Spell Cultivation

Song Wen found the cultivation manuals for the Fireball Technique and Shield Technique. He planned to cultivate these two techniques first, as they would greatly improve his combat prowess and ability to survive.

Song Wen began with the Fireball Technique. To ordinary mortals, the Fireball Technique possessed tremendous power and a strong deterrent effect.

Following the spiritual energy circulation path of the Fireball Technique, he moved the spiritual power within his body and tried to condense a fireball, but he failed several times in succession.

Just as he was about to try again, a disturbance suddenly sounded outside the room.

Song Wen listened closely and realized it was Auntie Chen, the servant, delivering breakfast.

He hurriedly stopped cultivating and intercepted her.

"Auntie Chen, Master is still in seclusion and must not be disturbed. Just give me the food boxes."

Auntie Chen glanced several times toward the second floor but saw no sign of activity. She nodded and handed both food boxes to Song Wen, muttering under her breath.

"Immortals really are amazing. They can go a whole day and night without eating and not get hungry."

After sending Auntie Chen away, Song Wen did not return to his room. He wolfed down breakfast in a few bites and began practicing the Fireball Technique right where he was.

This cultivation lasted an entire day.

Whether Song Wen was exceptionally gifted in spells, or whether the Fireball Technique and Shield Technique were simply easy beginner-level spells to cultivate, no one knew.

In just one day, Song Wen mastered both spells.

However, the fireball Song Wen cast was only fist-sized, still far from the head-sized fireball described in the manual. Song Wen was not anxious. He knew that with more practice, he would surely be able to gradually increase the Fireball Technique's power.

The fireballs Song Wen cast could strike whatever target he pointed at within seven zhang, and they were extremely fast. Beyond seven zhang, his accuracy declined greatly, and at too great a distance, opponents could easily evade them.

The Shield Technique formed an invisible, transparent protective barrier around the body, much like the divine body-protecting arts from films and television in his previous life. Song Wen had tested it with a dagger. Even when he stabbed with all his strength, he could not pierce the barrier.

The Shield Technique was a sustained spell. As long as one had abundant spiritual power and it was not forcibly shattered, it could remain active indefinitely.

Having successfully cultivated both spells, Song Wen finally felt a measure of security. At last, he had some ability to deal with dangers that could arise at any moment.

After turning away Auntie Chen when she came to deliver breakfast again, Song Wen returned to his room and slept until noon.

He walked outside the courtyard gate and spoke to the captain of the guards stationed there.

"Master has emerged from seclusion. During this seclusion, Master's cultivation made a major breakthrough. He is still stabilizing his suddenly increased cultivation, so guard the gate well. Do not let anyone enter, lest they affect Master's stabilization of his realm."

After saying this, Song Wen headed outside.

But the captain called after him. "Young Master Song, where are you going?"

"By Master's orders, I'm going to purchase some high-quality medicinal herbs," Song Wen replied without turning his head.

After taking two steps, Song Wen seemed to recall something. He stopped and turned back.

"Master wants Young Gang Leader Tang Liang to come to the small building at the hour of Xu tonight. Master intends to teach him the true method of cultivation. Help me pass the message to the Young Gang Leader."

"I will certainly deliver the message," the captain replied respectfully.

After leaving the Heavenly Baleful Gang, Song Wen wandered the streets for a while. His sharp senses gave him the faint feeling that someone was following him.

He put on an act and entered a large apothecary, purchasing precious medicinal ingredients such as ginseng and deer antler.

Then he entered a restaurant and left through its back door, successfully shaking off the person following him.

Heavenly Baleful Gang main hall.

A subordinate was reporting to Tang Yinian.

"Gang Leader, Elder Extreme Yin has emerged from seclusion, but outsiders are still forbidden from entering. Elder Extreme Yin also said that the Young Gang Leader is to go there at the hour of Xu, when he will teach the Young Gang Leader the methods of immortal cultivation."

