Cultivation Methods
Great Scarlet Heaven. Cloud Mist Cave.
A tea table stood across the platform in front of the cave, with tea brewing on a small red-clay stove atop it.
Fang Yu sat cross-legged at the table, drinking tea and admiring the scenery, his heart and mind refreshed.
Although he had not secluded himself here to cultivate over the past year, he had often brought furniture and other daily necessities over, and had rearranged the cave abode.
It was no longer as bare as it had been at first. Basic furnishings such as stools, a bed, and cabinets had been put in place, so he could rest and relax between cultivation sessions.
"It's time to start cultivating!"
After finishing a pot of tea, he put down his cup and sat cross-legged to cultivate.
Three months passed in the blink of an eye.
Fang Yu opened his eyes and felt another strand of Law Power condensed within him. A smile appeared at the corners of his mouth. At his current pace, he would reach the great perfection of the Qi Ingestion Second Layer in another ten years. If he disregarded the Metal Stone Immortal Sect's cave abode loan, he would probably need only three years to reach it.
"Ah! One loan really can ruin a lifetime!"
The smile vanished from Fang Yu's face. With a sigh, he gathered up the tea table and other things on the platform, put them inside Cloud Mist Cave, sealed the entrance, and disappeared inside.
Back in his cave abode on Flaming Mountain, he went to the Metal Fire Chamber as he had the year before and began forging this year's Metal Fire Stones.
He had considered simply ignoring the cave abode loan, but after careful thought, he had decided to keep paying it off.
His transmigration required a safe, private space. Without this cave abode, he would have to squeeze into a cramped room with others in the market's shantytown, where neither his privacy nor his safety could be guaranteed. If someone discovered that he often disappeared from his room, trouble would surely follow.
Besides, the very reason he had been "bewitched" into taking out a loan to buy a cave abode was to have a private space of his own. Now, returning to the shantytown was even more out of the question.
Of course, he had also considered simply leaving the Metal Stone Immortal Sect to become a Rogue Cultivator, but he had dismissed the idea. Though he had to toil like an ox or horse for the sect, forging Metal Fire Stones, he did not have to worry about his safety. If he left, life outside would not be nearly as safe.
Those Rogue Cultivators not only lacked a stable source of Spiritual Qi, but also faced all sorts of risks. They never knew when someone might kill them.
He was no good at fighting with Law Techniques, and once he lost the sect's protection, he feared he would not live much longer.
Most important of all, his goal was eternal life and lasting vision, and he could not do without Cultivation Methods to achieve it. If he left the sect, how would he obtain the subsequent Cultivation Methods?
Thus, even though he knew full well he was being squeezed dry, he could not leave rashly.
Besides, he only had to endure another twenty years and pay off the cave abode loan. Then he could devote himself fully to cultivating immortality. With the dense Spiritual Qi at Medicine King Ridge, he would soon make up for all the time he had lost.
Time passed amid the tapping and hammering, and before he knew it, another new year had begun.
As in previous years, he went to Fire Cloud Cave and chatted for a while with his fellow cultivators, whom he saw only once a year. This year, however, he would not treat them. After going to the Divine Maiden Pavilion alone to relax, he returned to his cave abode and began secluded cultivation.
Great Scarlet Heaven. Cloud Mist Cave.
The days of immortal cultivation passed quickly, and ten years went by in the blink of an eye.
Fang Yu sat cross-legged before the tea table, clouds and mist issuing from his mouth as he continuously drew in Spiritual Qi.
Suddenly, the Spiritual Qi around him gathered at great speed, making the hem of his robes flutter. A spiritual emanation rose from his body, and within his heart meridian, a third strand of Law Power successfully condensed.
"I've reached the Qi Ingestion Third Layer!"
Fang Yu opened his eyes, beside himself with joy.
There were seven layers of Qi Ingestion. Upon breaking through to the third, one could be called a Middle Qi Ingestion Stage cultivator and was qualified to cultivate Cultivation Methods meant specifically for combat.
Although he did not like fighting others with Law Techniques and only wanted to steadily raise his cultivation and pursue eternal life,
What immortal cultivator could resist those immensely powerful Cultivation Methods?
Besides, now that he possessed a high third-grade spiritual land, he had all the more reason to think of danger while living in peace.
