A New Day!

"The Radiant Divine Canon—this was the greatest cheat the Radiant Phoenix had given me."

Zhao Tian took a deep breath and calmed his excited emotions.

Although he did not have a system, with this Radiant Divine Canon, his path in this world would become much easier.

"Time to cultivate."

Following the guidance of the Radiant Divine Canon, Zhao Tian began attempting the Four Cultivation Systems.

He had long since become familiar with circulating Soul Power, and it was not much different from the cultivation methods of ordinary Soul Masters.

Cultivating the body required guiding Soul Power to temper every part of the body, from skin to muscle, from bones to meridians, from internal organs to marrow—layer by layer, step by step.

Cultivating the soul required continuous meditation and visualization to temper spiritual power and make the soul stronger.

Cultivating Soul Skills required repeatedly using and comprehending one's own Soul Skills, understanding their essence and mastering their core in order to unleash greater power.

Cultivating all four at once placed an enormous drain on his spiritual power.

Zhao Tian felt as though his brain were about to explode, his temples throbbing wildly.

But he clenched his teeth and endured.

Because he knew this was the only path to becoming stronger.

Time passed second by second.

He did not know how long had passed before Zhao Tian finally sensed a change.

The circulation of Soul Power within his body had become faster and smoother.

His body also seemed firmer, brimming with strength.

A cool sensation rose from the depths of his soul, and the swelling pain in his head gradually faded.

His first Soul Ring also seemed to have become slightly brighter during the cultivation of the Four Cultivation Systems.

Though the change was minuscule, Zhao Tian could truly feel it.

"It worked!"

Delighted, Zhao Tian settled down and continued cultivating.

The night deepened.

Moonlight streamed through the window lattice into the room, falling upon Zhao Tian.

A faint golden glow surfaced around his body. It was the power of the Radiant Phoenix responding to the cultivation of the Radiant Divine Canon.

In the neighboring courtyard, Ning Rongrong had long since drifted into sleep.

A sweet smile rested on her lips, as if she were having a wonderful dream.

Zhao Tian was in her dream.

The next morning.

Sunlight streamed through the window lattice into the room as Zhao Tian slowly opened his eyes.

A night of cultivation had left him refreshed and clear-headed, without the slightest hint of fatigue.

This was the benefit of the Radiant Divine Canon's Four Cultivation Systems.

Cultivation was rest, and rest was cultivation.

Soul Power, body, soul, and Soul Skills—the four cycled endlessly, supporting one another and forming a virtuous cycle.

Zhao Tian rose from bed and stretched his limbs. His bones crackled loudly.

He could clearly feel that his body was stronger than it had been yesterday.

Though the change was subtle, it would inevitably lead to a qualitative leap over time.

"My first Soul Ring..."

With a thought from Zhao Tian, a yellow Soul Ring rose from beneath his feet.

He examined it carefully and found that its color truly had deepened by the tiniest amount compared to yesterday.

Without close inspection, the difference would have been impossible to distinguish.

But Zhao Tian knew that this was the Radiant Divine Canon taking effect.

Day after day, year after year, this hundred-year Soul Ring would eventually evolve into a thousand-year, ten-thousand-year, or even hundred-thousand-year Soul Ring.

"Zhao Tian! Zhao Tian! Are you awake?"

Ning Rongrong's crisp voice came from the courtyard.

Zhao Tian walked to the window and looked down.

Ning Rongrong had changed into a neat training outfit and tied her hair into a high ponytail. Her little face was filled with excitement.

"I'm up."

Zhao Tian answered before turning to head downstairs.

When he opened the courtyard gate, Ning Rongrong was standing outside with a small basket in her hand.

"I brought you breakfast! Let's eat together, then go cultivate!"

Grinning, Ning Rongrong handed him the basket.

Zhao Tian took it and opened it. Inside were several delicate pastries and a bowl of warm porridge.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome! Hurry up and eat—Rongrong can't wait anymore!"

Ning Rongrong urged him.

The two sat on stone stools in the courtyard and ate breakfast together.

As Ning Rongrong ate, she kept sneaking glances at Zhao Tian, unable to suppress the smile on her lips.

"What are you looking at?"

Noticing her gaze, Zhao Tian looked up and asked.

"N-Nothing!"

Ning Rongrong hurriedly lowered her head and focused on the pastry in her hands.

She would never admit that she thought Zhao Tian looked handsome while eating.

After breakfast, the two arrived at an open area in the rear courtyard.

This was a training ground prepared specifically for them. Soundproof barriers had been set up around it, so they would not disturb anyone else.

"Zhao Tian, how is Rongrong going to cultivate today?"

Ning Rongrong tilted her head and asked.

"First, warm up. Then I'll teach you a set of basic body-tempering exercises."

After giving it some thought, Zhao Tian replied.

The Radiant Divine Canon contained methods specifically for tempering the body. He planned to select some suitable for Ning Rongrong and teach them to her.

Although Ning Rongrong was an auxiliary-type Soul Master and did not need to fight on the front lines, having a strong body could only be beneficial.

"Okay! Rongrong will listen to you!"

Ning Rongrong nodded vigorously.

Zhao Tian led Ning Rongrong through a set of warm-up exercises, then began teaching her body-tempering techniques.

Squats, push-ups, sit-ups, high knees...

These movements, utterly ordinary in his past life, were likewise the foundation of body tempering in this world.

Ning Rongrong was enthusiastic at first, but before long, a pained expression appeared on her little face.

"Zhao Tian... Rongrong is so tired..."

Ning Rongrong said between heavy breaths, sweat sliding down her cheeks.

"Hang in there. One more set."

Zhao Tian did not go easy on her.

Ning Rongrong bit her lip and persisted.

She did not want to show weakness before Zhao Tian, much less let him think she was some pampered young lady who could not endure hardship.

At last, after finishing the final set, Ning Rongrong collapsed onto the ground, gasping for air.

"Rongrong did it..."

Ning Rongrong gave a weak smile.

Zhao Tian crouched down and handed her a handkerchief.

"Wipe your sweat. Rest for a while."

Ning Rongrong took the handkerchief, wiped the sweat from her face, then looked down at it and quietly tucked it into her clothes.

Zhao Tian did not notice the small gesture. He walked to the other side of the clearing and began his own cultivation.

He summoned the Radiant Phoenix, and a yellow Soul Ring rose from beneath his feet.

"First Soul Skill—Phoenix Holy Light Blast!"

Zhao Tian shouted, and a dazzling pillar of light surged forth, blasting toward a target stone ahead.

Boom!

The target stone exploded, sending shattered rocks flying everywhere.

Zhao Tian frowned.

Its power was not bad, but he knew it was far from the true level of Phoenix Holy Light Blast recorded in the Radiant Divine Canon.

According to the canon's description, the true Phoenix Holy Light Blast should have been more concentrated, and its color should have been pure gold rather than the pale gold it was now.

"It still needs constant refinement."

Zhao Tian took a deep breath and released his Soul Skill again.

Once, twice, three times...