Chapter 30
C30 – Cultivation Imprint!
Peng Gengkun confided in Wei Pengxing about his intention to challenge Wei Mingzhi. Perhaps due to Wei Pengxing’s timidity, or Wei Mingzhi’s indifference to such a challenge, Peng Gengkun had yet to receive a response after several days.
Nonetheless, Peng Gengkun was unconcerned with Wei Mingzhi’s reply, as he was preoccupied with a matter of greater significance. Following his victory over Yan Xinheng, Elder Chang Jipeng of the Inner Sect had sent his disciple, Ma Liangqiu, to deliver a gift to Peng Gengkun.
Initially, Peng Gengkun suspected it might be a Spirit Stone or some other trinket. However, upon seeing the gift firsthand, he couldn’t help but acknowledge the magnitude of Chang Jipeng’s generosity. It was a fragment of Chang Jipeng’s own cultivated power, a treasure far surpassing the value of any Spirit Stone. Once activated, this gift would enable Peng Gengkun to amplify his strength tenfold in a short span.
This newfound power was the true catalyst for Peng Gengkun’s boldness in challenging Wei Mingzhi. Despite Wei Mingzhi’s lowly rank among the Inner Sect disciples, Peng Gengkun would have issued the challenge even if Wei Mingzhi had been a hundred ranks higher, such was the potency of Chang Jipeng’s gift.
“Chang Jipeng has partitioned a segment of his cultivation base, a sacrifice that will weaken him temporarily,” Peng Gengkun mused. “Yet, his swift rise to Martial Disciple status with the aid of Shadow Soul Grass is a testament to his exceptional abilities. Dividing his cultivation base is a calculated trade-off to save time.”
With a plan forming in his mind, Peng Gengkun resolved to reciprocate the favor. “A gift given is a gift returned. The Shadow Soul Grass, while valuable, is merely residue left by the baby Leviathan and holds little significance for me. Now, Chang Jipeng has offered a piece of his cultivation base as compensation. When I ascend to Inner Sect disciple, I shall pledge myself to his tutelage.”
With determination, Peng Gengkun set out to master control over Chang Jipeng’s bestowed mark. Yet, as he commenced the endeavor, he noticed a curious change—the cultivation mark, once the size of half a brick, had diminished.
Despite being imperceptible to the average person, Peng Gengkun sensed with crystal clarity that it was shrinking.
“Why is it getting smaller? You’re behind this, aren’t you?”
Staring into his Qi Sea, Peng Gengkun felt an overwhelming urge to cry, yet no tears would come.
Inside Peng Gengkun’s Qi Sea, the baby Leviathan continued to greedily consume the cultivation mark.
“All you do is eat! Devouring so much, you’re bound to evolve. If Wei Mingzhi has an ace up his sleeve, I’m doomed without this cultivation mark!”
Peng Gengkun was inwardly fuming when he suddenly noticed the weight in his hand vanish. The cultivation mark had simply disappeared.
Peng Gengkun was utterly disheartened.
“Last time, after you ate the Flying Shadow Grass, there was a bit left. This time, you’ve completely finished it off!”
Peng Gengkun was so exasperated he was at a loss for words.
His confidence in challenging Wei Mingzhi hinged on that cultivation mark. Wei Mingzhi was an Inner Sect disciple, likely to have hidden strengths. If he played his trump card, Peng Gengkun had no assurance of victory.
The baby Leviathan’s routine was simple: sleep or voraciously eat anything in sight.
What left Peng Gengkun dumbfounded was when he expected the baby Leviathan to regurgitate something valuable, it merely stretched in a yawn.
And then, it fell asleep.
Peng Gengkun was seething with anger.
“Enough. There’s good fortune in loss! I refuse to believe you won’t give anything back!”
With that thought, Peng Gengkun took out a Spirit Stone and began to channel the Leviathan-roc System to absorb the Spiritual Energy.
The Leviathan-roc System could spawn the baby Leviathan, yet Peng Gengkun was aware that the baby Leviathan was not the system itself. It was related, but distinct.
For cultivation, Peng Gengkun had to depend on the system.
“I had no intention of advancing to the Soul Refining Stage so soon! I’ve heard that the power of the Martial Soul formed at the Soul Refining Stage is crucial for future progress! But now, I’m left with no choice. I must accelerate my breakthrough to the Soul Refining Stage, only then can I hope to defeat Wei Mingzhi.”
Peng Gengkun was deep in thought as he steadily consumed the Spirit Stone.
In the realm of Martial Arts, the fourth level is known as Power Refining, Qi Refining, Soul Refining, and Intent Refining.
Power Refining lays the groundwork, Qi Refining marks progression, but Soul Refining truly establishes a Martial Warrior’s foundation!
Peng Gengkun recalled that Martial Warriors would manifest their Martial Soul upon reaching the Soul Refining Stage, influenced by their cultivation techniques, life experiences, and mental state, among other factors. Martial Souls varied greatly in type and strength.
For a Martial Warrior, their Martial Soul was indispensable to their cultivation journey!
Take the Martial Disciple Stage, for instance, where one must condense a Soul Embryo to wield the elemental powers of Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind. Without a potent Martial Soul, forming a Soul Embryo becomes a formidable challenge. Even with a formidable Martial Soul, one might still need Heavenly Treasures to harness the elemental forces. Inner Sect Elder Chang Jipeng was a prime example of this.
“I’ve only recently entered the Qi Refining Stage and haven’t had many experiences or fortunate encounters. If I were to condense my Martial Soul now, I’d likely only manage to produce the lowest tier, akin to the Martial Soul of a common soldier or mere dust. Aspiring to forge a more formidable Martial Soul seems out of reach!” Peng Gengkun mused, letting out an involuntary sigh.
Despite feeling somewhat resigned, he knew he had no other options. If Chang Jipeng’s cultivation imprint were still present, there would be no need for him to strive for a breakthrough. His cultivation imprint alone would suffice to overpower Wei Mingzhi. But with the baby Leviathan having consumed it, his only recourse was to attempt condensing his Martial Soul to advance to the Soul Refining Stage.
Amidst Peng Gengkun’s internal struggle, he felt a tremor within his Qi Sea.
His Qi Sea had been destroyed long ago, now serving as a sanctuary for the baby Leviathan. Thus, any quiver in the Qi Sea was a direct result of the baby Leviathan’s movements.
Peng Gengkun watched in astonishment as the baby Leviathan trembled, subsequently expelling a dark, murky substance.
A few involuntary twitches appeared at the corner of Peng Gengkun’s eyes.
“You dare to defile my Qi Sea? Leave now! I have no use for a faulty system like you!”
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