Chapter 799 - 140: Stepping Carefully at the Precipice (Part 2)
When the Essence Qi initially entered his body, though it was fierce, it was convenient to guide. However, at this moment, due to the changes occurring, every operation felt like he was pushing a ten-thousand-pound boulder. Thus, he had to grind slowly and move carefully, expending a considerable amount of Heart and Qi Power, experiencing a sense of exhaustion with each acupoint traversed.
Fortunately, he understood that impatience would not work. With full patience and sincerity, he gradually pushed the Essence Qi to pass through the acupoints, changing the internal pathways.
After more than thirty days, when all the acupoints around his body had been operated through, he suddenly felt his body tremble and began to slowly levitate off the couch.
At this moment, the Essence Qi transformed once again!
This time, it was no longer heavy and cumbersome, but light, ethereal, and elusive, spreading thread by thread throughout his limbs and bones.
Previously, though the heavy Qi was difficult to move, at least it left a trace, always present and not disappearing.
But now he had to search all over his body to collect the scattered Qi Mechanism, which was more challenging than before, as it meandered like a swimming fish.
Reaching this point, even more so, he could not afford to be impatient. Zhang Yan held his breath and focused his mind, not thinking of anything else. He concentrated entirely on searching his body, looking everywhere for the Qi Mechanism, capturing the light and ethereal Qi scattered in various places, collecting it, even ensuring no tip or end was missed.
He searched everywhere in his trunk. As the Spiritual Energy gathered more and more, he vaguely began to feel a strange sense, as if he had a deeper understanding of his physical shell, with every subtle change becoming clear to him.
His body, in such cultivation, continued to rise higher, gradually reaching the top of the Cave Mansion.
The Mirror Spirit, fearing Zhang Yan would encounter an obstruction, gave a low shout, repeatedly casting a spell, and even expanded the Cave Mansion.
Another thirty days passed, and Zhang Yan successfully crossed this step.
At this moment, all the Essence Qi flowed continuously, softly and gently, out from the acupoints, surging like a tide, converging under his abdomen like rivers into the sea.
Zhang Yan looked inwardly and saw the Essence Qi finally gathering in a single place, settling in a Dan Acupoint like a luminous lake or secluded pond.
The God Contract Technique once stated that as long as this mass of Essence Qi was dispersed and then transformed through all the body’s acupoints, in a moment, he could achieve the Fourth Level of the God Contract!
But just as he was about to move, his body slightly trembled, and in the dark, he seemed to feel that if he stepped forward like this, some calamity or disaster was ready to entangle him.
This was an extremely mysterious intuition, impossible to say where it came from, but it rose from his heart nonetheless.
Zhang Yan was a cautious person and did not take unnecessary risks. He paused for a moment of contemplation and then stopped, pondering: "That sense of warning came mysteriously but must have some cause, there must be a reason behind it."
He thought for a while and then reached into his sleeve, holding the piece of Broken Jade, deciding to first use a technique to deduce the reality.
He sank his Heart and Spirit into it. After several hours, he retreated, with a thoughtful expression on his face.
Just now, he had deduced once that if he took this step, it would certainly create a great commotion. But, having an array protecting the Zhao You Heavenly Pond Cave Mansion, others would not perceive it easily.
The key, however, was that after reaching the Fourth Realm, even his appearance and aura would change slightly, uncertain if it could be restrained in a short time.
This was, after all, an Ancient Demon Sect cultivation technique. Disciples of the sect might not see anything, but a Great Power Expert, like a Cave Heaven True Master, would recognize it at a glance. If anything seemed amiss, there might be attempts to slay demons and eliminate evil.
Zhang Yan pondered this for a moment and then smiled slightly. To him, this matter was not much of a concern.
The reason he spent so much effort cultivating this spell was precisely so that when the Demon Tribulation came, it would protect him and preserve his life, a precaution for anything unexpected. Before reaching the Nascent Soul Realm in the Qi Dao, it was best to not step forward if not necessary.
Since he could take this step at any time, there was no need to rush.
But if it truly came to a life-or-death juncture, then there would be no need to worry about these matters, as preserving life came first, then other considerations could follow.
However, a doubt still lingered unresolved in his heart, causing him to ponder: "Where does that sense of disaster come from?"
He carefully considered it, gradually remembering one thing.
When he first entered the Demon Storage, there was an inscription stating, "Those who practice this path, the heavens will send calamity."
Lu Ge believed the calamity was destined for cultivators practicing this method, while Zhang Yan originally thought that the practitioner themselves was the calamity entering the mortal world.
Which was right or wrong, he could not be sure, or perhaps both were valid?
If so, then caution is warranted. He did not fear calamity but needed to make full preparations beforehand at least.
The Mirror Spirit saw Zhang Yan had completed his cultivation and respectfully reported: "Master has been in seclusion for three years. Many visitors have come outside..."
Zhang Yan asked solemnly: "Is there anything at the Mountain Gate?"
The Mirror Spirit replied: "Nothing of concern. Those visitors are all small sect disciples, a few of whom claim to have met you once."
Zhang Yan smiled and said: "I still need time for cultivating, and have no leisure. Keep a record of their names, and I will address it after leaving seclusion."
The Mirror Spirit acknowledged.
Zhang Yan waved his sleeve, letting his aura sink, and slowly descended from the top of the Cave Mansion.
Now that he has the means to protect himself and preserve his life, moving forward, he must consider how to condense the True Imprint of Dharma Power.
However, before that, he still needs to complete the cultivation of the Five Elements True Light.
With a flick of his large sleeve, a Jade Bowl flew out, filled with the Wood Essence Qi given to him by Dong Jinzi.
According to his plan, he would spend several years first cultivating the Wood Element True Light, and then use the Nine Number True Scripture to reverse-engineer the cultivation technique. Based on his previous experience of condensing the Water and Earth True Light, he roughly estimated he still needed about ten years.
At this thought, his expression changed. By then, his great disciple Liu Yan Yi would likely have returned.
...
... (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation votes and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)