Metal-Attribute Spells

Meanwhile, in Wanqu City, a solitary courtyard was suffused with vast divine might.

Feng Ying was also studying the Lesser Circulatory Cycle Method he had obtained.

Beside him lay numerous spirit fruits and spirit herbs, shimmering with spiritual light.

There were so many of these spirit fruits and herbs that they resembled wild fruit scattered across the ground.

If Yang Huai had seen this, he could only have sighed that comparing oneself to others was enough to drive one mad.

With such a vast pile of spirit fruits and spirit herbs to support him, waves of blazing qi and blood surged and contracted across Feng Ying's body, gradually flowing from his internal organs. In the end, they followed his spine—the great dragon—and rushed into the crown of his head. In a short time, he had directly brought the Circulatory Cycle Method to minor mastery, even brushing against the threshold of major mastery.

As the Circulatory Cycle Method reached minor mastery, specks of golden innate essence qi, like sparks of starlight, bloomed from deep within his heart, blood, limbs, and bones, merging into his physique. Invisible blue-green radiance circulated around him, faintly resonating with two special currents of heaven-and-earth qi in the depths of the void.

They were wind and thunder.

Feng Ying himself possessed innate talent in the wind and thunder attributes.

Now, nourished by innate essence qi, that innate talent seemed to have advanced another step.

Feng Ying opened his eyes, unable to hide the delight in their depths.

"This method truly can excavate the innate essence qi hidden within the body. It is genuinely comparable to those superior secret arts the direct line keeps clutched tightly in its fists! And this is merely the Lesser Circulatory Cycle. If I complete the Greater Circulatory Cycle and reach great perfection, my own foundation will surely advance another step!"

"Yet this method ultimately has its limitations. It focuses on consolidating the foundation and nourishing the origin, strengthening one's own base. It cannot excavate the potential hidden deep within one's bloodline—it seems incapable of that!"

There was no small measure of regret in Feng Ying's eyes.

The Wind Clan all descended from the teachings of the Xi Huang Kingdom's ruler, their bodies naturally carrying the blood of Xi Huang. If that bloodline was sufficiently pure, one could even be born comparable to those innate divine beings.

Of course, that was only to say their essence was similar.

To possess the same divine powers, they would still have to wait until adulthood.

The Xi Huang blood in collateral branches like his was already far thinner than that of the direct line. That was why he had entertained a slim hope of purifying the Xi Huang blood within him and taking a shortcut.

Now, it seemed that scheme would not work.

Still, being able to excavate the innate essence qi hidden within his body made this a powerful secret art. It had not been for nothing that he had emptied his family fortune to exchange for it.

"That is enough. In the clan's annual ranking contest, I should be able to rise several places. I may even use this to gain some preferential support from the main branch. The future holds promise!"

Feng Ying let out a long breath from deep in his heart. His anticipation for this Circulatory Cycle Method immediately grew stronger.

"But Qingli should have gained even more than I did. Judging from the phenomenon around him several days ago, he may have a chance to revert to an Innate Gengjin Spirit Body. Even an incomplete spirit body would give him more than enough of a chance to soar into the heavens...!"

For some reason, the thought stirred no jealousy in him. Instead, he felt a faint happiness.

Then he put away the great pile of spirit fruits and spirit herbs on the table, intending to continue cultivating only after he had become thoroughly familiar with the mysteries of the Circulatory Cycle Method.

This cultivation method was exceedingly profound. Before one entered the Greater Circulatory Cycle, it involved the soul and intellect. If he acted rashly and damaged the foundation of his soul, the consequences would be dire.

Deep within the kitchen quarters

Inside a separate main hall, Hou Feng Daoist stood at the center. Behind him were stone walls where countless flames soared, intense fiery radiance flowing over their surfaces. To either side stood manifestations in green and gold respectively: an azure luan and a white tiger.

Hou Feng Daoist's gaze fell on Yang Huai as he spoke.

"Qingli, by custom, once you have successfully established your foundation, you may learn the arts of our kitchen quarters!"

"But before that, I must ask what foundational method you cultivate."

This time, Yang Huai did not hesitate. He answered directly.

"This disciple cultivates the Heavenly Yang Golden Light Talisman from the Heavenly Origin Pure Spirit Codex passed down by True Master Hidden Dragon Adept. It centers on metal, yang, and purity!"

A faint smile appeared at the corners of Hou Feng Daoist's mouth.

"The Heavenly Origin Pure Spirit Codex in True Master Hidden Dragon Adept's possession can be considered a superior foundational method. Though it is rather mediocre in all respects, the dharma power cultivated through it is pure and rich, and it can be paired with all manner of spells. Did he pass down one or two corresponding secret arts to you?"

