Dongting Immortal Clan

In the days that followed, Chen Dajiang completely calmed down and focused on his cultivation.

The first level of the "Golden Stone Tempering Bone Technique," the "Raging Bull Strength," has a rather unique cultivation method.

Practitioners need to introduce the energy of metal and stone into their bodies and guide it to penetrate their muscles and bones using special methods, repeatedly tempering it like forging iron, so that their muscles and bones gradually become tougher.

Chen Dajiang obtained some metallic energy from Chen Yunsong and sealed it in a bronze cauldron.

Every morning and evening, he would sit cross-legged in front of the bronze cauldron, calm his mind and regulate his breath, and practice the "Wild Ox Strength" technique.

The malevolent aura was pale gold, rising in wisps like mist, seeping into his body through his mouth, nose, and pores.

At first, I felt a cool sensation all over my body, but after a while, a sharp pain came from deep within my bones, as if countless fine needles were piercing through my bone marrow.

Chen Dajiang gritted his teeth, enduring the pain, and guided the evil energy throughout his body according to the incantation.

His physique was already extraordinary; he had developed a strong physique through archery training in his early years, laying a very solid foundation.

At this moment, my progress in cultivating the "Golden Stone Bone Tempering Technique" is not rapid, but it is steady and without any major mishaps.

However, the pain of tempering the body was truly unbearable.

After each training session, he was drenched in sweat, his muscles and bones aching, as if he had been forcibly dismantled and then pieced back together.

But after a night's rest, I woke up the next day feeling full of energy, with a subtle surge of power in my muscles and bones.

After more than half a month of arduous training, Chen Dajiang's cultivation level was still at the Wood Embryo stage, but his body had gained a faint metallic luster, a sign that his muscles and bones had been initially tempered.

Chen Yunsong visited him once during this period. Seeing that he had practiced diligently, he nodded in satisfaction and said:

"At this rate, you will be able to master the Wild Bull Strength in three more months."

"At that time, your physique will be no less than that of metal, and ordinary cultivators in the Spirit Realm will find it difficult to defeat you with just their fists and feet."

Chen Dajiang bowed respectfully:

"It's all thanks to the generous gifts from my seniors."

"Without the spiritual energy and elixirs provided by you, senior, I certainly wouldn't have been able to cultivate so quickly."

"You should cultivate diligently and reach the second level as soon as possible. At that time, my family will bestow another great fortune upon you."

Upon hearing Chen Yunsong's words, Chen Dajiang's heart skipped a beat, and he asked:

"senior……"

"I am truly apprehensive."

Chen Yunsong shook his head and smiled:

"Don't worry, it's not a bad thing."

"That fiend severely injured Yunlu, leaving her on the verge of death. How can we not avenge him?"

"Once you have reached the second level of cultivation, he will explain everything to you."

After saying this, Chen Yunsong took his leave.

Watching his departing figure, Chen Dajiang said with a heavy heart:

"I can't possibly be asked to deal with Qiu Qianli."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Baiyukou on the eastern shore of Dongting Lake has changed considerably in recent days.

Many more brick and tile houses were built in the village one after another. Although they were not luxurious, they were neat and clean. Most of the residents here were members of the Chen clan, and their lives were visibly more comfortable than before.

Everyone in the village knows that the current prosperity and stability are all thanks to the Chen family of Bishui.

Chen Changhe, who caused this change, lived a secluded life after returning from the Immortal Market of Deer Horn Mountain, spending most of his time in quiet cultivation at the Qingchi Villa.

He had already studied the simplified version of "The Secret of Nourishing Qi and Longevity" which he had searched for in Xian City a month ago, and had thoroughly grasped its key points and essentials.

This method is much simpler than the "Taiyin Lianxing Ganying Pian" and focuses on cultivating water and wood spiritual energy.

According to the manual, if one can cultivate in a place with lush trees and near water, drawing the spiritual energy of plants and water into the body, one can achieve twice the result with half the effort.

Within the Qingchi Villa, there happens to be a lush bamboo grove, next to which lies the Shangyuan Pond, brimming with spiritual energy, perfectly embodying the essence of this cultivation method.

For the past month, Chen Changhe has been sitting quietly by the pond every day, refining and transforming his own magical power little by little according to the methods of the "Nourishing Qi and Longevity Technique".

