Chapter 253: The Wonders of the Mysterious Life Technique, Cultivation for Fifteen Years

Chapter 253: The Wonders of the Mysterious Life Technique, Cultivation for Fifteen Years

"It can't be hatched?"

Hearing this, Chu Ning felt a twinge of disappointment, but he still turned to Qi Guangshou and asked, "Is there nothing you can do, Master Qi?"

Qi Guangshou shook his head. "Let me give it a try."

"But don't get your hopes up. That cultivator from the Demon Spirit Sect probably obtained these eggs some time ago. If they had been kept in a spirit beast bag, we could have used some secret techniques to aid in their hatching. But since they were stored in a storage bag, cut off from spiritual energy for so long..."

As he spoke, Qi Guangshou extended his hand, and a milky-white glob of light appeared in his palm. He brought this light close to one of the Golden Thunder Falcon eggs.

The milky-white light immediately enveloped the entire egg.

This continued for the time it takes an incense stick to burn before Qi Guangshou withdrew his hand and shook his head. "It's no use. The life force within is too weak, and it cannot be hatched."

Disappointment filled Chu Ning's heart at these words.

However, his expression soon changed as an idea came to him, and he asked, "Master Qi, can you teach me the techniques for hatching these eggs? I find myself quite interested in this art of spirit beast cultivation."

Qi Guangshou gave Chu Ning a look, seemingly surprised by his interest in spirit beast cultivation. He then took out a jade slip from his storage bag and handed it to Chu Ning.

"Our sect is not renowned for spirit beast cultivation, so we don't have an abundance of techniques and spells in this field. However, one of our predecessors made significant progress in this area. This jade slip contains the methods of spirit beast cultivation that I've compiled, combining the knowledge left by that predecessor with my own collection. It includes the hatching technique I just used."

"Thank you, Master Qi!" Chu Ning expressed his gratitude and placed the jade slip into his storage bag. After a moment's thought, he asked, "Master Qi, have you ever studied ancient spirit beasts? Do you know of any that possess the ability to pass through restrictions at will before reaching full maturity?"

"The ability to pass through restrictions at will?" Qi Guangshou's face contorted in confusion upon hearing this. "Some powerful spirit beasts and demon beasts with extraordinary abilities can indeed break through the restrictions set up by cultivators when their cultivation reaches an extremely high level. I've even heard that the ancient demon race had cultivation techniques that allowed them to set up restrictions similar to those used by cultivators. But I've never heard of an immature spirit beast having the ability to pass through restrictions."

Chu Ning had only asked out of curiosity, and since Qi Guangshou didn't know anything about Ling Xiaobai, he wasn't too surprised. The little guy's origins were indeed shrouded in mystery, and despite consulting numerous tomes, Chu Ning had found no related information.

Thus, Chu Ning didn't linger and took his leave.

"It's a pity that this Golden Thunder Falcon couldn't be nurtured. It would have been a great help," Qi Guangshou said, shaking his head slightly as he watched Chu Ning's departing figure.

He could tell that Chu Ning wanted to learn these techniques because he hadn't given up on the two eggs. However, given Chu Ning's personality, he naturally wouldn't point this out.

Upon returning to Lingyan Peak, Chu Ning immediately took out the two Golden Thunder Falcon eggs. After a slight flicker in his eyes, he cut his finger and dripped a drop of blood into one of the eggs. Then, he performed a series of intricate hand seals.

Instantly, a white mark appeared in the air—a mark of the mysterious seconds.

At Chu Ning's command, the mark descended and imprinted itself on the egg.

Chu Ning was delighted by this development. "Since there's still life force within, a contract can be formed."

At this moment, Chu Ning was employing the life contract technique he had learned from Ling Xiaobai. He had previously learned from her that this life contract wasn't limited to just her.

However, as he hadn't come across any top-tier infant spirit beasts or demon beasts, he hadn't used it lightly.

Moreover, fully matured demon beasts would resist and reject such a contract, making it impossible to establish.

Chu Ning's primary goal in attempting this contract with the Golden Thunder Falcon egg was to practice the Mysterious Life Technique.

