Chapter 537 - 17: Speculation on Volume 3 of the Wood Gathering Skill

Although there was currently no specific Cultivation Secret Technique for the Third Realm of the Wood Gathering Skill, the Third Realm of the Five Elements Spiritual Veins was simply about cultivating a Spiritual Body and the Primordial Spirit. As such, Liu Shuang still had a clear goal to work toward.

For instance, she had to find a way to merge with the Spirit Vein Consciousness she absorbed when advancing to the Second Realm, making it a part of her own consciousness to perfect her soul. Next, she would need to cultivate the strength of her soul, preparing to form her Primordial Spirit. Finally, she had to refine the Spirit Vein within her, slowly guiding its expansion into her internal organs to prepare her physical form for its complete transformation into a Spiritual Body.

However, this cultivation path had two major dangers. First, when merging with the Spirit Body, she could easily be consumed by their frenzied memories. Second, carelessness while assimilating her physical body could cause the Spirit Vein Consciousness inside her to surge uncontrollably.

But for the current Wang Ping, there were plenty of ways to avoid these two risks. To counter the memory chaos caused by merging with the spiritual consciousness, he could use a Blessing Talisman to construct a Wood Spirit Array, suppressing the frenzied memories of the Spirit Body within Liu Shuang. She could also take a Sacred Heart Pill during the fusion process.

As for the resurgence of the Spirit Vein Consciousness, Wang Ping could create two Spirit Stabilizing Talismans from a Heaven-Reaching Talisman to resolve the issue perfectly.

The real problem was finding the critical point for advancing to the Third Realm. The greatest weakness of the Wood Gathering Skill was that the Cultivator’s internal Spirit Vein was too feeble to support the refining of a perfect Spirit Body.

Furthermore, the Second Realm of the Wood Gathering Skill used the Soul Devouring Technique to forcibly enhance one’s soul strength, enabling control over the newly advanced Spirit Vein. However, when advancing to the Third Realm, these memories would inevitably cause trouble. The only way to eliminate the risk was to erase these memories completely, but that would mean weakening the Cultivator’s soul.

Wang Ping had been pondering this problem for a long time. The solution he’d devised was to once again use the method from the entry stage of the Wood Gathering Skill: gathering Wood Spirit Qi from the forest. This time, however, a much larger amount of Wood Spirit Qi would be needed, and it would require purification. With his current cultivation, this was not a difficult task.

Additionally, Wang Ping could use a Wood Spirit Array to temporarily seal Liu Shuang’s frenzied memories. With him personally acting as her Guardian, it was highly probable that Liu Shuang could advance to the Third Realm.

Of course, all of this was predicated on her completing these steps before her lifespan was exhausted. Furthermore, even after advancing, she would likely be among the weakest of the Third Realm Cultivators.

In the days while waiting for Zi Luan, Wang Ping would spend his time after his daily cultivation teaching Xia Wen Yi in the morning and testing his theories on Liu Shuang in the afternoon.

The process was smoother than he had imagined.

Liu Shuang’s mood had improved considerably these last couple of days, and she would occasionally exchange a few words with Wang Ping. ’It feels like the gentle master from my childhood has returned,’ she thought.

「The third day of the sixth month.」

A heavy downpour fell over the regions near Yongshan County and Zhonghui County just before 7:00 AM. For the past several years, it had always rained in this area around that time, and never at any other. This was the result of deliberate control by the Cultivators from the Qianmu Water Observation Institute.

「After 7:00 AM.」

On the plaza outside the front hall of Qianmu Temple, a rare gathering of over a dozen Entering Cultivators from the various institutes had assembled. Each was followed by more than ten disciples, and together they occupied nearly half of the plaza.

Zhao Qian stood at the forefront of these Cultivators, occasionally exchanging a few words with the people around him.

Suddenly, a streak of light flashed from behind Qianmu Mountain, landing on the steps at the front of the plaza. Everyone below, along with the curious disciples nearby, immediately clasped their fists in salute. "Greetings, Sect Leader Ancestor!"

Following that, two more streaks of light flew in from the direction of the Fire Institute, landing on the steps. It was Yuan Zheng Taoist and Ruan Chunzi. Just as the disciples below were about to offer another salute, Yuan Zheng Taoist waved his hand impatiently. "Alright, alright, that’s enough. The noise is annoying. Quiet down."

