Azure Dragon Method

This was his Martial Soul.

This was the other side hidden deep within his bloodline.

"You have come."

The Azure Dragon spoke.

The voice did not emerge from a throat, but echoed directly within the consciousness of Qing Mufeng.

It was low, resonant, and carried a sense of ancient vicissitudes.

"That you could arrive at this place signifies that you have already obtained the meditation method," the Azure Dragon said. "It is one of the keys to reaching here."

Qing Mufeng recalled the Green Snake Meditation Method his grandfather had just taught him.

"One of the keys?" He seized upon the key point in the Azure Dragon's words.

"One of," the Azure Dragon repeated. "There are two keys in total. The first is the meditation method. The second is the Azure Dragon Pupil. Both are indispensable."

Qing Mufeng suddenly understood.

The Azure Dragon Pupil allowed him to look within his dantian, and the Green Snake Meditation Method allowed him to trigger his Martial Soul.

Only by combining the two was he pulled into this space.

"The Green Snake Meditation Method is not suitable for you," the Azure Dragon said bluntly. "It is the path of a snake, not the way of a dragon."

Qing Mufeng was not surprised.

He had already guessed as much.

"Then what meditation method should I use?" he asked.

A glimmer of light flashed within the Azure Dragon's vertical pupils.

"I shall impart it to you."

As the words fell, the Azure Dragon's body vibrated slightly, and a cyan light shot from between its brows, sinking into the center of Qing Mufeng's forehead.

A massive amount of information surged in like a tidal wave.

It was not text, nor was it imagery, but a more direct form of knowing.

Qing Mufeng closed his eyes, digesting the information flooding his mind.

Azure Dragon Method.

This was the name of the cultivation technique.

It took the Green Snake Meditation Method as its foundation, diverging from the snake's path to forge the dragon's way.

The circulation routes of the meridians were drastically adjusted, the speed of soul power circulation increased several times over, and three entirely new paths were added.

One led to the physique.

One led to the soul.

One led to all things.

Qing Mufeng carefully sensed the contents of this technique, growing more astonished the further he looked.

This was not merely a simple meditation method.

It was an all-encompassing cultivation technique.

Soul power, physique, and soul spirit power were all cultivated simultaneously.

Each path had an independent method of operation, and the three paths echoed one another, forming an endless cycle.

Beyond this, the technique also contained introductory methods for dozens of auxiliary professions, including alchemy, artifact refining, formations, talismans, puppets, and more.

Everything centered on the wood attribute.

Alchemy utilized the affinity of the Origin of Wood toward medicinal herbs.

Artifact refining utilized the nourishing power of wood-attribute soul power toward metals.

Formations utilized the stellar power of the Seven Mansions of the Azure Dragon.

Every auxiliary profession was inextricably linked to the Azure Dragon bloodline and the Origin of Wood.

"This method encompasses all things."

The Azure Dragon's voice resonated in his consciousness: "Everything is centered on the wood attribute. The deeper you cultivate, the stronger your control over the Origin of Wood will become. Alchemy, artifact refining, formations, talismans... all can be mastered by analogy."

Qing Mufeng took a deep breath, suppressing the shock in his heart.

"Besides becoming stronger, what other benefits does cultivating this technique provide?"

A flicker of appreciation flashed in the Azure Dragon's vertical pupils.

"Longevity."

The four words were spoken with resounding weight.

"The Origin of Wood governs life."

"By cultivating this method, as your soul power increases, your life essence will continuously grow stronger."

"For ordinary Soul Masters, as they reach old age, their meridians wither and their life force decays, causing their cultivation to stagnate or even regress."

"Yet your body will only grow younger, and your lifespan will far exceed that of ordinary people."

"Cultivate to the depths, and you shall achieve rejuvenation and eternal youth."

"Cultivate to perfection, and you shall share the same lifespan as heaven and earth, becoming immortal and indestructible."

Qing Mufeng's pupils constricted sharply.

Sharing the same lifespan as heaven and earth.

Immortal and indestructible.

If this is not a god, what is?

