Chapter 18: Listen to the Dragon's Roar

"The first path: assimilate various techniques. It is easier at the beginning, but it becomes progressively more complex. As more and more techniques are integrated, the demand for comprehension and talent grows higher."

This is certainly not a problem for Changqing, but for others, it may not be the case.

Dongfang Lan's heart skipped a beat. This, indeed, was a cultivation trap!

On the Cloudflow Continent, cultivators can reach the peak realm of "Heavenly Man". However, if one were to ascend to the Heavenly Realm and come into contact with even more advanced techniques...

Dongfang Lan couldn't help but feel a sense of dread.

Even the Extreme Spirit Body, which allows her to cultivate at an extraordinary speed, still wouldn't save her from perishing trying to comprehend these techniques.

"If we ignore comprehension and talent, the first path has no limits," Changqing continued.

Dongfang Lan was speechless.

How can one ignore that? Without understanding, one would waste their lifespan, or at the very least, progress would slow drastically!

This is clearly a trap meant to sabotage talented individuals!

"What about the second path? Specializing in one technique?" Dongfang Lan held her breath, worried that there might also be hidden traps in this path.

Changqing pondered for a moment and then said, "Specializing in one technique—initially difficult. But after the start, it becomes easier as you continue. After all, this path only involves cultivating two techniques, one of which is the unchanging Qingyun Technique. As time passes, the cultivation cost decreases."

"But..."

"But what?"

"You must learn to let go. If you try to straddle two boats, you will ultimately fall into the water."

Dongfang Lan inhaled sharply, feeling a little ashamed. She hadn't even reached the point of trying to balance between two paths.

She had always believed this was a single path.

Learn the Qingyun Technique, and now, she had to learn to let go?

Had she heard that correctly? She had once thought such ideas were nonsensical!

"Let's talk about the strength comparison between the two paths." Changqing paused before continuing, "There is always a limit to battle strength. Theoretically, any cultivation method can reach this limit. Once you reach the limit, the rank and quality of the techniques no longer matter."

Dongfang Lan listened carefully.

Changqing continued, "Once the battle strength reaches its peak, strength and weakness depend on countering abilities."

Dongfang Lan nodded thoughtfully. Once the limit is reached with a method that assimilates various techniques, one could counter anything! But how much luck, opportunities, and time would it take to reach that theoretical limit?

"My Qingyun Technique has already integrated several Heavenly-level techniques, combining their strengths. I can no longer distinguish the individual techniques. After the integration, I can say I no longer 'use' those techniques individually..." Changqing added.

Dongfang Lan waited eagerly for clarification.

Changqing chuckled and directly asked, "Why do you think the Qingyun Technique can disperse power?"

Dongfang Lan shuddered and immediately realized the answer.

The "letting go" is not about abandoning the already integrated techniques, but all of them!

The Qingyun Technique's ability to disperse power is not about losing cultivation. That power can be reassembled, and with no bottlenecks, one could return to the peak.

"What I need to do is start over and focus on enhancing a single technique. Once I regain my physical form and condense my cultivation, it will operate under the new technique."

"Exactly."

Dongfang Lan sighed in relief, feeling an overwhelming sense of confidence and ease that she couldn't describe.

Suddenly, she felt a jolt. Something seemed off.

Changqing was still only at the Qi Condensation stage!

Yet, he appeared to be an ancient master who had cultivated for thousands of years...

What she didn't know was that, in a sense, Changqing had cultivated for far longer than just thousands of years. The two cultivation paths he mentioned were a result of him walking one step at a time, experiencing hundreds of years in each dream-like cycle.

"The pure Qingyun Technique is already enough. Now that you have this second path, with your comprehension, cultivation will naturally be easy. I'll help you find a top-tier Heavenly-level technique as quickly as possible. This is as much for my benefit as it is for yours."

Dongfang Lan pondered.

"Don't rush," Changqing shook his head, "For me, cultivating a Heavenly-level technique or the Explosive Flame Art doesn't make much of a difference. It all depends on my cultivation base. In the Qi Condensation first stage, I only have so much true qi to work with. There's only so much I can do."

Instead, Changqing felt that cultivating lower-level techniques might be more suitable.

This would save him time spent in these hundred-year-long dreams.

As for combat strength, there are various divine spells and curses available.

Most importantly, the Qingyun Technique and Qingyun Sword are already mid-tier Heavenly-level techniques! Even learning casually could elevate one to a top-tier Heavenly-level technique.

Moreover, only weaklings rely on extravagant techniques—true strong ones stick to simple attacks!

"What... does that mean?"

Dongfang Lan's mind went blank. "Are you saying your cultivation path is the first one?"

Even knowing Changqing's comprehension, she couldn't help but worry.

Changqing didn't answer but smiled knowingly.

Dongfang Lan considered the fact that the Qingyun Technique could disperse its power and reassured herself—if worst comes to worst, she could always start over.

"I really want to see you reach the Great Completion stage," Dongfang Lan said with a smile, "Maybe even beyond the Heavenly Realm."

As soon as the words left her mouth, Dongfang Lan suddenly realized her mistake. Wasn't that implying she wanted to ascend to the heavens with Changqing?

Her face flushed red, and she couldn't help but feel embarrassed.

She quickly pointed at two books on the table and said, "You should start cultivating now!"

Changqing shook his head.

"Why?"

"I've already gone through it."

"???" Dongfang Lan blinked, her long eyelashes seemingly asking a question.

Earlier, Changqing had merely flipped through the pages—how could he have memorized it so quickly?

"Don't believe me?" Changqing raised an eyebrow.

"How can I believe you?" Dongfang Lan furrowed her brow.

Changqing grabbed a bamboo sword and held the hilt.

"Listen to the Dragon's Roar!"

Changqing activated his Qi Condensation stage and used a meager amount of true qi. The sword slowly unsheathed.

"Gathering Wind Sword!"

He swung the sword towards the window. Suddenly, a fierce wind began to stir, but curiously, not a single object in the room moved!

A loud dragon's roar echoed!

The wind seemed to form a semi-transparent dragon, which appeared and then vanished.

"Are you... kidding me?"

"This is the Gathering Wind Sword?" Dongfang Lan's mind went blank.

This was a Gathering Wind Sword that hadn't even reached the Yellow-tier?

Changqing's true qi was completely depleted, and the sword returned to its sheath as he muttered helplessly, "This flashy display doesn't even have the power of a simple kick. In battle, I would never use it like this."

"Then how would you use it?"

"Gathering Wind into a Line."

On the street, the sudden dragon's roar startled Sun Ju and Sun Lin.

Passersby thought a beast was attacking, and panic spread as they cursed.

At the entrance of the Prison Command, Liu Shanhe froze mid-step. His eyes flashed like lightning, and in an instant, he crossed multiple streets, seemingly locking onto an inn.

As his foot landed, Liu Shanhe's figure disappeared from sight.