Returning to the Xuan Palace Building from Mount Motie, Chen Chuan opened the casket and looked inside. He saw that the medicine was wrapped and sealed extremely well, with handling instructions noting that it should be kept in a cool, dry place as much as possible.
Under normal circumstances, this was no issue; it could be stored almost anywhere.
However, judging by the recorded ritual, compounding this into the final medicine required merging the Gaotian jade core into it as well, and ultimately igniting it as an oil lamp—a one-time use that would exhaust it completely.
Right now, the Gaotian jade core was still useful to him, and it was meant to be used when he approached a certain upper limit. The time had not yet come, so he had no immediate need for it.
He put the items away safely and told Chaoming to keep an eye on them before returning to continue his daily training.
The next morning, at eight-fifty, he emerged from his room and arrived at the training grounds on the seventieth floor. After waiting a short while, the appointed hour arrived.
Predictably, Teacher Xue was late again.
Chen Chuan calmly sat down and practiced his breathing technique.
Around noon, footsteps sounded outside, followed by Teacher Xue's apologetic voice:
"Trainee Chen, my apologies, my apologies! Truly sorry. I'm late again today. Teacher really didn't want this to happen. Ah, sometimes circumstances are just beyond one's control."
Chen Chuan stood up and said, "I understand, Teacher."
Teacher Xue let out an "ai" and waved a hand. "No, no. When a teacher makes a mistake, he has to own up to it. Didn't I say last time that if I was late again, I'd make it up to you?"
He pulled a jade coin from his coat pocket and handed it over.
"I came across this by chance. It helps gather and steady the spirit. If you're ever short on incense medicine, you can substitute this jade coin. The effect is a bit weaker, but it's far better than nothing. This is yours."
Chen Chuan thought to himself, *Teacher, did you plan on being late all along?*
He accepted the jade coin. The moment it touched his palm, a cool, soothing sensation washed over him. Knowing it was no ordinary trinket, he examined its shape and saw that it looked like a seashell.
Teacher Xue said, "This is a jade coin from the Old Era. I had someone look at it, and they said it dates back more than five thousand years."
Chen Chuan said sincerely, "Thank you, Teacher." *Feel free to be late more often in the future, Teacher.*
Teacher Xue waved it off. "No need to thank me; it's my apology gift." He looked Chen Chuan up and down, rubbing his chin. "Have you been learning some spiritual techniques lately?"
Chen Chuan didn't hide it. "Yes. I'm attending Instructor Chen Bitong's training class. He taught me some techniques for stabilizing spiritual frequencies. Is there any issue with that?"
Teacher Xue waved a hand. "Nothing at all. Those are just minor techniques, easy enough to pick up. As long as your foundation is solid, you can practice them without worry.
"Well, since your spirit has achieved basic stability, I can now teach you some techniques for applying spiritual power. Sit down first."
Chen Chuan waited for him to sit before sitting down himself.
Teacher Xue got straight to the point: "Trainee Chen, if you've encountered opponents skilled in spiritual power before, I imagine most of them simply condensed their spirit to batter you with it."
Chen Chuan nodded. "Indeed."
Whether it was Yu Lie or Mashiba Masaru from before, both had used it in exactly that way.
Mashiba Masaru had incorporated some technique, though his innate spiritual power had seemed lacking, dragging down his execution. He had likely been aware of this himself, which was why he had relied on the Gaotian jade core for assistance.
Teacher Xue said, "Those methods are rudimentary. It's not that they don't want to use better techniques; rather, if the spirit isn't concentrated and substantial enough, one simply cannot execute superior techniques.
"Ramming with raw spirit is straightforward and easy to use, and those who haven't trained against it truly cannot withstand it.
"The Mashiba Masaru you fought hailed from Langtao Arena. That fighter hall specifically follows the path of putting the spirit first, which is actually suited for those naturally gifted with exceptional spirits.
"From what I know, every disciple admitted to their hall is one in a thousand, or even one in ten thousand. Even after entry, they undergo another round of screening; those who fail to measure up simply burn themselves out.
"In the Old Era, one either advanced or fell behind, and everyone fought desperately for their lives, so there was reason behind that method. In the New Era, however, things can be tempered a bit, and such extreme approaches are no longer advisable.
"What we need is gradual progress. Now that you have built a preliminary foundation, you can try learning some shallower applications."
He looked at Chen Chuan. "The spirit and the body elevate each other. You've probably sparred or fought recently, right? Have you noticed that your spiritual power permeates the opponent's body along with your strikes?"
Chen Chuan nodded. "Yes, I've felt it. Once, when my spirit pressed into an opponent's body, they seemed completely unable to move."
Teacher Xue said, "That is one of the applications of spiritual power. Once your spiritual strength is abundant, you begin applying it unconsciously. If your opponent hasn't received corresponding training, your spiritual power will easily penetrate them.
