Spirit Embryo Enters Dao and Evolves Nine Energies, A Clever Wife Finds It Hard to Cook Without Rice

Heng Hua descended to the study on the second floor, calculating the top three levels of cultivation techniques he had created so far.

Qi Refining had nine layers, divided into three steps.

The early stage involved breathing and circulating energy to cultivate Internal Breath. The middle stage refined essence into Qi, cultivating Immortal True Qi. The late stage strengthened Divine Sense and awakened Spiritual Perception.

Once True Essence was abundant and Spiritual Perception was complete, one could step into Foundation Establishment.

These nine layers of cultivation technique were equivalent to the first level, "Spirit Embryo Realm," within the Creation Yuan Convergence Technique.

The immortal stone hides nine apertures, Bodhi understands the Dao's truth; the netherworld severs life and death, riding clouds into the heavenly palace; a riotous banquet of immortal peaches, refining the heart ape in the furnace.

After completing the nine layers of Qi Refining, the Heavenly Gate of Foundation Establishment would truly mark the beginning of cultivation. Because the nine layers of Foundation Establishment were far more difficult than the nine layers of Qi Refining, the cultivation world further divided the nine layers of Foundation Establishment into three stages: Foundation Establishment, True Fire, and Mysterious Embryo.

The first three layers, Foundation Establishment, were for establishing the cauldron, nurturing the Dao Foundation, and refining Immortal True Essence.

The middle three layers, True Fire, nurtured the spirit, refined Samadhi True Fire, and transformed gaseous Magical Power into the form of Jade Fluid.

The last three layers, Mysterious Embryo, planted the Dao, regulating the Kan Li, using Jade Fluid to nourish the Yellow Bud, and forming the Mysterious Embryo to hold the core.

After these three realms and nine layers of Foundation Establishment, came the Golden Core Great Dao.

Heng Hua's Creation Yuan Convergence Technique had produced three layers of cultivation techniques to complete the three realms of Foundation Establishment.

Currently, he had fully developed "Five Elements Mountain" and "Intent Horse Realm." The subsequent fourth-level technique and the fifth-level Golden Core technique were still only conceptual.

"Although I have created the most supreme Foundation Establishment method, when it truly comes to dissolving my cultivation and starting over, I still can't help but hesitate."

Heng Hua's Evergreen Technique had shown signs of "Internal Heart Fire." If he continued to cultivate diligently for a period, he could also refine Samadhi True Fire.

This cultivation method had accompanied him for decades, and the thought of abandoning it easily brought a hint of reluctance.

Suddenly, a distracting thought arose in his mind: The Heavenly Script techniques were difficult. Why not take a small step back and cultivate using Earth Canon Immortal Incantations? The Earth Canon created without tribulations. With my talent and family support, becoming an immortal is within reach.

Then, another thought emerged: When creating one's own techniques, how could they be as complete as existing immortal incantations? Fufeng Immortal Palace was destroyed fifteen hundred years ago, and the Fufeng Immortal Scripture scattered among various families. If I could gather the fragmented pieces from each major family and repair them, I could inherit the Fufeng Dao lineage and re-establish an immortal palace.

Distracting thoughts surfaced and sank in his mind.

Heng Hua silently circulated his spiritual power, suppressing the burgeoning distractions, using his Wisdom Sword to cleave through the thorns, and reaffirming his Dao heart:

I have been reborn not to live a life of timid preservation.

Since I have already set my sights on the Heavenly Script's orthodox path, how can I easily back down?

Tribulation is difficult, but it is also a tempering.

Without experiencing tribulations, how can one achieve Dao?

Having reaffirmed his Dao heart, Heng Hua calmly instructed, "Heng Shou, go fetch a batch of jade materials. I need to forge another Jade Robe. Oh, and prepare Spirit Wood to craft a Small Coffin."

"..."

After waiting for a moment and seeing Heng Shou make no move, he frowned, "Why aren't you going yet?"

Howling Fish explained for him, "Young Master, we're out of money."

"On credit. With my status, the clan will agree."

The Fu Family cherished talents like Heng Hua, who transmitted scriptures and developed techniques, treating him far better than Fu Xiangfeng and others.

Howling Fish said helplessly, "Young Master, you've forgotten. You are a professional scripture transmitter and technique developer. The resources the clan allocates to you are all for longevity, replenishing Qi, and nourishing the spirit type of Pills."

Talents who transmit scriptures and develop techniques do not need to go out and fight. Their position in cultivation families and sects is akin to that of a Transmission Elder guarding the library.

