7: Chapter 7 Absorbing Residual Essence Increases Comprehension and Accidentally Obtains Body Refining Technique

Since the day he absorbed the energy from the jade fragment, Ye Qing's Cultivate life seemed to have returned to a calm track.

Every day, he still went to the Library Pavilion on time to clean, read, and incidentally absorb the faint "intent" remaining on those ancient books.

His cultivation Realm remained steadily at the third level of the Qi Refinement Stage, and his aura was restrained perfectly. Let alone outsiders, even if he did not intentionally circulate his Spiritual Qi, he could barely feel any mana fluctuations himself.

After absorbing that half of the jade fragment, the expansion speed of the space within his body had slowed down significantly, returning to a steady, trickling state.

However, Ye Qing could feel that the "texture" of the space was slowly improving, the feedback energy was becoming increasingly pure, and that cooling sensation nourishing his Divine Soul was becoming more and more obvious.

The biggest change was reflected in his Comprehension Ability.

In the past, when reading those basic classics, he needed to ponder repeatedly to understand them thoroughly.

Nowadays, he often understood the key points at a glance after reading them once, and could even draw inferences about other cases, associating them with relevant records in other classics to complete his own cognitive system.

For example, when reading "Identification of Low-level Ores", not only could he remember the characteristics and uses of the Ores, but he could also combine the snippets from "Miscellaneous Talk on Basic Artifact Refining" to deduce the rough refining methods and possible combinations of certain Ores.

This ability to integrate knowledge made Ye Qing feel like a fish in water.

He was no longer satisfied with reading broadly and began to consciously build his own knowledge framework.

Common sense of Cultivate is the Foundation, the Illustrated Handbook of Hundred Herbs and Identification of Low-level Ores are Material science, introductory knowledge of Talisman, Formation, and Artifact Refining are applied techniques, and geographical gazetteers and records of Yao Beast are for understanding the external environment...

Like a precise scanner, he categorized the valuable knowledge on the first floor of the Library Pavilion and engraved it into his mind.

This day, he was organizing a batch of newly arrived "old books" prepared for the first floor for Disciples to consult.

Though called old books, they were actually transcripts of cultivation notes and travel journals discarded by Inner Sect Disciples. The content was relatively shallow and mixed, with limited value, so they were relegated to the first floor.

Ye Qing did his cleaning as usual.

The breeze from the Dust Removal Technique swept across the pile of books, stirring up the scent of aged ink.

When his fingertips touched a thick volume with a tattered cover bound by rough twine, the space again sent a familiar, faint tremor.

It was clearer than the residual rhyme of those ancient books, but far inferior to the jade fragment.

Ye Qing picked up the booklet calmly.

On the cover, written in crooked handwriting, was: "Miscellaneous Thoughts on Body Refining in the Qi Refinement Stage (Fragment)" .

Opening it, the handwriting inside was sloppy with many corrections, interspersed with simple sketches of human Meridians. It looked like casual notes taken by some Outer Sect Disciple who was a Body Cultivator, lacking any system.

What attracted the space was the faint "divine intent" regarding the circulation of Qi and blood and the tempering of the Physical Body that the author had poured into the recording.

The author of this miscellaneous record seemed to have some insights into Body Refining, at least in the fragments recorded, which were filled with focus and enthusiasm for polishing the Physical Body and tempering the muscles and bones.

Ye Qing's heart stirred.

"Body Refining?"

This was a blind spot in his current knowledge system.

In the original owner's memory, the daily labor of a Utility Disciple was exercise, but that was passive physical consumption, which was completely different from active, purposeful Body Refining cultivation.

The Qingyun Sect focused primarily on Qi Refining; Body Refining methods were rare. Even if they existed, they were mostly in the hands of the Inner Sect Body Cultivator lineage and were absolutely not accessible to Utility Disciples.

Although this miscellaneous record was crude and incomplete, perhaps he could glimpse some basic concepts and methods of Body Refining?

He quickly finished cleaning the other books, then took this "Miscellaneous Thoughts on Body Refining" and sat down at his usual spot by the window.

He opened the pages and read with a focused mind.

"Qi and blood are the root of the Physical Body, and Spiritual Qi is the Foundation of transcendence. Only when the two are combined can one reach the Dao..."

"Externally refine the muscles, bones, and skin; internally nourish a breath of Qi. However, Qi is easy to obtain, while blood is difficult to flourish. Ordinary Qi Refining nourishes the internal organs and strengthens the spirit, but has limited benefits for the Foundation of the Physical Body..."

"I have observed Yao Beast; their physiques are powerful, and their Qi and blood are like mercury. This is because they fight daily, drawing in Spiritual Qi to temper their Physical Body, while also consuming the essence of blood and meat..."

"I attempted to use Spiritual Qi to simulate the method of flushing Qi and blood, nourishing the Meridians, stimulating acupoints, and supplementing with medicinal baths... The pain was unbearable at first. It took three days to adapt, and I felt my strength increase by half and my skin and membranes become slightly tougher..."

"However, this method consumes a huge amount—Spiritual Qi, Qi and blood, and medicinal resources are all indispensable. The progress is slow, and the cost-effectiveness is extremely low, far inferior to focusing on Qi Refining... Alas, it is a chicken rib; discard it."

The records were intermittent, and the latter parts were mostly complaints about insufficient resources, slow progress, and frustration after comparing with other Qi Refining peers.

