C4 Cultivation Genius?

Upon discovering the method for Spiritual Energy Cultivation, Lin Hann was eager to begin immediately. But upon reflection, he realized he was too excited and agitated to settle his mind—a state not conducive to successful cultivation.

To calm himself, Lin Hann took a shower and willed himself to sleep.

Rising early the next morning, Lin Hann freshened up, grabbed a quick bite to eat, and pulled out the cultivation manual Zhao Kangping had given him the night before.

The first page detailed the principles of Spiritual Energy Cultivation. It described how cultivators could absorb Spirit Seeds from the environment using various breathing techniques, circulate them within the body, and refine them into Spiritual Energy Threads. As one accumulates more Spiritual Energy, it eventually forms a Spiritual Energy Ball, marking the entry into the early Body Tempering Stage.

"The wisdom of our forebears is truly remarkable!" Lin Hann marveled after reading.

The second page outlined specific breathing exercises, unique to each family and handed down from ancient times.

Following the instructions, Lin Hann sat cross-legged on the sofa, focusing on his breath. About ten minutes later, he felt his consciousness expand beyond his body, perceiving the luminous Spirit Seeds around him. "Are these Spirit Seeds?" he wondered. With a deep breath, he drew them inside, where they traveled through his limbs and organs, completing a full circuit before coalescing into a Spiritual Energy Thread at his lower abdomen.

Opening his eyes and stretching, Lin Hann felt a surge of boundless energy. The entire process had taken roughly thirty minutes.

He noticed that not all the absorbed Spirit Seeds converted into Spiritual Energy Threads; some were assimilated by his limbs and organs, which would gradually become more robust with continued practice. This strengthening process is why this phase is known as Body Tempering.

Lin Hann attempted to access Lau Ruyan's superpower progress bar in his mind. He could just about utilize the ability, albeit with great effort, so he refrained from doing so. Excitement bubbled within him. "This sensation is incredible. As I grow stronger, I'll eventually be able to find my parents on my own!"

Riding the momentum, Lin Hann was deeply engrossed in his Spiritual Energy Cultivation.

It wasn't until his stomach protested with a loud growl that he concluded today's session. Glancing at the clock, he realized it was already 7 PM. "Cultivation is truly captivating; time just slipped away," Lin Hann mused, shaking his head with a chuckle.

Just then, the aroma of braised pork wafted into Lin Yi's room, making Lin Hann's stomach rumble even louder.

"The scent must be coming from Lau Ruyan's cooking," he deduced, pausing for a mere fraction of a second before he decided to knock on Lau Ruyan's door.

The door swung open, and Lau Ruyan, without missing a beat, headed back toward the kitchen, calling over her shoulder, "Hold on, it'll be ready in no time."

Soon, Lin Hann was seated at the dining table, facing a spread of sumptuous dishes and Lau Ruyan's radiant smile. Even he, unaccustomed to embarrassment, felt a twinge of sheepishness.

"Go ahead, try the braised pork!" Lau Ruyan encouraged.

Before digging in, Lin Hann covertly extended his hand toward the plate of braised pork, duplicating it into his Spirit Space. Then, he eagerly picked up his chopsticks and began to eat.

"How does it taste?" Lau Ruyan inquired, her face alight with anticipation.

"It's wonderfully aromatic and sweet, rich but not oily. Excellent!" Lin Hann complimented sincerely. He was pleasantly surprised that Lau Ruyan, who appeared every bit the affluent young lady, could cook such delectable food.

A gleam of pride shone in Lau Ruyan's eyes as she revealed, "Everyone in the Lau family is a culinary expert. Have you heard of Liu's Restaurant? It's run by my family."

Through Lau Ruyan's explanation, Lin Hann came to understand that she had used her Wood Department Esper abilities while cooking. By infusing the ingredients with transformed Spiritual Energy, she not only enhanced their flavor but also imparted health benefits. It was no wonder that high-ranking officials and wealthy businessmen frequented Liu's Restaurant; for them, the cost of exquisite dishes was trivial. What they truly valued was the dual satisfaction of their palate and well-being.

Lin Hann grasped the essence of Zhao Kangping's words: one should not be limited by their abilities alone, but by how they are developed and utilized. The breadth of one's vision determines the expanse of their world.

Unconsciously, Lin Hann tapped into the Wood Department Esper ability. Standing in the living room with his eyes shut, a soft vine emerged from beneath his feet, coiling into a circle and gently elevating him higher. Abruptly, the vines beneath him transformed into specks of light and vanished, signaling the depletion of his Spiritual Energy. As he was about to touch down, a larger vine caught him in the nick of time.

"Have you awakened our Lau family's ability?" Lau Ruyan inquired, her hand waving to dismiss the vines.

Lin Hann snapped back to reality. He had been immersed in a profound state of insight but had inadvertently revealed his powers to Lau Ruyan. Nevertheless, Lin Hann felt a genuine sense of goodwill from her, a trustworthiness that was palpable.

