In the world of martial arts, one works tirelessly to attain enlightenment.

Chapter 44, Theory of Spirit, Treasure Map

The courtyard is on the third floor.

Lin Ran was immersed in cultivation, and the experience points were being refreshed regularly. The experience points for the Fire Cloud Divine Art and the Earth Element Art were increasing at a ratio of approximately two to one.

It consumes a lot of resources, but his storage ring contains a vast amount of resources, enough to reach at least the fifth or sixth level of a mid-level Awakened, so he doesn't need to worry about resources in the short term.

For further upgrades, you can directly contact the official channels. Until you break through to the Transcendent realm, you will generally not lack resources.

In addition to the two cultivation methods, the [Spiritual Energy Specialization] skill is also passively improved. This skill can improve the precision and strength of control over spiritual energy, preventing situations like an unstable foundation.

However, because it is a passive upgrade, the speed of experience gain is only one-third of that of the Fire Cloud Divine Skill.

After cultivating for seventy-three hours.

[Fire Cloud Divine Skill - First Level LV5→LV6: 10/3000]

Within his dantian, the number of flames increased from five to six, forming a rhombus-shaped structure.

The largest core flame is located in the center, surrounded by three smaller flames on the plane, and one flame each above and below it vertically. With the addition of the core flame, it is no longer a standard structure.

Lin Ran's attention returned.

[Diyuan Gong LV4: 1780/2000]

Therefore, the Earthly Origin Technique was adopted as the primary cultivation method, while the Fire Cloud Divine Technique became secondary.

Another seven hours or so passed.

[Diyuan Gong LV4 → LV5: 10/2500]

The number of Earth crystals increased from four to five, forming a new three-dimensional structure.

Lin Ran paused her cultivation, exited the cultivation state, rubbed her forehead, and felt a little inexplicably irritable.

He felt that this might be due to prolonged, motionless cultivation.

However, it doesn't quite make sense. If all lower-level awakened beings are like this, how will they deal with their emotions during a seclusion that lasts for several months?

If they keep holding back, something will eventually happen, and judging from Yan Shuangying and Feng Qingyang's state, it doesn't seem like they're just enduring things.

While I was lost in thought, a voice suddenly rang in my ears.

"Lin Ran, this is Yan Shuangying. Come downstairs."

"it is good."

Lin Ran paused for a moment, then immediately went downstairs.

……

Inside the small courtyard.

Lin Ran met Yan Shuangying.

"Old Master Yan."

"Hmm, not bad. The foundation is very good, and there's no pursuit of breakthroughs, so there are basically no hidden dangers." Yan Shuangying observed Lin Ran for a while and nodded slightly.

"Grandpa, I feel a bit irritable after my cultivation. Is there a solution?"

Lin Ran got straight to the point.

Yan Shuangying was surprised.

"You can feel it now?"

"Yes, there's more to this story?"

"This involves the mental aspect. When the total amount of spiritual energy increases, the mental strength will also passively increase, achieving the effect of controlling the spiritual energy. However, if there is no active guidance for the growth of mental energy, it will move around randomly, which is also the reason why you feel irritable."

Yan Shuangying explained.

"The solution is to learn mind control techniques, which are applicable throughout the entire awakening process."

"Mind control techniques? I didn't see that on the bookshelf."

Lin Ran was taken aback, then surprised.

Yan Shuangying stroked his chin and said...

"It's because of the special nature of the first plan that the Alliance's higher-ups won't allow you to use ordinary mind control techniques, as that would affect the speed of releasing potential and might also increase the difficulty of igniting the divine fire."

"If nothing unexpected happens, you should be under observation in the Mother Realm for a period of time to tailor a mental technique to your needs, but I'm afraid that's not possible right now."

"Are there any other solutions?"

"Yes, I can give you an emotion shielding technique, which can only be used during cultivation. After we return to the Mother Realm, I will customize a mental technique that is suitable for you."

Yan Shuangying flicked his fingers, and a sliver of white light entered Lin Ran's brow.

Lin Ran touched her brow and closed her eyes to sense the new information.

This is a fixed, unchangeable special model that can be seen with your eyes closed and used directly, but cannot be modified or explored.

Yan Shuangying's voice came through.

"You are a member of the first elite plan, and you can only walk your own path in the future. The methods I give you can only be used, not studied. After returning to the Mother World, you can look up relevant information and then decide for yourself whether to delve deeper."

"Thank you, sir." Lin Ran bowed in gratitude.

Yan Shuangying nodded slightly.

"The new city is not very peaceful lately, and I may not be able to stay here forever. If anything happens, take Feifei back to Base No. 3."

"Yes! Is there anything else you need, sir?"

"That's all. Go and cultivate."

Yan Shuangying waved his hand, and Lin Ran returned to the third floor.

……

Room on the third floor.

Lin Ran took out the crystal and continued cultivating, still focusing on the Fire Cloud Divine Art.

Before he began his cultivation, he activated the mental energy model left behind by Yan Shuangying.

The moment it started, a cool sensation swept through my mind. Curiosity, worry, and anxiety... all emotions vanished, replaced by calmness, a stillness like stagnant water, even numbness!

Rational thinking reached its peak speed, while emotion was suppressed to the point of near non-existence.

Lin Ran pondered, this must be the "Supreme Forgetfulness" in the novel!

He has a clear understanding of himself now; he is a machine devoid of emotion, his actions are all logical and unaffected by any emotions.

So he began to cultivate the Fire Cloud Divine Art and the Earth Element Art, like an observer, quietly watching the spiritual energy flow within his body and occasionally replenishing his resources.

The sixth flame gradually took shape and stabilized until the seventh flame appeared.

[Fire Cloud Divine Skill - First Level LV6→LV7: 10/3500]

[Diyuan Gong LV5: 1800/2500]

[Spiritual Aura Specialization LV2→LV3: 600/1500]

The mental model twitched slightly and shut down on its own.

The persistent coolness disappears, suppressed emotions emerge, and a backlash occurs as the suppression is lifted.

Lin Ran stroked her chin, left the room, and followed the scent to Yun Zhu's door.

dong dong~

"Brother Lin?"

When Yunzhu saw Lin Ran, she was a little curious. Then Lin Ran pushed the door open and entered, and then locked the door from the inside.

Yunzhu paused for a moment, then wagged its tail even faster.

……

inside the room.

Lin Ran let out a long breath and pulled off the orange and white cat tails wrapped around his wrists.

The two tails, which had been pulled apart, swayed reluctantly for a while before becoming entangled together.

Lin Ran got dressed and went downstairs, where she saw Yan Lingfei in the living room.

"Captain, there's new information."

"What's going on?" Lin Ran picked up the terminal to check.

"Because of the war with the werewolves, and the subsequent involvement of the elves, ice spirits, and fire spirits, the secret realm that was originally scheduled to open at the end of the month has been canceled."

"That's normal." Lin Ran wasn't surprised.

"Then the mission became to find fragments of a secret treasure map left behind by a being beyond the ordinary. Four of the nine fragments are within the human territory, while the remaining five have already been found by the alien race."

"We fought another battle not long ago and set a rule: if the human race cannot find the remaining four treasure map fragments within two months, the alien race will be allowed to enter and search for them."

"How could such a thing be kept secret from superhumans?" Lin Ran asked in surprise.

"It's different. The treasure map fragments contain the power of rules, and only beings of the third rank or below can obtain them. If cultivators above that rank forcibly try to obtain them, the treasure map will disappear directly, and even extraordinary beings cannot stop it."

Lin Ran picked up her teacup and took a sip.

"So, the current task is to find the treasure map?"

(End of this chapter)