C22 Cultivation Technique

Wu Shanbao lingered in the grand hall for a while longer, carefully noting down everything Fan Spirit advised about the cultivation practice before he departed. He had intended to head to the dining hall for a bite to eat, but upon arrival, he discovered it was closed. The entire square was deserted, and the few who passed by pointed at Wu Shanbao before quickly moving on. With no other option, he trudged back to the herb field on the back mountain, his stomach growling with hunger.

"Why are you returning at this hour?" Elder Moo, noticing Wu Shanbao's approach, opened his eyes a bit wider and spoke in a subdued tone.

"Some matters held me up," Wu Shanbao replied, then inquired with curiosity, "Elder Moo, why isn't the dining hall open in the evening?"

"It's a longstanding rule that members of True Dao take care of their own dinners. I've prepared some food for you today. Eat and then get some rest. Starting tomorrow, except for Sunday dinners which I'll prepare for you, you'll be responsible for cooking, including my share. Do you understand?" Elder Moo explained, gesturing toward the dishes on the wooden table before walking away.

"Understood," Wu Shanbao responded, offering a bow to Elder Moo's retreating figure. He then eagerly approached the dining table. The sight of dishes featuring fish meat was too tempting to resist.

Perhaps it was the pangs of hunger or the long absence of fish from his diet, but Wu Shanbao effortlessly polished off an amount of food that would challenge an average adult. Afterward, he meticulously cleaned the dishes and chopsticks, arranging them neatly back on the table before swiftly returning to his hut. There, he sat cross-legged on his bed.

With a thought, the Breeze Fan Technique emerged in Wu Shanbao's mind. Now at the most fundamental level of body refining, he was finally able to glimpse the secrets of the technique, his heart racing with excitement.

"Essentially, all cultivation techniques are divided into four realms: entry, mastery, proficiency, and perfection. I've studied this technique before, and it follows the same structure. However, reaching each realm is considerably more challenging than with other techniques. Typically, even reaching the entry level is an achievement with standard techniques, but the Breeze Fan Technique is unique. It requires a complete integration with your body before you can be considered to have entered the initial realm," Fan Spirit's voice echoed in Wu Shanbao's heart.

It seemed like a straightforward process, but it didn't appear to be particularly troublesome.

Wu Shanbao had posed the same question, but Fan Spirit didn't provide a direct answer. Instead, he looked at Wu Shanbao with an expression that could only be described as teasing.

Intrigued, Wu Shanbao silently recited the opening lines of the Breeze Fan Technique, which comprised the entire method.

"Brandish the fan across the nine heavens, for I hail from the ninth heaven."

Despite not being the first time he had uttered these words, Wu Shanbao still felt a profound resonance.

Such dominance, to claim one hails from the ninth heaven! What kind of audacious individual would speak such words? Wu Shanbao mused on the unknown creator of the technique with deep respect.

Subsequently, he formed hand seals, exuding an aura of antiquity as a presence radiated around him.

Wu Shanbao hadn't anticipated that such a simple gesture would stir up a breeze. Though puzzled, he didn't halt his movements; instead, he quickened his pace, following the cultivation method that was emerging in his thoughts.

Earlier, Wu Shanbao had inquired about the purpose of the cultivation method with Fan Spirit.

Despite consistently hearing about the significance of such methods, he was clueless about their true importance.

Fan Spirit gave him a look of mild ignorance before explaining, "Cultivation methods are essentially techniques for refining Spiritual Force. They aren't inherently offensive but serve to enhance one's Spiritual Force. For instance, if you're at the early stages of Qi Refining, but your adversary is at the later stages, your Spiritual Force would naturally be weaker. However, if the cultivation method you practice is far superior, you'll still stand a chance in battle."

"Moreover, while cultivation methods lack direct offensive capabilities, reaching a certain proficiency can lead to the development of attack skills, which significantly improve your combat effectiveness."

"To put it simply, possessing an advanced cultivation method doesn't guarantee supremacy in the Nine Heavens, but without one, you'll never achieve the status of a peerless warrior."

A peerless warrior indeed.

Wu Shanbao's heart brimmed with expectation. He was aware that the status of a peerless powerhouse was a distant reality for him, but he was certain that this cultivation technique had set him on the path to achieving such greatness.

"Father, mother, just wait. I will become the strongest person above the Nine Heavens."

As he completed the handprint, Wu Shanbao realized it was time to forge a pathway within his body. Prepared as he was, the moment the domineering power enveloping him surged inside, his expression involuntarily shifted.

His mind nearly shattered in an instant, the horrific force seeming to rip through his body. Intense pain radiated from his left arm, coursing through his entire body.

"Ah!" Wu Shanbao couldn't contain his scream as his consciousness blurred momentarily.

Hold on... I can't pass out.

Silently reciting this mantra, Wu Shanbao's forehead glistened with sweat as he fought to steady himself and straighten his posture.

Yet, to his alarm, the formidable force showed no signs of abating, laboriously threading through his bones.

If Wu Shanbao could see his own physical state at that moment, he would be astounded to discover that his body was being carved out by the tyrannical force, creating what seemed to be a peculiar pathway—what should probably be termed meridians.

But Wu Shanbao was utterly oblivious to this; he only felt his body being utterly dispersed by the power. As his consciousness wavered, a voice echoed in his mind.

"Little Shanbao, if you lose consciousness now, you'll never master this technique. That would be a lifelong regret."

Then, a comforting force enveloped Wu Shanbao's brain, miraculously clarifying his once hazy awareness.

Wu Shanbao's spirit stirred, recognizing this as the Fan Spirit's protection left within him.

Taking a deep breath, he steadied his spirit.

The Fan Spirit was correct; he couldn't surrender now. There were still tasks to complete, a promise to his elder brother to showcase his might at the grand meeting.

Wu Shanbao could not, would not, halt his journey here.

Wu Shanbao let out a soft shout, seemingly to bolster his own courage.

He then deactivated the protective barrier of the Fan Spirit and bravely withstood the excruciating pain.