Chapter 22: All the Veins Are Connected, and the Power of Nine Bulls and Two Tigers Is Obtained

-----

The golden energy swirling around Xia Chuan pulsed with divine radiance as the Book of Wisdom's voice echoed in his mind. "Master, this is the power of faith. It can accelerate your cultivation and rapidly enhance your strength."

Xia Chuan's eyes gleamed with realization. He sensed the void's depths where 600 million miniature believers channeled their devotion toward him. His simple act of donating 50 catties of rice had been magnified into a miracle in their eyes, amplifying their fervor exponentially.

Though each miniature human's faith was minuscule, their collective power was staggering. Six hundred million strands of golden energy converged into a roaring river, pouring into his body. His dantian—the sea of qi at his core—churned like a vortex, hungrily devouring the influx. The Hundred Apertures Breathing Technique lived up to its name, transforming his body into a bottomless vessel for this energy.

Dong! Dong! Dong!

One by one, his meridians burst open under the torrential force. Qi circulated through his body in perfect cycles, each revolution strengthening his flesh and bones. A full day passed before the energy finally settled, leaving Xia Chuan brimming with power.

He opened his eyes, marveling at the transformation. Every meridian in his body now flowed with qi, marking his ascension to the peak of the Bronze Realm. Where ordinary cultivators needed decades to reach this stage, he had achieved it in a single day—fueled by the devotion of millions.

Xia Chuan clenched his fist, feeling the mythic "power of nine bulls and two tigers" coursing through him. A casual punch could shatter boulders; his body surpassed even legendary warriors like Lu Bu. The Book of Wisdom confirmed his suspicions: in the miniature world, such progress would take lifetimes. Yet here he stood, perfected through faith alone.

"This is only the beginning," he murmured. With 600 million followers, his growth had been explosive. Imagine tens of billions—or hundreds of billions—of believers. His cultivation would skyrocket like a comet. Unlike others on Xuanhuangxing, who relied on scarce spiritual energy, he thrived on devotion. The miniature world's vast population, comparable to Earth's ants in number, was an inexhaustible resource.

As he pondered this, the Book of Wisdom interrupted his thoughts. "Master, a spatial tunnel has formed nearby."

Xia Chuan's gaze sharpened. The Special Affairs Bureau's warnings echoed in his mind. Was the Otherworld's invasion beginning here? Without hesitation, he rose to investigate, his newfound power humming beneath his skin.

---