Armed with the [Winning-by-Lying-Down Aura] and the Great Dream Freedom Scripture, Lin Ciyan's "Slacking Cultivation Method" entered an entirely new stage.
His first test subjects were Bei Bei and Zhang Lexuan.
The three of them were "relaxing" together by Sea God Lake when Lin Ciyan quietly activated the aura.
"Bei Bei, Sister Lexuan, cultivation is all about balancing tension and relaxation. Sometimes, a string that's pulled too tight is more likely to snap." He lounged on his custom-made Golden Tree Hammock and spoke in an unhurried voice, secretly circulating the Great Dream Freedom Scripture at the same time.
Bei Bei had been fretting over a minor issue with his Soul Power circulation, while Zhang Lexuan was trying to break through a small bottleneck.
Yet under the influence of Lin Ciyan's serene, naturally soothing presence, the tension in their minds and hearts strangely began to ease.
Even more surprising, when they followed Lin Ciyan's example and stopped forcing things, guiding their Soul Power with a more natural state of mind instead—
The places that had been sluggish suddenly opened up, and their Soul Power circulated a little faster!
"Brother Lin, that's so strange. I couldn't break through that bottleneck no matter what I tried, but once I relaxed, it started to give way!" Bei Bei said excitedly.
Zhang Lexuan's beautiful eyes sparkled, too. "It's true... With a calm mind, my perception and control of Soul Power are much sharper."
"Ci Yan, there really does seem to be something to your 'Relaxation Cultivation' theory."
[ Ding! You successfully guided key characters to experience the wonders of "Relaxation Cultivation." Your philosophy has gained preliminary recognition. Slacking Points +98! ]
Seeing their astonished, admiring expressions, Lin Ciyan felt secretly delighted, but kept his face calm. "Just a basic operation. No need to make a fuss. Like I said, my Holy Radiance Qilin Martial Soul prefers a state of natural harmony."
What they found most unbelievable was that although Lin Ciyan looked like he was lazily dozing in his hammock, powerful fluctuations of heaven and earth energy naturally swirled around him. He was clearly cultivating!
"Ci Yan, y-you can cultivate while lying down like that?" Zhang Lexuan couldn't help asking.
"Mm," Lin Ciyan replied lazily without even opening his eyes. "It's probably because of my Martial Soul. When my body and mind relax, I resonate with heaven and earth, and Soul Power comes naturally. You can't force it. You just can't."
[ Ding! You demonstrated the divine art of "lying-down cultivation" in front of everyone, shocking them. Slacking Points +166! ]
They could only attribute this strange sight to his mysterious and powerful Holy Radiance Qilin Martial Soul. Their opinion of "Brother Lin" and "little brother Ci Yan" rose another notch.
However, Lin Ciyan's "relaxed" life soon got a fast-forward button pressed by his grandfather, Lin Qingmo.
After confirming his grandson's terrifying talent, the senior elder began an "intensive cram-style" training program.
Monday: the tenderest tenderloin from a Millennium Crystal Yak, roasted with mild ganoderma juice. It melted in the mouth, sending his blood and Qi surging.
Tuesday: steamed Century Bluefin Spirit Fish. Its flesh was rich in pure water energy that nourished the meridians.
Wednesday: stir-fried Volcano Brocade Chicken combs and feet. Its fire-attribute energy was domineering and needed to be balanced with a special medicinal meal.
Sunday: there was always a fine piece of Whale Rubber, softened with Lin Qingmo's Soul Power, which he watched Lin Ciyan swallow.
Every one of these ingredients was worth a fortune. They could greatly improve the body, broaden the meridians, and lay a solid foundation—and they tasted incredible, too.
But no matter how delicious something was, eating it for every meal, day in and day out, was too much.
After two months, Lin Ciyan felt like even his burps smelled medicinal. He'd truly eaten enough heavenly treasures to make himself sick.
After consuming so many potent supplements, their tremendous medicinal power surged through his body.
If he didn't promptly guide and refine it, it would only clog his meridians, with disastrous consequences.
So although Lin Ciyan believed in "slacker cultivation," Elder Mu and his grandfather still forced him to begin training.
Lin Qingmo had somehow obtained a set of special Soul Tools engraved with gravity-amplifying runes and built Lin Ciyan a track marked with gravity runes.
