Closed-Door Cultivation

Sunset Forest.

Youquan brought Baishuang and Zhuang Yanyan to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

"This place is so beautiful," Zhuang Yanyan sighed.

"This is an excellent place for closed-door cultivation. Let's cultivate to level 10 first, then we'll go hunt Spirit Rings," Youquan said.

"Alright, we'll listen to you." Baishuang nodded. She had never imagined that one day she would be able to cultivate and become a Spirit Master.

"This is a senior's herb garden. He and his granddaughter often come here for closed-door cultivation. Senior Dugu's granddaughter, Sister Yanzi, is a very kind older sister. I'll introduce you when there's a chance. If you see Senior Dugu or Sister Yanzi, just say you're my friends. Don't be afraid. But many of the herbs here are difficult to find outside, and some are highly poisonous, so be careful. Don't go near the spring at the center for now. You've only just started cultivating, and it's rather dangerous there." Afraid that the two sisters would grow bored while she refined medicinal pills, Youquan hurriedly informed them of the dangers here.

"Don't worry. We won't wander around." Afraid of causing trouble for Youquan, Baishuang merely looked around curiously and did not dare touch anything.

"When we have time, I'll show you around properly." Youquan took out a scroll and began writing down the Heavenly Gang Profound Ice Cultivation Method.

After finishing, Youquan began considering what cultivation method would suit Baishuang's martial soul.

I remember that the Ancient Clan's cultivation method, the Ancient Saint's Treasure Scroll, and its paired Battle Skill, the Ancient Emperor's Mirror, seem perfectly suited to Sister Shuang's martial soul. With that thought, Youquan copied the cultivation methods for the Ancient Saint's Treasure Scroll and the Ancient Emperor's Mirror onto the scroll.

Afterward, Youquan altered the formula for the Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid according to the differing cultivation methods of Soul Power and dou qi, refining a version suitable for Spirit Masters.

After spending half a day, Youquan finally had everything Baishuang and Zhuang Yanyan needed prepared.

Holding the cultivation methods and Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid, Youquan went to Baishuang and handed the Ancient Saint's Treasure Scroll and Ancient Emperor's Mirror to her, while giving the Heavenly Gang Profound Ice Cultivation Method to Zhuang Yanyan.

"What are these?" Baishuang and Zhuang Yanyan asked at the same time.

"Cultivation methods that will help you cultivate. The other one in Sister Shuang's hands is a skill suited to you. It's also called a Battle Skill, though you can think of it as a Soul Skill. As for Yanyan's, I'll teach it to you once you've mastered converting the power of water into the power of ice," Youquan explained.

"Cultivation methods? Can Soul Skills also be obtained from somewhere other than Spirit Rings? I've never heard of that." Baishuang looked curiously at the scroll in her hands.

"Of course. It would be far too narrow-minded to rely solely on Spirit Rings. You can understand it as Self-Created Soul Skills being recorded so that others can learn them," Youquan said after thinking for a moment.

Baishuang and Zhuang Yanyan nodded as though they understood, staring at the scrolls in their hands.

Youquan had already modified the two cultivation methods to suit Spirit Masters: "Cultivate according to what's written on them. I'll assist from the side."

"Alright. Sorry to trouble you, Sister Youquan."

"Thank you, Sister Youquan."

"Let's begin." Youquan smiled and sat cross-legged across from them.

Baishuang and Zhuang Yanyan likewise sat cross-legged and began carefully studying the cultivation methods Youquan had given them.

The two scrolls already contained the Soul Force Youquan had infused while writing them. Baishuang and Zhuang Yanyan quickly learned both cultivation methods, then began circulating them to absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.

Very soon, the two discovered that cultivating through these methods was several times faster than cultivating through meditation.

Baishuang and Zhuang Yanyan opened their eyes in delight and looked excitedly at Youquan. "Sister Youquan, I learned it! This cultivation method is incredible."

Zhuang Yanyan nodded, her eyes sparkling.

"With these cultivation methods and the Spiritual Liquid, you'll soon become true Spirit Masters. Keep it up!" Youquan encouraged them.

"Will using medicinal pills to increase our strength leave any hidden dangers?" Baishuang asked uncertainly.

"No. The Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid is meant to help you build a foundation. I also have two kinds of medicinal pills that are well suited to you. They can help speed up your cultivation, but they may cause some pain. You can think it over," Youquan explained.

"There's no need to think it over. We trust you. Besides, if it can speed up our cultivation, what does a little pain matter? We also want to grow stronger soon, get into Spirit Hall Academy, and take control of our own fates." Baishuang and Zhuang Yanyan exchanged a glance before speaking resolutely to Youquan.

"Alright. This is Ice Spirit Paste, suitable for Yanyan. This is Windwalk Paste, suitable for Sister Shuang." Youquan handed each of them a bottle of medicinal paste. "Apply this to your bodies. It will speed up your cultivation, but it will be extremely itchy and painful during the process," Youquan warned them. She had used Fire Spirit Paste herself before, and that memory remained unforgettable even now.

After exchanging a glance, Baishuang and Zhuang Yanyan nodded firmly. "We're not afraid!"

Youquan took out another bottle of medicinal pills. "This is the Wind Spirit Pill. It can also speed up cultivation. Its effects last for two hours, and it's best not to interrupt your cultivation during that time, or there will be side effects. But this place is very quiet, so there's no need to worry about that."

Baishuang and Zhuang Yanyan accepted the medicinal paste and pills. After swallowing the Wind Movement Pill, they applied their respective pastes to their bodies and stepped into the wooden tubs Youquan had prepared. The tubs contained diluted Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid suited to their cultivation.

Very soon, Baishuang and Zhuang Yanyan understood what Youquan meant when she said the process would be painful. Although their cultivation speed increased severalfold, the places where they had applied the medicinal paste felt as though they were being gnawed by insects and ants, accompanied by occasional stinging pain.

But when they thought of their experience at House Count's Manor that day, Baishuang and Zhuang Yanyan gritted their teeth and endured it. Their resolve to grow stronger was unwavering.

Seeing that the two had entered the proper rhythm of cultivation, Youquan began considering what shortcomings she still had aside from her low Soul Power.

"Looks like it's time to cultivate the Heavenly Swan Nine Movement Wings and Three Thousand Lightning Movement." Youquan murmured. With these two Battle Skills, she would have two more means of saving her life.

Youquan looked at the two girls gritting their teeth as they cultivated and murmured, "I'll wait until they adapt a little more before going. Who knows how long I'll have to wait for a thunderstorm to gather Wind-Thunder Force? It would be best to find a lightning-attributed Soul Beast."

As for Soul Beast wings, the wings she and her teacher had used in the past had belonged to the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan. Their speed remained remarkable even after she became a Dou Saint.

Youquan recalled that she had seen in the Soul Beast Compendium that fast Soul Beasts capable of flight included the Soul Chasing Swallow, Needle-tailed Swift, Azure Shadow Phoenix, and others. There was also a dragon-type Soul Beast. Thinking that she might have to meet Elder Ziyan in the future, it would be better not to use dragon wings. Youquan set her sights on the Azure Shadow Phoenix.

"I remember that Azure Shadow Phoenixes only exist in the Star Dou Great Forest, not Sunset Forest. I should first find a way to cultivate Three Thousand Lightning Movement." Youquan sighed and muttered.