Their cultivation is unfathomably deep, guiding numerous juniors, and their status is highly revered.

They do not need to worry about Pills or spirit stones because everyone will prioritize supplying them.

However, Magic Treasures and divine weapons for self-defense and combat have nothing to do with them.

If they don't need to fight, how can they get high-grade Magic Treasures?

Heng Hua thought of his predicament, and his expression turned grim.

Howling Fish was right. His grandfather's lifespan was nearing its end. Let alone the fact that the major clans would not allow him to waste those spiritual materials on crafting artifacts, even within their Baihuang Hall, everyone was preparing for their upcoming relocation, leaving little for him to squander.

Even more terrifying situations occurred to Heng Hua.

"Now, with my grandfather's doting affection and the Magic Treasures left by my father and mother, I can still keep them. If my grandfather were to pass away, I fear these might also be 'borrowed' by clan members for others to use in external battles."

Magic Treasures are classified into four grades: Magic, Treasure, Spirit, and Immortal.

Magic Tools are imbued with a cultivator's True Essence and spiritual power, inscribed with talismans and spiritual scripts, making them the lowest grade, mostly used for transition.

After reaching Foundation Establishment, one can collect heavenly materials and earthly treasures, nurturing and refining them day and night until they merge with one's mind and spirit. Such artifacts are called Treasure Tools.

Further progressing, after reaching Golden Core, Treasure Tools are imbued with spirits, becoming Spirit Tools. These Magic Treasures possess their own sentience, absorbing and expelling spiritual energy from heaven and earth, no longer requiring constant nurturing by the cultivator.

As for Immortal Tools, they are for those who have achieved immortality.

The Fu Family has produced many Golden Core cultivators, so Spirit Tools are not lacking. Fu Heng Hua's father, in his time, also received a Spirit Tool as a reward from the clan. Later, Fu Danwei shed his pride and persuaded others in the clan to yield, tacitly allowing Fu Heng Hua to temporarily possess it.

However, if his grandfather were to die, Fu Heng Hua, merely as a technique demonstrator, would likely not even be able to keep this Spirit Tool.

But the clan did not intend to take it back for nothing.

According to what Fu Danwei had once revealed.

If Fu Heng Hua himself broke through to Golden Core, that would be fine. If he could not break through, the Great Elder of the Fu Family would, in the future, request a "Kan Li Silver Spirit Pill" to forge a False Core for Fu Heng Hua.

If a False Core is formed, there will be no hope of further advancement in this life. However, one can still enjoy a lifespan of fifteen hundred years, just like a cultivator who has achieved a Golden Core.

Perhaps it's cruel, directly severing a person's future potential.

But Fu Heng Hua understood this clearly in his heart.

As a fifth-grade spirit pill, the Kan Li Silver Spirit Pill was not something the Fu Family could prepare in a short time.

Not only would it require favors from the family and several alchemists, but a large quantity of rare heavenly materials and earthly treasures would also be needed for its refinement.

Many members of the Fu Family, despite their lifelong efforts, could not obtain the family's assistance to get a False Core. Yet, he had already secured one.

It could be said that the Fu Family treated him well.

But this preferential treatment meant he would have to remain under the family's protection for his entire life.

"Like a queen bee or ant queen, enjoying sustenance, but the price is eternal freedom."

Heng Hua shook his head inwardly, "I was reborn for a reason, not to become a queen bee or ant queen."

He wanted to achieve enlightenment through his own efforts.

Otherwise, what was the use of creating this Heavenly Script-level Foundation Establishment technique?

Did he really intend to lock it away and be a tool for practicing techniques his entire life, only to hand it over to some genius a few hundred years later and play the role of an old man passing down knowledge?

After some thought, Heng Hua said to Howling Fish, "Go ask Aunt Lan if I can go clean my grandfather's treasury again and help him store some things."

"..."

Howling Fish and Eternal Longevity wore strange expressions.

You've never returned anything you've "stored" for the old master before.

Howling Fish replied, "Aunt Lan said that the old master has been watching things closely lately, so it might not be convenient to go."

How much had Heng Hua, this internal thief, pilfered from the old master these past few years?

It was only because the old master doted on his grandson and those items weren't particularly valuable that he couldn't be bothered to pursue it.

If Fu Danwei were truly angered, he would drag out the library and administer a beating.

