Chapter 39: Heart Method

Chapter 39: Heart Method

Finally, the Celestial Cycle Qi Harvesting Technique reached level 10, and Zhang Yu planned to switch the Feather Codex’s specialization, choosing another cultivation technique to upgrade next.

After deciding not to sign a contract with the Student Council and aiming to break through and enroll in one of the Ten Great Sects, Zhang Yu had also come to some realizations.

Firstly, without the Student Council’s investment, the resources at his disposal would inevitably be more limited.

Secondly, to enroll in one of the Ten Great Sects, the pressure he would face in the future would only be much greater than what he currently experiences.

With fewer resources but heavier pressure, Zhang Yu needed to be meticulous in how he allocated and utilized his resources, striving to develop faster and better within the same amount of time.

To achieve this, he had to make the most of his strengths—absolute self-discipline and remarkable potential.

In simpler terms, he needed to practice stronger and more challenging cultivation techniques.

For Zhang Yu, the owner of the Feather Codex, the stronger the technique he practiced, the better the results.

It was like one Zhang Yu diligently practicing the Great Wasteland Heaven-Trapping Finger, while another Zhang Yu practiced the Basic Long Palm. Just from the names, it was clear which one had more potential.

Zhang Yu thought to himself, "…But this isn’t something that can be done casually."

The more powerful the cultivation technique, the higher the threshold.

It’s like how dog paddling can be learned by any dog, but water ballet isn’t something everyone can master.

Among the Expert-level techniques, such as the Heavenly Martial Cultivation Formula in his possession, he had yet to meet the level 3 Dao Heart requirement.

So, to cultivate a powerful technique, the primary condition was to meet as many of these thresholds as possible.

Zhang Yu’s gaze swept over the phone screen, looking at the requirements for various powerful techniques…

"Dao Heart! Mana!"

Just as high school teachers often say, Dao Heart and Mana are the foundation of the Xian Dao.

The Dao Heart level represents a cultivator’s control and capacity for the power of the Xian Dao.

Mana is the fundamental force that drives various cultivation techniques.

The thresholds for most powerful techniques often revolve around Dao Heart and Mana.

Therefore, to cultivate a powerful technique, one must have a sufficiently high Dao Heart and Mana.

"In terms of Mana, I already have the level 10 Celestial Cycle Qi Harvesting Technique, which constantly refines Mana through Spiritual Respiration and Spiritual Current."

"On the other hand, my Dao Heart level has been neglected for some time."

Zhang Yu checked his savings. After the latest rent, utilities, and other miscellaneous expenses, he had about 62,000 yuan left.

Even if he used all this money to boost his Mana, it would only rent a Spirit Root for a few hours, similar to an all-nighter at an internet cafe, and the improvement would be minimal.

After much contemplation, Zhang Yu decided that he should purchase a stronger heart method to quickly raise his Dao Heart to level 3, then switch to the Heavenly Martial Cultivation Formula to further accelerate his Dao Heart development.

After all, the Dao Heart level in the Foundation Cultivation Stage ranges from 1 to 10, similar to Mana ranging from 1 to 100.

To raise the Dao Heart level to 3 would take a considerable amount of time. If he could find a heart method stronger and more suited to him than the Basic Mind Tempering, it would save him a lot of time.

Once both his Dao Heart and Mana levels were raised, he could then cultivate a more powerful technique, which would be a faster and more cost-effective route.

Zhang Yu had already done a lot of research on what heart method to buy over the past few days.

Foundation Grade, Advanced Grade, Expert Grade…

Among the heart methods he could afford, Foundation Grade was the cheapest but offered little improvement for him.

Expert Grade techniques were powerful, but they were expensive and had high cultivation thresholds, making them unsuitable for his current situation.

On the other hand, Advanced Grade techniques, while often considered redundant for high school freshmen, were just right for Zhang Yu.

In terms of effectiveness, high school was the time to lay the foundation, and the several basic techniques promoted by high schools were developed by the Ten Grand Sects, making them the most balanced and effective for foundational cultivation.

