Xiang Yu felt an invisible barrier collapse within him as the surging qi that had started to overwhelm his meridians suddenly calmed, settling peacefully into his dantian. He exhaled deeply, dissipating the excess energy that remained in his system. Feeling the change within him, he quickly checked his system status, confirming that he had indeed broken through to the second layer of the Qi Gathering realm.
Just as he had thought before, it seemed his cooking profession was indeed worth a thousand times more than his cultivation. Even though it was just a minor realm, breaking through just by eating was really incredible. He couldn't help but feel that he needed to gain more secondary professions.
After he was done refining all the leftover energy, Xiang Yu noted that it was nearly noon and decided to transition to technique cultivation in accordance with his new schedule. Maintaining his meditative posture, he began channeling fire qi into his palm. The familiar warm sensation spread through his hand as the energy concentrated, causing a subtle red glow to emanate from his skin.
After practicing this basic application for some time, he suddenly had a bold idea. He reached into his spatial ring and retrieved the Fire Palm technique manual, examining it with a smile.
"If I understand the fundamental principles correctly," he reasoned, "the technique itself isn't inherently tied to fire." Since he had studied a palm technique before, he could tell that the technique, in its roots, was just a palm technique, the elemental aspect was merely one component that could potentially be substituted. If he could use the Fire Palm as a base template and replace the elemental aspect, he might gain five techniques from just one.
For most cultivators, such a task would be nearly impossible—requiring extraordinary comprehension abilities and deep understanding of elemental theory. However, with his high-level comprehension combined with the enhancement from his Transcendent Dao Physique, Xiang Yu believed it was within his capabilities.
He began studying the Fire Palm technique with focus, scrutinizing every detail and annotation. His eyes traced the meridian pathways described in the manual, noting how the qi was directed and transformed. He paid particular attention to sections describing the role of the fire element in the technique's execution, mentally cataloging what aspects would need modification if he substituted a different element.
Theory alone wasn't sufficient. Xiang Yu conducted numerous practical experiments, attempting to apply water-natured qi using the same circulation pattern designed for fire. Several attempts failed, some even resulting in minor injuries—backflows of unstable energy that damaged his meridians, unexpected energy explosions that burned his palm from the inside. Fortunately, his Transcendent Dao Physique's enhanced recovery capabilities quickly repaired these self-inflicted wounds, allowing him to continue his experiments without significant delay.
Hours passed as Xiang Yu alternated between theoretical study and practical application. The sun began its descent toward the horizon, painting his bamboo dwelling with orange and red hues. Just as daylight was fading, a breakthrough occurred.
During one attempt, instead of the familiar red glow, his hand emanated a soft blue luminescence. The sensation was different—cool and flowing rather than hot and crackling. He had successfully adapted the technique to channel water qi.
Excitement surged through him as he quickly checked his system status. There it was:
[High-grade Water Palm: Beginner (1/100)]
He had succeeded in extracting a new technique from the original, proving his theory correct.
...
Now that Xiang Yu had successfully created a technique based on a different element, excitement surged through him. After creating the water palm technique, he could now determine which components of the technique were affected by elemental changes and could now swap them out systematically to match the values of the element he was creating a technique for. Now he possessed a genuine template for elemental palm techniques.
Without hesitation, he applied the same principles to the remaining three classical elements, filling in the template with precise adjustments for each. One by one, new notifications appeared in his system:
[High-grade Wood Palm: Beginner (1/100)]
[High-grade Earth Palm: Beginner (1/100)]
[High-grade Metal Palm: Beginner (1/100)]
He briefly considered creating techniques for mutated elements like wind, ice, and thunder, but recognized his understanding of these elements was insufficient to formulate proper techniques yet. Even so, his achievement was remarkable—he now possessed techniques to practice independently, without relying on his martial aunt for more techniques.
With multiple techniques now populating his system, Xiang Yu felt a deep satisfaction. The system's potential was no longer being squandered. More importantly, the process of analyzing and modifying the original technique had taught him invaluable lessons about technique construction and elemental theory.
"Perhaps I should study more techniques," he thought, gazing at his palm. "I might eventually create techniques from scratch without needing templates." Such an ability would allow him to make full use of his system's capabilities. Even if his initial creations were mediocre, he could employ the system's merging function to combine them into something truly powerful—just as he planned to do with the five elemental palm techniques once they reached perfect level.
The prospect of what might result from merging all five perfected elemental techniques intrigued him. "Would it create a divine-level technique?" he wondered.
