Chapter 167 – Supreme Secret Art, the Ruyi Visualization Diagram! (5k)

Shennong Youtian heard this and gently nodded:

“Why not? A pill recipe is merely an external possession…”

With that, Shennong Youtian searched through his storage artifact for a while before handing over an ancient-looking piece of sheepskin parchment.

Su Xing took it and examined it.

The sheepskin not only recorded the Void-Refining Pill’s recipe, but also listed the types and quantities of all medicinal ingredients with perfect clarity.

One of the primary ingredients for the Void-Refining Pill was none other than Condensing Wood!

Su Xing wasn’t surprised by this.

After all, Condensing Wood was a rare material capable of enhancing spiritual sense. It was perfectly suited as the primary ingredient for the Void-Refining Pill.

“But what exactly is this Spring Dew Purified Water?”

Su Xing pointed to that particular ingredient on the recipe and asked Shennong Martial Uncle.

Shennong Youtian explained:

“Purified water refers to rootless water—that is, rainwater that falls from the sky.”

“As for Spring Dew Purified Water, it specifically refers to the very first drops of rain collected after the spring thunder falls on the Day of Awakening of Insects!”

“The Day of Awakening of Insects is the most auspicious of days. As the saying goes, when heavenly thunder roars, all evil retreats!”

“This Spring Dew Purified Water, having absorbed a trace of the power of thunder’s laws contained within the first thunderclap, is especially beneficial to a cultivator’s divine soul and physical body.”

“When a Void Return stage cultivator enters the Void Realm, their physical body and divine soul will undergo the baptism of the Void Thunder. If they can obtain the thunder essence within this Spring Dew Purified Water, they can safely pass through it.”

Shennong Youtian spoke eloquently and at length.

Su Xing nodded thoughtfully and said:

“So this Spring Dew Purified Water is simply the very first drops of rain on the Day of Awakening of Insects?”

“But… a single rainfall produces so much water. How am I supposed to collect the very first drops?”

Su Xing found himself getting a headache. After all, a single rainstorm could produce billions upon billions of droplets.

To extract the very first drops from among those billions—how impossibly difficult would that be?

Perhaps… only someone with immortal-level abilities could manage it?

Hearing this, Shennong Youtian smiled faintly and said:

“Young Nephew Luo, have you forgotten about spiritual sense?”

“If a cultivator’s spiritual sense is powerful enough, they can blanket an area spanning dozens of li in every direction! On the Day of Awakening of Insects, collecting the first drops of rain means roughly getting the first ten drops or so…”

“As for quantity, naturally the more the better… But if your movement technique and spiritual sense aren’t sufficient, there’s really not much difference between the tenth drop and the first…”

Su Xing listened and nodded thoughtfully.

But in his heart, he was still somewhat worried. The requirements for this Spring Dew Purified Water were far too strict…

“Thank you for the guidance, Martial Uncle!”

Su Xing bowed respectfully to Shennong Youtian.

Regardless of the difficulty, at least now he had a clear path toward breaking through to the Void Return stage.

No matter how hard it was, as long as Su Xing was willing to grind, he could always get his hands on it eventually.

Afterward, Su Xing escorted Shennong Youtian to the Luotian Assembly venue.

At this point, there were still ten double-hours before the immersive simulation.

Su Xing hurried to the Scripture Pavilion, intending to continue memorizing the Heaven Sword chapter of the Three Talents Sword Art.

After all, the Heaven Sword chapter was the most difficult. Su Xing needed to cherish every opportunity to study it.

Little by little, accumulating over time—as long as he came a few more times, he would eventually memorize the entire sword art completely.

Before long, Su Xing arrived inside the Scripture Pavilion.

Reaching his familiar spot, Su Xing took out the Three Talents Sword Art and prepared to commit it to memory.

But shortly after arriving, Ghost Granny’s voice reached his ears.

