He glanced at the sky. There was still some time before nightfall, so Chen Xiao immediately reviewed the Heavenly Star Soul Tempering Art, a technique he had placed great hopes on, in his mind.
This was a rather difficult secret technique from the Heavenly Wind Soul Scripture.
To perform this secret technique, one needed to use Star Marrow Liquid as the core catalyst and sit cross-legged under the open starry sky.
Then, the cultivator had to drip the Star Marrow Liquid onto the Sea of Consciousness at the center of their brow, simultaneously circulate the soul cultivation techniques, draw the power of the myriad stars into their body, and then proceed with the three-step cultivation process.
The first step was called Foundation Building and Vortex Formation.
This step required using one's own soul as a vessel to accept the power of the stars and condense it into a 'Star Vortex' within the Sea of Consciousness. The rotating force of the Star Vortex would then be used to cleanse impurities from the soul. Practicing for half an hour daily for seven consecutive days would yield initial results of a purified soul.
The second step was called Barrier Breaking and Expansion.
Seven days after forming the Star Vortex, one could use Soul Power to control the Star Vortex and strike the 'Soul Barrier' at the edge of the Sea of Consciousness. Simultaneously, one had to circulate the cultivation techniques, gradually expanding the scope of the Sea of Consciousness through repeated impacts, thereby increasing the soul's capacity to bear power.
The third step was called Star Condensation and Transformation.
When the area of the Sea of Consciousness expanded to twice its initial size, one could continue to absorb the power of the stars and condense 'Soul Stars' bearing star-like imprints within the Star Vortex.
The number of Soul Stars directly correlated with the strength of the soul. The more Soul Stars condensed, the more robust the Soul Power would be, and vice versa. The stronger the Soul Power, the more Soul Stars could be condensed.
Once at least nine Soul Stars were condensed, the ethereal barrier of the Heavenly Realm would break without resistance!
This was currently the fastest method Chen Xiao could think of to break through to the Heavenly Realm soul, aside from targeting the Soul Hall's soul origin.
Although he had never performed it before, after numerous confirmations, the Heavenly Wind Soul Scripture was indeed very reliable.
For example, the previous Soul Cultivation method had greatly benefited both Chen Xiao and Cao Ying, the experience of which was difficult to describe.
Therefore, Chen Xiao also held great expectations for this Heavenly Star Soul Tempering Art.
Furthermore, there was a strict requirement for performing such secret techniques: the cultivator's soul must reach the Spirit Realm level; otherwise, they would not be able to withstand the load of the star power and the secret technique's operation.
Moreover, the entire cultivation process required maintaining a high level of mental focus. If interrupted by external interference midway, the star power and the Star Vortex might backlash against the Sea of Consciousness, causing soul damage.
However, Chen Xiao's soul had already reached the peak of the Spirit Realm, so the inscription requirements were not a concern.
As for safety, with Grand Elder Qing Shan, a two-star Dou Saint, guarding him, Chen Xiao couldn't think of a safer place besides the Ancient Emperor Cave.
After reviewing the cultivation method repeatedly in his mind until he had it completely memorized, Chen Xiao cast aside all distractions, adjusted his state, and waited for the starry night to arrive.
...
Time ticked by. When Chen Xiao opened his eyes again, the moon was splashing across the river of stars, and the stars stretched for thousands of miles.
At this moment, the star power was at its most potent!
Giving a slight nod to Grand Elder Qing Shan in the distance, Chen Xiao no longer hesitated. He opened a bottle of Star Marrow Liquid, tilted his head slightly, and carefully poured out a drop, letting it land on the Sea of Consciousness at the center of his brow.
This Star Marrow Liquid was concocted primarily from Nether Soul Grass. The moment it touched his brow, Chen Xiao felt an extreme coolness that seeped into his soul, sweeping through his entire body. It was as stimulating as jumping into ice water on a scorching summer day.
Without time to savor the sensation, Chen Xiao quickly focused his mind and began circulating the cultivation method from the Heavenly Wind Soul Scripture.
