"From the moment I awakened my Martial Soul, it took me three months to create the initial framework of this meditation method, incorporating the meridians into cultivation. After that, I refined it step by step until it became what it is today."
Hearing this, the three of them collectively drew in a sharp breath. They had not expected Chen Ming's talent to be so monstrously defiant of the heavens.
"Senior," Chen Ming continued, looking at Chrysanthemum Douluo, "if you had cultivated using a method like this earlier in your life, wouldn't your current level of cultivation be even higher?"
"Without a doubt," Chrysanthemum Douluo replied seriously.
"Then if I were to make this meditation method public, what do you think would happen to me?"
"You have no backing," Chrysanthemum Douluo answered bluntly. "The major sects would kill you on the spot, take your method for themselves, and keep it within their own ranks. Then, after who knows how many years, it might eventually spread—but by then, no one would remember you ever existed."
"Yes," Chen Ming nodded. "But Senior Chrysanthemum, what if it were Spirit Hall that released this book? What if Spirit Hall distributed it to every branch, allowing every Spirit Master to access it—what then?"
"The entire world of Spirit Masters would undergo a massive transformation!" Chrysanthemum Douluo's body trembled slightly, disbelief flickering in his eyes. "But you… you're actually willing to publish your own cultivation method? This… this is unprecedented!"
"Someone has to take the first step," Chen Ming said calmly. "Spirit Masters will eventually have to move beyond these primitive methods of cultivation. Why can't I be that person? Besides, this method isn't that important to me—because what matters most is my intellect."
He tapped his temple lightly.
"As long as I live, I can continue thinking. And as long as I think, I can keep creating more and more. Moreover, this method is universally applicable—it isn't tailored to a specific Martial Soul or type of Spirit Master."
"If higher-level techniques are needed, then I can design specialized methods for specific situations."
That was what he said outwardly—but in truth, Chen Ming had his own calculations.
I did consider giving this to the Heaven Dou Empire, he thought. But I've seen how poor their secrecy is—it might as well not exist. Even if I handed it over, the Star Luo Empire would obtain it sooner or later. So I might as well release it outright.
"Spirit Hall is the sacred ground of Spirit Masters," he continued aloud. "There are branches in every city. With Spirit Hall's endorsement and backing, this method will inevitably spread to every corner of the world."
"Senior Chrysanthemum, Senior Dugu, Senior Ye—don't you think this method still has room for improvement? Why don't we refine it together, and then release it… together?"
He emphasized the word together.
The meaning was unmistakable.
He wanted all three of them to co-sign it before its release.
At that realization, their breathing grew heavier. If this succeeded, it would be an achievement that would echo through the ages. Even if their names were only mentioned in passing, future generations would remember them—not as some vague "senior," but as figures with names and legacies.
Chrysanthemum Douluo had no interest in romance, only in rare flowers and exotic herbs—but when it came to fame and reputation, he found it difficult to let go. At his level of strength, a good name could be just as valuable as life itself. If he could leave his mark on history, there was almost nothing he wouldn't dare to do.
Faced with Chen Ming's proposal, Chrysanthemum Douluo nodded rapidly without hesitation, agreeing on the spot.
Dugu Bo, due to his relationship with Chen Ming, also gave his approval. As for Ye Renxin, seeing that the other two had already agreed, he nodded as well—after all, if anything went wrong, there were others to shoulder the burden.
"You seniors can share your thoughts," Chen Ming said. "And if possible, let me take a look at your Martial Souls. I may be able to make some targeted adjustments, tailoring the cultivation method to better suit each of you."
There were many reasons why Chen Ming was willing to make his foundational internal cultivation method public—this was just one of them.
By using the promise of tailored modifications as bait, he could legitimately observe countless Martial Souls and their origins. Not only that, but those same people would willingly hand over their own research, understanding, and records for him to study.
Through this, Chen Ming could gather information that would normally be impossible to obtain. After all, many would rather self-destruct than allow others to study them; some secret techniques and knowledge would sooner be lost to time than ever be shared.