This technique could be used between cultivators and spirit beasts that had a life contract.

Chu Ning had witnessed the incredible effects of this secret technique firsthand.

When Ling Xiaobai was on the brink of death, his cultivation of the Mysterious Life Technique had pulled her back from the jaws of death.

And when he himself had been severely injured by the Yin Demon Sect elder and was unconscious, it was Ling Xiaobai's cultivation of the Mysterious Life Technique that had awakened him.

Now, with the Golden Thunder Falcon egg's weak life force, Chu Ning wanted to test if the Mysterious Life Technique could save it.

Placing the egg in front of him, he channeled his spiritual power, performing intricate hand seals and reciting the cryptic incantation of the Mysterious Life Technique.

Immediately, strands of spiritual energy swiftly converged toward Chu Ning.

And on his body, a magical channel of spiritual power appeared, connecting him to the egg.

The spiritual energy transformed into a unique form of energy that flowed through this channel and poured into the Golden Thunder Falcon egg.

"Hmm?"

At that moment, Chu Ning's heart stirred.

This time, as he cultivated the Mysterious Life Technique, he felt something different from before.

He could clearly sense the energy flowing through the spiritual channel and into the Golden Thunder Falcon egg.

Vaguely, it seemed similar to the life force he had absorbed and refined from the Jade Bone.

At this moment, as Chu Ning prepared to execute the Mysterious Life Technique, he no longer gathered all the spiritual energy around him as he had done before.

Instead, he deliberately sought to capture the vital essence within the spiritual energy, akin to the essence of the Jade Bone.

After experimenting in this manner for a short while, Chu Ning's eyes lit up.

"It actually works!"

He wasn't sure if this was the original function of the Mysterious Life Technique or if it was because he had refined multiple Jade Bones, making him more adept at capturing this particular energy.

At this moment, the spiritual energy gathering around Chu Ning seemed to be imbued with a greater sense of vitality.

And the energy that was channeled into the Golden Thunder Falcon eggs was filled with a robust vitality.

After just a short while, Chu Ning clearly sensed that the vital essence within the eggs, which had previously been incredibly weak, was gradually growing stronger.

Although this strengthening was extremely slow, almost imperceptible, Chu Ning was still able to discern the change due to his use of the Mysterious Life Technique.

"Perhaps I can really bring these two little things back to life!"

Chu Ning's spirits lifted, and he immediately continued to channel the Mysterious Life Technique.

After sustaining this effort for a full three days, Chu Ning finally stopped.

Looking at the eggs before him, now imbued with vibrant life force and seemingly ready to hatch at any moment, a smile appeared on his face.

"They're alive!"

Chu Ning could clearly sense the burgeoning life within.

All that remained was to cast the hatching spell that Qi Guangshou had given him, and he would be able to fully hatch these Golden Thunder Falcons.

However, at this moment, Chu Ning didn't rush to do so.

Instead, he turned his attention to the other egg.

This egg had not been subjected to the Mysterious Life Technique during the past three days, but he had kept it by his side.

Surprisingly, after three days, the vital essence within this egg had also strengthened slightly.

A thoughtful look crossed Chu Ning's face.

"This egg has only been exposed to the spiritual energy around me for a few days, and it has shown such an effect.

If that's the case, then the vitality within my body must also be increasing."

No wonder Chu Ning felt that after three consecutive days of spellcasting, he not only felt no fatigue but also felt more energized.

With this realization, Chu Ning didn't hesitate. He immediately pricked his finger to sign a contract, and then proceeded to attempt to save this egg as well, following the same method he had used with the other one.

After another three days, Chu Ning had two vibrant eggs in front of him.

He held a jade slip in his hand, perusing the spirit beast hatching and nurturing techniques that Qi Guangshou had given him.

Half a day later, Chu Ning put away the jade slip.

"This doesn't seem particularly difficult."

As he spoke, Chu Ning's hands moved swiftly, forming intricate seals. Soon, a milky-white glob of light appeared in his palm.

