Imperial Cultivation Chapter 1348 - 1344: Peaks Fortified

Within the void of his mind, the butterfly's gentle flutter caused his spiritual operation to accelerate dramatically.

Instantly, the Spiritual Abyss Twelve Peaks materialized within the Lao Palace Acupoint.

As he infused spiritual power, these peaks grew increasingly defined and robust.

With continuous spiritual power input and the butterfly's unceasing flutter, the clarity and solidity of the Spiritual Abyss Twelve Peaks continually advanced.

He could perceive its transformation with unparalleled clarity, as if it were directly at his fingertips.

This was a sensation entirely novel, unlike anything experienced in previous cultivation.

The Moonlight Butterfly not only enhanced his spiritual speed but also fortified and purified his mind.

The Spiritual Abyss Twelve Peaks acted like bottomless chasms, insatiably consuming spiritual power.

Once his own spiritual power was depleted, the three clones commenced infusing their spiritual power into the Spiritual Abyss Twelve Peaks within the Lao Palace Acupoint.

He then began consuming Spirit Pills to replenish his depleted spiritual power.

As time marched onward, a mysterious fluctuation emanated from the Spiritual Abyss Twelve Peaks.

This fluctuation conveyed a distinct sensation of hunger.

Paradoxically, the continuous infusion of spiritual power did not satiate this hunger; instead, it exacerbated it.

A sudden flash of insight struck him, and he promptly activated the Spring Acupoints in his feet, drawing forth the surging Earth Qi.

The Earth Qi streamed into the Spring Acupoints, then ascended along his legs, directly channeling into the Lao Palace Acupoints in his hands.

Upon entering the Lao Palace Acupoints, it was rapidly drawn towards the Spiritual Abyss Twelve Peaks.

The Spiritual Abyss Twelve Peaks greedily devoured the Earth Qi in a ceaseless torrent, mirroring its intake of spiritual power.

A thrill coursed through Chu Zhiyuan's heart.

He recognized this as the critical juncture of a breakthrough, transitioning from the preceding realm to the next.

This marked the true commencement of a qualitative transformation, the genuine solidification of the Spiritual Abyss Twelve Peaks.

It became apparent that to solidify the Spiritual Abyss Twelve Peaks within the Lao Palace Acupoint without succumbing to collapse, the crucial assistance of Earth Qi was indispensable.

Furthermore, it would not absorb Earth Qi until it achieved a requisite level of strength.

He continued his consumption of Spirit Pills, ingesting both Soul Reviving Pills and Moon Spirit Pills with unwavering resolve.

While the Spiritual Abyss Twelve Peaks assimilated the Earth Qi, they also continued to draw in spiritual power.

The convergence of Earth Qi and spiritual power within the Spiritual Abyss Twelve Peaks facilitated their solidification.

The absorption of Earth Qi intensified, expanding its extraction range from a mere hundred meters to ten miles, then to a hundred miles, and ultimately reaching an astonishing five hundred miles.

Had it been the initial layer of the Earth Origin Technique, the Earth Qi likely would have been insufficient to sustain the process.

The Second Layer of the Earth Origin Technique, with its broader and deeper reach, could barely cope with the demand.

He began to feel the immense strain; the spiritual power from his three clones was long exhausted, and his own spiritual power was nearly depleted before it could fully recover.

He sensed he had reached his absolute limit.

Could it be that he was destined to fail at the very precipice of success?

If this attempt truly failed, another opportunity might never arise.

The sheer quantity of Soul Reviving Pills and Moon Spirit Pills he had consumed was practically irreplaceable.

His expression grew grave as he emptied his heart and spirit, discarding all anxiety and urgency.

At this critical moment, the Miao Jing Spirit Water within the void of his mind stirred, gently drifting towards the Moonlight Butterfly.

The Miao Jing Spirit Water permeated the butterfly before returning to its original position, seemingly unaltered.

However, as the butterfly was infused with this Spirit Water, its soft luminescence sharpened, becoming more distinct.

It acquired a subtle, ethereal agility.

This infused his spiritual power with a newfound nimbleness and lightness.

The rate at which Earth Qi surged inwards suddenly accelerated, achieving an even greater purity.

A shimmering Light Gate materialized on the great hall's wall, and shortly thereafter, a second Light Gate appeared.

Two figures emerged from each gate: Ning Dongge and Zhang Ji Yuan.

Upon entering the hall, their gazes fell upon Chu Zhiyuan, who sat cross-legged amidst a scattered collection of empty Jade Bottles, all Spirit Pills within having been consumed.

"This..." Zhang Ji Yuan uttered in surprise, his voice lowered to a Sound Transmission into Secret: "What is Junior Brother doing?"

"Is he attempting a breakthrough?" Ning Dongge inquired, his brow furrowed as he observed Chu Zhiyuan, adding, "It doesn't look promising!"

From their perspective, Chu Zhiyuan's complexion was unnaturally pale, his entire body appeared weak and increasingly frail.

He seemed on the verge of demonic possession, and his condition was rapidly deteriorating.

