Chapter 12
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Chapter 12: Refining Vital Blood, A Strength Like a Bull
“Buzz…”
As cool life energy entered his body, Mu Lin felt his pain lessen. His muscles, torn by the Black Water Mystic Serpent’s vital blood, slowly healed. Yet even before the rejuvenation spell, his wounds had already begun closing. Though costly, the vital blood had been treated by alchemists. While its violent energy tore his body, its healing properties mended him. Through repeated tearing and healing, his body grew stronger. Traits from the Black Water Mystic Serpent’s vital blood seeped into him during this cycle.
“Whew…”
“Thank you, Teacher.”
After the pain faded, Mu Lin bowed to Teacher Ma at the lectern. He then sat cross-legged and activated the Black Water Mystic Serpent’s Transformation Technique. As the technique flowed, the wild energy assaulting him began moving along a set meridian path shaped like a tail-biting serpent (∞).
“Hiss…”
But Mu Lin’s weak mental strength limited his control. Only a sliver of energy followed the path; his body kept tearing and healing. The treated vital blood’s healing effects and the rejuvenation spell saved him from being shredded.
“I underestimated the vital blood’s ferocity.”
Still, he endured. After circulating the energy, some of it carried his imprint, becoming his own. The Black Water Mystic Serpent’s essence transformed his magic into black mist magical power.
Per the technique’s teachings, black mist magical power boosted water spells slightly but mainly strengthened the body. Mu Lin focused entirely on refining—the vital blood’s energy faded fast.
After the time it takes a stick of incense to burn, he realized with frustration: seventy percent of the energy was wasted. Only one-tenth became black mist magical power; two-tenths bolstered his physique.
“Taking it so early was a mistake. Losing seventy percent… too costly.”
Worse yet, his focus on refining had blinded him to the spiritual energy around him.
“So, after taking a portion of vital blood, I still haven’t entered the sensing realm?”
With this thought, Mu Lin felt utterly numb.
In the end, that day, Mu Lin returned to his courtyard in frustration.
He remained dejected for a full hour before his mood finally settled.
“Hah… Look on the bright side—at least I’m now a Martial Arts expert.”
Though he’d only absorbed around thirty percent of the Black Water Mystic Serpent’s vital blood, its exceptional quality had granted him countless benefits.
First was his Physical Strength. After repeated destruction and healing, combined with the infusion of the vital blood, his body now possessed the strength of a single bull, though not yet reaching the fabled nine bulls and two tigers.
Beyond raw power, his physical resilience and vitality had also surged.
Additionally, the black mist magical power inside his body was now sufficient to cast minor spells.
“Too bad my vital blood concentration is too low to awaken the Black Water Mystic Serpent’s innate spells.”
It should be noted that the Black Water Mystic Serpent’s Transformation Technique, a human-created cultivation method, only required consuming the serpent’s vital blood once initially. Subsequent cultivation relied on converting ordinary spiritual energy into black mist magical power using the technique itself.
With a trace of black mist magical power as a catalyst, Mu Lin could refine spiritual energy into more black mist power. This energy would then gradually increase his vital blood concentration until he could achieve transformation into the Black Water Mystic Serpent, then evolve further into a flood dragon. At its peak, the technique would allow him to summon winds and rain.
Of course, the Black Water Mystic Serpent’s vital blood remained invaluable for practitioners of this method, acting as the most potent pill.
As Mu Lin pondered, he attempted to absorb spiritual energy under the moonlight. When nothing happened, he reluctantly gave up and turned to paper folding.
Since it earned Spirit Crystals, he no longer resented the task and even found it enjoyable.
Naturally, he continued practicing Mind Image · City of Heaven’s Funeral. After visualization, his progress reached Level 2 Proficiency (631/800).
“If nothing goes wrong, I’ll reach Level 3 Mastery tomorrow afternoon. I wonder if Mind Image · City of Heaven’s Funeral will grant another trait at Level 3…”
With this hope, Mu Lin drifted into sleep.
A new day brought renewed cultivation. But upon entering the classroom, Mu Lin grew anxious—over twenty classmates had already sensed spiritual energy.
“So this is spiritual energy?”
“Everything feels… sharper now.”
“Wait, I didn’t move—these little ones are entering me on their own!”
“Typical of Level 2 Spiritual Roots. But Level 1 and Heavenly Spiritual Roots are the true elites—they inhale spiritual energy effortlessly.”
By the third day, most Level 2 Spiritual Root cultivators had succeeded. Even some aristocratic children with resources had broken through.
Their cheerful discussions only heightened Mu Lin’s urgency. Driven by stress and enhanced stamina, he used fish oil paste three times that morning!
Yet despite his efforts, his Level 3 Spiritual Roots—neither good nor terrible—yielded no results. The fish oil paste’s mediocre effects didn’t help.
To his relief, his stout friend Zong Xiu noticed his gloom. After sharing a comforting meal, Zong Xiu offered assistance.
“Brother Mu, don’t fret. Level 3 Spiritual Roots just take longer—seven to fifteen days in the Taoist Palace. And there’s a shortcut.”
He produced several fresh leaves.
“What’s this?”
Pe551
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