Chapter 88 - 80: Five Elements Dao Foundation, Unrivaled in the Same Realm

Chapter 88: Chapter 80: Five Elements Dao Foundation, Unrivaled in the Same Realm

’My advantages are the vast amount of Magical Power from the Guiyuan Technique and the terrifying recovery rate granted by my Nourishing and Exquisite Fate Chart. I’m not afraid of anyone, even in a battle of attrition.’

Chu Bai analyzed silently, ’But my current weakness is also obvious—I lack a Great Slaughter Technique that can end a fight with a single, decisive blow.’

’Since I’ve already introduced Innate Geng Metal Qi into my body, choosing a Gold Element Attack Skill is undoubtedly the most cost-effective option.’

He walked straight to the area glowing with a faint golden light.

As his fingertips lightly touched the Jade Scrolls one by one, brief introductory information floated into his mind.

[Gold-Splitting Claw]: A Beast Mimicry Transformation Technique. It transforms both hands into sharp metal claws, granting astonishing power in close-quarters combat.

’This requires close-quarters combat. Although it’s powerful, not only is it easy to get injured, but its style also overlaps somewhat with the Formless Cloud Hand.’

[White Rainbow Sun-piercing Sword]: Requires a Flying Sword as a medium. Once mastered, its Sword Qi is like a rainbow, capable of taking a person’s head from a hundred paces away.

’It’s good, but I don’t have a decent Flying Sword Dharma Artifact on hand. If I used Mortal Iron, I’m afraid it wouldn’t be able to withstand my Magical Power.’

’Besides, the path of a Sword Cultivator is extremely draining. I’ll put it aside for now.’

Chu Bai continued to browse.

Suddenly, his gaze fell upon a Jade Scroll that was a dark gold color and looked quite ancient.

[Golden Eye Shattering Illusion]

’This is a rather special... Pupil Technique?’

Chu Bai sent his consciousness inside to view the detailed description.

[Golden Eye Shattering Illusion]: Requires guiding Metal Qi into the meridians of the eyes. Once mastered, the eyes can emit a golden light.

Normally, it can see through illusions and perceive the flow of qi. When activated for offense, it can instantly compress all of one’s Metal Qi into the pupils and shoot out two beams of the ’Golden Light of Truth’. This light is indestructible and specializes in breaking through Protective Gang Qi and Divine Soul Barriers.

Note: This technique has extremely high burst power, but it puts a massive strain on the meridians. A single activation will drain more than thirty percent of the caster’s Spiritual Power Reserve. Choose with caution!

’Drain thirty percent of my Magical Power?’

’Seeing this side effect, an ordinary Cultivator would probably be scared off immediately. In a life-and-death battle, to suddenly lose thirty percent of your Spiritual Power... if you fail to kill the opponent in one shot, wouldn’t you become a lamb to the slaughter?’

But for Chu Bai, this was actually an advantage!

’Thirty percent Spiritual Power in exchange for the ultimate single-target burst...’ A flash of delight crossed Chu Bai’s eyes.

’Spiritual Power is the one thing I don’t lack!’

’As long as I carry Spiritual Food and Pills, even if I completely run out of mana, I can refill faster than anyone else. This is a divine skill tailor-made for someone with an "infinite stamina" cheat!’

’Besides, this Magic Technique isn’t just for damage; its passive effect of "seeing through illusions and perceiving the flow of qi" is also extremely practical. In the future, if I encounter another Illusion Array like the one the Dean set up, or an enemy who excels at Concealment, these eyes will be the best radar.’

’Innate Geng Metal Qi is inherently suited for vanquishing evil and dealing death. If I use this qi to power the Golden Eye Shattering Illusion, its might will probably rise to another level.’

Chu Bai no longer hesitated and reached out to grab the dark gold Jade Scroll.

"You’re the one."

As a stream of light entered the space between his eyebrows, the complex and obscure Cultivation Technique flooded his mind. Chu Bai felt a slight warmth in his eyes, as if he could already feel the sharp intent that was about to be born within them.

With this, the final piece of his combat system for the Early Stage of Qi Cultivation was finally in place.

He now had Cloud Hand for close-range defense, Water Needle for long-range control, and the Golden Eye for a guaranteed kill.

’Next, I’ll go to the Spirit Pavilion and grind out this Pupil Technique.’

The corners of Chu Bai’s mouth lifted slightly as he turned and strode out of the Dharma Transmission Pavilion.

.....

「A little over a month passed in the blink of an eye.」

「Spirit Pavilion, Class A Blessed Land.」

In the small world filled with chaotic mist, Chu Bai sat cross-legged on the central stone platform, his aura as deep and steady as an abyss.

As the final Circulation of the Guiyuan Technique completed its cycle, he slowly opened his eyes.

If one were to look closely at this moment, they would be astonished to discover a flash of extremely pure, faint golden light in the depths of his otherwise profound, dark pupils.

Although it was usually hidden and difficult to notice, if one were to lock gazes with him, they would feel a sharp intent, as if being stared down by a sharp blade.

’Finally... it’s taken shape.’

Chu Bai used Introspection on his Dantian.

Inside his Qi Sea, next to the pale blue Magical Power vortex that had previously dominated, there was now an extremely condensed ball of golden qi.

