Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
When mountains lie to the south and water lies to the north, the land would be considered yang. If their positions were reversed, the land would be considered yin.
The Heaven Yang Grass was not grass in the strictest sense of the word. It couldn’t even be classified as a plant. It had a similar shape with that of a newly sprouted bamboo shoot. Most of it was buried in the earth, with a curved tip of no more than three centimeters exposed to the surface.
There was a precondition to its growth. Only in sunny places where mountains lie to the south and water lies to the north and where an abundance of Pure Yang Qi gathered.
The Earth Yin Grass was exactly the opposite. While it was still a type of rhizome, it was shaped more like a sweet potato. It grew completely underground and would definitely have nine nodes.
There were two notable features of the Earth Yin Grass. First, although there were nine nodes, there would only be one branch and two leaves on the surface. Second, there would be a natural “cut” on the nodes, as if someone sliced them. White sap would seep out from them. They would never be contaminated by the mud even though they grew in it.
A very vulgar analogy would be that each node was like the privates of a woman. There were a total of nine nodes. Nine was the maximum odd number, which could also be called the nine yin.
That was why the Heaven Yang Grass was also known as the One Yang Grass and the Earth Yin Grass as the Nine Yin Grass.
The Heaven Yang Grass grew on the north bank, in the valley between Dragon Mountain and Nancui Peak opposite Earth Yin Grass.
That was because Nancui Peak and Dragon Mountain were facing each other and the underground river flowed from east to west.
The Heaven Yang Grass grew on the northern side of Dragon Mountain, which was on the northern side of the underground river.
That explained why the Earth Yin Grass grew on the northern side of Nancui Peak, which was opposite to the Dragon Peak.
The Yin Yang Dragon Lock Spell was cast because of this. Ling Yun went to the entrance of Nancui Peak to cultivate his Yin Yin-Yang harmony balance.
Ling Yun went to the Yang side of Dragon Mountain, where the Heaven Yang Grass grew. He sat cross-legged and absorbed the Pure Yang Qi that was absorbed by the Heaven Yang Grass.
Ling Yun had broken through to the mid-stage of Physique Tempering Stage Seven. His energy center and meridians were more than a hundred times better than ordinary practitioners.
Therefore, he would need more than a hundred times the amount of True Qi than practitioners of the same realm.
Of course, Ling Yun also obtained plenty of benefits. As someone of Houtian Realm Level Eight, he should only be able to face off with someone at the same level. However, he could easily defeat someone of Xiantian Realm Level Four now.
Ling Yun’s strength was really scary. To be able to kill opponents who were six major realms above him was no small feat.
The defensive capability of the Stellar Condensation Technique, coupled with the Devil’s Blade and the Dragon Vein Sword, would allow Ling Yun to rival a Xiantian Realm Level Six master.
That was why Ling Yun could win against Liu Suifeng, who was at the beginning of Xiantian Realm Level Five.
After an hour, Ling Yun had his fill of Pure Yang Qi. He went to the Earth Yin Grass and started to absorb Pure Yin Qi.
Ling Yun was a man, so his Yang Qi 1 could be self-generated. He would always absorb more Pure Yin Qi when he could to keep the Yin and Yang balanced.
Of course, the Yin-Yang Qi could be replenished by itself through his Yin-Yang harmony balance technique, but Ling Yun wanted speed.
The faster, the better!
Ling Yun only got up when his energy center and meridians couldn’t absorb another drop of Pure Yin Qi. He then went to where the Longxian Grass grew.
Ling Yun wanted to save as much of the dragon saliva as he could. That was why he chose to absorb the spiritual energy from the Longxian Grass even though it was slower. After all, Dragon Spiritual Energy was released by the Longxian Grass every day. It beat depleting the dragon saliva any day.
Ling Yun was now the biggest consumer of the dragon saliva. He had to reserve it for Ning Lingyu, Qin Dongxue, Bai Xianer, Lin Menghan, Xue Meining, Long Wu, and even Zhang Ling. It was barely enough.
Ling Yun wouldn’t have considered sweeping the Antique Market if that wasn’t the case. He was taking precautions.
Fortunately, there was ample spiritual energy in Ling Yun’s body now. The Emperor Brush and the Earth Emperor’s Book saved his life when he was battling the Nine Colored Tribulation Cloud on Turtle Island. These sacred objects had released a generous amount of Immortal Spiritual Energy, filling Ling Yun to the brim. The only drawback was that he couldn’t use it now.
He had no idea what the thunder he absorbed during the tribulation could do, but he knew that it would definitely be something exciting for his next tribulation.
