Seizing the Host's Role

The fundamental principle of the Jade Toad Gazing at the Moon Diagram is to absorb the cultivator's fortune to supplement their own foundation. The True Monarch who created this technique was himself a Child of Fortune. After achieving great success in Dao cultivation, he believed that the effects of fortune were vague and uncertain, liable to disappear with changes in the world's great fortune. He felt it was far more practical to convert it into a foundation, and thus created this method.

This visualization technique can convert about one-tenth of one's fortune into foundation. Therefore, the more fortune one has, the better the cultivation effect. Without fortune, it's equivalent to cultivating in vain. This technique is tailor-made for Children of Fortune. In the past hundred years, people blessed with fortune have appeared in droves, and Children of Fortune have emerged in batches. Consequently, the Jade Toad Gazing at the Moon Diagram has gradually become popular, becoming one of the six common Body Forging techniques.

The experiences of disciples throughout the generations show that for those with a foundation of one zhang during the Dao Assessment, the corresponding visualization diagram expands to ten zhang. Then, those with one zhang of fortune can expand the visualization diagram by another zhang. The ratio is roughly like this, so eleven zhang is generally the limit, while the record left by a defiant individual is twelve zhang. These disciples also left behind their visualization diagrams upon completing Body Forging in their experiences, for later generations to reference.

Needless to say, these visualization diagrams are all colorful and come with various dazzling special effects: dragons, phoenixes, qilin, precious lotuses, pagodas, everything imaginable. They are also evenly colored and reasonably composed, clearly indicating extraordinary phenomena at first glance. Those with unimpressive phenomena wouldn't dare to leave a diagram in the book.

While studying these visualization diagrams, Wei Yuan noticed a detail: the scope of the visualization diagrams is measured from the ground. The giant rocks and jade toads did not increase in proportion, and the amplification of the full moon was even smaller. Although Wei Yuan's current visualization diagram is only three zhang, it has all increased proportionally. Therefore, when he transforms into a jade toad, he still feels very cramped.

Perhaps this is one reason why his visualization diagram expands slower than others? Wei Yuan found a reason to console himself.

Another reason is that disciples from influential families like Cui Yu, Bao Yun, and Xiao Yu had already refined their root bones before entering the sect. Children who have had their root bones refined develop wisdom very early and progress rapidly once they begin cultivating. In the Martial Assessment, one could already see that Li Zhi and others spoke and acted very maturely. Cui Yu is actually eight years old and has refined his root bones for a few more years, forcefully increasing them from the original seven chi to eight chi. Simultaneously, his cultivation speed far surpasses others.

Wei Yuan himself has fortune from beyond the heavens; he doesn't know how he acquired it. This fortune cannot be measured by conventional means. The advantage is that it can indeed be gradually converted into a foundation through the Jade Toad Gazing at the Moon Diagram. The disadvantage is that the foundation is superficial, requiring extra effort in refinement.

After reading a couple of experiences, Wei Yuan discovered that Senior Sister Liuli's effect on refining the foundation is astonishing. One medicinal bath is equivalent to more than half a month of Wei Yuan's own secluded cultivation. Judging by this, the medicines she concocted are quite extraordinary.

However, Wei Yuan harbors hidden worries. The medicines concocted by Senior Sister are likely the so-called "provisions," which are usually charged for. Given how effective the refinement of the foundation is, the price of the medicine must not be low. And his master is clearly short on funds.

Wei Yuan knows that fretting about these things now is useless. He can only set aside his worries and continue cultivating, constantly absorbing the moon's essence. Only by surpassing others in cultivation progress can Wei Yuan offer some explanation to Zhang Sheng.

Cultivation knows no days or nights. In the blink of an eye, more than half a month passed. During this time, Zhang Sheng visited Wei Yuan only once, offered a few pointers, and stayed for less than the time it takes an incense stick to burn, leaving Wei Yuan feeling lost.

A few days later, Bao Yun also completed her visualization diagram. On the day she completed it, Ji Liuli specifically gathered everyone and had Bao Yun manifest her visualization diagram in the center of Qisi Hall.

