Continuing Cultivation, Spiritual Power Abundant

I supported the spirit beast, walking step by step deeper into the valley. It was already dark, and the path underfoot was uneven. Every step I took sent a twinge through the wound on my calf. The spirit beast also walked unsteadily, its right hind leg dragging on the ground, but it didn't stop.

We passed through the slope, skirted around several large rocks, and finally reached the entrance of the cave dwelling. It was nestled against the mountainside, hidden by vines in front, making it difficult for outsiders to find. I settled the spirit beast in a dry corner and took out the last small piece of healing ointment from my storage bag.

The ointment was grayish and had a slightly fishy smell. I gently parted the fur on its leg and applied the medicine to the wound. The spirit beast flinched but didn't cry out. I placed my hand on its nape, channeling the last bit of my spiritual power into it, helping to guide the medicine into its meridians.

After doing all this, I was already breathing heavily. I leaned against the stone wall and sat down, closing my eyes. I felt completely drained. The words of the little demon before its death were still replaying in my mind—Black Mist Valley, lunar eclipse, sacrifice, underground...

It was too dangerous outside. Going out now would be suicide.

I opened my eyes and looked at the spirit beast. It was lying there, its ears twitching slightly, still on alert. I said in a low voice, "Rest and heal your injuries first. We'll worry about other things later."

With that, I moved to the center of the cave dwelling. A simple spirit gathering array had been set up here earlier. Although it was low-grade, it could speed up the accumulation of spiritual energy. I sat down cross-legged, placed my hands on my knees, and began to regulate my breathing.

As soon as I inhaled the first breath, a voice sounded in my mind.

[Detected host in low-power stable state, activating "Spiritual Meridian Retracement" auxiliary mode]

Immediately, an image appeared in my Sea of Consciousness. It was a diagram of meridian pathways, with several bright lines indicating the optimal routes for spiritual power circulation. Without hesitation, I immediately adjusted my breathing rhythm according to the diagram, slowly sinking my breath into my Dantian.

At first, I felt nothing. My body was too tired; spiritual energy couldn't enter or stay. I forced myself to concentrate, guiding the energy of heaven and earth from the Baihui Acupoint into my body, circulating it through the meridians again and again.

Half an hour later, a wisp of cool energy finally flowed down my spine. I grasped this energy, preventing it from dissipating, and slowly guided it into my lower abdomen. My Dantian began to warm up, like a tiny spark being reignited.

I knew this was the beginning of my spiritual power recovery.

For the next few days, I didn't leave the cave dwelling. During the day, I absorbed yang energy, and at night, I used the moonlight to nourish my soul. The System continuously pushed new breathing exercises, one of which was called Basic Guiding Technique - Refined Edition, requiring three inhales and one exhale, and Nine Revolutions Returning to Origin. I practiced it and found it particularly effective for clearing my meridians.

Especially the blockages left from the previous battle were slowly opening up under this set of techniques. Every time a node was cleared, a greater sense of smoothness would spread through my body.

The spirit beast was also improving. On the third night, it suddenly let out a soft cry. I opened my eyes and saw it standing in the moonlight, its horns glowing faintly. It nodded at me, signaling that I could switch cultivation methods.

I immediately switched to the night cultivation method, absorbing yin-attribute pure qi. This qi was gentler and suitable for repairing the spirit. As my breathing deepened, it felt as if a small opening had appeared above my head, and moonlight-like energy slowly poured into my mind.

Thus, day and night alternated, and my spiritual power surged like a tide. At first, it was a trickle, then it became a rushing river. I could feel the power in my Dantian growing thicker, each breath like compressing a ball of heat.

On the morning of the fifth day, I finished my practice and opened my eyes, noticing a faint golden light flashing at my fingertips. Looking down at my palms, I saw light seemingly flowing beneath my skin. This was not an illusion; it was a phenomenon that occurred when spiritual power reached a certain level of fullness.

I tried to stand up, and my body no longer felt weak. My steps were steadier when I walked, and even my breathing had become long and deep. The spirit beast came over and rubbed against my arm. I could feel the warmth radiating from it—its injuries were mostly healed.

"You've recovered quite a bit too," I said.

It let out a low sound and walked to the cave entrance, looking back at me.

I didn't follow. It wasn't time to leave yet. Although my spiritual power was full, it hadn't reached its limit. I wanted to push it further, to see if I could raise it another level.

I sat down again, closed my eyes, and entered a state of meditation. The System didn't prompt any new tasks or issue any rewards; it simply ran quietly, continuously monitoring my status.

I practiced for two more days. Every day, I repeated the same actions: inhale, guide, compress, return to origin. The spiritual power within me became more and more solidified, and its circulation speed increased. In the end, even without practicing the techniques, the spiritual power would circulate through my meridians automatically.

At noon on the eighth day, I concluded my practice for the last time. I opened and closed my palms, feeling the warm power deep within my Dantian. It was no longer restless or expanding, but spinning steadily, like an inextinguishable stellar core.

At this moment, the System's voice sounded in my mind.

[Host's current spiritual power reserve has reached theoretical peak, recommend maintaining current state and avoiding forced breakthroughs]

I nodded without speaking.

I knew what it meant. My current state was the best. Pushing any further might damage my foundation. Breakthroughs required the right timing.

I stood up and stretched my limbs. All my meridians were clear, my strength was abundant, and even my old injuries didn't hurt. The spirit beast walked over and lay down beside me, its breathing steady.

The cave dwelling was quiet. I could even hear the rustling of leaves outside. I sat in place, hands on my knees, my mind sinking into my body, checking the circulation pathways of my spiritual power again and again.

Everything was normal.

All preparations were made. The next step I took would touch that threshold.

I opened my eyes and looked outside the cave. Sunlight slanted in, falling on a bluestone slab on the ground. The stone's surface had some cracks, as if it had been shaken long ago.

The spirit beast suddenly raised its head, its ears perked up.

I also sensed it. The ground vibrated slightly, not caused by the wind. It came from deep within the mountain, intermittent, like something was tapping on the rock layers.

I stared at the bluestone slab, and a bit of dust fell from its cracks.