Since Medicine King Ridge had Spiritual Qi and had even produced a tiger mountain lord that had become a demon, a local immortal cultivator might appear one day.
If that person tried to contend with him for the spiritual land, he could hardly hand it over with both hands!
Thus, he still had to learn a Cultivation Method for combat.
The next moment, his figure vanished. When he appeared again, he was back in his cave abode on Flaming Mountain.
He looked at the immortal calendar hanging in the cave abode: Year 2061 of the Near Ancient Era, Mouth Fire presiding, the second day of the second month, the dragon raises its head, great fortune throughout the world...
He went out, rode the clouds and mist, and arrived at Fire Cloud Cave.
Entering the cave, he swept his gaze over the desks of the deacons on duty, then went to an unoccupied deacon's desk with a wooden plaque reading "Han Feng" in front of it.
"Greetings, Deacon Han. I've advanced to the Qi Ingestion Third Layer and have come to report it!"
As he spoke, he handed over his outer disciple's token along with three Metal Fire Stones.
Deacon Han accepted them expressionlessly and glanced at him several times. Sensing the Qi Ingestion Third Layer presence about him, he began processing the paperwork.
A moment later, he handed the token back. "Done. You can go to the Scripture Pavilion and choose a Cultivation Method now!"
"Thank you, Deacon Han!" Fang Yu accepted the token and thanked him, then headed toward the Scripture Pavilion.
He had only taken two steps when a cold voice came from behind him. "At your age, don't touch any Cultivation Methods besides the Crimson Firmament Profound Craft Canon!"
Fang Yu stopped at once and turned to salute him. "Thank you for the reminder!"
The Crimson Firmament Profound Craft Canon was the Cultivation Method he currently practiced. It was classified as an External Alchemy Technique and, aside from minor everyday Law Techniques such as cloud riding, had no offensive power. It focused more on refining various external pills, and he only had the contents of its first two layers.
He had come to Fire Cloud Cave to report his advancement this time in order to obtain the subsequent Cultivation Method for the third through fifth layers, as well as to select one for combat.
Yet Deacon Han had warned him not to touch other Cultivation Methods. Presumably, seeing that he was already over forty, Han thought that if he divided his attention to practice other Cultivation Methods, he would no longer be able to advance any further.
After all, a Qi Ingestion cultivator's lifespan was only a hundred years, and he now had only sixty years left. If he devoted himself to the Crimson Firmament Profound Craft Canon, he might still advance to the Dao Foundation realm. Otherwise, there would certainly be no hope of reaching it.
It seemed his three Metal Fire Stones had not been given in vain. The man had sincerely offered him a warning.
If he did not have the Yuanchen Pearl, he certainly would not divide his attention by practicing other Cultivation Methods.
But now he possessed a high third-grade spiritual land. As long as he endured another ten years and paid off the cave abode loan in full, he would have plenty of time to cultivate.
By then, his progress would surely cover a thousand miles in a day. Never mind practicing one additional method-even a few more would certainly be no problem. He could break through to the mere Dao Foundation realm with his eyes closed.
Lost in thought, he arrived at the Scripture Pavilion and handed his token, along with three Metal Fire Stones, to a deacon on duty whose desk bore a wooden plaque reading "Tie Feng."
"Greetings, Deacon Tie. I've already reported my advancement and have come to collect the subsequent Cultivation Method!"
Deacon Tie accepted the token with a broad smile, but returned the Metal Fire Stones.
"So it's Junior Brother Fang. It isn't easy for you to forge Spirit Stones, Junior Brother, so there's no need for the Metal Fire Stones. Since you've advanced to the Middle Qi Ingestion Stage, you can naturally collect the subsequent Cultivation Method free of charge, and you may choose one additional Cultivation Method as well. Do you have one in mind, Junior Brother, or would you like me to help you choose a suitable one?"
Fang Yu looked at the Metal Fire Stones floating before him and knew he had met a good person. He dispensed with further courtesies and put the three stones away.
"I was just wondering what sort of Cultivation Method to choose. If Senior Brother Tie could offer me some guidance, I couldn't ask for more!"
"Hahaha!" Tie Feng laughed and rose to his feet. "No need for courtesy, Junior Brother. Follow me!"