Now that all of Mu Chen's preparations for the early stages were in place, all he lacked was a suitable cultivation method.
With the right method, his cultivation would surely yield twice the results with half the effort.
At the thought, Mu Chen couldn't help turning his attention to Old Tang in his Sea of Consciousness.
What if Tang San had prepared one for him?
Mu Chen decided to give it a try.
"Old Tang, Old Tang, I have something to ask you."
Mu Chen's consciousness entered the Sea of Consciousness, where Old Tang was still waiting.
"What is it? Just ask."
"Well, I can't find anyone to teach me a suitable cultivation method right now. Do you have anything that would work for me?"
As if he had long expected Mu Chen to come to him, a glimmer of golden light appeared in Old Tang's hand and touched Mu Chen's brow.
"This is a method specifically for cultivating Soul Power. It's called the Mysterious Heaven Skill, and it comes from the Tang Sect. I wonder if you've heard of it."
Feeling the new memories in his mind, Mu Chen couldn't help marveling at the wonders of the Mysterious Heaven Skill.
Tang San had indeed prepared a Tang Sect cultivation method for him. Mu Chen reckoned Tang San would have him join the Tang Sect sooner or later.
But Mu Chen wasn't about to be Bei Bei's sort of lapdog for the Tang Sect. He'd join it as its sect master—and make the Tang Sect his own.
"I have a few other complementary techniques here. I'll pass those on to you as well."
Another streak of golden light shot into Mu Chen's brow.
Now that he had the Mysterious Heaven Skill, how could he go without other Tang Sect techniques like Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, Purple Demon Eye, and Mysterious Jade Hand?
With that, Old Tang had practically handed Mu Chen a whole Tang Sect gift pack.
These techniques would help Mu Chen improve his cultivation speed while giving him more ways to attack and defend.
"These are all Tang Sect techniques. I only hope that, if you get the chance someday, you'll join the Tang Sect."
"Sure, Old Tang. You've been so good to me, so of course I'll listen."
Mu Chen would certainly join the Tang Sect—it was just that he intended to take it over.
Not only the Tang Sect, but Shrek too. Even Tang San's divine throne would end up in his hands.
After receiving the techniques, Mu Chen couldn't wait to leave his Sea of Consciousness and start cultivating.
He began with the Mysterious Heaven Skill.
Mu Chen sat cross-legged on his bed and began cultivating according to the method imprinted in his mind.
The Mysterious Heaven Skill's circulation path ran through many of the body's meridians, covering a broad range. Compared to ordinary meditation methods, it produced Soul Power that was more balanced and steady, flowing without end and of considerably higher quality.
After circulating the Mysterious Heaven Skill through two full cycles, Mu Chen felt that his thirteen levels of Soul Power had become noticeably better in quality, and its total amount had increased slightly as well.
Little by little, it would add up. As long as he kept cultivating every day, the benefits of the Mysterious Heaven Skill would naturally become clear.
After that came Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, the technique Mu Chen was most interested in.
After all, who would turn down a decent movement technique?
Next, he tried the Mysterious Jade Hand, Controlling Crane Capturing Dragon, and the other techniques.
Mu Chen only meant to familiarize himself with them for now. You couldn't get fat from eating one bite, after all. As for the Purple Demon Eye, he would have to wait until dawn the next day to cultivate it.
"Xiao Chen, come eat!"
Zhang Tao had finished making the meal and called Mu Chen over.
"Coming, Uncle Zhang!"
Spring passed and autumn came. In the blink of an eye, six years slipped by.
Zhang Tao's bun shop was closed for once today.
"Xiao Chen, take this. Uncle Zhang's just an ordinary person and doesn't have much to give you. I saved this up selling buns over the years. Soul Masters have a lot of expenses, so keep it for yourself."
Zhang Tao placed a small pouch in Mu Chen's hand.
Inside was a little pile of Gold Soul Coins, painstakingly saved while Zhang Tao supported himself and Mu Chen.
Six years had passed, and Mu Chen had grown from a little kid into a tall, straight-backed young man.
His deep blue eyes were brighter than they had been six years ago, full of energy and vitality.
He looked at the pouch in his hand, his heart touched.
It wasn't much money, but it was the best Zhang Tao could give him.
This bracelet must have cost a lot of buns.
Six years had passed, and Zhang Tao's temples were already flecked with gray. His figure was still tall, but the wrinkles on his face lent him a few more marks of age.
"When you get to the Soul Master Academy, listen to your teachers. Don't get into conflicts with your classmates. Uncle Zhang knows you're much better than kids your age, but remember what I taught you: don't use your strength to bully the weak..."
Zhang Tao kept giving him advice, like an old father.
Though Mu Chen was a transmigrator with the mind of an adult, he couldn't help being moved by the heartfelt words of the man who had raised him from childhood.
"Don't worry, Uncle Zhang. Once I'm strong, I'll come back and take care of you!"
"Good boy. I'll be waiting."
Mu Chen went into his room and took a wooden box from a hidden compartment.
When he opened it, a wave of pressure poured out, but it had no effect on Mu Chen.
A Soul Bone lay inside. Judging by its location, it was a Left Arm Bone.
Mu Chen had obtained this Left Arm Bone when he acquired his fourth Soul Ring.
Mu Chen's Soul Power was now at level forty-three.
His fourth Soul Ring was a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring, with a lifespan of twelve thousand years.
He had Old Tang to thank for that.
With him there, Soul Shock? Not a chance!
The remnant soul of the Sea Soul Beast had seen him and vanished on the spot without the slightest hesitation.
After putting the Soul Bone away, Mu Chen said his final goodbye to Zhang Tao and set out from home.
His final destination was Shrek Academy.
Before that, his most pressing task was to deal with the Soul Bone in his possession.
A Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone was a treasure that even Titled Douluo coveted. It would be better to turn it into money.
After all, a Soul Bone that was only twelve thousand years old wasn't worth absorbing. Mu Chen didn't want to, and even if he did, Old Tang wouldn't allow it.
How could Tang San let someone he had chosen carry a Soul Bone with such a low age?
Zhang Tao walked Mu Chen to the city gate.
Mu Chen took one last look back at the city where he'd lived for more than ten years, waved goodbye to Zhang Tao, and set off on his journey.
His first stop was Ming Capital.
A Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone could fetch the best price only in a place like Ming Capital.
After three days on the road, Mu Chen finally arrived at this bustling mechanical metropolis, the capital of the Sun Moon Empire: Ming Capital.
This was Mu Chen's first time there, and everything in Ming Capital filled him with curiosity.
There was still plenty of time before registration for Shrek, so he decided to stay in Ming Capital for a few days and experience life there.
His first priority was to sell the Soul Bone. He didn't have much money on him, after all, and he'd need to sell it if he wanted to enjoy himself.
He bought a black cloak from a roadside shop to hide his appearance.
When he reached Ming Capital's largest auction house, Mu Chen told the guards he had something to put up for auction, and they immediately invited him inside.