Chapter 187 : Dual Cultivation
Chapter 187: Dual Cultivation
Shang Jianfei explained, "That cave dwelling has built-in restrictions. It can only be opened by someone who has cultivated the 《Blazing Sun Divine Art》. Moreover, experts above the Divine Repository Realm cannot enter it."
"The key is hidden in the very core. However, anyone who has cultivated the 《Blazing Sun Divine Art》 cannot approach it. According to the Sea-Calming King’s estimations, it requires the combined effort of three First Grade experts to retrieve the key."
Hearing this, Chen Ming immediately understood—it was clearly a design laid out by the Eternal Life Emperor.
Speaking of which, what kind of technology was used to construct that cave dwelling?
Not only did it come with built-in Gang Qi authentication and intelligent restrictions, but it had also remained functional for thousands of years without damage.
For the current Great Jin Dynasty, this was undoubtedly high-end alien technology.
Chen Ming thought that the power ceiling of this world likely far exceeded the bounds of martial arts.
He asked, "I see. Then, how do I open that cave dwelling?"
Shang Jianfei finally turned his gaze to the woman in his arms. "This trip is fraught with danger. Are you really going to bring her along?"
Chen Ming glanced at Yu Haitang, who was pretending to be unconscious with her eyes closed, and replied, "I have my reasons for bringing her."
"Very well."
Seeing that, Shang Jianfei didn’t speak further and beckoned him over.
Chen Ming stepped forward. When he took the fourth step, it was as if he had passed through a membrane. A wave of intense heat surged from the ground as if flames were burning beneath his feet.
He felt like the soles of his shoes were melting.
The temperature here was at least seventy to eighty degrees. If not for the fact that his cultivation method was inherently fire-based, he might not have been able to endure it.
He had been slightly doubtful of what the two had said earlier, but now he no longer had any doubts. There must truly be a fire vein underground, about to erupt.
Shang Jianfei said, "Do you see that black stone? Place your hand on it and inject your true qi."
Chen Ming had already noticed the black stone between the two of them.
Just then, with a loud boom—
The entire house was lifted into the air by an invisible force. Dozens of people from outside rushed in and surrounded the four of them.
Judging by their appearance, they were waiting for Chen Ming to open the cave dwelling so they could rush in and snatch the key immediately.
Under everyone’s watchful gaze, Chen Ming extended his hand and pressed it against the black stone, infusing it with the true qi of the 《Primordial Fire True Art》.
In an instant, the black stone emitted a faint glow.
He felt as though the stone had life—it was like a container that continuously absorbed his true qi. Within moments, the glow intensified.
After injecting about thirty percent of his true qi, the stone seemed to ignite. With a rumble, the ground cracked open, revealing a pitch-black entrance.
"Why is no one going in?"
Chen Ming waited for a while. Seeing that no one moved, he was puzzled. He had expected a mad rush, but no one made a move.
Then, a hoarse voice rang out, "Young Master Chen, please go ahead."
Only then did Chen Ming realize that they were waiting for him to enter first to test the way.
Fair enough, these people were indeed cautious. No wonder they were from powerful forces.
He believed that everyone who had entered must have had a Divine Repository Realm expert leading them. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have made it this far.
Having such an expert in command already signified a top-tier force in any province.
Chen Ming said nothing. He gripped the “Soaring Phoenix Sword,” glanced at Shang Jianfei and Yuan Zhixing, and said, "This junior is going in."
Then, with a light leap, he jumped into the pitch-black entrance.
…
Hot!
So hot!
Chen Ming felt like he had entered a furnace. The surrounding air was like burning flames, and his clothes were on the verge of being scorched.
At the same time, he felt as if he had returned to a womb—the flames were like amniotic fluid, continuously nourishing him. His true qi surged with joy, recovering at dozens of times the usual rate.
It felt amazing.
This place was practically his home turf.
Chen Ming even sensed his cultivation subtly rising. Opening his panel, he saw that the experience of the 《Five Elements True Art (Incomplete)》 increased slightly every few seconds.
At this rate, he could break through to Third Grade within a few months.
Just then, he heard movement behind him—others were entering.
Chen Ming was about to dodge aside when suddenly, a hand pressed on his shoulder, and a melodious voice rang out, "Young Master Chen, please accompany us."
As she spoke, a soft light lit up in the dark—a luminous pearl.
He turned and saw who had touched him and didn’t dare resist.
The person wore golden robes, clearly a Third Grade Inspector from the Six Doors Authority—a minimum of Third Grade expert.
The one who spoke was a radiant palace-dressed maiden, smiling gently while her eyes shifted toward Yu Haitang in his arms.
If he guessed correctly, this maiden should be Princess Mingyu. Only she had the status to stand beside someone in a red robe from the Six Doors Authority.