"No!"

Yang Huai shook his head slightly.

Hidden Dragon Adept had only passed down the Heavenly Origin Pure Spirit Codex that day. Less than two hours after teaching the method, he had left.

Hou Feng Daoist nodded. As expected, he said at once.

"Your Heavenly Yang Golden Light Talisman should be suited to spells centered on the metal attribute. Do you wish to learn a defensive spell, or first learn an offensive spell?"

"Can I learn both?"

Yang Huai's eyes brightened slightly.

Hou Feng Daoist shook his head.

"Everyone's energy is extremely limited. Your foundation has only just been established, so it is not suitable for you to dabble in too many things. You have already learned the Suiren Spirit Form Visualization Method. It is enough to specialize in two minor spells; any more will burden your cultivation. Choose one for now. Once you have thought it through, you may learn the other later."

Yang Huai's gaze shifted. Hou Feng Daoist's words coincided perfectly with Yuan Xiuxiu's advice.

Though she had been reluctant to say much, she was likely weighing the same considerations.

Since that was the case, Yang Huai did not greedily pursue too much. He said.

"This disciple wishes to learn a defensive spell!"

He already had the Soul-Calming Spirit-Severing Technique as an offensive spell, and that was indeed enough. Learning another defensive spell would also be sufficient.

Hou Feng Daoist nodded. Yang Huai's ability to restrain his own desires left him quite satisfied.

"Since that is so, I will teach you the Little Vajra Incantation!"

"This Little Vajra Incantation uses metal-attribute dharma power as its foundation. It can draw upon the metal spirit qi between heaven and earth to form protective golden light around the body, and its defensive power is quite good. If mastered to completion, it can even withstand the direct charge of an ordinary exotic beast!"

Yang Huai's eyes lit up. "Could this be the secret art Uncle-Master Cloudmist used against that strange insect that day?"

A secret art capable of blocking an exotic beast's headbutt was truly extraordinary.

Hou Feng Daoist nodded.

"Correct!"

Hou Feng Daoist orally transmitted the secret art, then explained the cultivation method of the Little Vajra Incantation point by point.

"This art contains the secret of the 'metal' glyph among the Twenty-Two Primordial Glyphs, though it involves some deeper applications. You need only successfully visualize the diagram of the spell's secret glyphs, then practice often. You will naturally be able to wield it with ease!"

"Another meditation-type spell? That is rather good!"

Yang Huai secretly mused. With the augmentation of his fate, his innate soul was powerful, granting a boost to the might of such spells!

Hou Feng Daoist added.

"Actually, if you wish to grasp more methods, you might as well study your foundational method more deeply. You may find some unexpected gains!"

Yang Huai's heart stirred at those words, and he quickly nodded in acknowledgment.

"Yes!"

Hou Feng Daoist then instructed Yang Huai again.

"Very well. After you return, cultivate diligently. Of course, do not forget to report for rotation duty at the Slaughter Hall tomorrow. An exotic beast will be delivered tomorrow, and you are to observe!"

Yang Huai's brows shifted, his expression turning solemn.

The Slaughter Hall did not receive exotic beasts every day. This was Yang Huai's first time properly taking part in observing the slaughter of an exotic beast. He could not help recalling once more the demon tiger that had turned into a malicious ghost born of resentment.

"Evil oddities lurk in the Daoist temple. I cannot afford to be careless!"

Yet so long as he could gain a firm foothold in the Slaughter Hall, he believed the road ahead would become far smoother.

Naturally, he also deeply coveted the Slaughter Hall's resources and powerful secret arts.

At this time, within a secluded residence in Qingping Daoist Temple, the white-furred Daoist child held the Human King Woodcarving in his hand, a faint gleam appearing in his eyes.

"Let's give it a try!"

After pondering briefly, he activated the special foundational method within him. Layer upon layer of white fur grew wildly over his body, while an ancient, primordial aura emerged from him. Blue-black skin faintly surfaced beneath his flesh, like old bluewood vines tough with resilience. Deep in his eyes, an intense ferocity ignited, revealing a streak of bestial nature.

But as that frenzied demonic nature emerged, a pale white halo immediately arose from deep within the Human King Woodcarving in his hand and fell into the depths of his sea of consciousness. In an instant, his frenzied gaze cleared.

"It works!"

Mao Hong's eyes shone brightly. If this woodcarving could assist his cultivation of the Divine Wood Celestial Transformation, then he truly had not bought it in vain.

As he looked at the verdant sheen emitted by the spiritwood carving in his hand, delight filled his heart, yet he also secretly thought.

"No, one may not be enough. The more, the better!"