Cultivation and Attempts!

"Future timeline!"

Meng Nan closed his notebook, thinking about this timeline again.

It seemed that the future timeline of his previous life and the future timeline of this life both developed without a 'information panel' and the inability to 'open future timeline'.

"And both started from the current timeline."

In his previous life, what he experienced in the current timeline was already set in that future timeline and had not changed.

The same was true for this life, including him finding Qian Yuji to kill Zhou Shan, all of which he had experienced.

"The past is set."

"The future holds infinite possibilities."

"What I experienced both times were just possibilities, not inevitabilities."

"In other words, at this time twelve years from now, I might be in 'Inner Qi circulation', but it's also possible that due to some fortuitous event, I could have become a 'Qi Refining Immortal Master'."

Meng Nan cleared his thoughts, his eyes lighting up.

As long as he could continue to open the future timeline, this day would eventually come.

Even more than just a 'Qi Refining Immortal Master'.

Higher realms, even true Immortals, might not be impossible.

"Then--"

As Meng Nan thought of this, another matter came to mind, and he couldn't help but shake his head.

If he really reached such a future timeline, according to the mechanism of the 'information panel', his cultivation would still be benchmarked against his reality.

Seemingly an Immortal.

But in reality, not even a Qi Refiner.

He would probably be embarrassed then.

Don't think too much.

Focus on the present.

"With these twelve years of cultivation experience, and my own cultivation experience at that, my progress should be faster from now on."

Based on the situation in this life, Meng Nan was considering what to do and what aspects needed strengthening.

Cultivation!

Practice!

These were definitely essential.

At least he had to reach 'Inner Qi circulation' to catch up with this life.

After that, he still had to prepare for the next time he opened the future timeline in reality.

"Spirit Sand."

"Sacrifice."

During these twelve years, in Meng Nan's diary, there were records about 'Spirit Sand'. Not its whereabouts, but information.

Meng Nan learned that Spirit Sand was a very important spiritual item for cultivation, used by Qi Refining Immortal Masters. It was never passed on externally, and it was very difficult to find for those in the Inner Qi Stage or True Qi Stage.

Even for those in the True Essence Stage, even if they were disciples of Lin Immortal Master in Tianlin Cave, only a few, and in small quantities, would be bestowed with Spirit Sand.

Given Meng Nan's cultivation and background in reality, there was no hope for it.

He also hadn't heard of any place where Spirit Sand could be found.

"Spirit Sand is out of reach in the short term."

"I still have to rely on 'sacrifice'."

'Sacrifice' required killing people, and killing them across levels at that.

Therefore, the cultivation of sorcery could not be neglected.

In his previous life, Meng Nan's main focus was on a movement technique, 'Spirit Wandering Steps'. In this life, after twelve years of dedicated research, he had mastered another technique, 'Pine Wind Swordplay'--

With the strength of pine, the swiftness of wind.

The swordplay emphasized speed and power, following a path of agility, which perfectly complemented 'Spirit Wandering Steps'.

Fetal Breath Stage.

Inner Qi Stage.

Even True Qi Stage.

The so-called 'sorcery' cultivated in these stages was similar to mortal martial arts. True sorcery like 'Fireball Spell' and 'Earth Evasion Spell' was difficult to activate with Inner Breath or Inner Qi, let alone True Qi, and even harder to cultivate. Don't even think about it.

Even if there were sorcery techniques that allowed cultivation in the Inner Qi Stage and True Qi Stage, Meng Nan, with his humble background, couldn't obtain them.

However--

"Blood Arrow Secret Technique!"

The only thing that could be called sorcery was the "Blood Arrow Secret Technique" left behind by the unknown Inner Qi Stage cultivator they, along with Zhao Xiaoshuang, had narrowly escaped death to kill.

Meng Nan had no memory of the event.

But as Zhao Xiaoshuang told him, the person their couple had joined forces to kill was quickly losing ground. Just as they were about to land the killing blow, the person spat out a bloody arrow from their mouth. It contained blood qi and internal energy, piercing Meng Nan's body and mangling his heart and lungs beyond medical help. He was as good as dead.

This "Blood Arrow Secret Technique" was no simple matter.

If studied carefully, it might become a powerful move capable of killing opponents of a higher cultivation stage.

"Breakthrough to Inner Qi Stage."

"Master the 'Blood Arrow Secret Technique'."

Meng Nan glanced at the swaying bamboo forest and set these two small goals for this life.

It was now the 9th month of Immortal Calendar Year 30.

Meng Nan had also lived through Immortal Calendar Year 30 in his previous life, but it was in April, a bit earlier.

If the next eight years followed the same trajectory as his previous life, in another year or two, Tianlin Cave would have its first Immortal Master in decades.

"Zheng Shanpeng."

Meng Nan remembered the name and had even inquired about his life story.

But it was useless.

This person had shown cultivation talent early on and entered Tianlin Cave to cultivate. After advancing to the True Essence Stage, he was taken in by Lin Immortal Master as a personal disciple.

