Chapter 24: Subtle Applications

Rustle, rustle!

Inside the cave dwelling, Fang Qing seemed completely immersed in this Secret Treasury Domain cultivation manual, continuously flipping through its pages.

Boom!

When he turned to an entirely new page, he saw the visualization diagram of the Horse-Headed Vajra Guardian Divine Art.

“So this is… the Horse-Headed Vajra?”

In Fang Qing’s eyes, there seemed to be nothing left but this strange divine being. It bore the face of a horse, possessed three faces and eight arms, its entire body crimson red. It held ritual implements such as a skull bowl and a vajra pestle, and snake ornaments adorned its ears.

Its majesty was overwhelming, yet it also revealed a distinctly sinister aura.

“Visualizing this image as the secret original deity can enhance the spirit…”

After finishing the reading, he roughly understood this Secret Treasury Domain body-tempering method.

“This Horse-Headed Vajra Guardian Divine Art has four progressive stages. The first is the ‘Ferocious Donkey Demon Stage,’ the second the ‘Mule-Faced Vajra Prajna Stage,’ the third the ‘Horse-Headed Bright King Wrathful Stage,’ and the final stage’s name isn’t even known… Although this text only contains the cultivation method for the first stage, as long as one meditates daily, assisted by hand seals, mantras, and visualization of the original deity diagram, progress can be steadily made… It truly fits my needs.”

Almost subconsciously, Fang Qing sat down in full lotus position, forming the “Treasure Vase Seal” with his hands. The qi and blood within his body gently stirred, transforming into a strange, unfamiliar force.

Splash, splash!

At that moment, the Dao-Birth Pearl within him rotated slightly. Clear and turbid qi flowed, misty and resplendent like clouds and rosy light, resembling a cold, pristine spring that slowly passed through his heart. He shuddered at once.

“Return to Origin!”

In the blink of an eye, that tiny trace of strange power obtained from the Secret Treasury Domain method was completely converted into Primordial Qi.

“As expected, it really is an unorthodox art—addictive beyond restraint.”

Fang Qing sighed softly and tried converting that small amount of Primordial Qi within the Dao-Birth Pearl once more.

This time, something remarkable happened.

Although it was still the qi-and-blood-derived strange power of the Secret Treasury Domain, Fang Qing felt his mind grow clear and lucid.

The overwhelming urge to abandon everything and obsessively cultivate the Horse-Headed Vajra Guardian Divine Art vanished entirely.

“So it seems… this kind of conversion by the Dao-Birth Pearl also acts as a kind of ‘filter’?”

He steadied himself. “The hidden strange forces within the cultivation method—even the traps—after one round of conversion, were they all washed away?”

“In that case, this technique can be used for the time being.”

This Secret Treasury Domain cultivation method was incomplete, containing only the first stage, the “Ferocious Donkey Demon Stage.”

Based on Fang Qing’s estimation, once the first stage was perfected, it might rival the complete first-tier body-refining stage of the Qi Refining Path, allowing one to contend head-on with a peak Qi Refining cultivator purely through physical strength.

It might even surpass that—comparable to a quasi–second-tier or even a true second-tier body-refiner.

In any case, the goal of strengthening the body and spirit, enhancing the essence and spirit among the Essence–Qi–Spirit Three Gates, and ensuring that Foundation Establishment would not be dragged down, was certainly achievable.

“The problem is, there are pitfalls—ordinary people wouldn’t survive them…”

“And Observing Black Ridge probably has its own pitfalls as well…”

After muttering a complaint, Fang Qing began to truly cultivate in earnest.

One night passed.

He stood up and stretched lazily.

Although he had replaced sleep with meditation, he felt not the slightest fatigue. His spirit was exceptionally full.

At the same time—

With just a slight exertion, clenching his fist, Fang Qing felt his tendons, bones, skin, and flesh strengthen once again, their hardness surging dramatically!

“My physique was already at the level of an innate grandmaster in the mortal world… yet after cultivating for just one night, the increase in strength surpassed even the enhancement from the Divine Martial Secret Tome, a peerless martial art…”

“Sure enough, compared to cultivation, mortal martial arts have already fallen completely behind.”

