Chapter 159

Song Cheng's gaze fell upon the "Earth-Grade Grade A" rank following the *Dragon-Tiger Heaven-Patrolling Scripture*, then glanced at his remaining points: "153,791 points."

Clearly, the "Grade A" rank here is built upon the foundation of the "Grade B" rank.

To break through to the Earth-Grade Grade A realm with the *Dragon-Tiger Heaven-Patrolling Scripture*, one must first cultivate its Grade B techniques.

Jing Shifei sat to one side with a headache; she was already cultivating the *Taiyin Guidance Technique* and the *Dual Cultivation Technique*, and having absorbed the entire content of the *Dragon-Tiger Heaven-Patrolling Scripture* in one go, she naturally felt her head throbbing intensely.

"Song-lang, let me explain it to you again."

Enduring the headache, she shed her skirt and climbed onto the couch, her ink-like aura blending with Song Cheng's as she attempted to transmit her thoughts through complete physical contact until he learned it.

She had already prepared herself for the long haul.

But this time, Song Cheng simply held her gently, rolled over to straddle her, and reached out to stroke her long hair, saying, "That is enough, Shifei; you can use the Oblivion Technique now."

"I, I am fine," Jing Shifei forced a smile and said, "It really wasn't easy to obtain the cultivation method of the Dragon-Tiger Red Sun Court; I'd rather wait a little longer."

"Be good."

Song Cheng said softly.

Jing Shifei was stunned for a moment.

The word "be good" was always used by elders toward children; if used between peers, it would be an insult, but for some reason, she felt that Song Cheng's entire being had begun to turn profound.

This single word made it difficult for her to even harbor a sense of resistance.

Even though Song Cheng was much, much younger than her, it was still the same.

She still remembered the scene when Lian Chanxi led this young boy to the courtyard to call her "Aunt"; for a moment, it felt like yesterday, yet also like a lifetime ago.

However, she still did not intend to obey; she wanted to memorize the *Dragon-Tiger Heaven-Patrolling Scripture*.

Even though Jing Shifei had great confidence in Song Cheng, as long as he hadn't mastered it, she would keep it in her memory.

This headache... she would endure it.

On the other side, Song Cheng left his partner's body, scanned his panel, and silently thought, "Max out the *Dragon-Tiger Heaven-Patrolling Scripture*."

In an instant, 92,159 points surged into his cultivation progress, and the remaining points on his panel became 61,632.

Under the impact of the points, the *Dragon-Tiger Heaven-Patrolling Scripture* broke through from "Earth-Grade Grade B (Not yet initiated)" all the way to "Earth-Grade Grade A (Perfected (32,767/32,768))."

A massive amount of information flooded into Song Cheng's mind.

It was as if he had cultivated for tens of thousands of years within fragments of time.

Day after day, year after year, he had contemplated this technique with undivided focus, step by step relying on his own hard work and sweat, finally reaching the pinnacle.

Profound and mighty power surged through his body; the black and white colors became solid, and the flowing sensation of liquid ink froze, transforming into a presence that no longer possessed any fluidity, yet had clear outlines, as if it were a small world unto itself.

If "Earth-Grade Grade C" meant being a master of mountains and rivers who plundered a realm, holding the seal of mountains and rivers with black and white smoke around the body to recreate the world; and "Earth-Grade Grade B" meant being a true spirit capable of glimpsing the "more essential Yin-Yang phantom realm of heaven and earth," mobilizing Taiyin energy and compressing Yin and Yang into liquid;

Then "Earth-Grade Grade A" was a state of existence that had even plundered a portion of that "more essential Yin-Yang of heaven and earth," storing it within the body to form its own world.

At this level, even a simple punch was like a small world pressing down on the opponent; it was not just an attack that "recreated the world through the soul's dream realm or the Yin-Yang phantom realm," but an attack that encompassed everything and could fully mobilize all power.

The stronger your own small world, the stronger your power.

This kind of potential was far beyond what "mobilizing a few wisps of Taiyin energy" could compare to.

However, Song Cheng was still one step away: the fusion of his "physical body" and "soul."

This step could not be replaced even by points, because it lacked the "necessary conditions."

Therefore, Song Cheng had not yet reached the perfection of "Earth-Grade Grade A."

He was still "1" short.

For this step, he no longer needed to add points; as long as he returned to the mortal world and drew the entire Vast Sea into his body, he could complete this final step of the "small world" and thus reach perfection.

Song Cheng's changes could not escape Jing Shifei's eyes; in the blink of an eye, the beautiful woman watched her partner undergo a drastic transformation, like a fish leaping over the dragon gate or a river dragon turning into a true dragon, as the ink-like aura completely solidified, resembling a silhouette soaked in thick ink on drawing paper.

Yet the white parts within this silhouette were so striking—black and white clearly defined, no longer flowing, unfathomable, and extremely profound. Jing Shifei's cherry lips parted slightly, her beautiful eyes widened, and she stared blankly at her partner, who seemed to have transformed into a god or demon.

