Begin your practice with the crane-shaped stance.

With the introduction of the "Changchun Xingqi Jue" (a method for cultivating vital energy in spring), Xia Dong's life once again returned to a peaceful and highly regular state of dormancy.

This technique is extraordinary. Although the proportion of spiritual energy he can retain from heaven and earth is still pitifully small, and most of the spiritual energy can only be used to "nourish" the ancient bronze bell in his sea of ​​consciousness, the innate "qi" condensed by this technique is indeed subtly transforming his body.

The most obvious change is the nurturing of "divine consciousness".

In the past, every time he used his divine sense, or even just to maintain its daily operation, he would frantically squeeze the blood and qi from his physical body, forcing him to eat large amounts of mortal meat every day like a hungry ghost to fill the deficit.

But now, "Qi" can not only perfectly nourish the five internal organs, but also directly nourish the sea of ​​consciousness. Xia Dong discovered that using "Qi" to nourish the spirit not only makes the soul more stable and clear, but also greatly reduces the hunger of the body.

With the help of the fasting pills given to him by Master Guyue, he gradually broke free from his state of overeating.

What surprised and delighted Xia Dong even more was the chain reaction brought about by the advancement of his cultivation technique.

After he had mastered the basics of the Everlasting Spring Qi Circulation Technique, one day while performing the Crane Shadow Step, he suddenly discovered:

"The upper limit of the Crane Shadow Step has also been raised."

Xia Dong's heart stirred slightly.

After thinking it over, he immediately used the newly accumulated spiritual power of the ancient bronze bell to perform a divination.

Within the sea of ​​consciousness, the ancient bronze bell, which had been silent for some time, once again erupted with a desolate roar.

Crimson, distorted characters appeared on the bell.

Xia Dong's consciousness was once again pulled into that hazy, gray simulation space. But this time, however, there were no longer thousands of white cranes practicing their steps in the space.

He saw his own phantom continuously performing the "Crane Shadow Step" in space. At first, the steps were still based on using the opponent's force against them, lifting, leaping, and turning. But as the wisp of green "Qi" in his body flowed into his legs and meridians, the phantom's movements became lighter and more ethereal.

In the end, the phantom seemed to have completely shed the heavy shell of mortal flesh and blood.

The white crane flaps its wings and transforms into the wind.

There was no leverage point, nor was it necessary to generate explosive force with extremely tense muscles. That wisp of "Qi" flowed on the body's surface, and incredibly, it created a mysterious resonance with the airflow between heaven and earth.

clang!

The bell tolled clear and melodiously, and the illusion dissipated.

The scarlet lettering on the clock slowly froze:

【Crane Shadow Step (Limit Break Level 2): ​​Wind Control Technique】

A massive influx of information flooded my mind.

"Wind Control Technique... This can no longer be considered a martial art. Under the influence of 'Qi,' it has acquired a mysterious effect somewhat similar to magic in the world of immortal cultivation!"

In the dead of night, all was quiet.

Xia Dong stood alone in the backyard of Changchun Medical Clinic, took a deep breath, and began to try to cast this brand-new spell for the first time.

His eyes were slightly closed, and his consciousness was contained.

The precious "Qi" within the body, as delicate as a wisp of silk, rapidly circulated to the limbs and bones according to the unique route of the "Wind Control Technique," eventually seeping out of the body surface in wisps and intertwining with the surrounding night wind.

There was no effort to build up strength by bending the legs, nor any burst of energy from pushing off the ground with the toes.

Xia Dong only had a fleeting thought.

call.

A gentle whirlwind suddenly rose from the courtyard, lifting his body and lifting him slowly off the ground without a sound!

One foot, three feet, ten feet...

Xia Dong hovered steadily in mid-air, looking down at the canopy of the jujube tree in the courtyard, his heart filled with a strange sense of weightlessness and control. He didn't even need to consciously maintain his balance; the "Qi" flowing around his body was like invisible wings, steadily supporting him in the void several feet above the ground.

"What if we combine this with the lifting and leaping technique of the Crane Shadow Step?"

Xia Dong's mind raced, and with a light step in the void, the Crane Shadow Step technique was activated instantly.

Whoosh!

Without a sound, his figure, like a ghost blending into the night, glided dozens of feet away in an instant, landing lightly on the high roof of the clinic's main hall.

If he were to use the Crane Shadow Step on the ground, although he would take a long step, he would eventually land. But now, with the support of the Wind Riding Technique, he can glide continuously in mid-air, and even briefly "fly" a distance.