However, Chu Ning didn't rush to hatch the Golden Thunder Falcon.

He spent several more days mastering the hatching technique completely.

On the morning of the final day, Chu Ning began the hatching process.

The milky-white light from his hand enveloped one of the eggs, and about two incense sticks' worth of time passed.

Chu Ning sensed that something within the egg was about to break through the shell.

He immediately retracted the spell.

He then gathered another glob of milky-white light and enveloped the other egg.

At the same time, he watched the first egg intently as cracks began to appear.

Soon, the egg shell completely shattered, and a tiny, adorable chick emerged.

Its feathers were golden-yellow, and its eyes sparkled with curiosity. But when it looked at Chu Ning, its eyes were filled with delight.

Chu Ning's face lit up with joy as well.

"Tier Two!"

This newly hatched Golden Thunder Falcon had already reached the level of a second-tier demon beast, comparable to an early Foundation Establishment cultivator.

"Is it because of the enhanced vitality brought about by the Mysterious Life Technique?"

Chu Ning was a little surprised.

After all, even Ling Xiaobai, with her extraordinary origins, had only been a first-tier demon beast when he first found her.

It seemed that this Golden Thunder Falcon had undergone a positive transformation due to Chu Ning's hatching process.

Chu Ning couldn't help but anticipate the hatching of the other Golden Thunder Falcon.

If it also turned out to be a second-tier demon beast, then it was highly likely that the previous use of the Mysterious Life Technique had endowed both creatures with robust vitality while they were still in their eggs.

After another two incense sticks' worth of time, the other egg, which had been enveloped in Chu Ning's spell, finally hatched.

"It's also a second-tier demon beast!"

Looking at the pair of tiny Golden Thunder Falcons, Chu Ning was overjoyed.

He never expected that he would gain a pair of second-tier demon beasts with the strength comparable to early Foundation Establishment cultivators.

With some effort in nurturing them, they might even become fifth-tier demon beasts, equivalent to the strength of early Golden Core cultivators.

Chu Ning then went to Lingyu Peak again, but this time he didn't look for Qi Guangshou. Instead, he directly sought out someone else to buy some low-level spirit insects.

He planned to use them to feed and nurture the two Golden Thunder Falcons for a while.

"When Little White advances in cultivation and discovers these two little partners, she'll probably be thrilled."

Chu Ning thought to himself as he settled the two Golden Thunder Falcons comfortably.

He then returned to his cultivation room, where a jade slip appeared in front of him—the second volume of the Nine Transformations Body Refining Technique that he had obtained from Jin Feng Fortress.

It had been over a month since he acquired the second volume of the Nine Transformations Body Refining Technique, and he had naturally already comprehended the cultivation methods within.

However, due to the previous circumstances at Honghu Lake, Chu Ning hadn't been able to cultivate properly, and he had only reviewed the contents of the jade slip mentally.

Now, Chu Ning officially began to cultivate the second volume of the Nine Transformations Body Refining Technique.

With the Immortal Golden Body already perfected and the presence of the Nine Transformations Spirit Body, Chu Ning faced no obstacles in cultivating the second volume.

【Nine Transformations Body Refining Technique, Second Volume, First Layer (1/45,000)】

【Refining God Technique, Fourth Layer (16,187/64,000)】

"Not bad progress, being able to increase proficiency by 1 point without relying on any external objects."

Chu Ning nodded in satisfaction after checking his proficiency.

However, when he saw the daunting number of 45,000 proficiency points required for the next layer, he couldn't help but shake his head.

With his improving cultivation realm, the required proficiency for each layer was now in the tens of thousands.

Even with his various talent bonuses, it would still take him years to max out a skill.

He wondered how the 45,000 proficiency points for the first layer of the Nine Transformations Body Refining Technique, Second Volume, were distributed.

After all, each layer consisted of three transformations, according to the manual.

As per the text, cultivating each transformation would increase one's lifespan by ten percent.

Based on his past experience, it was unlikely that these proficiency points would be evenly distributed.

However, as he had only recently started cultivating the second volume, Chu Ning couldn't discern the exact distribution yet.

