After the Temple Master's secret summons, Xiaoqi's heart-nature underwent subtle changes. That heavy responsibility and clear enemy, instead of becoming a burden crushing him, were like a whetstone, sharpening his will firmer and making his Daoist heart even more transparent and pure.
He reduced the frequency of alchemy and teaching, putting more time into deep-level seclusion. The cave dwelling's stone door was closed tight, formations fully activated, separating inside from outside. He needed to more deeply excavate his own power, especially the Purification Source originating from the jade pendant, now merged with his life and spirit.
Previously, his application of the Purification Source mostly stayed in relatively direct and superficial realms like dispelling demonic qi and removing toxins. Whether purifying demonic vines in the secret realm or removing medicinal impurities during alchemy, these all relied on this characteristic of "expelling" and "separating."
But after the Temple Master's guidance and his own growth in cultivation and insight, he faintly sensed that the Purification Source's power was far from limited to this. It seemed to contain something closer to "primordial origin" and "order."
This seclusion, he decided not to limit himself to known applications but to use his heart-mind to communicate with and understand the deeper mysteries of this power.
He sat cross-legged in the meditation room's center. He did not immediately invoke the purifying power but first circulated the "Heart-Nurturing Calm Art," adjusting his spiritual consciousness to its most empty, brightest, most sensitive state. Only then did he carefully extend a wisp of extremely subtle spiritual consciousness, like the gentlest tentacle, probing into the jade pendant at his chest.
He did not forcibly seize power but carried the intent of inquiry and exchange.
In an instant, he seemed to stand in a boundless, pure, gentle sea of white light. There was no impurity, no filth, only the most primordial meaning of "purification." He felt like returning to his mother's womb, wrapped by a warm, powerful force—safe and comfortable.
He "saw" that deep within this sea of light floated countless tiny light points, like runes yet also like Dao traces. They arranged and flowed in a mysterious, unpredictable way, constituting the foundation of the Purification Source's power.
He tried to understand what these light points represented. Some represented "expulsion," some "decomposition," some "restoration," some "pacification" and "balance"... They were not isolated existences but interrelated, together forming a complete "purification" system.
"Purification is not merely destroying bad things..." An understanding rose in Xiaoqi's heart. "It is to return things to their most original, most harmonious, most healthy state."
This realization was like opening a door to a new world.
First, he turned his attention inward. Long-term pill consumption, especially during extensive alchemy when he tested pills, inevitably caused some micro-imperceptible pill toxin accumulation within his body. These impurities normally caused no major harm, but accumulated over time, they might cause subtle obstacles to future cultivation.
He tried guiding a wisp of faint purifying power. Not violently scouring, but like the finest comb, slowly flowing through his meridians and organs. Something miraculous happened: those deposited pill toxins and impurities, under this gentle force's combing, were like snow and ice under sunlight, quietly melting away, transforming into the purest elemental qi, feeding back into himself. The entire process was gentle and thorough, without the slightest pain, instead feeling like shedding a heavy outer garment.
"Purifying pill toxins!" Xiaoqi's heart shook. This meant he could almost never worry about drug resistance or pill toxin accumulation when taking pills in the future! For cultivators needing vast resources to elevate cultivation, this was undoubtedly a heaven-defying ability!
Next, he thought of "inner demons." On the cultivation path, inner demons were one of the greatest obstacles, arising from accumulated and magnified negative emotions like obsession, fear, and desire.
He recalled that during his Foundation Establishment breakthrough and later cultivating the "Heart-Nurturing Calm Art," he occasionally had some subtle distracting thoughts and negative emotions surface. He tried guiding a wisp of purifying power into his consciousness sea.
That cool, pure aura flowed through. It did not forcibly erase those distracting thoughts but, like a spring washing away dust, let those restless, agitated thoughts gradually calm, disperse. The consciousness sea became brighter and more stable. He even felt his spiritual consciousness seemed to have condensed slightly.
"It also suppresses and pacifies inner demons!" Xiaoqi was shocked once more. This ability held incalculable value for resisting demonic invasion and stabilizing the Daoist heart!
An even bolder idea formed in his mind. What about cultivation techniques? The techniques cultivators practiced were not perfect; almost all had some minute imperfections in their operation, or parts not perfectly compatible with the practitioner's own constitution. These imperfections were normally hard to detect but could affect spiritual power circulation efficiency, even becoming hidden dangers during breakthroughs.
He introspected his own body. The Evergreen Art's spiritual power flowed ceaselessly through his meridians. He tried, while spiritual power circulated, infusing a wisp of nearly negligible purifying power.
At first there was no change. But with patient guidance and subtle adjustments, he was astonished to discover that spiritual power flowing through certain originally slightly sluggish tiny meridian nodes became exceptionally smooth! That wisp of purifying power, as if possessing the characteristics of "optimization" and "harmonization," subtly smoothed away the negligible "burrs" on the technique's operational path, making spiritual power circulation more smooth and natural, efficiency seemingly rising slightly!
Although the improvement was extremely tiny, accumulating over time, the effect would be considerable! This meant the Purification Source could actually assist in optimizing technique operation!
This discovery made Xiaoqi so excited he almost stopped breathing. Purifying demonic qi, removing pill toxins, pacifying inner demons, optimizing techniques... The Purification Source was literally an untapped treasure house of infinite possibilities! Its wondrous uses far exceeded his initial imagination!
It was not merely a means of attack and defense, but also a power that could act upon the cultivator themselves, fundamentally improving cultivation efficiency, consolidating the Daoist foundation, and avoiding risks!
He immersed himself in this joy of exploration and discovery, continuously trying various subtle applications of the Purification Source. He even discovered that nurturing the Crimson Flame Sword and Mysterious Golden Guardian Pan with purifying power could make the artifacts' spirituality more lively and their connection with himself tighter; using it to nourish spiritual consciousness could make it purer and keener.
Of course, he also understood these deep applications consumed spiritual mind greatly, far beyond simply releasing purifying light. Moreover, many effects were currently still very weak; only when his cultivation deepened and his control over the Purification Source improved could he unleash true power.
But the direction was found. The road ahead was bright!
After an unknown time, Xiaoqi slowly emerged from that deep-level contemplation. He opened his eyes. His gaze had inner light contained, clear and bright. His entire aura seemed purer and more transparent.
He lowered his head, looking at the jade pendant at his chest, his gaze filled with gratitude and reverence. This was not only his parents' legacy but also a supreme inheritance bearing infinite possibilities and responsibility.
"So it turns out the true meaning of 'purification' lies in 'returning to truth,' in 'harmony,' in 'optimization'..." He murmured to himself, his understanding of his own Daoist path deepening another level.
External bounty, the Shadow Snake Pavilion's threat, family hatred... these pressures still existed. But at this moment, Xiaoqi's heart was filled with unprecedented confidence and backing.
Because what he possessed was not merely offensive power, but also a source force that could fundamentally strengthen himself, avoid risks, and accelerate growth.
He took a deep breath, suppressed the excitement in his heart, and his eyes became calm and focused once more.
Exploration was just beginning. He needed to cultivate harder, elevate his cultivation, deepen understanding and control of the Purification Source. Only by thoroughly making this power his own could he truly possess the capital to face any challenge.
Inside the cave dwelling, the furnace fire had long since gone out. Only his steady breathing and the soft sound of spiritual power flowing within his body existed. In this silence, a seed bearing infinite potential was quietly taking root, waiting for the day it would break through the soil.