This had happened over ten years ago.

Meaning.

In the current timeline, Zheng Shanpeng was already Lin Immortal Master's personal disciple, holding a high status. He was widely recognized as a top cultivation prodigy with the potential to become an Immortal Master, and many people, including cultivators in the True Essence Stage, sought to curry favor with him.

Meng Nan?

What was he compared to them?

"I can't get close to Zheng Shanpeng for now."

"I don't know anyone from the other villages either."

"However, I know exactly who will advance to the Inner Qi Stage and who will achieve the True Qi Stage in Yinlian Village within the next eight years."

"Even if there are some variables due to the changes involving Zhou Shan and Zhou Boren, these people at least have some aptitude and have genuinely achieved those stages before."

If Meng Nan wanted to cultivate better and establish a strong foothold in Yinlian Village, then expand his influence, he needed to secure these promising talents.

Especially the one who achieved the True Qi Stage despite having an ordinary background.

"Since I have free time."

"I'll socialize more."

"In the coming years, I'll have a few more fellow Inner Qi Stage cultivators and a few more True Qi Stage individuals to guide me."

Without accumulating small steps, one cannot reach a thousand miles.

Only through gradual accumulation can one eventually form a great river.

Meng Nan had the advantage of the 'information panel.' In the early stages, he still needed to play it safe. Once he was sure he could complete the 'unlock progress' at any time in the real world, entering the future timeline would be simpler, and he could take a few more risks.

But for now--

"Stability is key!"

Cultivation in the 'Visualization Realm' heavily relied on 'Inner Breath growth' and the 'Qi Circulation Diagram.'

For many, including the original Meng Nan, 'Inner Breath growth' was a significant challenge--

Growing a little Inner Breath every three to five months? What kind of cultivation was that?

Even with eight years of cultivation experience, reaching 'twenty-four breaths,' a month of hard cultivation would only increase his Inner Breath by two points.

With a maximum value of 100 for the Visualization Realm, it would still take four years.

Cultivating Inner Breath divided his focus, making it even harder to sketch out the 'Qi Circulation Diagram.'

Fortunately, Meng Nan still had the 'Suoluo Seed.'

"With this spiritual fruit, Inner Breath growth won't be difficult."

The only remaining challenge was the 'Qi Circulation Diagram.'

In the bamboo grove.

Inside the house.

Meng Nan sat cross-legged, his upper body upright, his entire body relaxed and natural. With each inhale and exhale, true skill was revealed.

The shallow Inner Breath within his body stirred with Meng Nan's cultivation, seeming to breathe along with him, gradually showing signs of strengthening. However, this growth was very slow. According to Meng Nan's cultivation progress, it would take half a month for even a slight change, which he could see thanks to the 'information panel.'

Others do not have an information panel, making it difficult to quantify Inner Breath data, so they cannot see it.

Meng Nan doesn't care about his Inner Breath progress; with the 'Suoluo Seed', he can improve at any time.

His main focus remains on the 'Qi Circulation Diagram'.

In this state, Meng Nan visualizes a 'Qi Circulation Diagram'—

Resembling the Thunder God, one hand holding a whip, the other a seal, appearing extremely mighty.

The Thunder God descends.

Transforming from void to real.

On this Thunder God, a 'Qi Circulation Diagram' gradually appears, faintly visible at the beginning but with no clear path forward. One needs guidance to infuse Qi into it, constantly probing and attempting, eventually discovering a complete 'Qi Circulation Diagram' before Inner Breath can transform and realms can advance.

The process is meticulous.

A slight misstep leads to errors.

Meng Nan has four types of cultivation notes—

First are sorcery types, mainly 'Spirit Wandering Steps' and 'Pine Wind Swordplay'.

Second is cultivation progress, recording which year, month, and level were reached, allowing Meng Nan to compare with his current state.

Third is a mistake log, a collection of many unnecessary errors. These offer no benefit to cultivation and yield no lessons, instead wasting time. Meng Nan records them so he doesn't repeat these mistakes from the start.

Fourth are insights and realizations.

These are meant to be read only when Meng Nan reaches a certain stage or level in his cultivation. They contain many thoughts and understandings, but it is best if Meng Nan experiences and comprehends them himself during his cultivation.

What is learned from books is superficial.

Self-comprehension is profound.

With a current realization, supplemented by these insights to fill gaps, the impression may be deeper, and it can save some effort in organizing and sorting afterward, thus accelerating the cultivation process.

Combining these aspects—

Catching up!

Avoiding wrong paths!

Multiple layers of experience!

All these factors together have finally sped up Meng Nan's cultivation.

Especially when compared to his cultivation progress over the previous twelve years, it's improving day by day, bringing a sense of accomplishment. He knows exactly how much he has surpassed and how much time he has recovered.

Cultivating like this.

When he returns to reality, he will practice it again, consolidating another layer, making Meng Nan's foundation even more solid and transparent.

Time passes.

