Lesser Heavenly Cycle

Cultivating by breathing and circulating Qi can be divided into two methods: Lesser Heavenly Cycle and Greater Heavenly Cycle.

The Lesser Heavenly Cycle is also known as the Zi Wu Heavenly Cycle.

The method of circulating Qi in the Lesser Heavenly Cycle involves circulating spiritual energy from heaven and earth through the Ren and Du Meridians. This can expand the sea of consciousness and nourish the Dantian. Although its effect on converting Magical Power is significantly weaker, its advantage is that one can cultivate anytime, anywhere, unaffected by the external environment, and can stop circulating Qi at any time.

The Greater Heavenly Cycle is also known as the Great Circulation.

The Greater Heavenly Cycle is a method of circulating spiritual energy from heaven and earth that encompasses all the Twelve Standard Meridians and Eight Extraordinary Meridians. It builds upon the Lesser Heavenly Cycle by incorporating smaller circulations within the limbs, allowing the spiritual energy to complete a full circulation throughout the body's meridians. This greatly enhances the conversion effect of Magical Power.

However, the drawback of the Greater Heavenly Cycle is that during each cultivation session, one must complete a full cycle of the Greater Heavenly Cycle before stopping. This process takes at least an hour.

Interruption during this process is absolutely forbidden.

Otherwise, it will cause a Magical Power backlash, which is almost certainly fatal!

Therefore, cultivators must undertake the Greater Heavenly Cycle in an absolutely safe environment, as this is their most vulnerable moment.

But the Enlightenment Hall clearly does not possess such cultivation conditions.

Thus.

Ding Wei repeatedly warned that the Greater Heavenly Cycle must never be practiced within the Enlightenment Hall. If anyone persisted and caused a Magical Power backlash, they would bear the consequences themselves.

Several days passed.

Many had already grasped the sensation of Qi and were independently practicing breathing and Qi circulation according to the Lesser Heavenly Cycle method Ding Wei had taught.

The process of breathing and circulating the spiritual energy of heaven and earth is a wondrous sensation that is difficult to describe in words.

Almost everyone, after their first experience with the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, would never forget this exquisite feeling. Most of them were just reaching the age of adulthood, with no ulterior motives. Once they completed their breathing and Qi circulation practice, they would immediately cheer with joy.

However, where there is happiness, there is naturally also sadness.

Those who had consistently failed to complete their breathing and Qi circulation practice became increasingly anxious as they saw more and more people around them succeeding. They continuously sought guidance from classmates who had already begun practicing.

Among them, Zhou Zheng naturally became everyone's first choice.

Zhou Zheng remained patient, diligently explaining to the classmates who came to him for advice. This rapidly increased his prestige in the class.

"So, this is what it feels like to cultivate by breathing and circulating Qi."

Zhang Guoyin, who was already sixty years old, finally completed his first breathing and Qi circulation practice. Yet, a hint of confusion lingered in his eyes.

After pondering for a moment, he stood up and walked to the front of the classroom to ask Ding Wei for guidance.

"May I ask, Uncle-Master Ding, I have completed the Lesser Heavenly Cycle circulation, why do I not have the kind of experience they describe?"

Ding Wei opened his eyes and looked at Zhang Guoyin with a hint of pity.

"The reason they have so many wondrous experiences is because the spiritual energy of heaven and earth nourishes, nurtures, and awakens their potential for vitality. They are in their youth, with boundless potential, so naturally, the experience is infinitely marvelous. You, however, are already over sixty, your vitality and potential are nearly extinguished. Even if nourished and nurtured by the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, it will only serve to strengthen your body a little and alleviate some minor ailments. The experience will naturally be different."

"Oh."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Guoyin did not become angry, distressed, or despairing.

His rich life experience had taught him to be grounded. Therefore, he simply nodded and returned to his meditation cushion to continue his breathing and Qi circulation practice.

"Sob sob."

A girl behind Li Mo, unable to sense Qi, couldn't help but start crying.

It was evident that she was a rather introverted person. After all these days, Li Mo knew nothing about her except that her name was Liu Yaoyao.

Li Mo was not one to meddle.

