Power greatly increased?

Gazing at the snow-blanketed backyard, Shuro's brows furrowed.

After relentless secluded training day and night for over twenty days, he had finally fully unblocked the two channels of the "Twelve Primary Meridians Spanning Seven Wheels".

The two channels referred to the Ren and Du channels. Whether in alchemy, martial arts, or the fundamental immortal arts, there was the saying "Unblocking the Ren and Du connects all channels". Thus, after opening the Ren and Du, Shuro guided his true qi to naturally flow through and complete the twelve primary meridians.

With over half of the Mystic Orbit completed, Shuro's power surged again. With a mere wave of his hand, he could disturb the air currents, sending shockwaves rippling dozens of yards around. His arm strength had risen to tens of thousands of catties, surpassing the Greater Emptiness Spirit Realm to reach half-step hermit.

The immense advantage of cultivating the Nine Deaths Reborn Technique was finally revealed!

Ordinary cultivators at Shuro's current level could at most exert power slightly higher than Lesser Emptiness Spirit Realm, nearly two whole realms below Shuro's half-step hermit power. This was entirely due to how extraordinarily the Nine Deaths Reborn Technique stimulated one's life potential.

Though Shuro's power was comparable to a half-step hermit's, his cultivation level remained at the first stage of Foundation Establishment. He could conceal his true qi at will, reducing his aura to an ordinary early Foundation Establishment cultivator's.

With over half the Mystic Orbit complete, all that remained was unblocking the seven wheels, and Shuro would finish the circuit, filling his Mystic Orbit with true qi and breaking through to the second stage of Foundation Establishment, Lesser Completion.

Based on his current progress, Shuro deduced that upon completing the Mystic Orbit and stabilizing the second stage, his power would match a hermit's.

But then something strange happened. Shuro was unable to locate the seven wheels!

The seven wheels were where the profound acupoints and passages converged in the body, complementing the meridians. The channels were like rivers and seas, while the wheels were mountains and chasms—together they formed the circuity. Only by ultimately unblocking the seven wheels could one complete the Mystic Orbit. Without the wheels, cultivation would grind to a halt!

In the Nine-Dragon Sovereign's memories, after opening the Ren and Du channels, he could naturally find the entrances to the seven wheels.

Even Shuro himself hadn't expected that with the Nine-Dragon Sovereign's memories and having cultivated the Nine Deaths Reborn Technique, he would get stuck at this seemingly smoothest, obstruction-free stage. If word got out in the cultivation world, it would make many people laugh.

"How many more days until the birthday banquet?" Shuro casually asked.

"Seven days left," Lee respectfully answered.

Seven days? Today just happened to be the seventeenth. Only seven days remained, yet by all reason, Aunt should have already begun preparations. Why was there no news at all?

The sounds of fighting from the front hall grew increasingly fierce, and unease rose in Shuro's heart.

"Why don't you go investigate?" Shuro immediately suggested.

With Lee's perception, he would nod.

Shuro nodded slightly. "Check on one person for me."

"Who?"

"Young Miss Faithe."

Lee was curious but didn't ask further. He activated a movement art and left in a blur.

Only Shuro and Lewis remained in the deserted courtyard as snow drifted down.

Hearing Lewis's voice, Shuro turned to see him looking deeply grateful. "I...I seem to have...broken through."

Shuro smiled. "The cultivation method I imparted, when it comes down to it, is about absorbing qi and nurturing blood to strengthen your constitution. With sufficient qi and blood, you can naturally quicken the efficacy of the pills and assist your breakthrough to the Skin Refinement Realm."

Seeing Lewis's barely contained excitement, Shuro chose not to reveal the full truth for now.

Just breaking through a single minor realm had him so elated. If Lewis knew he had been cultivating authentic "immortal arts" these days rather than alchemy, he might lose his mind.

The sun was obscured by clouds as snowflakes fell from the sky. When the first one landed, virtual lightning shot from Shuro's left eye, slicing through it like a blade.

Shuro's gaze fixed unwaveringly on Lewis. His eyesight now exceeded his past limits tenfold. He could even clearly discern the patterns on a mosquito's wings, let alone the surging qi and blood beneath Lewis's skin.

"Blood changes to essence, bowing to the five viscera, breaking open the Spirit Platform." The words slipped from Shuro's mouth as his tone grew complex.