Learning an additional Advanced Grade heart method would be more labor-intensive and time-consuming than focusing on a basic technique.

Even wealthy students often focus on the basics in their first year, waiting until their second year to pursue various expensive techniques.

This is one reason why the academic performance gap between the rich and the poor in Songyang High School often widens in the second year, and why poor geniuses often start to fall behind.

In terms of cost, while Advanced Grade techniques were much cheaper than Expert Grade techniques, the subsequent expenses were still significant.

After all, self-studying a technique is very difficult. Most people need a teacher to guide them, and the cost of private tutoring can quickly add up.

A single Advanced Grade technique might cost only a few hundred to a few thousand, but the cost of lessons, guidance, and tutoring can easily reach tens of thousands.

This reminded Zhang Yu of some games from his previous life, where the main game was free, but in-game items and characters could cost thousands.

But these two points were actually suitable for Zhang Yu.

Tutoring? Not needed.

I, Zhang Yu, can rely solely on my own talent to master divine techniques.

Opening the favorites section on a shopping website, Zhang Yu looked at a heart method he had selected.

An Advanced Grade technique, the Wild Ox Soul-Steadying Heart Sutra.

Just from the name, it seemed to be a powerful and awe-inspiring heart method, full of might and vigor.

However, upon closer inspection, the Wild Ox Soul-Steadying Heart Sutra required a mindset of diligent and tireless effort, akin to an ox toiling in the fields, working hard and enduring hardship.

More importantly, the most potent state of this heart method required another person to constantly pressure and suppress the cultivator, giving them tasks and pushing them to their limits, such as a leader or a boss.

The more orders and pressure, the longer the working hours, the stronger the effect of the Wild Ox Soul-Steadying Heart Sutra.

The Wild Ox Soul-Steadying Heart Sutra had been selected as the best construction site heart method for ten consecutive years and was the heart method most favored by bosses.

It was also a heart method with a user rating consistently below 1.2.

Zhang Yu looked at the user reviews.

One Star

Required by the company, truly practical.

One Star

Five-star reviews given over installments.

One Star

Today, I was once again hung up on by that idiot boss.

With a quick glance, Zhang Yu felt a strong wave of resentment wash over him. Clearly, most of the cultivators of this Ox-Heart Method were forced into it, and they all looked like they perfectly met the method's requirements.

Zhang Yu then looked at the specific cultivation requirements for the technique.

Recommended Configuration:

1. Forced to work over 18 hours a day

Zhang Yu thought about it; he was being forced to work 24 hours a day by the Contractual Ritual's power, so he met this requirement.

He then looked at the next one.

2. Coercive methods, at least verbal oppression, and preferably with the threat of salary cuts. The harsher the oppression, the better the effect.

Zhang Yu thought about it; he was currently being threatened with death, so he met this requirement as well.

"This Ox-Heart Method really suits my current situation, and the price is..."

Zhang Yu looked at the Wild Ox Soul-Steadying Heart Sutra. The cost for the right to use it was only 588 yuan.

This was one of the cheapest Advanced-grade techniques he had seen.

However, to start cultivating, one needed a 'boss' to cooperate, so the platform also offered a daily 1000 yuan guidance service.

After all, many jobs required this technique, but many people had to find a job and a boss first to cultivate it.

To solve this job-seeking dilemma, the platform specially offered a paid guidance service.

Fk, paying to hire a boss for myself.

Zhang Yu cursed inwardly, knowing that he didn't need this service. He was already being forced 24/7.

The Wild Ox Soul-Steadying Heart Sutra, in terms of its effects, price, and configuration, was perfectly suited to Zhang Yu's current state.

588 yuan wasn't a big loss, even if he found that his mindset couldn't adapt to it.

The only thing that bothered Zhang Yu was the essence of this technique.

But he wasn't the same Zhang Yu who had just crossed over. Faced with the harsh environment of Kunxu and the constant pressure from the Contractual Ritual's power, he had learned to adjust his mindset and thoughts to adapt to the environment.

Zhang Yu took a deep breath and thought, "Ox-Heart Method it is, then. The situation forces one to be strong."

