Three days later, Lü Yang finally stopped moving.
On the other side, Ye Guyue had collapsed on the ground like a puddle of mud. Her beautiful eyes were devoid of spirit, and from her mouth and nose, only faint breaths entered but none exited.
Nevertheless, the harvest was substantial.
Lü Yang sat cross-legged on the meditation cushion, silently examining the gains of the past three days. In his hands was a thick book, with several large characters written on its cover:
"『Divine Weapon Refinement Sword Dissolution Art』!"
This sword art was none other than the Second-Grade True Technique held by Ye Guyue from the Sword Pavilion. It was also the foundation of her [Ninefold Demon-Slaying Heavenly Mother Sword].
The key to this sword art lay in the word "Refinement". It originated from a world governed by the Sword Pavilion called the [Divine Weapon Realm]. Sword Pavilion cultivators entered this realm to harvest the realm's Qi. Each thread of Qi harvested would strengthen them a little. After reaching the peak, they could refine a flying sword that matched the nature of the harvested Qi.
However, this so-called Qi harvesting was not merely gathering spiritual energy.
The so-called [Qi Harvesting] was actually about seizing the essence of heaven and earth. This essence could be people, beasts, or rare treasures.
One seized these essences and fused them into oneself.
For example, Ye Guyue's [Ninefold Demon-Slaying Heavenly Mother Sword] was forged by her after she seized nine demon weapons in the [Divine Weapon Realm] and refined them with all her strength.
Deze 2 groenten zullen je buikvet 's nachts doden!Open
"But what does this have to do with proving the Golden Core?"
Lü Yang frowned slightly. He had understood the basic principle of a Second-Grade Technique, but some finer details were clearly still missing, lacking Ye Guyue's personal comprehension of the sword art.
Thinking of this, he immediately looked at Ye Guyue. "Looks like I'll have to go again."
For the sake of his future path, Lü Yang did not hesitate. He immediately plunged into another intense and stimulating session of Dao-discussion. Very soon, another day passed—
"So that's how it is!"
Pushing Ye Guyue aside, Lü Yang revealed a look of enlightenment. "Second-Grade True Techniques, in essence, are still about proving the Fruit Position of this world!"
"The difference lies in the fact that Second-Grade True Techniques, through [Qi Harvesting], seize the essence of other worlds, and then use this to prove the Golden Core. This is essentially a process of fusing the Fruit Positions of other worlds into one's own, which undeniably brings immense benefits to one's own world's Fruit Position."
"Thus, it is easier to gain the favor of the Fruit Position!"
"When cultivating Second-Grade True Techniques, if one can reach the stage of seeking the Golden Core, one might not even need to perform any rituals. The Fruit Position will respond on its own and manifest itself."
This was the advantage of Second-Grade Techniques.
Of course, cultivating Second-Grade Techniques might win the favor of one's own Fruit Position, but it would also invite the intense hostility of the Fruit Position of the external world from which the Qi was harvested.
This hostility not only made Qi harvesting extremely difficult but also constantly placed one's life in danger. It was as if the killing intent of heaven and earth could descend at any moment, and one might die in the external world if not careful. This was why, compared to the stable and safe Third-Grade True Techniques, Second-Grade True Techniques were generally neglected.
However, there was another factor.
As he thought about it, Lü Yang suddenly frowned. "Why did it stop again?"
His memory had broken off once more.
It seemed that as the target's cultivation improved, the effects of harvesting became weaker. Lü Yang felt somewhat helpless and could only make up for it with more attempts.
Another day passed.
After tossing the completely unconscious Ye Guyue aside, Lü Yang finally nodded in satisfaction.
"The other factor lies in the rarity of these worlds!"
"After all, not every world can give birth to a Fruit Position. Most worlds are like the old battlegrounds for Dao contention, easily crushed by True Lords."
Lü Yang sighed in amazement. "Unbelievable."
If Second-Grade True Techniques were already like this, what about First-Grade True Techniques?
If Second-Grade Techniques corresponded to worlds with Golden Core Fruit Positions, then did First-Grade Techniques correspond to worlds with Nascent Soul Dao Lords?
If so, it would explain why First-Grade True Techniques directly pointed to the Nascent Soul Realm!
