Chapter 15: Forging Strength Through Formation
Lester sat cross-legged on his bed in the lotus position, his back straight and his breathing slow and deliberate. The marquise gem on his glabella glowed softly with a faint purple light, casting an eerie, ethereal glow over his face. His eyes were closed, his mind focused intently on the task at hand. Lester was delving deep into the [Thousand World Qi Manipulation Manual], trying to grasp its complexities and nuances to a greater extent.
His newly inherited memories from the Evil Monarch aided him, but he knew that cultivating such a profound technique came with its own set of risks and challenges.
Choosing this particular cultivation manual had not been a light decision for Lester. Among all the manuals now imprinted within his mind, this one stood out the most. Not only had the Evil Monarch, a being of immense power, used it to build his own foundation, but it also held a unique versatility that other manuals lacked. It was as if the Black Fiend had created a method that could adapt to various needs and situations, providing a solid base for anyone who could master its intricacies.
The [Thousand World Qi Manipulation Manual] was different because it required a cultivator to manipulate World Qi in a way that was almost unheard of. Rather than simply drawing World Qi into the core and refining it, this manual instructed the cultivator to shape the Qi into specific formation circles around the core itself. These formations acted like gates or channels through which World Qi could enter the core with unparalleled efficiency, minimizing contamination and maximizing purity.
This was a significant advantage. Many Earth-based cultivation techniques suffered from impurities that accumulated over time due to their lack of profoundness. These impurities weakened the cultivator's foundation and caused issues when they attempted to execute higher-level techniques or breakthrough to new stages.
The more Lester studied this manual, the more he realized its genius. Not only did it provide a method to cultivate pure World Qi, but it also offered an array of offensive and defensive techniques that were built upon this foundation. On Earth, a complete cultivation book was already a rare and valuable treasure. A completed one with more than three techniques was even rarer. A complete cultivation book that allowed for a purer world qi absorption and also included such diverse techniques was nearly unheard of.
"So this is how the Black Fiend became so powerful," Lester mused as he immersed himself deeper into the manual’s intricacies.
The most astonishing aspect of the [Thousand World Qi Manipulation Manual] was its ability to manipulate World Qi to create almost anything the mind could imagine. On Earth, this feat would be considered impossible. World Qi was notoriously difficult to control, and shaping it into complex forms was a challenge even for the most talented cultivators. But through the formations laid out in the manual, the Black Fiend devised a method that allowed the user to bypass this difficulty, creating “presets” for specific forms that could be summoned easily.
Lester decided to start with the first of the five foundational manipulations: ‘World Qi Defence Layers’. This technique required him to etch a formation onto his core that would serve two purposes: it would not only enhance his cultivation speed by optimizing World Qi absorption, but it would also allow him to create a preset formation that stacked ontop of eachother, allowing him to manipulate the Qi to form defensive layers around his body. The best part about this technique was its scalability; by adding more layers, one could increase the strength of the defense.
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Understanding these principles, Lester prepared himself for the grueling task ahead. He focused his mind and directed his consciousness into his Soul Space, the mysterious realm where his core resided. Slowly, he began to manipulate the World Qi, guiding it into intricate patterns and shapes that would form the first of many formations around his core.
Time lost all meaning as Lester worked. Days and nights blurred together, his focus unwavering. Each movement required utmost precision, and his body and mind were pushed to their limits. The formation was delicate and complex; one mistake could ruin the entire process, forcing him to start over.
A week passed, though Lester barely noticed. When he finally opened his eyes, he felt a wave of exhaustion wash over him. His body ached as if he had run for hours, and his mind buzzed from the intense concentration he had maintained. Yet, despite the fatigue, a wide grin spread across his face. He had done it.
Within his Soul Space, his core now bore a faint rectangular formation etched onto its surface. It was the first of many steps in his journey, but it was a significant one. The formation was the key to unlocking the ‘World Qi Defence Layers’, and he had successfully completed it.
Lester climbed off his bed, his legs feeling like jelly beneath him. He stretched, feeling the strain in his muscles and the hunger gnawing at his stomach. After a week of focused cultivation, his body craved nourishment and rest. He decided to take a break and head outside for some fresh air.
Opening the door to his cabin, Lester glanced around, half-expecting to see Patrick nearby. The sun was setting, casting a warm orange glow over the surrounding trees and fields. He hadn’t seen Patrick for a while, but he knew his friend was dedicated to his own cultivation journey.
Lester's eyes widened when he finally spotted him. Patrick was knee-deep in a hole he had dug near the cabin, diligently cultivating. It all made sense now. One of the requirements of the [Black Sand Zu Lizard Cultivation] manual was that it had to be practiced on sand or dirt. Patrick had taken the shovel from the tool shed and dug himself a small pit where he could sit and focus on his training.
“He’s really going for it,” Lester thought with a chuckle. Patrick had always been the type to throw himself into things with everything he had.
Smiling, Lester decided not to disturb him. He turned back inside, heading for the shower. After the long week of cultivation, he felt grimy and desperately needed to clean up. The cold water helped wash away the fatigue, soothing his tired muscles and clearing his mind. Once he was clean, he made his way to the kitchen and raided the fridge for whatever he could find, preparing a hearty meal to fill his empty stomach.
As he ate, Lester couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. His cultivation was progressing well. With the formation completed, he decided to test it out. After finishing his meal, he returned to his room, sitting once more in the lotus position. This time, he focused on drawing World Qi into his core through the newly-etched formation.
To his delight, he immediately noticed a difference. The World Qi flowed into his core more smoothly than before, its transparency much clearer. The formation acted like a filter, ensuring that only the purest Qi made its way inside. This was what made the [Thousand World Qi Manipulation Manual] so superior—its attention to purity and efficiency.
A sense of satisfaction settled over him as he watched the cloud of Qi swirling around his core, flowing in steadily through the formation. He was cultivating faster now, his progress more streamlined. The fatigue was still there, but he could feel his strength building, layer by layer.
"This is just the beginning," Lester thought to himself, his grin growing wider. He could already feel the potential of the manual beginning to unfold. If he could master this, who knew what heights he could reach?
With renewed determination, Lester continued his cultivation, eager to unlock the next step on his journey to power.