Eight Layer

A cultivator with a shattered spirit sea becomes but a broken vessel, unable to gather the vital essence of the world, to concentrate it, or purify its essence. Damaged meridians, akin to fractured waterways, hinder the flow of this essence, crippling the cultivator's very being.

A broken spirit gate, a gateway to power, could spell doom in two ways. It could shatter the meridians, leaving the cultivator a husk, or it could crumble while the meridians remained whole, diminishing the cultivator's strength but not extinguishing it entirely. In the latter case, the cultivator's cultivation would only decrease. However, if the meridian was also damaged or destroyed, the cultivator would lose all their cultivation.

The Great Doctor bore the scars of four broken spirit gates, marking him as one who once walked the path of the fourth layer of the Spirit Gate Realm. The twisted flow of energy within his meridians spoke of missing pathways, like roads lost to time, causing blockages and casting shadows upon his meridians.

Untreated, a broken spirit gate could lead to irreversible damage to the meridians, extinguishing the flame of cultivation forever. Yet, the Great Doctor's gates, though broken, bore the marks of healing, like wounds mended by a skilled hand.

'It seems unlikely he got hurt in a fight. The odds of having four broken gates without causing damage to the meridians are too low. Seeing as they were healed after, this was most likely some sort of punishment…'

Ming Ren's eyes widened as he observed the cultivator's soul. Within the soul, an unusual strength pulsed, far exceeding that of an ordinary cultivator. It could be a remnant of his past glory as Spirit Gate Realm cultivator, but Ming Ren sensed something more, a deeper resonance, as if the soul itself sang a melody only he could hear. He recognized the tune – it was the harmony of soul attunement, a rare phenomenon where body and soul danced in perfect unison, maximizing the absorption and utilization of soul energy.

A faint luminescence emanated from Xu Tian, flickering like a candle flame in hues of azure and violet. A palpable force throbbed with the rhythm of his soul. 'Soul attunement! And the True Element of Soul!' Ming Ren exclaimed inwardly.

True Elements, fragments of the Dao itself, held connections to the primordial chaos. The True Element of Soul governed the very essence of the soul, granting the cultivator an unparalleled sensitivity to the spiritual realm, allowing them to perceive and manipulate soul energy with a mastery most could only dream of. It bestowed an edge in spiritual perception and soul attacks, a formidable advantage in the cultivator's arsenal.

'No wonder he sensed my soul's strength,' Ming Ren realized. 'But wait, this is… healing energy!'

A crystalline energy, transparent and pure, flowed around the Great Doctor's spirit sea. It was an energy of restoration, capable of mending wounds and accelerating the body's natural healing processes. It could amplify the restorative properties of wood and water elements, making it a priceless asset for any cultivator.

A True Element, a rare healing energy, and the legacy of four opened spirit gates – this man was no ordinary cultivator. He must have been an elite, a scion of a prominent sect on the continent.

"Oh, where are my manners? This old man is called Xu Tian." The great doctor nodded slightly in a small, casual gesture. 

"Senior, I am Yu Ren, a wandering cultivator," Ming Ren replied, mirroring the gesture of respect, his mother's surname serving as his alias.

"A wandering cultivator? I would have wagered on the Jade Clan," Xu Tian chuckled.

Ming Ren offered a faint smile in response. The Great Doctor's wisdom was keen, though his aim slightly off. He had linked the youth's regenerative abilities to the Jade Clan's Clear Body Bloodline, unaware of Jana's ancient lineage that flowed within Ming Ren's veins. The notion of three powerful bloodlines converging in one individual was beyond comprehension.

"I shall not pry into your reasons," Xu Tian continued. "Death has stalked these lands of late. We searched the nearby villages, but none knew you, so we brought you along. However, young man, whatever technique brought you to this state, refrain from its use until you can wield it properly."

Xu Tian mistook Ming Ren's exhaustion for the aftermath of a bloodline secret skill wielded beyond his current capabilities. He could not have fathomed the truth – that the beastly roar and the subsequent drain of the Power of the Stars had left him depleted.

"I understand, senior," Ming Ren replied. "May I ask how you found me?"

"The caravan leader's daughter stumbled upon you. I merely tended to your wounds," Xu Tian explained, recounting how they found Ming Ren under an oak tree, guarded by his avian summon, and their subsequent search for anyone who might know him.

"Initially, I thought you were caught in the spirit beast frenzy, but you bore no outward wounds," Xu Tian continued. "Then I examined your soul. A Body Tempering cultivator with spiritual sense, quite the anomaly."

"Fortune has smiled upon me," Ming Ren replied with a hint of humility. "Senior also possesses spiritual sense, even at the Spirit Sea Realm."

"A convenient tool, indeed. And speaking of tools, this belongs to you," Xu Tian said, retrieving Ming Ren's spatial ring from his pocket, a playful glint in his eyes. "I claimed it first, lest others be tempted by its allure."