"No, my ability isn't Wood Department Esper. I merely replicated your power," Lin Hann explained, his serene tone sending waves of astonishment through Lau Ruyan. It was the first time she had encountered such an uncanny ability.

"Did you begin your cultivation today?" Lau Ruyan asked, her voice laced with amazement.

She reflected on the vine Lin Hann had materialized; such a feat was not sustainable with mere traces of Spiritual Energy. When she was young, it had taken her three full months to achieve that level, even with her family's guidance.

Lin Hann nodded affirmatively, "Yes, I started my Spiritual Energy Cultivation this morning."

"A whole family of freaks!" Lau Ruyan mumbled under her breath.

"What was that?"

"Nothing. The vine you created was too crude, just a brute force assembly using Spiritual Energy, overly reliant on the ability itself. Look," Lau Ruyan said, extending a delicate vine from her palm to Lin Hann. "Notice any differences?"

Lin Hann examined the vine, tugging at it slightly. It was incredibly resilient and lifelike, indistinguishable from a natural vine.

"When transforming Spiritual Energy into a vine, aim for maximum compactness to avoid wasting energy. That way, the vine's quality will be much higher," Lau Ruyan explained meticulously.

Lin Hann was struck with a profound realization: the world of superpowers was vast, and he had only glimpsed a fraction of it.

As the Spiritual Energy within him slowly replenished, Lin Hann closed his eyes, immersing himself in the allure of the Wood Element. With a gesture, he conjured a vine identical to the one Lau Ruyan had created.

"Is your ability to comprehend also freakishly strong? Lin Hann, how many Spiritual Energy Threads do you have now?" Lau Ruyan inquired, her curiosity unabated.

"19. Why do you ask?"

Lau Ruyan felt a sense of resignation; she had been numb to such surprises. She had only reached this level a year after her own superpower had awakened. Considering he was her cousin's son, she found some solace. Some people were just favored by fate, and there was no use in envying them.

"Oh, nothing. Just that when you have about 100 Spiritual Energy Threads, you can start trying to compress a Spiritual Energy Ball."

After seeking further guidance from Lau Ruyan on manipulating the Wood Element, Lin Hann contentedly made his way back to his room.

"This kid is getting less and less respectful by the day!" Lau Ruyan muttered as she firmly shut her door.

Back in his room, Lin Hann pulled out another pamphlet Zhao Kangping had given him, detailing methods for cultivating Spiritual Energy. During his practice with the Wood Element, he had felt less adept than Lau Ruyan. This was not only due to the difference in their abilities but also because Lau Ruyan's Spiritual Energy was stronger.

Lin Hann quickly read through the slim, three-page booklet. Finishing it, he wore a look of dismay. The training method for Spiritual Energy seemed straightforward: compress your Spiritual Energy, release it, and repeat. This cycle would strengthen the Spiritual Energy, albeit through a grueling process.

Determined, Lin Hann clenched his jaw and closed his eyes. He began to compress his Spiritual Energy as described in the booklet. The process was excruciating, akin to being hammered into a denser state. Lin Hann persevered, compressing further and further until he hit his limit. Like a tightly coiled spring suddenly released, his Spiritual Energy burst forth. He then gathered it back and continued the cycle of compression and release, enduring the arduous training regimen.

After twenty back-and-forth sessions, Lin Hann felt his Spiritual Energy was nearly at its breaking point for the day. He ceased his practice and collapsed into a deep sleep on his bed.

The following afternoon, Lin Hann dragged himself out of bed, groaning, "I really overdid it last night; my head is still throbbing." He massaged his temples and gave a wry smile. "I can't push myself like that again. Haste makes waste."

For lunch, he indulged in a generous serving of braised pork. Afterwards, Lin Hann settled onto the couch to review the progress of last night's cultivation.

Upon entering the Spirit Space with his consciousness, he noticed it had expanded significantly. Previously around one cubic meter, it now spanned over two cubic meters. Additionally, manifesting simple objects was now effortless. His gaze drifted to the Flying Sword in the corner, and after some contemplation, he decided he wasn't ready to replicate it yet. Lin Hann figured he'd need to reach the Body Tempering Stage before attempting to tackle the Flying Sword.

Unbeknownst to Lin Hann, most people who begin practicing this Spiritual Energy Training Technique can barely complete a single round, let alone twenty. His overnight advancement was nothing short of miraculous.

Shortly thereafter, Lin Hann resumed his Spiritual Energy Cultivation. He planned to engage in another session of Spiritual Energy training before bedtime.

Each individual's constitution is unique, influencing the amount of Spirit Seed they can absorb daily, which in turn reflects their innate talent. Typically, a person can refine about two to five Spiritual Energy Threads a day. Those with slightly better aptitude might approach ten. But Lin Hann, with his ability to refine nineteen threads, was truly a prodigy among prodigies.