"Let's begin with cultivation first," Niu Chang directed the conversation. Asking about everything would lead to a lengthy and directionless discussion, so he took charge to guide the conversation.
"What would you like to know?"
"I am aware of three major realms: the Qi Training Realm, Qi Polishing Realm, and finally the Qi Condensation Realm. Please summarize these realms based on your knowledge. After that, we can delve into the subsequent levels."
Da Jiu paused, considering his response. "This is how cultivation is divided in the Southern Region."
He glanced briefly at Niu Chang, recalling that he had encountered this extraordinary individual in the Southern Region, making his explanation relevant.
"The Southern Region possesses fewer cultivation resources compared to other regions, including places with abundant spiritual qi, precious materials, and natural treasures. Consequently, its progress in cultivation lags behind other regions. Nevertheless, it has managed to withstand the influences of the Western, Central, and Eastern Regions, causing a variety of power structures instead."
"For the most authentic cultivation realm division, we turn to the Central Region, considered a holy ground for cultivation."
"The initial realm is the Qi Refinement Realm. Cultivators at this stage begin refining their internal energy into qi and store it within their dantian."
"Next is the Foundation Establishment Realm, which serves as the foundation for the subsequent realm. Nonetheless, it brings about a qualitative transformation for the cultivator."
"Lastly, the highest realm known to the majority is the Golden Core Realm. This is achieved after condensing the golden core upon completing the necessary preparations."
Before Da Jiu could continue, Niu Chang interrupted him.
"Is that all? Provide me with all the cultivation techniques you possess. It would be preferable for me to read them directly from the cultivation manual."
"All of them?" Da Jiu frowned upon hearing this.
"Why? Are you hesitant to share your primary cultivation technique with me?" Niu Chang inquired, a smile playing on his lips.
Unable to discern any change in Niu Chang's expression, Da Jiu found it difficult to determine whether Niu Chang was making a veiled threat or not.
"Why are you being so cheap about something that is worthless? You can't even win against me, who was in a lower realm than yours. So why hold onto it?"
"If you don't like it, then so be it. Just hand over the knowledge about it without your main cultivation technique."
It was true that Niu Chang didn't care about Da Jiu's saint cultivation technique, as it would appear ordinary to him, except for the knowledge about the saint realm itself.
After Niu Chang took a step back, Da Jiu reluctantly agreed to his request.
He pondered for a moment; explaining every cultivation technique he had would take more than a week just to recite them alone.
Thus, he controlled his power to gather a clump of light and infused his knowledge into it.
Niu Chang merely watched from the sidelines.
After more than a minute passed, the clump of light stopped shining brightly and became still.
'Is this something like a jade slip in xianxia stories?' Only after Da Jiu finished did Niu Chang react. Since the world he knew was a mix of the high wuxia world with the low xianxia world, he believed something like this would only be possible after he left his current world and headed to the next one.
Da Jiu directed the clump of light to fly towards Niu Chang.
Niu Chang caught it with his right hand and began scanning it silently, so as not to shatter his formidable image.
However, for a saint like Da Jiu, all his slight movements could be easily captured. Despite this, Da Jiu chose to ignore it.
'Even if he isn't invincible, facing him right now is impossible for me,' Da Jiu considered the possibility of fighting Niu Chang.
The probing Niu Chang conducted only revealed how normal he was. If Niu Chang were truly invincible, he wouldn't worry about the clump of light containing hidden traps.
Upon finishing his probing, Niu Chang made up his mind and accessed the information through an intermediary, instead of directly absorbing it with his mind.
The clump of light flowed toward Niu Chang's hand, and various information spread like a drop of ink entering a basin of water, coloring it completely.
After undergoing several rounds of filtration outside his mind, the information finally reached his consciousness and underwent another rigorous test of his formidable skills.
Da Jiu witnessed everything that had transpired and couldn't help but question his own life. As a saint, he casually entered and exited secret locations of various organizations to pilfer their secret techniques, even directly stealing from the leaders of some golden cores.
It marked the first time he had observed the kind of technique that Niu Chang wielded.
Each technique resembled a specialized gear, functioning with singular precision, yet this did not imply individual weakness; quite the contrary, each technique exhibited comprehensive prowess.