“At this rate, as long as I persist and perfect the first stage, the power will truly be boundless. It can serve as one of my trump cards.”

After regulating his breathing, he swallowed several Fasting Pills. These pills, refined primarily from spiritual grains, not only satisfied hunger but also cleansed the body and strengthened qi and blood.

Once he was full, Fang Qing went to Cold Spring Peak and found a spiritual spring, beginning first with the refinement of Jade Splendor Spirit Water.

Several days later, once a batch of Jade Splendor Spirit Water was completed, he took out a stalk of Azure Qi Ginseng, converted his power to Ji Water spiritual power, and began challenging the refinement of Ginseng-Green Spirit Water.

Clearly, even with Ji Water spiritual power assisting his control over the spring, the first pool failed very quickly.

Fang Qing remained calm, cleaned out the medicinal residue, and took out a second stalk of Azure Qi Ginseng.

Sensing the gazes of some nearby disciples, he frowned slightly and thought to himself, ‘This is still too conspicuous. It seems inevitable that I must construct a spiritual spring within my own cave dwelling. Otherwise, many pills that require discreet refinement will be difficult to handle…’

Cold Spring Peak was good in every respect—except that it was far too public.

No wonder those highly cultivated Pill Island disciples all established private medicinal pools.

Thinking this, Fang Qing tossed the second portion of Azure Qi Ginseng into the spring water.

Not far away, Li Yusu saw this scene and felt his face flush hotly.

The last time he had mocked Fang Qing, his own breakthrough had failed—while Fang Qing succeeded.

Meeting again, he still had to honestly address Fang Qing as senior brother.

More than that!

He could feel his master’s disappointed gaze after his failed breakthrough, as well as the faint disdain from his fellow disciples.

With mid-grade spiritual root aptitude, breaking through from early to mid-stage Qi Refining should have been practically guaranteed.

The only explanation was that his mid-grade aptitude was barely adequate, compounded by poor luck.

And once a breakthrough failed, not only did it damage the body and the origin of true power, it also made the next breakthrough even more difficult.

As the sect reduced its investment in him, Li Yusu immediately found himself struggling. He could only take on more sect missions—such as laundering cloth, tasks he had previously looked down upon…

Fang Qing, of course, also noticed Li Yudan—no, Li Yusu—but could not be bothered to pay him any attention.

In his eyes, there was only the Great Dao of longevity. Such insignificant roadside figures—by the next encounter, their bones might already have turned to ash.

Fang Qing focused completely, staring intently at the refinement of this pool of Ginseng-Green Spirit Water.

“First step: extract the spiritual liquid…”

“Second step: Mystic Origin Three Revolutions, merging and transforming the medicinal liquid… Hm? This change in medicinal properties—how should I respond?”

Before his thoughts could conclude, ripples spread across the spiritual pool, and a stream of black liquid surged up…

“Failed again…”

Fang Qing sighed.

Pill refinement was like this. Without guidance from a knowledgeable teacher, failing dozens or even hundreds of times was unavoidable before grasping the entry-level knack.

For low-tier pills it was manageable, but the higher the tier, the more unbearable the cost became.

‘Time to go back…’

‘Although I still have spare Azure Qi Ginseng, exposing too much isn’t good…’

Shaking his head, Fang Qing went to the Pill Island Main Hall, turned in the Jade Splendor Spirit Water, then spent contribution points to purchase a gourd of Ginseng-Green Spirit Water.

Now that he was somewhat better off, he wanted to try using spirit water to assist his cultivation.

Inside the cave dwelling.

Fang Qing examined the yellow-skinned gourd in his hand.

The gourd was only thumb-sized. After pulling out the stopper, a rich ginseng fragrance could be smelled.

He gently tilted it, and a few drops of emerald-green spirit water fell into his mouth, carrying a faint bitterness.

Stimulated by this, the Black-Water spiritual power he had cultivated through the Commentary on the Water Classic immediately began circulating within his body, somewhat restless and heated.

