Every cultivator's journey began with two foundations:
Cultivation Method and Battle Techniques.
Battle Techniques could be bought, stolen, or taught. But a Cultivation Method (CM) was one's true root—the path by which qi was absorbed, tempered, and refined. A poor Cultivation Method left the practitioner's qi unstable, foundations brittle, and advancement slow. A powerful Cultivation Method, however, was like a divine blessing, giving strength, unique abilities, and sometimes even transforming one's Martial Spirit.
From the day he awakened his Martial Spirit, Huang Kong Di practiced the Winged Serpent Scroll, the cultivation method passed down by his mother. It was a High Black-Tier Cultivation Method, enough for stability and to give him a solid base as a child—but not enough for fully utilizing the capabilities of his Peak Grade 10 Martial Spirit Hallow Hydra.
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The turning point came a few weeks after they settled into the capital.
News had spread of Huang Kong Mei's sharp eyes at the Royal Auction House—her ability to expose frauds that could have cost the house millions in spirit stones.
The most striking case came when a so-called traveler arrived with an "Inheritance Map of a High-Grade Alchemist." His story was flawless, his tone convincing, and even veteran appraisers hesitated. If not for Kong Mei, the Royal Auction House would have spent 2.5 million spirit stones on the fake.
Her Sky Serpent Eye caught what others missed. The map was real, the location genuine—but the details? Forged. That place had been explored by even a 9th Order cultivator long ago, and nothing remained.
When Kong Mei exposed the scammer, the Prince himself descended to the hall, his laughter echoing like rolling thunder.
"Lady Kong Mei," he said, lifting a jade cup in toast, "your eyes are more valuable than all the treasures in this hall." He waved his arms as a group of armored soldiers suddenly came and detained the acammer, while he was dragged out, soon screams came into their ears. But no one fliched, as scamming the Auction Hall was itself a grave crime, but this idiot dared to scam a Suction Hall led by a Royal Prince; it was beyond foolish.
Days later, a velvet-lined box was delivered to their residence. Inside, two ancient scrolls lay sealed with faint Battle qi ripples.
One was given to Huang Kong Mei: the Heavenly Serpent Scroll. Originally, it should have had 9 layers, though now it's incomplete, with only six layers remaining; it was still a Mid-Earth Tier Cultivation Method, leagues above her previous cultivation.
The other was for Huang Kong Di: the Dark Sky Canon.
Dark Sky Canon: At first glance, its cultivation path was strange—even cruel. Unlike most methods that focused on tranquil absorption of qi, the Dark Sky Canon demanded its practitioner fight demon beasts. The more ferocious the battle, the more beast blood spilled, the greater the cultivation speed.
Its true brilliance lay in the Dark Aura it generated. Not of the darkness element, but a dark pressure that radiated from the practitioner. Under its shroud, all other elemental auras weakened—fire dimmed, water dulled, lightning slowed, earth crumbled.
Thus, its meaning: "Under the Dark Sky, all are suppressed."
To many, this was a tyrannical and brutal path, dangerous for the young. But for Huang Kong Di—born with the Hollow Hydra, with the ability to shed and recover—it was perfect. His Martial Spirit thrived in hardship, ferocity, and calamity. The Canon was the fuel he was missing, and it was a perfect gift for him.
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When mother and son unfurled their new scrolls, silence stretched in the room.
Kong Mei traced her fingers over the serpent-carved designs of her Heavenly Serpent Scroll. She glanced at her son, who was studying the jagged runes of the Dark Sky Canon with a sharp gaze.
"This is no ordinary gift," she said softly.
"I know," Kong Di replied. "The Prince is letting us owe him favors. He is investing in us." Kong Di spoke a little bit annoyed, as there is a stuffy feeling rising in his chest, with his brows creased together.
Kong Mei smiled faintly and explained. "And there is nothing wrong with that. The strong invest in the strong. Even I… I stayed in the Huang Clan Manor years longer than I wished, only because I owed Huang Qide a debt of blood. Without him, I would not have survived my father's death. Debts must be repaid."
Hearing this, Kong Di's voice calmed down, and he spoke unyielding. "Then, when the time comes, I will repay this favor for both of us."
He closed the scroll. Already, in his heart, he started planning the next course of action. With this new Cultivation Method, he could fully utilise the natural abilities of his MS and grow strong very fast. So, he made his way to the Changlan Forest to start practicing.