Bao Yun expanded her visualization diagram to eleven zhang in thirty-nine days. Although it was still not as good as the previous senior who achieved twelve zhang, her jade toad was adorned with a rainbow, and countless Gods and Devils flickered in the aerial full moon, each wanting to push forward and show its face. The giant rock was covered with blooming lotuses, and the lotus roots were shrouded in chaos. Furthermore, a golden figure sat cross-legged above the jade toad's head, exuding an ancient and peerless aura.

What was originally a Jade Toad Gazing at the Moon Diagram with a serene and elegant aura was completely transformed by Bao Yun into a chapter of an Immortal Venerable's descent. The numerous phenomena overshadowed the main subject, turning the jade toad, which should have been the absolute protagonist, into mere transportation.

Such a phenomenon immediately caused a considerable stir within Taichu Palace. Not only did several elders from the Bao family personally come to observe, but it was also said that several True Persons quietly came to see Bao Yun.

Looking at Bao Yun's "Immortal Venerable's Descent" diagram, Wei Yuan's heart grew heavier.

Wei Yuan's visualization diagram is currently only six zhang. It could be considered to have a phenomenon, as there is a thin red line on the jade toad's back, but it's barely noticeable unless one looks closely. This red line was only achieved through True Person Fen Hai's True Fire. Moreover, Wei Yuan's process of expanding his visualization diagram can be described as advancing three steps and retreating one. The ground he painstakingly opened up would shrink by nearly half after being washed and soaked by Senior Sister Liuli.

Although Wei Yuan's speed of absorbing moon essence was slowly increasing, Senior Sister's medicine was becoming increasingly potent. In comparison, Senior Sister was even more ruthless.

Only the shadow within the full moon above remained unchanged, neither increasing nor decreasing, nor moving or perishing, no matter how Wei Yuan drew upon it.

After this class ended, Wei Yuan did not go home directly. Instead, he went to the kitchen and bought three hundred jin of rice, filling a large bucket.

The rice in Taichu Palace is not ordinary rice but spirit rice rich in spiritual energy. Spirit rice is also the main ingredient for the Qi Nourishing Pill. Eating a small bowl is enough to keep one full for a day. Furthermore, within Taichu Palace, a bucket of rice will not spoil even if left for ten years.

Wei Yuan planned to save money on the Qi Nourishing Pills. The money spent on Qi Nourishing Pills in a month could be used to buy enough rice to last for a year. With this bucket of rice, Wei Yuan could even save time on going out to forage.

Wei Yuan hardened his resolve, deciding to dedicate all his time to cultivation outside of classes, not wasting a single moment. Absorbing moon essence requires no thought, so he no longer needed the mental clarity provided by the Qi Nourishing Pill.

Although he still needed to sleep, he could absorb moon essence even while sleeping!

In the blink of an eye, several more days passed. After class, as Wei Yuan was absorbing moon essence, a gentle bell sound suddenly echoed in his ear. This indicated a visitor.

Wei Yuan ceased his practice and stood up, opening his courtyard gate. He saw a classmate from his class standing at the entrance. The classmate cupped his hands and said, "Miss Bao Yun has achieved success in her cultivation and is hosting a banquet at Zui Feng Lou tomorrow evening for her classmates. She also wishes to discuss how to deal with the sect's minor examination three years from now. Junior Brother Wei must attend."

Wei Yuan had no reason not to go.

It's just that when they first entered, almost everyone called him Senior Brother, but now he's referred to as Junior Brother Wei.

At dusk the next day, a sleek carriage stopped outside Wei Yuan's courtyard and took him to Zui Feng Lou. The carriage moved like lightning yet was exceptionally stable. The journey of several dozen li took less than the time it takes an incense stick to burn, and Wei Yuan inside barely felt the carriage moving.

After alighting from the carriage, Wei Yuan couldn't help but marvel at the Bao family's extravagance. This carriage was solely to pick him up. With over thirty classmates in the class, wouldn't that mean over thirty carriages?

Wishing everyone a happy holiday again! An unscheduled extra update today!