Chapter Four: The Legend of the Eternal Spring Arts – Qi Refining Volume

Chapter 4: The Legend of the Changchun Technique – Qi Refining Volume

Lin Feng sat upright on the meditation cushion, holding a mid-grade spiritual stone in his palm, palm facing upward, tongue pressed against the roof of his mouth, and began to immerse himself in cultivating the Qi Refining volume of the Changchun Technique. Following the method’s incantations, he regulated his breathing, relaxed his body and mind, and sought to sense the surrounding spiritual energy.

At first, he felt only confusion; the spiritual energy around seemed ethereal and elusive, difficult to grasp. Yet Lin Feng did not give up. He continuously adjusted his state, earnestly trying to perceive the subtle fluctuations of the spiritual energy.

As time slowly passed, Lin Feng’s focus deepened. His mind became like a serene lake, undisturbed by any ripple. The environment around him seemed to merge with his own being, allowing him to clearly sense every slight change. In this tranquil atmosphere, he persisted in sensing the spiritual energy.

With increasing mastery of the technique, the five elemental spiritual energies—metal, wood, water, fire, and earth—rushed toward Lin Feng, with the wood attribute being the most vibrant. Soon, a dazzling vortex of multicolored spiritual energy formed around him, endlessly pouring into his body. One minor cycle, two minor cycles... Upon completing six minor cycles...

“Dong...” Lin Feng felt the Baihui acupoint atop his head open, spiritual energy flooding in, flowing through his limbs and bones, bringing immense comfort. “Dong...” The Yintang acupoint between his brows cleared, followed by the Qingming, Zan Zhu, and other major acupoints on his head. Instantly, he felt refreshed and utterly at ease.

After breaking through the second level of Qi Refining, the mid-grade spiritual stone in his hand was already depleted. Not daring to slack off, Lin Feng took out two more mid-grade spiritual stones, gripping them tightly. Since there was no bottleneck in the Qi Refining stage, Lin Feng could aggressively advance without restraint.

At this moment, Lin Feng’s heart brimmed with a thirst for power. He knew well that in this challenging cultivation world, only by constantly enhancing one’s strength could one survive amid lurking dangers. Clutching the spiritual stones, he felt as if grasping a lifeline of hope.

As the major acupoints of the upper limbs—Qu Chi, Nei Guan, He Gu, and Lao Gong—were breached, more spiritual energy surged from upper to lower limb acupoints like a battering ram. After the lower limb acupoints Zu San Li, San Yin Jiao, Yong Quan, and Tai Chong were successively opened, energy finally rushed into twenty-four major acupoints on the torso. During this process, Lin Feng exhausted a hundred mid-grade spiritual stones—equivalent to ten thousand lower-grade stones. By now, he had completed a full minor cycle and broken through thirty-six major acupoints, reaching the third level of Qi Refining. Moreover, he absorbed all five elemental spiritual energies simultaneously, granting him five times the spiritual energy reserves of an ordinary cultivator. At this stage, Lin Feng could travel a thousand miles a day without fatigue.

Such an astonishing technique both delighted and frightened Lin Feng. He naturally understood the peril of bearing such a treasure before he had grown strong; he must not reveal it prematurely.

This entire process had taken only a quarter of an hour. Upon reaching the third level of Qi Refining, one could begin practicing some low-level offensive spells.

1. Changchun Healing Technique
A basic healing spell. The caster condenses the spiritual power of the Changchun Technique into their hands, then touches the injured body to accelerate wound healing and restore some stamina and spiritual energy. It is quite effective for minor external and internal injuries.

At this moment, a wave of comfort surged through Lin Feng’s heart. He understood that in this perilous world, possessing such a healing spell was an invaluable safeguard for himself and those around him.

2. Changchun Shield Technique
Forms a faint green shield of spiritual power around the body. This shield provides a certain degree of defense, able to block low-level spells and physical attacks. Its strength varies with the caster’s spiritual power and cultivation level.

For example, when Lin Feng was suddenly attacked by other cultivators, he swiftly enacted the Changchun Shield Technique, repelling the assault. He realized that in future battles, this shield would be a vital defensive tool.

3. Changchun Spirit Rain Technique
The caster summons a shower of spiritual rain infused with the power of the Changchun Technique. This rain falls like a fine bead curtain from the sky. Each drop contains pure spiritual power that nourishes all living things, restoring vitality. When it lands on the earth, flowers and trees seem rejuvenated, their colors more vivid. For cultivators, the Spirit Rain also helps restore spiritual energy, relieve fatigue, and can even accelerate cultivation to some extent.

4. Changchun Binding Technique
Summons green vines from the ground to entangle the enemy’s body, restricting their movement. The vines are resilient, making it difficult for low-level foes to break free.

5. Changchun Insight Technique
Temporarily enhances the caster’s perception, enabling them to detect hidden auras and dangers within a certain range. Extremely useful when exploring unfamiliar environments.

These were the innate spells of the Changchun Technique. Lin Feng spent half a day practicing all five spells in one go. Throughout the training, he focused intently, striving to comprehend the mysteries of each skill. He continuously adjusted his state, integrating his spiritual power with the techniques until he gradually mastered these formidable abilities.

Midway, after receiving a spiritual food portion delivered by Jiang Yan from the front desk, Lin Feng consumed it and immediately resumed his cultivation—time was of the essence. He deeply understood the preciousness of time in this challenging cultivation world, where every moment might decide one’s fate. He dared not relax for a second and seized every opportunity to strengthen himself.

Lin Feng sat cross-legged on the cushion, eyes closed, fully operating the Changchun Technique. He continuously absorbed the spiritual energy from the stones into his body, then guided it along his meridians. As the influx of spiritual energy intensified, his body began to transform, and his aura grew ever stronger. The surrounding spiritual energy seemed attracted, converging to form a massive vortex around him. Immersed in cultivation, Lin Feng felt a perfect fusion between his body and the spiritual energy.

