Chapter 9: Ingredients Gathering

Chapter 9: Ingredients Gathering

When sunrays fell on the face of Xuan Yu, he woke up and heard a knock on the door. He opened it to see Ming Yue carrying a robe. He smiled warmly. "Good morning, Ming Yue."

"Good morning," she replied with a soft smile. "Here, I brought some clothes for you. Hope they fit. Now, go get a bath. I'm cooking breakfast."

Xuan Yu looked at her questioningly. "Whose are they?"

"They're newly made for you. I had already taken your measurements while you were unconscious that day. They arrived today," Ming Yue explained.

"I see. Thank you for taking care of me," Xuan Yu said, touched by her thoughtfulness.

"It's fine," Ming Yue replied shyly. "I wouldn't want to lose my conversation partner."

Xuan Yu chuckled softly, appreciating the bond that had developed between them. After taking a bath, he dressed in the new robe Ming Yue had brought. The fabric was soft and comfortable, fitting him perfectly. He felt a renewed sense of energy and purpose.

Breakfast with Ming Yue was a pleasant affair. The food was simple but delicious, and the company made it even more enjoyable. They talked about various things, from cultivation techniques to the happenings in the sect. Xuan Yu found himself genuinely enjoying these moments of normalcy.

After breakfast, he went into the garden to cultivate, while Ming Yue left for the medicine hall. The garden was peaceful, with a gentle breeze rustling the leaves and the scent of blooming flowers in the air. Xuan Yu sat in a lotus position and began to search his memory for suitable soul and body cultivation techniques.

He finally recalled the Ethereal Soul Refinement Technique for his soul and the Ancient Dragon Body Tempering Technique for his body.

The Ethereal Soul Refinement Technique was a profound and intricate method designed to strengthen and refine the soul. Unlike other soul cultivation techniques that merely expanded the soul's capacity, the Ethereal Soul Refinement Technique focused on purifying and condensing the soul's essence. This process involved several stages:

Soul Purification : The cultivator would draw in Qi from their surroundings and it will converted into Ethereal Energy by the technique, using it to cleanse their soul of impurities. This stage required deep meditation and an unwavering focus, as the ethereal energy had to be channeled precisely to avoid any damage to the soul.

Soul Condensation : After purification, the cultivator would begin condensing their soul's essence. This involved compressing the purified soul energy into a denser form, enhancing its strength and resilience. The process was akin to forging a weapon, where repeated tempering made the soul more robust and powerful.

Soul Integration : In the final stage, the cultivator integrated the refined soul essence with their body. This heightened their physical capabilities, improving overall strength, reflexes, and endurance. The integrated soul essence also provided better control over spiritual energies and enhanced the cultivator's mental fortitude. This integration created a harmonious balance between the soul and body, making the cultivator's presence and abilities more formidable.

The Ancient Dragon Body Tempering Technique was a legendary method that promised unparalleled physical transformation. This technique involved a series of grueling stages where the cultivator would infuse their body with powerful elemental energies and rare materials to emulate the might of an ancient dragon. Upon completion, the cultivator would possess a body comparable to an ancient dragon in every aspect: defense, offense, agility, endurance, and stamina.The stages of this technique were as follows:

Elemental Baptism : The cultivator would undergo a series of rituals involving the absorption of elemental energies—fire, water, earth, and wind. Each element would temper different aspects of the body, enhancing resilience, strength, flexibility, and speed.

Bone Forging : Using rare materials like Black Iron Sand, the cultivator would reinforce their bones to be as strong as dragon bones. This stage required immense willpower and endurance, as the process was excruciatingly painful.

Blood Purification : Infusing the blood with Dragon Blood Grass, the cultivator would enhance their blood's vitality and healing properties, enabling them to recover rapidly from injuries.

Scale Formation : By absorbing the essence of Starfire, the cultivator's skin would harden, becoming as tough as dragon scales. This not only provided immense defense but also improved the body's resistance to extreme temperatures and physical attacks.

