Chapter 336

Chapter 336: The Way of Nature

Despite Chang Xiang’s extensive experience and knowledge, the situation currently unfolding with Lou Yun was entirely unprecedented for him. In this very moment, he couldn’t help but doubt whether everything he was witnessing before his eyes was just an illusion?

Of course, it was not Chang Xiang’s illusion. Rather, it was Lou Yun, deep in this state of profound meditation, outwardly manifesting the insights he had gained from within.

Right now, Lou Yun felt himself to be a wisp of white cloud merging into the blue sky, a droplet of water merging into the vast ocean, or a single leaf or branch merging into the flowers, plants, and trees.

He followed the gentle breeze, curling and unfurling; he rose and fell with the churning sea; he transformed and shifted with the changing seasons. Feeling the surging, unimaginable essence of the great nature surrounding him, his entire being at this moment merged completely into the world between Heaven and Earth.

Immersed amidst these elements of nature, changing as they changed, while seeking the way of nature, Lou Yun began to perceive the world he inhabited anew through an entirely different lens.

I am Heaven and Earth; Heaven and Earth are me!

This is Nature!

Following the wind freely, going with the flow, accepting circumstances calmly, acting as one pleases!

This was the way of nature!

As this realization took hold in Lou Yun’s mind, his spirit suddenly surged with renewed vigor. He sensed it – a strange energy, pouring wildly from outside his body into its core!

Yet this energy was not the spiritual energy he was familiar with. It was a completely new kind of power!

This energy rushed relentlessly into him, rapidly filling every space within his body. His muscles, skin, blood, bones, dantian, magical weapon, even all his organs and cells underwent subtle changes under the impact of this power.

At this moment, Lou Yun felt as if he were immersed in a scorching hot spring amidst the deep winter, or bathed in the spring breeze as flowers bloomed. His body experienced a sensation of utter, profound bliss.

The cleansing by this energy induced an earth-shattering transformation within his being!

As the influx of this energy grew stronger, the Primordial Spirit located deep within Lou Yun’s mind began to rotate slowly. The light it emitted gradually intensified, becoming brighter and brighter!

Though Lou Yun was deeply intoxicated by this overwhelmingly pleasant feeling, he was acutely aware of the changes occurring in his body and his Primordial Spirit. He perceived it with utmost clarity!

This energy was the energy of Heaven and Earth!

The incontrovertible fact now proved that absorbing the energy of Heaven and Earth was the true and correct way to cultivate the Primordial Spirit!

This Heaven and Earth energy flowing into his body carried a faint, almost negligible hint of heat. Lou Yun understood this was because he was currently situated within the heart of a volcano. The incandescent lava flows that boiled and burned ceaselessly throughout the years here had imbued the local Heaven and Earth energy with this trace of warmth!

Far from being detrimental, this slightly heated Heaven and Earth energy was actually beneficial for Lou Yun. The two Heavenly Fires within his core underwent distinct transformations under its nourishment.

The branches and leaves of the Fusang Tree became significantly more lush and dense. The sparks bursting from the Thunderstorm Fire not only increased substantially in size but also erupted much faster than before.

Spiritual energy itself was a form of Heaven and Earth energy; thus, this Heaven and Earth energy could also integrate into the dantian and the magical weapon. In fact, it could provide even greater power than pure spiritual energy alone. Therefore, although Lou Yun’s original intention had solely been to cultivate his Primordial Spirit, he was inadvertently refining his magical weapon simultaneously. This naturally bestowed upon him yet another unexpected benefit!

Finally, the furious torrent of energy began to slow. Yet it did not cease; instead, it shifted from a raging stampede into a gentle, continuous stream, flowing softly yet persistently into Lou Yun’s body.

Lou Yun slowly opened his eyes. The dazzling, star-like flash that passed through his gaze startled Chang Xiang, who had been watching him intently all along.

Chang Xiang could already clearly sense that a transformation had occurred within Lou Yun. However, this change wasn’t visibly manifest on Lou Yun’s exterior; it was more of a feeling, an impression – a sensation utterly different from how Lou Yun had felt before.

Back when Lou Yun first awakened the concept of the Primordial Spirit, the members of the Huangfu Family had experienced a similar feeling upon seeing him. But now, if they were to see him again, they would undoubtedly get an entirely different impression.

Lou Yun was still Lou Yun. But this Lou Yun had been reborn – thoroughly and completely transformed!

Chang Xiang widened his eyes, staring fixedly at Lou Yun. Lou Yun, in turn, looked back at Chang Xiang, a faint smile playing on his lips. Neither of them spoke, as if each was attempting to see through the other solely with their gaze.