“You’re Niu Rilie’s disciple, Luo Xiaochuan, aren’t you?”

Ghost Granny’s figure appeared behind Su Xing.

Su Xing hurriedly bowed. “Greetings, Senior!”

Ghost Granny maintained her usual calm expression and simply said:

“The way I see it, your talent in Qi Refinement actually surpasses your Body Tempering talent!”

“Not yet a hundred years old, and already at the Great Perfection of the Deity Transformation realm. Breaking through to the Void Return stage is likely only a matter of time…”

Su Xing merely smiled and expressed his thanks.

Ghost Granny was actually wrong about this.

Su Xing’s Body Tempering talent was purple-grade, which strictly speaking was better than his Qi Refinement talent.

It was because Su Xing had invested far more resources and effort into his Qi Refinement cultivation that he had barely managed to keep both cultivation paths advancing in parallel.

But what Ghost Granny said next filled Su Xing’s heart with elation.

“I notice you don’t seem to have ever cultivated a spiritual sense secret art… How do you expect to ascend to the Void Realm and step into the Void Return stage?”

“Hm? Strange…”

“You clearly haven’t cultivated any spiritual sense secret art, yet your spiritual sense is this formidable?”

“Could it be that you were born with an Immortal Soul Physique… or perhaps you’ve consumed some kind of heavenly treasure?”

Ghost Granny’s expression grew increasingly bewildered.

It was no wonder she couldn’t see through Su Xing’s secrets.

Su Xing’s current spiritual sense had been built up entirely through Mind-Condensing Pills!

But consuming Mind-Condensing Pills caused Pill Poison. Taking a small amount was fine, but taking too many would make it difficult to continue improving one’s spiritual sense.

However, Su Xing’s greatest cheat—the simulator—happened to purge the effects of Pill Poison whenever it brought out spiritual sense and cultivation!

This meant that both Su Xing’s spiritual sense and cultivation appeared exceptionally pure, as if they had been achieved entirely through his own cultivation efforts.

Just as Su Xing was pondering this—

Ghost Granny’s eyes turned an eerie shade of purple as she carefully examined Su Xing from head to toe. Then she exclaimed in astonishment:

“How bizarre, truly bizarre! This old woman has lived for several thousand years… and this is the first time I’ve seen such a peculiar talent…”

“Clearly not born with an Immortal Soul Physique, yet possessing such astonishing spiritual sense… There isn’t even a trace of having consumed soul-enhancing pills…”

“Although your spiritual sense is only at the Five Senses Realm, if you were to cultivate a spiritual sense secret art… hiss, your future potential would be immeasurable!”

Listening to Ghost Granny’s muttering, Su Xing grew even more surprised.

Ghost Granny’s abilities were truly extraordinary—she could even detect his spiritual sense.

Those eerie purple eyes were probably some kind of divine ability.

If Su Xing hadn’t already known that Ghost Granny was unfathomably powerful—

Just hearing those words alone, he might have thought she was some kind of fraud selling snake oil.

While Su Xing was still mulling this over, Ghost Granny spoke:

“Luo Xiaochuan, I can see that your talent is exceptional… I wish to pass on to you a spiritual sense secret art.”

“But as payment, you’ll need to do something for me…”

Before Ghost Granny could even finish, Su Xing immediately agreed:

“This disciple is willing!”

Su Xing’s response actually caught Ghost Granny off guard.

She hadn’t expected him to agree so readily.

So she asked doubtfully:

“Aren’t you afraid that this old woman might be the type of reclusive sect elder with strange habits who experiments on cultivators?”

Su Xing shook his head decisively and said with great sincerity:

“This disciple is not afraid. I can see that Granny is very kindhearted!”

But in truth, what Su Xing was actually thinking was: Well, it’s not like I’ll remember any of this next time around… How did I manage to get another secret art for free again?

Su Xing secretly gave Ghost Granny a mental thumbs-up.

