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Tang San sighed inwardly. Just as Feng Xiao had said, the die was cast, and there was no point in saying more. At his current stage of cultivation, it was indeed unwise to rashly change his cultivation direction.
"There's no need for you to worry, Tang Tongxue."
Feng Xiao gently plucked a string, comforting him softly, "The development path Grandmaster planned for you is already perfect from his perspective—it not only compensates for the early lack of attack power of Blue Silver Grass but also complements Hidden Weapons."
Feng Xiao smiled slightly and continued, "Among those of the same rank, very few can defeat Tang Tongxue. I'm afraid even Dai Tongxue, who is several levels higher in spirit power, is not your opponent."
Feng Xiao's words were like a spring breeze and timely rain, gradually smoothing Tang San's furrowed brow. Upon closer thought, had he not encountered an anomaly like Feng Xiao, his strength among his peers would indeed have been unmatched.
"Alright, Tang Tongxue, let's begin."
Feng Xiao gently prompted, his fingertips caressing the strings.
Tang San understood and sat cross-legged, slowly circulating his Mysterious Heaven Skill. Although his injuries were not fully healed and he couldn't exert his full strength, basic meditation and cultivation were fine.
Feng Xiao watched the meditating Tang San, a slight smile on his lips. His wrist gently turned, and a clear, melodious zither note rippled out, with invisible mental force fluctuations spreading along with it.
When Feng Xiao closed his eyes and immersed himself, a hazy figure appeared in his sea of consciousness. Although the figure was only a silhouette, a spark of spiritual light flowed like a star along a mysterious trajectory, like the sun and moon pushing each other, yin and yang rotating.
"Is this Mysterious Heaven Skill?" Feng Xiao mused in his heart, "It truly aligns with the Heavenly Dao, worthy of being a true Taoist 傳承. I just don't know why it fell into the hands of the Tang Sect."
The zither music from Feng Xiao's fingertips gradually became ethereal. He was immersed in his sea of consciousness, watching that mysterious figure. As the music flowed, he unconsciously began to imitate the trajectory of that figure's spiritual light, and the circulation of his spirit power within him quietly changed accordingly.
"So that's how it is…"
Feng Xiao had an epiphany, and the zither music from his fingertips gradually slowed, quietly guiding his own spirit power to circulate along the trajectory of that spiritual light within Tang San's body. Initially, his meridians were sluggish and difficult to navigate, but as time passed, his spirit power began to adjust its circulation path on its own, running more and more smoothly.
"This is...!"
Feng Xiao suddenly opened his eyes, looking at Tang San, who was still cultivating, with surprise and uncertainty. After confirming that the other party was completely unaware, he felt a little relieved—just now, using the zither music as a medium and mental force as a guide, he had actually caused his own spirit power to circulate autonomously while observing the Mysterious Heaven Skill.
At this moment, the two were like yin and yang fish: Tang San focused on circulating the Mysterious Heaven Skill, while Feng Xiao used the zither music as a bridge, with his mental force and spirit power resonating and harmonizing with it.
"Could this be the dual cultivation method mentioned by the Taoists?"
Feng Xiao's heart was in turmoil. He had only intended to peek into the principles of Mysterious Heaven Skill's operation, but unexpectedly stumbled upon another use for this cultivation method.
What shocked him even more was that just one cycle of spirit power had made him feel changes he had never experienced before—his spirit power became more condensed and pure, and even his mental force underwent subtle transformations.
Seeing this situation, Feng Xiao dared not continue rashly and immediately collected his thoughts. He held his breath and focused, meticulously imprinting the mysterious trajectory of the spiritual light flowing within that ethereal image deep into his sea of consciousness, as if copying an ancient score.
The zither music from Feng Xiao's fingertips gradually turned soothing, quietly ending like a babbling brook. He slowly exhaled a turbid breath, his eyes gleaming with internal light, settling all that he had just comprehended.
Tang San also happened to finish his cultivation at this time, looking at Feng Xiao with some confusion: "Feng Yao's zither music just now..."
"Just some cultivation insights."
Feng Xiao calmly put away his guqin, a faint smile playing on his lips, "How do you feel, Tang Tongxue? Do you have any new insights?"
Tang San frowned slightly, hesitant: "Feng Yao's zither skills indeed have a calming effect, but there doesn't seem to be anything special about them."
Feng Xiao chuckled at his words: "Tang Tongxue thinks I'm holding back?" He gently stroked the strings, "This piece, 'Yangchun Baixue,' is no different from when I played it in Nuoding City."
"But back then—" Confusion appeared in Tang San's eyes, "I clearly felt the vitality of all things recovering, and my spirit power even broke through to the twelfth level in one go."
"So that's how it is."
Feng Xiao suddenly understood, "No wonder Grandmaster specifically instructed me. Tang Tongxue, think about it, if my zither music truly had such a miraculous effect, why would I need to cultivate diligently every day?"
Tang San was still not convinced: "Then Feng Yao, with innate fourth-level spirit power, how did you—"
"The reasons for that, I'm afraid I cannot disclose."
