The Path to Immortality: Starting with an Analysis of Basic Concepts

Time flies, and seven days have passed in the blink of an eye.

Sitting cross-legged on the bed, Zhu Yu was reading the "Records of the Heavenly Dao Sect" when he felt a tremor in his heart. Coming back to his senses, a large number of memories about the practice of the "Basic Visualization Method" suddenly surged from the depths of his mind.

in memory.

He meditated day after day, focusing his spiritual energy on concentrating particles, while constantly fine-tuning his method of visualizing the three-ring pattern. There were successes and failures along the way, but with each attempt, the visualization of the three-ring pattern became simpler and more efficient.

Following my intuition, I immerse myself in meditation.

In the space of consciousness, the thought transforms into the brush tip. With a single stroke, the outer ring is naturally outlined. Then, as if breaking through some kind of constraint, the inexplicable resistance is greatly reduced, and the brushstrokes are divinely aided. The two intersecting inner rings are formed in an instant.

Unlike its previous rigid appearance, the current three-ring pattern exudes a lively energy, trembling slightly as if it were about to leap out, and its speed of absorbing divine soul power is significantly faster.

It will transform into pale golden light and disappear into the dark sea of ​​gods.

Zhu Yu regained his composure and summoned the control panel.

[Mastery of "Basic Visualization Diagram" → Minor Success "1/1000", Derivative Trait: Concentration "Enhances the efficiency of concentrating spiritual power, making it easier to enter meditation"]

"Special ability: Concentration..."

Zhu Yu was surprised, but he tried it out quietly and then his expression became even more delighted.

Previously, it would take three hours to condense a single soul particle through meditation. Now, with the basic visualization technique advanced to minor mastery and the derived characteristic "Concentration" acquired, condensing another soul particle only takes one hour, greatly shortening the cultivation time.

"The next step is to find disciples who are wealthy but lack aptitude..."

After putting away the panel, Zhu Yu thought for a moment, got up from the bed, put on the black robe issued by the sect, carefully examined himself, and confirmed that very little skin was exposed before walking towards the door.

I left the room.

What comes into view is a quiet path.

The underground cave wasn't inlaid with stones that emitted sunlight like in the rooms. Instead, it was planted with various plants that emitted a faint glow, and black stone houses resembling coffins were hidden behind it, creating a somewhat eerie atmosphere.

Zhu Yu was not surprised by this.

Although this is the residential area for newly recruited disciples, quite a few Qi Refining cultivators, due to their limited funds, have shamelessly refused to move out.

To cultivators who have mastered Qi cultivation, these mortals who have not yet achieved Qi cultivation are far too naive and fragile, unable to even withstand the aura they naturally exude.

If a mortal stays next to a Qi Refining cultivator, the cultivator's stable basic visualization will naturally absorb the mortal's spiritual power, radiating spiritual energy into the mortal's body.

Over time.

Ordinary people will suffer from exhaustion of spirit and blood, and die from depletion of vital energy.

The glowing plants growing in the cave and the black robe he wore were both prepared to absorb and isolate the aura of Qi-refining cultivators.

Thinking of this, Zhu Yu subconsciously tightened his robes, looked around, and slowly stepped onto the path.

The area for newly recruited disciples is not large, less than a few miles in radius.

Along the way, most of the people he encountered were newly initiated disciples who were tightly wrapped in black robes. When he occasionally encountered a Qi Refining cultivator who was not wearing a black robe, he would avoid them as if they were plague gods, and wait for them to leave before continuing on his way.

"Isn't he afraid that the new disciples will cause him trouble after they advance to the next level of Qi Refining, acting so recklessly?"

Zhu Yu hid behind a shimmering plant, watching the burly man who was half-naked and swaggering away not far away, and then looking at the black-robed men like him hiding around, and shook his head inwardly.

After the person left, I returned to the path and quickened my pace considerably.

We walked through several winding paths.

Half an hour later.

A three-story stone tower surrounded by a variety of colorful plants comes into view.

"Lecture Hall".

Because the cave is located underground, the twelve star-like moonstones embedded in the sky distinguish between day and night. The full moon represents day, and the waning moon represents night. The time is determined by the number of full/waning moons and their brightness.

At this moment, six full moons hang in the sky, five bright and one slightly dim.