As long as his name became renowned, as long as competition intensified, and as long as he secured a powerful enough backer to deter anyone from acting against him, then sooner or later, Spirit Masters from families of all sizes—bearing all kinds of Martial Souls—would come seeking him out. They would bring wealth, resources, and, more importantly, willingly submit themselves to his research.
And through that, Chen Ming would secure his own benefits.
As for whether the people of this world might eventually surpass him along the same path…
Chen Ming didn't mean to belittle anyone, but even in other fantasy worlds, mastering such a revolutionary system in a short time would be no small challenge. The Douluo world, in particular, was known for its rigidity, slow progress, and lack of innovation.
Even if he were to die suddenly and be reborn ten thousand years later, he suspected the cultivation system he'd see would still be built upon this very foundational method.
Standing where he was now, letting the people of this world chase after him—without a thousand years, no one would even be qualified to glimpse his taillights.
Even allowing Dugu Bo, Ye Renxin, and Chrysanthemum Douluo to co-sign the method would not fundamentally change that. None of them truly possessed the ability to revolutionize cultivation techniques. Their names served a different purpose: binding their interests to his, and ensuring that when others sought them out for improvements, they would redirect those people to Chen Ming.
Especially Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ye Renxin.
Chrysanthemum Douluo was an enforcement elder of Spirit Hall, one of the few beneath the Supreme Pontiff herself. When he joined forces with Ghost Douluo, they could unleash the terrifying Bipolar Static Domain. Binding him to his cause was far more significant than simply gaining the support of a single high-level Spirit Douluo—it meant tying himself to an entire pillar of Spirit Hall's power.
As for Ye Renxin, although he was only a Spirit Saint, he represented the Nine Heart Begonia lineage. Over decades, he had saved countless lives, and across the continent, an immeasurable number of people owed him favors. Over a thousand years, the lineage itself had rescued even more, leaving behind a web of debts that spanned countless families and sects.
Because of the Douluo Continent's closed nature and slow-changing structure, countless Spirit Master families and sects—large and small—owed their lives or gratitude to the Nine Heart Begonia lineage.
Ye Renxin might not be among the strongest in raw power, but in terms of character, value, connections, and influence, he stood at the very peak of the continent. His endorsement could bring benefits far beyond what was immediately visible.
Just as Chen Ming had said—his greatest asset was always his mind, along with the AI-like thinking ability he had gained through transmigration. Everything else was secondary.
If one could understand everything that had happened in the world, one could predict its future. And if one possessed all knowledge, one could achieve anything, incorporating all into their plans. In that sense, omniscience was tantamount to omnipotence.
Chen Ming intended to exploit the mistrust and mutual wariness between various factions, using this era of intense competition to secure even greater advantages for himself.
If he began laying the groundwork now, then in the future, the difficulty of creating his own God Position would be greatly reduced.
As for Chrysanthemum Douluo's Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum Martial Soul, and Ye Renxin's Nine Heart Begonia—capable of restoring flesh and bone—Chen Ming coveted them deeply.
Especially the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum. If he could comprehend even a portion of its mysteries, he could amplify its medicinal properties within his own body, potentially achieving a truly indestructible physique.
Hearing Chen Ming's proposal, Dugu Bo showed no resistance—after all, he had already been thoroughly studied by Chen Ming before. Chrysanthemum Douluo hesitated for only a brief moment before nodding in agreement. Ye Renxin was somewhat reluctant, but seeing the other two consent, he had little choice but to follow suit.
Chen Ming then began explaining his foundational internal cultivation method in detail—its principles, underlying philosophy, the pathways of Spirit Power circulation, and how the flow through different meridians stimulated the body. He elaborated on the properties and functions of the twelve primary meridians, and how different Spirit Masters should adjust the flow of their Spirit Power accordingly.
To them, Chen Ming's system was both novel and advanced. Even after studying it for less than half a month, both Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ye Renxin felt as though they had gained profound insight.
Only Dugu Bo seemed less affected.
After all, Chen Ming had already designed a customized internal cultivation method specifically for him. During the process of treating him, that method had played a crucial role, allowing Dugu Bo to advance two full levels in one go. Under normal circumstances, reaching level 92 would have already been the limit.