58: The Heart Sutra of Burning Heaven

"Ding!"

"Detecting unknown energy fluctuations... Analyzing..."

"Analysis successful! A cultivable partial Cultivation Technique has been found within the interlayer of the current book page!"

This sudden, emotionless System notification sounded like a clap of thunder from the Nine Heavens, exploding deep within Lin Ye's consciousness!

His heart gave a fierce leap! His breathing unconsciously paused for half a beat!

A cultivable partial Cultivation Technique!

Within the interlayer of this forgotten ancient book, which recorded strange tales and anecdotes.

An uncontrollable, immense ecstasy, like a volcanic eruption, instantly breached the dam of his reason, sweeping over his entire being!

He had never expected that merely trying to find an alternative path, searching these miscellaneous records for clues to earn contribution points, would lead him to such a heaven-sent Opportunity!

Was this the key to breaking his current predicament?

He clutched the cold beast-skin ancient book in his hand, his knuckles turning slightly white from the excessive force. He forcibly suppressed the excitement that threatened to burst forth from his body, and slowly closed the book page.

There was no hint of abnormality on his calm face.

He tucked the ancient book under his arm, then casually pulled out a few other miscellaneous records, pretending to be bored and just wanting to borrow some books to pass the time, as he walked towards the exchange counter on the first floor.

The one in charge of exchanges was still the Elder who was meditating with his eyes closed.

"Oh? It's you again, little Body Refining fellow?" The Elder slowly opened his eyes, a hint of surprise flashing in his cloudy gaze. "What? Not Cultivating properly in your Immortal Cave, but running into this pile of old papers to waste time?"

"Replying, Elder," Lin Ye immediately put on his familiar honest expression, scratched his head, and said apologetically, "Disciple... Disciple is dull. When I get tired from Cultivating, I like to read some miscellaneous books to broaden my horizons."

As he spoke, he placed the several worn-out ancient texts in his hand, along with the dark beast-skin ancient book, onto the counter.

The Elder glanced at the books, and the disdain in his eyes grew thicker.

"'Records of Qingzhou Anomalies'? 'Studies on Ancient Cultivator Immortal Caves'? Hmph, these are all hearsay, groundless nonsense. You, boy, are truly... neglecting your proper duties."

He casually picked up the beast-skin ancient book, weighed it, and flipped through it, his brows slightly furrowed: "This thing doesn't even have a name. It's probably been here for hundreds of years. Who knows which Senior's doodles it is. Never mind, since you like it, take it as well."

"These miscellaneous books are unranked. One book counts as one contribution point for you."

"Thank you, Elder!"

Lin Ye was overjoyed in his heart and quickly handed over his identity token.

After four contribution points were deducted, he hugged the several "junk" books, which were priceless in his eyes, bowed respectfully, turned, and quickly left the Scripture Pavilion... Returning to that desolate Immortal Cave, which belonged only to him, the stone door closed with a "rumble."

Lin Ye could no longer suppress the excitement in his heart. He casually threw the other miscellaneous books aside, but with both hands, as if holding a peerless Treasure, he gently placed the dark beast-skin ancient book onto the cold stone bed.

"System! Extract Cultivation Technique!" He impatiently issued the command in his mind!

"Command confirmed! Starting extraction of hidden partial Cultivation Technique..."

Buzz—

As the notification sounded, Lin Ye felt an invisible, profound energy surge from his body, instantly enveloping the ancient book!

The ancient book began to move without wind, its pages "rustling" as they rapidly flipped, finally stopping on the most crucial page, which depicted flames!

The next instant, an incredible scene occurred!

The surface of that incredibly tough page, made from an unknown beast-skin, slowly began to glow with a faint, golden light, flickering like flames!

The light grew brighter and brighter, until, with a soft "hiss," a page as thin as a cicada's wing, dark golden in color, and covered with countless ancient runes the size of grains of rice, slowly separated itself from the interlayer of the beast-skin, floating in mid-air!

Lin Ye held his breath, reached out, and carefully caught the golden page.

The page felt warm and smooth like jade in his hand, carrying a faint, soothing warmth.

His gaze fell upon the four ancient seal characters at the top of the page, which flickered like flames, filled with endless dominance and an ancient aura!

—"Heaven Burning Heart Sutra"!

"It really is it!"

Lin Ye's heart pounded violently with immense joy!

He forcibly calmed his mind and carefully read the content on the page.

