NOVPUBWang Ba calculated for a moment, then subtly shook his head.
Previously, just by selling Class II Spirit Chicken Essence, he could earn hundreds of Merit annually. However, for the resources needed at the Golden Core stage, even just cultivating the Five Elements, he was still far from enough.
According to his calculation, earning over a thousand Merit a year would roughly maintain his cultivation in the Five Elements.
But if he were to add Wind Style and Thunder Style, whose value far exceeded that of the Five Elements, it was completely unpredictable.
"Speaking of which, if these new spirit food recipes pass the review recently, in total, they should also be worth more than a hundred thousand Merit…"
"This is quite a sum, and another direction for earning Merit."
"Compared to exchanging Spirit Chicken Essence for Merit, producing recipes is much faster and also safer. I’m just a bit worried whether the Sect will discover this loophole... I shouldn’t think too much about it right now, let’s first make a profit."
"Also, it’s time to bring Wind, Thunder, and Yuanci to the agenda."
His realm had already stabilized, and he could begin incorporating other Cultivation Methods.
"Master previously advised me to cultivate Shenxiu Peak’s Wind Style Cultivation Method first... then I’ll follow Master’s recommendation."
Wang Ba thought for a moment, and quickly made up his mind.
After pondering for a while, he soon left Wanfa Peak.
...
"Whoosh—"
Shenxiu Peak.
Surrounded by gales year-round.
At the front of a cliff on the peak,
Liang Zhongkang dressed in maroon sat cross-legged, letting the surrounding gales blow over him.
In front of him, a round Golden Core was rotating continuously in the gales.
On the surface of the Golden Core, faint patterns began to emerge.
Along with a long sigh,
The Golden Core seemed to respond, spinning rapidly, and a green cyclone emerged around it.
But soon, the green cyclone started to fluctuate, growing and shrinking unpredictably as if it could dissipate at any moment.
Liang Zhongkang’s face changed slightly.
The previously calm and steady state of mind was instantly disrupted, waves rising in the lake of his heart.
And as his emotions fluctuated, the once round Golden Core started to develop uneven changes.
Just then, a profound voice slowly emerged:
"A form moves without creating form but casts a shadow, a sound moves without creating sound but produces an echo, the lack of movement does not generate nothingness but gives rise to something..."
This voice seemed to have a strange power, and in an instant, Liang Zhongkang’s previously fluctuating state of mind slowly calmed down.
As his state of mind returned to tranquility, the green cyclone outside the Golden Core also regained its original shape, becoming more regular.
A few breaths later, the Golden Core absorbed all of the green cyclone.
Afterwards, the Golden Core shook and flew into Liang Zhongkang’s mouth.
Liang Zhongkang closed his eyes, slowly assimilating the gains from this cultivation session.
And in his ears, the profound voice could be heard once more.
"Your journey to West Sea Country has indeed tested you greatly, allowing you to luckily achieve a first-grade Golden Core... However, even a first-grade Golden Core is but the starting point of cultivation; you still need to painstakingly refine yourself, avoid being impulsive and overhasty."
Upon hearing this, Liang Zhongkang opened his eyes, only to see an elderly figure with a clear presence standing not far away, his expression indifferent.
Although he was being admonished, he could still hear a faint sense of pride in the other’s tone.
"Master!"
Feeling the Golden Core within him gradually stabilize, Liang Zhongkang couldn’t help but jump up, his face bearing an uncontrollable joy:
"Haha, I have finally mastered the first method of the Ride the Wind!"
His frivolous behavior immediately caused the elder to frown slightly:
"Haven’t I told you to avoid being impulsive and overhasty?"
"Yes! Master!"
Liang Zhongkang responded hastily with proper seriousness.
Yet he still couldn’t help revealing a smile on his face.
Being able to master the first method of Ride the Wind shortly after stepping into the Golden Core Realm was very rare in Shenxiu Peak, a dual cause for celebration.
With his naturally unrestrained nature, even though he was reprimanded by his master, how could he suppress the excitement in his heart?
Subconsciously, he wanted to show off to someone familiar.
Unable to contain himself, he said, "Master, I’d like to go out for a bit to find Martial Uncle Xi for some fun... and get some pointers."
With that, he hurriedly set off, riding the wind.
However, he quickly found that an invisible and colorless gust halted him in his tracks.
Liang Zhongkang turned his head in astonishment to look at the elder.
The elder’s face was expressionless, his profound voice rising slowly again:
"No need to look for him, your Martial Uncle Xi is probably too occupied to entertain you. He’s currently in seclusion, breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage."
Liang Zhongkang’s face showed surprise:
"Breaking through to the Nascent Soul?"
He involuntarily displayed a tinge of nervousness:
"Is Martial Uncle Xi well-prepared for it?"
The elder shook his head slightly: "The breaking through in cultivation is unpredictable. The last time I saw him, I felt his state of mind was somewhat lacking, but after his recent ordeal, perhaps he has already resolved this issue."
Speaking, he turned to look at Liang Zhongkang, seriously saying:
"Although you have mastered the first method, it is also the foundation of the Six Methods. You only attained it after reaching the Golden Core Realm, and it’s nothing exceptional. Don’t overestimate yourself, get carried away, and become negligent."
Liang Zhongkang replied dismissively:
"Master, isn’t our Six Methods about following one’s heart? Several senior brothers and sisters in the peak mastered the first method only in the middle to late stage of the Golden Core. What’s wrong with me being a bit proud?"
Hearing Liang Zhongkang’s words, although the elder believed similarly deep down, he still couldn’t help but strike a blow:
"You are truly a frog in a well! Our patriarch mastered the first method with ease before the Foundation Establishment stage and used it to sweep through his peers without displaying such arrogance as yours! Following one’s heart is meant to allow the release of nature, not to indulge in bad habits!"
