Layered-Origin Tide Breath-Absorption Method

As the saying went, a mountain might look near enough to reach, yet it could run a horse to death.

Though the Dao Canon Tower appeared close at hand,

Lu He had to follow the gravel path for over thirty li before finally arriving in front of it.

He raised his head. Before him stood a strange structure that pierced the clouds, resembling both a tower and a pavilion. Its entire body seemed cast from bronze, without the slightest seam in sight.

Hundreds of tiny bronze bells hung from its eaves, chiming softly in the wind.

The sound unknowingly calmed one's mind.

His gaze lowered.

At that moment, countless cultivators were coming and going through the Dao Canon Tower's entrance, creating a bustling scene.

Every young face bore an unconcealable smile of delight.

They had clearly gained much.

"There really are a lot of people. Are they all selected seeds from the other nine immortal Dao factions of Everharvest City?"

Lu He's gaze rested on the Dao robes they wore.

Their colors and patterns varied.

His eyes deepened unconsciously.

The major factions of Everharvest City, along with the higher-ranking Three-Nine Dao Palace, had opened up this so-called Prodigy Island beneath their feet and supplied all manner of resources. Their purpose was absolutely not to let people like them cultivate peacefully.

Together with the various rules Senior Brother Jin had just mentioned...

Calling it raising gu might be an exaggeration, but it was not far from the truth.

"Layer upon layer of elimination, resources constantly concentrated, until they finally select and nurture true geniuses whose temperament and talent are both top-tier?"

Lu He murmured, a faint excitement beginning to stir in his heart.

He had no intention of hiding his abilities.

Now that geniuses gathered across the island, if he did not display sufficiently outstanding talent, why would those above favor him with resources?

Thus, for the current Lu He, aside from the most crucial Golden Book, there was no need to conceal the White Ape Dao Diagram's two talents.

In any case, the rules of this world were peculiar. Monsters blessed with great opportunities emerged one after another. One more Immortal Master Lu made no difference, and one less Immortal Master Lu made no difference either.

With that thought,

Tap tap—

His footsteps quickened.

In no more than three to five breaths, like a drop of water melting into a stream, Lu He's figure vanished into the crowd.

"Junior Brother, are you here to exchange for a Qi-Feeding method too?"

Deep within the Dao Repository Pavilion, a blue-robed youth who looked only eighteen or nineteen stared helplessly at Lu He as he strolled into the room, his voice carrying a hint of irritation.

Then,

Without waiting for Lu He to reply,

The youth flicked one hand. A jade volume on the table, nearly a foot thick, slowly floated before Lu He and began turning its pages bit by bit.

It revealed dense rows of lively Dao script, like tadpoles swimming across the page.

"There are introductions to five hundred and thirty-three low-grade Qi-Feeding methods in there, along with the Dao merit needed to exchange for them. Take your time choosing, Junior Brother."

"Senior Brother has something to take care of outside. I'll be back later."

With that, a streak of light flashed, and the man disappeared without a trace.

"This..."

Looking at the empty room,

Lu He froze for a moment, then helplessness flickered in his eyes.

He had originally thought that if he encountered anything he did not understand, he could ask this senior brother for guidance.

But now it seemed... had this senior brother been frightened off by all the questions from those before him and found an excuse to leave?

"Fine. I'll choose for myself, then."

Lu He smiled.

In any case, according to his plans, a low-grade Qi-Feeding method was merely a temporary stepping stone.

Steadying himself,

Lu He grabbed the floating jade volume, sat cross-legged directly on the floor, and began reading through it page by page.

Dipper-Origin Metal-Devouring Qi-Feeding Method: 6 Dao merit. Low-grade method. Can be cultivated to the complete sixth level of Qi-Feeding. Absorbs the metal essence of earth veins, condensing one's mana into metal Baleful Intent. Focuses on slaughter and conquest; suitable for cultivation alongside sword-control methods.

Azurewood Qi-Feeding Method: 5 Dao merit. Low-grade method. Gathers and consumes the spiritual essence of azurewood. Can be cultivated to the complete sixth level of Qi-Feeding. Its mana possessed enduring vitality, communicating with grasses and trees and restoring flesh to white bones.

Scarlet-Glow Sky-Burning Qi-Feeding Method: 7 Dao merit. Low-grade method. Absorbs the essence of fire and crimson dawn-glow. Can be cultivated to the complete sixth level of Qi-Feeding. Its mana blazed fiercely like flames; when activated, scarlet radiance appeared around the body, specially countering yin evils, resentful spirits, and strange ghosts.

Who knew how much time had passed.

With a slap, Lu He shut the jade volume, contemplation filling his eyes.

"Among these five hundred and thirty-three low-grade Qi-Feeding methods, although the properties of the mana they cultivate differ, without exception, they can only be cultivated to the sixth level of Qi-Feeding—the point of completing the Crimson Palace Sea Mystic Realm."

"In other words, only mid-grade or higher Qi-Feeding methods contain the inheritance to open the Divine Bridge, or even the Violet-Gold Gate? This..."

Lu He shook his head, his teeth aching at the thought.

If rogue cultivators existed in this world, he did not dare imagine how difficult their lives must be.

