After bidding farewell to Xi Bazì and Sweet Potato Boy, Mu Bai hurried back to his cave abode on Hundred Flowers Peak. First, he took out ten Soul Crystals and placed them inside the Crow Cauldron, but still could not fill that great mouth crying to be fed. He really was poor, yet Mu Bai insisted on lofty principles and had no intention of using Zhou Dekai's ten thousand Soul Crystals.
"A hanged ghost powdering his face-suffering in life just to save face in death..."
Putting those thoughts aside, Mu Bai soon sat cross-legged and entered meditation. In the end, power was the foundation of everything; all else was merely drifting clouds. Mu Bai longed intensely to make an early breakthrough on the immortal race's path of Inner Core cultivation.
Looking inward at his meridians, he saw that the original roaming wisp of vital essence had grown considerably, a milky-white haze brimming with extraordinary spirituality. Through several months of practicing the Flying Immortal Scripture, Mu Bai had discovered that this vital essence within him also had a marked effect on tempering his sinews and bones and strengthening his mental power. Every time he awakened from his breathing exercises, his mind underwent a change akin to rebirth, while his limbs and bones all felt much clearer and more open.
Only after continuing this way for some time could Mu Bai refine pills during the day and sit cross-legged practicing his breathing at night. After a night of drawing in essence for Inner Core cultivation, not only was his physical and mental exhaustion dispelled, but he was even more energetic the following day.
For the next several days, Mu Bai put aside all distractions and drew in essence day and night. Had anyone been able to perceive Heaven and Earth Essence Qi,