After cultivating the Nine Deaths Reborn Technique, Shuro was constantly absorbing the Nine-Dragon Sovereign's memories, and his understanding of cultivation increased daily.

As his knowledge deepened, Shuro faintly sensed that in imparting this body refinement method to Lewis, his good intentions may have paved the road to hell.

Throughout history, whether immortals, demons, humans, ghosts, monsters—cultivation methods could be grouped into three types: refining the fleshly body, refining the myriad energies, and refining the arcane spirit. And from these three sprang endless techniques, arts, and immortal vocations without exception.

For instance, alchemy and martial arts came from refining energies, though they were the most superficial, elementary methods. The Mystic Tortoise Diamond Sutra Shuro passed to Lewis belonged to the first type, refining the body.

No matter the type, true cultivation began after completing the fourth stage of Foundation Establishment, Grand Completion.

Refining the body required drawing in qi and blood to refine them into essence, focusing on the middle Elixir Field. Only by passing fire to open the "Spirit Platform Mystic Realm" in the middle dantian could one be considered accomplished in this practice. However, humans were innately inferior to demons and monsters. Starting off at a disadvantage, despite cultivating the body, they could hardly contend with demons. Thus, few humans specialized in the Spirit Platform.

Refining the myriad energies cultivated the lower Elixir Field. By passing fire to establish the "Yellow Court Mystic Realm," refining pills and forming a spirit-infant, with the myriad energies returning to their origin, one would embark on the immortal path. Ninety-nine percent of human cultivators chose to establish the Yellow Court, taking the body refinement as supplementary.

Refining the arcane spirit focused on the upper Elixir Field between the brows, in order to open the "Heaven's Gate Mystic Realm." However, unlike the former two, those who cultivated arcane spirits and opened Heaven's Gate were rare, one in tens of thousands. It required special talent. But once successful, one could cultivate the arcane energies of heaven and earth and wield all kinds of magics, invincible within the same realm, capable of suppressing the Spirit Platform and Yellow Court, even surmounting levels.

In a sense, Lewis's cultivation of the Mystic Tortoise Diamond Sutra could be considered Foundation Establishment, though he hadn't even reached the first stage, taking the path of refining the body and breaking open the Spirit Platform. While the Spirit Platform and Yellow Court mystic realms each had their own merits, cultivation methods for the Spirit Platform were far less orthodox among human cultivators compared to the Yellow Court.

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When Shuro imparted the Mystic Tortoise Diamond Sutra, he hadn't considered too deeply, simply wishing to help Lewis improve. But now, Lewis's surging qi and blood had led his alchemical core to shrivel as the sutra completely suppressed his martial arts. He could only continue on the path of "breaking the Spirit Platform".

Yet since ancient times, cultivation was passed down through precepts, not fire.

Whether "breaking the Spirit Platform" or "establishing the Yellow Court", one required a master's guidance. This was the fundamental reason sects could thrive endlessly. Even with the Nine-Dragon Sovereign's two thousand years of memories, Shuro would need to join a sect after reaching the fourth stage of Foundation Establishment to advance further and receive the lineage's flame.

According to the Nine-Dragon Sovereign's memories, common remote lands like this rarely had sects for Spirit Platform cultivation. If Lewis wished to receive the flame and break open his Spirit Platform in the future, he would have to think hard about how to make it happen.

"I believe in you," Lewis suddenly said.

Shuro was startled, then realized Lewis meant Blanche.

With a faint smile, Shuro changed the subject, chatting idly with Lewis.

The sounds of fighting from the front hall gradually died down. Some time later, Lee returned.

"What happened?" Shuro asked.

"Turns out someone tried to steal a treasure from the residence. I heard him telling the master he was Third Young Master's steward. He wanted to take some heaven-sent treasure that could increase power. But he didn't seem to actually want to steal it, just cause trouble. As he left, he mocked the master for wanting to use the treasure to improve the cultivation of the secondary residence's descendants." Lee vividly recounted.

Shuro pondered briefly before nodding slightly. "I see. The secondary residence is in dire straits. The master hopes this heaven-sent treasure can turn its fortunes around."

The moonlight was as frigid as snow. Beneath its pale gleam, Shuro donned a new short coat and sat with Lee and Lewis under a withered tree, heartily devouring mutton and drinking wine while chatting idly.

The mutton had been stewed to perfection in a clay vat with spicy oil and scallions, with just the right ratio of fat to lean meat, tender and flavorful. The wine was mellow and pleasantly fiery, warming the throat. Concerned for Faithe, Shuro drank rather freely.