Back at the sect's cave abode, Chu Ning's daily routine became more structured.

Besides visiting the Pill Refining Pavilion and the Artifact Forging Pavilion from time to time, he spent most of his days in seclusion within his cave abode.

Occasionally, he would craft talismans, cultivate spirit plants, or feed the two Golden Thunder Falcons.

The rest of his time was dedicated to cultivation.

The progress of his Yuan Fire Divine Wood Technique, Nine Transformations Body Refining Technique, and Refining God Technique finally returned to normal.

However, Chu Ning no longer relied solely on pills as he had in the past.

In fact, his various talents had become extremely potent, and his cultivation speed far surpassed that of ordinary cultivators.

It had only taken him a few years to reach the late Qi Refining Realm, and he didn't want to rush his cultivation and risk leaving hidden dangers in his foundation.

Of course, from time to time, he would still refine a few batches of pills to aid his cultivation.

Half a year passed in the blink of an eye.

One day, as Chu Ning was cultivating in his room, he sensed something.

"Ah, Little White has succeeded in advancing!"

With the life contract connecting them, Chu Ning could clearly sense Little White's condition, especially since they were so close by.

In a flash, he appeared outside the spirit beast room where Little White was located.

"Cheep!"

As expected, the next moment, Little White transformed into a beam of white light and appeared on his shoulder.

She then rubbed her head affectionately against Chu Ning's head.

Feeling the late Qi Refining Realm aura of a fourth-tier demon beast emanating from Little White, Chu Ning smiled and said, "Little guy, you've finally woken up. You've been asleep for quite a long time during your advancement. It's been almost eight months!"

"Cheep!"

Little White chirped and then transmitted her thoughts, "Food!"

"Look at you, all hungry," Chu Ning teased as he took out several spirit fruits from his storage bag and tossed them to Little White.

Little White's eyes lit up at the sight of the ice-attribute spirit fruits, and she gobbled them down.

The next moment, she started chirping pitifully again.

Chu Ning brought her to the spirit plant garden and said, "Come on, help me with these new spirit plants. They've been growing for half a year, and I don't know when they'll bear fruit. Don't be lazy, and I'll introduce you to two fun little partners later."

The spirit plants in question were the Purple Phoenix Cedars.

After half a year of cultivation, aided by Chu Ning's Mysterious Spring of Youth Technique, they had grown to about five feet tall, and their leaves were starting to show hints of purple among the green.

However, Chu Ning hadn't forgotten about Little White's extraordinary ability, and he wanted these cedars to bear fruit.

So, he immediately brought her over to help.

Chu Ning then whistled softly.

In response, two golden shadows flashed through the air and landed in front of him.

Little White's attention was immediately drawn to the two Golden Thunder Falcons.

In the past six months, the two falcons had also undergone noticeable changes.

They were now the size of ordinary eagles, their eyes sharp as blades, and their black and gold claws gleamed with a chilling light.

On their foreheads and at the tips of their claws, there were golden lightning marks.

As Little White stared at the falcons, Chu Ning introduced them, "These are the two new spirit beasts I've been cultivating. They're Golden Thunder Falcons, and their names are Big Gold and Little Gold."

Before Chu Ning could finish, Little White chirped a few times at the falcons.

Then, to his surprise, Big Gold flew over and landed next to Little White.

Without hesitation, Little White jumped onto Big Gold's back.

The falcon took off into the sky with Little White on its back!

Chu Ning couldn't help but smile at the sight.

He hadn't even ridden the falcon himself yet, but Little White had claimed it as her mount.

He wondered if it was because they had both signed a life contract with him or if it was due to Little White's higher cultivation realm.

After circling the sky once, Big Gold returned with Little White on his back.

The three spirit beasts seemed to be having a lot of fun together.

As for Chu Ning, Little White's advancement and emergence from seclusion didn't bring about any changes to his daily cultivation routine.

He continued to lead a reclusive life, diligently cultivating without rest.

Time flew by, and fifteen years passed in what felt like the blink of an eye.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end