Feng Xiao waved his hand, interrupting, "But if zither music could truly help people break through, why would my classmates need to cultivate? Wouldn't it be much more pleasant to listen to music every day?"
Seeing Tang San in thought, Feng Xiao continued, "There is an explanation, though, would Tang Tongxue like to hear it?"
"Please speak."
"When Tang Tongxue broke through that day, were you in a meditative state?"
"Precisely."
Feng Xiao gently plucked a string: "Zither music most easily stirs emotions. Perhaps that day, with the right timing and conditions, my zither music resonated with Tang Tongxue's state of mind, and thus it naturally happened. Now, Tang Tongxue's mind is agitated, and his thoughts are entirely focused on my zither music, completely forgetting that the essence of meditation should be to comprehend one's own Spirit."
Tang San fell into deep thought upon hearing this. The Mysterious Heaven Skill he cultivated was vastly different from ordinary meditation—it emphasized breathing and exhalation, guiding spirit power to circulate along specific meridians, thereby drawing in the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. This method of cultivation was indeed more susceptible to external rhythms.
Seeing Tang San seemingly comprehending, Feng Xiao smiled faintly: "It seems Brother Tang has grasped the essence. If there is nothing else, I shall continue my cultivation." With that, his fingertips were already gently caressing the strings, gradually entering a state of immersion.
Gazing at Feng Xiao in his utterly absorbed state, Tang San's expression was dazed. The fact that the other party cultivated so unguardedly in front of him gradually dispelled the doubts in his heart.
Tang San simply stood by and watched. Gradually, he noticed a unique rhythm surrounding Feng Xiao, which seemed to align with the breathing of heaven and earth. Recalling the scene of his breakthrough back then, a flash of realization suddenly crossed Tang San's eyes:
"So that's it! His masterful zither artistry easily influences the environment, and in a specific environment, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth is stimulated, thereby indirectly helping me to absorb energy better. This means he truly didn't deceive me..."
"But how exactly did he cultivate from innate level four spirit power to his current realm?" This question resurfaced in Tang San's mind, and he looked with complex emotions at Feng Xiao, who was immersed in the zither music not far away.
After a long period of contemplation, a bitter smile involuntarily appeared on Tang San's face. In the Spirit Master theory he knew, for someone with innate fourth-level spirit power to cultivate to thirty-fourth level at this age was simply a fantasy. Yet, Feng Xiao, right before his eyes, had truly broken this iron rule.
"Even if Mysterious Heaven Skill were taught to a child with innate fourth-level spirit power, the cultivation speed would absolutely not surpass mine," Tang San mused to himself.
At this moment, Feng Xiao's earlier words suddenly echoed in his mind: "Brother Tang, your mind is agitated right now, overly focused on the zither music, and you've forgotten that the true essence of meditation lies in comprehending the origin of your Spirit."
"Yes..." Tang San suddenly realized, "Why cling to this?" He looked towards the sky, "Mysterious Heaven Skill is enough to allow me to reach the peak in this World." "However..." A glint flashed in his eyes, "I should still report this to Grandmaster. Perhaps new theories can be deduced from it."
With that thought, Tang San no longer lingered and turned to walk towards the dormitory. The sunlight stretched his shadow long, but the confusion he had felt earlier was gone.
However, Tang San did not notice that after he turned to leave, a meaningful smile curled on Feng Xiao's lips.
Dusk gradually settled, in Tang San's dormitory.
While eating the food Yu Xiaogang had specially brought, Tang San recounted in detail the insights he gained from his exchange with Feng Xiao today. When he mentioned his breakthrough back then, Yu Xiaogang's chopsticks suddenly paused, and a rare look of surprise appeared on his usually composed face.
After Tang San relayed Feng Xiao's explanation verbatim, he put down his bowl and chopsticks and said earnestly, "Grandmaster, I believe Feng Xiao's words are true. If his zither music could truly help people break through, why would the Huang Dou Battle Team let him cultivate alone?"
Yu Xiaogang frowned deeply, unconsciously tapping the table with his finger: "Then, in your opinion—" He looked at Tang San with piercing eyes, "Where did his cultivation come from?"
Tang San pondered for a moment, then slowly shook his head: "That is precisely what puzzles this disciple."
A trace of imperceptible loneliness and jealousy flashed in Yu Xiaogang's cloudy eyes. He sighed softly and patted Tang San's shoulder: "Forget it, let's put this matter aside for now. Your injuries are not yet healed, it's most important to rest well."
"Thank you for your concern, Grandmaster."
Tang San's heart warmed, and his voice unconsciously softened a few degrees.
On the other side, Feng Xiao sat alone in his quiet room, eyes closed in concentration, slowly circulating his spirit power according to the Mysterious Heaven Skill mental method from memory. As a small circulation was completed, he mimicked Tang San's breathing rhythm, but his brows gradually furrowed—the effect of this Mysterious Heaven Skill was far less than expected, only slightly faster than ordinary meditation.
"Zither music cleanses the marrow, immortal-grade treasures reshape the bones. My physique is now completely different from before... my aptitude is naturally far superior to what it used to be." Feng Xiao condensed a wisp of spirit power at his fingertips, "However, the unique method and route of this spirit power circulation are still worth extracting their essence. I can try to integrate internal cultivation into my own training."
