Cultivating a New Meditation Method

Luo Lin did not linger and immediately returned to his stone house.

Only after closing the door and activating the soundproofing array did he truly let out a sigh of relief.

The tension and danger of thirty days in the secret realm finally receded like a tide, leaving behind the relief of surviving disaster and the satisfaction of returning fully laden.

Luo Lin first carefully examined himself, confirming that no hidden dangers had been left behind by the teleportation or within the secret realm.

Then, he began taking stock of his gains from this journey into the secret realm.

The three most important items were the first ones he took out:

The Water Elemental Essence sealed inside a lead box,

The scroll containing the Star Source Meditation Method,

And the Mind-Calming Silverleaf.

Feeling the unique energy fluctuations emanating from them, Luo Lin's heart was filled with satisfaction.

Next, he laid out his other gains one by one:

Voidstone Shards, Dragonblood Ink, those mysterious metal plates of unknown use, all manner of crystals and materials unique to the secret realm, as well as the incomplete Fading Light Meditation Method scroll.

These various gains covered the tabletop, each representing his adventures and efforts within the secret realm.

The Water Elemental Essence in particular was valuable enough to tempt any Official Wizard.

After finishing the inventory, Luo Lin carefully sorted and stored away all the items.

Next, he had an important choice to make.

According to the announcement before the selection, he could use the Elemental Essence to exchange for the qualification to obtain a First-Circle Meditation Method from a designated faction.

It was a safe choice. It meant he could immediately obtain a legitimate advanced method and, with the Mind-Calming Crystal, have a high chance of successfully advancing to an Official Wizard.

However, he now possessed the Star Source Meditation Method.

This path was far more difficult and dangerous, but its potential was limitless.

Should he choose safety, or take a gamble?

With almost no hesitation, Luo Lin's gaze became resolute.

He stroked the cold scroll, sensing the vast artistic conception contained within.

With his panel and Efficient Scholar, he was confident he could venture down this extraordinary path!

Luo Lin decided to keep the Water Elemental Essence and the Star Source Meditation Method, giving up the chance to exchange for a legitimate meditation method.

Once this decision was made, it meant he would lose the academy's support regarding meditation methods and have to explore this ancient path entirely on his own.

But Luo Lin did not regret it. If he did not use his cheat ability in a situation like this, was he supposed to waste it on things that were utterly ordinary?

After making his decision, he immediately began planning his next steps.

First, Luo Lin needed to return to the Gray Tower Outpost as soon as possible.

The conditions there were harsh, but the environment was relatively simple, making it more suitable for him to carefully study and prepare for his advancement.

Moreover, he had been gone for a long time and needed to return to hand over his duties.

Luo Lin did not rush to report the details of the secret realm to Wizard Eric and Wizard Stone. He merely sent a brief message through a runestone, informing them that he had returned safely, that his gains were decent, and that he wished to return to the Outpost as soon as possible.

The two wizards did not ask further questions and simply told him to make his own arrangements.

Before leaving the Arcane Academy, Luo Lin visited the logistics department. He exchanged some of the less important secret realm materials for a large amount of contribution points, then purchased a batch of basic materials for researching runes and brewing potions, along with introductory books on astrology, ancient runes, and soul contracts.

He needed to build up sufficient knowledge for cultivating the Star Source Meditation Method.

Several days later, Luo Lin once again stepped onto the teleportation array back to the Gray Tower Outpost.

When the familiar air, carrying the scent of blood and metal, flooded his nostrils, he unexpectedly felt a trace of inexplicable reassurance.

Captain Holm was delighted to see him return safely.

After hearing his brief account of the dangers in the secret realm, he regarded Luo Lin in a new light.

Upon returning to his crude stone house, Luo Lin immediately began his secluded cultivation.

He first spent several days completely healing the hidden injuries left by the secret realm and adjusting his mental state to its peak.

Then, Luo Lin began an in-depth study of the Star Source Meditation Method.

This scroll was extraordinarily profound. Many of its concepts and methods differed vastly from the modern meditation methods he knew.

Relying on Literacy and Efficient Scholar, he parsed and deduced it word by word, sentence by sentence.