"Do you understand now?" The Azure Dragon's voice turned deep: "Why you must be the Azure Dragon, why you must endure, and why you cannot expose yourself."

Qing Mufeng remained silent for a moment, then nodded.

"Because the path I must walk is longer than anyone else's."

The Azure Dragon did not answer, but the light in those vertical pupils clearly signaled approval.

Silence flowed through the small azure world.

After a long while, the Azure Dragon spoke again.

"The Azure Dragon Method is divided into nine layers, corresponding to the nine rings of soul power. Each layer awakens a natal divine ability. You have already awakened the Azure Dragon Armor at the first layer, and the second layer is the Azure Dragon Pupil."

"When you obtain your third soul ring, the third layer will open of its own accord."

"As for the God Realm beyond the nine rings, I will naturally pass that on to you once you reach the nine-ring stage in the future."

"After you return, pass the Azure Dragon Method to your family. The Green Snake Meditation Method shares the same origin as the Azure Dragon Method; although they cannot cultivate it fully, they can extract its essence to improve the Green Snake Meditation Method."

Qing Mufeng was startled: "I can pass it to them?"

"The Azure Dragon Method was born from the Green Snake Meditation Method; it is, in essence, the sublimation of the Qing Clan's century of hard work."

The Azure Dragon's voice was calm: "They passed the meditation method to you, and you repay them with a better one. This is karma; perhaps in the future, they too may transform into true dragons."

A warm current surged through Qing Mufeng's heart.

He had intended to ask if he could share it, never expecting the Azure Dragon to suggest it himself.

"Also." The Azure Dragon's vertical pupils suddenly grew profound: "Do not use your Azure Dragon Armor or Azure Dragon Pupil in front of others. Until you have the strength to protect yourself, they are your trump cards."

"I understand," Qing Mufeng said.

"Go." The Azure Dragon's voice gradually faded: "Remember the execution path of the Azure Dragon Method. Practice it daily, and do not slacken."

The small azure world began to blur, and Qing Mufeng's consciousness was pushed out by a gentle force.

In the medicine barrel, Qing Mufeng opened his eyes.

The medicinal soup in the barrel had gone cold, and the steam had long since dissipated.

He looked down at his hands and clenched his fists.

In his mind, every word of the Azure Dragon Method was as clear as if carved in stone.

He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and began to circulate his soul power according to the paths of the Azure Dragon Method.

Not the Green Snake Meditation Method.

But the Azure Dragon Method.

Soul power surged through his meridians, moving several times faster than before.

Three brand-new paths opened simultaneously, with soul power, physique, and spiritual energy circulating in synchronization to form an unprecedented cycle.

The corners of Qing Mufeng's mouth curled upward.

He had walked the path of the snake for less than an hour.

From this day forward, he would walk his own path.

The path of the dragon.

When Qing Mufeng emerged from the medicine barrel, the soup had chilled completely.

He changed into a dry robe, wiped his damp hair, and sat by the bed for a moment.

In his mind, every path and every node of the Azure Dragon Method was as clear as if he had practiced them for years.

This was not mere memory; it was inheritance.

The Azure Dragon had carved the essence of the technique directly into the depths of his soul.

He stood up and pushed open the door.

In the next room, Liu Yunlan was organizing medicinal herbs.

The old woman heard the movement and looked up, her gaze lingering on her grandson's face for a moment as her brows furrowed slightly.

"Feng'er, you..." She set down the medicinal herbs in her hand, walked over, and reached out to touch her grandson's forehead. "Your aura feels different."

Qing Mufeng was slightly taken aback: "How is it different?"

Liu Yunlan could not quite put it into words; it was simply a feeling.

Her grandson was still the same grandson, but the aura about him was purer and more... profound than it had been before he entered the medicinal bath.

"Grandmother, where is Grandfather?" Qing Mufeng asked.

"In the study; your grandfather holes himself up in that study all day long."

As Liu Yunlan spoke, she scrutinized her grandson carefully for another moment:

"Do you have business with your grandfather?"