Fang Qing quickly sat down to meditate, carefully absorbing this medicinal power.

Before he realized it, several hours had passed.

He opened his eyes, sensing an additional wisp of gaseous true power in his dantian, and could not help but smile.

“Excellent… enough to match two full days of cultivation. This single gourd of spirit water should be able to increase a full month of cultivation.”

Originally, according to Fang Qing’s estimate, after breaking into mid-stage Qi Refining, without external assistance, he would need at least three to four years to fully cultivate the fourth layer of true power.

With a steady supply of Ginseng-Green Spirit Water, at least half that time could be saved!

“And moreover…”

Fang Qing activated the Dao-Birth Pearl, converting his foundation once again to Ji Water spiritual power.

In an instant, within the cave dwelling, the sound of trickling springs suddenly arose, accompanied by gentle gusts of wind.

“This Ginseng-Green Spirit Water should also have some effect on cultivating the Qi Ingestion Path’s true power…”

He swallowed more spirit water and was delighted to discover that the body’s medicinal resistance—and even the sense of true power fatigue—had completely disappeared.

“Originally, Ginseng-Green Spirit Water could only be taken once per day… but after converting my cultivation method, I can take it twice?”

“Could it be… that the drug resistance within my true power has also been washed away?”

“If that’s the case, my cultivation speed can skyrocket. Perhaps I’ll only need one year before attempting to break through to the fifth layer of Qi Refining?”

Fang Qing’s expression brightened as he continued meditating.

Inside the cave dwelling, clear springs bubbled and gentle breezes drifted—precisely the Clear Springs and Gentle Breeze cultivation image of Ji Water.

Half an hour later, the young man on the meditation cushion slowly concluded his cultivation, a trace of joy appearing on his face.

As Fang Qing stepped out of the secluded cultivation chamber, he saw a bright yellow sound-transmission talisman hovering at the cave entrance. His expression shifted slightly.

“Who’s come looking for me? Hua Lian?”

Forming a quick seal, a gust of clear wind carried the talisman into his hand.

After injecting a trace of true power, a pleasant female voice sounded.

“Is it her? Then it’s worth meeting.”

Fang Qing murmured and opened the cave dwelling’s gate.

Outside, two cultivators were waiting, as if they had been there for some time.

One was Li Yusu—his face bearing a weathered, downcast look.

The other was a young woman with peach-blossom features, fresh and refined—it was Zhu’er!

After so many years, the little girl had grown into a graceful young woman. Paired with her ethereal temperament, it was almost impossible to believe she had once been born into a fishing family.

“Zhu’er—and this… Junior Brother Li.”

Fang Qing invited them inside. “My humble dwelling is simple. There’s no tea—only clear spring water…”

“Thank you.”

Zhu’er showed a trace of apology. “Brother Fang Qing, I was in seclusion before. I didn’t expect so many things to have happened…”

“It’s nothing. After all, between me and your family, there was truly only an employment relationship, and it has long since been settled.”

Fang Qing smiled, then looked at Li Yusu. “As for Junior Brother Li, although his words and actions were a bit excessive, he was wholeheartedly acting for your sake…”

He did not know what Zhu’er had come for—could it be that seeing him rise again, she had come to mend relations?

But speaking frankly, a mere mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator, a low-grade first-tier pill refiner—what did that amount to in the eyes of Floating Cloud Daoist, a Foundation Establishment cultivator and second-tier pill-refining grandmaster’s disciple?

After chatting idly for a bit, Fang Qing escorted Zhu’er and the others out of the cave dwelling. Just then, a Green-Leaf Flying Vessel descended, bearing none other than Hua Lian.

“I really don’t know what wind is blowing today—everyone’s coming to my humble cave dwelling,”

Fang Qing laughed heartily.

When Hua Lian saw Zhu’er, his expression softened even further. “The sect’s Grand Harvest has begun. The fleet has entered the deep sea, but there are still some bargains to be had in the nearby waters. I thought junior brother might be free, so I came to ask…”

For Azure Sea Sect disciples, living by the sea and cultivating through spiritual fish was simply part of everyday life.