"From there, it can throw their mutated tissue into disarray or sap its strength. In combat, even the slightest hesitation or sluggishness can completely shatter one's rhythm, giving you a tremendous advantage."
Chen Chuan deeply agreed.
"However, that's merely unconscious application. Against ordinary fighters, it never fails, but against fighters who have also undergone spiritual cultivation, it won't accomplish much—just as an attack from another person produced little effect on you."
Teacher Xue tapped the center of his own brow, then pointed at Chen Chuan. "Since the enemy's defense is fortified, you must find a way to enhance your offensive power.
"Between two opponents of comparable strength, attacking is always better than defending. Bear in mind that in a clash of spirits, the one who strikes first always holds the greater odds of victory. Therefore, I will teach you offense first."
He extended a hand and formed a fist. "The reason you could channel spiritual power into the opponent's body when punching wasn't because of the fist's own physical force, but because you possessed a clear intent to attack and a fierce resolve to knock them down. Your spirit responded to your will.
"And when your spiritual power is sufficient, it produces that effect."
With that, he raised his other hand and tapped the back of his clenched fist. "In this process, the fist serves as a medium. Whether you use a saber, a sword, or something else—even mere contact through your field—makes little difference. In the end, it is still your will, your conviction at work.
"Of course, because beginners lack sufficient spiritual power, having physical contact through a medium is best. Beyond physical damage, it also effectively reinforces one's confidence."
Chen Chuan nodded in understanding. When he had fought Mashiba Masaru, the man's blade had been snapped, and even without direct contact, the strike had still managed to harm him. That must have been the principle behind it.
Had the blade remained intact, slashing down along with the strike might have amplified the invasive power even further. Even if the spiritual impact didn't inflict direct harm, if that instantaneous shock caused the body to freeze for a split second, the blade could capitalize on the opening to cleave down and deal lethal damage.
Teacher Xue said, "I will now teach you a 'force technique' called the 'Spirit-Shaking Hammer.' It channels spiritual power through your gaze, your voice, or even your field as a medium. Without requiring direct contact, it allows you to fully bring spiritual power to bear in combat."
As he spoke, his eyes suddenly flashed with bright light.
Chen Chuan was already prepared and immediately reined in his mind. He felt a wave of thought wash over him, flawlessly conveying the operational secrets and training methods of this force technique.
Once Chen Chuan had received it all, the light in Teacher Xue's eyes slowly faded, and he said, "If you practice it well, your spiritual momentum will slam into an opponent's mind before your strike even lands, directly terrifying them and sapping their will to fight.
"Moreover, once you become relatively proficient, any ordinary person or standard fighter within your field's range can essentially be shaken by your spirit or have their condition disrupted; in severe cases, they will lose consciousness outright.
"When mastered to a high level, you can even disrupt the field signal of an opponent's boundary credential and shield yourself or those around you from field surveillance.
"However, I must warn you: once you master it, do not use it recklessly. Certain field organisms can protect people or even counter your spirit, so exercise caution whenever you are uncertain or lack complete confidence."
Chen Chuan responded seriously, "Teacher, I will keep your warning in mind."
Teacher Xue gave a satisfied grunt, stood up, and said, "Wait here a moment." He walked outside and returned shortly carrying two potted green plants with broad, fleshy leaves, setting them down in front of Chen Chuan.
"These two plants were transplanted from the Confluence and have adapted to the environment out here. However, they still retain some traits of the Confluence and are quite sensitive to a person's spiritual power and field. The force you exert will manifest visually through them. Give it a try first."
Chen Chuan agreed. He adjusted his breathing slightly, then focused his attention and gazed at one of the green plants using the method just imparted to him.
After a moment, the plant's branches and leaves suddenly began swaying on their own and trembled violently. In the end, the broad, fleshy leaves curled tightly inward, looking remarkably like a small child squatting with their head tucked in their arms.
Teacher Xue said, "Looks a bit like a child, doesn't it? Heh, that's deceptive camouflage. This thing can sense the softer side of a person's spirit and mimic it to reduce harm."
He deepened his tone: "Yet spiritual offense and defense can be extraordinarily brutal. You must never let yourself be deceived by external appearances or internal attachments, or the one overwhelmed and slain might just be you."
Chen Chuan couldn't help but nod.
Teacher Xue glanced at the plant. "It took about three or four breaths for your technique to take effect just now. In combat, that's far too slow. Still, true spiritual power only develops through prolonged concentration and conditioning. Once you grow accustomed to it, you can gradually shorten the time.
"However, in dire straits, you can expend your changeless mind to amplify its potency."
Chen Chuan said, "I understand, Teacher."
Teacher Xue smiled and said, "Good. Now that you know the offensive technique, next I'll teach you the defensive method. This technique is called the 'Empty Heart Seal.'"
Chapter 500