Setting aside these ambitious thoughts for the future, Xiang Yu focused on immediate practice. He systematically worked through each of his new techniques, cycling through the elements one after another. What had initially been challenging—the constant transformation of his qi between different elemental natures—gradually became easier and easier until it was second nature.
Throughout the night, his palms pulsed with different colored lights as he activated each element in sequence. Rippling blue water energy, then green wood qi that spiraled like vines, earthy brown light, and finally metallic silver and grey lights.
The repeated practice reinforced his control, each cycle becoming more fluid than the last. The hours passed swiftly as Xiang Yu lost himself in perfecting these techniques, refining his control over elemental transformations.
Finally, midnight arrived, and the system reset notification appeared:
[Body Refining: 11th Layer (70/11,000) (+30/11,000)]
[Qi Gathering: 2nd Layer (50/200) (+50/200)]
[Mind: Level 4 (42/4000) (+40/4000)]
[Transcendent Dao Body: Level 1 (5/1,000,000) (+3/1,000,000)]
[Enlightenment: High (167/3000) (+43/3000)]
[Spirit Flame: Abyssal Void Flame: 6th Grade (1265/40,000) (+5/40,000)] 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖
[High-grade Fire Palm: Beginner (20/100)]
[High-grade Water, Wood, Earth, Metal Palm: Beginner (10/100) (+10/100)]
[Cook: 5th Grade (200/500) (+20/500)]
[Experience Points Doubled]
[Cook: 5th Grade (200/500) → 5th Grade (400/500)]
[High-grade Water, Wood, Earth, Metal Palm: Beginner (10/100) → Beginner (20/100)]
[High-grade Fire Palm: Beginner (20/100) → Beginner (40/100)]
[Spirit Flame: Abyssal Void Flame: 6th Grade (1265/40,000) → 6th Grade (2530/40,000)]
[Enlightenment: High (167/3000) → High (334/3000)]
[Transcendent Dao Body: Level 1 (5/1,000,000) → Level 1 (10/1,000,000)]
[Mind: Level 4 (42/4000) → Level 4 (84/4000)]
[Qi Gathering: 2nd Layer (50/200) → 2nd Layer (100/200)]
[Body Refining: 11th Layer (70/11,000) → 11th Layer (140/11,000)]
...
Xiang Yu observed the day's advancements with quiet satisfaction. Despite having already broken through to the second layer of Qi Gathering, he was still able to gain fifty new points. He surmised these points came from the new techniques he had been training which required transforming his qi into different elemental forms. After the system's doubling effect, this brought him to a hundred points, meaning that he was guaranteed a breakthrough to the third stage after the next reset. Such speed was remarkable even to him.
But what surprised him even more was that his transcendent dao physique had actually gained three points. He hadn't expected to be able to increase the points of this extraordinary physique at all and wondered what had caused it to improve. From what he understood of the transcendent dao physique, it possessed a feature that allowed him to cultivate all sorts of essences. He reasoned that it had increased because he had transformed his qi into the five elements.
He made a mental note to expand his studies to other elements as well. That way, he would be able to further improve his transcendent dao physique, unlocking more of its boundless potential.
Another stat that had increased greatly was his enlightenment, jumping by a whole forty points. He speculated this was probably because he had created new techniques. To increase his enlightenment even more, it seemed he would need to continue innovating and crafting techniques of his own rather than merely practicing established arts.
As for the elemental techniques, he had managed to gain ten points for each after practicing diligently, and they were now at twenty after the doubling effect. His spirit flame appeared to have entered the thousands and was now picking up pace in its development. Speaking of flame, his cooking skill was actually just a hundred points away from breaking through to fourth grade.
Xiang Yu contemplated how the fifth-grade meals were already useful for cultivation and wondered just how much more beneficial the fourth-grade ones would be. His mouth watered not because of the taste but rather because of the benefits it might bring him.
After inspecting all the day's progress, he pulled up his full status panel:
[Name: Xiang Yu]
[Realm: Body: 11th Layer (140/11,000); Spirit: Qi Gathering 2nd Layer (100/200); Mind: Level 4 (84/4000)]
[Species: Human]
[Spiritual Root: Medium-Grade Omni-Element]
[Physique: Transcendent Dao Body: Level 1 (10/1,000,000)]
[Enlightenment: High (334/3000)]
[Battle Instinct: Mortal (100,000/100,000)]
[Spirit Flame: Abyssal Void Flame: 6th Grade (2530/40,000)]
[Professions: Cook: 5th Grade (400/500)]
[Techniques: High-grade Fire Palm: Beginner (40/100); High-grade Water, Wood, Earth, Metal Palm: Beginner (20/100)]
[Scriptures: ]
[System Function: Double Exp (Cooldown: 24hrs); Fusion]
His eyes lingered on the numbers, checking out each line with a sense of accomplishment.
