Yang Spring Tempering, Starsea Spirit Refinement

Early the next morning, before dawn had fully broken, Xiao Cheng was dragged out of bed by Mu Man.

"Get up, get up! The sun's already shining on your ass!" Mu Man's booming voice exploded beside his ear. Xiao Cheng groggily opened his eyes and saw his uncle's enlarged face, nearly startling him into throwing a punch.

"Uncle... what time is it... The sun isn't even up yet." Xiao Cheng rubbed his eyes, glanced at the gray sky outside the window, and looked at Mu Man speechlessly.

"Five o'clock! The morning is the foundation of the day, understand?" Mu Man hauled Xiao Cheng out of bed without further discussion. "Hurry up, get dressed. Your grandpa is already waiting at the training grounds. Do you want to make a good impression by being late on your first day?"

Helpless, Xiao Cheng quickly dressed and washed up, then followed Mu Man to the training grounds.

The training grounds lay in an open area behind Body Sect's mountain. The ground was paved with hard bluestone, and all sorts of training equipment had been arranged around it—stone locks, stone piers, iron stakes, sandbags... everything one could need. Dawn had only just begun to brighten the sky, and the morning mist had yet to disperse, but a tall figure was already standing on the grounds.

Mu Huang stood with his hands behind his back, facing away from them. Hearing their footsteps, he slowly turned around.

"You're here?" He glanced at Xiao Cheng and nodded. "Not bad. You didn't sleep in. Arriving on time on the first day shows that your attitude is proper."

Xiao Cheng muttered inwardly, I'd have loved to sleep in, but someone would have had to give me the chance...

Mu Huang did not waste any words and directly began explaining the day's training. "The core of Body Martial Soul cultivation lies in the words 'body tempering.' Our bodies are our martial souls. The stronger the body, the stronger the martial soul. So, the first exercise today—weighted cross-country running."

He pointed to a set of weighted gear placed beside the training grounds. "Put it on and run ten laps around the mountain trail. Come back to me when you're done."

Xiao Cheng looked at the weighted gear, and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

It was a weighted suit forged from special metal. It was not particularly heavy by itself, but the gravity soul tool inscriptions carved into it would impose ten times normal gravity on Xiao Cheng, evenly tempering every inch of his body without even neglecting his internal organs.

For a seven-year-old child, ten times gravity was practically a nightmare-level challenge.

But Xiao Cheng did not complain. He knew this was Body Sect's cultivation method and the path he had to take to become stronger. He silently put on the weighted suit, adjusted his breathing, then set off along the mountain trail behind the sect.

Watching Xiao Cheng's retreating figure, Mu Man asked worriedly, "Dad, isn't ten times gravity too much? Cheng'er is only seven..."

"Too much?" A smile tugged at Mu Huang's lips. "Your first weighted training session was also at ten times gravity. What, because you think you couldn't handle it, you think your nephew can't either?"

"That's not what I meant..." Mu Man hurriedly denied it. "I just thought..."

"Don't worry." Mu Huang interrupted him, a trace of approval flashing through his eyes. "This boy is far stronger than you were back then. His blood and vitality are abundant, and his foundation is solid. Clearly, he has never slacked off in his usual training. Ten times gravity will be difficult for him, but not enough to make him collapse."

Just as Mu Huang had said, Xiao Cheng's run was grueling, but it had not pushed him beyond his limits.

As he ran, he circulated the Dragon Transformation Sutra, allowing the blood and vitality within him to flow in rhythm with his strides. Gradually, he followed the method Mu Huang had taught him earlier, circulating his blood and vitality so his body could adapt to the burden. His muscles constantly adjusted and strengthened, while his breathing became increasingly even.

Body Sect had existed for so long that running was not merely about running. More importantly, it taught disciples how to maintain their condition during movement and cultivate sufficient endurance.

After completing ten laps, Xiao Cheng was drenched in sweat and panting heavily. Yet he did not stop to rest. Instead, following Mu Huang's instructions, he returned to the training grounds.

"Not bad. You were five minutes faster than I expected." Mu Huang nodded in satisfaction. "Next is the second exercise—strength training."

The strength training was simple: lifting stone locks, striking iron stakes, pulling resistance cables... In truth, it was similar to what Mu Wan had taught Xiao Cheng. However, Mu Huang and Mu Man both possessed Body Martial Souls. Though theirs were not as complete as Xiao Cheng's, they understood his physical limits far better.

Mu Wan's martial soul was ultimately only the Brain. She specialized in spiritual power and had merely dabbled in blood and vitality, without attaining much proficiency.

Whenever Xiao Cheng felt he was about to reach his limit, Mu Huang would call for a stop at precisely the right moment, giving him a brief rest before beginning another round of training.

This high-intensity training continued until noon.

"Alright, morning training ends here." At last, Mu Huang spoke the words Xiao Cheng most wanted to hear. "Go soak in Yang Spring. It will help your body recover."

"Yang Spring?" Xiao Cheng asked curiously.

"Come with me." Mu Man smiled mysteriously and led Xiao Cheng to a cave behind the mountain.

