Yun Tianming, in a moment of enthusiasm, confronted Yun Yun, facing a high possibility of rejection. Fortunately, Nalan Yanran's timely appearance prevented a complete confrontation, leaving room for both parties to maneuver. Eventually, the matter was temporarily suppressed.
Returning to rationality, Yun Tianming resumed his usual practice routine.
"First, cultivate the Qi Method."
Yun Tianming produced the jade slip of the Qi Method given by Yun Yun.
The so-called Qi Method is the method of operating Dou Qi within the meridians, which can only be cultivated by becoming a Dou Practitioner. The level of Qi Method directly affects the strength, capacity, and recovery efficiency of Dou Qi. It plays a crucial role in determining the future potential of the practitioner!
The reason why the Jia Ma Empire lacks Dou Ancestor-level experts and why Yun Shan, the former Sect Master of Misty Cloud Sect, has been stuck at the peak of Dou Emperor for many years is largely due to the limitation of the Qi Method level in their cultivation. Because the Black Rank High-level Qi Method can only accommodate limited Dou Qi, breaking through to the Dou Ancestor realm seems almost impossible.
However, although the key issue lies in the level of Qi Method, solving it is equally challenging. Earth Rank-level Qi Method generally exists only in the first-class forces on the continent and is considered a treasure of the sect. Occasionally, news of Earth Rank Qi Methods emerges in the Black-Corner Region, but their astronomical prices are difficult for most practitioners to afford. Even if you can afford it, whether you can bring it out is another matter altogether.
For instance, after Yun Yun, a Dou Emperor powerhouse, acquired the Black Rank High-level Qi Method, she immediately faced pursuit from a Dou Emperor and two Dou Kings in the Black-Corner Region. Only by sustaining minor injuries did Yun Yun manage to escape the Black-Corner Region. Imagine if she had possessed an Earth Rank Qi Method; it would likely have attracted the interception of Dou Ancestor powerhouses!
Now, the problem arises: without an Earth Rank Qi Method, it's difficult to break through to the Dou Ancestor realm. Without Dou Ancestor powerhouses presiding, it's impossible to hold onto an Earth Rank Qi Method. This creates a dead end.
However, for Yun Tianming, there is another solution.
"Strengthen!"
Mysterious power from the system infused into the jade slip of the Qi Method, immediately emitting a brilliant emerald green light.
[Strengthening successful!]
[Black Rank High-level Qi Method: Divine Wood Mantra, upgraded to Earth Rank Low Level Qi Method: Nourishing Divine Wood!]
The vast amount of information contained within the Qi Method surged into Yun Tianming's mind at this moment.
Yun Tianming immediately sat cross-legged, forming a cultivation seal with his hands, urging the Dou Qi within his body to circulate along the routes outlined by the Qi Method within his meridians.
This caused the originally loose Dou Qi within his body to be compressed in volume and density as it entered the narrow and elongated meridians. With each circulation through the meridians, the density of Dou Qi would be further compressed, while the narrow meridians would expand, resembling the roots and stems of a well-nourished plant, becoming thick and solid.
The Earth Rank Qi Method contained numerous meridians. For Yun Tianming's initial cultivation, he needed to open each of these hidden meridians, a process that consumed three days and nights. As the final meridian at the bottom of his heel opened, the cultivation of the Qi Method, Nourishing Divine Wood, was declared successful!
"Swish"
Yun Tianming opened his eyes, sharp brilliance emanating from his pupils. As if reborn, he felt an inexhaustible strength coursing through his body, causing him to involuntarily let out a loud shout. The airflow he exhaled even directly blasted open the door of the room!
Standing up and flexing his somewhat stiff limbs, Yun Tianming's whole body made cracking sounds of relief. With a wave of his hand, a verdant Dou Qi, brimming with vigorous vitality, appeared in the palm of his hand.
"The intensity of this Dou Qi might even rival that of a Five or Six Star Dou Practitioner!"
