Start with push-ups to gain experience

Chapter 293 Another Breakthrough in Spirit, The Use of the Light Sphere
As dusk settled, the dilapidated tenement building stood bathed in the last rays of the evening sun.

The taxi drove over the puddles and potholes, then slowly came to a stop in front of the flower bed.

The car door opened, and Wen Xin, holding Zhou Xiumei's hand, skipped off the car. The two girls' silvery laughter echoed in the corridor.

Fang Cheng then got out of the car, habitually looked up at the top floor, and glanced at his familiar window.

The lights were off; there wasn't a single ray of light.

The sounds of stir-frying and cooking came from inside the building, along with the crying of a child, all mixed with the aroma of food.

Fang Cheng first escorted Wen Xin to the door of her basement apartment, waved goodbye, and then turned around and walked up to the ninth floor with Zhou Xiumei.

"Brother Cheng."

When she arrived at the door of room 906, Zhou Xiumei hesitated for a moment, then turned around while holding her guitar case.

In the dim light of the hallway, the girl looked up, her bright eyes filled with concern:

"You look a little tired. Remember to go to bed early and get some rest."

She whispered her advice, and could sense that Fang Cheng seemed preoccupied today.

"Okay, you should get some rest too, you have class tomorrow."

Fang Cheng nodded and watched Zhou Xiumei deftly unlock the door and enter.

The iron gate slammed shut with a loud clatter, echoing through the empty corridor.

Fang Cheng turned around and walked towards his home.

The afterglow of the setting sun shone through the window at the end of the corridor, casting a thin strip of light on the concrete floor and elongating his shadow.

pat.

The key was inserted into the lock and turned gently; the door was pushed open silently.

The room was dark, with only a sliver of light from the stairwell seeping in through the crack in the door.

Fang Cheng did not turn on the light immediately, but listened carefully for a moment to make sure there were no unusual noises in the room.

Then he closed the door behind him and turned on the low-wattage incandescent light in the entryway.

A pale yellow light instantly filled the small space.

Fang Cheng, carrying a shoulder bag, bent down to take off his sneakers and put on a pair of worn-out gray cotton slippers.

Instead of stepping onto the floor and entering the house immediately, he squatted down and sharply scanned the entryway floor with his eyes.

My gaze quickly settled on the floor near the crack in the door—

There, a single black hair, almost blending into the texture of the floor, lay quietly parallel to the grout lines of the floor tiles.

This is a "theft prevention measure" that he deliberately sets up before going out every time.

"No one has come in..."

Fang Cheng muttered to himself, feeling somewhat calmer.

However, this did not lead to a relaxation of vigilance.

As I stood up, a faint dark red filter quietly appeared in my field of vision, like some kind of high-tech scanner being activated.

"The Cleaner's Eye" is activated.

As Fang Cheng stepped into the living room, he scanned his surroundings.

Everywhere you look, there's an unusual buildup of dust, a slight shift in the placement of objects, a lingering unfamiliar odor in the air...

Every possible clue that might suggest an intruder has been exposed.

Extraordinary sensory perception, like the most sophisticated radar, covers every corner of the room, especially those easily overlooked areas.

Under the sofa, deep inside the cabinet, in the corner of the ceiling, inside the socket panel...

In addition to searching for any unusual traces, Fang Cheng also specifically checked various places for any miniature cameras or eavesdropping devices that had been installed for surveillance.

A few minutes later, after a thorough "scan," it was confirmed that there were no abnormalities.

He breathed a slight sigh of relief, turned off "Scavenger's Eye," and his vision returned to normal.

Fang Cheng casually tossed his bag onto the sofa, walked to the refrigerator, took out a bottle of chilled orange juice, and gulped down most of it in a few mouthfuls.

The cool liquid slid down my throat, taking away some of the dryness.

Fang Cheng hadn't originally planned to go home tonight.

Although the unfinished apartment in Guanlan District was simple, it was secluded enough.

But then he thought about it again. He had just had a conflict with the special search team, and the Noah organization was also secretly investigating him.

If you suddenly change your lifestyle and stay away from home for extended periods, it will only arouse suspicion and make you seem like you're trying to cover something up.

Moreover, the clothes I'm wearing definitely need to be changed and washed.

My mother has been staying in Wanghu Town these past few days to take care of my maternal grandfather.

Fang Cheng used the same excuse that his uncle was away on a business trip, leaving the house under renovation unattended.

Although my grandfather's health has recovered well and he can handle daily life, my mother is still worried and would rather not go to work at the hospital for the time being so that she can stay by my father's side.

Therefore, he is the only one in this old house for the time being.

After finishing the whole bottle of juice, Fang Cheng walked to the window, lifted a corner of the curtain, and looked out at the familiar night view of the old factory street.

Across the street, rows of warm lights shone, creating a vibrant atmosphere of everyday life.

Fang Cheng's gaze, however, was as sharp as a hawk's, piercing through the glass as he observed potential surveillance points.

After a moment, she drew the curtains and made her decision.

