Chapter 771: Chapter 509: Gaining Renown

After Chu An awoke, she nurtured her body for another half month, and her ability to move was basically restored to normal.

Although still thin and weak, the flame of life that seemed ready to extinguish at any moment had stabilized, and her damaged foundation had begun to recover under the nourishment of spiritual energy.

Seeing the moment was right, Chu Zheng summoned Zheng Ping and Chu An to the quiet room, preparing to impart his teachings:

“Today, I will pass on to you a method of cultivation that places no importance on innate root bones, but emphasizes understanding the world, refining Yuan Qi, and tempering oneself. Your diligence and perception will determine how far you can go in the future.”

Chu Zheng brought his fingers together like a sword, as two streams of light, embodying the fundamental essence of the Qi-refining Technique, entered the brows of Zheng Ping and Chu An respectively.

In an instant, the operating method of the Great Circulatory Qi Guideline filled both their minds.

“Thank you, Master.”

The two dared not delay, immediately attempting to introduce energy into their bodies.

The Qi Refining First Realm is the hundred days of foundation building. Introducing nature’s spiritual energy into the body and completing the Nine Great Circulations marks the entry into this stage.

Zheng Ping already had some cultivation, albeit at the First Order, just starting out, but it was still a foundation for cultivation.

Originally, Chu Zheng had thought that Zheng Ping would introduce energy into his body faster, but the result was completely unexpected.

Zheng Ping sat cross-legged, his brow furrowed, perspiration beading on his forehead. He struggled to follow the spell, guiding the Yin Yang Dual Qi, to operate the circuit of Qi, but he struggled to grasp it.

His mind was taut, his breath heavy, as if engaged in a tough and extraordinary tug-of-war.

After more than an hour, he finally completed a major circuit of Qi circulation, and by the time he completed the Nine Major Circuits of Qi, nearly eight hours had passed.

The process was clumsy, stifled, full of unspeakable difficulty. Clearly, his perception in the path of Qi refining was very poor.

Meanwhile, Chu An found the Qi sensation in just a moment, and took less than an hour to circulate the Nine Major Circuits of Qi.

Such talent is quite rare among Qi Cultivators.

Even with her root bones completely wasted, her affinity and perception of Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi greatly surpassed Zheng Ping.

Chu Zheng observed all of this, his heart understanding clearly.

Once entering the Qi-refining Technique, the subsequent speed and elevation of cultivation will grow farther apart depending on one’s perception and disposition.

It was clear that Zheng Ping had mediocre, even dull talent, on the path of Qi refining. Forcing this road would be twice the effort for half the result, squandering time and possibly even gaining no self-preservation power.

Qi refining is not the only path. Chu Zheng understood this better than anyone.

Sometimes choosing is more important than effort. He initially chose Qi refining simply because he had some talent in this path and it matched his Dao Heart.

“Zheng Ping.” Chu Zheng spoke, his expression calm.

Zheng Ping, who had just finished the Qi circulation, lowered himself to the ground, his face bearing a hint of shame:

“Master.”

Even without Chu Zheng’s words, from his sister, he felt the difference; his talent was indeed limited.

“You may continue to practice the Qi-refining Technique for strength and health and to sense Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi.”

Chu Zheng looked at him, his gaze profound: “But this path may not be where your strengths lie. You need to find another path. I have an Immortal Law; you can practice by it for now. If it isn’t the way, I’ll find another route for you later.”

Zheng Ping was first stunned, then respectfully kowtowed: “Thank you, Master. I understand.”

Chu Zheng nodded slightly, raising his hand to send a high-level Immortal Technique, straight to the Immortal King, into Zheng Ping’s mind.

In the current Immortal Path, unlike later generations, the bloodline chains have not fallen, the Immortal Bone has not yet developed, everyone can cultivate immortality, but inevitably, there are differences in aptitude.

Those with a bloodline naturally cultivate much faster than ordinary people.

……

……

In the blink of an eye, three years passed.

Inside the cave, Chu An sat cross-legged within the Spirit Gathering Array. Her body still appeared slightly frail, but her complexion was rosy, her breath long and stable, with a faint layer of spiritual radiance enveloping her.

Her perception was indeed excellent. In three years, she had broken through the Spirit Transformation Realm, forming the Jade Bone, and her root bones were being slowly reshaped.

Three years to form a Jade Bone is already exceptionally rare talent among Qi Cultivators.

As for Zheng Ping, his talent on the Immortal Path remained ordinary. Though he diligently cultivated without cease, relying on his previous cultivation foundation and aided by the favorable environment of the cave, he barely stepped into the Second Realm.

The Immortal Path for him also seemed difficult.

Chu Zheng sat in the center of the quiet room, with Yuan Qi constantly flowing at his fingertips, sketching intricate talismanic patterns.

He had been researching these law-breaking runes in his spare time during cultivation, and his understanding had become increasingly profound.

In three years, his cultivation level had steadily entered the mid-stage Unity Realm, naturally and smoothly.

The problem before him now was that his previous accumulations had been almost fully consumed.

Grazing on the mountain until there is nothing left has become a reality, and it’s urgent to find new resources.

……

……

The light of the cave’s array flickered slightly before dimming completely.

Chu Zheng led Zheng Ping and Chu An out of the cave without a trace of reluctance and headed straight out of Dingyuan City.

The bustling in Dingyuan City was unchanged, as Chu Zheng proceeded with his calculations already underway.

He had now thoroughly seen the situation in the Upper Realm.

The cultivation resources of the Upper Realm had long been divided up by various clans and sects, with every inch of spiritual mountains and scenic waters, mine veins, and spiritual acupoints, even what seemed like barren mountains and wild forests, having been invisibly covered and marked by certain forces.

Even using the strategy of hunting fierce beasts to exchange for resources was hardly feasible, as many of the beasts were more than likely private property of some family. Hunting them might even incur a hunting tax.