"Lee, you're not entirely useless after all," Shuro remarked as they neared the end of the meal, still longing for more.

"You flatter me, young master," replied Lee, glowing as if he had just taken supreme tonic, his entire being radiating vigor and cheer. "This mutton I've prepared has quite the pedigree. Plain as it looks, I filched the secret recipe from a century-old establishment at great cost. Its blend contains..."

Before Lee could continue boasting, Shuro interjected, "We have a visitor."

Lee looked crestfallen.

No sooner had Shuro spoken than a sinister aura washed over them, enshrouding the three.

"The invitation of the Five Cities, the Caelius Capital Nether Canyon, the seventeenth of the second month, meet without fail."

Shuro drew a golden invitation from his waist and gazed evenly at the figure in the distance.

Thud! The bone dropped from Lee's hand.

Lewis' eyes widened, his face frozen.

Dragons may attract people, but few dare truly draw near. The same could be said of ghosts and monsters.

Even Lee, who had attained the halfway point to Core Formation, shuddered at the distorted figure hidden beneath the figure's ample gray robes, exuding an occasional ghastly aura from the shadows.

The figure spoke.

His voice was utterly toneless, yet seemed to waver and drift, setting every hair on end, as if each pore might explode.

"The York family? Let's be off."

In the figure's hand appeared a black iron spade. He lifted it and smashed it fiercely into the ground.

With a resounding clang, the earth split open. The vat of wine and meat shattered, fragments scattering everywhere.

Irritation flashed across Shuro's face, but soon his gaze was drawn to the fissure.

Within was a boundless landscape of mountains and rivers, shrouded in hazy gray mist. Peaks were separated by bubbling torrents of viscous water. Now and then, tigers and flood dragons could be seen frolicking. High above the mountains and rivers stretched a slender iron-cable bridge, plummeting thousands of miles from the clouds down into the fog, its full length obscured from view.

This sight was like an inlaid scroll embedded in the earth, indescribable.

"Well, are we going or not?"

The impatient escort had already ascended the bridge suspended in the crevasse.

"Be careful, young master!" From the corner of his eye, Lee saw Shuro unhesitatingly leap into the fissure.

Hands clasped behind his back on the iron-cable bridge, Shuro looked up through the hazy fog at Lee and Lewis still hesitating above ground. "Hey, you two. Are we going or not?"

"The young master is so bold!" Lee wiped the cold sweat from his brow.

It was like standing on a cliff's edge and jumping off. Though Lee had attained the halfway point to Core Formation, when he looked at the bridge as thin as a finger, his heart quailed.

Shadows flitted by as Lewis closed his eyes and jumped down.

Seeing the fissure pried open by the iron shovel of the guide starting to close, Lee gritted his teeth and leapt into the crack.

By the time Lee landed, Shuro glanced up again only to see the fissure snap shut with a clap. The mountains and rivers above and below were dim and gloomy, as if under perpetually overcast skies.

"Sir, is this the Nether River?" Shuro asked as he walked onward.

The guide in gray robes leading the way did not answer, aloof as he continued along the endlessly long iron cable.

Lewis' face flashed with annoyance and Lee narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing the guide in gray closely before scoffing, "Young master, this one has but the strength of a scattered immortal. How arrogant and rude."

Although Lee had just recently broken through to the half-step scattered immortal realm, even real scattered immortals were hardly worth his attention now.

Marco, scorned by all the immortal families despite having the strength of a scattered immortal, had miraculously set foot on the immortal path after some pointers from Shuro. In Lee's eyes, Shuro's true depth was far above that of scattered immortals and certainly not inferior to any immortal family.

The Nether River guide before them was merely a half-step scattered immortal acting imperiously before Shuro, naturally earning Lee's ire. But he also understood they were newcomers in this land while the guide was on home turf, so there was no need to cause trouble.

The iron cable looked endless, spanning dozens of mountains and rivers, obscured in mist and fog. Yet walking its length felt swift, and in a short time the group had crossed the cable bridge and arrived at a fork in the road.

To the left was a pitch black river, its inky waters flowing towards a group of people craning their necks as if awaiting a boat. To the right was a small winding path, with several pavilions along it holding eight-legged horses that riders occasionally leapt upon before charging down the Nether River.

