"When I was alone before, I didn't feel this way, but now with five people gathered around, it really feels like a drug den," Bai Mo thought to himself, observing the scene before him.
Once the Spirit Stone candle was lit, the heated Spirit Stone powder began to release Spirit Qi, mingling with the faint aroma of incense.
The four elders, other than him, hadn't absorbed such active Spirit Qi since the Spirit River Autumn; their reactions were quite similar to Bai Mo's first encounter with Spirit Qi released from a Spirit Stone.
Only his expression remained normal, as Spirit Stones themselves were no longer as effective for him as they once were.
"Everyone, you can now try to control the Spirit Qi you've absorbed into your bodies," he reminded the four, indicating it was time for serious business.
The four old men were also resolute individuals; they immediately composed themselves and got down to business.
They sat cross-legged around the candle, eyes closed, and began once more to try guiding the small amount of absorbed Spirit Qi as if it were internal energy.
As for Bai Mo, sitting beside them, he lacked experience with internal energy cultivation, so he directly used the mental induction method he had previously discovered, guiding the Spirit Qi truly absorbed into his body towards his heart.
Having painstakingly endured a full day in the Spirit River in Hawaii earlier, his heart had already mostly completed its Spirit Energy transformation by then.
In the days since his return, he had continuously exerted his utmost effort to draw all the Spirit Qi he could induce towards his heart.
According to his estimate, if he continued this process, at his current Spirit Qi absorption rate, his heart would be able to complete its Spirit Energy transformation in about half a month, significantly enhancing its functions or even manifesting new abilities.
After about half an hour, the candle burned down. The individuals awoke from their Spirit Qi circulation, all feeling they had gained something.
"This time, I could clearly perceive the Spirit Qi within my body, and under my control, my internal energy began to transform into a new power by the Spirit Qi—that must be what you call Spirit Energy?"
Bai Mo swept him with his divine sense, discovering that the new power he spoke of was indeed Spirit Energy, and his internal energy had begun to convert into Spirit Energy.
And Li Legang's ability also had an explanation: his first Spirit Energy-transformed part was his bones. The Spirit Energy transformation of his bones brought about more variable structures, and simultaneously, many small, previously nonexistent sacs appeared on them.
These small sacs seemed to be unaffected by gravity, so he hypothesized that when the other party manipulated their weight, they were actually achieving a certain degree of weight control by adjusting their bone structure and guiding excess matter into these anti-gravity sacs.
...
Next, the others also shared their feelings, then began to exchange experiences on Spirit Qi manipulation.
They were all individuals who had tempered their bodies for many years, possessing a control over themselves far superior to ordinary people. Thus, in just the past half-hour, they had already learned how to simply manipulate the Spirit Energy within their bodies.
After Bai Mo produced such a candle as proof of his sincerity, they no longer held back, sharing their experiences with him. He, in turn, adjusted his own methods based on their insights and his practical situation.
After a period of refinement, he found that his previously very crude control abilities had improved somewhat, allowing him to direct more of the truly absorbed Spirit Qi. The originally projected half-month for his heart's Spirit Energy transformation was now reduced to ten days.
"My plan is to summarize our exchange of insights and combine them with future discussions to create a secret manual on Spirit Qi control and circulation."
"My view is the same: to compile our experiences into a set of secret techniques for circulating Spirit Qi. Times have changed; great progress only comes with exchange. I intend to make this publicly available, what are your thoughts?" Hua Taishan, the most enthusiastic about the revival of the Martial Path, interjected.
"Although it conflicts with the old rule of 'laws should not be lightly transmitted,' Old Hua is right. This is an internet society now; great progress only comes with exchange. What a few of us have figured out is definitely still imperfect, so it's better to let everyone under heaven perfect it together.
The Martial Path has reached a point where it must break before it can be established; the old rules should be changed." Lei Dong agreed.
Mo Buyan, who had been taciturn, nodded, also indicating his agreement.
"Indeed, a transformation is needed."
"Do you have any suggestions regarding the method of public release?" Hua Taishan asked.
"Leave it to me to handle, but as for the authorities' investigation..." Bai Mo didn't believe the state wouldn't notice such an epoch-making article.
"Go ahead and do it boldly; we few are your backing. Especially Old Hua—as long as he's got you covered, you won't have anything to worry about in this Huaxia, as long as you don't commit murder or arson." Li Legang joked.
"Then from now on, let's agree to meet here once a week, primarily to discuss this issue of Spirit Qi manipulation. Of course, if any of you have other ideas, we can talk about those too. Let's conclude here for now." Hua Taishan didn't pick up on his joke, instead directly summarizing the meeting.
"Alright!"
After the meeting concluded, the old men gathered around Bai Mo.
"Is that candle really gone?"
"Yes, truly. At least... not for now."
"Then when will there be more? Our Li family will acquire this in large quantities." Li Legang asked.
"I'll do my best. I hope you elders will keep it confidential and not let others know for now."
"Understood."
As he left, holding the draft of his insights, Bai Mo suddenly felt an urge to play a prank.
...
After Bai Mo had walked away, the old men gathered in the association's cafeteria, enjoying a rare feast.
"Ever since I got hungry after coming out of the Spirit River last time, I haven't been that hungry again," Li Legang said while eating twice-cooked pork.
"My appetite has increased a little these past few days, though. Do you feel that way too?" Lei Dong said.
"Hmm," Mo Buyan responded.
"Where do you suppose that Bai kid got the candle from? Logically, he's a lone wolf, yet he managed to acquire something none of our families have even heard of," Li Legang said.
"Bai Mo's mentor is in that newly established behemoth; he probably got it through that."
"Behemoth? Are you talking about the newly established Spirit Energy Research Institute?"
"Yes, that research institute with various old leaders backing it. In the end, there are still many who fear death; a single straw is enough for them to fight with all their might."
"Let's not talk about them; ultimately, aren't we the same? It's just that we, relying on our well-trained bodies from years of martial arts, entered the Spirit River once, and our bodies became much younger, so we don't seem as desperate."
"Huaxia, with its upper echelons fully mobilized, is truly formidable! It's only been a few days, and they've already come up with a candle like this, eh, Mr. Li from the upper echelons?" Lei Dong teased.
"As if your Lei family isn't also part of the upper echelons! Come on, drain this cup."
The four elders ate and chatted, and a joyful atmosphere filled the scene.