After experiencing the series of events in Hua'an Town and Eighteen Mountains, he was no longer the simple and kind young man he once was. Although he felt pity for the girl behind him at this moment, he did not want to get involved.

"Hey, are you two even men?"

A rather boisterous girl, overflowing with sympathy, walked over. She publicly rebuked Lu Tianyou and Li Mo.

"Don't you see she's crying so sadly? Aren't you going to help her?"

Li Mo couldn't help but roll his eyes at this.

He knew without looking back that the newcomer must be Hu Tian'er. The scent of medicine on her was too strong, suggesting she likely suffered from a chronic illness requiring long-term herbal treatment. Her skin was also not very good, probably from living in an environment with a lot of sand and wind. However, her personality indicated that her family background was likely quite good.

Lu Tianyou woke up with a look of annoyance.

"I just started to get a little Qi sensation, and you..."

However, halfway through his sentence, upon seeing that it was Hu Tian'er, his temper immediately subsided by more than half. His expression instantly turned into a smile.

"Oh, it's Sister Tian'er. I just got a little Qi sensation too. Tian'er is right, Yaoyao, don't cry. Sister Tian'er and I will help you."

Li Mo watched this with a sense of helplessness.

What a scoundrel.

"What about you?"

Hu Tian'er looked at Li Mo.

It had to be said that Hu Tian'er indeed had a delicate and charming appearance, possessing a kind of exotic beauty.

"My mother said that men and women should not touch."

Lu Tianyou was stunned for a moment upon hearing this, and then he struggled to suppress his laughter, his face turning red.

The others nearby couldn't help but laugh when they heard Li Mo speak like that. Hu Tian'er, after being stunned into silence, was left speechless.

Lu Tianyou secretly rolled his eyes at Li Mo.

After spending so many days together, he and Li Mo had become quite familiar. He knew very well that Li Mo was no mere bookworm; the rogueish grit in his bones was impossible to hide.

Seeing that Hu Tian'er was no longer pestering him, Li Mo was naturally happy to be at ease and continued his cultivation.

A few more days passed.

A major event that shook the entire Enlightenment Hall occurred in Li Mo's class.

Shi Yazhou, who had always been unknown, publicly confessed his feelings to Zhao Huaxue in front of the entire class after school.

"Huaxue, I truly like you. I've also successfully completed my cultivation just now. Let's be together!"

Shi Yazhou, with his dark skin, short stature, and a sincere expression, said this.

This instantly caused an uproar in the whole class, with everyone showing disbelief and turning to watch the scene. Zhao Huaxue, who was usually aloof and cold, showed a flicker of shock, panic, and confusion in her eyes.

"I'm sorry, I only want to cultivate right now."

With that said, Zhao Huaxue prepared to get up and leave this troublesome place.

However, Shi Yazhou, unwilling, shouted, "Is it because of that boy from yesterday? I've already investigated. He's Tao Ran, the one with the Divine Wood Physique, isn't he?"

In the corner of the classroom, Lu Tianyou, standing with Li Mo and watching the commotion, made a tutting sound.

"This guy is truly something else. I, Lu Tianyou, sincerely admire his shameless courage!"

Lu Tianyou showed an expression of worship, as if looking at an idol.

"Don't talk about others, but our classmate Zhou Zheng, the great sage Zhou, must be interested in Zhao Huaxue. Now there's another one, Tao Ran. Listen to this, Divine Wood Physique! Tsk tsk. Who knows how many people are secretly eyeing Zhao Huaxue? Even I, a heart-igniting arsonist, wouldn't dare provoke her, but this dark, clod-like fellow doesn't know his limits..."

Lu Tianyou shook his head and chuckled.

"He'll have a hard time later."

Speaking of which, Lu Tianyou nudged Li Mo with his arm, a look of schadenfreude on his face.

"Look, look, Great Sage Zhou's face is about to turn black, isn't it?"

Li Mo heard this and looked in the direction Lu Tianyou pointed, nodding.

"It really is."

"Our class will finally have some good drama to watch. It'll definitely be lively. Life is truly flavorful, isn't it? No wonder you said when eating to think of other things, haha!"

As for Tao Ran, Li Mo had also heard about him.

