Chapter 43: Cultivating Xuanmang Technique

For the next few days, Zhou Yuan utilized the "Thirty-Six Beast Genesis Opening Pattern" to clear his meridians daily. While this pattern was somewhat perilous, its effects were undeniably remarkable.

In just a few days, his fifth meridian became noticeably looser, and its blocked sections were continuously cleared.

At this rate, fully opening his fifth meridian was imminent.

However, a slight impediment to his efficiency was the troublesome raw materials required to draw the "Thirty-Six Beast Genesis Opening Pattern." The Heart Blood, which Zhou Yuan had painstakingly collected for a long time, was completely depleted after only five uses. This forced him to spend a significant amount of time each day hunting first-grade Genesis Beasts to acquire more Heart Blood.

And so, ten days swiftly passed in the mountains.

In the forest, a blood-red giant beast charged directly at Zhou Yuan, who had just slain a Genesis Beast. Its ferocious aura was incredibly fierce, forcing Zhou Yuan to lightly tap his toes and leap onto a tall tree to evade the creature's attack.

After chasing Zhou Yuan away, the blood-red giant beast ignored his annoyed gaze and immediately lowered its head to tear at the carcass of the Genesis Beast Zhou Yuan had killed.

"Damn beast!" Zhou Yuan, standing on the tall tree, couldn't help but curse as he watched the scene unfold. He was helpless, as he had no way to deal with the blood-red giant beast before him.

This beast was an Infernal Rhino, also a first-grade Genesis Beast, but it was one of the most troublesome among them. Its combat power was perhaps comparable to a human who had opened six meridians, but its defense was on par with someone who had opened seven. It was considered a minor overlord in this area.

Facing such a highly defensive Genesis Beast, even Zhou Yuan's Dragon Tablet technique made little impact. Using the Heavenly Yuan Brush only managed to leave superficial blood marks, unable to truly inflict heavy damage.

Therefore, whenever Zhou Yuan encountered this Infernal Rhino in recent days, he would actively avoid it. But he never expected the beast to become increasingly brazen, now outright stealing his kills.

Clearly, because Zhou Yuan frequently hunted Genesis Beasts in this area, the Infernal Rhino had targeted him.

"I'm being bullied by a beast," Zhou Yuan thought, a mix of amusement and frustration on his face. He knew there was no point in wasting time here, so he decisively turned and dashed away, leaping from tree to tree, exiting the forest, and heading straight back to the stream valley.

In the stream valley, Yaoyao was slightly surprised to see Zhou Yuan return empty-handed today.

"An Infernal Rhino stole my kill," Zhou Yuan admitted awkwardly, seeing Yaoyao's gaze.

Yaoyao couldn't help but chuckle upon hearing this. "Infernal Rhinos have strong defenses," she said. "Even someone who has opened seven meridians would have trouble dealing with it. If your Heavenly Yuan Brush could reach the level of a high-grade Origin Armament, you might be able to break through its defense."

Zhou Yuan nodded. He nurtured his Heavenly Yuan Brush daily, but he still hadn't been able to activate its second ancient Genesis Pattern.

"If you don't find a way to deal with this Infernal Rhino, you probably won't be able to hunt Genesis Beasts here anymore, unless you find another location," Yaoyao said with a slight curve of her lips.

Zhou Yuan's mouth twitched. Being chased away by a rhino was too humiliating. Since that was the case, he would just have to figure out a way to eliminate it.

"While the Dragon Tablet Hand is powerful, it's indeed a bit lacking when dealing with Genesis Beasts that have such strong defenses," Zhou Yuan mused, a thoughtful look in his eyes. He needed to cultivate some other Genesis Arts that could enhance his attacks.

At this thought, an idea sparked in Zhou Yuan's mind. He reached into his embrace and pulled out a jade slip—the "Profound Radiance Art" he had obtained earlier.

"Since the Profound Radiance Art was so highly valued by the Qi King's Residence, it's worth taking a look."

Zhou Yuan sat down, holding the jade slip. As he infused it with Genesis Qi, light and shadows emanated from the slip, illuminating the space before him with flowing text.

Zhou Yuan concentrated on the text, which detailed the cultivation method and introduction of the Profound Radiance Art.

"Oh, this Profound Radiance Art is quite unique." As Zhou Yuan pondered the cultivation method of the "Profound Radiance Art," a surprised exclamation suddenly sounded in his ear. He turned his head to see Yaoyao standing beside him, her clear, bright eyes also fixed on the glowing screen.

Zhou Yuan nodded in agreement. After reviewing it, he understood the principle of the Profound Radiance Art: it was a technique that continuously compressed and refined Genesis Qi within the meridians in a special way.

