The Path of Dual Cultivation

A vast torrent of information flooded into his mind. His head throbbed with excruciating pain, as though it were about to burst. But at the same time, he felt an unprecedented power welling up from the depths of his soul and spreading through his body.

"Ah-!"

Luo Feng could not help letting out a low roar, clutching his head tightly with both hands.

"Hold on!" Qin Yuan's voice turned stern. "This is something you must go through to awaken your Spiritual Force. Your soul is expanding right now. If you can't endure it, the best outcome is a failed awakening; the worst is damage to your soul. You have to make it through!"

Luo Feng clenched his teeth, desperately enduring the pain that threatened to tear him apart.

One second... two seconds... three seconds...

Time stretched endlessly in that moment. Every second felt as long as a century.

Finally, after an unknown length of time, the excruciating pain slowly receded like the tide.

Luo Feng opened his eyes and gulped for breath, his entire body drenched in sweat.

But he could clearly feel that he had changed.

The range of his perception had expanded severalfold. Even with his eyes closed, he could "see" every object within several dozen meters, and could even sense their minute internal structures. He could "hear" Qin Yuan's steady heartbeat, "smell" the dust in the air, and "touch" the flow of energy through it.

The whole world had become clearer and more three-dimensional to him than ever before.

"How do you feel?" Qin Yuan asked with a smile.

Luo Feng raised his head, a pale blue light flickering in his eyes. He looked at a stone in the corner and, with a thought-

The stone rose unsteadily into the air!

Although it rose only a few centimeters before falling back down, he had indeed controlled an object with his mind!

"I... I did it?" Luo Feng could hardly believe it.

"You did." Qin Yuan nodded. "You've now officially become a Spirit Reader. Although you're only at the most basic Apprentice Level, this is a good start."

He paused, then continued, "From now on, I'll teach you two paths of cultivation at the same time. One is the Martial Artist's path of genetic evolution, and the other is the Spirit Reader's path of soul cultivation. With both paths advancing side by side, your strength will grow far faster than an ordinary person's."

"Thank you, Master!" Luo Feng dropped to his knees in excitement and respectfully kowtowed three times.

This was an ancient Huaxia rite, representing the highest respect a disciple could show his master.

Qin Yuan accepted the salute without hesitation, then helped him up. "Rise. Since you've sincerely taken me as your master, I'll naturally teach you everything I know. But there's one thing you must remember-"

His expression turned serious. "You must not pass the cultivation techniques I teach you to anyone else. That includes even your closest family."

"I understand, Master!" Luo Feng nodded solemnly.

"Good." Qin Yuan smiled with satisfaction. "Now, I'll teach you your first cultivation technique. It's called the Fallen Star Technique, an excellent foundational technique in the universe, suitable for cultivation from Planetary Level through Star Level."

He began explaining in detail how to cultivate the Fallen Star Technique.

At its core, the Fallen Star Technique absorbed free energy from the universe to temper the body while strengthening the soul. It was an exceptionally balanced technique, avoiding the problems of a body too strong for the soul or a soul too strong for the body to bear. It was especially suited to someone like Luo Feng, who followed the path of dual cultivation.

Luo Feng listened, utterly entranced, committing every word Qin Yuan said firmly to memory.

The explanation lasted a full two hours. By the time Qin Yuan finished with the last key point, the sky had turned completely dark.

"That's all for today," Qin Yuan said. "After you go back, cultivate according to the method I taught you. If you have any questions, come to me anytime. In three days, I'll check your progress."

"Yes, Master!"

Luo Feng rose, bowed respectfully, and left the warehouse.

Qin Yuan watched him leave, a satisfied smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.

"System, show me Luo Feng's current status."

[Disciple: Luo Feng]

[Current realm: Apprentice Level Spirit Reader / Planetary Level physique]

[Gene Level: 10 times]

[Law Comprehension: None]

[Spiritual Force: Apprentice First Order]

[Master-Disciple Bond: Level 2 (Trust)-about to break through to level 3]

[Total cashback: 0]

"About to break through to a level 3 bond?" Qin Yuan raised an eyebrow slightly.

It seemed Luo Feng truly acknowledged him as his master from the bottom of his heart. The increase in bond level from level 2 trust to level 3 respect meant that Luo Feng had begun to regard him as a true mentor in life.

That was a very good sign for future master-disciple cashback.

"System, if I personally guide Luo Feng in combat, can I speed up his growth?"

[Yes. Practical combat guidance is approximately 300% more effective than teaching theory alone. It is recommended that the host take Luo Feng to the Outer Domain Battlefield or a secret realm for practical combat training after he reaches Planetary Level.]

Qin Yuan nodded.

The Outer Domain Battlefield was indeed a good place. It had countless powerful members of alien races, and the fighting was extremely intense, making it an excellent place to hone one's strength and acquire resources. In the original story, Luo Feng had truly grown only after experiencing countless life-and-death battles on the Outer Domain Battlefield.

But it was still too early to talk about that. Luo Feng had not even officially broken through to Planetary Level yet. At the very least, Qin Yuan would have to wait until Luo Feng mastered the Fallen Star Technique and truly stepped across the threshold of the universe's cultivation system before considering the Outer Domain Battlefield.

"System, open the shop. I want to see if there are any resources suitable for Luo Feng at his current stage."

[Shop interface opened.]

[Filter: suitable for Apprentice Level/Planetary Level, priced within 1,000 points.]

[Search results:]

1. Fallen Star Technique cultivation resource pack-500 points

Contents: Energy Crystals ×100, Soul Crystals ×10, Law Comprehension Guidance Stone ×1

2. Spiritual Force weapon (elementary): Psychic Throwing Knives-300 points

Properties: Can be controlled with mental power; exceptionally sharp; suitable for Apprentice Level Spirit Readers

3. Genetic Evolution Fluid (improved version)-800 points

Effect: Increases the existing Gene Level by another 3-5 times, with no side effects

4. Combat Simulation Space (elementary)-600 points per session

Function: Provides practical combat training in a virtual space; pain is simulated at 100%; death results in immediate exit, with no actual injury

Qin Yuan's gaze swept over the list before settling on the fourth option.

The Combat Simulation Space. This was practically a godsend for beginners!

Practical combat training in a virtual space with 100% realism meant one could fight at full strength without holding back, with no need to worry about injury or death. After experiencing life-and-death battles in the virtual space, one would not be thrown into a panic when facing a real enemy.

Besides, 600 points per training session was not expensive for him. He still had-

[Current points: 2,700]

(Initial 1,000 - Concealed Teleportation 300 + first disciple reward 2,000)

"System, redeem the Fallen Star Technique cultivation resource pack and two uses of the Combat Simulation Space."

[Redemption successful! Points deducted: 500 + 1,200 = 1,700]

[Remaining points: 1,000]

[The resource pack has been stored in the system space and can be retrieved at any time.]

[Combat Simulation Space uses ×2 received. To use, silently think "start simulation."]

Qin Yuan nodded in satisfaction.

These resources were enough for Luo Feng to cultivate from Apprentice Level to Planetary Level Peak. When he truly broke through to Planetary Level and triggered the first master-disciple cashback, Qin Yuan's strength would also increase accordingly.

Everything was proceeding according to plan.