CHAPTER 97: CHAPTER 96 TAOIST TRUE BODY

First and second-level Martial Artists primarily focus on opening their acupoints and cultivating True Essence using Tao Attribute Cultivation Techniques, thereby nurturing a strand of Attribute True Essence. Subsequently, they cultivate this Attribute True Essence, strengthening it until it fills their Energy Sea. This imbues the Silver True Essence within the Energy Sea with attribute power. During this process, the superior the Tao Attribute Cultivation Technique used for foundation establishment, the more potent the attribute power infused into the Silver True Essence, and the closer it will be to Tao Rhyme...

Elder Li Tianqing’s resonant voice filled the air, imparting profound and extensive knowledge.

Hong Yuan focused intently, transcribing the relevant information onto a sheet of white paper.

He gained a deeper understanding of the path of cultivation.

As expected of an Elder of the Scripture Pavilion, his explanation of basic cultivation is methodical and easy to understand, making it clear at a glance, Hong Yuan praised silently.

His Master and senior martial brothers had certainly never taught him to cultivate with such detail, which could have revealed many shortcuts. At most, they had merely instructed him to practice diligently and build a solid foundation.

Perhaps this was also related to his choice of the Myriad Silence Origin Skill over the Heavenly River Sword Scripture. All he could say was that the three thousand Energy Stones had been well spent.

"The marvel of Attribute True Essence lies in its embodiment of certain properties of its corresponding Dao, such as Fire Attribute True Essence!" Li Tianqing declared in a grave voice.

He retrieved a damp black cloth from beneath the wooden table and flicked it, sending water droplets scattering across the tabletop.

Noticing all eyes in the hall fixed upon him, he activated his Cultivation Technique. A stream of fiery red True Essence flowed from his hand, enveloping the damp black cloth.

The damp black cloth instantly turned to ash, then evaporated?! Hong Yuan raised an eyebrow, inwardly surprised.

He too had refined Attribute True Essence—Frost Attribute True Essence, in his case—but he could not have achieved such a feat instantaneously.

"WOW!"

"That’s so impressive."

"This is a fifth-level Martial Artist! I must become even stronger than the Elder!"

Gasps of admiration arose from the lecture hall, the disciples astounded by Li Tianqing’s power. Among them, Chen Zhen silently made a vow, his heart filled with the ambitious fervor that he too could achieve such heights, even surpass them.

At that moment, Hong Yuan realized how ridiculous his previous fears of an unparalleled, monstrous foe had been.

In an era where traces of Martial Saints were faint and elusive, who in Yong State would dare attack a Phoenix Creek Sect flying ship?

I seem to have worried unnecessarily, thought Hong Yuan, but he quickly shook his head. Fleeing is not a crime; it’s not bad to be careful.

After Elder Li Tianqing briefly demonstrated the power limits of first and second-level Martial Artists, he moved directly to the main topic: the Taoist True Body.

All disciples in the hall, whether ordinary cultivation disciples or True Disciples, sat bolt upright, their expressions intensely serious.

This knowledge was crucial for reaching the third level, and even for the path to becoming a Saint; it was of utmost importance.

Outside the Phoenix Creek Sect, such teachings would never be imparted so readily. A mere three thousand Energy Stones—which Elder of the Phoenix Creek Sect would truly lack such a sum?

As everyone waited with keen anticipation, Li Tianqing began to speak softly:

"Third-level Martial Artists, whose True Essence already possesses attribute power, can use this Attribute True Essence to temper their bodies, enabling their physical forms to acquire the traits of that True Essence.

However, the human body is exceptionally intricate. Reckless tempering will only lead to a disastrous end where one’s cultivation path shatters and the body perishes.

In this regard, the better the body tempering method, the stronger the resulting Taoist True Body.

This is also a key factor determining the relative strength among third-level Martial Artists, and it is why our Phoenix Creek Sect disciples can generally overcome fourth-level Martial Artists from the outside world, despite being only third-level themselves."

Li Tianqing paused briefly before continuing:

"Regarding methods for tempering the Taoist True Body, most people choose techniques that align with their own Attribute True Essence.