Without a great opportunity, inheritance alone could probably block a person's path completely.

Not to mention that cultivation required resources such as pills.

Just then,

Creak—the door opened, and the man who had left earlier quietly slipped back inside.

"Junior Brother, have you made your choice?" he asked with a smile.

"I have, Senior Brother."

Lu He came back to himself and flipped open the jade volume. "This one."

"Layered-Origin Tide Breath-Absorption Method?!"

The other party glanced at it, and his brows immediately furrowed. He asked with some hesitation,

"Junior Brother, are you certain you want to choose this?"

"May I ask, Senior Brother, whether there is some issue with this Qi-Feeding method?"

Lu He's heart tightened. He immediately saluted the senior brother before him and asked uneasily.

"This Layered-Origin Tide Breath-Absorption Method..."

He paused, then explained patiently,

"Senior Brother will not deceive you. In terms of the first six Qi-Feeding levels alone, this method does not lose out even to some mid-grade Qi-Feeding methods. Once cultivated successfully, its mana is like heavy water, endless and inexhaustible, its might exceedingly formidable."

"Yet its sole problem is that, compared to other low-grade Qi-Feeding inheritances, the Layered-Origin Tide Breath-Absorption Method is famously difficult to begin. Other than true geniuses, almost no one succeeds in cultivating it."

"And those geniuses disdain to cultivate a mere Layered-Origin Tide Breath-Absorption Method. Thus, even back when this method was in the inner repository of the Demon-Suppressing Pavilion, few could persist in cultivating it."

Having said that, the man could not help flipping the jade volume to another page. He spoke earnestly,

"Junior Brother, since you came to exchange for a low-grade Qi-Feeding method, you clearly do not come from a great immortal Dao clan. I recall that you began with only twenty Dao merit. If you choose this method and fail to cultivate it, you will have wasted nine Dao merit for nothing. The impact on you will not be small.

"Why not choose this Cold-Abyss Dew-Leading Qi-Feeding Method instead? It happens to be a method of your Azurehold Herb Garden. It is also a water-aspect method, and it requires only five Dao merit."

Lu He's gaze swept over the jade volume.

Yet in his mind, the introduction to the Layered-Origin Tide Breath-Absorption Method resurfaced on its own.

Layered-Origin Tide Breath-Absorption Method: 9 Dao merit. Low-grade method. Draws in water qi and undergoes nine layers of gathering and condensation, thereby forming Profound Nether Layered-Origin mana. Once the mana is activated, it is like a vast sea drawing forth tides weighing ten thousand jun, surging without end.

After considering it for several breaths,

"Please forgive me, Senior Brother, but I still wish to exchange for the Layered-Origin Tide Breath-Absorption Method."

Lu He smiled and cupped his hands in reply, his tone suddenly brimming with resolve.

Whether in price or in its description, the Layered-Origin Tide Breath-Absorption Method was unquestionably stronger than the Cold-Abyss Dew-Leading Qi-Feeding Method—far stronger.

As for its flaw of being extremely difficult to begin...

That was clearly no great problem for Lu He, who could enter the third-tier [Immaculate Heart Ape] state.

At worst, he could simply inscribe the Layered-Origin Tide Breath-Absorption Method onto the Myriad-Dharma Marvelous-Insight Treasure Wheel. Could he still fail to get started?

"Since that is your decision, wait here a moment. I will fetch it for you."

The man sighed faintly and did not try to persuade him further.

He had fulfilled his duty to inform him. Whether this junior brother listened or not was the other party's own fortune and had nothing to do with him.

The man had seen quite a few high-spirited and arrogant people like this junior brother today. Naturally, he knew what they were thinking.

What a pity. He simply lacks experience and has never seen how high the true heavens are. Otherwise, he ought to understand my painstaking intentions.

The man thought to himself.

To choose a cave abode, one had to go to the Heavenly Craft Tower, nearly sixty or seventy li from the Dao Canon Tower.

By the time he arrived,

Even though Lu He had already become a Qi-Feeding cultivator, he still felt utterly exhausted.

"This place is far too damned large. I need to exchange for an escape technique as soon as possible. Otherwise, when I go out to hunt demons in the future, am I supposed to run myself to death?"

He panted lightly, thinking to himself.

Not long after,

Lu He staggered out of the Celestial Crafts Pavilion, a cave abode token now in his hand.

In his other hand, he tightly gripped his identity jade plaque. It now contained only six Dao merit.

"Sigh, even the lowest-grade cave abode requires five Dao merit every month. Once I'm settled, I need to find a way to earn Dao merit quickly. Otherwise, I may not even have a place to live."

Lu He let out a faint sigh.

At that moment, he finally understood why Senior Brother Jin had told those people to enter the Qi-Feeding Realm as quickly as possible.

Without entering the Qi-Feeding Realm, there was evidently little chance to earn Dao merit.

And without Dao merit, one truly could not take a single step.

Passing through the Celestial Crafts Pavilion and following the river deep into the valley was the direction of Lu He's cave abode.

Who knew how long he walked.

Suddenly, crisp jingling sounds rang through the air.