Joy spread across Yun Tianming's face. This was the benefit brought by the high-grade Qi Method, enabling him to surpass the combat power of practitioners of the same rank by several stars!
Not only that, compared to Black Rank, Earth Rank had incomparable advantages in Dou Qi capacity and recovery rate!
"Nourishing Divine Wood, Wheel of Ten Thousand Spirits!"
Yun Tianming activated the recovery part of the Qi Method, and suddenly, it seemed as if the spiritual energy between heaven and earth responded to some call, swiftly gathering towards him. In a matter of seconds, his body was filled with Dou Qi, fully restored to its peak state!
This is also the characteristic of the Earth Rank Qi Method, which can mobilize the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to transform into Dou Qi.
In actual combat, when facing an opponent who is a full rank higher, relying on the strength of the Qi Method, one can even counter-kill!
In the original work, when Xiao Yan confronted Yun Shan, after merging the Green Lotus Core Flame and the Fallen Heart Flame, the Flame Mantra Qi Method reached the Earth Rank Low Level. Surprisingly, asa peak Dou King he faced Yun Shan, who is a three stars Dou Ancestor, they fought evenly, which is quite impressive!
This battle also exposed Yun Shan's biggest weakness, which is that the Qi Method he cultivated is only Black Rank High level, and his Dou Qi quality is inferior to Xiao Yan's, effectively reducing the level gap between the two. Furthermore, Yun Shan is genuinely impoverished, as he relies solely on Black Rank High level Dou Techniques, unlike Xiao Yan, who has been gifted with Earth Rank High level Dou Techniques like the Emperor's Decree, not to mention the ultimate cheat-like move, the Buddha's Fury Fire Lotus!
The various gaps mentioned above ultimately led to Yun Shan's downfall.
Returning to the main topic, it can be seen how much of a preemptive advantage cultivating a high-level Qi Method brings, something that Yun Tianming clearly understands.
"Now that the issue with the Qi Method is resolved, the next step is Dou Techniques."
The Qi Method forms the foundation, while Dou Techniques are the combat skills.
Yun Tianming took out two scrolls of Dou Techniques, one of which was a wood attribute attack Dou Technique seized from Mu Zhan, while the other was a body movement Dou Technique gifted by Yun Yun.
Between offense and evasion, Yun Tianming did not hesitate and decisively chose the latter!
In his view, the Dou Qi Continent is a world full of danger, where the laws are virtually nonexistent and cannot restrain true power. Even in broad daylight, incidents of murder and robbery are not uncommon.
Therefore, compared to attack Dou Techniques, body movement Dou Techniques offer the crucial advantage of evasion and survival when needed, placing them at the top of Yun Tianming's priority list for cultivation of Dou Techniques!
"Strengthen!"
Skillful system operation.
[Strengthening successful!]
[Black Rank Mid Level Dou Technique: Explosive Steps, upgraded to Black Rank High level Dou Technique: Bursting Void Steps!]
The Explosive Steps in the original work is a technique that utilizes continuous bursts of Dou Qi underfoot, generating shock energy to propel the body at high speeds. It's considered an early-stage movement skill for the protagonist, not particularly sophisticated in itself. After Xiao Yan practiced the Three Thousand Lightning Movements, he never used Explosive Steps again.
However, after being enhanced by the system, the Explosive Steps not only have faster burst movement speed but also gained a special function. Just as the name suggests, "Bursting Void Steps" no longer restrict movement to the ground; it can be used for brief mid-air movement! When cultivated to the extreme, it can even mimic rocket-like propulsion, achieving high-speed flight effects!
It should be noted that the current wood attribute Qi Method is only practiced in the protagonist's early stages. After refining the different fires, he will awaken fire attribute Dou Qi and then switch to cultivating fire attribute Qi Method. It's just that the setting for Alchemist requires both fire and wood attributes. If not for Alchemist, many opportunities to show off would be missed.
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