Seeing Su Xing agree so readily, Ghost Granny extended a finger toward the center of his brow and said:

“The secret art I’m passing to you… is called the Ruyi Visualization Method!”

“It is a supreme secret art for soul cultivation, comparable to a Heaven-tier upper-grade technique… Cultivate it well, and do not let it gather dust!”

As her words fell, a visualization painting brimming with boundless and profound mysteries appeared in Su Xing’s mind.

The painting depicted a white-bearded old Daoist holding an indistinct jade ruyi scepter in his hand!

In addition, a passage of roughly several hundred words also transmitted itself into Su Xing’s mind.

“Supreme Ruyi… the divine nature of man yearns for clarity, yet the mind disturbs it; the human heart yearns for stillness, yet desire pulls it astray… Those who chant and practice this method shall obtain the jade of ruyi, which shall shelter their spirit…”

Su Xing was overjoyed. This visualization method could enhance spiritual sense—exactly the secret art he had been dreaming of!

Su Xing was about to express his gratitude when he looked up and noticed that Ghost Granny’s face had gone somewhat pale, and she could barely stand steady.

Su Xing reached out to support her, but was stopped.

Ghost Granny said:

“Focus on your cultivation, and don’t forget — in one year, come to this Scripture Pavilion again…”

With that, Ghost Granny vanished from where she stood.

Only Su Xing remained, unable to suppress his heartfelt admiration:

“Ah, though Ghost Granny may look fearsome, she truly is a good person!” “Not only did she give me a supernatural technique… she even taught me something as precious as a visualization method!”

The last time she had taught him the Sword Control Art, Ghost Granny hadn’t expended nearly this much mental energy.

But this time, teaching the visualization method had nearly caused her to collapse where she stood.

Beyond the fact that the visualization method and its diagram were inherently more difficult to manifest, it was likely also because this visualization method had extraordinary origins!

After Ghost Granny departed, Su Xing first took out the Void-Refining Pill formula and carefully memorized every step and every detail of the refinement process.

For the remaining time, Su Xing began memorizing the “Heaven Sword” chapter of the Three Talents Sword Art.

Soon, the immersive simulation time ended, and Su Xing’s consciousness returned to the real world.

In the real world, Su Xing rubbed his temples, gently closed his eyes, and saw that infinitely mysterious Ruyi Visualization Diagram.

At the same time, the accompanying oral formula was etched in his mind.

Su Xing took out brush and ink, attempting to draw the visualization diagram.

But despite trying for a long time, even as beads of sweat rolled profusely down his forehead from exhaustion, he was utterly unable to put brush to paper.

“This Ruyi Visualization Method is truly profound — it can only be visualized in the mind, and can’t even be perceived visually, let alone drawn!”

Su Xing marveled inwardly. This immersive simulation had truly yielded a bountiful harvest.

The secret of primordial vessels, the Void-Refining Pill… and he’d even gotten a wondrous Ruyi Visualization Method for free!

“On top of that, I’ve memorized nearly a third of the Heaven Sword chapter of the Three Talents Sword Art. A few more visits should be enough to memorize it completely, right?”

Su Xing wasn’t in any rush about this — after all, he hadn’t even finished cultivating the Earth Sword, so there was no urgency.

“The Void-Refining Pill… I already have the Condensing Wood, and the other auxiliary ingredients shouldn’t be hard to find… but the Spring Dew Purified Water — with my current movement techniques and divine sense, I probably can’t obtain it yet. It seems training my divine sense needs to be put on the agenda…”

Su Xing pondered thoughtfully, his gaze turning to the simulation panel.

