First Meridian Opening

Chapter 10: First Meridian Opening

For ordinary people to officially become Source Masters, they had to open their meridians and step into the Meridian Opening Realm. This was merely the beginning of cultivation, yet many commoners lacked both resources and a Qi Gathering Technique, leaving even the Meridian Opening Realm beyond their reach.

Only by opening all Eight Meridians could one establish a Qi Mansion and enter the Qi Nourishing Realm. Only then could one be considered to have truly embarked on the path of cultivation.

At the Meridian Opening Realm, one could not yet cultivate cultivation techniques. One had to reach the Qi Nourishing Realm first. Thus, one could only practice the Qi Gathering Technique to draw in Heavenly Source Qi and gradually open the Eight Meridians within the body.

Most people began trying to open their Eight Meridians at the age of twelve or thirteen. Mu Chen and Su Youwei were now at just the right age, and their Eight Meridians had already taken shape.

Mu Chen did not have a Qi Gathering Technique, but he had the Devouring Ancestral Symbol. This was practically a cheat for cultivation. It controlled Devouring Power and could devour and refine everything, allowing its holder to cultivate with twice the result for half the effort.

Although he could not bring out its full effect, and could only activate an Ancestral Symbol after opening his meridians, even that faint Devouring Power could easily replace the function of a Qi Gathering Technique.

The Devouring Ancestral Symbol was the most mysterious of the Eight Great Ancestral Symbols, with remarkably comprehensive abilities. The first one he had to activate was naturally the Devouring Ancestral Symbol.

"Devouring Ancestral Symbol, Devouring Power!"

Within his sea of consciousness, the Devouring Ancestral Symbol flashed with black light. Mu Chen could currently only mobilize a faint trace of Devouring Power. Centered on his body, an attractive force emerged, drawing vast amounts of Heavenly Source Qi toward him like a white vortex, endlessly and without cease.

When the Source Qi entered Mu Chen's body, it surged on like rolling waves, washing against the blockage sealing his First Meridian. The pain was within his tolerance, but it still made Mu Chen frown. He became more careful, lest excessive force damage his Meridians.

The Life Power of the Life and Death Ancestral Symbol could rapidly restore Mu Chen's Meridians. At present, the Ancestral Symbol power he could use was only the most superficial layer. Unless he could activate them, he would probably have to break through to the Origin Infant Realm before he could unleash the Ancestral Symbols' true power.

"What a freak. Eight Great Ancestral Symbols... Could he be the reincarnation of the Symbol Ancestor?"

Little Marten watched from within the Ancestral Stone, deeply puzzled. Such rare Ancestral Symbols were all gathered in one person. If someone claimed the Symbol Ancestor had returned to the world, after a moment's hesitation, he would believe it outright.

But this also proved, in a roundabout way, that following Mu Chen had not been the wrong choice. Perhaps he would have a chance to restore his body in the future.

Su Youwei also began cultivating some distance away. Because Mu Chen had drawn in Heavenly Source Qi without greedily seizing it all for himself, her speed of drawing Qi into her body was much faster than usual.

Su Youwei's grandfather saw this and did not disturb them. He did not oppose his granddaughter's choice to walk the path of cultivation, though he still worried.

In the cultivation world, the strong preyed on the weak. No one knew when disaster might strike.

As a feeble old man, there was nothing he could do to help. He could only pray—and try not to become a burden to Su Youwei.

"It'll take a few days to open my meridians." Mu Chen opened his eyes. After this period of washing, the blockage in his First Meridian had already thinned somewhat. In a few days, he would be able to completely open it.

Su Youwei was still cultivating, and Mu Chen did not disturb her. Her talent was excellent, and like him, she had undergone body tempering with Ancestral Stone Spirit Liquid. Her physical condition could withstand the impact of Meridian Opening.

"As expected of the Devouring Ancestral Symbol. This speed of absorbing Heavenly Source Qi is truly astonishing." Little Marten's voice rang out, filled with amazement and envy.

