novelraw Chapter 886 - 517: Cultivation Technique for the Third Stage of Qi Cultivator
Chapter 886 - 517: Cultivation Technique for the Third Stage of Qi Cultivator
Zhang Chen was not afraid of most malevolent spirits, at least not afraid of the majority; rather, he was wary of various Divine Techniques that carried the power of rules, fearing the specific power of Divine Techniques.
Facing the unknown and eerie, Zhang Chen dared not fly in his bat form any longer, instead landing on the Ice Ship to manifest into a physical form. Only in his physical form could Zhang Chen deploy all his Divine Techniques and maximize his capabilities.
A scream pierced the air as Zhang Chen steered the Ice Ship toward the sound, his eyes scanning the icy waters with caution as he navigated the ship through the depths.
The screams grew increasingly clear, and familiar words floated in the air: "Help! Someone save me!"
Wu Changming’s shrill screams echoed in the seawater. Although he was an eighth-tier Yin God Strong Person, he was no match for the boundless sea, unable to withstand the steady erosion of his Divine Soul by the seawater’s power.
When Zhang Chen’s Ice Ship gradually approached and he saw Wu Changming struggling and tumbling in the seawater, a hint of astonishment flashed in Zhang Chen’s eyes: "What kind of monster is this? How can the apparition of Wu Changming be completely identical to the real one? From aura to essence, everything is exactly the same."
A trace of astonishment flitted across Zhang Chen’s eyes, his True God Golden Light circulating within his gaze, yet he couldn’t discern any flaw in the apparition—it was entirely identical to Wu Changming.
But this was the Second Heaven of the Spiritual World; how did that old man Wu Changming possess the ability to reach the Second Heaven of the Spiritual World?
Thinking that Wu Changming had such talents, Zhang Chen found it hard to believe. Could that old man truly reach the Second Heaven of the Spiritual World? Could he be comparable to the Ancient Saints and Sages?
"Zhang Chen! How did you end up here? Hurry up and save me!" Wu Changming, amidst the seawater, finally caught sight of Zhang Chen, his eyes fixated on him as he urgently called for help.
"What kind of monster is this? Could it be that it has seen through my heart? Why would it manifest Wu Changming, the old man, to confuse me? And even if it wanted to calculate against me, it should have manifested my family, such as Zhang Tuowei or Chengyu." Zhang Chen’s eyes glimmered with Golden Light as he tried to discern the ’origins of Wu Changming,’ while his mind raced with various thoughts.
Just as his thoughts were swirling, the Wu Changming in the river water cursed: "Why are you still dawdling? Hurry and save me! I’ve just obtained the Technique for the Third Realm of Qi Cultivation from the Yellow Heaven Dao. Quickly bring me aboard, I’m about to pass it on to you."
"Such a delusion! It actually knows the chinks in my heart and wants to use them to harm me. Knowing my urgent desire for the follow-up formulas of Qi Cultivation Technique, it dares to tempt me with them." Various thoughts flitted through Zhang Chen’s mind, yet without batting an eye, he maneuvered the Ice Ship closer, curious to see what trick this apparition wanted to play.
Wu Changming, bedraggled, climbed aboard the Ice Ship, looking at Zhang Chen with disbelief:
"How on earth did you end up in this Spiritual World? Hmm, could it be that you’re an evil demon born from this Spiritual World, trying to manifest someone familiar to deceive me? But that can’t be right either, I’m not even familiar with you, so why would it manifest in your form?"
Wu Changming stared at Zhang Chen, a look of skepticism and uncertainty etched on his face.
Listening to Wu Changming’s words, Zhang Chen felt speechless; it was his first time hearing a master say he wasn’t familiar with his disciple.
Gazing at Wu Changming, Zhang Chen asked, "Did Master say he obtained the formulas for the Third Realm of Qi Cultivation Technique?"
"I accomplished great deeds in the Northern Land, and the Great Virtuous Master wanted to take the credit, seize my achievements, and couldn’t deny me a reward. I thought it through, and since the Yellow Heaven Dao was filled with resources for the Divine Dao that were of no use to me now that I’ve abandoned it, I simply chose the Qi Cultivation Technique formulas, hoping to achieve something on the path of the Divine Soul Dao. Thus, I seized the chance to peruse the Celestial Book for Qi Cultivation Technique. Unfortunately, my aptitude is dull, and when the Celestial Book reached the Fourth Realm, it involved the Law of Heaven and Earth, which could only be comprehended but not forcefully recorded, so I could only memorize the cultivation formulas for the Third Realm." Wu Changming explained.
Wu Changming’s words sent a shiver through Zhang Chen’s heart: ’When the Qi Cultivator formulas reach the Fourth Realm, they can’t be memorized and must be comprehended from the Celestial Book? This only adds numerous complications for me.’
"I kindly ask Master to teach me the formulas for the Third Realm of Qi Cultivation Technique," Zhang Chen said.
Wu Changming looked him up and down: "Teaching the formulas isn’t urgent. I’ll test you first to see if you’re an evil specter of the Spiritual World. After all, this is the Second Heaven, you shouldn’t be here regardless of the circumstances, should you? How many days have you been cultivating? How much Dao Practice have you achieved, to reach the Second Heaven of the Spiritual World? Could it be that your talent is on par with mine, comparable to the Ancient Saints and Sages?"
"After all, throughout history, only a handful can rival my talent. How could you, young lad, compare?" Wu Changming’s eyes were filled with suspicion and uncertainty.