Ming Ren expressed his gratitude once more, his heart swelling with appreciation. The ring remained sealed. This senior cared little for material possessions, choosing not to even attempt to open the ring. With his spiritual sense, he could easily bypass most refinements.

"Rest a while, and join us when the day's work is done," Xu Tian suggested. "The caravan will halt at dusk. I'll introduce you to the others then. You've already sensed their presence, haven't you?"

"Yes, senior. I shall do as you say," Ming Ren confirmed.

"Ah, and do not think we placed you at the back out of disrespect. It's just that…" Xu Tian paused, his gaze searching Ming Ren's face for any reaction, "the spirit beasts reacted… poorly to your presence. Trembling and shrieking in fear whenever you drew near."

'What a troublesome body I have. It seems spirit beasts will recognize my aura from now on if I'm not careful, no matter where I go. The changes in my body aren't completely due to Jana's bloodline, but rather from the depths of my soul,' Ming Ren said, remaining composed and not feigning surprise. "I am truly sorry for the trouble, senior."

'What a well mannered young man,' Xu Tian thought highly of his behavior. "That is why it would also be better if you came out later. It will be easier to deal with the beasts."

Ming Ren nodded in understanding.

"Ah, right. Here, take these," Xu Tian said, offering a handful of vibrant spirit fruits. They were plump and fragrant, their skins shimmering with the essence of spiritual energy. Ming Ren recognized their quality, his stomach growling at the sight of such delectable treasures.

"Spirit fruits?" he inquired, though he knew the answer.

These fruits, nourished by the Qi of Heaven and Earth over countless years in blessed lands, were a cultivator's boon, providing sustenance and vitality for their cultivation journey. Some even possessed unique properties, extending lifespan or fortifying the soul.

The fruits Xu Tian presented were not of the thousand-year-old variety that could drastically enhance one's power, but even decade-old spirit fruits were valuable, offering a considerable boost to Ming Ren's cultivation. It was not uncommon for cultivators to spend years searching for specific spirit fruits to aid in their cultivation or to use them as offerings in important ceremonies.

"A surprise, isn't it? They are from the Spirit Fruit Clan," Xu Tian revealed.

The Spirit Fruit Clan! Renowned for their mastery of mass-producing these coveted fruits. Delicious and affordable, though not as potent as their ancient counterparts. But where could one easily find thousand-year-old spirit fruits?

Perhaps on treacherous mountain peaks or within the depths of perilous forests, guarded by fearsome creatures and harsh landscapes. Or through trade with cultivators, clans, or sects, bartering rare treasures or services for these elusive fruits. Obtaining thousand year old spirit fruits would be a challenging and costly endeavor for most cultivators.

"This is too much, senior. I cannot accept," Ming Ren protested politely.

"I have plenty to spare," Xu Tian chuckled. "Consider it a small gesture. You must be famished. Eat, and regain your strength."

With a slight nod, Xu Tian departed, leaving Ming Ren to ponder the Great Doctor's kindness, reminiscent of Elder Li's warmth and concern. As he savored a spirit fruit, his fingers brushed through his long, silver streaked hair. He considered cutting it but decided against it. He desired a different look for a while, and the flowing silver locks added to his unique appearance.

'Mother would have loved this color,' he thought, his mind drifting back to the vision-like dreams, where he stood clad in black and white armor, gazing upon a sea of stars. His hair had been silver even then, seemingly linked to the enigmatic Power of the Stars.

'The Power of the Stars originates from my soul, yet I cannot grasp its essence,' he lamented. 'But there's little I can do about it now. Should I still journey to the River Province?'

The caravan's destination was Mount Ironclaw, he had overheard. Radiant Bridge City, a frontier fortress guarding the borders, would be the closest major city on the way to the River Province. A martial city, ruled by a clan that once vied for dominance with the Brave Clan but ultimately fell short.

'Radiant Bridge City,' Ming Ren pondered. 'Some of my clansmen may have sought refuge there. And perhaps Soup Granny's granddaughter as well.'

He fondly recalled the courageous grandmother who fought to her last breath, a martial arts instructor of the clan, and the creator of his favorite oxtail soup. Food and knowledge held a special place in his heart.

'But nothing matters if I don't have enough power,' he reminded himself. 'I cannot rely solely on my soul or the Divine Light Dragon Body. And without the Spirit Sea Realm, I cannot secure powerful backing.'

To protect his scattered clan members, he needed the support of a formidable force, like the royal family or a major sect. While he had faith in his own growth, he worried for his mother, father, Ming Lan, Ming Qiu, and the countless others who might be suffering or imprisoned. The Power of the Stars offered only glimpses, not guarantees.

Could he afford to wait for his own strength to mature?

The urgency gnawed at him. He needed to act swiftly. 'Either I find backing, or I create my own,' he resolved. 'For now, cultivation takes precedence. I'll develop a barrier art using my spiritual sense and practice controlling my soul. I cannot afford another loss of control.'