Tang Yinian narrowed his eyes and looked toward his son beside him.

Feeling his father's gaze, Tang Liang said with some confusion, "What is Extreme Yin up to? Before, whenever I asked him to teach me immortal arts, he always hemmed and hawed. This time, he is taking the initiative to offer them."

Tang Yinian nodded. "This matter is indeed somewhat suspicious."

He looked at his subordinate and continued, "Did Elder Extreme Yin say this himself?"

The subordinate shook his head. "No. Elder Extreme Yin's disciple, Song Wen, conveyed the message on his behalf."

"Ever since Elder Extreme Yin emerged from the alchemy cave residence two days ago and entered the small building, our people have not seen Elder Extreme Yin again."

"Each time Auntie Chen delivers food, she only brings it to the ground floor before Song Wen stops her. The guards around the courtyard have not seen Extreme Yin leave either."

Upon hearing this, Tang Yinian furrowed his brows tightly and remained silent for a long while.

Tang Liang, meanwhile, had a cold glint flash through his eyes. Ever since his failed attack on Song Wen, he had remained uneasy, fearing that Extreme Yin would come looking for trouble. Yet more than twenty days had passed in perfect calm.

That allowed him to breathe a slight sigh of relief.

He had not dared tell his father about attacking Song Wen.

If Tang Yinian learned that he had acted against Extreme Yin's disciple and even failed, he would surely be deeply disappointed in him. His position as Young Gang Leader might very well be lost. Tang Yinian had no shortage of sons.

After a moment, Tang Yinian said doubtfully, "What in the world is Extreme Yin plotting?"

"And what has Extreme Yin's disciple been doing lately?" Tang Yinian continued.

"After Elder Extreme Yin emerged from seclusion, he had Song Wen stay on the second floor for more than an hour. After Song Wen came downstairs, he remained on the first floor, standing guard for Elder Extreme Yin."

"However, starting yesterday, this person suddenly began practicing spells. A guard saw him cast a fist-sized fireball."

A look of shock flashed through Tang Yinian's eyes. Song Wen had learned a spell so quickly, far beyond their expectations.

The spells wielded by immortal cultivators were truly terrifying. In terms of attack power alone, they were even stronger than innate martial artists, and they could strike from afar.

For a martial artist of exceptional talent to cultivate to the innate realm, they needed at least thirty years of unrelenting training, along with countless sums of money and heavenly treasures.

Yet an immortal cultivator could reach, in only two or three months, heights that the vast majority of martial artists could never attain in their entire lives. It was truly enough to inspire envy and jealousy.

Of course, that did not mean a newly initiated immortal cultivator like Song Wen could completely crush an innate martial artist. His weaknesses were obvious: his methods were limited, and he lacked actual combat experience. Innate martial artists, on the other hand, had all gone through countless life-and-death battles, finding breakthroughs again and again at the edge of death.

The outcome between the two sides would still depend on factors such as the battlefield, the timing of their attacks, and their mental state.

The subordinate continued, "At noon today, Song Wen left the Heavenly Baleful Gang alone. He seemed to know our people were following him. The men tracking him failed to keep up and were shaken off. His whereabouts are now unknown."

Tang Yinian grew somewhat angry. "Hmph, a bunch of useless fools. You cannot even handle a brat fresh from the cradle."

The subordinate immediately turned pale with fright and dropped to his knees. "This subordinate has failed in his duty. Please punish me, Gang Leader."

Tang Yinian glared. "What use is punishing you? Why aren't you sending more men to find him? I want to see exactly what tricks this master and disciple are playing."

Having received the Gang Leader's orders, the subordinate hurried out to arrange manpower.

After the subordinate left, Tang Liang asked, "Father, should I still go to Elder Extreme Yin's tonight?"

Tang Yinian nodded. "You must go. We still have to give Extreme Yin face. To be safe, I will accompany you tonight. But before we go, we need to make some preparations."