However, the nine great Phoenix Creek True Disciples all opt for tempering methods using True Essence of an opposing attribute.

This is because choosing tempering methods with an opposing attribute can help a cultivator form their Taoist True Body more quickly—saving at least five years of effort—though this process is also fraught with peril."

After revealing this secret, Elder Li Tianqing allowed the disciples ample time to digest the information.

The hall first fell silent for a moment, then erupted into a clamor like boiling water.

Hong Yuan was initially shocked to hear about tempering with True Essence of opposing attributes. But when he learned that the nine great Phoenix Creek True Disciples undertook this dangerous approach due to time constraints, he quietly sighed in relief, a flicker of secret joy in his heart.

I thought there was some profound reason behind using True Essence of opposing attributes for body tempering. It turns out it’s just a race against time, to pass the Saint Achievement Immortal Transcending Tribulation before one’s Life Span nears its end!

A smile touched Hong Yuan’s lips as he glanced at his proficiency panel.

[Name: Hong Yuan]

[Life Span: 17/723]

[Talent: 48]

After consuming the Spirit Monkey Wine, and with the Demonic Beast Avatar having absorbed numerous heavenly treasures, both its Life Span and Talent had improved to some degree.

At this moment, time was the one thing Hong Yuan did not lack. He could afford to take his time, steadily and safely shaping his Taoist True Body through meticulous effort.

He had no need to emulate other ordinary martial artists, who raced against time and risked cultivating with True Essence of opposing attributes just to pass the Saint Achievement Immortal Transcending Tribulation.

So what if they were the nine great Phoenix Creek True Disciples? They still had to struggle with the limitations of their Life Span.

Hong Yuan took a deep breath, calming his agitated heart.

Subsequently, he listened intently to Elder Li Tianqing’s lecture, simultaneously contemplating what kind of Taoist True Body he should establish. A preliminary answer formed in his mind: the relatively common Ice Water True Body.

Once the lecture, which had cost three thousand Energy Stones, concluded, Hong Yuan immediately returned to his small room to contemplate the specific path for his Taoist True Body.

Two days passed. The flying ship continued to sail through the clouds, impervious to storms and thunder, heading directly towards Nanyang Government.

「The Zero Desolate Sea Area.」

Ice Frost River, Lair of the Mysterious Water Snake.

The Demon Beast Hong Yuan slowly opened his massive python eyes, gazing at the medium-sized Tao Enlightenment Stone. It had shrunk by a fifth, and he felt a touch wistful.

It took nearly six full days to advance the Ten Thousand Heavy Water Divine Power to just the third layer. Divine Powers are truly difficult to control! Hong Yuan mused.

With that thought, Hong Yuan swayed his tail and slowly swam out of the cave.

"Taoist Zhenyi."

The two shrimp soldiers and crab generals guarding the entrance greeted Hong Yuan in unison. He gave them a slight nod and then swam into the river.

This great river, which Hong Yuan had named the Ice Frost River, was indeed vast; it would take him nearly seven days just to patrol its boundaries.

At this moment, Hong Yuan activated a black talisman he himself had condensed. Streams of water immediately began to converge on him.

A short while later, a single black droplet, adorned with intricate patterns and seemingly at odds with the surrounding water, materialized before Hong Yuan.

This is the Ten Thousand Heavy Water I’ve condensed myself, Hong Yuan thought with some emotion. Let’s test its power first.

Hong Yuan activated the black talisman. The droplet of Ten Thousand Heavy Water began to diffuse, its turbid black hue spreading through more and more of the surrounding water.

With a mere thought, this chaotic, turbid black current surged forward violently, tearing a large void in the river.

The effect was terrifying.

Seeing this, Hong Yuan’s eyes lit up. This power is quite something! If I refine more Ten Thousand Heavy Water into the talisman, its might will surely be even greater. My chances of defeating that towering giant python have increased!

Suddenly, a thought crossed Hong Yuan’s mind.

He wondered if his human body could also cultivate the Ten Thousand Heavy Water Divine Power.