Among the Eight Great Ancestral Symbols, the Devouring Ancestral Symbol provided the greatest aid to cultivation. Most of the other Ancestral Symbols emphasized killing methods, such as flames and lightning—purely violent offensive power. In terms of assisting cultivation, they could not compare to the Devouring Ancestral Symbol. That was why it was called the most mysterious Ancestral Symbol.

If he had possessed the Devouring Ancestral Symbol back then, he would at least have become a peak Samsara Stage expert.

"Right? You think so too. With the Devouring Ancestral Symbol in hand, Little Marten, it won't be long before you willingly call me Boss," Mu Chen said with a smile.

"Get lost!"

Little Marten replied irritably, though it was indeed possible. Mu Chen possessed so many Ancestral Symbols, which meant fortune favored him. His talent could not possibly be poor.

Ah, he had once been the most handsome fellow among the Heavenly Demon Martens. Yet in the near future, he might actually have to call Mu Chen Boss. Still, he would wait until Mu Chen's strength surpassed his before discussing that.

Mu Chen was not angry. Little Marten would not be able to escape the honorable title of Boss.

If Little Marten left the Ancestral Stone and flew far away for good, then Mu Chen would simply be dreaming too beautifully.

"That little girlfriend of yours seems quite talented too. You've got good taste," Little Marten said meaningfully.

"Oh? Little Marten, you can actually tell?" Mu Chen said, feigning surprise.

"Of course. Marten Lord was once a peak Death Profound Realm expert, after all. I still have some discernment. That girl's talent is no worse than Marten Lord's," Little Marten said proudly.

Mu Chen smiled faintly and shook his head.

Su Youwei's talent was better than Little Marten's. Little Marten was simply trying to save face.

"Pfft!"

Half a month later, Mu Chen calmly opened his First Meridian. In an instant, his blood and qi surged violently. The First Meridian emitted a devouring force, continuously devouring the Source Qi within his body before feeding it back into him.

His body, tempered by Ancestral Stone Spirit Liquid, grew stronger still. His flesh, bones, and skin were reinforced from within and without, while his body became noticeably lighter.

"There were actually so many impurities in my body." Mu Chen opened his eyes and found a layer of foul-smelling grime covering his skin. It was impurities expelled from his body.

Though he was not excessively germophobic, Mu Chen quickly washed himself. It was not just his physical condition that had improved—his five senses had become far sharper as well.

"My First Meridian actually carries the aura of the Devouring Ancestral Symbol. I have eight meridians, and I happen to possess the Eight Great Ancestral Symbols. If I use the power of different Ancestral Symbols to open each of the Eight Meridians, their strength should become extremely high," Mu Chen said thoughtfully.

His First Meridian radiated the devouring aura of the Devouring Ancestral Symbol. Even without using the Devouring Ancestral Symbol, its speed of absorbing Heavenly Source Qi would be much faster than that of normal Meridians.

For example, the direct descendants of the Devourer Lord had a certain chance of inheriting Devouring Power. This could only happen when one's compatibility with the Devouring Ancestral Symbol reached perfection.

Therefore, Mu Chen suspected that once one's compatibility with an Ancestral Symbol reached perfection, one's Meridians, flesh, and bones would all gain characteristics corresponding to that Ancestral Symbol. These traits could then be passed down to one's descendants, allowing them to wield part of the Ancestral Symbol's power.

Now that his First Meridian had gained the aura of the Devouring Ancestral Symbol, Mu Chen sensed no hidden danger. On the contrary, it was far stronger than his other Meridians. He could experiment with the other Ancestral Symbols on the remaining seven Meridians later.

The aura of the Ancestral Symbols mixed with Heavenly Source Qi, then washed against the blockages in the Eight Meridians. During this process, the Eight Meridians could become infused with the aura of the Ancestral Symbols.