Begin your practice with the crane-shaped stance.

With an independent and reliable channel for acquiring cultivation resources, Xia Dong's cultivation journey has entered a new stage.

In the secret room at the bottom of the well of Changchun Medical Clinic, Xia Dong sat cross-legged.

He poured out a lustrous Qi-gathering pill from the jade bottle and swallowed it.

boom!

The pure medicinal power dissolved in his stomach.

Xia Dong's mind was as still as water as he skillfully began to practice the Qi-refining method of the "Mysterious Yin Scripture".

Although his current efficiency in converting spiritual energy is still very low, barely retaining one-tenth of the medicinal power, this Qi Gathering Pill is, after all, a pill specifically for cultivators to improve their cultivation. The density of spiritual energy contained within it is incomparable to the meager free spiritual energy in the dry well.

This one-tenth of the medicine's potency is equivalent to his two weeks of sleepless meditation.

On the other hand, when cultivators refine their Qi, they will encounter swelling and pain in their meridians and bottlenecks in their cultivation realm every time their spiritual power accumulates to a critical point. They need to rely on their understanding and persistent effort to break through these bottlenecks little by little.

Xia Dong is different. Because he cultivates the Profound Yin Refining Divine Technique and has taken the Yin Sha Pill, his divine sense has reached the fifth level of Qi Refining.

The subsequent cultivation proceeded smoothly and logically, as if guided by a commanding viewpoint.

Under the precise guidance of his divine sense, the wisps of magical power transformed from the Qi Gathering Pill were as docile as a lamb, circulating perfectly along the Zhou Tian route of the Xuan Yin Scripture, flowing into the Dantian Qi Sea without any hindrance.

In less than a month, accompanied by an extremely faint buzzing sound from within his dantian, the vortex of magical energy that was originally only the size of a thumb suddenly expanded, and its color became even deeper and darker.

Refining to the second level is a natural progression!

After breaking through, Xia Dong slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, overjoyed.

With the magical power of the second level of Qi Refining replenishing his sea of ​​consciousness, Xia Dong's spiritual consciousness greatly reduced the burden on his physical body once again.

Since his Qi and blood no longer needed to excessively nourish his consciousness, the "Changchun Xingqi Jue" technique within him, which directly pointed to the source, also ushered in a period of explosive growth.

The wisp of innate "qi" in the dantian, nourished by abundant qi and blood, becomes increasingly robust and solid.

The rate of root transformation during summer and winter has accelerated considerably.

"At the current pace, I have at most three more years..." Xia Dong looked inward at himself and secretly felt confident, "I will be able to completely perfect the basic chapter of the 'Changchun Xingqi Jue'."

While his cultivation level improved by leaps and bounds, Xia Dong also gained a deeper understanding of his three distinct powers—blood qi, vital energy, and magical power.

First, the "Qi" condensed by the *Changchun Xingqi Jue* possesses the domineering characteristic of "returning to the source." It can directly dissolve the magical power of the *Xuanyin Jing*, disintegrating it into pure, uncontrolled spiritual energy. However, the reverse is not true; no matter how much magical power is compressed, it cannot be transformed into Qi.

Secondly, "Qi" itself cannot be directly used to cast spells by cultivators.

But what's amazing is that, because the "Changchun Xingqi Jue" is derived from the integration and deduction of three common martial arts and medical principles—the "Crane Form Stance," the "Dragon Capturing Skill," and the "Changchun Medical Classic"—it shares the same origin as the martial artist's "qi and blood," and can be seamlessly converted.

Qi can instantly transform into abundant blood and qi, and the blood and qi can replenish the Qi consumed through the operation of the technique.

"These three forces each have their own unique uses."

If one uses "Qi" to activate martial arts techniques, such as "Dragon Capturing Hand" or "Wind Control Technique," the movements become extremely exquisite and subtle, like a gazelle hanging its horns, leaving no trace.

