Chapter 25: The Divine Emperor’s Cultivation Method—Is Dual Cultivation Possible?
No matter whether it was the Divine Python Coiling Technique or the spiritual cultivation scroll that Cheng Zhihai had just given him, at this moment, both appeared exceedingly precious in Cheng Guang’s eyes.
His heart brimmed with curiosity—what difference lay between spiritual cultivation and martial cultivation? A new light shimmered in his eyes, unlike any before.
He unfurled the pitch-black scroll; a line of text greeted him.
“Imperial Divine Cultivation Method.”
He continued reading, and intricate incantations and hand seals came into view.
“The spiritual way of the imperial clan, also called the Ancient God’s Path, lies in the perception of words and deeds, reciting verbal decrees, guiding thoughts to vanquish distractions, eliminating stray thoughts, drawing upon the primordial energy of heaven and earth, and strengthening one’s primordial spirit.”
Cheng Guang pondered deeply upon the profound meaning within.
“The very first line mentions the Ancient God’s Path—could it be that the spiritual cultivation practiced by the imperial family is also known by this name?”
“To draw upon the energy of heaven and earth, to strengthen the primordial spirit…”
“In other words, the Ancient God’s Path is a way to fortify the primordial spirit. When the spirit is powerful, one can perceive the world as it truly is, escape calamity, transcend tribulations of thunder, and break through the barriers of heaven.”
“To govern the world with the divine, and see all its truths laid bare.”
Cheng Guang skimmed through, absorbing ten lines at a glance.
Unlike other paths of cultivation, the essence of the spiritual way was to guide members of the imperial family toward transformation into primordial deities. It was said that if one reached the highest realm, their power would rival the legendary ancient gods.
Thus…
The spiritual way was also called the Ancient God’s Path.
“This Imperial Divine Cultivation Method, though only a single chapter, records the cultivation of the spiritual way from its lowest to its highest realm.”
“In truth, the spiritual way lacks any fixed cultivation method; one simply needs to draw in the energy of heaven and earth to strengthen the primordial spirit.”
“The higher the concentration of royal blood, the faster one can sense the primordial energy, and the more energy one can attract into the spirit. If the bloodline is weak, sensing heaven and earth’s energy becomes difficult, and attracting it to enhance the spirit becomes exponentially harder.”
“Even so, compared to the arduous martial path—striving to temper the body, refine the blood, and forge energy from flesh before even beginning the journey—it is far easier.”
Cheng Guang murmured to himself, suddenly struck by a thought.
If the royal bloodline could draw the energy of heaven and earth into the body, why limit its use to strengthening the spirit? In theory, could it not also be used to fortify the body?
The thought made his eyes brighten.
Since Cheng Zhihai had instructed him to pursue both paths, the moment he read the Imperial Divine Cultivation Method, he realized that drawing energy into the body seemed far easier than simply tempering the flesh for energy.
However, if the energy were dispersed in this manner, the amount consumed would only increase over time. Perhaps the imperial clan focused on strengthening the spirit because the benefits were far greater than those gained from fortifying the body.
Cheng Guang continued to pore over the Imperial Divine Cultivation Method, his mind deep in thought.
Perhaps he could do both—while practicing the Imperial Divine Cultivation Method to draw in the primordial energy, he could simultaneously use the Divine Python Coiling Technique to temper his body, generating energy from flesh, and thus achieve a doubled effect.
Hiss…
---
“Marvelous…”
With this thought, Cheng Guang immediately calmed himself, focusing his mind. The words of the Imperial Divine Cultivation Method materialized in his consciousness, his breathing grew steady, and his spirit became clear.
He felt his body gradually warming, and sensed mysterious forces spreading from his bloodline.
At the same time, his mind began to sketch the world around him: the bedroom, the bed, the white gauze, the beams, the round window, the ever-burning lamp, and the lightly trembling winter plum outside.
The world reflected in Cheng Guang’s mind appeared entirely black and white. As his body warmed and the power of his bloodline surged, a subtle, noble aura radiated from him.
