Chapter 51: The First Floor

Humans possess three dantians. At first glance, it seems entirely possible to practice a different cultivation technique for each dantian, distributing one's efforts evenly among them.

In reality, however, cultivating multiple disciplines is exceedingly difficult. The three dantians are not independent or entirely unrelated; they are all parts of the cultivator's body, and thus influence one another. For instance, if one dantian practices a frost technique, the other two will inevitably be affected, subtly shifting toward that same affinity. Should the other two dantians cultivate different arts during this process, it would be akin to pulling the body in three directions at once—eventually, something must break. Externally, this manifests as interference and conflict among one's magical power, vital essence, or soul, which may even result in backlash, inner turmoil, or madness.

How does one judge the quality of a cultivation technique? The answer is simple: by seeing how many dantians the technique tempers, to what extent, and how efficient the cultivation process is. Inferior techniques typically temper only a single dantian, neglecting the others entirely, and often leave lingering side effects. Ordinary techniques focus on one dantian but have no deleterious consequences. More refined methods train one dantian while offering some benefit to the other two. Outstanding techniques primarily cultivate one dantian, with significant attention given to a second, or moderate care for both remaining ones. The very best techniques—those guarded by the most powerful sects—cultivate two dantians directly while still benefiting the third.

This assessment focuses solely on the techniques themselves, but reality is far more complicated, involving many other factors. For example, Han Ming, a demonic cultivator, practices two methods: the Ninefold Soul-Devouring Art, which focuses on her middle and upper dantians, and the Immortal Corpse Metamorphosis Technique, which tempers her lower dantian. Ordinary cultivators cannot emulate her approach—cultivating two such arts would cause the body’s corpse-like transformation to interfere with the power of the Ninefold Soul-Devouring Art, at best rendering the effort twice as hard for half the result, at worst leading to disaster and madness.

Han Ming alone can do this because of her inferior innate talent—Corpse Yin Qi. All cultivators possess spiritual roots, but not all are endowed with innate gifts. These gifts influence countless aspects of cultivation, affecting every stage from Foundation Establishment and Core Formation to Nascent Soul and even Void Refinement.

Ning Zhuo, though he only obtained the first three layers of the cultivation technique, was a living library in human form, with broad horizons. He was certain these three arts were truly extraordinary.

"A cultivator can practice all three techniques at once, allowing their essence, energy, and spirit to coexist in perfect harmony!"

"The key is that this harmony is not dependent on innate gifts. As long as one has a basic spiritual root and the qualification to cultivate, one can master them."

"This is absolutely a top-tier set of techniques!"

Ning Zhuo was so moved that his eyes grew moist with emotion.

"Mother, just as you wished, I have obtained the Qi-Refining arts of the Molten Rock Immortal Palace."

"The real techniques are even more wonderful than you imagined—truly perfect."

"I will master them all."

His mother's final wish had long since been etched deep into the boy's heart. Her hopes had become his mission, a heavy responsibility that now spurred Ning Zhuo to defy mediocrity and challenge his fate.

...

Meng Chong was undertaking his own challenge. To hone his abilities, he had specially designed a training hall. Activating the Thunderous Sprint, he darted back and forth through the obstacle-filled chamber.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The sounds of his collisions with the obstacles echoed endlessly throughout the hall.

"I can do this!"

"I will absolutely succeed."

Every so often, Meng Chong would pause, panting heavily, sweat pouring down his face. Yet his eyes shone with determination, never relaxing for an instant. Soon, he resumed his special training.

...

The Zhou family.

"I did it, Ashen," Zhou Zhu announced as he stepped out of the Gathering and Scattering Spirit Array, now at the peak of the third layer of Qi Refinement.

Zhou Zeshan nodded. "Well done, Da Zhu!"

"If I hadn't been delayed midway, I would have succeeded even faster. If Meng Chong hadn't been harried by assassins, he'd have finished even earlier than me," Zhou Zhu said.

"Of the four great powers in Immortal City, only the Ning family escaped attack," Zhou Zeshan observed, shaking his head. "You think the Ning family was behind it? Even setting aside the lack of proof, I doubt it. If the Ning family were truly anxious about falling behind, they wouldn't be so slow to choose their next cultivator."

"In the end, the Ning family is still in last place, while the City Lord's Manor remains firmly in the lead. I personally think the latter is more likely responsible!"

"That makes sense," Zhou Zhu agreed, just about to say more when his eyes suddenly rolled back.

With a thud, he collapsed, unconscious.

Zhou Zeshan was alarmed. "Da Zhu! What's wrong?"

"Your soul! Where is your soul?"

"Someone help! Help!"

"Enemy attack! We're under attack again!"

At Zhou Zeshan's warning, the entire Zhou family was thrown into chaos.

Molten Rock Immortal Palace, main hall.

The Dragon Tortoise Fire Spirit shrank into itself, enduring a lashing.

Room One.

Zhou Zhu fumbled for a long time before remembering to activate the Five Elements Qi Regulation Technique, drawing the mechanism parts toward himself. He had taken far too long. Just as he was about to reach Door One, his spiritual power was exhausted, and his puppet body collapsed limply.

...

Failure.

Upon his return, Zhou Zhu brought back invaluable firsthand intelligence.

That night, none of the Zhou family’s elders slept.

Zhou Zeshan dissolved his cultivation overnight.

...

Ning Zhuo ate and drank heartily, his belly swelling noticeably. He closed his eyes, straightened his back, and silently circulated the Blood-Tainted Muscle Art. His vital blood grew stronger, his blood energy surged, flooding his fascia and thickening it at a visible rate.

First stage of Essence Refinement!

Very soon, hunger struck him once more.

...

The Zheng family.

"Oh?" Zheng Jian, in a break from his training, received news: "Zhou Zhu of the Zhou family has been attacked again?"

"Therefore, extra guards will be deployed around the artifact refinery to prevent mishaps," his attendant reported.

Yet Zheng Jian frowned, sensing something suspicious about the news.

"No matter. I’ve already reached the second level of Qi Refinement. If I push harder, I'll reach the peak of the third."

Zheng Jian resumed his arduous cultivation, sitting cross-legged on a meditation cushion, gathering magical power as several hook-shaped magical tools spun and danced around him.

...

Ning Zhuo, too, sat cross-legged, a stick of incense burning before him. This was a calming incense, aiding him in practicing the Spirit Mirror Communion Art—a method that could expand his divine reservoir and deepen the foundations of his spiritual sea. When the incense burned out, Ning Zhuo counted over six hundred new motes of spiritual sense in his upper dantian—an astonishing rate.

"I ate a great deal of Golden Silk Jade Dew Cake earlier, so my foundation is already solid. Now, with the Spirit Mirror Communion Art, I am gradually unlocking its potential, and my divine cultivation has markedly advanced."

With quiet joy, Ning Zhuo ended his rest and resumed cultivation.

First stage of Spirit Refinement!

Upon reaching this level, the spiritual sense in his upper dantian gathered and formed a spiritual mirror. Through this mirror, Ning Zhuo could commune with any spiritual beings in the world.

The more intelligent the lifeform, the greater its spirit.

Humans are the most spiritual of all creatures.

"The Palace Spirit of Molten Rock Immortal Palace is also a spiritual being. Can I communicate with it?" Ning Zhuo wondered.