Chang Xiang was the first one unable to bear the silence any longer. He opened his mouth and asked, "How was it? Did you… did you find the method to cultivate the Primordial Spirit?"

Judging by Lou Yun’s current expression, even a fool could see he had succeeded. But the matter was far too significant, and Chang Xiang didn’t mind playing the fool this time just to hear it confirmed.

Lou Yun nodded with a smile. "Found it."

"How do I cultivate?"

"Through the energy of heaven and earth!"

Upon hearing these four words, Chang Xiang first showed surprise, which quickly transformed into overwhelming joy. He suddenly exhaled deeply, for this answer was both familiar and unexpected—known to him, yet still arriving beyond his anticipation.

"You can sense the energy of heaven and earth now?"

Lou Yun shifted his gaze away from Chang Xiang towards the endlessly churning magma. Then he lifted his head, his focus piercing through the volcano’s mouth to settle upon the blue sky beyond.

Though his eyes couldn’t perceive the energy, he could feel its ubiquitous presence and immense density everywhere.

Seeing Lou Yun’s demeanor, Chang Xiang didn’t press further on the topic. Instead, he asked a different question: "What do you feel now?"

"Excellent!"

Like a man of few words, Lou Yun’s reply was remarkably concise. Yet this brevity itself proved the depth of his current enlightenment. It was the simple principle of "The great Way is simplicity."

At this moment, Chang Xiang finally relaxed, the constant tension easing from his expression. "But how exactly does one cultivate?"

"Use the body as a vessel to absorb the energy of heaven and earth. The soul will naturally begin cultivation, nourished by this energy."

"What will you do next?"

"Now that I can perceive and absorb the energy of heaven and earth, my next step is to try and command it!"

As Chang Xiang had explained to Lou Yun long ago, commanding this energy required an affinity for the way of nature. This affinity was intuitive, known only to those who could feel it themselves; they couldn’t articulate how to command the energy or teach it to others.

This ability was purely self-realized. You either understood it or you didn’t. There was no explaining it beyond that.

Therefore, hearing Lou Yun’s statement, Chang Xiang simply nodded, refraining from deeper inquiry. "Good. Then continue. I’ll guard you."

"Alright!"

Their bond was that of friend, mentor, and family. Lou Yun naturally didn’t stand on ceremony. He offered a faint smile before closing his eyes again, instantly re-entering that high state of deep meditation.

Watching Lou Yun, now reborn after attuning to the way of nature and perceiving the world’s energy, Chang Xiang felt an indescribable surge of pride. He alone bore witness to Lou Yun’s every transformation, step by step.

Though Chang Xiang’s role in Lou Yun’s growth was immense and indispensable, he understood clearly that those deeds belonged to the past. From this day, from this very moment onward, Lou Yun’s cultivation path truly required him to walk alone. Perhaps his elusive master, Mr. Commoner, could offer future aid, but Chang Xiang himself could provide no further help on that journey.

As pride swelled within him, an unavoidable thread of loss passed through Chang Xiang’s thoughts. This alternating play of emotions gave him pause, making him chuckle and shake his head. He murmured to himself in self-mockery, "I truly become more human by the day!"

The instant the words left his mouth, vigilance flashed across Chang Xiang’s face. Realizing his careless slip, he clamped his lips shut and fixed Lou Yun with an intense stare, seeming terrified the young man might have overheard his whisper.

However, Lou Yun was already immersed in a state of perfect concentration, oblivious to the world. Not only Chang Xiang’s murmurings, but even a thunderclap would have failed to disturb him.

Lou Yun’s body still autonomously absorbed the surrounding energy. It seemed that once he could sense its existence, the energy surged towards him like children returning home after years away—pouring endlessly into his body without any need for conscious effort.

Lou Yun now focused internally. Though no single part showed visible change, his entire body—within and without—underwent a qualitative transformation through the infusion of vast, primal power. So profound was this shift that it effortlessly carried him past the fifth refinement of the Ten Refinements of the Body, almost without his notice!

Though the result mildly surprised him, recalling the instant flood of surrounding energy that had saturated his being instantly seemed reason enough.

This natural transformation rendered his physique far stronger than before.

Naturally satisfied with his body’s state, Lou Yun cast aside all distractions and dedicated himself wholly to seeking the next step: the method to truly command the cosmic energy.

Meanwhile, Chang Xiang, who had merged back into Lou Yun’s form, suddenly smacked his own forehead.

"Agh!" he muttered aloud again. "I forgot to tell that boy—he’s been sitting here for half a year now!"

A moment of realization, followed by a sudden sly smirk twisting his lips. "Ah well," he thought, mischief coloring his tone. "If he didn’t ask, why should I tell him? Right now, cultivation and strengthening are paramount. Besides… probably nothing major’s happening out there, right?"