Moreover, Xia Dong keenly realized that the emergence of the Wind Control Technique had allowed him to reach a whole new level of control over "Qi" and the surrounding airflow.

He stood on the roof ridge, his gaze fixed on a rough porcelain teacup on the stone table in the courtyard.

"Dragon-Capturing Hand!"

Xia Dong reached out and grabbed at the air with his right hand.

In the past, performing this martial art required extremely precise spiritual guidance and the release of physical strength to capture objects, which was extremely energy-consuming and easily alerted by others.

But at this moment, the hidden force of the Dragon-Capturing Hand, enhanced by the Wind Control Technique, blended perfectly with the night wind, like a boat propelled by the current. The suction force became extremely subtle and gentle, yet possessed an irresistible resilience.

With a "whoosh" sound.

The teacup was carried by an invisible whirlwind, flying steadily several meters before landing gracefully in Xia Dong's palm, without spilling a single drop of the remaining tea.

"Such techniques have long transcended the scope of ordinary martial arts and can be considered truly extraordinary."

Xia Dong played with the teacup, feeling even more confident.

With the Wind Control Technique, he now has a significant trump card, whether it's for stealthy assassination or escaping to protect himself from powerful enemies.

He was well aware that while the Wind Control Technique was effective against ordinary martial artists, it might not be as effective against true cultivators.

The "Miscellaneous Records of Cultivation" clearly states that cultivators in the mid-stage of Qi Refining can skillfully control magical artifacts. They can ride on flying swords or sit on flying magical artifacts, not only flying higher and faster, but also setting up defensive formations.

His brief gliding through the air might just be seen by others as a slightly larger live target.

Ultimately, the gap in strength and resources is still too large.

Xia Dong gracefully landed on the roof ridge, placed the teacup back in its place, and sighed helplessly.

Although the "Changchun Xingqi Jue" can change his innate qualities, gradually transforming him from a "leaky bamboo basket" into a bucket that can retain spiritual energy, the cultivation speed of this technique is outrageously slow.

He had carefully calculated that even with the meager spiritual energy from the dry well, if he relied solely on his daily meditation practice, it would take him at least thirty years to complete the basic chapter of the "Eternal Spring Qi Circulation Technique," thereby allowing his internal organs to undergo a complete transformation and give birth to a true "spiritual root."

Thirty years is almost half a lifetime for an ordinary person.

If you want to shorten this long process, the only way is to take drugs—to consume large amounts of the elixirs that cultivators use to enhance their cultivation.

However, he was too poor.

The "Miscellaneous Records of Cultivation" he bought at the market described a pill called "Qi Gathering Pill." This was a commonly used item for Qi Refining cultivators to improve their cultivation. However, its price was a whopping ten low-grade spirit stones per pill!

Qin Wan now sends him two spirit stones every month, and it will take him five months to save up enough to buy a Qi Gathering Pill.

As for refining elixirs himself, that's just wishful thinking.

The recipes for immortality pills are closely guarded secrets, strictly monopolized by major sects and the imperial court.

Moreover, even if he had the formula, the rare medicinal herbs containing spiritual energy were tightly controlled by the imperial court and immortal sects, and were simply not available on the market. Furthermore, refining elixirs required special "spiritual firewood" to start the fire, and the price of that stuff was also beyond his current means.

On the other hand, his current state is quite peculiar. Despite not even having a spiritual root yet, he has somehow acquired the "divine sense" that only cultivators at the fourth level of Qi Refining can condense, thanks to the Yin Sha Pill and the Xuan Yin Scripture.

Although this state was abnormal, it also brought him a very good hidden benefit.

Ordinary cultivators encounter various bottlenecks when progressing from the first to the third level of Qi Refining, and they need to rely on their comprehension to overcome these obstacles.

However, Xia Dong's spiritual realm is at the fourth level of Qi Refining, which means that before he reaches the fourth level of Qi Refining, his understanding of the realm will be smooth sailing, and there will be no so-called "bottleneck".

Once the root of one's character has been transformed, as long as there are enough resources or enough time, he will be able to advance smoothly and without hindrance.

"Thirty years it is then."

Xia Dong cleared her mind, and her state of mind returned to calm and tranquility.

Since we lack the ability to seize resources from the cultivation world, we won't take the risk. Without the aid of elixirs, we can simply endure the hardship.

The waters of this world are still too deep for him to understand right now.

Living a mundane life and taking things slowly is the way to longevity.