【After emerging from the Luotian Assembly dungeon, your gains were plentiful.】

【You returned to Capital Vocational Academy, cultivating Protective Hardened Qi on one hand, and when your vital energy was depleted, you would practice the Ruyi Visualization Method. Each day was fulfilling.】

【In your spare time, you would also extend your divine sense outward, simultaneously watching for anyone secretly investigating you and Jin Congxue.】

【Fortunately, no incidents occurred. Each time you disguised yourself and suppressed your aura before trading with Jin Congxue, no one followed you.】

【After observing for a full year with nothing happening, you finally felt at ease.】

【In the second year, you traveled to Shuangqing City, preparing to join the Advent Cult in order to seize spirit medicines.】

【Your luck was good — within just a few days, you encountered Old Dog Zong.】

【Old Dog Zong had followed his divine sense to find you, but upon seeing you, he grew wary, because the cultivation aura you emanated put immense pressure on him.】

【You were puzzled why Old Dog Zong didn’t take the initiative to approach you, but you didn’t dare alert the enemy. Instead, you acted as brazenly and arrogantly as ever.】

【You pretended to be a cultivator who had just awakened from a cultivation dungeon, and sure enough, Old Dog Zong fell for it!】

【When you produced your Life-Sustaining Pills, a look of yearning appeared in Old Dog Zong’s eyes.】

【In the end, you successfully used the Life-Sustaining Pills to join the Advent Cult, and obtained a considerable number of spirit medicines from Old Dog Zong.】

【After joining the Advent Cult, Old Dog Zong frequently invited you for drinks, and you never refused. The two of you seemed like old friends who had known each other for years.】

Su Xing raised an eyebrow at this, curious as to why Old Dog Zong had undergone such a change.

But he quickly realized — compared to before, his strength in this simulation had improved considerably.

In particular, his Qi Refinement cultivation had also risen to Spirit Transformation Great Perfection. It would be no exaggeration to say he could crush Old Dog Zong in every aspect.

And Old Dog Zong had likely sensed the threat Su Xing posed, concluded that Su Xing was a cultivator far stronger than himself, and therefore wanted to get on Su Xing’s good side.

“Heh heh… too bad this young master doesn’t think much of you at all!”

“Once this young master breaks through the Void, you’ll be the first to die!”

Su Xing let out a cold snort and turned his gaze back to the simulation panel.

【After joining the Advent Cult, though you appeared to be on brotherly terms with Old Dog Zong on the surface, you had secretly been coordinating with Luo Shuying and obtained a great many medicinal ingredients.】

【But the other members of the Advent Cult were unaware, believing only that you and Old Dog Zong were the closest of friends.】

【You were happy to play along, remaining comfortably within the Advent Cult.】

【Each day you would cultivate Protective Hardened Qi for four hours. While training the supernatural technique, your mastery and strength of vital energy steadily grew.】

【When your vital energy was depleted, you would visualize the Ruyi Visualization Diagram in your mind for half a double-hour.】

【But the difficulty of cultivating the Ruyi Visualization Method was even higher than you had imagined. After half a double-hour of visualization, you would feel mentally exhausted and could only stop.】

【For the vast majority of your remaining time, you refined pills.】

【You had long since mastered the refinement of Organ Tempering Pills and Essence Nurturing Pills, so you decided to refine them in the Foolishness state to accumulate comprehension.】

【In the Foolishness state, your comprehension and intellect both declined, but since you were so practiced at refining these low-level pills, the refinement speed was only slightly affected.】

【After continuing like this for one year, you refined close to eighty thousand pills and accumulated over thirty days of Wisdom duration.】

【In the third year, you carried on as before, refining pills and cultivating Protective Hardened Qi daily.】

【That year you refined over eighty thousand pills, and your accumulated Wisdom state duration reached sixty days.】

【In the fourth year, having collected enough spirit medicines, you took Luo Shuying and defected from the Advent Cult.】

【After your defection, Old Dog Zong was implicated as well, hunted by the Advent Cult’s Protectors and faction leaders.】

【Meanwhile, you and Luo Shuying came to the Capital City, relatively safe under Xia’s military’s watchful eye.】

