Chapter 739: Difference in Cultivation Methods

One month later.

A soft sigh echoed in the cave dwelling as Qin Sang awoke from meditation, gazing at his Dantian with delight. Hard work truly paid off. After a month of quiet cultivation, his spiritual power had finally stabilized, allowing him to proceed to the next stage of his practice.

At this thought, Qin Sang's expression immediately turned solemn. The time had come to verify if Senior Qingzhu's self-created cultivation method was viable.

He did not rush into meditation. Instead, he made extensive preparations, then summoned his two spirit insects. The Heavenly Eye Butterfly's form differed significantly from before, while the Stout Silkworm was still asleep in its cocoon. After absorbing the lightning on Red Leaf Island, the Heavenly Eye Butterfly had slept for a full five years before waking. Many spirit insects do not sleep for such a long period during their fourth transformation.

Upon awakening, the Heavenly Eye Butterfly lived up to expectations, gaining control over lightning. Its form had also changed, particularly its wings, where lightning seemed to constantly course within. When it flapped its wings, electric arcs flashed, and its two large Heavenly Eye patterns became even more dazzling and striking, appearing almost three-dimensional! It was as if it had transformed into a Heavenly Eye Lightning Butterfly!

However, the newly acquired lightning control ability was not as powerful as its inherent divine ability. Spirit insects typically possess a single divine ability whose power usually surpasses their own cultivation level. Some rare, extraordinary insects can even transcend an entire cultivation stage. For instance, the Heavenly Eye Butterfly's concealment ability was so potent that even Core Formation cultivators could not see through it.

The Heavenly Eye Butterfly could command lightning attacks and employ lightning evasion. While both the destructive power of the lightning and the speed of the evasion were considerable, they did not surpass its current cultivation level. These abilities merely enhanced the Heavenly Eye Butterfly's combat prowess. Its cultivation was now at the late stage of its second transformation. Previously, when facing cultivators at the late stage of Foundation Establishment, its only option was to flee. Now, it possessed the strength to contend.

This also greatly pleased Qin Sang. With the Heavenly Eye Butterfly now capable of self-preservation, he would no longer need to be so cautious when releasing it in the future. Furthermore, Qin Sang had great confidence in the Heavenly Eye Butterfly's future. The divine ability of lightning control was extremely rare, even among cultivators. Only large sects with profound foundations might possess such a legacy. Lightning was the world's most potent and unyielding force, and countless people yearned for it.

Qin Sang also recalled the Three Calamities Soul Devouring Array he encountered years ago when he stole the Nine Illusion Heavenly Orchid from the restricted area of the Yuanzhao Sect. This array mimicked the tribulation of forming a Nascent Soul. It was said that the Heavenly Tribulation during Nascent Soul formation included not only lightning but also fire and wind, making for three terrifying calamities whose power was immense. Countless cultivators perished under these tribulations. As his life-bound spirit insect, the Heavenly Eye Butterfly could help him overcome tribulations. With its lightning control ability, it would undoubtedly be of significant assistance.

Of course, it was too early to consider such matters. He hadn't even achieved Nascent Soul formation yet, let alone thought about transcending tribulations. Qin Sang chuckled self-deprecatingly.

The only unwelcome news was that after five years of slumber, the Heavenly Eye Butterfly's cultivation had not improved in the slightest. The white mist and lightning it had absorbed seemed to have been entirely consumed during its mutation. Originally, the Heavenly Eye Butterfly had a chance to break through to its third transformation before the Seven Kills Hall opened. However, because the mutation consumed so much time, it would be almost impossible for it to reach the peak of its second transformation and break through to the third within the remaining five years. This time, entering the Seven Kills Hall, he likely wouldn't be able to rely on the Heavenly Eye Butterfly's power. Perhaps this was a case of gaining some things while losing others.