Unlike usual, as soon as he started cultivating, Chen Xiao sensed a strange energy, as if being drawn, continuously converging towards his brow from the vast void as he circulated the techniques.
"Is this star power? Why does it feel even denser than the energy of heaven and earth?"
Experiencing star power for the first time gave Chen Xiao quite a shock.
This star power could perhaps also be considered a peculiar form of heaven and earth energy.
Having personally felt the density of star power, Chen Xiao finally understood why the Three Thousand Starry Sky Burning Flames, or the Three Thousand Burning Flame, was also called the Undying Fire.
It was simply because this energy was too vast!
With a sigh in his heart, Chen Xiao quickly discarded his distractions and poured all his focus into soul cultivation, allowing the star power to invade his Sea of Consciousness through his brow.
Soul Power and star power, these two distinctly different energies, became increasingly clear-cut within the Sea of Consciousness as more star power invaded.
They were like two liquids of different densities, coexisting within the Sea of Consciousness without interfering with each other.
Soul Power occupied ninety-nine percent of the Sea of Consciousness, while the star power gathered together, 'curled up' in a corner.
However, due to Chen Xiao's deliberate 'letting go,' as more star power invaded, the area it occupied gradually increased.
Finally, after two hours, the gathered star power finally gained momentum, gradually taking on the appearance of a vortex.
"This is the Star Vortex..."
Sensing the scene within his Sea of Consciousness, Chen Xiao gradually understood the principle of this secret technique.
Just like an empire, being too peaceful wasn't necessarily a good thing; it needed pressure to be released, so that it could continuously progress.
And this surge of star power in his Sea of Consciousness was like a rebel force within the empire. What Chen Xiao needed to do was to use this rebel force to continuously temper his own forces, expelling the suppressors and retaining the essence!
With this thought, Chen Xiao immediately began to control the Star Vortex, letting it wreak havoc within his Sea of Consciousness!
Instantly, a sharp pain emanated from the depths of his soul, causing Chen Xiao to involuntarily let out a soft hiss.
But after gritting his teeth and enduring the half-hour of cultivation, Chen Xiao found that his soul seemed to have become clearer, feeling an unprecedented sense of refreshment from the inside out!
Slowly opening his eyes, Chen Xiao mused, "Is this because the impurities in my soul have been washed away?"
Cultivation was truly profound and mysterious!
"It's over?"
Grand Elder Qing Shan approached him.
He observed Chen Xiao's changes. The improvement in his Dou Qi realm was obvious, but beyond that, he felt an indescribable transformation in Chen Xiao.
"Thank you, Grand Elder, for guarding me. Today's cultivation is complete. If I can persist for half a month, I might break through to the Heavenly Realm!" Chen Xiao nodded gratefully.
Having personally experienced the benefits of this secret technique, Chen Xiao's confidence grew stronger.
Even if he didn't break through as scheduled, making his soul clearer would only bring benefits, not drawbacks!
"It was nothing. Your method of soul cultivation is quite profound. To achieve such significant results after just one session speaks volumes about its value. You should not use it carelessly in front of others in the future, lest you attract unnecessary trouble."
The Grand Elder of Green Mountains shook his head, offering a kind reminder.
As the Grand Elder of Eastern Dragon Island, both he and Chen Xiao were Ancient Void Dragons. He naturally wouldn't covet Chen Xiao's possessions.
However, the human powerhouses in the Central State might not be so scrupulous. If news of this leaked, it was hard to guarantee that some wouldn't develop improper intentions.
Chen Xiao nodded slightly. He understood this principle.
Ever since he obtained the Heavenly Wind Soul Scripture, he had only shared it with the few women closest to him whom he could absolutely trust. He had not passed it on to anyone else.
This Soul Scripture was far more precious than the Nine Nether Soul Scripture he had pre-paid for earlier. It was a treasure worthy of being passed down as a clan heirloom!
Chen Xiao had always felt that this was one of the top three gains he had acquired in the False Heaven!
"Breaking through to the Heavenly Realm in half a month is not easy. What are your chances?"
"Before cultivating this secret method, it was only thirty to forty percent. But now, I have at least a fifty percent chance of breaking through!"
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