After admiring the numbers for a while, letting the satisfaction of progress wash over him, Xiang Yu finally decided it was time to return to training. According to his carefully planned routine, it was now time for his mind cultivation. He settled into a comfortable meditative posture, his breathing slowing to a measured rhythm. Within moments, his consciousness detached from his physical form, instantly drifting into the vast expanse of his spiritual sea.
...
The following day,
Xiang Yu slowly opened his eyes from his meditation as the sun was starting to rise. According to his routine, it was time for qi practice and cooking, so he quickly set out to look for something to cook. He covered the entire pavilion with his qi sense, instantly detecting the location of some wild boars. At the same time, he also noticed some people snooping around the pavilion—their cultivations were just at the Qi Gathering stage so he didn't care about them much.
He wondered if they were also subordinates of Elder Mei. It seems they have already noticed that Wang Wei is missing. Still, Xiang Yu just hoped they would continue their snooping and not find trouble with him; otherwise, he would have to get rid of them too.
As he thought of this, he suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. If the elder found out that his assassin had gone missing, would he send an even stronger one? Or worse, would he come to finish the job off himself? Just the thought alone made him shiver involuntarily. For one to become an elder, they had to have at least Core Formation realm strength. Xiang Yu didn't want to have such a formidable opponent after him.
He hoped the elder would simply ignore him—after all, he was just an insignificant person in the grand scheme of things. The elder shouldn't pay attention to him. With that reassuring thought, he pushed his worries aside and went off to catch the wild boars.
This time, he successfully caught three wild boars—two male and one female. He even managed to catch another vicuña, this one male. The ones he had before were both females, so he was glad to have this male one. He finally had a complete family.
He first built a quick shed for the boars, placing one male and one female there. As for the other male...
Without delay, he got to work, expertly preparing the meat. After the meat was ready, he began cooking it. His hands moved quickly, expertly controlling the spirit flame as well as infusing qi to prepare the fifth-grade dishes. The aroma filled the pavilion, rich and enticing, but Xiang Yu's mind remained focused on cultivation rather than mere enjoyment.
Once the meals were ready, he started eating them, pausing every few bites to circulate his qi. The energy from the food flowed through his meridians, strengthening his cultivation base with each circulation. Although the meals are truly delicious, he cared more about the benefits to his cultivation.
...
Outside the Heaven-Testing Pagoda,
"Li Yao just reached the 50th floor," someone spoke, excitement evident in their voice.
"Her speed is really impressive," another added, unable to hide their admiration.
"Do you think she can break the record?" asked a curious onlooker, eyes fixed on the towering pagoda.
"No way, the record was set by the ancestor. Managing to clear the 99th floor. How could it be broken by just anyone?" scoffed a skeptical cultivator.
"Li Yao isn't just anyone," one simp defended, folding their arms across their chest.
The talks were getting heated as disciples gathered in clusters, debating the young woman's potential.
On the side, Elder Mei Zhiyuan clicked his tongue in irritation. "What are those guys doing? How hard can it be to get rid of a single girl?" As he was thinking of this, a group of three disciples approached him, their expressions cautious.
"Master," they bowed respectfully, keeping their heads lowered.
"Tell me, what did you find?" he asked impatiently.
"We didn't see any traces of battle," one said hesitantly.
"The only thing different we noticed was that the senior disciple seems to have built a new house," the second one spoke, meeting the elder's gaze briefly before looking away.
The elder heard the information and seemed to be contemplating something. He wondered why the senior disciple was building a new house. Was this related to Wang Wei's disappearance? His brow furrowed as he considered the possibilities.
The crowd's excitement surged once more.
"Li Yao has cleared the 50th floor in record time! She's moving on to the 51st floor!" someone announced.
"Do you think she'll be able to keep up the same speed in the upper floors?"
"How could that be? The upper floors are when the real test begins," replied a veteran disciple with confidence.
"Didn't you say that a few floors ago?"
"Well, that's different,"
Elder Mei Zhiyuan shook his head, dismissing his earlier suspicions. He was probably imagining things. Wang Wei might have just fallen to a trap and gotten himself killed—he had always been so rash. The elder's lips curved into a slight smile. He would just send a more competent person to finish the job this time.