To prevent the young master from being punished, Eternal Longevity pondered, "The family doesn't have many restrictions on jade materials. If we can gather some previously discarded gold threads, we can barely make another Jade Robe. However, a coffin to avoid calamities... that would be difficult to obtain."

Heng Hua rubbed his chin, "I remember that old Nanmu tree in the back mountain, it's been six hundred years since it matured, right?"

The Hundred Wood Spirit Appraisal states: "Plants and trees are nurtured by heaven and earth, absorbing the essence of the sun and moon, nourished by the earth's mountains, and bathed in the wind and rain. A hundred years can make them mature."

It also states: "Camphor and Nanmu wood are hard and resistant to decay, possess a unique fragrance, and have a long lifespan. Wood matured for three hundred years is a third-grade treasure wood. Another two hundred years elevates it to second-grade. Another two hundred years makes it first-grade wood."

Eternal Longevity smirked, "Young Master, you intend to use that old Nanmu tree? That tree is already six hundred and ninety-seven years old."

In three more years, it will become a first-grade treasure wood. If you were to take it now... this act of extravagance, are you not afraid the old master will beat you to death? Moreover, that was one of the first trees planted after Baihuang Hall established itself on Panlong Island.

Heng Hua waved his hand, "You two know my situation, even if others don't. Why did I painstakingly create cultivation techniques? This 'Spirit Concealing Wood Coffin' to avoid calamities is essential.

"Besides, the Jade Robe cannot be made with inferior materials. What good are those discarded gold threads? What if something goes wrong?

"We're short on money right now. Starting next month, deduct a little from my allotted pills and sell them."

Perhaps it was a coincidence, or perhaps it was tacit understanding. The elders who passed down techniques in major sects and the practitioners of techniques in various families would secretly hoard a portion of their pills during their cultivation. They would use these to exchange for heavenly materials and earthly treasures to refine private magic treasures.

Even if we are trash who only practice techniques, we still have a warrior's heart!

Fu Heng Hua was merely a junior in the field of technique practitioners. However, the unwritten rules of his predecessors were perfectly embodied in him.

He had been selling hoarded pills these past few years to supplement the costs of his experiments.

After speaking, Heng Hua glanced at the two behind him.

Howling Fish and Eternal Longevity were personally chosen by his mother, He Yuhua. They possessed good cultivation talent and had grown up with Fu Heng Hua since childhood, making them trusted confidantes.

Suddenly, Heng Hua sighed softly, "It's a pity you two achieved Foundation Establishment so early."

Eternal Longevity and Howling Fish had grown up with him, spending decades together, and quickly grasped Fu Heng Hua's train of thought.

Foundation Establishment Pills fetch a high price when sold -> They didn't use Foundation Establishment Pills to achieve Foundation Establishment -> Therefore, their Foundation Establishment Pills could be sold for money.

Seeing their young master's gaze becoming increasingly strange, Howling Fish and Eternal Longevity felt a sense of foreboding.

"Actually, if you two were to suffer qi deviation and regress in your cultivation, requiring you to re-establish your foundation... I can help you beg for new Foundation Establishment Pills."

Re-establish our foundations? We have to dissipate our cultivation and start over?

Howling Fish and Eternal Longevity exchanged glances, seeing the terror in each other's eyes.

They didn't have the young master's perfectionism, striving for the absolute best.

They had achieved Foundation Establishment with Xuan-grade cultivation techniques, and their cultivation progress was no worse than that of ordinary Fu Family members, which was already satisfactory.

Heng Hua lowered his head, contemplating, "Howling Fish's Water Flowing Immortal Art still has room for improvement. Eternal Longevity's Mountain Spirit Scripture also has room for refinement."

In a flash of inspiration, he had a brand new idea, considering the improvement of their cultivation techniques.

Howling Fish said decisively, "Young Master, let's focus on how to cut down the tree. No one usually guards the back mountain."

Eternal Longevity added, "I remember there's a Jade Axe in the treasury."

"You two..."

Heng Hua was a little helpless.

"Although the meridians reversing due to dispersing one's cultivation and starting over is a bit painful, isn't it a good thing to cultivate a higher-level technique afterward?"

A bit painful?

Howling Fish thought silently.

She had served the young master for decades and had seen several Fu Family members disperse their cultivation. The pain had made them cry out to the heavens, shaking Langhuan Pavilion. The severe cases couldn't get out of bed for three days and three nights.

Eternal Longevity wasn't afraid of pain, but he had no intention of experiencing the torment of reversed meridians and shattered Dao Foundation for no reason. His young master was a rare anomaly in this world.

