Silvery white patterns quickly spread all over Gu Yi's body, even covering his face. Endless power flowed through these patterns, enhancing his physical strength and transforming his body to become even more powerful.
The previously calm flow of the world's energy was now being drawn into Gu Yi's body like a black hole. He couldn't think or worry about anything else as he entered the deepest level of meditation.
In this state, he existed in harmony with the world, becoming as one with all living things. All distractions were cleared from his mind, and the secrets of the universe seemed to reveal themselves to him. He continued absorbing knowledge and power, especially the essence of ice and fire elements, which laid their very foundations bare before him. Gu Yi, like a long-dry sponge, absorbed the truths of the world endlessly.
The space around him was thick with spatial energy, and an overwhelming force flowed into his body, feeding into the spirit core within his dantian, thereby increasing his cultivation. This state was unprecedented for Gu Yi, a mystical experience beyond words.
His understanding of the elements soared, and he remained in this deep meditation for an entire month. During this time, Dugu Bo occasionally checked in on him. Seeing that Gu Yi was safe, Dugu Bo retreated with a look of envy. As a Titled Douluo, Dugu Bo knew that Gu Yi had entered a state most soul masters could only dream of.
Suddenly, the small house that had been silent for a month echoed with the sound of bones creaking.
"Ah, so comfortable." Gu Yi stood up and stretched, a satisfied expression on his face. Cultivation truly was an addictive experience. Although his body had been sitting quietly for a month, his soul had wandered through the heavens and the earth, experiencing the cycle of life and death.
He now felt his power had only risen slightly to level 66, but the quality of his spirit power had increased dozens of times. Coupled with his martial arts and domain abilities, he could probably take on a Titled Douluo even without drawing on the world's energy.
Though Gu Yi had successfully condensed his spirit core, there was still much he needed to understand. The process of forming the spirit core had been fraught with challenges, but it was ultimately successful. He also gained many unexpected benefits.
Looking inward, he saw the spirit core in his dantian slowly absorbing the world's energy and strengthening itself. But the key point was the two small red and blue light dots within the core, the remnants left behind by the Fire Dragon King and the Ice Dragon King.
His spirit core had formed through the combination of his Zhoutian Liuhe Jing technique, the world's energy, and spatial energy. Originally, no unusual colors would have appeared, but the influence of the Ice and Fire Dragon Kings caused the ice and fire elements within the core to be much stronger than the others.
This gift from them pleased Gu Yi. He believed the temperature of his flames could now surpass that of Ma Hongjun.
Moreover...
In the small house, a bright and warm flame appeared in Gu Yi's hand. It was none other than the Nirvana Flame from his fifth spirit skill. Before, he could only slightly modify his fifth spirit skill, as the Nirvana Flame was not something easily controlled. Even with his mastery of the Zhoutian Liuhe Jing, it was difficult. But now, he could extract and control the Nirvana Flame. This flame wasn't about destruction; it was about life.
If Ma Hongjun's Phoenix Flame was all about burning and destroying, then Gu Yi's Nirvana Flame was about vitality and healing. Though both were flames, they followed completely different paths.
Gu Yi now understood the duality, even the multiplicity, of things more deeply. With a thought, the flame dissipated. He took a step and appeared outside the house as if he had crossed a vast distance in a single stride.
Besides the flame, he had also gained insight into spatial power, which he could previously only faintly perceive. Now, he had a true understanding of it. The formation of the spirit core was inseparable from spatial power.
"Are you done with your cultivation?" Dugu Bo, who was tending to the immortal herbs, sensed the spatial disturbance behind him and turned to see Gu Yi.
"Yes, thank you for everything, Old Poison."
"You had a good time, but I had to work hard to drive away the spirit beasts outside," Dugu Bo complained.
Though Gu Yi had been in deep meditation, he was still aware of what was happening outside.
"Old Poison, you've just regained the vitality of your youth. If you don't find a way to release some of it, you'll end up creating a junior for Yan Yan."
Dugu Bo was momentarily stunned. When did Gu Yi start making such jokes? This was entirely different from how he used to be.
"Get out of here, you brat! You can't expect anything decent to come out of your mouth. Go and give me a great-grandchild to hold." Dugu Bo laughed and cursed. He appreciated this more relaxed version of Gu Yi compared to his previous overly mature demeanor.
"What have you been up to?" Dugu Bo asked curiously. Before, he would never have asked such a question. But things were different now. Given Gu Yi's relationship with his granddaughter, he felt it was okay to ask. Dugu Bo had no family or allegiance to any faction; his only concern was his granddaughter. Now that Gu Yi and Dugu Yan were together, Dugu Bo naturally considered him family.
"I've been working on a method to further improve the quality of spirit power. Once I refine it further, your strength will undergo an earth-shattering transformation, Old Poison." With the experience of condensing his spirit core, Gu Yi believed it wouldn't be long before he could perfect the method. It would then become much easier.
The Titled Douluo of the current Douluo Continent were far weaker than those from ten thousand years later. The quality of their spirit power was fundamentally different.
Especially compared to someone like Huo Yuhao, who had three spirit cores. Even an 800,000-year-old Di Tian was no match for him. If Di Tian were human instead of a spirit beast, he would have ascended to the Divine Realm long ago.
Dugu Bo was pleased. After all, who would refuse the chance to improve their strength, especially after being stuck as a gatekeeper for so many years?
"Anything else?" Dugu Bo suddenly asked.
Gu Yi shook his head.
"If not, get out of here! Yan Yan is still waiting for you at the academy," Dugu Bo cursed.
Gu Yi was momentarily taken aback. He thought there might be something else. But he didn't argue. After all, the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Tournament was approaching, and as the headmaster, he couldn't be absent from the academy for too long.
A flame appeared in his hand, the Nirvana Flame, known for its healing abilities.
A sly smile appeared on Gu Yi's face.
"Are all of you ready? Hellish training is about to begin."
(End Of Chapter)