Chapter 5: Blessings and Misfortunes Depend on Each Other

Upon Tang Sen's suggestion, Tang Luo moved back to his own room, finally returning to his normal life.

Finally having private space to examine the Star Core in his hand, Tang Luo carefully examined the object.

The silver-black sphere resembled solid iron—extremely heavy.

The surface of the sphere was covered with inscriptions, crisscrossing in an antique design. Though each inscription was identical, they didn't look like text. Instead, their crisscrossing pattern resembled a gigantic maze. For a while, Tang Luo felt quite clueless.

"Let's see if I can still practice cultivation without a Star Core." Tang Luo put it aside.

To him, the most crucial issue at hand was whether he could continue his cultivation practice.

Although he clearly knew there was nothing wrong with his body, and that the Star Core had been removed from his Dantian (energy center), he still needed to test whether he could continue on the path of martial arts.

A bit tense—his mood not quite as usual—because the success or failure of this practice would determine if he could still continue on the martial artist's road. It was of utmost importance.

Taking a deep breath, calming down, and sitting cross-legged, Tang Luo began preparing his technique.

Having practiced The Heavenly Pathway Technique tens of thousands of times, a wisp of the world's Spiritual Energy was drawn into his body on the first cycle. The Heavenly Pathway Technique circled thirty-six cycles in succession, skillfully drawing in wisps of Spiritual Energy into his body, circulating throughout himself along with the technique.

Great! It seems smooth, I am still able to practice. Tang Luo felt a little excited.

Only one final step was left: to infuse the Spiritual Energy drawn by the technique into the Dantian. The Heavenly Pathway Technique smoothly followed the meridians and moved towards the Dantian.

In an instant, Tang Luo's face contorted fiercely, almost disrupting the operation of his technique.

The Spiritual Energy drawn by the technique into the Dantian suddenly lost control. It was as if there was a powerful force within the Dantian that forcibly seized control over the Spiritual Energy as soon as it entered.

He was far too familiar with this sensation. It was exactly the same process as when the Star Core absorbed Spiritual Energy and divided it into three parts.

After a while, the original Spiritual Energy that was absorbed into the Dantian transformed into three currents, circulating within the Dantian.

While the practice went smoothly, Tang Luo's face became quite unsightly. If there's still a Star Core in his Dantian, what was the sphere beside his bed?

Tang Luo's expression was serious. Because he temporarily couldn't use introspection, he didn't know what his Dantian had become. The only course of action was to first practice until he reached the Mortal Realm where he could use introspection to make a determination.

But this practice session also allowed Tang Luo to notice something unusual about his body.

Logically speaking, he wasn't even a martial artist anymore, merely a martial arts beginner who had just completed Foundation Building. Although he could practice methods of the Mortal Realm, the amount of Spiritual Energy he could absorb in a day was only about one wisp. Even if divided into three by the Star Core and absorbed by the Dantian, it was impossible to continue drawing Spiritual Energy into his body.

But he had completed the Mortal Realm training through thirty-six cycles, and his body did not feel saturated at all. This indicated that he could still continue to absorb Spiritual Energy.

Based on experience, only a Body Breakthrough Realm martial artist's body could absorb and withstand up to two wisps of Spiritual Energy in a day. Along with the amplification of the Star Core, Tang Luo could absorb up to six wisps of Spiritual Energy in a day. That was why he could hold his own against the young disciples of the Martial Saint Mountain. Unexpectedly, even though his body had degraded, the amount of Spiritual Energy he could absorb did not lessen. This was indeed his silver lining amidst misfortune.

According to calculations, back then, he spent a year upgrading from Foundation Building to practicing at the Mortal Realm. Now, possessing the absorption speed of a Body Breakthrough Realm, Tang Luo estimated it would only take fifty days until he could use introspection at the Mortal Realm.

"Then, let's practice until I reach the Mortal Realm and see what my Dantian has actually become." Tang Luo frowned, determined.

Anyway, it can't get worse - Tang Luo thought to himself, taking the Star Core in his hand for a closer examination.

........

That night, the family gathered in the dining hall.

It was the first meal Tang Luo shared with his family since he fell into a coma, but why did the atmosphere feel so different?

Tang Luo felt somewhat helpless. He had originally thought that they could have a nice meal together.

Except for Little Nuannuan, who was too young to comprehend anything, his father had been eating his meal in silence, never meeting his gaze. His little brother Tang Xing seemed to have a thousand words to tell him; he tried to speak several times but always held back, his mournful eyes making Tang Luo shiver.

His mother, on the other hand, behaved as if she were a different person, constantly promoting ideas to him non-stop since the meal started.

"Actually, it's not a big deal if you don't practice martial arts. It's not like martial arts is the only way to get ahead." Xu Shuhui disdainfully glanced at the eating Tang Sen, seeming quite dissatisfied with her husband's status as a martial artist.

But Mom - our continent honors those who are strong. How can I get ahead without practicing martial arts? Tang Luo covertly rolled his eyes and nodded in compliance.

"Also, there are so many businesses to manage at home; sometimes I can't handle everything by myself. Luo Er, you're already thirteen. It's time to help your mother." Wiping nonexistent sweat from her forehead, Xu Shuhui began her heartfelt performance.

Tang Luo draught helplessly, showing a bitter smile. There were indeed many assets in the Tang Family, quite a few of which were under his father's name. However, most of these were managed by Housekeeper Uncle Fu. With so many stewards in the family, his mother's job only consisted of listening to reports. There weren't even reports to go through every day. She isn't busy at all.

"And, ever since you fell into a coma, Uncle Kuan of the secondary house came to visit you. He said that the family now has martial artists but too few people to help manage things. He was wondering if our third family has a child who can assist him." She emphasized the word "child"