyan and gold colors faded from his eyes, but a blue lightning mark flashed across his forehead before vanishing.

A deep blue water orb appeared in his hand, flickering unsteadily as if it might explode at any second.

Chen Ming gave a gentle squeeze, and the water orb dissolved into a stream of Taiyin Cold Water, slowly dissipating.

"Good thing I was quick, otherwise if the Great Yin Demonic Water Lightning had detonated here in my Grotto-Heaven Dojo, wouldn't that be not worth the loss!"

Through this session of cultivation and refining spells, Chen Ming had successfully mastered the Water Path.

He had now mastered the Wood Path, the Metal Path, and the Water Path—three supernatural abilities in total—furthering his strength and deepening his understanding of his own cultivation.

Chen Ming slowly steadied the sense of unreality brought on by his sudden increase in power, thinking to himself, "I must not be careless. If I disturb my own mind and fall into ignorance, I will only invite disaster!"