Lin Ciyan had to sprint along a hundred-meter track, facing gravity that started at 1.5 times normal and gradually increased to three times.
Every time he lifted a leg, it felt as heavy as lead. His lungs burned until both his Soul Power and stamina were completely exhausted. Only then could he stop and use the Great Dream Freedom Scripture to recover quickly.
This greatly strengthened his legs, improved his heart and lung function, and increased his Soul Power endurance.
Lin Ciyan also began swimming lessons. After all, Sea God Lake was right beside Sea God Island, and he knew the lake inside out.
Of course, the fish in the lake knew Lin Ciyan inside out, too, since he often caught them and threw them back. (Fishing enthusiasts rejoice.)
This wasn't ordinary swimming.
In designated areas of the lake, Lin Qingmo used his Soul Power to simulate undercurrents, whirlpools, and even small zones of water pressure.
Lin Ciyan had to fight against the resistance, keep swimming forward, and push his limits.
The cold water stung his skin, and the underwater currents battered his body, honing his willpower, full-body coordination, and ability to react underwater.
On a steep cliff at the edge of Sea God Island—
Lin Qingmo had placed numerous tiny footholds, each just big enough for a toe. Weak Soul Power repulsion would also flare up at random across the cliff face.
Lin Ciyan had to precisely channel his Soul Power into his hands and feet and climb like a gecko. One slip would send him falling.
This training severely tested his fine control over Soul Power, his balance, and his core strength.
Since he had no Soul Ring, Lin Qingmo arranged basic combat training for him.
Striking tests: He threw punches and kicks at a specially made Soul Tool strength tester, building up his instantaneous explosive power through measurable results.
Reaction and evasion: In a cramped room, he dodged low-speed Soul Tool beams fired randomly from all directions. The beams gradually sped up and multiplied, training his reflexes and evasive skills.
Moving target attacks: Using an unsharpened baton, he struck small Soul Tool targets that moved erratically through the air, honing his dynamic vision and hand-eye coordination.
As Mu En's disciple, Lin Ciyan had been given a private room in Sea God Pavilion.
Every day, after training until he was utterly exhausted, he returned there to recover and cultivate by circulating the Great Dream Freedom Scripture.
Nourished by the Golden Tree's vast life force, his fatigue always faded quickly, and the next day he threw himself into a fresh round of "torment" full of energy.
During those two months, Lin Ciyan and Bei Bei didn't train together. Bei Bei received personal instruction from Mu En, though the two often ran into each other at mealtimes and during breaks.
"Brother Lin, why do you look like you've put on a whole circle of muscle these past two months?" Bei Bei asked in amazement, eyeing the arms that nearly strained Lin Ciyan's sleeves.
Lin Ciyan shoveled Soul Beast meat into his bowl—enough to stuff a family of three ordinary Soul Masters—and looked utterly resigned. "Don't ask... I'm about ready to throw up at the sight of Soul Beast meat. What about you?"
Bei Bei grimaced. "The training Mystic Ancestor set for me has been... pretty intense, too." He rolled up his sleeve, revealing an arm that had grown just as sturdy. "Still, I can feel my strength improving fast."
The two kindred sufferers exchanged bitter smiles. They saw the fatigue in each other's eyes, along with the signs of their rapid growth.
Two hellish months passed. When Lin Qingmo announced that the special training was over for now, Lin Ciyan nearly cried with joy.
By then, he had shot up in height and was now half a head taller than Bei Bei, who had once been slightly taller than him.
The lines of his once childlike face had sharpened. He still looked young, but the sparkle in his eyes and his upright bearing already carried a hint of youthful spirit.
His skin was a healthy wheat color, and beneath his thin clothes, the smooth lines of his powerful muscles showed faintly.
Lin Qingmo carefully checked Lin Ciyan's condition, probing his meridians with Soul Power. An intensely satisfied smile spread across his face.
"Excellent! Ci Yan, your physical strength and the resilience of your meridians are already far beyond anyone your age. You're not even inferior to many Soul Grandmasters!"
"In your grandfather's opinion, absorbing a First Soul Ring of seven or eight hundred years is absolutely within your capabilities!"
Lin Ciyan smiled at that. At least all those two months of suffering hadn't been for nothing.
"Still, this is probably your limit for now," Lin Qingmo continued. "Your age and the development of your Martial Soul are what they are. Forcing further improvement would consume enormous resources for very little gain."