"Senior Brother Ning, what course of action should we take? Should we awaken Junior Brother?"

"That is inadvisable."

"Then we simply watch?"

"Are there any Moon Spirit Pills remaining?" Ning Dongge inquired.

Zhang Ji Yuan procured two vessels from his robes: "These are the final two."

Ning Dongge’s lips twitched almost imperceptibly.

With a gentle motion, Zhang Ji Yuan positioned the Moon Spirit Pill vessels before Chu Zhiyuan’s knees.

Chu Zhiyuan, eyes kept shut, formed a hand seal with his left hand. He lifted one Jade Bottle, flicked its stopper with his forefinger, and ingested the six Moon Spirit Pills within before reaching for the second vessel.

Zhang Ji Yuan opened his mouth to speak but ceased, refraining from any sound that might disturb the process.

Ning Dongge’s expression grew grave as his gaze remained fixed upon Chu Zhiyuan’s ashen countenance.

Chu Zhiyuan, eyes still closed, persisted in his hand seal formation, concentrating his mind.

Zhang Ji Yuan turned his head towards Ning Dongge, employing Sound Transmission into Secret: "Senior Brother, what course of action should we take now?"

"We shall observe," Ning Dongge replied, shaking his head slightly.

They could sense Chu Zhiyuan’s condition continuing to deteriorate.

If this trend persisted, they were uncertain of the outcome, or if his life might be in peril.

"Senior Brother, shall I offer my assistance?"

"Refrain from rash actions."

"But if I do nothing, he may not survive; I cannot simply stand by and watch."

"..."

"A desperate situation calls for desperate measures!" Zhang Ji Yuan assumed a cross-legged position behind Chu Zhiyuan.

He carefully raised his palms, directing them slowly towards Chu Zhiyuan’s back.

Ning Dongge exhibited signs of anxiety, his face etched with tension, his eyes narrowed in readiness to intervene at a moment’s notice.

From his robe, he retrieved a Jade Bottle, uncorked it, revealing life-saving Spirit Pills contained within.

"Bang!" Abruptly, Zhang Ji Yuan was propelled backward as if shot from a cannon, hurtling across the hall.

"Bang!" An even more resounding impact followed.

The hall reverberated with a slight tremor.

Ning Dongge grimaced, disregarding the airborne Zhang Ji Yuan to focus entirely on Chu Zhiyuan.

He shook his head, observing that Chu Zhiyuan’s complexion remained pale, unchanged from before.

After a few moments, he ceased his observation, a look of surprise replacing his previous concern.

To his astonishment, he noted that Chu Zhiyuan’s complexion had begun to shift, a faint hint of color returning, and his weakening aura had stabilized.

Could it be that Junior Brother Zhang’s recent actions, despite their violent outcome, had actually proven effective?

He turned his gaze towards Zhang Ji Yuan.

Zhang Ji Yuan remained plastered against the wall, immobile, akin to a figure in a painting.

Ning Dongge ascended into the air and approached Zhang Ji Yuan, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Bang!"

He too was violently thrown backward.

After soaring over a dozen meters, he faltered and drifted back to the ground, spent.

He regarded Zhang Ji Yuan with an expression of bewilderment.

Zhang Ji Yuan managed a wry smile, incapable of speech, merely rolling his eyes in exasperation.

His attempt to communicate his thoughts was solely through the rolling of his eyes.

However, Ning Dongge failed to grasp Zhang Ji Yuan’s intended message and floated over once more, placing his hand on Zhang Ji Yuan’s shoulder again.

...

"Haha..."

Chu Zhiyuan's eyes fluttered open, and he rose into the air, letting out a jubilant laugh toward the heavens.

The second layer of the Human Element Skill had been attained!

The Spiritual Abyss Twelve Peaks stood majestically against the Jade Sea and Sky, forming a dramatic coastal cliff.

From this point forward, the Spiritual Abyss Twelve Peaks would no longer vanish, permanently solidified within the Lao Palace Acupoint.

His hearty, resonant laughter reverberated ceaselessly within the hall.

He promptly noticed the peculiar predicament of Ning Dongge and Zhang Ji Yuan, casually flicking a sleeve.

Zhang Ji Yuan felt only a gentle breeze pass over him; his body shuddered, and he slid down steadily.

He landed securely, released a long exhalation, and quickly tested his limbs, relishing the return of his freedom of movement.

"Thank you, Brother Zhang!" Chu Zhiyuan sincerely clasped his fists in gratitude.

Zhang Ji Yuan waved his hand dismissively: "There's no need for thanks; I didn't actually help."

Not only did he not help, but he was also unceremoniously sent flying.

Chu Zhiyuan countered: "Without Brother Zhang's intervention, achieving this would not have been so effortless this time."

Ning Dongge inquired: "Little Junior Brother, did your practice succeed?"

Chu Zhiyuan nodded: "It succeeded initially, with some measure of accomplishment."

His next objective was to cultivate the second layer of the Heavenly Yuan Technique, thereby elevating the Donghuan Saint Technique, locating the Grotto Heaven, and ultimately charting a course toward the Spirit Venerable.