However, if the goal is to maximize lethality, directly stimulating "qi and blood" will result in even greater and more explosive lethality.

As for "magic power"...

Xia Dong raised his right hand, and a wisp of dark, mysterious Yin energy danced at his fingertips.

Why are cultivators able to be high above others?

Because magical power is most in line with the rules of heaven and earth in this world.

The magic, talismans, magical artifacts, and formations of cultivators are all essentially based on magical power as a medium to manipulate and borrow the natural laws of heaven and earth, thereby unleashing extraordinary power.

Magic is the optimal solution for governing the rules of the world.

"Qi" is more like an inner foundation that is close to the origin of life.

It is the foundation for cultivating one's inner nature, elevating the dimensions of life, and reshaping one's fundamental character.

"One external, one internal; one surface, one depth..."

Xia Dong's consciousness sank into his sea of ​​consciousness, gazing at the mottled bronze bell that floated quietly, and a strong sense of anticipation arose in his heart.

Currently, the Changchun Xingqi Jue and the Xuan Yin Jing are two parallel lines.

But since the ancient bronze bell can perfectly integrate martial arts and medical principles, then when the basic chapter of the "Eternal Spring Qi Circulation Technique" is perfected a year later, and one's innate talent transforms into a spiritual root...

"Can the ancient bell forcibly merge the 'Changchun Xingqi Jue' with the 'Xuanyin Jing'?"

If that day ever comes, the cultivation of one's inner essence and the control of heaven and earth will become one.

The derived cultivation method must be incredibly profound.

Xia Dong was really looking forward to it.

...

...

Over the next period of time, Zhao Ting quietly distributed batches of low-level "Wind Control Talismans".

Zhao Ting was a shrewd person who understood the ways of officialdom very well.

Instead of keeping this lucrative prize for himself, he went with the flow, transferring most of the profits and the quota of Wind Control Talismans to the Thousand Households under the guise of "tribute."

That's just how the world is.

In the world of cultivation and officialdom, empty words of loyalty are worthless.

Only by binding you with tangible benefits can you earn the genuine protection and promotion of those high-ranking figures.

Therefore, Zhao Ting received strong support from the Thousand Households Office. In addition, Zhao Ting himself was quite capable. Although he suffered a setback in the demon-suppression in Tiger Hill, he turned misfortune into blessing and broke through to the fourth level of Qi Refining, entering the mid-stage of Qi Refining. This made him stand out among the many captains of the Eagle Wolf Guard in Lin Yuan Prefecture.

They had enough qualifications, cultivated enough skills, and had connections at higher levels.

Finally, during the internal performance evaluation of the Eagle Wolf Guard this month, Zhao Ting got his wish and was officially promoted to "Baihu" (a military rank) of the Eagle Wolf Guard in Pingyang County.

Not only was he promoted one rank, but more importantly, he completely seized control of Pingyang County.

...

...

On the third night after being promoted to centurion.

Zhao Ting booked a secluded waterside pavilion in a highly private garden in the city to privately entertain Xia Dong.

There were no musical performances or dances arranged inside the small pavilion.

On the table were several exquisite dishes of wine and food.

"Brother Xia, come, this cup of wine is for you." Zhao Ting was dressed in casual clothes, but he couldn't hide the spiritedness in his eyes.

He personally poured Xia Dong a full cup of wine, his tone revealing a sincere and heartfelt sincerity.

"If it weren't for your 'strong support,' I'm afraid I would have had to wait another ten or eight years to reach this position as a centurion."

Xia Dong smiled slightly, raised his wine glass and clinked it with Zhao Ting's: "Brother's promotion is entirely due to his own abilities. I was merely passing on his talents and running errands."

Zhao Ting laughed heartily and downed the wine in his glass in one gulp.

After a few rounds of drinks, Zhao Ting put down his glass, leaned forward slightly, stared into Xia Dong's eyes, and suddenly lowered his voice.

"Brother Xia, do you want a promotion?"