The moment they approached the entrance, Xiao Cheng felt a warm aura wash over him. It was gentle and pure, as though it could seep through his skin and nourish every cell in his body.

"This is Yang Spring." Mu Man pointed deeper into the cave. "Body Sect established its mountain gate here because of this spring. It formed where underground yang veins converged and contains abundant, gentle yang energy, making it tremendously beneficial for body tempering. Long-term soaking can even cleanse the tendons and marrow."

Xiao Cheng entered the cave and found a pool about ten feet across in its center. The water was a pale milky white, giving off misty vapor. He reached in to test the temperature—it was not hot, merely pleasantly warm.

"Go soak in it," Mu Man said. "Since it's your first time, don't stay too long. A quarter of an hour is enough. You can gradually increase the time later."

Xiao Cheng nodded, removed his sweat-soaked clothes, and carefully stepped into Yang Spring.

When the warm spring water covered his body, Xiao Cheng could not help letting out a comfortable sigh. He could feel gentle, pure energy seeping into his body through his skin, nourishing his exhausted muscles, tendons, and bones. The tiny injuries caused by the intense training were repairing themselves at a visible rate.

What delighted him even more was that as he circulated his technique and absorbed the yang energy from Yang Spring, the True Dragon Qi within his body also slowly but steadily grew stronger through the operation of the Dragon Transformation Sutra, aided by the spring's yang energy!

This Yang Spring... can actually nourish True Dragon Qi? Xiao Cheng was overjoyed. True Dragon Qi was extremely difficult to cultivate. Ordinarily, he could only accumulate it bit by bit through the Dragon Transformation Sutra. He had never expected Yang Spring to accelerate its growth!

He immediately calmed himself and circulated the Dragon Transformation Sutra, guiding his True Dragon Qi to absorb the yang energy within Yang Spring. He could feel that after absorbing the yang energy, his True Dragon Qi became more solid and purer, faintly showing signs of qualitative transformation.

If I soak here every day, perhaps my True Dragon Qi will break through to the next level before long! Xiao Cheng's heart filled with anticipation.

A quarter of an hour later, Xiao Cheng reluctantly emerged from Yang Spring. He felt strength coursing through his entire body. The fatigue from the morning's training had been swept away, leaving him refreshed and invigorated.

"How was it? Comfortable, right?" Mu Man asked with a grin.

"It was amazing!" Xiao Cheng praised sincerely. "I feel like I could run another ten laps right now!"

"Don't rush. There's still afternoon training." Mu Man patted his shoulder. "Go eat first. You need a full stomach to keep training."

The afternoon training remained high-intensity physical conditioning, but with his morning experience and Yang Spring's nourishment, Xiao Cheng performed far more calmly than before. Watching him, Mu Huang's assessment of his grandson rose another notch.

By evening, the physical training had finally ended. Xiao Cheng thought he could finally rest, only to be stopped by Han Tianyi.

"Little fellow, don't be in such a hurry to leave." Han Tianyi smiled warmly. "Physical training is over, but mental training has only just begun."

Xiao Cheng's heart tightened as he recalled what Han Tianyi had said yesterday—spiritual power cultivation was equally indispensable.

Han Tianyi led Xiao Cheng into a quiet meditation chamber and had him sit cross-legged.

"Relax your body and empty your mind." Han Tianyi's voice was gentle and soothing, carrying a hypnotic power. "Next, I will pull your consciousness into my spiritual world. Do not resist. Let it happen naturally."

Xiao Cheng did as instructed, relaxing his body and mind. The next instant, gentle yet vast spiritual power surged into his mind, and the scene before his eyes abruptly changed—

He found himself standing in an endless starry sky.

Beneath his feet lay boundless void, while above him stretched a brilliant river of stars. Countless stars slowly revolved around him, radiating lights bright and dim. The sheer vastness and magnificence made Xiao Cheng forget to breathe for a moment.

"This is... a spiritual world?" Xiao Cheng looked around in astonishment.

"That's right." Han Tianyi's voice rang out in his mind, carrying a trace of pride. "This is my spiritual world. It took this old man thirty years to construct this sea of stars. Well? Magnificent, isn't it?"

"It's incredible..." Xiao Cheng praised sincerely. Though he had heard of spiritual worlds in his previous life, this was the first time he had seen one with his own eyes.

"The first step in spiritual power cultivation is to perfectly mobilize your spiritual power and truly open up your own spiritual sea," Han Tianyi said. "Your spiritual power foundation is excellent, but it is not condensed enough. In the days ahead, I will teach you how to temper and use it."

He paused, amusement entering his tone. "Are you ready? Our lessons will be far more 'gentle' than your grandfather's physical labor."

Before Xiao Cheng could even breathe a sigh of relief, the starry sky around him suddenly began to spin! Countless stars transformed into streaks of light and came howling toward him! They moved so fast that they seemed ready to smash him to pieces the very next second!

Xiao Cheng instinctively tried to dodge, only to discover that his body could not move at all!

"Do not dodge." Han Tianyi's voice sounded again, carrying a hint of sternness. "Use your spiritual power to sense the trajectories of these stars and understand their patterns. When you can calculate the paths of every star in an instant, your spiritual power training will have entered the beginner stage."