"Play it safe when you need to. I'll just be an ox for a while."

"With my potential, even if I silently accumulate strength as an ox, there will come a day when I can punch a hole in the sky."

Zhang Yu knew that cultivating the Ox-Heart Method wasn't about willingly being an ox, but about temporarily accumulating strength for a better future.

He placed the order, paid, and received the electronic version of the technique.

After reading through it carefully, a new technique appeared on the Feather Codex.

Wild Ox Soul-Steadying Heart Sutra 0 (0/1, 1/1 Dao Heart)

Zhang Yu sat cross-legged and began to cultivate this technique.

He cleared his mind, trying to keep his spirit calm, and started to construct the mental image of the technique in his mind.

It was a picture of an old ox lowering its head, quietly plowing the land.

But after a while, Zhang Yu felt something was off.

Suddenly, he remembered something and quickly stopped cultivating, sitting there in a daze.

A moment later, a chill rose in his heart, and the countdown echoed in his mind.

This time, when Zhang Yu resumed cultivating the Wild Ox Soul-Steadying Heart Sutra, he immediately felt it was right.

A few minutes later, the image of the old ox quietly plowing the land was clearly formed in his mind.

At that moment, he seemed to transform into a diligent ox, and the discontent in his heart dissipated.

As he completed the mental image, many memories of practicing the Wild Ox Soul-Steadying Heart Sutra appeared in his mind, allowing him to instantly grasp the technique.

Wild Ox Soul-Steadying Heart Sutra Level 1 (0/3)

"Just three more practices, and I can level up?"

Zhang Yu didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Is it because this technique is so well-suited to my current state?"

He waited a moment, and when the countdown in his mind sounded again, Zhang Yu resumed practicing the Wild Ox Soul-Steadying Heart Sutra, focusing on the mental image of the old ox plowing the land.

After practicing three more times, about ten minutes later, Zhang Yu felt a surge in his spirit. His understanding of the Wild Ox Soul-Steadying Heart Sutra deepened, and the mental image in his mind became clearer and more vivid.

Wild Ox Soul-Steadying Heart Sutra Level 2 (0/6)

Especially after reaching Level 2, he felt that cultivation wasn't as tedious or unbearable as before.

"This must be the effect of the Wild Ox Soul-Steadying Heart Sutra. It makes one less afraid of hardship and more willing to work hard."

When Zhang Yu stopped cultivating, the fatigue, boredom, and laziness returned to his mind.

After a moment, when the Contractual Ritual's power descended, Zhang Yu resumed the Wild Ox Soul-Steadying Heart Sutra. The restless and evasive thoughts in his mind were instantly swept away, and he began to cultivate with focus.

"This technique... isn't as bad as I thought."

He suddenly remembered a line from the introduction of the technique, spoken by its founder, who called himself the Great Sage of the Wasteland Ox.

"May all people face hardships with less mental suffering and more hope."

A thought suddenly arose in his mind: "Perhaps the creator of this technique didn't intend it to be a method for being an ox."

Half an hour passed, and Zhang Yu took a deep breath, feeling a tremor in his mind. His Wild Ox Soul-Steadying Heart Sutra had reached Level 3 (0/9).

After cultivating for a bit longer, he felt that both his mana and physical strength were more controllable and tangible.

"My Dao Heart level has reached Level 2."

Although Zhang Yu had already felt that his Dao Heart level was about to upgrade, he couldn't help but marvel at the rapid progress he made after cultivating the Wild Ox Soul-Steadying Heart Sutra.

This technique indeed suited his current state perfectly.

"Then I'll continue being an ox. As long as the pay is good, being an ox isn't so bad."

Thus, Zhang Yu immersed himself in the cultivation of the Wild Ox Soul-Steadying Heart Sutra. As he practiced, he increasingly felt that cultivation wasn't tedious or laborious. Instead, a sense of satisfaction from accumulating strength welled up in his heart.

It was like a diligent ox plowing the land, feeling a sense of accomplishment as the fertile soil beneath its hooves grew.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end