Luo Lin learned that the first step in constructing a Natal Star was to choose a Star Core location within the Mental Sea. Then, using one's spiritual power as a guide and combining it with a specific visualization secret art, one would attempt to communicate with the stellar power of the corresponding star, draw it down, fuse it with the Star Core, and gradually ignite and construct it.

This process was exceptionally dangerous.

Stellar power was vast and tyrannical, far beyond ordinary energy. The slightest mistake—drawing down too much stellar power or failing to control it properly—could cause the Star Core to collapse and damage the Mental Sea.

The scroll emphasized that for the first drawing, one had to choose a star with relatively gentle energy and proceed in an environment where one's spiritual power was full, one's mind was tranquil, and external interference was at its lowest.

Luo Lin's gaze turned toward the batch of crystal gravel he had collected and the Mind-Calming Silverleaf.

Following the arrangement method for the Dim-Light Star-Gathering Array recorded in the scroll, he carefully set up a simple array inside the stone house using the crystal gravel.

The instant the array took shape, the energy within the room seemed to become slightly more orderly, and its affinity with stellar power improved by a faint degree.

He prepared the Mind-Calming Silverleaf to hold in his mouth while drawing down stellar power, stabilizing his mind and resisting possible mental shock.

As for which star to draw upon, he repeatedly studied the simple star chart included with the scroll and the descriptions of several basic stars. In the end, he chose a star named "Dawnstar."

According to the description, this star's power was relatively gentle. It symbolized beginnings and guidance, making it suitable as the starting point for constructing a star chart.

All preparations proceeded in an orderly fashion.

Luo Lin knew that attempting to construct a Natal Star would be the greatest gamble he had taken since embarking on the path of a wizard.

But his will was firm, and he feared nothing.

Before officially beginning, he had one last matter to handle.

The Water Elemental Essence and the Mind-Calming Crystal.

He did not intend to use them directly for advancement, but such pure sources of energy might serve as stable external energy supplements while constructing the Star Core, or be used to stabilize his Mental Sea at a critical moment.

Luo Lin placed the two items within easy reach, then slowly closed his eyes. His consciousness sank into his Mental Sea as he began his first attempt to draw down stellar power according to the Star Source Meditation Method.

Inside the stone house, the Dim-Light Star-Gathering Array emitted a hazy glow. Baha stood quietly by the door, its dark golden eyes full of vigilance.

At this moment, Luo Lin sat cross-legged at the center of the array, his eyes shut. His breathing was deep and steady, while his consciousness had completely sunk into the tranquil Mental Sea that had already reached its limit.

Luo Lin did not rush to begin. Instead, he first repeatedly purified and organized his spiritual power according to the method recorded in the Star Source Meditation Method.

The foundation laid by the Perfect Meditation Method now displayed its tremendous advantage. His spiritual power was condensed, like the finest threads, tracing an arcane path through his Mental Sea under the guidance of his will. This was the foundational preparation for constructing the Star Core.

At the same time, Luo Lin visualized the Dawnstar Chart recorded on the scroll.

It was a star that was not particularly dazzling, yet constant and clear, as though it could disperse fog and guide one's way.

His will was highly focused, attempting to cross the endless void to sense and capture that unique fluctuation of stellar power belonging to Dawnstar.

This process consumed an immense amount of mental energy.

His Mental Sea became a vast resonance chamber. Like a stone cast into calm water, his will continuously sent invisible ripples outward, searching for that faint response.

Time slowly passed. The consumption of his spiritual power began to intensify, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

Had it not been for the support of the Perfect Meditation Method, an ordinary apprentice would likely have already exhausted their mind.

Baha guarded the door. Sensing the condensed yet ethereal fluctuations of will emanating from Luo Lin, its dark golden eyes were filled with tension.

Who knew how long passed? Just as Luo Lin felt that more than half his spiritual power had been consumed and his will was beginning to scatter, an extremely faint yet strange fluctuation carrying an ancient, chilly, guiding quality seemed to pierce through the barriers of endless time and space, producing an almost imperceptible resonance with the ripples of his expanding will.

Found it!

Luo Lin's mind jolted. Without the slightest hesitation, he immediately followed the method recorded in the scroll, locking all his focus onto that trace of resonance. His spiritual power condensed to an unprecedented degree and surged wildly into the location he had outlined beforehand at the center of his Mental Sea.

Construct the Star Core!