Heart of the Dragon : The final stage involved merging the purified energies and materials within the cultivator's body to form the Heart of the Dragon, a core that granted unparalleled stamina and endurance, akin to an ancient dragon's inexhaustible strength.

Xuan Yu started practicing the Ethereal Soul Refinement Technique. As he delved deeper into the technique, he felt his soul becoming more refined and resilient with each passing moment. The technique required intense concentration and a deep connection to the spiritual energies around him. He could sense the subtle changes within his soul, making it stronger and more attuned.

After completing his soul cultivation session, he picked up a tree branch and began to practice the basics of swordsmanship: slashing, cutting, and stabbing. Even though he was just practicing, the aura around him suggested otherwise. His movements were fluid and graceful, resembling a dance. Each motion was executed with precision and control, reflecting his deep understanding of swordsmanship.

Xuan Yu had reached the Sword Dance Realm, a significant stage in weapon comprehension. Weapon comprehension was divided into three realms: Weapon Intent Realm, Weapon Dance Realm and Weapon Unification Realm.

- Weapon Intent Realm: The beginning stage where cultivators could imbue their weapons with their intent or desire.

- Weapon Dance Realm: The next stage where cultivators could use their weapons with near perfection, making each movement feel like a dance.

- Weapon Unification Realm: The final stage where cultivators became one with their weapon, using anything present in heaven and earth as their weapon.

After practicing his sword skills, Xuan Yu focused on cultivating using the Primordial Ascension Technique. The energy flowed smoothly through his meridians, enhancing his strength and resilience. As dusk approached, he reached the second level of the Elementary Spirit Realm. He could feel the difference in his body's power and sensitivity to spiritual energies.

During this time, he noticed Ming Yue returning and welcomed her back warmly. She seemed tired but happy, carrying a bundle of herbs and other materials. They cooked dinner together, enjoying the camaraderie and shared tasks. The meal was filled with laughter and conversation, creating a warm and comforting atmosphere.

While eating, Xuan Yu brought up the topic of his body cultivation needs. "I need some materials for body cultivation and to make a pill called the Body Vitality Pill," he said.

Ming Yue looked intrigued. "What materials do you need?"

"For the Ancient Dragon Body Tempering Technique's Elemental Baptism stage, I need Elemental Essence Crystals representing Earth, Wood, Metal, Fire and Gold. These crystals are crucial for absorbing and assimilating the elemental energies required to temper different aspects of my body. As for the Body Vitality Pill, it requires Azure Spirit Fruit, Celestial Lotus, and Golden Sunflower."

Ming Yue nodded thoughtfully. "I can help you gather these materials. Some of them are rare, but I think we can find them in the medicine hall's inventory or the surrounding areas."

Xuan Yu felt a surge of gratitude. "Thank you, Ming Yue. Your help means a lot."

"It's nothing," she replied with a gentle smile. "Let's focus on getting what you need so you can continue your cultivation."

The next day, Ming Yue set out to procure the necessary materials. Her knowledge of medicinal herbs and her connections within the medicine hall proved invaluable. She managed to find the All the elemental essence crystals, Azure Spirit Fruit and Dragon Blood Grass in the hall's storage. The Black Iron Sand and Celestial Lotus were more challenging to locate, but Ming Yue's determination and resourcefulness paid off.

Meanwhile, Xuan Yu continued to cultivate in the garden, making significant progress with the Ethereal Soul Refinement Technique. His soul grew stronger and more attuned to the spiritual energies around him. The garden became his sanctuary, a place where he could focus on his inner growth and refine his abilities.

Ming Yue returned in the evening, her arms filled with the materials she had gathered. "Here are the items you need," she said, handing them to Xuan Yu.

"Thank you, Ming Yue," Xuan Yu said sincerely. "With these, I can further my cultivation."

Ming Yue smiled, a sense of accomplishment evident in her eyes. "I'm glad I could help. Let's see what amazing progress you make next."