I'm not sure if it's an illusion.
Zhang Jing always felt that the Jade Talisman in front of him seemed to be a bit more solid than before. Even though the increment was extremely weak, he still noticed it.
"Could it be because I have developed spiritual sense following my entry into the Visualization Method?"
Zhang Jing's gaze was slightly concentrated.
After all, this was the only change that had occurred to him recently.
His gaze shifted down, gently falling on the newly upgraded [Pure Yuan Breathing Visualization Method], a line of text jumping continuously, desperately demonstrating its existence.
[Skill Characteristic: Gather Spirit Light (Low-level)]
A piece of information suddenly surfaced in his mind.
[Dantian produces a kind of spirit light that gathers and refines Qi, greatly enhancing the Qi conversion speed with pure spiritual energy.]
"Dantian light, gathering and refining Qi?"
Zhang Jing unconsciously opened his palm, pressing it on his chest, breathing rapidly.
The Pure Yuan Breathing Visualization Method had made a clear explanation.
The spiritual sense born from the entry level of the Visualization Method is merely a necessity for cultivation.
The subsequent stage of formal cultivation requires the absorption of spiritual energy into the body, refining it into spiritual power, and then, initiating the terrifying transformation from mortal to immortal.
This is the origin of the first stage of cultivation, the Refining Qi Realm.
In Qi refinement, the most important aspects are nothing more than the speed of Qi refinement and the purity of spiritual power in Dantian.
The former is related to the cultivation speed, the latter to the difficulty of cultivation breakthroughs.
The [Gather Spirit Light] provides boosts in both aspects.
With an exhilarated heart, Zhang Jing closed his eyes, and his spiritual sense probed Dantian.
In the empty Dantian, a faint glow shone. At its center, a spirit light resided, like a small snake, exuding a lively and pure aura.
"Indeed it's in Dantian!"
After confirming, Zhang Jing returned to reality with his consciousness.
His gaze was fixed on the Jade Talisman.
He felt an abrupt sense of anticipation.
Since the level one [Pure Yuan Breathing Visualization Method] has the characteristic [Gather Spirit Light], when he upgrades it to level four, what new characteristic will appear?
What about level seven?
Or even—the ultimate Dharma Seed that eventually evolves!
That's right! Dharma Seed!
Thinking of Dharma Seed, Zhang Jing suddenly realized that his mind had also evolved with this breakthrough. In this way, he should be able to maintain the Heart Eye Dharma Seed for a longer time.
He glanced at the dark scenery outside the window.
It's still early.
"Heart Eye!" Zhang Jing shouted in his heart.
In an instant, the Dharma Seed in his sense sea bloomed brightly, and his Heart Eye responded and opened.
His comprehension suddenly improved, and his thinking became very quick.
At the same time, his newly born spiritual sense started to decrease gradually, as if it was being consumed by something.
"Starting to consume spiritual sense by stimulating Dharma Seed? ...Well, as the result of mental transformation, perhaps the original stimulation of Dharma Seed naturally required spiritual sense. It's only that I didn't have it before."
Wait, in that case——
Zhang Jing came to his senses in his sense sea.
Before his eyes, the Heart Eye Dharma Seed was frantically devouring the already limited spiritual sense.
He tried to control both the spiritual sense and the Dharma Seed simultaneously.
Less! Slower!
In an instant, Zhang Jing felt the boost from the Heart Eye gradually weakening, and the consumption of spiritual sense greatly reduced, extending the duration of the Heart Eye state.
"That's about right!"
Zhang Jing said satisfactorily.
Such a state is more convenient for long-term cultivation. Steady and continuous progress is the kingly way. It's not sustainable if every time, he becomes exhausted and drowsy just after a few breaths' duration.
That would make him lose face when telling others.
"Perhaps now the Hidden Jiao Devouring Void Tao Rhyme has also changed?" Zhang Jing guessed.
He had a mind to try.
But upon checking the time——
Forget it, first find Coach Wang and get the Grade-B evaluation. That's the priority.
...
...
"Very well, spiritual sense has already emerged. Deng An—the Visualization Method entered on the sixth day, Grade-B evaluation, reported to the Supervision Pavilion of the Dao Institute."
"Okay," said Coach Wang: "Junior Brother Deng, congratulations on passing the assessment and entering Dao Institute!"
"Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother instructor."
Knock, knock--
Gentle knocking on the door caught the attention of the two in the room.
The conversation abruptly ended.
"Come in." Coach Wang yelled, confusion crossing his rugged face, seemingly asking: Why is someone looking for him at this time?
"Perhaps someone has encountered some doubts during their cultivation and is unable to make progress, so they've come to seek your guidance." Deng An said gently.
"Perhaps." Coach Wang pondered.
The door was slowly opened.
"Huh, you are...Brother Zhang!" Recognizing the visitor, Deng An exclaimed in surprise.
"Turns out Brother Deng is here too?"
Unexpectedly running into Deng An here, Zhang Jing paused, then quickly regained his composure.
His impression of the man was not deep.
Out of the group of friends with Ji Bochang, the current Deng An was the most low-profile one, unassuming, almost nonexistent.
But to everyone's surprise.
He turned out to be the second person to pass the assessment after Ji Bochang.
"Yes, there are some things I need to discuss with the instructor."
Deng An looked at the friend of Ji Bochang who stood before him and answered gently.
At this moment.
Across them.
Coach Wang pondered for a moment, then spoke:
"Your name is...Zhang Jing, right? So, Zhang Jing, why did you come to find me? What—"
Before he finished speaking, Coach Wang's gaze suddenly became focused, staring intently at the center of Zhang Jing's brows, and incredulously asked:
"Spiritual sense? You've entered the Visualization Method in your cultivation?"
Zhang Jing nodded.
Silence!
Silence enveloped Coach Wang.