Through this continuous compression, the Genesis Qi would become highly condensed, thus possessing astonishing destructive power and penetrative force.

"As expected of a Profound Genesis Art, it's truly profound and far surpasses ordinary Genesis Arts," Zhou Yuan marveled.

Yaoyao's eyes showed a thoughtful expression. "This art is very interesting," she said. "It seems simple, but it takes an extreme approach, sharpening Genesis Qi to its utmost. This Profound Radiance Art should be higher than a low-grade Profound Genesis Art; it's likely incomplete."

"Incomplete?" Zhou Yuan's heart stirred slightly. "This Profound Radiance Art was bestowed upon King Qi by the Great Wu Dynasty. Perhaps they didn't provide the complete version."

Yaoyao nodded. "You can try cultivating this art, but compressing Genesis Qi to such a high degree within the meridians requires strong endurance from them. After all, a single mistake could lead to the Genesis Qi spiraling out of control and damaging your meridians."

Zhou Yuan, however, chuckled at her words. In terms of meridian toughness, it would be difficult to find anyone superior to him at the same level. After all, his eight meridians had naturally opened at birth; though they later became blocked again, their inherent strength remained.

"I'll try cultivating this Profound Radiance Art!" Zhou Yuan murmured to himself, clearly very interested in the technique.

He acted on the thought immediately. After greeting Yaoyao, he sat cross-legged. With a thought, his meridians began to draw in wisps of Genesis Qi from the surrounding world, absorbing them into his body.

As Genesis Qi flowed into his meridians, Zhou Yuan, with a thought, began to slowly rotate wisps of Genesis Qi within his meridians, following the compression method described in the Profound Radiance Art.

This compression method was called the "Vortex Refinement Art." It involved manipulating Genesis Qi to form a vortex, which would rapidly spin, continuously condensing the Genesis Qi. When the vortex dissipated, a wisp of "Profound Radiance" would be cultivated.

This sounded simple in theory, but it was incredibly difficult in practice. Mastering the right degree of force was challenging; too much force would generate excessive tearing power and damage the meridians, while too little force would prevent the "Profound Radiance" from forming.

Zhou Yuan initially failed repeatedly, his Genesis Qi vortices in his meridians constantly dissipating. However, fortunately, his spirit was strong, allowing him keen perception. After numerous failures, he gradually gained some insights.

By the end of the day, Zhou Yuan was already able to control the "Vortex Refinement Art" somewhat smoothly within his meridians.

Five or six more days passed like this.

The sun rose, its scorching rays shining upon the endless Black Forest Mountain Range, draping the entire world in a golden veil.

On a rock in the stream valley, Zhou Yuan sat in quiet meditation. Within his meridians, however, a different scene unfolded: a Genesis Qi vortex spun at high speed, emitting a hissing sound. The tearing force radiating from it caused his meridians to twitch slightly.

It was fortunate that Zhou Yuan's meridians were tough. For an ordinary practitioner who had opened only four meridians, their meridians would likely have been torn apart by now. Even so, a sharp stinging pain still emanated, but Zhou Yuan forcibly endured it.

*Buzzing!* A faint, subtle vibration echoed within his meridians.

The vortex spun faster and faster, and the tearing force suddenly intensified, exacerbating the stinging pain.

Zhou Yuan's brows furrowed deeply, but he had no intention of giving up. Instead, with a resolute heart, he urged the vortex to accelerate further.

As the vortex spun even faster, the wisps of Genesis Qi wrapped around it were directly compressed into its very center. The next instant, the vortex burst apart.

As the vortex shattered, Zhou Yuan abruptly opened his eyes. There was no sign of dejection on his face; instead, a hint of wild joy appeared.

He extended his hand, bending two fingers together. With a thought, a faint, extremely thin layer of light blue radiance slowly emerged from his fingertips.

The light blue radiance flickered unsteadily, appearing incredibly fragile.

Zhou Yuan's two fingers suddenly slashed across the huge rock beneath him. With a tearing sound, he stared in astonishment as the giant rock was sliced open like tofu, its severed surface as smooth as a mirror.

Zhou Yuan's eyes gleamed, and his breathing became a little heavier.

"Is this the Profound Radiance Art? What terrifying sharpness, what astonishing penetrative power!" Zhou Yuan exclaimed repeatedly. With this one finger, anyone below the seven-meridian level would likely be severely injured with a single poke. Even those with seven meridians would have to avoid its edge.

"With this Profound Radiance Art, if that beast dares to show up again, I'll pierce it to death with a single finger!"