Chapter 81: Soul Core Cultivation Method
The technique that Ye Cheng imparted to Zhu Zhuqing could be more accurately described as "The Method for Cultivating and Condensing Three Soul Cores". Yes, the so called "Innate Qi Cultivation" that allowed soul masters to cultivate at all times was fundamentally based on soul cores.
What exactly is a soul core?
Soul cores were a concept that only emerged in later generations, during the Douluo 2, 3, and 4 eras. By compressing their soul power, soul masters in those times were able to form a core within their bodies.
The benefits of having a soul core were immense. Not only could it extend the duration of Martial Soul True Body, but it also enhanced energy control, greatly increased soul power reserves, and most importantly it enabled passive cultivation. Even without meditating, a soul master with a soul core could naturally absorb energy from the world, meaning they were always in a state of cultivation.
In simpler terms, it was like having an auto cultivation feature.
Of course, having a soul core didn't mean a soul master could simply stop training altogether. While the passive absorption of energy was useful, actively cultivating would further accelerate the process. Therefore, regular training was still necessary for maximum efficiency.
However, the method Ye Cheng was teaching Zhu Zhuqing was vastly different from traditional soul core formation techniques. Normally, a soul master would need at least six soul rings before they could even attempt to form a soul core, since it required a tremendous amount of compressed soul power.
Additionally, the process of forcefully condensing a soul core placed enormous stress on the body, requiring a soul master to undergo physical refinement training. Because of this, most would only attempt soul core formation after reaching the Soul Emperor level (Rank 60).
But Ye Cheng's Innate Qi Cultivation was different.
Through an extremely profound and intricate method, his technique bypassed the negative side effects of compression, allowing even lower ranked soul masters to safely form a soul core.
This was leagues ahead of the crude soul core formation method that traditional soul masters used!
Moreover, as Zhu Zhuqing's cultivation deepened, she wouldn't need countless life or death encounters or rare opportunities like Huo Hang (Huo Yuhao) did. Instead, she would naturally develop not just one, but three soul cores inside her body!
These three soul cores would be located in the Lower Dantian (Abdomen), Middle Dantian (Chest), and Upper Dantian (Forehead).
And as the creator of this technique, Ye Cheng had, of course, long since formed all three soul cores.
These three cores allowed his soul power and spiritual power to grow passively at all times. More importantly, they enhanced his control over his Twin Martial Souls, allowing him to use the abilities of both martial souls simultaneously and even merge them into a self sustained Martial Soul Fusion Skill.
However, since he was already so overpowered, there had never been an opponent strong enough to force him to use these hidden trump cards.
…
"Zhuqing, don't be nervous," Ye Cheng said as he summoned his Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda.
Zhu Zhuqing was seated cross legged on the large blue gray boulder, while Ye Cheng sat behind her, prepared to guide her through the process.
"Teacher, I'm ready!" Zhu Zhuqing took a deep breath, calming her nerves.
"Then let's begin."
As soon as Ye Cheng spoke, the Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda radiated a brilliant light, enveloping Zhu Zhuqing. She immediately felt her anxiety fade, replaced by an overwhelming sense of tranquility.
Closing her eyes, she directed her consciousness inward, recalling the detailed steps of the technique…
It was time to condense her first soul core.
The first step was to gather all the soul power in her body into her Lower Dantian (Abdomen) and begin compressing it.
This Lower Dantian core was the foundation.
The Middle Dantian was located at the center of the chest, while the Upper Dantian resided in the forehead (between the eyebrows). These would come later, as they required a much higher cultivation level.
To successfully condense a soul core, a soul master needed sufficient soul power density. Normally, as a soul master progressed in rank, their soul power would gradually transition from gas to liquid and then to solid.
A Titled Douluo's soul power was typically fully solidified, which was a basic requirement for forming a soul core. This was why most soul masters could only condense their first core after reaching Rank 90.
But Zhu Zhuqing wasn't using a normal method.
Following the Innate Qi Cultivation technique, she guided her soul power along a unique circulation path through her meridians.
At first, thin streams of soul power flowed like tiny creeks, all converging toward her Lower Dantian.
Once the first strand of soul power entered the Dantian, it acted as a nucleus, pulling in more and more soul power. These threads of energy wrapped around each other, gradually fusing and condensing.
The previously gaseous soul power slowly began to liquefy.
But this wasn't enough.
Zhu Zhuqing continued gathering soul power while absorbing external energy from the surrounding environment.
Seeing this, Ye Cheng didn't hesitate. He poured his own refined soul power through the Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda, filtering out his own imprint and transforming it into pure, unowned energy, which he then infused into Zhu Zhuqing.
If she had relied only on her own absorption, it would've taken her three whole months just to gather enough energy.
But with Ye Cheng's unwavering support, her progress accelerated a thousandfold!
Soul power continued accumulating in her Lower Dantian, forming a dense, milky white liquid, akin to solidifying milk.
Now, she had to compress it further and induce rotation.
"Spin!" Zhu Zhuqing willed.
The solidified soul power began to rotate, gradually accelerating.
Faster and faster until it formed a miniature vortex, like a black hole.
The vortex's pull was terrifying, making Zhu Zhuqing feel as though even her soul might get sucked inside.
From the outside, Ye Cheng could sense her absorption speed suddenly increasing exponentially. Realizing she was on the verge of success, he pushed even more soul power into her!
An endless stream of refined energy poured into her through the Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda, fueling the formation of the soul core.
Time passed.
Then suddenly
The rapidly spinning solid core trembled slightly.
And in that instant
It stopped.
From extreme motion to absolute stillness, the sudden shift was jarring.
Zhu Zhuqing's consciousness blurred, as if she were being pulled into an endless abyss.
Her soul core had stabilized a silent vortex surrounded by black energy ripples.
Within this vortex, the ripples condensed, slowly taking shape…
To her shock, they formed a solid sphere a black pearl like soul core, resting at the center of the vortex!
"Is this… my soul core?"
(End of Chapter)
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