Although this ball of Metal Qi was not as vast as his Water Attribute Magical Power, its quality was extremely high. Its strands gathered together like an unsheathed Unparalleled Divine Weapon, firmly rooted on one side of his Dantian. It was clearly distinct from the Water Attribute Magical Power, yet they seemed to coexist peacefully.

’This is the Innate Geng Metal Qi.’

Chu Bai felt that firm, evil-vanquishing power and was quite satisfied.

For the past month, he had cultivated in the Spirit Pavilion for three double-hours every day without fail, consuming a total of one hundred double-hours of his Blessed Land quota.

Such a lavish investment yielded astonishing returns.

Not only was the foundation of the Metal Element established in his body, but more importantly, nourished by the dense Spiritual Qi, his Cultivation Realm was also soaring.

Chu Bai stood up, dusted off non-existent dirt from his robes, and crushed the Talisman to teleport out of the tower.

The moment he stepped out of the Spirit Pavilion, a familiar thunderous rumbling came from his stomach.

High-intensity cultivation was accompanied by high-intensity consumption; even a body made of iron couldn’t take it. Without any hesitation, Chu Bai moved as if wind were at his feet, heading straight for the second floor of the cafeteria.

"Master Li, the usual! Two servings of ’Red Blood Barbarian Beef,’ and a bowl of ’Qi Replenishing Ginseng Soup’!"

After skillfully placing his order, Chu Bai found a corner and sat down.

Over the past month, his spending on food had been like flowing water. The two Daoist Merits he earned daily from the Dean’s tasks were basically converted into Spiritual Cuisine and put into his stomach on the same day.

But it was precisely this "eating" regardless of the cost that supported his terrifying cultivation speed.

A short while later, he devoured everything in a flash.

As the last mouthful of ginseng soup entered his stomach, a warm current instantly spread through his limbs. His Nourishing and Exquisite Fate Chart activated immediately, efficiently converting the food’s Essence Qi into pure Cultivation and stamina.

Chu Bai closed his eyes and performed Breath Regulation for a moment. Only after the feeling of fullness subsided did he get up and walk out of the cafeteria.

It was now afternoon, and the sunlight was warm and gentle.

’It’s the combat practice class again this afternoon... Those guys seem to be itching for a fight again recently. I need to make some preparations.’

As he thought this, Chu Bai willed it, and the translucent panel that only he could see appeared.

[Name: Chu Bai]

[Realm: Qi Cultivation Second Layer (27/100)]

[Cultivation Technique: Guiyuan Technique (Mastery 459/500)]

[Skills:]

[Spirit Water Needle (Mastery 290/500)]

[Formless Cloud Hand (Mastery 137/200)]

[Guardian Shield (Mastery 32/500)]

[Golden Eye Shattering Illusion (Beginner 62/100)]

Looking at this splendid string of data, the corners of Chu Bai’s mouth couldn’t help but curve upward slightly.

First and most crucial was, naturally, his Realm.

Qi Cultivation Second Layer, 27% progress!

This was simply a jaw-dropping speed. One had to know, it had only been a little over a month since he broke through to the Qi Cultivation Second Layer.

For an ordinary student, even a Noble Son like Dong Feng, it would take several days of hard work just to make a sliver of progress after reaching the Qi Cultivation Second Layer.

According to common knowledge in the Cultivation Realm, the higher the Realm, the vaster the amount of Spiritual Energy required, and the slower one’s cultivation speed would naturally become.

But he was different.

First, his Nourishing and Exquisite Fate Chart, nourished day after day by Spiritual Cuisine, was subtly improving his physical aptitude. Second, "cheating" by cultivating for three double-hours every day in a Grotto Heaven Blessed Land like the Spirit Pavilion was ten times more efficient than cultivating outside. And on top of that, there was his tireless, hardcore-grinder nature...

With this multi-pronged approach, his current cultivation conditions were more than a hundred times better than when he was at the Qi Cultivation First Layer in Cyan Cloud Academy.

’At this rate, it will probably only take me three or four months to touch the threshold of the Qi Cultivation Third Layer.’

Chu Bai calculated inwardly.

Besides his Realm, the improvements in his Magic Techniques were equally gratifying.

After numerous combat drills and deliberate practice, his Guardian Shield finally broke through the Skilled level and stepped into the realm of Mastery.

Now, with a casual wave of his hand, he could condense a Spirit Shield that was not only stronger but could also move according to his will, no longer just a rigid block.

As for the newly learned Golden Eye Shattering Illusion...

Although it was still at the Beginner stage, it wasn’t because Chu Bai was slacking off. The truth was, this Pupil Technique was simply too mana-intensive. Even with his recovery rate, practicing it just a few times a day left his eyes feeling unbearably sore and strained.

Even so, to be able to grind it to over halfway through the Beginner stage in just one month was enough to look down on the vast majority of Cultivators. After all, Pupil Techniques were inherently difficult to cultivate; an ordinary person would probably still be fumbling to figure out the meridian pathways.

’The rewards from this half-year grand examination really let me make a huge profit.’

Chu Bai clenched his fists, feeling the surging power within his body.

’Once I’ve fully absorbed the remaining two hundred double-hours and ground the Golden Eye Shattering Illusion to Mastery... my strength will experience a true qualitative leap!’

’The Five Elements Impermanence Root... no, it’s the Circulation Wheel!’

A golden glint flashed in Chu Bai’s eyes as he strode towards the Martial Arts Arena.