This was a true Internal Skill Mind-Cultivation Technique, directly pointing to the great Dao of Cultivation!

Unlike external skills like "Iron Sand Palm" and "Golden Bell Shield" that tempered the Physical Body, this Mind-Cultivation Technique Cultivated a wisp of... Innate True Fire within the Dantian!

The opening of the page, in extremely concise language, explained the division of Cultivation Realms in this world.

"The Dao of Cultivation aims to steal the Spiritual Qi of Heaven and Earth and reverse the Reincarnation of life and death. Its paths are myriad, but its Realms are one. Above the Mortal world, it begins with Qi Refining, then Spirit Body, then Treasure Body, and finally Dharma Body..."

Lin Ye watched intently, a storm raging in his heart.

This was the first time he had so clearly understood the complete Cultivation System of this world!

The path of Cultivation in this world begins in the Mortal Realm, and the first major Realm is the [Qi Refining Realm].

The Qi Refining Realm has nine layers, aiming to draw Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi into the body, cleanse the Mortal coil, and condense a faint spiritual energy vortex within the Dantian. This is the starting point and Foundation of all Cultivation paths.

And he himself, due to his inferior Spiritual Root, sensed and absorbed Spiritual Qi as slowly as a crawling turtle, which was why he was stuck in the [Qi Refining Realm First Layer] and could not advance an inch.

Above the Qi Refining Realm was the [Spirit Body Realm].

One must open up a Spiritual Sea within the body, establish a Dao Foundation, and transform the Physical Body into a Treasure Artifact capable of carrying vast spiritual power. Only at this stage is one truly considered to have transcended the Mortal Realm. Lifespan can reach two hundred years, and one can begin to wield some true Magical Artifacts and cast some low-level Spells.

After the Spirit Body Realm is the [Treasure Body Realm].

One must undergo tempering by water and fire, condensing all of one's lifelong Cultivation and Divine Soul into a "Dao Seal" above the Spiritual Sea. Once the seal is formed, one can be called an "Immortal Master." The Physical Body is like a Treasure, all Spells follow one's will, Lifespan greatly increases to five hundred years, and strength undergoes earth-shattering changes!

And above the Treasure Body Realm is the legendary [Dharma Body Realm]!

One must shatter the Dao Seal, using it as the core, to manifest a "Dharma Body" behind them that resonates with Heaven and Earth. From then on, one can roam the void with their Divine Soul, speak the Dao into being, and Lifespan can reach a thousand years, already an existence like a terrestrial Immortal!

As for whether there are higher Realms above the Dharma Body Realm, this partial Cultivation Technique did not mention it.

But these four clear major Realms alone had already painted a grand and captivating picture of Cultivation for Lin Ye!

"Qi Refining, Spirit Body, Treasure Body, Dharma Body..."

Lin Ye silently recited these terms in his heart.

And this "Heaven Burning Heart Sutra" was his... first, and most important, cornerstone for stepping onto this path to the heavens!

This Mind-Cultivation Technique was extremely domineering!

It actually skipped the step of drawing Qi into the body, instead using one's own vital Qi and blood as fuel to forcibly ignite a wisp of "Heaven Burning True Fire" within the Dantian! Then, using this wisp of True Fire as a guide, it domineeringly and plunderingly absorbed the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi from the outside world into the body, using it as fuel to strengthen the True Fire!

This method of Cultivation required almost zero Spiritual Root Aptitude!

But it had almost abnormal requirements for the strength of the Cultivator's Physical Body and the tenacity of their will!

If an ordinary person were to Cultivate this method, they would probably have their Meridians completely burned away by the domineering flames the moment the True Fire was ignited!

"This... This is simply a Cultivation Technique tailor-made for me!"

Lin Ye's heart pounded violently with immense ecstasy!

His biggest weakness was his Spiritual Root Aptitude!

And his biggest advantage was his powerful Physical Body, which had already been tempered by the "Golden Bell Shield" to be far beyond that of ordinary people!

This "Heaven Burning Heart Sutra" was simply a supreme Treasure sent to him by the heavens, enough to allow him to ascend to the heavens in one step!

He knew that from the moment he obtained this Mind-Cultivation Technique, his stagnant [Qi Refining Realm] Cultivation could finally begin... to slowly Breakthrough!

He would no longer be a "Body Refiner" with brute strength but weak spiritual power!

He would Dual Cultivate Body and Spell, embarking on a truly meaningful... invincible path without any weaknesses!