Xiao Cheng gritted his teeth and forced himself to calm down.

He closed his eyes. Rather than looking at the stars rushing toward him, he used his spiritual power to sense them. At first, his perception was chaos. Information from countless stars flooded into his mind, nearly overwhelming his consciousness. But he did not give up. He tried again and again, until he gradually found a clue.

The stars' movement was not disorderly. Rather, it followed a profound and mysterious pattern. It was like a complex piece of music: though there were countless notes, once one found the melody, one could understand its beauty.

Xiao Cheng immersed himself in it, forgetting the passage of time.

When he opened his eyes again, he found himself back in the meditation chamber. Han Tianyi sat across from him, a satisfied smile on his face.

"Not bad. You lasted half an hour on your first attempt, far better than I expected." Han Tianyi praised him. "It seems your talent in spiritual power truly is exceptional."

Xiao Cheng asked somewhat dazedly, "Grandpa Han, I just now... lasted half an hour?"

"That's right." Han Tianyi nodded. "Most people can only last five minutes when entering my spiritual world for the first time. Not only did you endure for half an hour, but you also began sensing the stars' movement patterns. That means your spiritual power is not only powerful, but also extremely resilient."

He stood and patted Xiao Cheng's shoulder. "That will be all for today. We'll continue tomorrow. Remember, spiritual power cultivation is the same as physical training. Both require persistent effort."

Xiao Cheng nodded, though his heart was filled with emotion.

The day's training had been exhausting, but the gains were enormous. In terms of physical conditioning, he had Yang Spring's nourishment and Mu Huang's guidance. In spiritual power, he had Han Tianyi's careful instruction.

Xiao Cheng's strength was rising at an unprecedented speed.

That night, Mu Wan taught the Taixuan Technique to Mu Huang and Han Tianyi. Of course, she had first asked Xiao Cheng's opinion, and Xiao Cheng had naturally agreed.

After studying the Taixuan Technique, both men were shocked by its profundity. Mu Huang immediately attempted to circulate it through one minor heavenly cycle. When he finished, he opened his eyes, which were full of delight.

"What an extraordinary Taixuan Technique! The depth of this cultivation method surpasses even Tang Sect's treasured Mysterious Heaven Skill!" Mu Huang exclaimed. "Though it cannot directly increase Soul Power, it can draw out the human body's potential and nourish blood and vitality. For Body Martial Soul cultivators, it is like adding wings to a tiger! I have a feeling that if I can cultivate this technique to a profound realm, I may break through to Limit Douluo within ten years!"

Han Tianyi also nodded in agreement. "Not only that, this technique also aids spiritual power cultivation. It can calm one's state of mind and make it easier to enter meditation. For a soul master like me, who specializes in spiritual power, it is equally beneficial."

The reason Xiao Cheng was willing to share the Taixuan Technique was not merely because they were family and, after spending time with them, he had determined they could be trusted. It was also because he had always harbored a concern.

Though Mu Huang was not young, he was still considerably younger than Qiangu Dieting and Leng Zhaoran. Han Tianyi was around Mu Huang's age, and both had lived until the end of the original story. Mu Huang should not have died of old age too early. Furthermore, even if Mu Huang's life did end, Mu Man was only in his thirties and had already reached eight rings as a Soul Douluo. With his talent, becoming a Super Douluo in the future was practically certain. He should not have died before the original story began.

The only explanation was that Body Sect might suffer a great disaster in the future, causing enormous losses to the sect. It might even lead to Mu Huang's death, laying the foundation for Body Sect's future fragmentation.

Xiao Cheng was extremely vigilant about this. He could not simply watch such a thing happen. Therefore, he naturally did not hesitate to pass on any cultivation method that could strengthen his family.

Although the Taixuan Technique had only been considered a high-grade martial art in his previous life, Xiao Cheng estimated that it was likely comparable to the complete Mysterious Heaven Skill Tang San had secretly learned. It was far more profound than the mutilated Mysterious Heaven Skill currently possessed by Tang Sect.

Across the continent today, thanks to Tang Sect's Mysterious Heaven Skill, all major peak powers more or less possessed their own cultivation methods.

After all, Tang Sect was enormous, with countless disciples who knew the Mysterious Heaven Skill. One could obtain it simply by capturing one at random and searching their soul. Naturally, truly powerful figures would not find it difficult to acquire the Mysterious Heaven Skill. They merely did not dare use it openly due to Shrek Academy and Tang Sect. They could only alter it privately, label it as their own cultivation method, and then use it openly.

This was also one of the reasons powerful soul masters continued to emerge throughout the world.

However, the Taixuan Technique followed a different path from the Mysterious Heaven Skill. It leaned more toward inward cultivation and helped soul masters unearth their own potential. For a powerhouse like Mu Huang, who had been stuck before the threshold of the Limit Douluo realm due to insufficient comprehension and talent, it would be tremendously useful.

If Mu Huang could break through to Limit Douluo within ten years, then Body Sect would possess stronger resistance against whatever disaster might arrive in the future.