Ling Yun activated the Stellar Condensation Technique once he had his fill of spiritual energy. The essence from the moon and power from the galaxy poured down and engulfed Ling Yun’s entire being.
They were helping Ling Yun in his attempt to break through to the third major realm of the Stellar Condensation Technique.
Ling Yun’s strength would at least double that of his current status if he achieved a breakthrough. He would have enough confidence to head to Beijing even if he didn’t reach the Qi Cultivation stage.
However, the Stellar Condensation Technique was more difficult to break through as he advanced. No matter how hard Ling Yun tried, he was nowhere close to a breakthrough.
It was the same as a 100-meter dash. Usain Bolt might be able to complete it at 9.8 seconds ten times, but what if you wanted him to complete it at 9.7 seconds?
It might be possible if there was a level twelve gale blowing.
Ling Yun needed something more if he wanted to breakthrough.
Ling Yun’s eyes were shut as he focused every fiber of his being. He had long forgotten about the time.
A crisp crow from a rooster woke the obsessed Ling Yun. He opened his eyes slowly and found them adjusting to the brightness. Dawn had arrived.
Previously, it took me half a year to break through to the third major realm from the peak of the second major realm. This time…
Ling Yun laughed bitterly. He used all of his strength in his attempt to breakthrough twelve times. It ended in failure. He was still stuck.
It wasn’t because he was impatient nor was it because Ling Yun wasn’t qualified. It was because the Stellar Condensation Technique was too powerful.
That was precisely why it was so hard to cultivate!
Ling Yun would barely be on par with a Xiantian Realm Level Two martial artist if he didn’t have the Stellar Condensation Technique. He wouldn’t be able to prevail in his battle with a hundred ninjas nor be able to overcome his tribulation on Turtle Island.
If it was that easy to cultivate, Ling Yun could simply become a machine of destruction at the sixth major realm. He would then only need to run into the enemy camp.
However, it would take him at least ten years to attain the sixth major realm of the Stellar Condensation Technique, let alone the seventh major realm!
“Perhaps it’s more practical to reach the Qi Cultivation stage…” Ling Yun muttered to himself.
Ling Yun looked at the Longxian Grass by his side and then to the Heaven Yang Grass and the Earth Yin Grass. He decided to transplant them to Mansion Number One after considering his college entrance examinations.
The Yin Yang Dragon Lock Spell had been destroyed, and Ling Yun had obtained the dragon saliva at the eye of the formation. They could only survive for around another month if he didn’t transplant them anyway.
It’s time to get going!
It was already five in the morning. Ling Yun wanted to avoid the people who woke up early to exercise.
He flew back to where he parked the Land Rover and drove back to Mansion Number One.
“Hmph! He said he would be back soon, but he only returned the next morning…”
Miao Xiaomiao was already cultivating in the courtyard. There was ample spiritual energy there, which made cultivating a lot easier.
Xiao Jin, the superior golden silkworm, landed on Miao Xiaomiao’s shoulder and hissed. Xiao Jin wasn’t so afraid of Bai Xianer now that Miao Xiaomiao had become friends with her.
Miao Xiaomiao might be hostile, but there was someone who was ecstatic to see Ling Yun.
“Big Brother Yun, you’re back!” Bai Xianer flew out.
Ling Yun patted Bai Xianer’s shoulder gently and beckoned Xiao Jin.
“Come to Big Brother. I have something good for you!”
Xiao Jin turned its head away, ignoring Ling Yun.
No loss, I’m saving my dragon saliva and the thousand-year ginseng, Ling Yun thought.
“Your method of practice is wrong! Witchcraft isn’t cultivated in this manner.” Ling Yun returned Miao Xiaomiao’s hostility.
Miao Xiaomiao had yet to reach the Xiantian Realm, so it wasn’t too late to correct her.
“Rubbish, I’m practicing the Art of Gu, not witchcraft!” Miao Xiaomiao retorted angrily.
“Haha, you rely purely on spiritual power and your mental strength. Moreover, you are using your own blood as a medium to stimulate the natural forces for your use. What is witchcraft if this isn’t it?” Ling Yun replied casually.
The control of a Gu insect was through mental strength! What did the Gu insect feed on? Anything, as long as it had one thing — the blood of its owner!
Ling Yun understood the essence of the Art of Gu with one sentence!
Miao Xiaomiao was dumbstruck!
“Y-You know the Art of Gu?” Miao Xiaomiao responded after a while.
“A little, but probably 800 times more than you…” Ling Yun said cheekily.
“Hmph! Not one word you say is serious. I can’t be bothered with you!”
