As Liang Chen kept trying to comprehend the divination scripture the irises of his eyes finally became green and then like an acknowledgement a memory entered his mind. This was the memory of a technique [the celestial eyes of divination]
This was not unexpected for Liang Chen as he was already to by the voice that the first level of [spirit turtle celestial divination scripture] is called [ the celestial eyes of divination]
According to the technique, these eyes will help him see through illusions and all falsehoods, help him tell the real from the unreal, and separate the truth from the lies. But Liang Chen was limited because as of now he could not use the eyes as he had no qi. Even though through the totem art he could absorb heaven and earth qi into his body to make it stronger, he could not manipulate the qi.
At this point, Liang Chen remembers the last thing the green turtle said to him before disappearing
"Liang Chen," the spirit turtle begins, his voice carrying a weight of ancient wisdom, "the path of totem cultivation, while potent, is ultimately a limited path. It follows the established patterns and teachings of those who came before which is why it is forgotten to those of this era. But if you truly wish to forge your own destiny and transcend the limitations of the heavens, you must create your own path of cultivation."
Liang Chen's heart quickens with anticipation as he remembers the conversation, his resolve deepening. He understands the magnitude of the senior's words—an opportunity to tread upon uncharted territories and leave his indelible mark upon the annals of cultivation history.
Who would not be tempted and even if he could resist such temptation why would he? It is not as if he has other alternatives. With the spirit turtle telling him that the path of totem cultivation is a dead end he has no choice but to follow the path that has been pointed out. But he did not intend to abandon totem cultivation to the depths of history--he already had an idea of how to use it.
The senior also to him that heaven and earth qi is not the only source of energy on the path of cultivation and since he did not have any way to cultivate the spirit qi of heaven and earth he could choose to cultivate astral qi.
In his mind, he remembers the spirit turtle telling him about astral qi
The turtle continues his voice now a gentle whisper, "To forge your path, you must dare to venture into the cultivation of astral qi. It is a rare and potent force that exists beyond the confines of the mortal realm. Astral qi is the essence of the stars themselves, a celestial energy that permeates the cosmos and resonates with the deepest chambers of your being."
Intrigued, Liang Chen leans forward, his eyes ablaze with curiosity. Turtle senior's words ignite a flame of possibility within him, urging him to delve into the mysteries of astral qi.
The senior proceeds to describe astral qi, painting a vivid tapestry of its essence. Astral qi is an ethereal energy that flows through the fabric of the universe, connecting all celestial bodies in a harmonious dance. It is the raw material from which the constellations are woven, a sublime force that transcends the limitations of mortal understanding.
It resonates with the deepest aspirations of the cultivator, serving as a catalyst for their self-discovery and the manifestation of their unique cultivation path. Astral qi is both gentle and fierce, its nature reflective of the stars themselves. It possesses boundless potential, capable of bestowing unimaginable power and enlightenment to those who can attune themselves to its cosmic frequencies.
To harness astral qi, one must learn to attune their spirit with the celestial currents. Through rigorous meditation and profound introspection, the cultivator begins to perceive the subtle rhythms and melodies of the stars. They learn to draw in this astral essence, allowing it to flow through their meridians and blend with their inner qi or their bodies for someone like Liang Chen.
As astral qi blends with the body, it undergoes a transformation, imbuing it with celestial brilliance. It infuses their movements with an otherworldly grace, enhances their perception and intuition, and grants them access to profound insights and cosmic truths allowing them to gradually progress towards the path of becoming an astral being.
With astral qi as his guide, Liang Chen realizes that he has been given a rare gift—a chance to transcend the boundaries of tradition and create a cultivation path uniquely his own. Filled with a renewed determination, he embraces the senior's teachings, ready to embark on a journey that will intertwine his destiny with the celestial forces and forge a legacy that will echo throughout the ages.
As he comes back to his senses he remembers the last thing that senior had said to him.
"For my last gift, I give you a newly developed cultivation path that I just divined myself. It is limited of course but I hope that by the time you complete the first level that I give, you will be able to deduce its further stages by yourself…the first level is ' the nine astral transformations' "
Liang Chen was so excited beyond words. The first stage of the 'nine astral transformation is the astral star transformation. According to the information in his memory, when he completely comprehends the 1st stage the next one will be unlocked in his mind.
According to the technique, one has to imbue the body with astral qi and convert all other forms of energy in the body into astral qi until astral qi is the only energy left in the body. Upon completion of this stage, a mark of star will be imprinted on the forehead of the individual. The senior gave him a meditation manual to help him sense astral qi. It indicated the conditions under which one must meditate to sense astral qi.
"If you can't even cultivate after I have given you so much help then its best you save everyone the trouble and just smash your head on tofu and die...hahahahahahahaha"
Those were the last words Liang Chen remembers the senior saying so he did not waste any time and started his meditation
Time flies
Soon a full three days had passed since Liang Chen started trying to sense astral qi but today he had finally succeded and got a feel of it. He did not want to waste this opportunity so he held onto it and gradually the feeling became stronger.
As Liang Chen delves deeper into the sense of astral qi, he discovers that its essence extends beyond mere energy. It holds a profound connection to the celestial bodies and the mysteries of the universe. With each step he takes, Liang Chen unravels more of its enigmatic nature, unlocking new layers of understanding.
Astral qi, he realizes, is not a static force but a dynamic and ever-flowing energy that ebbs and flows with the celestial cycles. It mirrors the dance of the stars, pulsating in harmony with the celestial bodies that dot the night sky. The alignment of constellations and the celestial events influence the potency and accessibility of astral qi, granting cultivators unparalleled opportunities for growth and transformation.
cultivation of astral qi requires a delicate balance of inner harmony and cosmic attunement. Liang Chen learns that it is not enough to simply channel the energy; he must align his spirit, body, and mind with the celestial forces to truly unlock its transformative power. Through rigorous meditation and spiritual cultivation, he cultivates a profound connection with the stars, allowing astral qi to flow through him like a river of starlight.
As Liang Chen's cultivation progresses, he discovers that astral qi enhances not only his physical prowess but also his spiritual insight. It opens doorways to higher realms of consciousness, and through the infusion of astral qi, his perception expands, enabling him to perceive the subtle changes in his surroundings.
After two whole months of bitter cultivation, Liang Chen finally succeeded in cultivating the 1st stage and soon a star shape mark could be seen on his forehead thanks to his cultivation these past months he had gained inner vision and could look within himself where he found a green turtle shell silently floating in his mind.
Liang Chen smiled and got up to get a feel of his body but it was at this time that new information appeared in his mind '2nd stage of the nine astral transformations – orifice transformation'.