After listening to Yu Su's description, it seemed like Yu Feng and the others experienced a spiritual sublimation.
Their horizons were suddenly broadened, and they realized how narrow their previous understanding had been.
"Yu Su, were all these things also told to you by the Mountain God?" Yu Mang couldn't help but ask.
Yu Su smiled faintly, not answering directly but seemingly affirming.
Yu Mang took a deep breath, his eyes shining. "I will strive to cultivate and walk the supreme path!"
Yu Feng and the others were also emotionally shaken, their eyes filled with boundless anticipation for the future.
The other four who hadn't opened a meridian were on the verge of collapse, almost developing psychological shadows from the beatings. Now, they seemed invigorated, as if injected with chicken blood.
"Next!" Yu Yong took the lead and said to Lu Yan.
Lu Yan clenched his fist, stimulated by Yu Su's words, and his heart was full of fighting spirit. In these days, not only did Yu Mang and the others gain something, but Lu Yan also refined his control over strength. Moreover, he self-learned to use it to control spiritual power, significantly improving his mastery.
"Boom!"
Lu Yan's fist struck Yu Yong's acupoint, and a burst resounded within Yu Yong's body.
Yu Yong was stunned. Did he succeed?
Joy suddenly appeared on his face, excited to continue getting beaten.
However, Lu Yan had already retracted his fist. "Next one."
As Yu Su mentioned, after opening a meridian, one must comprehend it properly and not immediately open the remaining ones. It must be done in turns.
Seeing this, Yu Yong could only feel regret and went down to comprehend.
Seeing them all pumped up, Yu Su nodded in satisfaction.
*
After several days, including Yu Shi, who had only opened one meridian, all seven people successfully opened one meridian and guided Qi into their dantian.
After a scan by the All-Encompassing Elf, except for Yu Yong and Yu Feng with dual spirit roots, the rest had triple spirit roots.
If it were before, those with triple spirit roots might think they possessed an extra divine ability. However, after Yu Su's explanation, they understood the difference in spirit roots. Therefore, the several with triple spirit roots felt a bit disheartened.
Yu Su reassured them, "Among cultivators, many with triple spirit roots have achieved great things. Moreover, compared to those who cannot embark on the path of cultivation, you are already winners. So, what's there to be disheartened about?"
Yu Wu and the others with triple spirit roots listened and quickly became spirited again.
"Now that you've officially guided Qi into your bodies, becoming true Qi Refining Stage cultivators, I'll teach you some basic cultivation methods and martial techniques suitable for the Qi Refining Stage. Your goal during this winter is to open at least half of the remaining meridians and master the basic cultivation methods and martial techniques." Yu Su said.
Yu Feng and the others listened attentively.
"I need you to become the main force in opening up the mountain road after winter. Can you do it?" Yu Su asked them.
"Yes!" Yu Feng and the others nodded vigorously.
"Good, open up the mountain road, develop the salt field. Our goal is to make Yu Village a powerful force, so that villages like Salt Village won't be able to do anything to us," Yu Su said.
"Understood!" Yu Feng and the others responded again.
Yu Su glanced at the time. "Let's stop here for today. Come back the day after tomorrow."
"Why not come tomorrow?" Yu Mang was puzzled.
"I need to go to Deer God Mountain tomorrow."
Tomorrow was the day for him to tell stories to Qingze.
Yu Mang and the others suddenly remembered this matter; these days, they almost forgot about everything else because of what Yu Su told them. "Alright, then we'll come back the day after tomorrow."
Yu Su, after they left, immediately put down the scholarly facade, rubbed his hands, and said to Lu Yan, "I'm freezing. Let's go inside and cook mushroom pot soup."
A hint of a smile appeared in Lu Yan's eyes.
After entering the house and lifting the beast skin curtain, the fragrance of the mushroom pot soup greeted them.
Lu Yan's steps paused.
However, Yu Su's eyes lit up. Looking at Jian Yunchuan, who was cooking the mushroom pot soup, he said, "Dad, how did you know I wanted to eat mushroom pot soup?"
Jian Yunchuan looked puzzled. "Huh? I didn't know. I just wanted to eat it myself."
Yu Su: "..."
Alright, it's indeed his biological dad.
During the meal, Jian Yunchuan asked if Yu Su's words were true.
Yu Su slurped the mushroom soup, not lifting his head. "Of course, they are true."
Jian Yunchuan, without hesitation, directly asked, "Then, can I cultivate?"
Yu Su: "It depends on whether you have spiritual roots."
Jian Yunchuan immediately sat up straight. "Then, check it now."
Yu Su: "..."
Had to lift his head from the bowl.
Generally, the All-Encompassing Elf would scan someone after they opened a meridian. This way, determining it based on spiritual energy was the most convenient and energy-efficient method.
But this was Yu Su's dad. The All-Encompassing Elf could only reluctantly consume energy to scan him. Then, it spat out a word: "Wow."
Yu Su: "??"
Little Elf, why are you rebelling so much lately? Whom are you scolding?
[I'm not scolding anyone. Jian Yunchuan's spiritual roots, surprisingly, are Earth Elemental Single Spirit Roots!]
No wonder the All-Encompassing Elf's reaction was so intense. Single Spirit Roots were extremely rare, even in the peak period of development on the Continent of Magic Arts. After all, they were not cabbages.
