Chapter 36: Cultivation Technique
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Li Luochen took out a diagram of the meridian pathways and cultivation manual for the Limitless Universe Technique from his soul-guided bracelet.
Dugu Bo carefully examined it. After half a minute, he sat down and began circulating his spirit energy along the technique's prescribed pathways. To his astonishment, cultivating using this method was far faster than traditional meditation techniques.
"Hiss, Luochen, this technique of yours is extraordinary—it could disrupt the balance of the entire soul master world."
Dugu Bo looked at Li Luochen as if he were some kind of monster. His talent was already impressive enough, but to dare to circulate spirit energy in such a bold manner right from the start of his cultivation?
"Unfortunately, this technique is still in its infancy. My cultivation level is too low to refine it further. That's why I've asked you, an elder, to help me perfect it."
Li Luochen rubbed his hands together. He had long wanted to improve the technique, but his low cultivation level limited his perspective.
"Leave it to me. The route you've devised has caught my attention—I can refine it further based on the meridian diagrams from the Breaking Clan.
By the way, since you're the original creator, you should stay by my side while I work, just in case I make any mistakes."
A roar of a dragon suddenly swept through the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Both turned to see that Dugu Yan had completed her martial soul evolution.
Unlike Dugu Bo, whose martial soul had evolved into the Jade Phosphorous Snake Emperor before transforming into a dragon, Dugu Yan's martial soul, the Jade Phosphorous Snake, had directly transformed into a new true-dragon-type martial soul—the Golden-Scaled Azure Dragon.
The Golden-Scaled Azure Dragon was an enormous true dragon, comparable in rank to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. It specialized in earth and poison attributes and possessed the power of the Earth Dragon's Wrath. Its golden scales were not only beautiful but also incredibly durable.
Its body was predominantly golden, with its limbs displaying a mix of seven parts emerald green and three parts gold. Particularly striking were the emerald-green scales on its front claws, which shimmered like gemstones.
The dragon's head exuded majesty and dominance, its vertical green pupils radiating the dignity of a true dragon. Its sturdy limbs allowed it to walk, and in Li Luochen's eyes, it resembled an Eastern dragon—specifically, a Yinglong, as it possessed a pair of dragon wings.
Dugu Yan opened her eyes, her martial soul now fully integrated. Her body was covered in golden scales, with her limbs primarily a mix of gold and emerald green. Notably, her left hand appeared significantly thicker than her right.
"Hmm? Yan Yan, did your left arm undergo a secret dragon transformation?"
Dugu Bo's sharp eyes noticed that Dugu Yan's left arm resembled a dragon's limb. Having seen the dragonized arms of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon clan, he recognized the similarity immediately.
"I think so. My left arm has transformed into a dragon claw, possibly because I absorbed a soul bone in my left arm. I can feel its strength has doubled, and my poison attribute has increased by 100%. Moreover, my spirit power has reached level 37—an increase of five levels!"
Dugu Yan looked at her left hand, feeling the surge of newfound strength and enhanced poison abilities. Originally, she had planned to pursue a control-type soul master path, but now she had become a powerhouse-oriented soul master instead.
"Hahaha, wonderful news! Even more impressive than the dragon transformations of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon family. It seems we'll need to reconsider the soul beasts we prepare for Yan Yan in the future.
And gaining five levels of spirit power is excellent! Come, Yan Yan, Luochen and I have some new ideas for cultivation—you should take a look as well."
Li Luochen gazed at Dugu Yan, unable to suppress a whistle. The little snake girl had become a little dragon maiden, and the once-heroic python had transformed into a dragon rider. Not bad at all… hehehe.
Dugu Bo called Dugu Yan over. This cultivation technique would allow her to progress rapidly, surpassing their current meditation methods. Once he, Dugu Bo, finished refining it, there might even be new surprises in store.
