Cultivators Are So Weak in This World-Chapter 214 - 197. Nearing the Top

"This question..." Yue Dewen smiled faintly.

He looked at Mingyuan.

"Why don’t you address it. After all, I’m not a Spiritual Vein."

Mingyuan respectfully made a bow to Yue Dewen, then turned to Zhang Rongfang.

His appearance could be considered handsome, just his skin was too fair, and without any facial hair, his skin was smooth as if he were a maiden.

When watching Zhang Rongfang, his pair of eyes held a faint indifference amidst the calmness.

It was a kind of indifference that cared for nothing else but orders.

"Spiritual Veins, more precisely, is a type of Spiritualization Ceremony. This ceremony, for ordinary people, is indeed immortal."

He answered seriously.

"Even if receiving attacks exceeding the body’s strength limit momentarily, shattering the body, it can quickly recover."

"Ordinary people? Are there exceptions?" Zhang Rongfang asked in a low voice.

"Naturally." Mingyuan continued, "The essence of Spiritual Veins lies in the spiritualization of the entire body’s veins, stabilizing the physique. The spirit-transformed veins fear no ordinary attacks whatsoever.

Fire, knife, venom, ice, it all means nothing. But...."

He paused, looked at Zhang Rongfang’s focused expression, and continued.

"But, we fear those who are also spirit-transformed.

Because spiritualization varies in rank and alignment.

Stronger ones can destroy others’ spiritualization."

"In other words, Spiritual Veins can be defeated by stronger Spiritual Veins?" Zhang Rongfang understood.

"Yes." Mingyuan was concise.

"So, dear disciple, only those at the pinnacle like Spirit General truly stand at the apex of all martial force." Yue Dewen smiled aloud.

"Martial arts, in the end, are only useful in confrontations where there is not much difference in strength and body technique.

If an adult confronts a baby, no matter what kind of moves the baby can make, the outcome is always the same."

Zhang Rongfang was silent.

He had begun practicing martial arts a long time ago, then witnessed the entire process of the statue’s spiritual transformation.

In his heart, there was a deep sense of crisis.

Now, this sense of crisis had finally been confirmed.

"But don’t be disheartened. When you and others become Spirit Generals, the role of martial arts will manifest. Why do various sects advocate forming one’s own sect and integrating a unique martial system in order to step into Super Grade?

Because only by merging and forming self-realized martial arts can one, after spiritual transformation in worship, reshape everything about oneself, including elevating martial arts." Yue Dewen continued.

"Of course, you don’t need to worry about these, for at the end you are not on the same level as others.

Furthermore, our Great Dao Teaching does not pursue these. Under the sky, there are just a few forces with Spirit Generals.

Zhenyi Sect, us, foreign teachings, Buddhist Western Sect. Black Ten Sect, Celestial Lock Teaching.

The others seem to be nonexistent. Perhaps there are hidden ones, but these already are the foundations accumulated by the Great Spirit over years."

He waved his hand.

Mingyuan immediately lowered his head and left the floor silently.

Only after Mingyuan had completely left did Yue Dewen smile and look at Zhang Rongfang.

"Alright, enough of that, since you’re here today, it’s just as well to change your Void Observation Skill."

"Change it?" Zhang Rongfang was taken aback.

His thoughts were still stuck on the spiritualization just heard, and suddenly hearing this, he didn’t immediately react.

"You mean, our Great Dao Teaching has other cultivation of literature?"

"What nonsense, Void Observation Skill is just a simplified version. You think the old Daoist looks everywhere for Golden Cores under thirty for what?" Yue Dewen was in a bad mood.

Suddenly, his voice paused, feeling like he had let something slip, quickly changing the topic.

"Cough cough... this Void Observation Skill, in essence, was simplified from our sect’s ultimate skill—Supreme Bright Void Skill.

It is meant to screen truly talented and determined disciples."

"Supreme Bright Void Skill...." Zhang Rongfang’s eyes narrowed slightly. He had previously thought that once Void Observation Skill reached Nascent Soul, its life-enhancing effect began to decrease in cost-effectiveness.

Unexpectedly, there was actually more to it.

"Alright, a secret is not revealed to many ears, I will tell you, and you remember. This Supreme Bright Void Skill will improve your body more than Void Observation Skill, but it is also harder.

If you can cultivate it to Refining God later stage within the next twenty years, then you can transform into a Spirit General. Achieve unparalleled power in the world." Yue Dewen solemnly said, retracting his smile.

Immediately, he began to explain carefully, expanding and detailing the original content of the Void Observation Skill, adding a great deal of new information.

Moreover, a heart method similar to a general outline was included.

’Heart dark and outer bright, purify and fix Qi, unite flesh and blood, Divine intent like a lamp, considered as bright void.’

Zhang Rongfang listened attentively, and meanwhile, he quietly opened the attribute panel.

At this moment, the attribute panel was undergoing new changes amid Yue Dewen’s explanation.

The original line of Void Observation Skill gradually blurred, emerging new words.

Changing to ’Supreme Bright Void Skill (Fifth Realm: Nascent Soul Mid-stage.)’

Simultaneously, he silently followed the new cultivation of literature, feeling his body was restructuring around the Nascent Soul of the Dantian, sending ripples of Qi and blood.

Those small ripples continued, never-ending, vibrating like sound waves, causing his whole body to feel numb.

Gradually, Zhang Rongfang fell into a wondrous state of half-sleep, half-awake, half-settled, half-unsettled.

Unconsciously, Yue Dewen noticed Zhang Rongfang’s change as well, he smiled gently lowering his voice, then slowly quieting down.