The process went more smoothly than he had anticipated.

The original blue and white magic gradually turned into a bluish-white color, with a warm luster, losing some of its coldness and gaining more peace and vitality.

His own magical power had not diminished; he still possessed more than eighty strands.

After the last wisp of magical power was transformed, Chen Changhe felt his meridians bulging and his dantian filled with magical power, as if a force was about to be released.

The barrier that originally stood between the second and third realms was repeatedly impacted by this momentum.

Within a few days, his magical power was completely perfected, and the barrier of the Jade Spring Realm collapsed on its own, and everything fell into place naturally.

A surge of vibrant energy, known as "Jade Spring," gushed forth from the depths of his dantian, instantly circulating throughout his entire body.

In an instant, the spring water washed away all the dirt and grime from my body, as if I had been reborn.

The hidden injuries left over from years of cultivation, and the stagnation and obstruction in the transformation of cultivation techniques, were all repaired one by one under the nourishment of this jade spring.

His skin became more delicate and smooth, with a subtle jade-like hue.

A tingling, numb sensation spread deep into my bone marrow, filling my entire body with vitality.

Even her appearance became several years younger, as a result, making her look like she was back in her early twenties.

"No wonder Jade Spring Realm is regarded as the mid-stage of the Spirit Treasury Realm, a true watershed."

Chen Changhe slowly finished his practice, feeling the changes within his body, and understood the truth in his heart.

"Not only is there a transformation in magical power, but the physical body is also further tempered, curing diseases, strengthening the body, and prolonging life."

"His spiritual awareness has also increased significantly, and he can now clearly perceive the slightest movement within a fifty-foot radius."

"To fully replenish the dantian's magical power again... it would probably require as many as 180 strands."

Chen Changhe still remembered the letter his third brother sent home, which mentioned that ordinary spiritual cultivators could open the Jade Spring with thirty-six strands of magical power and refine the Golden Marrow with seventy-two strands of magical power.

Now, he wants to cultivate the Jade Spring Realm to perfection, but he needs nearly two hundred strands of magical power.

"It's probably related to the development of my dantian when I was in the wooden embryo stage. My foundation became more solid, so the amount of mana I needed to break through to a higher realm naturally increased."

"Fortunately, I have now changed my cultivation method. With the help of the wooden child refining spiritual energy, I can accumulate my magical power to perfection in a short time."

Chen Changhe estimated his own cultivation speed.

If nothing unexpected happens, I'm afraid we can try to refine the golden marrow in two or three years.

This is the efficiency improvement brought about by the change in the training method.

"Now I can use techniques like 'Condensing Water into a Mirror' and 'Minor Cloud and Rain Technique' with ease, without the need for the meticulous planning and fear of insufficient magical power as before."

"The power and precision of his spells are incomparable to those of the Wood Embryo Realm."

Having broken through to a higher realm, Chen Changhe felt refreshed and at ease.

The verdant bamboo in the courtyard exudes a refreshing fragrance, and the misty water vapor on the pond surface feels even more invigorating and nourishing to the soul.

"Ring ring..."

Just as he was carefully experiencing the wonders of this new realm, a small copper bell hanging under the outer courtyard porch suddenly rang out.

This bell was set up by him before he went into seclusion, and it was led into the inner courtyard by a thin thread.

If there are urgent matters outside that are difficult to decide, the disciples on duty may ring a bell to report them.

With a slight movement, Chen Changhe appeared under the front porch, like a gentle breeze sweeping across the courtyard.

The bell ringer was Chen Qinghe, dressed in a simple blue dress.

The young girl's cultivation was progressing well, and her demeanor had become more composed. Upon seeing Chen Changhe appear, she quickly and respectfully bowed, saying:

"uncle."

"My uncle sent me to report that a cultivator has come to our house. He claims to be a member of the Guan family of Heming Mountain and says that he has been entrusted by someone to deliver a letter from Wulong Gorge to my uncle in person."

"A letter from Wulong Gorge?"

Chen Changhe was taken aback upon hearing this, but then he understood.

There must be news from my elder brother!

He didn't show it on his face, only nodding slightly:

"I understand. Go and study hard."

After saying that, Chen Changhe did not linger. He turned around and left Qingchi Villa. His steps seemed calm, but they were a bit faster than usual. He walked straight towards his old family home.