Comparing Han Pu and Qin Zhi, Lin Xiu's strength surpasses both, deciding to hold the rear.
As Lin Xiu entered, he found that the sunken wall had risen again, blocking the entrance.
"Let's continue forward." Seeing this, Lin Xiu signaled that they could only move ahead.
The first half of the path required bending over, making progress slow, but gradually, they could stand upright again.
From the sensation underfoot, Lin Xiu realized that this passage extended downward.
After about ten minutes of walking, Du Chaoping stopped ahead.
In sight was a secret chamber, with a platform on the left bearing clothes covered in dust, alongside numerous fist-sized square jade stones and several jade bottles.
Several people approached to inspect.
"Inside here are healing potions. Han Pu, there's a Bone-Healing Pill. Your arm injury can be resolved." Du Chaoping, with a delighted expression, looked at Han Pu upon seeing the inscription on one of the jade bottles.
"Is this appropriate?" Instead of taking it immediately, Han Pu looked at Lin Xiu. Without Junior Lin, they wouldn't have had the opportunity to enter here.
"Senior Han, use it if you can. Do you have a masochistic tendency? Does the pain in your hands bring you pleasure?" Lin Xiu joked.
"See, Junior Lin is very easygoing. Take it." Du Chaoping said.
This time, Han Pu didn't hesitate. His arm throbbed with pain, and it was indeed uncomfortable.
Taking out the pill, he swallowed it, feeling a warm flow spreading through his left arm.
Han Pu quietly sighed with relief, no longer needing to endure the pain.
"All of these are pure Dou Qi." Du Chaoping picked up a square jade stone containing liquid-like substance. When his palm touched it, he revealed a hint of surprise.
The sealed Dou Qi inside has undergone refinement, seemingly extracted from the body.
This kind of Dou Qi can be directly absorbed, rapidly enhancing the Dou Qi within the body.
As they carefully examined it, Du Chaoping's tone was filled with astonishment. "Who would refine all of their internal Dou Qi? And how did they achieve such a level?"
Lin Xiu also examined it; the Dou Qi in the jade stone was very concentrated, almost containing two-thirds of his own Dou Qi.
His internal Dou Qi encompasses both wind and thunder attributes, and with an Aptitude raised to 20, it is more abundant than the average Yellow Rank High-level Qi Method 9 Star Dou Practitioner.
Two-thirds of his Dou Qi quantity would be comparable to the entire Dou Qi of an ordinary practicing Yellow Rank High-level 9 Star Dou Practitioner.
If each jade stone here has this quantity, then the person who separated the Dou Qi must be at least a Dou Grandmaster.
"Han Pu, Qin Zhi, I have a suggestion." Du Chaoping looked at the two. "These jade stones contain pure Dou Qi and can rapidly enhance strength."
This time, without Junior Lin Xiu, we wouldn't have had a chance to access this at all. So, I suggest that each of us takes at most one piece, and the rest should go to Junior Lin Xiu."
Noticing Lin Xiu looking at him, Du Chaoping explained, "Junior Lin Xiu, Mentor has high expectations for you, and rapid strength improvement is crucial."
After hearing Du Chaoping's words, Han Pu and Qin Zhi had no objections. Being able to take one piece was already a significant gain for them.
Originally, they had gained nothing and were even injured by Bai Shan and others.
Now, Lin Xiu not only helped them out of the predicament but also led them to a treasure. It was only fair for Lin Xiu to take the lion's share.
Lin Xiu was surprised but didn't rush to accept. For him, he didn't need these pure Dou Qi.
His improvement speed was already fast enough, and if he took this Dou Qi, it wouldn't be long before he could break through to Dou Master.
Moreover, compared to his own cultivation, these Dou Qi were external substances. While they could enhance Dou Qi and realms, they might affect the stability of his foundation.
Lin Xiu doesn't have a strong desire or need for them.
"Senior Sister, you should take these Dou Qi. I don't need them. I just entered. Let's continue searching; there might be other discoveries." Lin Xiu smiled and declined.