He focused his mind, expanding his senses, experimenting with ways to convert spiritual sense into a tangible shield. The process was challenging, but through meditation and practice, he molded his spiritual sense into a dense force, enveloping himself and his surroundings like a protective shell.

Soon, his own technique was born. He learned to extend his spiritual sense outward, then compress it into a tight sphere, shaping it with his will and intent into an impenetrable barrier, shielding him from prying spiritual senses and other forms of detection. Ming Ren's technique was not based on the use of spiritual energy but rather on the raw power of his spiritual sense. It was a unique approach that allowed him to create a protective barrier without expending any significant amount of energy or risking spiritual exhaustion.

[Ming Ren Style Arts - Spiritual Sense Circular Barrier]

With his barrier in place, Ming Ren turned his attention inward, exploring the depths of his soul. He could feel its power surging within him. Concentrating, he felt the energy intensify, becoming more focused.

Opening his eyes, he sensed everything within his barrier, his understanding of spiritual power deepening. Then, he examined the contents of his spatial ring – five early-stage Spirit Sea cores, four middle-stage fourth-layer cores, and five peak middle-stage cores.

'The armored ape king, three-horned salamander, and chimera-spider cores will have to wait,' he decided. 'I cannot properly absorb their essence yet.'

Assuming the lotus position, Ming Ren revolved the One Breath Luminescence Law, drawing in the spiritual energy of Heaven and Earth, nourishing his inner sea and tempering his body. He pushed himself to the limit, quickly reaching the next bottleneck.

Breaking through to the late stage of Body Tempering often presented a formidable obstacle, but for Ming Ren, it was but a gentle breeze.

Seventh layer of the Body Tempering Realm!

Maintaining his momentum, he drew upon the cores of the wild ape, flood mantis, and other Spirit Sea beasts from the forest incident. Cultivators required a strong foundation and precise control over their spiritual energy to absorb the essence of monster cores. As a general rule, cores from the same cultivation layer could be absorbed efficiently, but higher-layered cores posed a greater challenge.

Ming Ren, however, possessed a heaven-grade cultivation law, powerful bloodlines, fully opened meridians, and extensive experience in manipulating spiritual energy. Higher-layered cores were well within his grasp.

He had been unable to break through within Jana's lair due to the harmful spiritual energy. Now, with Jana's bloodline fully assimilated into his own, he was uniquely resilient, impervious to even the strongest wood spiritual energy or Jana's baleful aura.

Jana's bloodline had also cleansed his body of impurities and opened his remaining meridians, a feat he had been unable to achieve for himself before. The combined effects of the ancient bloodline and the Jade Clan's legacy surpassed all expectations.

However, the demand for spiritual energy during his body tempering had also increased dramatically. By the time he had absorbed three of the five early-stage Spirit Sea cores, the time it took to eat a meal, his cultivation had already reached the peak of the seventh layer.

'With this much energy, an ordinary cultivator would have already reached the Spirit Sea Realm,' he marveled. 'Should I use the twin-headed lioness and rhino king cores?'

He attempted to absorb the energy within the fourth-layer cores and frowned. He could only assimilate a tenth of their power, yet it was still double the amount he had absorbed from the early-stage cores.

'Perhaps I should save them, but who knows what the future holds? Better to focus on gradual improvement than worry about what may come.'

With renewed determination, he shattered the cores, allowing the One Breath Luminescence Law to draw in their essence. The powerful energy flow caused the air to rumble and the wagon to vibrate as it surged into his spirit sea. His impeccable qi control prevented any adverse effects or hidden dangers, allowing him to temper his body to new heights.

Another half-hour passed, and his spirit sea radiated with newfound power.

The eighth layer of the Body Tempering Realm!

Forgetting all else, Ming Ren immersed himself in cultivation. Each flow of spiritual energy was meticulously guided through his meridians, nourishing his inner sea and strengthening his body. He maintained perfect balance, preventing stagnation or overflow, constantly adjusting the flow and harmonizing the energies within. With each cycle, he felt his strength grow, his body becoming more resilient, and his mind sharper.

The fourth-layer cores, imbued with the essence of the rhino king and the three-headed lioness, carried a potent spiritual energy. With each core, he felt his body and soul becoming more attuned to the natural world, as if tapping into a primal force that had always resided within him.

He resisted the strain on his meridians and inner channels, striving to utilize every ounce of energy.

'If Lin Dong could endure worse, how could I not follow his example?' he thought, drawing inspiration from his friend's tenacity.

The process was both exhilarating and exhausting. He gritted his teeth, and two hours later, as the caravan prepared to rest for the night, his body had undergone a complete transformation. He had tempered it through two entire small realms, strengthening his inner organs and muscles.

He stood taller, his muscles more defined, his features chiseled, and his aura as sharp as a honed blade, ready to cleave through any obstacle.

He had reached the peak of the eighth layer of the Body Tempering Realm!