"Moreover, because these worlds are rare, different Second-Grade True Techniques sometimes actually refer to the same external world's Fruit Position, only differing in their interpretations."
Thinking of this, Lü Yang felt a little disappointed. "It's a pity that the [Divine Weapon Realm] seems to be a secret realm unique to the Sword Pavilion. Unless I reincarnate into it, I have no way of harvesting Qi from there. Cultivating this Second-Grade Sword Art will probably have to wait until the next cycle."
At this thought, Lü Yang shifted his focus.
After all, besides the Sword Pavilion's 『Divine Weapon Refinement Sword Dissolution Art』, he also had another Second-Grade True Technique given to him by True Person Chong Guang, a product of the Primordial Saint Sect.
『Heavenly Origin Unity Supreme Divine Law Governing All Realms』!
The fundamental principle of this Second-Grade Technique was not much different from the 『Divine Weapon Refinement Sword Dissolution Art』, with the only difference lying in the target and method of Qi harvesting.
"If the 『Divine Weapon Refinement Sword Dissolution Art』 refines a life-bound flying sword through [Qi Harvesting], then the 『Heavenly Origin Unity Supreme Divine Law Governing All Realms』 aims to cultivate a supreme Dharma Body through [Qi Harvesting]. Therefore, the corresponding world is different, named the [Myriad Martial Realm]."
Reading to this point, Lü Yang suddenly frowned again.
"Besides the Primordial Saint Sect, even the Pure Land has discovered the [Myriad Martial Realm] and has even developed a corresponding Second-Grade Technique to compete with the Primordial Saint Sect?"
This was another difficulty in cultivating Second-Grade Techniques.
In addition to the hostility of the external world's Fruit Position, one might also face competition from cultivators of other factions, making Qi harvesting even harder.
"However, entry into this path is much simpler."
"After all, Second-Grade True Techniques are not actually tied to the Dao Foundation, so they can be cultivated alongside other techniques. Even those in the Foundation Establishment Realm can practice them without starting from Qi Refining."
At this moment, a sudden loud noise came from the sky.
"Boom!"
In an instant, the heavens and earth trembled. A brilliant star suddenly lit up in the originally dim sky, radiating golden light that instantly illuminated the world.
The brilliance swept across, outshining the sun and moon, pushing aside the thirty-six layers of Astral Clouds in one breath, revealing an abyss-like expanse of deep blue sky. Finally, a majestic realm that seemed to encompass the universe emerged, resplendent with lights and vaguely revealing pavilions and jade towers.
"Uncle-Master Chong Guang succeeded!?"
Seeing this, Lü Yang was first shocked. He raised his head to look at the sky but quickly noticed something strange. "No... it's still a Blessed Land, not yet sublimated into a Cave Heaven!"
Lü Yang had witnessed a true Cave Heaven with his own eyes.
Back when the Sword Pavilion's True Lord had fallen overseas and his Cave Heaven had collapsed, Lü Yang had been there. Thus, he could distinguish the difference.
In his eyes, although the majestic realm currently manifested was impressive in momentum, it still lacked the transcendent aura that stood above the mortal world, much like the gap between Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment. Without ascension, the rank remained unchanged, no matter how strong the numbers, it was meaningless.
In other words—he had failed!
"Crack!"
The next moment, a crisp shattering sound echoed in the hearts of all the True Persons below, and an indescribable sorrow suddenly surged in everyone's hearts.
Especially among the Foundation Establishment True Persons whose divine abilities involved [Star Earth].
This was not their own emotional fluctuation but rather the heartfelt despair of True Person Chong Guang at this moment, transmitted through the Fruit Position to all related cultivators.
A single thought echoed throughout the world!
In a sense, this was already a symbol of a True Lord's level. One could even say that at this moment, True Person Chong Guang had nearly stepped onto the position of True Lord.
Alas, it was still like rootless water.
"So close... yet still failed."
In a daze, Lü Yang seemed to hear a long sigh.
Like a lamp encountering a violent wind, in an instant, the golden brilliance that had illuminated the world suddenly dimmed, and the once resplendent Blessed Land collapsed with a loud rumble!