Over the next two weeks, they worked on improving the technique. Originally, the spirit energy circulation followed the Greater Heavenly Circuit (Big Zhoutian/Da Zhoutian), but now it was modified to first complete the Lesser Heavenly Circuit (Small Zhoutian/Xiao Zhoutian) before transitioning to the Greater Heavenly Circuit, completing one full cycle. This new method doubled the cultivation speed compared to the original Greater Heavenly Circuit, though it required slightly more time to complete the additional Lesser Heavenly Circuit.
With this, the nine stages of the Limitless Universe Technique were finalized:
1. First Stage: Misty Violet Qi
2. Second Stage: Tendon Transformation and Marrow Cleansing
3. Third Stage: Bone Shrinking Technique
4. Fourth Stage: Turtle Breathing Technique
5. Fifth Stage: Endless Vitality
6. Sixth Stage: Immunity to All Poisons
7. Seventh Stage: Diamond Invincibility
8. Eighth Stage: Three Flowers on the Crown
9. Ninth Stage: Unity of Heaven and Man
(A/N: Inspired by the Nine Yang Divine Skill)
The third stage, Bone Shrinking Technique, didn't involve shrinking one's height but rather achieving flexible control over all parts of the body, unifying physical and mental capabilities.
The fourth stage, Turtle Breathing Technique, allowed for perfect control over one's spirit energy, ensuring no trace of energy leaked unintentionally.
With the fully refined Limitless Universe Technique complete, Dugu Bo began practicing it. Using his immense spirit power, he successfully opened the eight extraordinary meridians and advanced to the eighth stage, Three Flowers on the Crown.
At this stage, the practitioner condensed the three flowers, eventually merging them into their own being to achieve the ninth stage, Unity of Heaven and Man.
Reaching the ninth stage would allow a Super Douluo-level soul master to fight opponents two ranks higher with ease—for example, a level 95 fighting a level 97 or a level 98 matching a level 99.
Through practicing the technique, Dugu Bo quickly assimilated the remaining medicinal energy in his body, pushing his spirit power to the peak of level 94. In just a few months, he would likely break through to level 95.
Moreover, thanks to the fifth stage, Endless Vitality, soul masters who reached this stage could boast spirit reserves at least 50% greater than those of their peers. Though Dugu Bo was currently at the peak of level 94, his total spirit reserves rivaled those of a level 96 Super Douluo.
Li Luochen, already having a solid foundation, directly advanced to the peak of the sixth stage. Since he was already immune to all poisons, absorbing the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum would allow him to open the eight meridians and forcefully break through to the seventh stage, Diamond Invincibility.
With his current spirit reserves at level 40 (near Spirit Ancestor), Li Luochen's spirit energy was comparable to that of an early-stage Spirit King with a fifth soul ring. Once he obtained his soul rings, his reserves might increase even further.
As for Dugu Yan, who had just begun cultivating, she barely reached the third stage, which matched her current spirit power level. Alas, her foundation was weaker than the others'.
"By the way, Grandpa, would you be interested in becoming an honorary principal at our Shrek Academy?"
Li Luochen addressed Dugu Bo. After all, they had grown close over this period. Now that Dugu Bo's toxins were detoxified, he had nothing pressing to do. Dugu Yan had already informed Dugu Bo of her plans to attend Shrek Academy in Soto City.
Dugu Bo agreed. The young couple couldn't be separated by distance, after all.
"Alright, I'll drop by and take a look. But I won't necessarily stay there for long—I want to travel around for a bit. Besides, I still have some old debts to settle."
At most, Dugu Bo would visit briefly before leaving. Li Luochen truly treated him like family, and after perfecting the cultivation technique, he introduced yet another system: the Soul Core System. By creating a vortex of spirit energy within the body, the flow of spirit energy could be accelerated.
After all, at the Title Douluo level, spirit energy tended to solidify. Using a vortex to accelerate its flow wasn't impossible—it would significantly speed up spirit recovery during battles.
What's more, Dugu Bo had once unintentionally condensed a poison pearl. He wondered if he could use it as the basis for forming a soul core.
According to Li Luochen, the Origin Energy Immortal Grass and the Star Luo Spirit Pearl could aid in condensing a soul core.
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