12: Blood Refining and Condensing Essence Technique

After leaving the storeroom, Lu Ming bid farewell to Luo Zhong and returned to his temporary residence in the Demon Suppression Division.

Placing the wooden tray on the table, Lu Ming, with a hint of excitement, took out the Cultivation Technique stored in the wooden box.

This Cultivation Technique was recorded on bamboo slips, appearing to have been stored for quite some time.

It was unclear what method was recorded within, but the moment Lu Ming's gaze fell upon it, the System panel provided the answer.

【Blood Refining Yuan Gathering Skill (Yellow Rank)】

"As expected, it's a ranked Cultivation Technique," Lu Ming mused in his heart.

Martial Cultivation Techniques are also divided into ranks: Heaven, Earth, Profound, Yellow, and Mortal.

Among them, Mortal Rank Cultivation Techniques are the lowest grade; ordinary Martial Artists, even if they Cultivate diligently their entire lives, would find it difficult to Breakthrough to the Initial Realm with them.

Although Lu Ming had Cultivated the family's Subduing Dragon Fist and blade techniques to the ninth layer, allowing him to contend with those in the Initial Realm, he had expended a large amount of Lifespan to achieve that, and his potential had already been squeezed to its limit.

While this Blood Refining Yuan Gathering Skill was only one rank higher than the Subduing Dragon Fist, the actual difference was like heaven and earth.

Cultivation Techniques are hard to find, especially high-rank ones, which are mostly controlled by major powers; unless one joins such a power and serves it, it is very difficult to obtain them.

Untying the hemp rope binding the bamboo slips, a thousand-plus characters written in ink appeared before Lu Ming's eyes as he spread them open.

After a quick scan, Lu Ming roughly understood that this was a Cultivation Technique for condensing blood Qi to achieve Breakthrough.

"It seems this Uncle Zhao wasn't called that for nothing; this Cultivation Technique is quite suitable for me right now."

Zhao Bufan had previously used his True Qi to investigate and found Lu Ming's blood Qi to be abundant, which is why he specifically arranged for him to receive this Cultivation Technique.

Moreover, its Cultivation difficulty was moderate, presumably hoping Lu Ming could Breakthrough to the Initial Realm as quickly as possible.

【Consumable Demon Lifespan: 239 years】

Fortunately, he had killed many Demons last night, so he didn't need to worry about the consumption at this time.

Seeing the plus sign next to it, Lu Ming unhesitatingly chose to inject.

The crisis had not been completely resolved, and he could be targeted by a Peak Realm Demon at any moment, which filled Lu Ming's heart with a sense of urgency.

【You have thoroughly studied the Blood Refining method, condensing your own blood Qi to temper your muscles and bones. During this process, you feel your body changing.】

【The thousand-plus characters on the bamboo slips have been imprinted in your mind. You begin to comprehend each character, seeking to fully master it.】

【Cultivation has stagnated. Although you can already condense blood Qi, you are still unable to step into the entry Realm.】

After investing at least ten years of Lifespan for such a result, Lu Ming's eyes flickered.

However, he immediately thought that his predecessor's Aptitude was not actually high, which could be seen from his previous progress in Cultivating the Subduing Dragon Fist.

The reason he possessed such strength was due to the accumulation of Lifespan. Having understood this, Lu Ming simply let go and invested a hundred years of Lifespan in one go.

【By condensing acupoints with blood Qi within your body, and with unyielding perseverance, you finally manage to step into the first Realm. In that instant of Breakthrough, as if everything fell into place naturally, your strength reaches the Initial Realm.】

【You are not arrogant because of this, but continue to Cultivate diligently. The blood Qi in your body becomes incredibly abundant, and your control over power greatly improves.】

...【Having Cultivated the Blood Refining Yuan Gathering Skill to the fifth layer, you can already sense the faint Spiritual Qi permeating the air and attempt to absorb it, integrating it into yourself.】

...【Upon reaching the seventh layer of the Cultivation Technique, you once again feel a Bottleneck, knowing that you cannot Breakthrough again in a short period.】

"Is this the power of the Blood Refining Yuan Gathering Skill?" The moment he condensed acupoints with blood Qi, Lu Ming felt a hot, scorching power flowing through his body.

As if shackles had been broken, an endless stream of power surged forth. He could feel the condensed blood Qi within him being controlled by him, becoming a means of defending against enemies.

And this improvement shocked Lu Ming. Although Cultivating the Blood Refining Yuan Gathering Skill to the seventh layer consumed one hundred and ten years of Demon Lifespan, this improvement was also quite significant.

"According to the panel, this Cultivation Technique doesn't seem to be as simple as just condensing blood Qi. After Cultivating to a certain extent, it can actually temper one's body with Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi. It seems this Cultivation Technique has considerable potential."

Lu Ming clenched his fist, feeling the power erupting from within, and his heart was incredibly excited.

Without using Blade Aura, his current strength was at least double what it was before.

His peripheral vision caught the panel, and just as he was about to try something, he suddenly saw something that made him freeze in place.

"This..."

【Current Lifespan: Twenty-five years】

Lu Ming clearly felt his heart pounding, and his breathing involuntarily quickened. A look of uncontrollable ecstasy appeared on his face.

Previously, Lu Ming had not realized that Martial Artists in this world could increase their own Lifespan with the Breakthrough of their Cultivation, and there were also many Cultivation Techniques that prolonged life.

At this moment, the previous depressed mood of having only one month to live was swept away.

He became full of vigor!

"With the System's enhancement, I can continuously improve my Cultivation by slaying Demons. Heaven is truly helping me," Lu Ming muttered excitedly to himself.

For Lu Ming, who had only one month of Lifespan left, being able to live for an additional twenty-five years was a huge surprise.

In fact, Lu Ming's main reason for choosing to join the Demon Suppression Division was not fear of the Peak Realm Demon; after all, with only one month left to live, he wasn't afraid of the wolf Demon's covetousness.

The reason he chose to join was not only to fulfill his desire to improve his Martial Dao but also to quickly increase his strength and protect his family in this life.

However, now, Lu Ming's mindset had changed due to the increase in Lifespan.

For himself, and for his parents, he had to eliminate all threats.

【Blood Refining Yuan Gathering Skill (Seventh Layer)】

He wondered if his obsessive-compulsive disorder was acting up, but looking at the Blood Refining Yuan Gathering Skill, which had not yet been Cultivated to its limit, he simply continued to inject Lifespan.

After all, this was the most powerful Cultivation Technique he could access at the moment; there was no reason not to upgrade it to max level.

【You have become accustomed to a life of condensing blood Qi and continuously attempting to absorb Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi. Finally, through your unremitting efforts, you reach the eighth layer.】

【The final step of Cultivating the Blood Refining Yuan Gathering Skill is particularly difficult. You spend ten years comprehending it, yet still do not know where the problem lies, which makes you feel increasingly anxious.】

...【Time flows like a white steed flashing past. You have forgotten how long you have been Cultivating. Daily morning breathing exercises and refining your own blood Qi have become as natural as breathing and drinking water.】

【One day, while strolling in the backyard after Cultivation, you no longer seek Breakthrough, but at this moment, you suddenly have a new insight. Looking at the falling leaves, you understand the problem.】

【Over a hundred years of refinement have given you superhuman improvement. Having eliminated most Impurities, you have been forged into a fine unpolished jade. You have thus reached the ninth layer of the Blood Refining Yuan Gathering Skill.】