Chapter 1409: Discussing the Dao, Seeking Frost

Xiao Feng has been cultivating the Origin Scripture for over a year, and his practice comes naturally.

As he becomes more familiar with this cultivation method, his environmental requirements keep decreasing; he no longer needs energy to practice.

Even in this desolate, ruined world that almost lacks heavenly and earthly spiritual energy, he can draw energy from the thin air and the yellow earth on the ground.

Because matter itself is a form of energy, when broken down to the extreme, it becomes primordial qi of all things.

The so-called primordial qi of all things is actually the minuscule particles left after matter is broken down to the extreme—far smaller than atoms, even smaller than quarks.

It can be used to construct any kind of atom, any kind of matter, and even to build 'space'.

Of course, understanding is one thing, but Xiao Feng currently lacks the ability to master all of this.

So far, he can only convert some relatively ordinary matter and most energy into his own use.

When faced with those high-strength rare materials, he is helpless, because not knowing their molecular structure makes forced disassembly overly taxing and easily leads to exhaustion.

The same applies to constituting matter and energy: he can only simulate in his mind the energy he is familiar with, transforming the power within his divinity into it. If it's something he has never even heard of, completely unknown, then naturally he cannot.

He cultivates in tranquility, drawing in the surrounding ordinary matter and forcibly absorbing it.

The surrounding air, faint spiritual energy, and a bit of dust and sand are attracted to him, slowly ground into primordial qi of all things, then absorbed and stored.

【You have cultivated painstakingly, gaining 1030 cultivation points, Divine Origin Power +4!】

【You have cultivated painstakingly, gaining 1069 cultivation points, Divine Origin Power +3, Willpower +5!】

【You have cultivated painstakingly, gaining 1084 cultivation points, Divine Origin Power +4!】

Since he hasn't taken out the Heavenly Path Whisk, relying solely on the Diamond Bracelet and heart method cultivation, his cultivation speed isn't fast, still less than what the Chaos Tree absorbs.

In this world, the Chaos Tree's speed has also slowed, and it can absorb less energy, gaining only 200 points per minute, but its settlement speed is faster than his, so overall it still exceeds his cultivation effect.

Xun Shuang Xianzi sat opposite him, quietly observing; the more she watched, the more satisfied and surprised she became, occasionally nodding slightly.

After two hours, Xiao Feng finished his cultivation and opened his eyes.

"How does my cultivation method compare to yours?" Xiao Feng asked her.

She didn't answer, just saying, "You also take a look at mine."

Then she began cultivating right where she was.

Hum~

The surrounding world trembled slightly.

Xun Shuang Xianzi's cultivation far exceeds Xiao Feng's; when she practices, it triggers heaven-and-earth resonance, with much greater commotion.

As soon as her cultivation began, all the invisible gases around her converged toward her, forming a vortex over 500 meters in diameter centered on her.

Initially the vortex was invisible, but after a while the airflow kicked up dust and sand, disturbing the ground, causing particles to fly about, gradually becoming like a tornado.

The two sat in the center of the whirlwind; Xiao Feng had to use divine power to protect himself, lest he be soiled by the dust.

Xun Shuang Xianzi was the same, not wanting dust to stain her.

She absorbs energy very quickly and over a wide range, but Xiao Feng noticed she didn't actually absorb that dust; she merely attracted it unintentionally.

"Does she disdain the energy in dust and earth?" Xiao Feng wondered.

Although breaking down soil into primordial qi is a bit troublesome, cultivating via the Origin Scripture isn't too difficult; it's entirely doable.

She only consumes energy, not matter; I don't know whether it's her subjective mindset at work, or she simply doesn't know how.

Time flowed slowly.

The vortex grew larger, slowly expanding outward, the area affected by her cultivation ever increasing.

Judging solely by cultivation effect, her cultivation speed increase should be at least a hundred times faster than Xiao Feng's; although she is 'picky,' her foundation is extremely high, her base too solid, allowing her to devour terrifying amounts of energy.

After an hour, Xun Shuang Xianzi finished her cultivation.

The vortex gradually stopped spinning; the dust and sand she had kicked up came to rest and slowly fell down.

She opened her eyes and said, "Do you see the difference now?"

Xiao Feng said, "You seem to be simply absorbing energy."

She nodded: "I once tried to absorb grass, wood, spring water, and rocks like you do, converting them for my own use, but it was too laborious; energy is easier and more efficient."

With that said, it's clear: she isn't incapable, she just doesn't want to do it.

So……

"Our cultivation methods are indeed exactly the same?" Xiao Feng stated his conclusion.

Xun Shuang Xianzi expressed agreement, lightly asking, "Now you should believe that we are destined enemies, right?"

"Uh..."

Xiao Feng still didn't quite believe that, shaking his head: "Countless people in the world cultivate the same method; you can't say sharing a cultivation method makes you enemies. Many of your senior brothers and sisters surely share the same cultivation method as well."

"That's not the same."

She shook her head and explained: "The Primordial Scripture is a unique, peerless supreme art in the world, directly pointing to the chaos mystery at the dawn of the Great Dao. There can only be one Lord of the Heavenly Dao; our conflict is inevitable."

"Why say that? Does cultivating the Origin Scripture necessarily mean becoming the master of the Heavenly Dao?" Xiao Feng also shook his head, disagreeing with her view.

Xun Shuang Xianzi smiled and asked him, bewildered: "Isn't cultivation for becoming stronger? The Lord of the Heavenly Dao is the strongest being in this world, surpassing the masters of all great Dao, towering over all beings in the cosmos."

Xiao Feng rebutted: "But have you considered that you're cultivating a method given to you by someone else? Since this method was created, someone must have cultivated it before. That person is exactly the Lord of the Heavenly Dao you speak of; with such power, he must have reached an eternal, indestructible state—how could he relinquish his position to you? As you said, there can only be one Lord of the Heavenly Dao; even if you cultivated to incredible strength, you could never become a second one, unable to replace the previous Lord, and might even be erased by him."

"This..."

Xun Shuang Xianzi paused at his words, yet they drew her into thought.

Xiao Feng continued: "I think, rather than saying the Primordial Scripture and the Origin Scripture are a path for you to retrace the ancients' steps, it's better to say this is a book that lets you read, understand, and acquire ancient knowledge; then, by synthesizing and thinking independently, you can research deeper, richer knowledge on your own."

"Deeper? Richer?" Xun Shuang Xianzi frowned, questioning: "The Primordial Scripture already contains the deepest secrets of heaven and earth; what could be deeper?"

"There is."

Xiao Feng chuckled: "Who knows? Beyond heaven and earth there might be more heaven and earth; above the universe there could be more universes, like the myriad-worlds cosmos, layered and progressive, with powerful worlds and even more powerful ones."

"But that's ultimately just your speculation; cultivation shouldn't rely on baseless imagination—you must proceed step by step with feet on the ground to reach high places."

"Then you also can't just look at your feet and ignore the distance, right? What if this road is wrong? Ahead there's a big pit full of filthy water; would you keep your head down and just step right into it?"

"You're bluffing me; this is also your guess—how could the original scripture be a pitfall?"