"Mystic Ice Force."
Gu Han unrolled the scroll and began studying it.
Normally, as long as cultivation methods shared the same attribute, one could later switch to higher-level techniques. Unlike the Burning Mantra, which couldn't be changed once practiced, this could be cultivated with peace of mind.
The initial conversion of Dou Qi typically didn't take long. Whether due to his soul breakthrough or innate high comprehension, Gu Han completed the foundational stage in just two hours, his entire essence, energy, and spirit undergoing a transformation.
"Ice attribute."
Gu Han focused inward, sensing his Dou Qi circulating through his meridians along a specific pathway before converging into the Qi Cyclone in his dantian.
The originally attribute-less milky white Dou Qi had now transformed into a blue-white ice-attribute Dou Qi. Under Gu Han's control, it swiftly flowed out and gathered at the acupoints in his palm.
External release of Dou Qi was only possible upon reaching the Dou Grand Master level. Even with a Mystic Level cultivation method, Gu Han shouldn't possess this capability yet. However, a layer of blue light now shimmered on his palm, forming a thin sheet of ice that emitted a faint chill.
This achievement was thanks to the Jade Spirit Fruit, which had tempered all his meridians and allowed him to unblock several acupoints. Gu Han had chosen to open those in his hands and the soles of his feet.
"Just at the entry stage, and my Qi Cyclone's rotation speed has tripled while expanding twofold, yet I don't feel any breakthrough imminent.""
Gu Han was satisfied with the Mystic Ice Force. A low-level Mystic Level cultivation method was undoubtedly far superior to any Earth Level technique.
The influence of cultivation methods on practitioners was comprehensive. First was the Qi Cyclone's capacity for Dou Qi, determining endurance.
Second, the quality difference in Dou Qi meant that at the same realm, executing the same Dou Skill would require only ten percent of Dou Qi for Mystic Level practitioners, while Earth Level practitioners would need several times more.
Third, the increase in cultivation speed: before reaching Dou Spirit peak, absorbing heaven and earth energy depended on talent, but the conversion rate after absorption was affected by the cultivation method. This was why mediocrities with high-level methods could cultivate faster than geniuses.
Fourth, combat enhancement: higher-level methods allowed faster Dou Qi circulation and quicker Dou Skill execution.
There were other minor influencing factors as well. It was precisely these effects that made high-level cultivation methods so highly valued on the Dou Qi Continent.
"At least it's a good start."
Gu Han settled his mind and continued cultivating. The tangible feeling of clear improvement was addictive, leaving no room for restlessness.
Of course, this related to talent. For those wastes who couldn't advance a single star in a year, it would undoubtedly feel tedious and dull.
This cultivation session lasted ten hours.
When hungry, Gu Han didn't go out but consumed a second-grade Grain Avoidance Pill.
As someone from Huaxia, he considered himself a food connoisseur, but the food on the Dou Qi Continent seemed less convenient than simply taking a Grain Avoidance Pill.
"Check today's opportunity."
With five Grain Avoidance Pills remaining in his Storage Ring, Gu Han planned to continue secluded cultivation. But first, he needed to check the day's opportunity.
If there was an opportunity requiring him to venture out, he would leave immediately.
[Mo Yu learned of your breakthrough to Dou Practitioner and instructed Mo Qing and Mo Feng to befriend you. If you accept the Mo family's goodwill, they will superficially act as your friends, using you if you have value and waiting for a chance to strike if you don't. If you reject the Mo family's goodwill, they will ambush you when you go out.]
[Outer Sect Training Hall Steward Zhang Chuchen appeared to be forty years old but was actually only thirty. His current appearance was due to being secretly poisoned by a trusted person before competing with Yun Leng's adopted son Yun Qing for the core disciple ranking years ago. The snake venom from the Snake-Folk race left in his dantian acted more like a bloodline seal, undetectable by conventional methods of alchemists below the seventh grade. A single fourth-grade Clarity Pill could dissolve it, allowing him to break through to the Dou Spirit level after long accumulation.]