"Fine, I'll put chopping down trees on the backup plan for now. Let's stick to the old methods. Eternal Longevity, I'll give you a few more cultivation techniques. Sell them—it would be best if someone commissioned them specifically for themselves."

Eternal Longevity: "What if something goes wrong again?"

"It's fine. Just demand a higher deposit. Once everything is prepared, I'll come to collect the payment after I've restarted my cultivation."

Perhaps it was Heng Hua's good luck. In five days, Eternal Longevity sold several cultivation technique manuals and purchased a large batch of jade materials.

Eternal Longevity: "We have the jade materials, but there's still no news on the gold thread or treasure wood. Young Master, why don't we go to Buried Turtle Reef to undergo our tribulation?"

"Leaving the island is unsafe, and that place isn't under the Fu Family's control. If we go now, we'll have to kill again. That's not good, not good."

Buried Turtle Reef was in the middle of Yanlong Waters, a very special place. Heng Hua speculated that it was a natural place to avoid tribulations.

However, Buried Turtle Reef was plagued by water bandits, and he didn't plan on going there anytime soon.

Heng Hua examined the accounts, sighing, "No one is willing to commission custom techniques? What a bunch of unappreciative fellows. They'd rather seek incomplete, low-grade techniques from major Immortal Dao sects than trust my business. Are those great sects' techniques suitable for their physiques? They're just trash swept out by the major sects!

"A cultivation technique is only best when it matches oneself."

While that's true, which cultivator would trust an unknown technique master?

At that moment, Howling Fish came in with the gold thread, smiling, "The young master's skill in demonstrating techniques is high, but the clan deliberately conceals it. How much do outsiders know? Once you achieve success and become a great cultivator of the Immortal Dao with a Golden Core, people seeking cultivation techniques from you will likely break down the doors of our Panlong Pavilion."

Heng Hua's expression softened slightly.

Eternal Longevity looked at the spool of gold thread, confused, "Where did this come from?"

"The Second Madam acquired a new batch of gold thread to make treasure robes for the Old Master, the various Masters, and the young masters. I shamelessly asked Aunt Lan to get me a spool first, and I promised to replenish the weaving room by the end of the month."

"Aunt is making treasure robes again?"

Heng Hua was slightly surprised, but upon seeing the gold thread, he immediately cast his doubts aside.

"Good, good, as long as we have the gold thread. I'll make it up to Aunt later. Quickly, you two go bathe, we'll start immediately."

The tribulation-avoiding attire for the Creation Yuan Convergence Technique required not a single trace of human presence.

Any worn treasure robe or immortal robe, because it carried a trace of life force, would strengthen the power of the heavenly lightning. Heng Hua had experimented repeatedly, ruling out feather robes, straw capes, iron armor, and bronze skin, finally settling on the "Jade Robe."

After burning incense and bathing, the three of them took their positions.

Eternal Longevity shaved the jade materials into pieces the size of mahjong tiles.

Howling Fish wove the jade pieces with the gold thread.

Finally, Heng Hua carved spiritual inscriptions onto the surface of the jade pieces.

The three of them worked carefully, not daring to let a single wisp of aura contaminate the Jade Robe.

They knew this from experience.

Even a slight trace of life force would double the power of the heavenly lightning.

This time was different from before; it was the crucial artifact for Heng Hua to truly disperse his cultivation and begin anew, so they absolutely could not be careless.

It took the three of them three days to finish making the "Gold-Threaded Jade Robe."

"Tonight is the night."

Heng Hua put away the Jade Robe and looked at the full moon that had just risen above the clouds.

"Tonight is the fifteenth, the timing is right. Let's go to the back mountain. Eternal Longevity, bring the Jade Axe and chop down that nanmu tree to make a coffin."

The night of the first or fifteenth of the lunar month was the time to avoid tribulations. It had to be windless, rainless, and thunderless, either during the dark of the moon or when the moon was high and bright.

The location had to be a spiritual acupoint, free of weeds and kindling, and far from water sources.

Then, dig a pit and bury the coffin. The person would wear the Jade Robe and lie inside, holding their breath to confuse the heavenly dao's senses, thereby successfully completing the first stage of Spirit Embryo Realm cultivation.

Addendum:

The Donglai Miscellaneous Records states: Eight hundred li east of the middle of Yanlong Waters lies Buried Turtle Reef. When a Spiritual Turtle's lifespan ends, it swims to this place to await its demise.