According to what Zhu Yu said in his previous life, it was around 5 a.m., but not yet 6 a.m.

Enter the stone tower within a radius of 100 meters.

A strange message silently flooded into Zhu Yu's mind, listing the many lecturers and classrooms that were giving classes in the lecture hall today.

The courses were indeed all very "basic".

A quick glance revealed mostly topics such as "Basic Visualization Techniques," "Detailed Explanation of Basic Human Body and Heavenly Veins," "Detailed Explanation of Basic Spell Construction and Spiritual Objects," "Basic Corpse Repair/Maintenance Guidelines," and "Detailed Explanation of Basic Planting"...

Zhu Yu carefully examined the details and was overjoyed.

The lectures at the lecture hall mainly cover "basic visualization techniques," "detailed explanation of basic human body, heaven and earth lineages," and "construction of basic magic and detailed explanation of spiritual objects."

The more classes you teach, the more customers you'll have.

When the sixth full moon is full.

Black-robed figures began to appear outside the stone tower, some alone and some in small groups. When they learned about the lecture, a murmur of noise erupted from them.

"I actually got to have Senior Brother Ma's class today! I heard he's already advanced to the late stage of Qi Refining, and his fire magic is like that of a fire god reborn, incredibly fierce. One contribution point for every fifteen minutes, it's totally worth it!"

"Heh... Senior Brother Ma is indeed impressive, but his teaching style is different. Senior Brother Wu has been immersed in the 'Basic Visualization Method' for decades. When it comes to teaching, you still have to look to Senior Brother Wu..."

"Senior Brother Li is only..."

The group whispered amongst themselves as they entered the stone tower one by one.

Zhu Yu watched from the sidelines as dozens of people entered the stone tower in a short period of time. While feeling joyful, he couldn't help but feel a little sour.

"Are all the locals this rich...?"

Unlike them, who were disciples picked up from outer realms by guiding cultivators.

Most of these people were family cultivators who depended on the Heavenly Dao Sect for survival, or were independent cultivators who ran markets within the Heavenly Dao Sect to make a living. Compared to the penniless Zhu Yu and others, they had some resources for cultivation even before they entered the Dao.

"What we're profiting from is their contribution points/spirit stones!"

Zhu Yu thought hard, then stood to the side, observing the stone pagoda bustling with people, while pondering how to sell the "Basic Visualization Method" course.

It's best not to make a big fuss about it.

If one of the lecturers sees him and thinks he's stealing their business, even if they don't dare kill him, giving him a small "brotherly get-together" would be enough to make him suffer.

Thinking this, half an hour passed in the blink of an eye.

Perhaps they had some wealth, but not enough to spend all day in the lecture hall. They walked out of the stone tower in twos and threes, whispering and talking to each other, quite excited.

"Brother Wu truly lives up to his reputation, having immersed himself in the 'Basic Visualization Method' for decades. His explanation was incredibly detailed; I'm sure I'll gain some insights after returning home."

How much did you understand from the "Detailed Explanation of the Basic Human Body, Heaven, Earth, and Dharma Lineage"? Brother Bai explained it in great detail, but I always felt like I understood it and yet I didn't quite understand it...

"Sigh, becoming a 'Spirit Plant Master' is just too difficult. Constructing the Lesser Cloud Rain Technique requires 'Cloud Demon Blood' and 'Spirit Spring Stone Powder'...neither of which I can obtain..."

"Brother Lu's explanation of the washing and starching method was very detailed, next time..."

"..."

One voice after another flooded into Zhu Yu's ears, some joyful, some complaining. After listening for a while, he saw people disperse in twos and threes, hesitated for a moment, and then walked straight towards one of the men in black robes with a broad back.

Nothing more than him loudly proclaiming how much he'd gained, how he kept a huge tub of "meditation liquid" at home, how wonderful its effects were, and how he was just waiting for his "basic visualization method" to be mastered and refined...

As for Zhu Yu...

What else could this be but a top-quality, fat sheep!

Liang Kuan strode along with an air of indifference, but his eyes kept glancing behind him. When he saw a thin man in black robes quickly chasing after him, he was immediately overjoyed.

"Finally, someone's interested in meditation fluid!"

"Senior Brother... I've come to help you get on the right track!" Zhu Yu smiled brightly and raised his hand, calling out, "Senior Brother, please wait!"