"With the Mo family, there's more to come."
A flicker of killing intent passed through Gu Han's eyes.
Regardless of whether he was willing to be friends, Mo Yu and Mo Qing intended to kill him.
But if he played along, they would use him first and eliminate him when the time was right.
"It's just acting," Gu Han concealed his emotions.
When it came to scheming and strategic planning, his people from Huaxia were the ancestors across all realms.
"As for Steward Zhang here."
Zhang Chuchen's face surfaced in Gu Han's mind.
He hadn't expected this steward to still be a young man of thirty.
Snake-Folk venom seemed to have an aging effect on people?
"I could befriend him. If he's genuinely decent, I might return the favor at the right time."
Taking out a Grain Avoidance Pill and swallowing it, Gu Han resumed his cultivation.
One benefit of consuming the Grain Avoidance Pill was the elimination of the need to relieve oneself.
As an ice-attribute Dou Qi cultivator, he could generate the necessary moisture internally while practicing his techniques.
Once his strength reached the Dou Grand Master level, he could fully refine anything he consumed.
In the blink of an eye, another six hours passed, just after midnight.
Gu Han focused his mind and immediately checked today's opportunities.
[Zhang Chuchen reached the nine-star Dou Grand Master level at twenty-six. For four years, his cultivation had stagnated, leading him to voluntarily become the Outer Sect Training Hall steward, much to the regret of his master Yun Shang, who had been secretly searching for a solution.]
[Cloud Mist Sect's young mistress Nalan Yanran, annoyed by the persistent advances of Pill King Gu He's disciple Liu Ling, secretly came to the Outer Sect Training Hall to cultivate. Today, she would be discovered for returning too late.]
"Yun Shang." Gu Han opened his eyes, his dark pupils gleaming faintly.
Yun Shang was a Cloud Mist Sect elder and also the head of the Punishment Hall, with the strength of a seven-star Dou King, ranking among the top in the sect.
Within the Cloud Mist Sect, the sect leader's faction was dovish, advocating steady development, mutual benefits with major powers, and dedicated cultivation.
The grand elder's faction, along with most of the elder council, was hawkish, promoting aggressive expansion and accepting plunder if necessary.
Punishment Hall Elder Yun Shang was neutral but leaned closer to Sect Leader Yun Yun, hence her relationship with Grand Elder Yun Leng was merely cordial.
"If I help Zhang Chuchen, I could also gain Yun Shang as a backer," Gu Han pondered silently.
As for the second piece of information, it clarified his confusion about why Nalan Yanran came to the Outer Sect Training Hall to cultivate, always in a hurry, arriving late and leaving early.
So, she was fleeing from an annoying admirer.
Today, Nalan Yanran would be exposed. If he warned her, he could easily gain her favor.
Winning the favor of the Nalan family's direct-line young lady and the Cloud Mist Sect's young mistress was indeed an opportunity.
"Cultivate!"
Gu Han had no intention of interfering.
Nalan Yanran's favor was unimportant to him.
Another twelve hours passed in an instant.
[Nalan Yanran was discovered by Liu Ling practicing in the outer sect training hall, putting her in a foul mood. She decided to return to her family to lay low, planning to come back to the sect only after Yun Yun returned from her ten-day trip. At noon, unaware of its significance, she would discard the Mind Awakening Pill gifted by Liu Ling, which would then be found and eaten by several first-tier flying Magical Beasts.]
[The peak of the third mountain in the back hills of Cloud Mist Mountain is shrouded in eerie winds during specific seasons each year. This year, the winds would descend in the afternoon and last for half a month before vanishing. They provide a doubling effect for cultivators practicing ice, yin, or dark attribute Dou Qi techniques and Dou Skills.]
"Oh!?"
Gu Han opened his eyes.
"It seems I must make a trip out today."