Raising his right hand.

Swoosh!

Shadows flashed in the corners, occupying crucial spots around the small building, ensuring no one could approach and disturb here.

*

*

*

Great Capital · Western Sect.

In the cold underground palace, strange-shaped statues of human and beast stood along the sides of the main path.

The statues seemed like guards, watching over the surroundings.

They were entirely black, dressed in simple sheer sashes, holding Dharma Instruments.

Only pairs of eyeballs carved from Luminous Pearls emitted a cold blue glow.

"The sun sets in the west, the great sun sinks into the sea."

Inside the main hall, two alluring black sculptures of Celestial Maidens held lotus flower fire basins, illuminating the wide central area.

A large monk, covered in countless layers of fat, was seated on the throne of the main hall.

The throne was two meters wide and nearly three meters high, quite spacious.

Yet the monk sat there like a massive lump of flesh, spreading his body to fill the entire seat.

His face was covered with thick flesh, his eyes like brass bells, pupils shining with a cruel gleam like a carnivorous beast.

"The sun that has been hanging high in the sky is finally about to fall. Cheng Hui, it seems you’ve made an exceedingly wise choice."

Below the throne, a tall and robust man with bronzed arms exposed.

The man knelt on one knee, respectfully saluting the monk on the throne.

He was draped in a thick black cloak that covered his body except for his arms.

A flattering smile unnaturally appeared on his dignified face.

"Water flows to lower places, man seeks higher ground. Only by following the great trend can one avoid being drowned by the times.

Lord Sea Dragon King, I am merely following the times."

"Interesting." The monk on the throne smiled. He casually picked up a large roasted beef leg from a food tray in the shadows beside him.

Opening his blood-red mouth, he devoured more than half with a few bites, chewing and swallowing.

"Let me see your determination."

The monk casually tossed away the leftover bone of the beef leg.

The beef leg rolled a few times, landing right in front of Cheng Hui.

Cheng Hui chuckled a few times, picked up the beef leg bone, and began gnawing at it in large bites.

He showed no concern for the saliva that was on it.

"The roast meat bestowed by the Dragon King is truly aromatic! Thank you for the meat, Dragon King!"

Cheng Hui was unconcerned, praising loudly while gnawing.

"Hahahahahaha!!"

The Sea Dragon King lounged on the throne, laughing heartily.

"Interesting, so very interesting...."

His eyes coldly fixed on Cheng Hui.

"However... just this won’t suffice to worship a god.... You, the Master of Golden Wing Pavilion, need to show some sincerity."

"I am fully aware!" Cheng Hui’s smile faded, his expression earnest.

*

*

*

Celestial Treasure Palace.

Zhang Rongfang returned to his residence room in the living quarters.

Taking out the key, he was about to enter.

Suddenly he paused, turning his head to look at the courtyard directly opposite the door.

The courtyard and the door were separated by a corridor.

The corridor was bustling with people coming and going, yet at this moment, Zhang Rongfang’s gaze was not distracted by the passing Daoists.

He looked straight at the Qinghua Tree in the courtyard.

The tree was full of white Qinghua blossoms, and beneath the white buds, something seemed to be subtly moving.

It wasn’t swaying from the wind, more like some kind of bird.

Zhang Rongfang vaguely heard something.

He paused for a moment, set down the key, and turned to walk towards the Qinghua Tree.

Coming to the tree.

A gentle breeze blew, scattering some white pollen, its fragrance tickling his nose slightly.

Reaching out to push aside a cluster of branches, he paused, momentarily stunned.

Below the branches, a familiar little red bird was hiding.

The streamlined body of the red bird and the signature white feather on its head reminded him of the little red bird he had in Tan Yang.

The messaging bird from back then also had this appearance.

But Zhang Rongfang knew, this bird was not that bird.

Because that bird had died in Tan Yang long ago.

This one was still young, its eyes naive, as if it hadn’t been out in the world long.

The little red bird raised its head, giving two weak chirps, seemingly pleading.

Saying nothing, Zhang Rongfang reached out and picked it up, tucking it into his sleeve, and turned back to his room.

After closing the door, he examined the little red bird, taking a bamboo tube from its leg, the paper roll inside bearing only a place name and a time.

Casually discarding the paper roll, Zhang Rongfang didn’t pay it any mind.

He rummaged through the medicine cabinet, soon finding some Golden Wound Medicine for treating external injuries, and applied a little to the bird’s back wound.

Whether human medicine could heal a bird, he didn’t know.

Regardless, he had done his best; whether the little red bird could survive was now left to fate.

He fed the bird some water and wheat grains.

Zhang Rongfang sat cross-legged on the meditation mat on the floor, carefully pondering the information he’d received these days from his new mentor—Chongxuan Daoist.

’If I only cultivate the Cultivation of Literature, if I truly choose the Spiritualization path, it is undoubtedly the optimal choice. With Supreme Bright Void Skill and guidance from a high-level Great Dao Teaching master, I can surely reach the Spirit General level, standing at the pinnacle of Great Spirit hierarchy.’

’But....’

’Such overpowering strength that could be controlled in that way, does it really hold meaning?’

Zhang Rongfang gently shook his head, banishing this path entirely from his mind.

’But if I don’t pursue Spiritualization, can mere martial arts resist Spiritualization?’

Major powers are all Spiritualized, around Great Capital, Spiritual Veins experts are ubiquitous, impervious to blades and spears, prolonging their life spans, unkillable, indestructible. If not equally Spiritualized, it’s utterly impossible to withstand them.’