The entire day passed without us doing much. Kiana took the initiative to sight-see. I followed her lead and got to know more things in this city. A single day is not enough to explore all of it.
She regained her typical carefree, "whatever works" self. I am glad to see this.
She shouldn't feel responsible for me.
"Fu…"
My mind's clarity carried on for quite some time. My cultivation routine was broken yesterday. I made it up now by spamming the [Toushen Manual]. I haven't forgotten about a cultivator's posture.
The clashes from yesterday made me feel like a martial artist. That was how low-leveled Qi Refining cultivators move. Only in the middle stage—when the second Qi Sea opens—will there be substantial spiritual qi improvement. It is enough to spam spells against the enemy.
It will even be more eye-catching in the late stage. That will be the time sword cultivators learn 'Sword Manipulation'. There will be mental attacks, wide-scale spells, and the likes.
By then, one can fight against a hundred or even a thousand. Zombies will be the least of my worries.
"Fu…"
I got out of my hyperactive state. I sat on the couch. Kiana is undergoing cultivation as of now. Her enthusiasm towards cultivation reached an all-time high when I told her the 'optimal state'.
It is a state of the body at its peak. It is metaphysical during the earlier stages of cultivation, but the ones with higher realms see its effects.
There is a period known by ourselves. It is affected by the subconscious. Once it is reached, your body and state of mind will be less conflicted, thus becoming closer to nature.
The end game of cultivation lies in closeness in nature (i.e., Dao).
From that, we can see how big that effect is.
"Two Phase Art…"
Currently, my biggest doubt is the [Two Phase Art]. Its magical effects are something beyond my current league. If not for it not needing any cost, I will not be able to activate it at all.
Cultivation emphasizes solving one's mental troubles and becoming more light hearted. It is the laws of cause and effect, also known as karma. People in the higher levels pay more attention to it. Nearly all the cultivation techniques I received talked about that concept.
There is only one way to find answers.
I closed my eyes. The familiar feeling of falling weightlessly appeared. I opened my eyes to the familiar floating golden orb in the distance.
"Great Dao."
I am no longer the same ignorant boy as one month ago. The techniques I received from this golden orb are deeply etched in my mind. My mastery originates from there. I realized what is lacking in my techniques a few days ago.
Dao Rhymes.
It is the trace of Great Dao. A form of 'concept' that is comprehended while cultivating. All the techniques I received have it, yet I can't use it. I can't feel it nor make it appear in the outside world.
I attributed that problem to my low realm. I can only touch that during the Purple Mansion Realm.
Yep.
It's better to throw these thoughts away for a while.
"How can I find answers…"
Should I try submitting the Two Phase Art?
"Hm."
I tried doing that. I thought of its entirety in my mind. Moments later, a thick book appeared in my hands. It is not only the original [Two Phase Art]. I also placed some of my doubts and guesses on it.
When I looked at the golden orb, the familiar golden light seeped in the book. It seemingly scanned all of its contents.
Then…
Its thickness did not change much. Its title did not change either.
To my surprise, the golden light did not disappear.
"Huh?!"
It swiftly crept up from the book to my head. My eyes are blinded with light.
{The Great Dao is nature itself. It is all-encompassing and…}
{...equal. It accepts everything and adapts…}
…
I heard these words being spoken by… myself. I can hear my voice reciting these precepts of sorts.
"Fu…"
I opened my eyes and saw the golden orb in the distance.
"How come… it's really one of my guesses."
The [Two Phase Art] cost nothing on me.
Turns out, that cost is borne by the golden orb!
The information I received from that light shed my doubts. The golden orb… or rather, the Great Dao, is responsible for it.
The [Two Phase Art] is not a technique; it is an ability granted to me. I did not know it back then.
It has the ability to turn every single energy into spiritual qi. The limitation of 'free energy' did not come from me, but from the golden orb.
Every level of proficiency in [Two Phase Art] meant less restrictions. Slowly, the 'free energy' restriction lessens.
Small Success can allow me to interfere with the structure of non-living things. I can convert them into something befitting cultivation. The honkai-made swords we bought yesterday can be turned into spiritual qi swords.
Great Success allows me to interfere with a living being's constitution, converting it to something suitable for cultivation. I can 'convert' the corresponding honkai-based talents into a Spirit Body.
As for Perfection… It is absurd. I can turn anything into its immortal cultivation equivalent. There are no restrictions whatsoever.
Anyways, the only premise of this technique is karma. I can only target ownerless things. For living beings, only the ones who can trust me enough fall under the scope.
"Proficiency… to understand the Great Dao."
Another set of obscure and poetic words...
"I'll understand it later."
My mind felt a lot lighter. I looked at the golden orb again. The first thoughts in my mind introduced it as the 'Great Dao'.
It did not speak to me; rather, it was as if I am the one who understood it.
This was precisely why I did not feel any apprehension trusting my techniques. The Great Dao does not have any independent will.
How can a man hate nature itself?
Hating the trees…
"...There might really be people hating trees."
Well, Kiana hated her vegetables. I am sure this possibility exists.
"What technique should I invent today…"