Hearing Wu Changming’s words left Zhang Chen utterly speechless. Why did this fellow’s thoughts match his own so perfectly?
The two looked at each other, Zhang Chen staring at the Yin Spirit of the opposite Wu Changming, unable to detect the slightest flaw—it looked just like the real Wu Changming.
Facing Wu Changming’s confusion, Zhang Chen said, "I was just cultivating and then somehow, in a daze, ended up here. I don’t know how I got into the Second Heaven of the Spiritual World. What is the Third Realm mantra that Master mentioned?"
Upon hearing Zhang Chen’s words, the corner of Wu Changming’s mouth twitched. For a moment, he was at a loss for words. What does it mean to cultivate and just end up in the Second Heaven of the Spiritual World? This is the Second Heaven of the Spiritual World, a place where those who have entered are few and far between throughout history! If the other party just stumbled in while cultivating, then what does that make me?
Wu Changming glanced at Zhang Chen. He couldn’t discern Zhang Chen’s authenticity either, but since it’s just the Third Realm mantra of Qi Cultivation Technique, after all, no one in this world can actually cultivate it. No matter the other’s origins, what difference does it make if he passes it on?
The crucial point is that he is now trapped in the Spiritual World and needs to rely on the other to find a way out of this boundless sea; otherwise, his situation might turn dire.
Even if the other is a malevolent being, being able to communicate is still an opportunity to break this deadlock.
Therefore, he dared not provoke the other. Even if the person is indeed a strange entity within the Spiritual World, the other has evolved Zhang Chen’s form based on his spiritual fluctuations, he wouldn’t dare to expose him.
Faced with Zhang Chen’s inquiry, Wu Changming said, "The mantra for cultivating the Third Realm primarily aims to refine a Primordial Spirit. Listen carefully to the mantra, I will teach it to you now."
Wu Changming didn’t beat around the bush and recited the mantra for cultivating the Third Realm. Zhang Chen listened attentively to Wu Changming’s description. After the thousands of words of the mantra were fully recited, Zhang Chen stood on the Ice Ship with a contemplative look:
"Although this Qi Cultivation Technique is the Third Realm mantra, it is far more than just the Third Realm. The process is divided into: Civil and Martial Fire - Advancing and Retreating Yin Rune - Gathering Primordial Spirit. Once the Primordial Spirit is refined, it corresponds to a cultivator of the seventh tier in Divine Soul Dao with Yin Spirit. Yet, the strength of the Primordial Spirit is vastly superior to the Yin Spirit, even possessing some abilities of the Yang God." Zhang Chen pondered.
He practiced at the Five Villages Temple for ten years, often listening to the teachings of the Ancestral Master of Longevity and frequently discussing wonderful techniques in cultivation with various senior brothers, now considered a person of broad vision, he already has some understanding of the Third Realm mantra for Qi Cultivators.
Once the Primordial Spirit is gathered, Zhang Chen estimated it should involve cultivation at the level of the ’Dao,’ no wonder Wu Changming couldn’t record it, likely due to restrictions in the Celestial Book.
The fact that Wu Changming in front of him could actually recite the true mantra of the Third Heaven of Qi Cultivators made Zhang Chen feel somewhat uncertain: "Is the Wu Changming before me truly the real Wu Changming, or is he a strange evolution within this world? If the latter is true, then this bizarre entity must be incredibly powerful!"
Wu Changming looked at the contemplative Zhang Chen and had a similar thought in his mind: "The Zhang Chen before me seems so lifelike, it’s hard to believe he’s false. If he’s an evolved malevolent being, he’s excessively realistic. Whatever the other’s origins, the most important thing for me is to find a way out."
This Second Heaven of the Spiritual World is indeed extremely bizarre.
"Let’s see if I can detect some hints from his words and find a way back," Wu Changming silently pondered.
"Disciple, when did you come in?" Wu Changming probed.
"Almost a year ago," Zhang Chen returned to awareness and replied.
"Have you found any creations? Anything valuable discovered?" Wu Changming probed further:
"Why is this Spiritual World just an endless sea? The air seems to contain a unique power that suppresses the Ten Thousand Techniques, yet I have no clue about its rationale?"
"This seawater comes from a higher tier in Heaven and Earth, from the tear of the Heaven-Opening Water Spirit, flooding the Second Heaven of the Spiritual World. As for why it can suppress the Ten Thousand Techniques, it’s because this place is near the central pillar of the Second Spiritual World, which contains the power to suppress the Ten Thousand Techniques. Master, your Divine Techniques not working is quite normal," Zhang Chen said with a smile.
Hearing Zhang Chen’s words, Wu Changming took a cold breath: "A tear flooding a world? What kind of terrifying existence is this? Even a legendary Twelfth Tier being might not be able to achieve such a feat."
Then he calmly said, "Do you know how to return from within the Spiritual World? Ever since I entered the Spiritual World, my mind and will have been suppressed, losing the power to return, trapped in these tears suffering day and night, life has been tough."
"To move forward, one just needs to break through the Divine Power in the air," Zhang Chen replied, then looked at Wu Changming with surprise: "Does Master wish to return?"
"I’ve been here for half a month now, and I’m unsure about my physical state. Do you have any means to dispel the Divine Power?" Wu Changming seemed indifferent as he asked, his voice without any ripples, as though he did not care about the matter at all.