The last few pages were left with only meaningless doodles and sighs.

Clearly, this unknown Senior had tried on this path of Body Refining and eventually gave up because the consumption was too great and the results were too slow.

Ye Qing closed the booklet, his gaze fixed on the swaying tree shadows outside the window, lost in thought.

"Body Refining... Qi and blood... Foundation of the Physical Body..."

Although this miscellaneous record documented failed experiences, it opened a new door for him.

Cultivators often value "Qi" and neglect the "Body", believing that as long as their cultivation improves and their mana protects their bodies, the Physical Body will naturally be nourished.

But this miscellaneous record mentioned that conventional Qi Refining has limited improvement on the Physical Body, mainly nourishing the internal organs and strengthening the five senses and Divine Soul. In terms of pure physique, strength, defense, and recovery, it is not as strong as imagined.

This is also why low-level Cultivators will still bleed when injured by a Mortal's Sharp Weapon and suffer broken bones when hit hard.

"If I can temper my Physical Body to the limit of the corresponding Realm and combine it with my cultivation and mana, wouldn't my actual combat power and survivability far exceed those of the same level?"

Ye Qing's heartbeat quickened slightly.

"And, I have the space!"

The biggest problem mentioned in the miscellaneous record—huge consumption, insufficient resources, slow progress—might not be insurmountable for him.

The space can absorb and convert various energies, feeding back pure Spiritual Qi to help him Cultivate.

Then, could it also absorb and convert some medicinal essences that nourish Qi and blood and strengthen the Physical Body, or even the essence of Yao Beast flesh and blood, to feed back and nourish his Physical Body?

Body Refining requires Spiritual Qi, Qi and blood, and medicinal resources.

He has Spiritual Qi, which the space feeds back in an extremely pure form.

Qi and blood can rely on food and future drugs or Yao Beast meat that replenish Qi and blood.

Medicinal resources... can be collected slowly, or grown using the space?

The more Ye Qing thought about it, the more feasible it seemed.

"I don't seek to be as specialized as an orthodox Body Cultivator, but at least I can lay a solid Foundation for my Physical Body, achieving a balanced development of 'Essence, Qi, and Spirit' without leaving any shortcomings."

"Especially since I am at the bottom level now, an extra bit of strength, an extra bit of endurance, and an extra bit of resistance to blows might be the capital for survival at critical moments."

He opened the "Miscellaneous Thoughts on Body Refining" again, this time reading more carefully, combining the knowledge of Meridians and acupoints he had learned from other classics, and striving to understand the crude methods of flushing Qi and blood and nourishing acupoints mentioned therein.

Although incomplete and based on failed experiences, the basic concepts and a few of the most fundamental Spiritual Qi circulation routes could still be barely pieced together.

Ye Qing did not rush to try it.

He firmly memorized this information and then began to consciously look for snippets related to "Qi and blood", "Physical Body", "muscles and bones", and "medicinal baths" on the first floor of the Library Pavilion.

In the "Illustrated Handbook of Common Hundred Herbs", he noted down several common herbs that have a weak effect of strengthening Qi and blood and relaxing muscles and collaterals, such as "Blood Qi Grass" and "Iron Bone Flower", which mostly grow on the edge of mountains and forests and are not precious.

In a miscellaneous book called "Folklore Collection of the Southern Wilderness", he saw records of local tribes using a mixture of beast blood and herbs for bathing to strengthen children's physiques. Although crude, it gave him some inspiration.

He also paid special attention to books recording the characteristics of low-level Yao Beast, to understand which Yao Beast's flesh and blood might contain more Qi and blood essence.

Knowledge was accumulated bit by bit, and a vague, low-consumption Body Refining Foundation-laying plan suitable for himself gradually took shape in his mind.

"Don't rush; first figure out the way and collect information. When the space is larger, maybe I can try to grow the most basic Blood Qi Grass. As for Yao Beast flesh and blood... I can't reach it for now, but I can keep an eye on whether the Sect's dining hall or the market has any low-end scraps flowing out."

Ye Qing was very patient.

He knew that Cultivate is a long-term matter, and the Foundation is especially important.

Since he decided to follow the path of cultivating "Essence, Qi, and Spirit" together, he must be steady and solid.

He carefully put the "Miscellaneous Thoughts on Body Refining" back to its original place and remembered the location.

He might need to refer to it in the future.

After doing all this, the sun had already set in the west.

Ye Qing finished his final patrol as usual, locked the side door, and bowed to Old Liu on the bamboo chair at the entrance to bid farewell.

Old Liu just made an 'hmm' sound through his nose as usual, without even opening his eyes.

Walking on the road back to the Servant Quarters, the setting sun stretched his shadow very long.

Ye Qing felt his plain cultivation at the third level of the Qi Refinement Stage, as well as the space that had expanded to five zhang and was silently breathing in and out free energy.

His heart was peaceful, yet full of anticipation.

The path of Cultivate is long, but he has found his own rhythm and direction.

"Stay low, take it slow."

"What should come will come sooner or later."

Night fell, and the stars appeared.

The mountains of the Qingyun Sect stood quietly in the darkness, with occasional spiritual light flickering on distant peaks.

No one knew that in the heart of an inconspicuous Utility Disciple, a unique and incomparably solid path to the heavens was quietly being constructed.