Meng Nan is immersed in this kind of cultivation, making progress every day, his cultivation rapidly improving.

Zhao Xiaoshuang has not fallen behind in her cultivation either.

After experiencing life and death, her state of mind seems to have been tempered, and her cultivation has improved slightly, unexpectedly stepping into the 'Minor Heavenly Cycle of Inner Qi'.

This is an unexpected joy.

In terms of cultivation, Zhao Xiaoshuang's aptitude is higher than Meng Nan's.

Both started cultivating at sixteen. At the time of their marriage, Zhao Xiaoshuang was in the Qi Sensing Realm, while Meng Nan was only in the Stillness Realm.

This clearly shows.

Twelve years ago, Meng Nan relied on his eight years of cultivation experience, which was a step ahead of Zhao Xiaoshuang. But the subsequent twelve years saw her catch up and then surpass him.

Now Zhao Xiaoshuang can cultivate for 'thirty-five breaths' in one go, while Meng Nan only had 'thirty-three breaths' before his death.

One started from 'sixteen breaths', the other from 'twenty-four breaths'.

The gap between them needs no further explanation.

Even if Zhao Xiaoshuang isn't a genius, she is at least better than Meng Nan.

"It's good that she's better than me!"

Meng Nan is happy to be surpassed.

He has the 'information panel', and by moving between the present and the future, his cultivation will certainly not be slow.

But Zhao Xiaoshuang cannot.

Meng Nan can help a bit with resources, but for other things, it largely depends on Zhao Xiaoshuang herself.

Cultivation!

It is difficult for others to interfere.

Take Tianlin Cave for example. Lin Immortal Master has been aloof for decades, accepting many disciples during that time, but it wasn't until two years later that the first Qi Refining Immortal Master appeared among them.

This shows that even a dignified Immortal Master finds it difficult to nurture latecomers.

Cultivation still relies on oneself.

Of course, Meng Nan also had a cheating method.

He had Zhao Xiaoshuang develop the habit of taking notes like him. These accumulated notes would become Zhao Xiaoshuang's cultivation journey and path to immortality.

After reading through these, he would have her memorize them.

When he returned to the current timeline, he would then teach Zhao Xiaoshuang, both openly and subtly.

The first twelve years.

Then another eight years.

Zhao Xiaoshuang could receive a full twenty years of cultivation experience from Meng Nan, allowing her to avoid detours and focus more on insights and comprehension.

This would be similar to Meng Nan's current situation; her cultivation progress would definitely improve.

Meng Nan recited with focus, and cultivated with focus.

Thunder Illumination Scripture.

'Spirit Wandering Steps'.

'Pine Wind Swordplay'.

His cultivation was improving.

He was also practicing the latter two sorceries, which also had various records of cultivation experience. Following his own experience to cultivate again, his progress was equally remarkable.

Only the 'Blood Arrow Secret Technique' was newly acquired, with no prior experience, making it difficult to grasp and cultivate.

But after eight years, he expected to achieve a certain level of accomplishment.

Time flowed like water.

Before the foundation of this life was depleted, Meng Nan was determined to stay in the stronghold, spending his days seeking out other Inner Qi Stage cultivators to exchange experiences.

This kind of cultivation might seem boring to most people.

But Meng Nan was improving every day, finding joy in it.

He also had his wife and children by his side, experiencing the passage of time and its power, while also trying to refine his 'parenting skills'.

In his previous life, over eight years, Meng Nan had guided their three children quite well in terms of their character, and at least all three children turned out to be good people.

There were minor flaws, but one couldn't be too demanding.

However, in terms of cultivation, the elder two had little talent, which was a waste of their excellent names.

When Meng Nan's first life ended, the eldest, Meng Xingzhe, was eighteen years old and still stuck in the 'Qi Sensing Realm', which was a significant gap.

This time, Meng Nan would try to subtly instill a cultivation mindset in them without changing their inherent nature.

Children's minds are not yet fixed, making them easier to shape.

Just as some families on Earth in his previous life cultivated children with a scientific mindset, leading them to become scientists later. Others had artistic inclinations and became artists.

There were innate factors in this regard, but there should also be the influence of nurture.

Innate factors were like 'aptitude'.

Nurture might, to some extent, improve their 'comprehension'.

True knowledge comes from practice.

Meng Nan would make an attempt in this area this time.

They say interest is a child's first teacher. Meng Nan's initial attempt was to tell them some self-fabricated inspirational cultivation stories.

Combined with various myths, Spiritual Powers, and magical treasures, he described them in a dazzling manner, sparking their interest in cultivation and their yearning for the immortal path.

Growing up this way, by the age of sixteen, they would all have some interest in cultivation.

With such interest as support, even if cultivation was tedious, he believed it could sustain them for a while. Once they found a sense of accomplishment in cultivation, it would feed back and form a virtuous cycle.

Of course.

This was in theory.

How it would truly turn out remained to be seen.

Four thousand characters, ha! Requesting recommendation votes!