"Alright, if there are more discoveries, we won't take them. But if there aren't any, Junior, we will distribute them as I suggested." Du Chaoping decisively stated, not allowing Lin Xiu to refuse.
The entire secret chamber was only five or six square meters, making it a bit cramped for the four people inside.
While the three were searching, Lin Xiu looked at the pile of clothes and, upon pulling them apart, found a scroll.
"Origin Return? No level?" Lin Xiu didn't immediately put it away but showed the scroll to the others.
However,
Du Chaoping didn't reach out to take it. He simply let Lin Xiu handle it himself, not even showing any curiosity.
"Senior Sister, compared to Dou Qi, I prefer Dou Techniques and Secrets. I won't compete with you for these Dou Qi." Seeing this, Lin Xiu voluntarily stepped back.
"Junior, you haven't even looked at the scroll. What if it's just a lousy one? You might be at a loss," Han Pu thought Lin Xiu was too impulsive.
Du Chaoping and Qin Zhi shared the same sentiment. They were clearly interested in the pure Dou Qi but restrained themselves, not revealing their eagerness.
Unable to resist, Lin Xiu opened the scroll and glanced at it. Just as he was about to introduce it, Du Chaoping interrupted.
"Junior, just tell us if you're satisfied or not," Du Chaoping didn't want to know the content of the scroll.
Sometimes, treasures can stir up desires, and exceptional scrolls might easily lead to conflicts.
So, it's better not to know.
The scroll explained that Origin Return leaned towards a particular type of Secret Technique. It gathers Dou Qi to open the Yuan aperture, creating a new space in the dantian, with the effect of expanding the dantian.
From the scroll, Lin Xiu learned that the pure Dou Qi was produced by the person practicing Origin Return. To open the Yuan aperture, one needed to continuously ingest and exhale Dou Qi to expand the dantian. The excess Dou Qi could be temporarily stored outside the body through refining, waiting to be absorbed into the Yuan aperture once it was completed.
The Yuan aperture can usually store excess Dou Qi and be directly accessed when needed.
"I'm very satisfied," Lin Xiu spoke frankly. He meant it. This method of storing Dou Qi would, in a way, allow him to conceal his strength.
Furthermore, each time a Yuan aperture is opened, it requires a corresponding attribute magic core. The more Yuan apertures there are, the higher the Qi Method level will be.
In fact, what Lin Xiu values more about Origin Return is its ability to enhance his own attributes. For example, since everyone knows he has Wind and Lightning attributes, when he conceals his Movement and uses Metal or Fire attributes, it won't arouse suspicion.
"Originally, once I entered the Inner Court, I was worried about progressing too quickly and missing the opportunity to participate in the competition for the Fire Qi with Xiao Yan's generation. Now, those concerns are alleviated. Moreover, if I can switch attributes, maybe I can preempt Xiao Yan's Three Thousand Lightning Movements, Thunderbat Sky Wings, and Yin-Yang Profound Dragon Pill."
Having seen the effects of Origin Return, Lin Xiu immediately thought of various possibilities. Even the Fire Lotus completed by Xiao Yan using the different fires—if he could open five Yuan apertures, he could create a Qi Lotus with five different Dou Qi attributes.
"Junior Lin Xiu, we won't be polite about these pure Dou Qi then." Seeing Lin Xiu's uncontrollable smile, Du Chaoping also understood that Lin Xiu had indeed obtained a satisfactory Dou Technique.
"Don't be polite, Senior Sister. Your improvement in strength will also benefit me," Lin Xiu regained his composure and felt that this journey was not in vain.
If it weren't for encountering Du Chaoping and the others, holding the parchment, he wouldn't have been able to find the hidden patterns in the cave.
Du Chaoping, Han Pu, and Qin Zhi divided the jade stones. Han Pu and Qin Zhi each gave one piece to Du Chaoping as a gesture of gratitude.
As a result, Du Chaoping ended up with six pieces, while Han Pu and Qin Zhi each had three.
While they absorbed the Dou Qi from the jade stones, Lin Xiu didn't idle. He happened to have a Second Rank Magic Beast Core, the Wind Wolf, in his hands, so he began practicing Origin Return.
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