He was one of the prominent figures in the Enlightenment Hall, ranked alongside Zhou Zheng as the only two people in this batch with special spiritual body aptitudes.

Tao Ran, with the Divine Wood Physique, could easily master various wood-attribute spells and had significant auxiliary effects in alchemy.

Li Mo seemed to be infected by Lu Tianyou's cheerfulness and, mimicking Lu Tianyou's tone, casually teased.

"Perhaps we're like frogs in a well, and Shi Yazhou will soar like a roc from now on?"

Lu Tianyou rolled his eyes at Li Mo, naturally understanding Li Mo's mockery.

Although neither of them had deep interactions with Zhao Huaxue, they could both tell at a glance that a proud girl like her would never accept an ordinary person.

And Shi Yazhou, whether in appearance or cultivation aptitude, seemed unremarkable.

He really didn't know whether to call this guy ignorant or fearless.

"You're stalking me!"

Hearing Shi Yazhou openly slander her reputation, Zhao Huaxue became furious.

"Tao Ran and I are just having a normal interaction. It's none of your concern."

Zhao Huaxue then slammed the door and left.

Zhou Zheng seemed to be hesitating whether to chase after her to comfort her publicly, but Yang Zhiman rushed out of the classroom first, leaving Zhou Zheng, who was about to follow, dumbfounded.

Lu Tianyou, never one to shy away from a spectacle, looked excited, almost jumping with joy.

"This scholar Yang, he always looks so proper, but it turns out he's also a womanizer, just like a friend of mine!"

Li Mo felt a little helpless.

The nickname "Scholar Yang" was something he had casually said, but after passing through Lu Tianyou's mouth, the entire class now knew it.

Only after Shi Yazhou left the classroom in a daze did the onlookers disperse.

Night.

Unable to refuse Ma Ling's enthusiastic invitation, Li Mo once again went to the backyard. After giving some pointers to Ma Ling, Niu Li, and Yang Guang, he went to a secluded spot near the rockery, sat cross-legged on the ground, and quietly practiced his cultivation.

More than half a month had passed now. In a little over two months, the Enlightenment Examination would begin.

The content of the Enlightenment Examination was whether one could awaken the Spirit Eye.

Upon awakening the Spirit Eye, one would officially become a disciple of the Spirit Eye Sect!

However, if one failed to awaken the Spirit Eye, it would signify insufficient comprehension, and they would be expelled from the mountain, having to "seek opportunities elsewhere."

According to Wang Feng.

As long as the Eye of True Spirit is cultivated to the first level, the Spirit Eye can be opened on its own. He took about two months to reach the first level of Qi Condensation back then.

"No."

Li Mo suddenly remembered something and interrupted the Lesser Heavenly Cycle's circulation.

"He must have used the Greater Heavenly Cycle back then to cultivate to the first level of Qi Condensation in about two months. Judging by this, if he uses the Lesser Heavenly Cycle, it will probably take at least three months, or even longer."

Thinking of this, Li Mo couldn't help but hesitate.

Should he try to cultivate using the Greater Heavenly Cycle?

But he remembered Ding Wei's repeated warnings that if he dared to practice the Greater Heavenly Cycle in the Enlightenment Hall, he would bear all consequences. His adventurous thoughts were immediately extinguished.

After a slight hesitation, he actually took out two spirit stones from his sleeve.

Spiritual energy flowed out from the spirit stones in wisps. Li Mo couldn't help but let out a soft hum, clenched the spirit stones in his hands, and continued to meditate and cultivate.

Next, he felt that the speed at which he circulated the spiritual energy of heaven and earth was significantly faster than usual.

An hour later, Li Mo gradually woke up.

He found that although he had only circulated the Lesser Heavenly Cycle, the speed at which his Magical Power accumulated was about half as fast as usual, which made him unable to help but show excitement.

But then he noticed that the two spirit stones in his hands had become much dimmer, and the spiritual energy within could only support him for four or five more cultivation sessions at most.

"I wonder how many taels of silver it would take to buy a spirit stone."

Thinking this in his heart, Li Mo was about to get up and return to his room to rest when he saw a lightning flash across the distant sky, and it began to drizzle.