Subsequently, these distinct gears were harmoniously arranged and synchronized, forming an intricate set of techniques that Da Jiu couldn't have fathomed if he hadn't witnessed it firsthand.
'The same principle applies to his formations; though they appear immensely potent and intricate at first glance, they are essentially a collection of simple formations artfully stacked to create a qualitatively transformative effect on the overall construct.'
Then, a thought surfaced in his mind: 'Is it possible that this freak can only employ this technique with the aid of formations?'
Upon scrutinizing Niu Chang closely, Da Jiu abandoned his preceding speculation.
'Even if he needs formations for executing such a powerful technique, he should possess an assortment of techniques at a comparable level. Perhaps it would take him no more than one and a half seconds to replicate the same devastating destruction.'
Using his second brain, Niu Chang effortlessly assimilated all the cultivation techniques Da Jiu had accumulated throughout his life.
"Why are you still doing nothing?" Niu Chang inquired with a penetrating gaze. "Do you believe I am willing to remain here for an entire month merely for you to omit everything I desire? Make that thing once again encompassing every conceivable detail."
Da Jiu could only comply silently with Niu Chang's directive. He harnessed his power to condense another clump of light and imbued it with diverse forms of information that he deemed capable of satisfying Niu Chang.
Following the established routine, Niu Chang diligently absorbed the clump of light without hesitation.
'This young man is genuinely peculiar; I never imparted instructions on absorbing the light pearl, yet he accomplishes it effortlessly. Could he have been tutored by a saint?'
The first light pearl contained only a small amount of information, making it easily absorbable for anyone below the saint realm. However, the second light pearl held an excessive amount of information, requiring a specific technique for absorption.
It took Niu Chang less than twenty minutes to fully assimilate the information within the light pearl. When he glanced at Da Jiu again, a hint of disdain appeared on his face.
He discovered that the highest realm was, in fact, the saint realm, with nothing beyond it in existence. Therefore, he no longer needed to be excessively cautious; he simply had to exercise caution for the time being.
Da Jiu comprehended the meaning behind Niu Chang's gaze, thinking, 'So, for him, does "saint" hold no significance?'
The information provided by Da Jiu was comprehensive, encompassing everything Niu Chang desired to know. Yet, there were a few points Niu Chang sought clarification on.
"The saint realm possesses its own distinct energy known as holy power. Could you demonstrate this holy power to me?"
Upon reaching the saint realm, individuals underwent a transformation in their life level. This transformation elevated saints above ordinary people, granting them the ability to manipulate the unique holy power of their level.
The Saint's Dignity, in reality, emanated as a faint aura of holy power. This aura alone had the ability to subdue those below the saint level.
"I already did," replied Da Jiu, his tone devoid of emotion. He once again harnessed his holy power, the same energy he used to condense the light pearls.
Observing the luminous energy in Da Jiu's palm, Niu Chang found himself perplexed. He could perceive the energy but was incapable of sensing it.
Da Jiu's expression grew stern as he regarded Niu Chang. Right from the outset, his interest in Niu Chang had been piqued due to the latter's abundant holy power. Yet, much like anyone beneath the saint realm, Niu Chang remained unable to sense it.
Thus, Da Jiu meticulously probed Niu Chang using various methods, only to ascertain that Niu Chang truly lacked the ability to sense the holy power within him. It was as though the holy power was leaking—no, more akin to a cascading waterfall due to the absence of any containment.
"No matter what kind of saint you may be, ignoring such a matter is simply impossible," Da Jiu concluded, convinced that Niu Chang harbored a profound secret within him.
No matter what level they were at, cultivators were always limited by their energy. Leaking out one's energy without taking any action to address it was equivalent to mortals suffering from blood loss.
"Holy power is a unique energy that can only be sensed by those who are at the saint level. Even if I were to directly give you this energy, you wouldn't be able to do anything with it," Da Jiu explained truthfully, manipulating his holy power to influence the surroundings.
Niu Chang exerted all his effort to capture this elusive energy, but his attempts were in vain. It was only then that he recalled his first encounter with Da Jiu. "This man had only a few times more energy than the strongest golden core," he thought.
This fact posed various problems, as it seemed inconceivable for someone who had withstood the most powerful strike from Niu Chang to possess such a small amount of energy.
In the end, he could only sigh. He extended his finger in an attempt to capture the faint light dancing around him, but he couldn't feel anything.