Miao Xiaomiao’s tone was harsh, but she was still awestruck.
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Ling Yun was too lazy to argue with Miao Xiaomiao. He gave her a small smile and shrugged it off. He then walked towards the villa with Bai Xianer in his arms.
“Hmph! Casanova! Will it kill you not to brag?” Miao Xiaomiao uttered audibly.
“Hehe, I’m not bragging, you will know…” Ling Yun replied without turning back.
Ling Yun wasn’t in a hurry. Miao Xiaomiao would need at least another year if she wanted to break through to the Xiantian Realm. Ling Yun would be at the mid-stage of Qi Cultivation then. It would still be in time.
Miao Xiaomiao stomped her foot angrily, glaring at Ling Yun as he entered the villa. She tried to resume her practice but found that she could no longer concentrate.
Ling Yun headed to the second floor. He listened attentively as he passed by Xue Meining’s room and was satisfied that she was breathing deeply. She was fast asleep. He smiled and returned to his bedroom.
Ling Yun had special feelings for Ning Er, which was why he would use neither his Yin-Yang Eye nor his divine sense to pry on her.
He turned on the lights and found a set of pen and paper. He began writing at his study desk.
Bai Xianer stood curiously by Ling Yun and looked on. She didn’t understand a word. “Big Brother Yun, what are you writing?”
“The application method of the Nine Needles of the Spiritual Pivot and a complementary set of kungfu called the Spirit Potency Art,” Ling Yun said with a smile.
“Why are you writing it down?”
“I want to impart the Nine Needles of the Spiritual Pivot to Ning Er,” Ling Yun replied without any change to his speed of writing. His penmanship was neat and elegant.
“Is the Spirit Potency Art powerful?”
“It’s a method of absorbing and storing spiritual energy. It isn’t powerful as a standalone skill. Its potency will only show when coupled with the Nine Needles of the Spiritual Pivot.”
“Oh, I see. Big Brother Yun is so good to Younger Sister Ning Er…” Bai Xianer said with obvious envy.
Ling Yun put down his pen suddenly and gave Bai Xianer a warm smile. “Am I not good to Xian Er?”
Bai Xianer’s beautiful face blushed as she withstood Ling Yun’s gaze. “Why aren’t you teaching Xian Er kungfu then?” Xian Er asked with a sigh.
“Xian Er, always remember to avoid greed in cultivation. Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Your Demonic Book of the Heavenly Central Nine Stars and the Celestial Fox Attribute are extremely powerful. It won’t be easy for you to master all of that. You will only complicate matters if you learn too many different things. It will all be for naught if you go berserk. This is the biggest taboo for us cultivators. Do you understand?” Ling Yun told her kindly.
“You have to teach me something…” Bai Xianer acted spoiled and bit her lips.
“Alright, I’ll teach you something since you really want. I can only teach you the movements, though.” Ling Yun caved.
“Thank you, Big Brother Yun…” Bai Xianer let the matter go.
Ling Yun got back to his writing.
More than an hour later, Xue Meining woke up. The first thing she did was run to Ling Yun’s bedroom.
His door wasn’t shut.
“Big Brother Yun, what time did you come back? I waited for you until twelve…”
Xue Meining hugged Ling Yun’s arm naturally.
“You’re awake, Ning Er? I went to Dragon Mountain to cultivate and got home at five in the morning.”
Ling Yun put down his pen and gave his full attention to Xue Meining.
“Cultivate, cultivate, cultivate… You are cultivating every single day and have no time to accompany me…” Xue Meining wailed in protest.
“Eh? What are you writing?” Xue Meining blinked and rubbed her eyes in disbelief.
“The Nine Needles of the Spiritual Pivot?”
“Yes, it’s the Nine Needles of the Spiritual Pivot. I’m not even halfway through.” Ling Yun laughed.
“Wow, so many pages. Why are you writing this?” Xue Meining asked in delight, seemingly having guessed Ling Yun’s purpose.
“Of course it’s to impart it to a brilliant, kind, and lovely girl…” Ling Yun smiled without answering the question directly.
“Hmm… brilliant, kind, and lovely? Isn’t that me?” Xue Meining wasn’t humble in the least.
“You guessed it right!” Ling Yun laughed and pulled her close to him.
“Take this first. This is the Spirit Potency Art. You have to memorize it in the fastest time possible. The potency of the Spirit Potency Art can only be released if you master this.”
“Wow, awesome! Big Brother Yun is teaching me the Nine Needles of the Spiritual Pivot, thank you Big Brother Yun!”
Xue Meining cheered and kissed his left cheek twice.