Chen Ming noted that only two gold-robed members from Six Doors were present, plus Princess Mingyu, totaling three. Zhao Shouchang wasn’t with them.
Before he could say anything, the other six factions also descended. They kept a cautious distance, taking out various light sources to illuminate the cave.
These seven groups remained highly vigilant of each other yet restrained. Clearly, no one intended to start a fight before the key was found.
Seeing Chen Ming under Six Doors’ control, the other six groups said nothing.
"Young Master Chen, please lead the way."
It was still that hoarse voice from an elder whose affiliation was unclear, though Chen Ming could feel the hostility.
He said nothing, surveyed the area, and found himself in a large karst cave. Ahead lay a deep tunnel leading who knows where.
He circulated his qi to recover his depleted Gang Qi and stepped forward.
The golden-robed Inspector loosened his grip.
Though his hand remained on Yu Haitang’s back, he no longer infused Gang Qi into her. He found it unnecessary.
Yu Haitang was now absorbing the surrounding fire energy. Unknowingly, she had already condensed the true qi of the 《Primordial Fire True Art》 within her.
This meant not only was her injury nearly healed, but she had also successfully dual-cultivated this art.
Chen Ming breathed a sigh of relief. With this burden lifted, his chances of survival increased. When the opportunity arose, he would deliver her to Lady Yu...
Just as he thought that, he suddenly felt a stream of true qi reverse-flow from her back into his palm’s Laogong acupoint.
It was the purest wood-attribute Gang Qi.
"What’s this supposed to mean?"
Startled, he instantly noticed a slight difference between her wood-attribute Gang Qi and his own. Before he could study it, his fire-attribute true qi "ignited" it.
That stream of true qi burned away—leaving nothing behind.
No—
Chen Ming quickly noticed the change.
The resulting fire-attribute Gang Qi after the burn had become more refined and agile.
"It can work like this?"
He immediately understood. According to the Five Elements theory, wood generates fire. Her wood-attribute Gang Qi had triggered a subtle transformation in his own.
This was essentially a form of “dual cultivation”!
Yu Haitang continuously transmitted the Gang Qi of the 《Primordial Wood True Art》 to help him refine his fire-attribute Gang Qi.
Chen Ming glanced at his panel again and found that the experience gain of 《Five Elements True Art (Incomplete)》 had accelerated—growing every second.
In that case…
He suddenly extended his right hand and intertwined his fingers with hers. With a single thought, he transferred a thread of Gang Qi from the 《Primordial Water True Art》 to her.
Since wood generates fire, and water generates wood—
Conveniently, he had also cultivated the 《Primordial Water True Art》.
Yu Haitang’s body shuddered, and the flow of wood-attribute Gang Qi halted, a sign of her internal shock.
A few seconds later, it resumed.
And so, within their bodies, a perfect cycle formed.
Chen Ming’s water Gang Qi nourished her wood Gang Qi, which in turn purified his fire Gang Qi.
Their small interaction went unnoticed by others.
As they ventured deeper, the surrounding fire elemental energy grew increasingly intense, forcing everyone to activate their internal energy and use Defensive Gang Qi to resist the heat.
In this environment, others’ strength suffered. Only Chen Ming, who cultivated the 《Primordial Fire True Art》, felt at ease like a fish in water.
After walking about two or three li, a red glow appeared ahead.
Everyone paused instinctively, their pace slowing.
Chen Ming, however, quickened his steps. He sensed a familiar presence calling to him. The closer he got, the more active the fire-attribute Gang Qi became.
At the end of the tunnel, another vast karst cave appeared. A red vine hung from the ceiling, with a bead-like fruit at its tip, glowing with red light.
"Fire Origin Pearl!"
Seeing the red bead, Chen Ming immediately recognized it as the Fire Origin Pearl Shang Jianfei had mentioned.
It was formed by the purest fire energy condensed after absorbing the underground fire vein. His mission was to collect all such pearls and bring them out.
This would allow the cave to continue absorbing fire energy and prevent future eruptions.
Looking up at the red pearl, a strong desire surged in his heart—he wanted to swallow it.
Soon, the others arrived and stared at the Fire Origin Pearl with varying expressions.
Someone chuckled, "A bead formed of the purest fire energy—this is a treasure. Perfect for forging divine weapons."
The tone was mocking, clearly hinting at the pearl’s value with bad intentions.
Chen Ming recognized the speaker’s voice—it was someone from the Blood Demon Sect.
At this moment, the golden-robed Inspector finally spoke, "This place hasn’t been visited for over twenty years. There’s more than one Fire Origin Pearl. No need to damage harmony over it. Why not split them equally? This one shall go to Young Master Chen."
"Lord Jin’s proposal is excellent."
"I agree wholeheartedly."
"..."
Thus, the proposal was accepted.
Lord Jin turned to Chen Ming and said, "Young Master Chen, please proceed."