With this thought, Feng Xiao's eyes narrowed slightly, and he slowly closed them. His spirit power flowed like a stream along the meridian routes of the Mysterious Heaven Skill. Three spirit rings flickered faintly around his body. The moment he tried to open his eyes, his breathing suddenly hitched, and the originally docile spirit power instantly surged wildly through his meridians like a runaway horse.
"Cough—" He quickly composed himself, and after his spirit power settled, he said with a wry smile, "Such a common action as opening my eyes can actually disrupt the circulation of my inner breath. It seems that to maintain the cultivation method as easily as moving an arm, I must practice my breathing, spirit power, and instinctive reactions until they are completely integrated."
Feng Xiao looked at the swaying tree shadows outside the window, "Since there's no simulated environment here... I'll use these next few days to try and see if I can maintain the continuous circulation of Mysterious Heaven Skill within my body during daily activities." His eyes deepened, and his spirit power flowed again like spring ice breaking, the trajectory of Mysterious Heaven Skill glowing faintly in his meridians. He deliberately maintained a slow breathing rhythm, even controlling the amplitude of his clothes fluttering when he walked to the minimum.
At this moment, Feng Xiao's idea was to integrate cultivation into his daily life, ultimately making every movement—walking, sitting, lying down—a form of cultivation.
The next day at dawn, the morning mist had not yet dispersed.
When Feng Xiao arrived at the cafeteria, treading on the bluestone path, his posture seemed slightly stiff. Each step he took was as precise as if measured, and even the sway of his clothes was deliberately kept to a minimum.
Zhu Zhuqing arrived, treading on the morning dew, her cat-like eyes reflecting the boy's unnatural figure. "Morning." Her clear, cold voice startled a drop of dew from the eaves.
"Morning—" Feng Xiao responded reflexively, but before his words finished, his body suddenly stiffened. The barely maintained spirit power circulation within him collapsed due to the interruption of his breathing. Feng Xiao couldn't help but grasp his hair, his face filled with vexation.
Zhu Zhuqing's eyes flickered, and a hint of concern was carried in her clear, cold voice: "What's wrong?"
"Nothing..." Feng Xiao gently stroked the jade pendant at his waist, adjusting his breathing with a wry smile, "Just pondering a small issue in my cultivation."
Zhu Zhuqing's cat ears twitched slightly, and a hint of surprise flashed in her clear eyes: "With your zither mastery, you would also be troubled by cultivation?"
"Do you think—" Feng Xiao suddenly looked up, the morning light flowing in his eyes, "can cultivation be integrated into daily life like breathing?"
"Heh—" Zhu Zhuqing's lips curved slightly, her tail drawing an elegant arc behind her, "That sounds like those idle rich kids, dreaming all day about getting stronger while lying down."
Feng Xiao was startled by her words, then chuckled: "You're right." He watched the girl's retreating figure, unconsciously stroking the zither strings. The chaotic spirit power within him gradually subsided.
"Such a cultivation method, perhaps only those from the Body Sect ten thousand years later could achieve it, because of their Spirit, they can perfectly control their bodies. For me, a Spirit Elder, I might be able to control it for a while, but it's absolutely impossible to not affect normal life. I can't neglect one for the other; daytime cultivation must be separated from nighttime."
Feng Xiao looked at the figure in the morning light and silently thought, "Thank you. You made me understand a truth."
Soon, the seven-day exchange passed in a flash. Before the morning mist had dispersed, the Huang Dou Battle Team was already assembled and ready to depart in front of Shrek Academy.
Yu Tianheng stood at the very front, while Feng Xiao, holding "Fuxi," stood at the end of the line, his gaze sweeping over the Shrek people who had come to see them off.
"This exchange has been very beneficial."
Qin Ming, as the leading teacher, cupped his fists in salute to Flender and Yu Xiaogang.
"Qin Ming, the next time we meet, it will be us old fellows who need your care," Flender said with a half-joking sigh.
"Dean, you flatter me. I believe the three teaching committee members will welcome you," Qin Ming smiled.
Dai Mubai laughed heartily and looked at Yu Tianheng, saying, "Next time we meet, I won't lose again."
Yu Tianheng smiled and said, "I'll be waiting."
Feng Xiao noticed Zhu Zhuqing standing at the edge of the crowd. He gently stroked a zither string, bowed slightly, and said, "Farewell."
A faint smile involuntarily appeared on Zhu Zhuqing's clear, cold face: "Farewell."
Qin Ming lightly coughed, and the Royal Fight members immediately composed themselves. The Stone Grind brothers waved their hands honestly towards the Shrek people.
"Depart."
With Qin Ming's command, the Huang Dou Battle Team departed, treading on the morning dew. Feng Xiao walked at the very end, then suddenly looked back.
Feng Xiao turned and merged into the morning mist. Not far away, Dugu Yan's teasing voice came, "What, can't bear to part with that little wildcat?" followed by Yu Feng's boisterous laughter.