He was the same as ever, appearing impatient with everyone. But when he saw another streak of light descend from the peak of Qianmu Mountain, he preempted the other disciples and clasped his fists in salute. "Fellow Daoist," he said, "the Upper Dan Sect replied yesterday. If you require them, they can spare you one bottle of the Sacred Heart Pills they produce every thirty years. You will, however, need to send someone to retrieve them."

He had immediately launched into the important matter, his words coming out in a rapid fire. The only one who could command such treatment from him was, of course, Wang Ping.

Wang Ping was dressed in a formal, wide-sleeved Blue Daoist Robe. Yu Lian hovered beside him, her vertical pupils brazenly sizing up everyone present.

He had asked Yuan Zheng Taoist to inquire about the Sacred Heart Pills because he intended to test some of his theories about the Wood Gathering Skill. Given his current cultivation and status, obtaining the pills was no longer the troublesome affair it once was.

As he nodded, the disciples on the plaza and in the surrounding area clasped their fists and bowed. "Greetings, Ancestor Changqing!"

Wang Ping’s gaze, however, turned to the north. Five streaks of light, preceded by an Identity Token, entered his view. It was Guangxuan of Sanhe Temple and his disciples.

According to the registers of the Daoist Palace, Sanhe Temple was now considered the private property of Qianmu Temple. Thus, like the temple’s own members, they could pass directly through Qianmu Temple’s Array. Guided by the greetings of the disciples waiting to receive them, they landed on the plaza below.

"Greetings, Sect Leader. Greetings, Changqing Zhenren!"

In public, Guangxuan did not address Wang Ping as "Fellow Daoist."

Guangxuan could afford to be formal, but Wang Ping could not, lest those in the know call him cold and ungrateful.

So Wang Ping smiled and called out, "If it isn’t Fellow Daoist Guangxuan and Fellow Daoist Liu Chang of Sanhe Temple. Come on up and speak." As his voice faded, Liu Shuang appeared on the plaza with his Spiritual Dog, quietly greeting the other Entry-level Disciples.

All these people were gathered on the plaza because Wang Ping had accepted an invitation from the Six Heart Sect to attend the ceremony for Zi Luan’s succession as their new Sect Leader. At the event, the various southern sects would inevitably send disciples to have friendly spars using Magic, and the disciples on the plaza were the ones Qianmu Temple had chosen to face these challenges.

Wang Ping had specifically invited Guangxuan. After all, under his own banner, he currently had only one disciple: Liu Shuang.

At the ceremony, the other sects would likely refrain from challenging Liu Shuang to give Wang Ping face, which would be an awkward situation. With Guangxuan and his disciples present, however, this was no longer a concern. Whether they won or lost, Wang Ping would be able to frame the outcome advantageously.

Upon hearing Wang Ping’s call, Guangxuan and Liu Chang dispensed with pleasantries. They clasped their fists in acknowledgment and ascended the steps together. Guangxuan’s heart was a mixture of complex emotions; this short flight of steps brought over two hundred years of memories rushing back. Liu Chang, on the other hand, was simply filled with eager excitement.

Once they reached the top of the steps, a round of polite greetings was unavoidable. Afterward, Yu Cheng Taoist looked at Wang Ping and said, "It is getting late. You should go, and return quickly."

Wang Ping glanced at the sky and nodded. "You’re right. Master, I will be back before you know it."

With that, he turned to the disciples on the plaza and issued his command. "Liu Shuang, Fellow Daoist Guangxuan, Fellow Daoist Liu Chang, and the twelve Entry-level Disciples will accompany me to the Six Heart Sect. The remaining Foundation Establishment cultivators will be led by Zhao Qian. Make sure you all arrive at the Six Heart Sect before the ceremony begins."

"Yes!"

As everyone acknowledged the order in unison, Wang Ping, with Yu Lian, took the lead. He tossed his Identity Token toward the clouds, transforming into a streak of light that shot off in the direction of Shangjing City. Guangxuan, Liu Shuang, Liu Chang, and the twelve Entry-level Disciples followed close behind.

The trails of their flight streaked across the sky like a magnificent rainbow. In the regions below, common folk looked up to watch, then bowed their heads in pious prayer.

High in the air, Wang Ping suddenly felt a stir from the Celestial Sword within his Primordial Spirit. He couldn’t help but gaze down at the common people spread across the vast earth below. In the Inspiration Realm, it seemed their spirituality was now forming a faint, mysterious connection with his own.