Within his mind’s monochrome world, countless luminous star points appeared.
Those points shone brilliantly, seeming the purest force in all creation—unbound, drifting and dancing like joyful sprites.
“This must be the primordial energy of heaven and earth…”
Cheng Guang murmured.
If not for his fusion with the Great Xia imperial bloodline, he certainly could not have seen this primordial energy. Yet, the abundance seemed overwhelming.
He felt surrounded by these star-like energies, dense as the stars in the sea.
It was as though he were immersed in a sea of stars.
“Hiss, do other spiritual cultivators of the imperial clan perceive this much primordial energy?”
Cheng Guang was astonished by the richness of the starlight around him.
No wonder spiritual cultivators advanced so much faster than martial practitioners.
For those on the spiritual path, the primordial energy was like a shy maiden—tempt her in, and once she entered your chamber, she was yours to command.
But the martial way?
One trained the body arduously, generated energy from flesh, and all but forcibly wrested a beauty, or rather, compelled the primordial energy into the body, sealing it with powerful blood, and finally making it their own.
The hardship was incomparable.
“It seems this Imperial Divine Cultivation Method truly allows simultaneous cultivation of spirit and body.”
Cheng Guang’s ambition quietly swelled, giving rise to a hint of wildness.
“Relying on the royal bloodline to draw energy in, then using the martial path’s strong physique to seal every drop within—doing what others cannot, wringing out every bit of primordial energy, my cultivation efficiency would be at least double that of ordinary people.”
“To cultivate both spirit and body—perhaps they will even nourish each other in the future, a far greater achievement than following a single path.”
His thoughts soared with joy; he no longer hesitated, beginning to silently recite the method for attracting primordial energy recorded in the Imperial Divine Cultivation Method.
The radiant star points wandering about seemed to sense something, turning toward Cheng Guang and then rushing to him with jubilant cries.
The primordial energy surged into Cheng Guang’s body, most leaking away, but he managed to capture a small portion, merging it into both his spirit and his flesh.
Seeing this, Cheng Guang rose, placed the Divine Python Coiling Technique at the bedside, and got off the bed to assume its stance.
---
“Divine Python Coiling Technique, first form…”
Cheng Guang moved through the motions, each step precise and proper.
The Divine Python Coiling Technique was meant to temper the body, generate energy from flesh, and use powerful blood to seal the energy within, claiming it as one’s own.
As Cheng Guang began to practice the technique, the power of his bloodline did not pause; under the influence of the Imperial Divine Cultivation Method, it continuously drew in primordial energy and merged it with his being.
Practicing both methods simultaneously, the portion of energy lost to leakage diminished greatly, and the efficiency was several times higher than practicing either method alone.
The only drawback was the exhaustion.
One breath…
Two breaths…
Time passed quietly.
After only a few dozen breaths, without even completing a full set of the Divine Python Coiling Technique, his stamina was nearly depleted.
At last, Cheng Guang collapsed on the floor of his bedroom, staring up at the ornate beams above, gasping for air.
Though his flesh was fatigued, he clearly sensed his mind had grown much clearer, his blood and energy surging.
His spirit was greatly strengthened.
His body, too, was much improved.
Steady, steady.
Practicing both methods at once, though tiring, absorbed primordial energy at a far greater rate.
He alone was equal to two or three others.
Joy appeared in Cheng Guang’s eyes—perhaps this was the method used by the imperial clan, cultivating both martial and spiritual ways to rapidly grow stronger.
He did not know that ordinary imperial offspring exhausted all their energy merely trying to sense and attract primordial energy into their bodies.
In such circumstances, to practice the martial way as well would be impossible; even a slight distraction would prevent them from sensing the primordial energy.
How could they achieve what he did, needing no perception at all—the primordial energy appeared before him, as if stripped bare, waiting for his arrival.
Indeed, Cheng Guang only needed to beckon slightly, not even uttering a word, and the primordial energy would rush to him in frenzy.
If the royal families of the major dynasties saw such a scene…
They would be struck speechless, so envious they might cough blood!
…