"It seems we haven't gotten around here yet..."

After stretching his muscles and feeling his stomach empty, Fang Cheng decided to make a hearty dinner to replenish the enormous energy he had consumed over the past two days.

He opened the refrigerator and took out the remaining large chunks of beef, several eggs, and some fresh vegetables from the freezer compartment.

Cutting meat, washing vegetables, beating eggs... her movements were skillful and swift.

Soon, the gas stove was spitting out flames, and an enticing aroma filled the kitchen.

It doesn't require complicated cooking techniques; it's just a simple, home-style recipe, but the portions are generous.

The steak sizzled as it was cooked, the vegetable salad was vibrantly colored, and there was a large bowl of fragrant fried rice.

I sat alone at the dining table. The sky outside the window was completely dark, with only the streetlights and the lights of the residential buildings in the distance illuminating the night.

Fang Cheng ate his meal quietly, quickly but not rudely.

Food is quickly converted into energy, filling the body's deficit and bringing a sense of solid satisfaction.

After finishing the meal, I tidied up the kitchen and house a bit and did some basic housework.

As he wiped the last floorboard clean and stood up, a familiar panel notification appeared before his eyes:
[Cooking Experience +2]

【Cooking Skill lv1 (214/250)】

Cleaning experience +3

Cleaning lv1 (109/250)

"not bad."

Fang Cheng nodded slightly, a sense of relief rising in his heart.

Experience in daily living skills is also steadily increasing, albeit slowly, but it's better than nothing.

I glanced up at the wall clock; it showed 8:52 p.m.

Fang Cheng did not take out his dagger as usual to practice his swordsmanship or do a few rounds of Tai Chi.

As Zhou Xiumei said, she was indeed showing obvious signs of fatigue.

Ever since I shattered the Golden Bamba Bottle in Misty Mountain and absorbed its spiritual energy, my mental energy has been consumed unusually frequently, and the burden has become somewhat heavy.

Add to that the tense and highly vigilant state of the past two days, and the fierce battle with that officer surnamed Gao.

It also made him feel a weariness that came from the depths of his soul.

Fang Cheng decided to take advantage of the rare tranquility of the night to engage in a long period of meditation.

Thinking of this, Fang Cheng quickly locked all the doors and windows, drew the curtains, and blocked out the outside light and most of the noise.

Then, he went into the bedroom and sat cross-legged on the bed.

Begin to adjust your breathing, relax your body, and let your consciousness slowly sink into the depths of your mind.

Initially, a flood of noise from the outside world came in like a tide.

The sounds of the neighbor's television playing, car horns honking in the distance, and even water flowing in the pipes kept coming...

But as meditation deepened, these sounds gradually became distant and indistinct, as if seen through a thick layer of frosted glass.

Until it completely fades away, consciousness sinks into a deep and eternal tranquility.

Fang Cheng opened his eyes and "saw" that familiar dark world again. Thick fog swirled around him, swallowing all light.

In the center of the endless darkness, only one stubborn flame is burning quietly.

It is like an ever-burning lighthouse in this chaotic space, radiating endless light and heat, guiding lost souls.

This is Fang Cheng's "spiritual fire".

Compared to the last observation in the unfinished house, the state of the flames seems to have undergone some subtle changes.

The main body of the flame still retains the dark blue and crimson colors that symbolize its own will.

But within the inner flame, the golden specks of light originating from the spirituality of the golden vase seemed to become more active, and their numbers seemed to have increased slightly.

They are no longer scattered embellishments, but are more closely intertwined with the crimson flames.

This gives the entire cluster of flames a brighter, but also more unstable, orange-red hue.

Each burst of golden light caused the flames to leap higher and the light field to expand outward.

At the same time, it also gives people a sense of emptiness, as if their energy is being rapidly depleted.

Fang Cheng carefully observed the unusual nature of the spiritual fire.

Just then, those shut-out noises and illusions, unwilling to be left out, once again tried to invade the mind like ghosts.

A jumble of murmurs rose on the edge of consciousness, interspersed with fragmented shadows.

Even more remarkably, a faint, extremely grand, and mysterious whisper could be heard.

Seemingly originating from the depths of the void, someone was chanting an ancient and obscure scripture, containing an indescribable allure and pressure.

The dark space of consciousness rippled with waves, as if it were secretly resonating with some unknown and powerful being.

The spiritual fire was thus disturbed and began to shake violently, causing even the soul to tremble.

However, Fang Cheng's will was as firm as a rock, and his consciousness remained anchored to the core of the flame.

He silently practiced meditation, mobilizing his mental energy to build a strong barrier, rejecting all external disturbances and temptations.

At the same time, he carefully controlled the flow of internal energy within his body.

This time, Fang Cheng did not allow the light of the flames to seep into the real world.

Only a faint red light emanated from between his eyebrows, and his body only emitted a warm aura, avoiding the embarrassing situation of almost spontaneously combusting in the unfinished house last time.

This is a difficult process of confrontation.

One must maintain the depth of meditation, resist external erosion and temptation, and control the manifestation of one's own power.

