Foundation Establishment True Method, Mad Delirium

Essence Refining varies in the essence extracted depending on the cultivation method.

The paths of cultivation differ across the many Dao Lineages.

For instance, the notorious Demonic Path primarily focuses on the essence of blood and bone.

Due to the differences in cultivation methods, the manifestation of a perfected state of essence also varies.

In some methods, essence is stored within the body's organs; a perfected state means the essence has completely saturated a specific organ.

In others, essence is extracted and infused into the meridians, utilizing the method of circulating through the celestial meridians to induce a transformation in the essence before it finally returns to the organs.

Li Qing was currently at the Essence Refining stage.

The second layer, Body Strengthening.

This stage is quite unique. If one follows the first cultivation method, where essence is stored in the organs, those organs will gradually undergo changes once they are saturated with essence.

This transformation starts from the organ in question and spreads to all other organs in the body, eventually rendering the entire physique different from that of an ordinary person.

The essence seems to fuse with the organs, undergoing a qualitative change; the degree of this fusion depends on the cultivation method.

If one follows the second method of celestial meridian circulation, the essence radiates throughout the entire body as it flows through the meridians, triggering systemic changes in the physique.

One gains immense strength, vastly increased stamina, and a recovery ability far exceeding that of an ordinary person, allowing one to be free from illness and live out their natural lifespan without disaster.

The third layer, Human Tribulation.

This is a very peculiar stage; cultivation in this world seems to be an act against the heavens.

Plundering the essence of all living things for one's own use invites a tribulation from the unseen.

Once one steps into the perfection of Body Strengthening, one begins to sense this karmic tribulation from the void.

If one can survive the tribulation, an incredible transformation occurs within, and the essence gradually begins to evolve into a different kind of power.

Once this transformation is complete, one can step into the next level—the True Method Realm.

Li Qing carefully read Wang Dexiu's diary, gaining a better understanding of cultivation.

At this moment, he also realized what that round, transparent bead was.

It was something called an Essence Stone, produced by creatures formed after the essence of living beings underwent a bizarre transformation.

These things were known as Anomalies.

A significant portion of the terrifying legends passed down since ancient times were caused by these Anomalies.

The source of an Anomaly lies in the essence and delusions of living beings.

The more prosperous a city, the more frequently these Anomalies appear.

Once one emerges, a Dao Lineage or a Rogue Cultivator will take action to slay the Anomaly and seize its Essence Stone.

Across this land, there are many forbidden zones for humans, where it is said that incredibly terrifying Anomalies dwell.

However, most of these powerful Anomalies were born under specific conditions for various reasons.

They usually do not leave those terrifying forbidden zones.

But as he continued reading the diary, Li Qing noticed that Wang Dexiu's entries began to grow chaotic.

Strange words started to appear.

"He came again today; he has been watching me."

"He has no face, yet he seems to know me..."

"So noisy, his voice is so blurred, he seems to want to tell me something..."

With each bizarre sentence, it seemed that Wang Dexiu had begun to suffer from hallucinations.

This lasted for about a few days, starting approximately seven days ago.

Li Qing frowned silently. "Seven days ago... that seems to be when I started practicing the Essence Blood Art."

A trace of surprise appeared in his eyes, his expression shifting uncertainly.

"It couldn't be, could it? Does this have something to do with me?"

In such a world of Anomalies, Li Qing held twelve points of vigilance against even the smallest coincidences.

He took a deep breath, shook his head, and abandoned the thought in his mind. "I shouldn't be that unlucky."

He opened his eyes, his gaze falling upon the Essence Stone. "This is a good thing."

"The essence within an Essence Stone is usually very pure and can be used to refine treasures, concoct pills, or even be used directly."

He reached out and took the Essence Stone, and the Jade Tablet in his mind suddenly trembled slightly.

The essence within the stone was instantly devoured, and a surge of incredibly pure essence poured into his body, merging completely with the essence of his Spirit Blood Art.

The essence, which had previously occupied one-fifth of his total bloodline, increased by another fifth.

"Two-fifths of my bloodline have now been infused with essence. Once it reaches 100%, it will begin to affect my blood."

Li Qing was lost in thought. "There are two directions for cultivation at the Foundation Establishment stage."

"One way is for essence to merge into the organs, the other is for essence to flow into the eight extraordinary meridians and twelve regular meridians."

"As for the True Method Realm, that remains unknown."

"However, it is highly probable that all paths lead to the same destination, and the essence may eventually permeate the entire body."

"But the body will only be able to contain one primary type of essence."

"Cultivating different types of essence may cause danger, especially when one reaches the True Method Realm."

Li Qing felt thoughtful; having arrived in a world possessing mysterious cultivation methods, he naturally had to find a way to reach the pinnacle.

It was both to protect himself and to see what this mysterious world was truly about.

"I need treasures. I can try to purchase various cultivation techniques at the Scripture Tower and use the Jade Tablet's ability to optimize and fuse them, creating a technique invincible at the Foundation Establishment realm."

After reading Wang Dexiu's diary, Li Qing was very clear that if he simply cultivated a single ordinary technique, he would absolutely never make it to the end.

What he had to do was utilize the Jade Tablet's ability as much as possible to create a method that could adapt to all types of essence.

"Cultivating only one type of essence individually will definitely result in very low absorption efficiency for the essence in the air."

"I want to create a technique that can absorb all types of essence, pushing efficiency to its peak."

"Furthermore, higher-level cultivation methods clearly have independent Dao Lineages, which I have no way of finding."

"I can only forge a path of my own."

"However, these shops almost exclusively accept treasures; Dharma Coins have no meaning to them."

"Thus, it can be inferred that the Dao Lineages behind these shops do not use Dharma Coins for cultivation."

"There might be a trap within the Dharma Coins."

As someone from Earth, having witnessed countless conspiracies and the information explosion, his innate instinct was to be skeptical of everything.

Even though Dharma Coins were widely circulated among Rogue Cultivators—who used them for cultivation, defending against enemies, and trading, forming a simple financial system—these powerful Dao Lineages refused to accept them, which clearly indicated a problem.

No one would turn away from wealth unless that thing was not wealth at all.

Looking at the 10 Dharma Coins left on the table, Li Qing narrowed his eyes slightly. "I will spend them tomorrow and see if I can buy some cultivation techniques from the Rogue Cultivators."

"I'll see if my idea of using the Jade Tablet to create techniques is correct."

His gaze fell upon the black mushroom-like object; this was the Black Profound Ganoderma, one of the items required for cultivating the Black Water Art.

"To think I happen to have one of the essential medicinal ingredients."

"I can let Wang Kuohai help me collect the rest; it should be more convenient."

His gaze then landed on the black iron ball, which was about the size of a thumb yet weighed a full pound.

He picked up the black iron ball and injected a wisp of essence into it, but the iron ball showed no change; all the essence was swallowed up.

"It seems useless? Could it be that the injected essence wasn't enough?"