Qin Sang fed the Heavenly Eye Butterfly some elixirs, then turned his gaze to the Stout Silkworm. The Stout Silkworm's transformation this time was surprisingly smooth. Qin Sang had merely tentatively fed it three drops of Crimson Fire Gilt, and the silkworm immediately began spinning its cocoon and entering transformation. Qin Sang estimated this might be due to having fed it demonic beast inner cores from the middle of its second transformation. Over the years, it had continuously absorbed several, and throughout its entire second transformation period, the worst items the Stout Silkworm had consumed were inner cores of peak demonic beasts at the Demonic Spirit stage. Other spirit insects did not have such good fortune.

The Stout Silkworm had slept for over half a year during its second transformation, and this time, it also didn't disappoint Qin Sang. It had fallen into slumber three years ago and still showed no signs of awakening. "There are still five years, which should definitely be enough. I've never heard of a spirit insect sleeping this long during its third transformation. The Stout Silkworm can ward off poisons, and after its third transformation, it will gain new divine abilities. All those secret realms and ancient palaces are full of poisonous miasma. In the Seven Kills Hall, the Stout Silkworm's role should be more significant than the Heavenly Eye Butterfly's."

Qin Sang gently touched the glowing cocoon, sensing the Stout Silkworm's aura, then put away both spirit insects. "I can begin attempting it now. Before cultivating, I need to thoroughly comprehend the cultivation method..."

Qin Sang took a deep breath, sat cross-legged on the ground, and quieted his mind. The two 'Kill Talismans' left by Senior Qingzhu appeared in his mind. What had once seemed incredibly obscure and difficult to understand was now, after his breakthrough, like clouds parting, allowing him to gradually comprehend and grasp their meaning.

The cave dwelling was silent. Qin Sang sat motionless, like an old pine. Time flowed, and he lost track of how long had passed. Qin Sang was deeply immersed in the world of the cultivation method, unable to extricate himself. He was at times enchanted, at times awestruck, marveling at Senior Qingzhu's divine talent, who had genuinely forged his own path using the original cultivation method as a basis!

Compared to the "Soul Nurturing Sword Chapter," Senior Qingzhu's self-created cultivation method was somewhat obscure and narrow, lacking the grandeur of the original text which directly pointed towards the Great Dao. This was because Senior Qingzhu's own understanding and experiences were interwoven into the self-created method. This was inevitable. The creator of the "Soul Nurturing Sword Chapter" must have been an ancient powerhouse with heaven-defying cultivation, capable of seeing the end of the Dao with a single glance. They could simplify complexities while encompassing everything, extracting the true essence of the Killing Dao. Every person cultivating this method could find their own suitable path.

In comparison to that ancient powerhouse, Senior Qingzhu was like a firefly next to a bright moon. Yet, he managed to continue the cultivation method at the Core Formation stage, even if he could only utilize a portion of its essence. The word 'genius' was insufficient to describe him. The deeper his comprehension, the more Qin Sang admired and yearned for Senior Qingzhu, hoping to witness his remarkable demeanor firsthand. But then, he grew disheartened. Senior Qingzhu had vanished without a trace, and for years, no information about him had been found, leaving it unknown whether he was still alive.

Soon, he lifted his spirits, cast aside distracting thoughts, and resolved to cultivate this method. During this period, Qin Sang had gained many insights, realizing the cultivation method was viable. Under the protection of the jade Buddha, he could fully follow Senior Qingzhu's path. At the same time, he also realized with clarity that the cultivation method indeed had flaws.

If all went well, cultivating the "Soul Nurturing Sword Chapter" would grant him new divine abilities, possibly a second sword light or something else. However, Senior Qingzhu's self-created method was different. It could only barely allow cultivators to continue, preventing their path from being severed, making them stumble along without the energy to focus on other things. Furthermore, Qin Sang suspected there were other differences, which he would only discover once he truly began cultivating it.

After a brief awakening, Qin Sang consumed an elixir and calmly regulated his state. Only when his mind reached a tranquil state, like still water, did he carefully guard his consciousness and introspect his Soul. Inside the profound cave dwelling, Qin Sang's aura fluctuated, but it was concealed by barrier restrictions, ensuring he remained undisturbed.