After an unknown amount of time, as the noises and whispers gradually subsided and the flickering of the spiritual fire slowly calmed down and stabilized, Fang Cheng finally felt a sense of relief.

A pale blue light flashed before my eyes at just the right moment, and a series of notification messages swept past like flowing water:
[You are absorbing external ideas and refining your self-awareness; your spiritual energy has increased by 0.001.]

[Your level of connection with a certain spirituality is gradually increasing, and your spirituality increases by 0.001.]

[Your meditation skill practice has increased by +1]

[Your level of connection with a certain spirituality is gradually increasing, and your spirituality increases by 0.001.]

………………

After this meditative practice, which felt like a struggle against an invisible enemy, the spiritual fire not only successfully stabilized.

Even during the process of fighting and absorbing, it was tempered and slightly increased in size.

Fang Cheng could clearly feel that his mental fatigue had been swept away.

Instead, there is a sense of fullness, like after a hearty meal, and the mind becomes more focused and clear.

He did not stop there, but remained immersed in deep meditation.

They continued to fight against the occasional noises and distractions, consolidating their cultivation achievements and constantly accumulating experience.

Time passed silently in the stillness.

The neon lights outside the window flicker from midnight to the complete silence of dawn.

Gradually, it transitioned to the gray-blue of pre-dawn, until the sky began to lighten with the first hint of white.

The city awoke from its slumber, and the sounds of vehicles moving and pedestrians talking began to fill the streets.

Then, sunlight pierced through the gap in the curtains, casting a bright streak of light on the bedroom floor.

As time passed, it moved slowly and finally landed on Fang Cheng's face, who was sitting cross-legged on the bed.

The warm light brought information from the outside world, and Fang Cheng's eyelids twitched almost imperceptibly.

But he did not open his eyes, remaining in a meditative posture.

The noise of the outside world and the warmth of the sun could not disturb the tranquility in his heart at this moment.

After an unknown amount of time, when he felt that his mental energy had reached its current saturation point and the effects of meditation had become negligible.

Fang Cheng finally breathed a sigh of relief, ending this long meditation practice.

I stared intently at the flame in my mind.

After a night of cultivation and consolidation, the spiritual fire seemed to have undergone some subtle changes.

The color leans more towards a bright orange-red, with the interwoven golden filaments appearing clearer and more dynamic.

The overall shape of the flames has also become much more stable, and the swaying amplitude has significantly decreased.

Although the light it emitted was still not very strong, it gave people a more resilient and solid feeling.

With a thought, Fang Cheng saw a panel appear before his eyes, displaying a summary of the skill practice session:

Meditation experience +21

Meditation lv1 (203/250)

Your Spirit attribute has been permanently increased by 0.9 points.

Congratulations! Through tireless efforts and a special opportunity, your Spirit attribute has been significantly improved, successfully breaking through to 48 points.

Fang Cheng's gaze fell on the number "48 points," and a slight smile involuntarily appeared on his lips.

I opened my eyes and looked at the alarm clock on the table; the hands were already pointing to 14:03.

This meditation practice lasted for more than 15 hours without me even realizing it.

I had been cultivating since last night, all night long, and it continued until the afternoon of the second day.

No wonder the experience and attribute gains are so substantial.

and.

As the spiritual connection with the Golden Bamba Bottle deepens, one's spiritual attributes also grow at an extraordinary rate.

Although the improvement this time is less than that during the initial fusion, it is still quite considerable.

"Cuckoo..."

As I was pondering, a protesting sound suddenly came from my stomach.

Fang Cheng did not get up immediately.

Instead, he suppressed his hunger, shifted his focus, and re-entered his own "memory palace."

Then he quickly opened the bedroom door and stepped into the dark outer hall.

The scene before him startled him slightly, yet it was also within his expectations.

The once dark hall now appears to have expanded considerably in size compared to when I last entered.

It appeared more spacious and deep, almost like a small square.

In the very center of the hall, the golden sphere of light floated silently, its glow several degrees brighter than before.

The faint, mysterious patterns on the surface of the sphere of light are now intertwined in a more complex form, becoming clearer.

It flows slowly like a living thing, and its trajectory appears more regular and orderly.

Fang Cheng carefully observed these light patterns and vaguely sensed a special rhythm contained within them.

They seemed to maintain the same vibrational frequency as the "radio signals" surrounding the palace, creating a faint resonance and connection.

Remembering the other main purpose of this meditation practice, Fang Cheng then focused his gaze on the flowing patterns of light on the surface of the golden sphere.

After observing for a moment, I selected the light pattern that appeared clearest and most familiar.

Then, tentatively, she reached out her right hand and gently touched it.

The moment your fingertips touch the light pattern, a wonderful sensation arises.

It was as if an invisible thread had been connected.

Fang Cheng's consciousness followed this thread, instantly penetrating the dark palace of memories, traversing vast spatial distances, and connecting with another consciousness.

The scene before my eyes suddenly changed!
(End of this chapter)