Humans possess three dantians.
At first glance, it seems entirely feasible to assign one cultivation technique to each dantian, distributing them equally.
However, in reality, cultivating multiple techniques simultaneously is exceedingly difficult.
This is because the three dantians are not completely independent or unconnected.
They are all part of the cultivator's body and will influence each other.
For instance, if one dantian practices an ice technique, the other two dantians will be significantly affected and subtly shift in that direction.
If, at this point, the other two dantians cultivate different techniques, it would be akin to pulling the body in three different directions, ultimately causing it to break apart.
Externally, this often manifests as interference and conflict between spiritual power, blood essence, or divine soul, leading to backlash and possibly resulting in qi deviation.
How can one evaluate the quality of a technique?
It’s simple.
You look at how many dantians the technique can strengthen, to what extent, and how efficient the cultivation process is.
Inferior techniques typically only cultivate one dantian, neglecting the others, and often have side effects.
Ordinary techniques focus on one dantian without any drawbacks.
More refined techniques focus on one dantian while providing some benefits to the other two dantians.
Excellent techniques concentrate on one dantian but offer significant support to one other dantian or even minor benefits to both.
Top-tier techniques, often the signature methods of great sects, primarily cultivate two dantians and support the last one.
This is purely in terms of the technique.
In reality, there are many other influencing factors, making the process highly complex.
Take the example of Han Ming, a demon cultivator, who cultivates two techniques.
One is the Nine Turns Soul Devouring Art, which primarily cultivates her middle and upper dantians.
She also practices the Immortal Corpse Transformation Method, cultivating her lower dantian.
Ordinary cultivators cannot replicate her approach.
Cultivating two techniques together would cause interference between the corpse-like parts of her body and the power of the Nine Turns Soul Devouring Art.
At best, it would yield half the results for twice the effort; at worst, it would lead to qi deviation.
Han Ming manages to do this solely due to her low-grade innate talent—Ghost Corpse Qi.
All cultivators possess spiritual roots, but not all have innate talents.
These talents impact countless aspects, influencing the entirety of a cultivator's journey and significantly affecting each stage of cultivation, from foundation establishment to golden core, nascent soul, and even void refinement.
Although Ning Zhuo has only acquired the first three levels of each technique, he has the insight to evaluate them as a walking library.
He is certain that these three techniques are of extraordinary quality.
"These techniques can be cultivated simultaneously, and the energy, essence, and spirit produced will coexist in harmony!"
"The key is that this harmonious coexistence doesn’t depend on innate talent."
"As long as someone has the basic spiritual roots and the qualifications to cultivate, they can train in these techniques."
"This is absolutely a top-level technique!"
Ning Zhuo’s excitement brought a glimmer of wetness to his eyes.
"Mother, as you said, I have obtained the qi refining technique from the Lava Immortal Palace."
"The actual techniques are even better than you imagined—utterly perfect."
"I will master them all."
His mother’s final wishes were deeply embedded in the young man’s heart.
Her expectations had transformed into a mission, a responsibility, and became Ning Zhuo’s challenge against a mundane fate.
…
Meng Chong was also training.
To strengthen his abilities, he specifically designed a training hall.
Activating Wild Sprint Thunderclap, he dashed continuously through the obstacle-filled training hall.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The sounds of him colliding with obstacles echoed throughout the hall.
"I can do this!"
"I can definitely make it!"
Meng Chong would occasionally stop, panting and drenched in sweat.
Yet his eyes blazed with determination, unwilling to rest for even a moment.
Before long, he resumed his training.
…
At the Zhou family.
"I did it, Shen," Zhou Zhu walked out of the Spirit Mist Formation, having reached the peak of the third level in qi refining.
Zhou Zeshen nodded, "Well done, Zhu!"
Zhou Zhu said, "If I hadn’t been delayed midway, I would’ve completed it even faster."
"Meng Chong wasn’t disrupted by any assassins; he’ll likely succeed before me."
"Of the four major forces in the Immortal City, only the Ning family hasn’t been attacked."
Zhou Zeshen shook his head, "You’re suggesting it was the Ning family? Even without concrete proof, I don’t believe that."
"If the Ning family were that anxious about falling behind, they wouldn’t be so leisurely in selecting people for the reformation."
"As things stand, the Ning family still trails in last place, while the City Lord’s mansion remains dominant. I personally find the latter more likely."
"Good point." Zhou Zhu nodded, about to speak further, when his eyes suddenly rolled back.
Thud.
He collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
Zhou Zeshen was horrified, "Zhu, what’s wrong?"
"Your soul!"
"Where’s your soul?!"
"Someone, someone help!"
"An attack—another attack!!"
Zhou Zeshen’s alarm sent the entire Zhou family into a frenzy of panic.
In the Lava Immortal Palace, the main hall.
The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit recoiled, enduring lashings.
In Room One.
After much fumbling, Zhou Zhu finally thought to activate the Five Elements Qi Regulation Technique, drawing in the mechanical components.
He took far too long.
As he neared the entrance to Room One, his spiritual power was depleted, and his puppet body collapsed, drained of strength.
Failure.
Returning to his physical body, Zhou Zhu brought back valuable firsthand information.
That night, the Zhou family’s upper echelon remained awake.
Zhou Zeshen spent the night dispersing his powers.
…
Ning Zhuo feasted until his stomach visibly swelled.
Closing his eyes, he stood tall and activated his technique—Demonic Blood Vein Technique.
His blood essence surged, circulating faster, infusing his muscles and visibly thickening his fascia layer.
Qi refining, first level!
Soon, Ning Zhuo felt hunger again.
…
At the Zheng family.
"Oh?" During a break, Zheng Jian heard some news, "Zhou Zhu of the Zhou family was attacked again?"
"To prevent any mishaps, additional guards will be stationed around the refining room," the attendant reported.
However, Zheng Jian furrowed his brows, sensing something amiss.
"Whatever. I’ve already reached the second level of qi refining. I’ll push harder and reach the peak of the third level." Zheng Jian resumed his diligent cultivation.
He sat cross-legged on a meditation mat, continuously accumulating spiritual power, while several hook-shaped artifacts hovered and spun around him.
…
Ning Zhuo also sat on his meditation mat, a stick of incense burning in front of him.
This was Calming Incense, aiding him in cultivating the Mirror Platform Spirit Communication Technique.
This technique could enhance his divine repository, strengthening the foundation of his Divine Sea.
When the incense finished burning, Ning Zhuo had gained over six hundred spirit particles in his upper dantian—an astonishing efficiency.
"After consuming a large quantity of golden silk jade dew cakes, I’ve built a strong foundation."
"Now, with the help of the Mirror Platform Spirit Communication Technique, I’m steadily unlocking it, significantly enhancing my divine repository."
With a trace of satisfaction, Ning Zhuo ended his rest and resumed his cultivation.
Spirit refinement, first level!
Upon reaching this level, the spiritual particles in his upper dantian clustered together, forming a spiritual mirror.
Through this mirror, Ning Zhuo could communicate with the sentient beings of nature.
The more intelligent the being, the more sentient it was.
Humans are the most sentient of all beings.
"The Lava Immortal Palace’s Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit is also sentient. Can I communicate with it?" Ning Zhuo wondered.