What are the ways to increase your cultivation?
In the magical world of Versatile Mage, to increase one's cultivation, one must meditate. It is the norm and the standard method of growth in this world.
But relying solely on meditation—can one really expect rapid growth? Even talents like Mu Ningxue, whose elemental affinity is considered among the highest, took at least three years to reach the Intermediate level, even with the resources provided by her clan and the university.
You can imagine just how long the journey of cultivation truly is.
To increase the rate of progress, there are three acceptable methods.
The first is through the use of Stardust Magic Tools or Soul Vessels, which help decrease fatigue and allow one to spend more time meditating. This has great effect during the early stages, but becomes useless in later stages—unless the tool is something special, like Mo Fan's Little Loach Pendant.
The second method is through battle. As stated in the novel, cultivation and experience are both necessary for rapid progress. In addition to absorbing magical energy, the elements within the Spiritual Universe also absorb the soul energy and willpower of their wielder. These energies and insights are forged through intense experiences and life-or-death ordeals. This was the method Mo Fan relied upon the most to grow stronger.
The third and final method is the use of consumables. The rich and noble organizations purchase large quantities of these to nurture the talents under their wings. Once consumed, these resources serve as a source of energy from which a magician nourishes their elements and grows stronger.
But if consumables can so easily boost cultivation, why don't the major families—who can easily afford them—have armies of Super Mages at their disposal?
"The answer is simple," Damon thought to himself as he studied the knowledge of Magic Theory. Consumables may serve as energy sources, but if one takes more than their body can handle, they could literally burst apart. Hence, these resources are treated with extreme caution—they aren't something that can just be force-fed to mages.
Placing the yellow-colored crystal down on the table, Damon sat cross-legged before it.
"Desert Fire Berry."
A consumable unique to the northwestern part of China. Rare, but considered useful for Intermediate Fire Mages attempting to cross the boundary of Level 1 of the Intermediate Rank.
It had cost him seven million yuan to get his hands on this berry. Normally, such resources would cost much more, but due to its low success rate, Damon was able to purchase it for that price.
"Sigh… I need to make money somehow," Damon muttered. He had canceled his deal with the realtor to buy an apartment in Shanghai after making this purchase.
"To grow stronger, I'll need a lot more money." There were still many major ranks of magic left for Damon to explore—if just the start cost seven million yuan, then…
"Hah… the Galaxy Vein required for reaching the Advanced Rank costs one hundred million yuan… the auction house…" Damon's head ached as he thought about the fortune he would have to earn—and burn—to advance.
Sighing, he shook his head and focused on the task at hand. Raising his left hand, he mentally commanded Beelzebub, who obediently devoured the glowing crystal.
Closing his eyes, Damon entered his Spiritual World, where the glowing red Stardust shimmered majestically in the void. With a mental command, the energy absorbed from the Desert Fire Berry began to release steadily into Damon's Spiritual World, under his conscious control.
He couldn't just dump all the energy at once and risk bursting the Stardust, could he? Damon carefully fed the energy into it, maintaining balance.
As the Stardust absorbed the energy, it began to tremble and pulse with erratic light—signs of an imminent breakthrough. Small bursts of power rippled outward as its size and brightness steadily grew.
"Level 3, Novice Rank!"
Damon was thrilled to finally break past the level he'd been stuck at for months, but he didn't let his excitement disturb his focus. Even after reaching the new level, he continued channeling fire energy into the Stardust at a faster pace.
The energy stabilized, and the entire Stardust began to glow even more brilliantly than before. "The Desert Fire Berry is a supplement for reaching Level 2 of the Intermediate Rank… so it should have enough energy for me to reach Intermediate Rank, right?"
That was exactly why Damon was so excited. Today, he planned not only to leap a sub-level—but an entire rank.
With a determined grin, he continued to infuse vast energy into his Stardust, which kept expanding until it suddenly stopped.
"Hah, just a little more…" From peak Level 2 to peak Level 3 in a few hours of careful control, Damon had already jumped an entire sub-rank. His mind was weary, exhaustion creeping in.
"Just a bit more, dammit!"
Even tired, Damon refused to stop. He increased the flow of energy, unleashing torrents of fire energy into the Stardust. The seven stars within it churned wildly, trembling in chaos before falling completely still.
The energy continued to flow, but the Stardust refused to expand any further.
"What the fuck is going on?" Damon muttered, panic and frustration flashing across his face. "Why did it stop? Did something go wrong?"
His heart raced as he stared anxiously at his Fire Element. But before he could despair further, his body froze, his eyes widening in awe as he saw movement once again.
The deathly still Stardust suddenly burst out with an incredibly hot radiance, flooding his entire Spiritual Universe in an instant.
The fiery red light ignited the darkness, sparkling and surging.
Its radiance spread like waves, forming shapes that looked like new miniature universes—its own stellar homes.
However, what had formed was no longer the small Stardust that once sat quietly in the corner of his Spiritual World. It had evolved into a dense, clustered formation—each star reflecting upon the others in harmony.
"Stardust… becoming Nebula!"