A strange, dark black aura continuously swirled in the palm of Li Yi's hand, sometimes dense, sometimes thin, changing countless times in a moment. Whenever it seemed like the aura was about to dissipate, Li Yi would stimulate a new wave of energy to replenish it, keeping the black aura in his palm from dispersing.
"Is this Dou Qi?" Li Yi murmured, then shook his head, "No, according to the rules of Dou Shen Mainland, the energy absorbed from the environment at this stage is only for marrow cleansing and cannot be stored in the body for long. So it can only be tentatively called 'natural energy', not Dou Qi. Only when the marrow cleansing reaches a certain level can a vortex of Dou Qi form in the body, achieving the level of a Fighter."
"But what level of natural energy do I possess now?"
In Dou Shen Mainland, every level is divided into nine stages, from one crystal to nine crystals, which is easy to remember. Similarly, the initial phase of cultivation, natural energy, is also divided from one to nine crystals.
However, Li Yi lacked a clear concept of his current level. While there were unique crystals in Dou Shen Mainland that could test the level of one's natural energy, he had none at hand. But he wasn't without a method to find out.
Li Yi wore a playful smile as he stood up and leapt towards the shore, landing steadily on the grass with a light sound. He then pointed his finger towards a lush, large tree nearby.
With a crisp "crack," several clear finger marks appeared on the tree trunk, as if they had been imprinted there. Seeing this, Li Yi nodded in satisfaction. The cultivation method of Dou Qi truly had its merits. Just a month of secluded cultivation, and his physical condition had already reached three to four times the strength of his previous life.
Although he wasn't entirely satisfied with this level of strength, it was a significant improvement from his previous frail condition. Yet, he wondered if he could form a Dou Qi vortex within three months at this rate of cultivation.
Unsure about this, Li Yi realized that if he didn't form a Dou Qi vortex within three months, the situation wouldn't be as simple as he thought. He knew it was time to use a certain method mentioned in the Demonic Nine Transformations.
This technique required absorbing the so-called 'Blood Fiend Qi.' In the world of Dou Qi cultivation, if the energy absorbed matched the attributes of one's cultivation method, the speed of cultivation could be greatly enhanced. For example, a fire attribute technique would benefit from fire essence, and a water attribute technique would be enhanced in areas with strong water essence...
But the Demonic Nine Transformations required Blood Fiend Qi. The technique detailed several places rich in this energy, but they seemed difficult to reach for Li Yi, especially considering his current circumstances.
To rapidly increase his strength, Li Yi's only option was to artificially create a Blood Fiend Territory. According to the Demonic Nine Transformations, weapons that had seen blood often carried Blood Fiend Qi, varying in intensity.
"It seems it's time to venture out and see for myself what level of natural energy I possess now."
Upon returning to the Li family compound, Li Yi felt as if he was stepping into a different world. His cultivation had taken place in the back mountains of the Li family, a forbidden area.
As Li Yi emerged from the forbidden area, two black-clad guards who had been hiding in secret quickly appeared before him. Li Yi knew these were the Li family's personal guards, loyal to Li Han, the family head.
After a brief salute, one of the guards said with amazement, "Congratulations, young master. In just a month, not only have you successfully cleansed your marrow, but you've also cultivated to the three-crystal level of natural energy. The family head will be very pleased."
Li Yi frowned slightly, realizing that his level of natural energy was probably not high, but he hadn't expected it to be just three crystals. The guard, noticing Li Yi's expression, reassured him, saying that reaching the three-crystal level in a month was a sign of great talent in the Li family.
Li Yi explained that he needed to find something to aid his cultivation, as he had been stuck at the three-crystal level for several days. The guards offered to buy whatever he needed, but Li Yi insisted on handling it himself, not trusting these newly acquainted guards with such a task.
Agreeing to Li Yi's request, the guards mentioned they would need to inform the family head if Li Yi left the forbidden area. Li Yi, undeterred, decided to personally speak with his father about his needs.
As he walked towards the main area of the Li family compound, Li Yi felt a sense of detachment, as if he had been away for ages. The seclusion in the mountains had changed him, and he was ready to face the challenges of the Dou Shen Mainland with newfound strength and determination.
Wanzhao City, built along the mountain, is grand and majestic, one of the major cities in the Tianfeng Empire. The Li family, as the dominant power in Wanzhao City, naturally occupies the best location. Therefore, strolling in the courtyard of the Li family, one is greeted with birds chirping and fragrant flowers, invigorating the spirit.
Li Yi walked a few steps and initially intended to visit the family's armory, but then reconsidered. Given his sensitive status in the Li family, taking away a large quantity of weapons in one go might cause trouble if noticed by others. Moreover, although he had some understanding of this world due to the integration of memories, experiencing things firsthand is different. Thus, he decided to take a walk around the market in Wanzhao City.
After circling the Li family compound a few times, he finally arrived at the front gate. While marveling at the extensive grounds of the Li family, his gaze inadvertently fell on a large open space in front of the courtyard. There, dozens of young men and women were practicing their skills. Some wielded weapons, while others were unarmed. A few authoritative middle-aged men occasionally offered guidance.
Observing from the sidelines, Li Yi quickly understood that this was likely combat training. Compared to the combat skills he had witnessed for the first time, what these young men and women were displaying seemed quite ordinary, although a few weapons did emit a peculiar glow as they were swung, which was quite eye-catching.
Though Li Yi had no particular research on combat skills, based on the principle that learning one thing can lead to understanding many things, and given his background as a renowned assassin in the dark world with formidable skills, he quickly discerned that the combat techniques being practiced, while seemingly powerful, were full of openings and not very intricate. He wondered about their usefulness in actual combat.
Thinking about the upcoming clan conference, Li Yi's lips curled into a faint smile, considering that it might not be difficult for him to perform well.