【That year, you refined another eighty thousand pills, and your accumulated Wisdom duration reached a full ninety-plus days!】

【You gave all the refined pills to Xia’s military.】

【Xia’s military gained over eighty thousand additional Grandmaster-stage powerhouses, nearly eight hundred Heavenly Kings, and several dozen Martial Emperor-stage powerhouses.】

【In the fifth year, with your medicinal ingredients exhausted, you focused solely on cultivation.】

【You still cultivated Protective Hardened Qi for four hours each day.】

【Through several years of effort, your Protective Hardened Qi had taken initial shape, reaching what could be considered Beginner-level.】

【When your vital energy was depleted, you would attempt to visualize the Ruyi Visualization Diagram in your mind.】

【You could still only visualize for half a double-hour each day, but during that half double-hour you activated the Wisdom state, causing your comprehension to soar. Your understanding of the visualization diagram deepened with each passing day.】

【Whenever visualization ended, you would deactivate the Wisdom state and return to the ordinary state.】

【Over the course of one year, you used approximately fifteen days of Wisdom state.】

Su Xing’s eyes lit up at this, and he muttered:

“Oh! So Wisdom in Foolishness can be toggled on and off flexibly!”

“Looking at it this way, its practicality is undeniably far greater than before!”

“Using it only during visualization of the Ruyi Visualization Diagram, it only costs about fifteen days per year. What I’ve saved up is enough for six years of use!”

Su Xing thought this was excellent. Accumulating comprehension through pill refinement and then channeling it where it was truly needed — the value proposition was incredibly high!

His gaze returned to the simulation panel.

【In the sixth year, you continued your daily regimen of diligently cultivating Protective Hardened Qi, supplemented by studying the visualization diagram.】

【In your free time beyond visualization, you accumulated Wisdom state duration. Over the course of the year, your Wisdom state increased again, returning to one hundred days!】

【In the seventh year, as you continuously cultivated Protective Hardened Qi, the density of your vital energy also grew slowly.】

【The total amount of vital energy within your body had become sufficient for you to cultivate Protective Hardened Qi for five double-hours each day.】

【At the same time, through your efforts, you had gained preliminary insight into the cultivation of the Ruyi Visualization Diagram and its oral formula.】

【You took out the Mind-Condensing Pills you had previously refined, and by combining them with your daily visualization practice, your divine sense grew rapidly!】

【That year, your divine sense expanded to 3,300 zhang!】

【In the eighth year, you continued as always — inwardly contemplating the Ruyi Visualization Diagram, outwardly cultivating Protective Hardened Qi. Your understanding and application of both supernatural techniques grew steadily.】

【Your divine sense growth was particularly remarkable. Combined with the Mind-Condensing Pills, the effects were outstanding, and your divine sense expanded to 3,600 zhang!】

Su Xing’s eyes lit up at this.

Ever since breaking through to Spirit Transformation Great Perfection, his divine sense growth had been sluggish.

It had hovered just above 3,000 zhang the entire time.

But he hadn’t expected the Ruyi Visualization Method to be this effective — in just two years, it had pushed his divine sense to 3,600 zhang!

“Tsk tsk, with divine sense like this, I’ve probably already surpassed ordinary Spirit Transformation Great Perfection cultivators, haven’t I?”

The corners of Su Xing’s mouth curled upward slightly as he turned his gaze back to the simulation panel.

【In the ninth year, alongside your cultivation, you began exploring every hidden corner of Earth.】

【Whether it was snow-capped mountains thousands of zhang high, or ocean depths of ten thousand zhang — you visited them all.】

【But with the physical constitution of a Divine Power Realm cultivator, you had long since become impervious to heat and cold. Even the pressure at ten thousand zhang beneath the sea was something you could barely feel.】

【After a year of searching, you realized that this land of Earth would not have the extreme environments you sought, so you began exploring dungeons instead…】

【That same year, your divine sense range expanded to 3,900 zhang!】