"There are two routes to Warden City, one by water, the other by land," the guide said lazily over his shoulder, pointing to a crowded pavilion nearby. "That is the place to exchange your mundane wealth for nether coins, as ordinary gold and silver are useless in Warden City. Without nether coins, you won't get far inside even if you make it through the gates."

"Let's go exchange for nether coins first," Shuro said decisively, striding towards the pavilion.

Lewis followed close behind, while Lee's face was a picture of misery. Shuro had no money of his own, so the expenses for all three came from Lee's savings over the years.

"I need thirty nether coins."

"Give me a hundred."

"Here are five thousand gold ingots, exchange them all for me."

It wasn't just Lee and Lewis whose expressions changed, even Shuro was taken aback. The exchange rate for nether coins was astronomical - ten gold ingots for just one coin!

For context, ten gold ingots could easily cover a modest family's living expenses for three to four years!

"Lee, take out the money," Shuro said expressionlessly.

Lee cried inwardly as he clutched the money bag and squeezed into the crowd.

While Shuro looked nondescript, Lee's features were exotic and Lewis was peerlessly handsome. Their appearance naturally drew eyes.

"How many coins do you gentlemen need?" The guide in gray had his sights set on them from the start and warmly addressed Lee.

Lee gritted his teeth and tossed over the bag.

Coins clinked as the bag hit the floor, while the pavilion fell silent. The guide's jaws dropped before he finally uttered, "You...you're not joking?"

Lee's gaze was resolute. "Two coins for me!"

Murmurs rippled through the onlookers.

Lee's money bag held a mere twenty gold ingots, his entire life savings as a guard from a respected household. Hardly an easy feat.

"Here are your two coins," the guide said. "It's one coin per head to take a snake turtle sailboat from the river route. Even traveling overland, renting an eight-legged horse costs one coin."

"Looks like we'll have to squeeze onto one horse," Shuro mused as he hefted the nether coins in his palm.

The coins were thin like jade tiles but much darker in color, and heavier than ten gold ingots put together. Faint, strange ripples emanated from within. The obverse depicted landscapes and cities, while the reverse was engraved with intricate, spiral patterns that Shuro had seen before on immortal sect talismans disguised as copper coins, only far more complex.

Lee and Lewis went to select a horse with one of the coins.

Shuro surveyed the fork in the Nether River. His gaze soon fell upon a weathered stone stele by the roadside.

Ancient seal script at the top read: Chronicle of the Desolate City.

Desolate city? Did it refer to Warden City?

Intrigued, Shuro approached and made out the faded words engraved:

"People are divided into good and evil, time into day and night, the cosmos into yin and yang. The Nether River lies beneath the Nine Heavens, deep within the underworld, unseen by the sun. Those who come and go are judged not by their birth or deeds or bound by morality, propriety, laws. The desolate city underneath the Nether River welcomes cultivators from all directions. It has but three prohibitions - break them and you will be killed without mercy."

The last three characters "killed without mercy" were carved deepest in the stele, blood red as if stained, sending a chill through the reader.

It seemed Warden City was a place free of many constraints.

Shuro's interest was piqued. He had never left Caelius Capital before, yet now found himself in the legendary Nether River of the underworld. If the stele was any indication, the Nether River was an extension of the cultivation world.

He wondered which corner of Warden City held the treasure left behind by the Nine Dragon Sovereign.

Gazing into the misty distance along the road, Shuro felt a sense of anticipation.

"This horse is big enough," came Lee's voice as he picked a mount not far away. "Young master, let's take this one!"

Shuro turned to see Lee approaching an exceptionally stout horse. With eight legs, Nether River horses were already larger than Caelius Capital breeds, and the one Lee chose was even bigger. It could easily carry not just the three of them, but two more.

Before Lee could grab the reins, another hand landed on the horse's head.

"My young lord wants this horse," declared a burly, dark-skinned groom in green robes, standing a head taller than Lee. His chiseled features and prominent temples marked him as no weakling.

A ferocious glint flashed through Lee's eyes. Exchanging his decade of savings for a pitiful two coins had already incensed him. Now someone dared snatch the horse he picked, extinguishing any goodwill Lee had left.

Having just broken through to half-step, scattered immortal, and with Shuro at his back, Lee was riding high.

With an airy wave, he slapped the green-robed groom's shoulder as if in friendly greeting. Though the groom had reached the grand expanse realm, a top-tier expert among martial artists, he was powerless before a half-step scattered immortal and sent flying by the casual blow.