Then,

"Brother Lu!" A somewhat cold and stiff voice came from ahead.

Lu He looked up. On a winding, tangled stone path to his left, more than a dozen people were hurrying down the mountain.

At their head were the seven Inner Garden seeds who had boarded the ship last.

Within only a few breaths, they reached Lu He.

"Qin Lie, remember to catch up quickly."

The enchanting woman in the red dress walking amid the seven parted her crimson lips and abruptly called out a reminder.

Then, as if recalling something, she slowed her steps, turned to give Lu He a slight nod, and regarded him with an almost imperceptible scrutiny in her gaze.

"Brother Qin, what are you doing?"

Lu He shifted his gaze from the group gradually moving away and looked instead at Qin Lie before him.

"Senior Sister Gu and the others have a map showing the distribution of Demon Race settlements on the island.

"We're planning to strike early, while the others have only just arrived on Prodigy Island and have not yet settled in, and clear out all the Demon Race members in the surrounding area below the third level of Qi-Feeding."

Qin Lie smiled, but a trace of helplessness soon appeared on his face.

"Who would have thought that seeds from the other factions would have the same idea? Quite a few teams even set out two or three hours ago."

"Brother Lu, time is tight, so I'll take my leave first. We expect to return next month. Then we can find some time to gather."

With that,

He cupped his hands, then hurried off to catch up with the others.

Where he stood,

"Tsk, they truly are descendants of immortal Dao clans. Their connections are broad indeed—they even have a map of Demon Race distribution. And this is Rosy Perch Mountain..."

Lu He unconsciously glanced up the mountain.

The cave abodes here were not cheap. They cost a full fifty Dao merit every month.

Everyone had only just arrived. Apart from purchasing Dao merit with spirit stones at the Heavenly Craft Tower, he truly could not think of where this group had obtained their Dao merit.

That was right. Senior Brother Jin had also omitted one rule.

Dao merit could also be bought with spirit stones at the Heavenly Craft Tower. The price was fair, neither cheating the old nor the young—five low-grade spirit stones for one Dao merit, with each person allowed to purchase only fifty Dao merit per month!

If this rule had nothing to do with those immortal Dao clans, Lu He would not believe it even if beaten to death.

Its purpose was self-evident.

Still, knowing was one thing; Lu He did not feel much about it.

Prodigy Island had been opened by them, and even the vast majority of its resources had been provided by them. If they did not seek some conveniences for their own descendants, that would be strange instead.

If Lu He were in their place, he would do the same.

He even felt that the opening had been made somewhat too narrow.

"They must be wary of the Three-Nine Dao Palace. Otherwise, those immortal Dao clans..."

Lu He vaguely guessed the reason.

Wait! Qin Lie and the others also seemed to have come down from Rosy Perch Mountain just now. Could it be... the benefits for a team were actually this good?

As if realizing something,

An uncontrollable trace of envy flashed across his face.

Then again, for them to be so generous, what they sought was likely no small thing.

Coming back to his senses.

Lu He headed for his cave abode on his own.

Half an hour later.

A cave abode hidden deep within a bamboo grove faintly came into view. Beside it flowed a clear river more than ten zhang wide, its waves surging as dense water vapor filled the air.

This was the cave abode Lu He had spent nearly half an hour choosing at Heavenly Craft Tower.

The surroundings were tranquil, and it stood by the river—perfect for cultivating the Layered-Origin Tide Breath-Absorption Method.

Rumble—

Amid the heavy sound of shifting stone, the cave abode's thick stone doors slowly opened.

In an instant, dense and pure spiritual essence, so rich it had condensed into mist, rushed toward him.

Lu He felt every pore across his body open at once.

Within his dantian, the divine radiance in the Vermilion Essence Spring abruptly began flowing faster, ceaselessly giving rise to new strands of mana.

"This is... way too absurd, isn't it?"

Lu He froze where he stood.

He had not even begun cultivating actively. Simply relying on the Vermilion Essence Spring's spontaneous operation already produced effects several times greater than actively cultivating in the Medicine Garden. Was that reasonable?

Yet the next moment.

Lu He quickly came to his senses.

"Five Dao merits per month converts to twenty-five low-grade spirit stones..."

Putting it that way, it seemed they were still losing out a little.

Of course, they had no choice. Without a cave abode, they could not even enter the Void Mirage Realm, and they would be eliminated outright three months later.

Standing where he was, Lu He took a deep breath and slowly walked inside.

At the same time, Dao patterns lit up across the surface of the token talisman in his palm, and the cave abode's doors rumbled shut behind him.

Soon.

He had looked over the entire cave abode.

Its internal layout was more or less the same as the one he had at the Medicine Garden, except the space was several times larger, and there was an additional room suffused with dense misty light.

Upon its door, the three ancient Dao characters—"Void Mirage Realm"—flickered in and out.

"Void Mirage Realm?"

Standing before the door, Lu He could not help but feel a trace of curiosity rise within him.

He remembered Senior Brother Jin mentioning that there were three major ways to earn Dao merits, one of which was the Void Mirage Realm.

His gaze flashed.

Without the slightest hesitation, Lu He stepped inside, his figure vanishing into the vast mist.