However, having followed Yu Su for some time, the All-Encompassing Elf had seen two Single Spirit Roots—Lu Yan and Jian Yunchuan.
Plus, there was Yu Su, an even more heaven-defying Full Spirit Roots.
Even Yu Mang and Yu Feng, the Dual Spirit Roots, were also quite talented.
This small Yu Village turned out to be hiding such remarkable talents.
After hearing the All-Encompassing Elf's words, Yu Su was also somewhat surprised.
Seeing Yu Su's astonished expression, Jian Yunchuan, with some concern, asked, "Could it be that I don't have spiritual roots?"
Yu Su returned to his senses, and in a somewhat ethereal tone, he said, "Dad, you are so lucky; you have Earth Elemental Single Spirit Roots."
Hearing this, Jian Yunchuan immediately revealed a smile, relieved. "Hahaha, I knew it. I could birth such an outstanding son. I'm definitely not bad."
"Yu Su felt quite speechless about his blind confidence.
With a turn of his gaze, he saw Yu Zhou also looking at him intently.
Yu Su: '...'
Alright, he understood.
All-Encompassing Elf: [Your little brother has a Dual Spirit Root of Metal and Water, same as Yu Feng. However, his Metal Spirit Root is a bit thicker, suitable for becoming a swordsman.]
Yu Su's eyes brightened. A swordsman, not bad.
Yu Su informed Jian Yunchuan about Yu Zhou's spirit roots, and Yu Zhou revealed a huge smile, hugging Yu Su and rubbing against him.
After this period of recuperation, Yu Zhou was not as thin as before. Not only did his complexion improve significantly, but his cheeks also gained some flesh. Finally, there was a hint of baby fat, making him much cuter than before.
Yu Su patted his head. 'Alright, stop rubbing. If you continue, the oil from your mouth will smear on your brother.'
Yu Zhou, feeling embarrassed, sat up straight.
Yu Su explained to Jian Yunchuan how to open meridians. Jian Yunchuan listened and nodded. Then, he turned to Lu Yan. 'Come, Lu Yan, give me a few punches with that fist of yours.'
'Dad, you need to learn to perceive spiritual energy on your own.'
'I'm a rough person; delicate work is not my thing. Isn't it faster to open meridians first and then perceive?'
'...'
It actually made some sense; Yu Su was momentarily speechless.
Lu Yan glanced at Yu Su and nodded to Jian Yunchuan.
Jian Yunchuan happily went out. He was agile now.
Lu Yan also got up and followed.
Jian Yunchuan took off his beast skin coat, stood in the cold wind, and said to Lu Yan, 'Come!'
Lu Yan, being polite, clenched his fist and struck.
"Boom!"
*
Deer God Mountain.
"You don't know, my dad thought that opening meridians with brute force was quite simple. Yesterday, he was beaten by Lu Yan and howled. It took him several bowls of Purple Cloud Grass and Gannu Soup to lie down." Yu Su told Qingze about the recent interesting happenings, also mentioning yesterday's meridian opening by Jian Yunchuan.
Qingze leisurely ate the sweet Zhu fruit that Yu Su brought from the mountain. Although these sweet Zhu fruits lacked the aura of the Bi Zhu fruits, they were crispy and sweet. After Yu Su brought them in once, Qingze liked them. So, every time Yu Su went into the mountains, he would bring some.
But now, this handful should be the last batch recently. With the arrival of winter, the sweet Zhu fruit trees, after experiencing a brief autumn, immediately faced the invasion of winter. All the leaves had fallen.
"I don't know how cold this year's winter will be, but it's good if it's colder. With the roads frozen by ice and snow, those people from Salt Village won't casually come to Yu Village, making it easier for us to develop secretly." Yu Su chatted with Qingze.
Qingze pushed him with a deer hoof, indicating that he should tell the story and not be lazy.
Yu Su coughed lightly. "Alright, alright, don't rush. Let me tell you."
Yu Su told Qingze about the big monk and his three disciples all day. He was somewhat absent-minded, and seeing that it was almost dark, he stopped.
He first went to drink water and then caught a wild rabbit in the mountains, brought it back, and roasted it.
After seasoning, the plump rabbit was roasted until it sizzled with oil, and the aroma filled the air.
Qingze cast a disdainful glance at Yu Su.
Yu Su smiled. "Don't you want to try some?"
Qingze shook his head. It didn't eat flesh and blood. Even cooked meat was not something it would eat. Allowing Yu Su to roast a rabbit on its territory was already quite tolerant.
"Well, that's a pity. Roasted rabbit is so delicious." Yu Su said.
Qingze was unmoved. It even advised Yu Su to eat less, as it might affect cultivation.
"I haven't started fasting yet, so, of course, I should eat more before starting. After fasting, I won't be as free to eat whatever I want." Yu Su said.
Qingze listened and couldn't be bothered to care about him.
After Yu Su finished eating the rabbit, he wrapped up the leftovers. When leaving Deer God Mountain, he would take them out and throw them away.
"By the way, Mountain God, take a look at this Phoenix Bird egg. I've tried several methods but can't hatch it. Is it because the time hasn't come, or am I doing it wrong?" Yu Su took out the Phoenix Bird egg he got from Black Flame Valley and showed it to Qingze."