Fast Improvement . . .
Compared to practicing techniques one at a time, Cha Chongxiao found that it was far more efficient to engage in multiple practices concurrently, allowing each technique to complement the others seamlessly.
The East-rising Purple Qi coursed through his body at a rapid pace. Purple qi from the surrounding atmosphere entered Cha Chongxiao's body, mingled with the spiritual qi, and reached his dantian. After circulating within his dantian, it re-emerged, becoming a part of his personal energy.
After a while, he sensed a swelling in his dantian, followed by a sudden contraction. He sought to stabilize it, and the sensation of swelling subsided. However, he didn't relax. Upon closer examination, he realized that the qi had transformed into energy, penetrating each cell in his body. This energy was now concealed within those cells, ready to influence him even after he finished his cultivation.
Cha Chongxiao finally understood the immense benefits he had gained from the three months of special training. While he hadn't advanced to a higher level during that period, his body had been transformed into an enormous reservoir. Each cell was like a small storage unit, capable of containing a certain amount of spiritual qi.
When he required spiritual qi, he could activate these reserves instantly. If a person's Jing and Mai were like streams, Cha Chongxiao's Jing and Mai had become rivers. Surrounding these rivers, there were numerous lakes, all ready to supply the rivers with water. Whenever the river needed more water, the lakes would provide it. Conversely, when the river was overflowing, the lakes would drain away the excess water, maintaining a consistent and vigorous flow. It was a phenomenal state that Cha Chongxiao had dreamed of in his previous life. If he could maintain such a state all the way to the Dao Origin Stage, the benefits for his cultivation would be immeasurable. The mere thought of it filled him with excitement and made him tremble.
The moonlight bathed Cha Chongxiao. Inside the territory of the Cold Moon Palace, the moon never ceased to shine brightly in the night sky. The Cold Moon Palace, reliant on the moonlight's power, ensured that the moon never disappeared, not even for a single night.
Xiao Mufei gazed at the trees surrounding him. Thousands of disciples, including Cha Chongxiao, practiced on the branches of the massive trees, absorbing the moonlight's energy. Some chose to meditate inside their houses. Although the walls of the buildings did not obstruct the moon's energy, many disciples felt that it wasn't the same as practicing under the open sky. As a result, most disciples opted to cultivate in the trees. After their meditation, they returned to their rooms to rest.
When the disciples were engrossed in meditation, numerous specks of light shone on the trees. These were the luminous auras created as the disciples absorbed energy from the moonlight.
Among these light spots, fifty-three were noticeably brighter. These represented the Dream Origin Stage disciples in Xiao Mufei's group.
Xiao Mufei couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness. Before the expedition to the Polar Ice River, more than three hundred such bright spots adorned the trees at night. However, now there were only fifty-three.
The faintly glowing spots of light denoted Spirit Origin Stage disciples, their silhouettes gracefully adorning the trees.
Yet, Xiao Mufei sensed something amiss. An unsettling feeling knotted within him.
Pondering the sight before him, he came to a startling realization.
"Wait... something is not right," he muttered to himself.
He pondered for a while before the truth struck him. "Wrong number! Fifty-three bright light spots? How is that possible?"
He knew he had no more than fifty-two Dream Origin Stage disciples remaining. So, who was the mysterious fifty-third disciple?
Without hesitation, he took flight, gliding through the trees, diligently scrutinizing each disciple. He was determined to uncover the identity of this enigmatic fifty-third disciple.
As he drew closer to the brightest light, he couldn't contain his shock. It was Cha Chongxiao!
Cha Chongxiao, who was merely at the Spirit Origin Stage, had somehow produced an even brighter light in the moonlight than any of the Dream Origin Stage disciples. This was beyond comprehension. Xiao Mufei was perplexed, struggling to make sense of it. He couldn't fathom how this was possible.
"Is Cha Chongxiao a genius, or have I lost my sanity?" These questions swirled through Xiao Mufei's mind as he stood amidst the nocturnal breeze.
"Master, what's the matter?" Inquisitive disciples flew over to him and stared, concerned.
"Everything is fine. I'm perfectly fine. No cause for alarm," Xiao Mufei replied, attempting to dispel the awkwardness he felt. To hide his discomfiture, he scolded the disciples.
But as his own daughter, Xiao Rongrong, arrived, he couldn't bring himself to berate her. "I'm fine. Just slipped and fell, no big deal."
The others exchanged puzzled glances.
"Really, master? Falling from the tree? With your skill, that's hard to believe," one of the disciples chimed in, clearly doubting his explanation.
Xiao Mufei grumbled inwardly. "Cha Chongxiao, you're nothing but trouble. Now you've made me appear foolish in front of my own daughter."
The following day, Prime Master Yue Changtian received Xiao Mufei's new message: "Cha Chongxiao has become excessively formidable. Within half a day, he defeated all level seven Spirit Origin Stage disciples and has initiated battles against level eight disciples. Currently, over forty level eight disciples have fallen to his attacks. Should we intervene?"
Yue Changtian was speechless as he read the message. He contemplated the astonishing pace of Cha Chongxiao's progress.
"Just how many days has he been with us? Upon his arrival, he was merely at the fourth level of Spirit Origin Stage. Now, in the moonlight, he has ascended by a level. Perhaps he had been stagnating at the peak of the fourth level for an extended period and the moonlight simply triggered his progress. It's the only reasonable explanation. Yet, it's nothing short of astounding," Yue Changtian thought as the Prime Master of the sect.