Ling Yun touched the dimple on the left side of his face. The sensation of the kiss lingered. It was truly amazing.
“Did you have a good rest?” His lips curled up.
Xue Meining nodded. “Yes, I did. But… it would have been much better if you were at home!”
“I shall sleep here tonight then, alright?”
“That’s more like it!”
Ling Yun glanced at the time. “Alright, no more skipping school today. Wash up quickly, and I’ll send you to school.”
“Big Brother Yun, I’m hungry…” Xue Meining hugged her growling stomach. She looked pitiful.
“I’ll make some noodles for you then.” Ling Yun sighed.
Ling Yun couldn’t escape his chef’s fate no matter where he went.
Xue Meining kissed Ling Yun again before leaving with the Spirit Potency Art.
“Don’t let anyone else see this Spirit Potency Art!” Ling Yun cautioned.
“I’m not stupid!” Xue Meining’s voice rang through the halls.
What I meant was not to show your Big Sister, Miao Xiaomiao, Ling Yun thought.
Of course, Ling Yun didn’t really care even if she did.
“Hmph, Ling Yun, don’t be an a**hole. I can’t be bothered to learn it!” Miao Xiaomiao’s angry thought went directly to Ling Yun’s mind.
Telepathy!
Ling Yun’s mouth curled, and he pretended not to hear her. He went downstairs to prepare breakfast for the three beauties.
Ling Yun was now a qualified modern chef after gruesome grilling by Qin Dongxue and Ning Lingyu. Fragrant egg with shredded meat was done in less than ten minutes.
Ling Yun regarded everyone like his own family since they were staying under a roof. He put a generous amount of thousand-year-old Ginseng and a few drops of dragon saliva into the noodles.
Even Miao Xiaomiao gulped at the fragrance the noodles produced.
I didn’t think that this Casanova could make such fragrant food! Miao Xiaomiao’s heart edged a little closer to Ling Yun.
“I made this beauty breakfast for everyone, please try it!” Ling Yun said proudly.
“Beauty breakfast, bragging again!” Miao Xiaomiao said.
Bai Xianer smiled and got out of her seat. She filled a whole bowl for Ling Yun.
Xue Meining had already started eating.
“Delicious! I’ve never been fuller. I announce that my diet failed today…”
Xue Meining gave a distressed sigh after dinner.
“Ning Er, eat to your heart’s content. Don’t worry, I guarantee that you won’t put on any weight!” Ling Yun laughed.
Ling Yun could easily use the Nine Needles of the Spiritual Pivot to slim her down. The effect would definitely be better than any diet pill, plus there would be no side effects.
Of course, that was unnecessary. She was about to start cultivating.
“Really? I’ll be able to eat anything I want in the future then!” Xue Meining cheered. There were so many perks to living with Ling Yun.
“Are you going to school?” Ling Yun directed the question to Miao Xiaomiao.
In all honesty, Miao Xiaomiao’s mission in Qingshui City was completed now that she had found Ling Yun. Ling Yun had also agreed to act as a go-between for Miao Fenghuang and Miracle Doctor Xue. There was no need for her to continue to go to school.
However, Miao Xiaomiao had grown really close to Xue Meining. She wanted to be with her until summer vacation.
“Of course. Do you think everyone’s like you? Dreaming of getting into Yanjing University without going to school!”
Miao Xiaomiao rolled her eyes.
“Make your own food in the future!” Ling Yun said angrily.
“Sure, why not! I won’t die because you don’t make food for me!” Miao Xiaomiao didn’t back down.
“Go to school yourself today!” Ling Yun added, even more pissed off now.
“I’ll get going then!” Miao Xiaomiao jumped up.
Bai Xianer’s brows knitted with anger, but Ling Yun warned her not to do anything rash with telepathy, so she pouted and stayed put.
Bai Xianer would face off against anyone, even her relatives if they were hostile to Ling Yun.
“Big Sister…”
Her lover was on one side, and her big sister was on the other. Eventually, Xue Meining felt that her big sister was the one who started the fight and tried to nudge her.
She was confused. Big Sister was very rational and easy to talk to. Why did she get emotional whenever things concerned Ling Yun?
Miao Xiaomiao glared at Ling Yun before leaving. She drove off in Xue Meining’s Ferrari.
Ling Yun wanted to make her admit defeat by not sending her to school. He failed.
Ling Yun didn’t think that Miao Xiaomiao could actually drive. “She… she can drive?” he muttered under his breath.
“Of course! Her driving skills are superb!” Xue Meining giggled.
“What the f*ck! She didn’t look the type! Alright! Let’s go to school now!”