Throughout this process, Lin Feng persistently adjusted his state, seeking to grasp the essence of the Changchun Technique. He discovered that the Qi Refining volume contained a potent life force, capable of helping cultivators break through realms and reach higher levels. He began attempting to mobilize this life force, merging it with his own spiritual energy. Concentrating deeply, he sensed the life force flowing within him. After some effort, he successfully summoned the life force, instantly amplifying his spiritual power like a surging tide coursing through his meridians.

After breaking through 108 acupoints on his body, Lin Feng began challenging the bottleneck of Qi Refining perfection. With the life force’s aid, the bottleneck gradually loosened, and his realm started to rise steadily. The powerful spiritual energy battered the bottleneck within him; each strike sent a sharp vibration through his body. Gritting his teeth, Lin Feng persevered, constantly adjusting his state and guiding the spiritual energy to assault the barrier. With a tremendous roar, a strong aura burst from his body. He had successfully broken through the perfect Qi Refining stage, becoming a far stronger cultivator.

Opening his eyes, Lin Feng felt the immense spiritual power within him, his heart swelling with joy and pride. He knew his efforts had not been in vain; he had taken an important step forward.

After this breakthrough, Lin Feng remained composed. He knew that though his power had increased, the cultivation world’s path was still long. He decided to visit the Yibao Pavilion Market to seek more opportunities and challenges, laying a firmer foundation for his future. He stood up, tidied his clothes, his gaze resolute and full of expectation. With determined steps, he headed toward the Yibao Pavilion Market.

A single night of cultivation had transformed him from a cultivator with a widely recognized useless Five Elements Spiritual Root into one who had achieved perfection in Qi Refining—a feat that amazed all. This was the wonder of a Heavenly-level technique. Throughout the night, Lin Feng faced countless challenges and hardships, yet he never gave up. Relying on his willpower and determination, he continuously broke through himself, ultimately achieving a qualitative leap.

Of course, the Qi Refining stage posed no bottlenecks as long as sufficient resources were available. Lin Feng had spent a full thousand mid-grade spiritual stones—equivalent to one hundred thousand lower-grade stones—comparable to the annual income of an ordinary cultivation family in Qingyuan Town. This underscored the scarcity of cultivation resources. Lin Feng was keenly aware of their importance and understood that he must constantly seek more resources to continue improving.

It was now early morning. Lin Feng appeared younger and more radiant than the previous night; his skin glowed, his eyes deep and restrained, emitting a deeply comfortable aura. Sunlight bathed him, as if draping him in a golden radiance. Standing quietly, he savored the morning’s peace and beauty, his heart filled with hope for the future.

Having perfected Qi Refining, the next stage was Foundation Establishment. Although the Changchun Technique was extraordinary and could theoretically allow him to leap straight into Foundation Establishment, the technique emphasized that this stage represented a cultivator’s complete break from mortal shackles, marking the true beginning of a cultivator’s path, defying heaven and fate. Therefore, laying a solid foundation and achieving a flawless foundation establishment was essential to advance further.

Lin Feng deeply understood the importance of a perfect foundation establishment. At this critical juncture, he must not be impatient. He calmed his mind and contemplated his next move. On one hand, he needed to temper his character and consolidate his cultivation, stabilizing his mindset and preparing fully for Foundation Establishment. On the other, he required the Foundation Establishment Pill and the Barrier-Breaking Pill—two vital elixirs essential to ensure safety during the process.

Recalling the jade tube sent by Jiang Yan at the Yibao Inn’s front desk yesterday, Lin Feng had gained a rough understanding of the Yibao Pavilion Market, where cultivation techniques, talismans, formations, and medicines were bought and sold. Moreover, an auction was scheduled for today. He wished to explore it, hoping to find something desirable. Also, now that his cultivation had reached Qi Refining perfection and could be easily detected, he wanted to purchase a technique to conceal his aura; otherwise, when Li Xiaoxia and the others returned, he would have difficulty explaining his astonishing progress.

Lin Feng picked up another jade tube and instructed Jiang Yan to send a set of black robes and a bamboo hat.

“Understood, Daoist Lin. They will be delivered in half an hour for one lower-grade spiritual stone,” came Jiang Yan’s prompt reply. Lin Feng marveled at the wonders of this world, finding these jade tubes even more useful than Earth’s mobile phones. He imagined how such magical communication tools would greatly convenience people’s lives on Earth, but he knew clearly that this was the cultivation world, vastly different from Earth.

Half an hour later, a knock came at his bedroom door. Lin Feng knew it was the delivery. His heart fluttered with anticipation, curious about the black robes and bamboo hat. He slowly walked to the door, took a deep breath, and gently opened it.

Standing there was a young maid dressed in light clothing, holding the black cloak and bamboo hat. Her eyes showed a mixture of reverence and curiosity as she regarded Lin Feng, the mysterious cultivator.

Softly, she said, “Honored guest, these are the items arranged by Manager Jiang for you.” Her voice was clear and melodious, like a mountain spring flowing.

Lin Feng took the items with both hands and handed her a lower-grade spiritual stone. Looking at the maid, a wave of gratitude warmed his heart.

“Please thank your manager for me.” Then he closed the door and prepared to change clothes. He knew that these black robes and bamboo hat would serve as a disguise in the cultivation world, helping him better conceal his power and identity.

The maid accepted the spiritual stone, inwardly sighing, “This immortal appears so young and pleasant to look at.” A blush rose on her cheeks, her heart beating faster. She hurried away, but Lin Feng’s image lingered in her mind. She understood she was just an ordinary maid, yet at that moment, she felt a rare and beautiful sensation.