"How does Zhang Daolu compare to me?" Song Cheng asked.

Jing Shifei looked at him blankly for a long time before saying, "He is inferior; at the very least, he would only appear like you after he and Long Xueling have achieved Yin-Yang unity."

This Deputy Palace Master of the Xuanqing Palace felt a sense of fear at such a terrifying rate of improvement.

Song Cheng nodded, thinking that Zhang Daolu must only have "mastered the *Dragon-Tiger Heaven-Patrolling Scripture*," while Long Xueling had mastered the Toad Palace's technique, and the fusion of the two formed a small world.

That was indeed a bit inferior to him.

After a moment of thought, Song Cheng walked over, swept the beautiful woman up into his arms, and said softly, "Shifei, you have helped me so much; now it is my turn to take care of you."

Jing Shifei lowered her head, her expression complex, feeling that what others might not achieve in tens of thousands of years of cultivation, her husband before her had completed in just a few breaths. She responded softly, her voice like that of a young girl, cooing, "Song-lang... you truly are a person favored by heaven and earth."

Song Cheng shook his head slightly.

He was simply good at finding environments favorable to himself and then having enough patience to wait.

Jing Shifei asked coquettishly, "Does Song-lang intend to go out now?"

Song Cheng briefly explained the level of "Earth-Grade Grade A" and then said, "Now I need to return to my physical body, draw the Vast Sea into it, and then I will go find your physical body to dual cultivate with you, to see if I can let you enter my small world. In this way, when you and I fuse, your cultivation speed will also increase significantly."

Even though Jing Shifei had already guessed his realm, she was still stunned for a long while upon hearing these words. The fact that Song Cheng thought of completing the dual cultivation fusion with her first moved her deeply, making her feel that her decades of planning had finally been rewarded.

However, she suddenly felt a bit coy, hesitant, and afraid.

"Shifei's realm is low and humble..."

"What is Aunt saying?"

Song Cheng interrupted her, looking down at her affectionately.

The word "Aunt" seemed to touch a certain spot in Jing Shifei; feeling his embrace, she suddenly shuddered, her delicate body tensed, her toes curled, her neck arched as if she were gasping, and her favorability finally changed from "99" to "100."

But as she watched Song Cheng about to step toward the door, she suddenly thought of something and gasped hurriedly, "Song-lang, wait."

Song Cheng paused.

"What is it?"

Jing Shifei said, "Right now, they are interrogating Shi Feng outside. Shi Feng claims he holds the secret to safely turning true spirits into mourning spirits. If the interrogation is successful, I will obtain a copy of his technique and give it to Song-lang... If Song-lang can benefit from that power as well, that would be for the best."

"If Song-lang goes out now, it will certainly trigger many reactions and much turmoil."

Therefore, it is naturally the stronger, the better."

Song Cheng said: "Then use the Forgetting Technique to forget the *Longhu Xuntian Scripture* first, and then we shall talk."

"Fine, fine, fine, my darling, once I have forgotten this technique, I will go and seek out the remaining matching combat arts for you." Jing Shifei looked at Song Cheng with deep affection; her body, mind, and future were now all tied to this man, and the way this man treated An Chenyu and the others made her dare to gamble everything like this.

Seeing that Song Cheng was so terrifyingly powerful, she naturally wanted to find more strength for him, to make him as strong as possible.

The forgetting of the Forgetting Technique was not an instantaneous process, especially for a powerful technique like the *Longhu Xuntian Scripture*.

Jing Shifei stayed in her residence for a full half-year before she cleared that technique from her mind; at the same time, she and Song Cheng had also agreed upon the subsequent technique.

That was the "Earth Grade Grade B" *Taiyang Guidance Technique*.

In fact, none of the seven major powers possessed an "Earth Grade Grade A" combat art; even the technique used by Zhang Daolu was still this *Taiyang Guidance Technique*.

This technique was not only used by the LonghuChiyangCourt, but also by the TucangPalace and Lihuo Palace; it was not rare.

It was just that because the foundational cultivation methods were different, the way of using the "Taiyin" and "Sun" two Qi was also different.

For instance, the Xuanqing Palace technique draws upon Taiyin Qi to directly shatter all realms; the Cunjin Palace technique condenses Taiyin Qi into weapons; the Jianmu Palace technique draws upon Taiyin Qi to form a strange kind of plant; the Chan Palace technique draws upon Taiyin Qi to transform into an illusion that envelops a region.

The utilization of Taiyin Qi and Sun Qi is the mainstream of the highest-level combat today.

As for the "one punch, one world's power" type of ability, because it can only be used after Zhang Daolu and Long Xueling merge, it is not even under discussion. And it is precisely because of this level of "one force breaking ten thousand techniques" that Zhang Daolu is called the strongest.

But Jing Shifei knew that the position of that "number one" was likely about to shift.

Because what Zhang Daolu and his dao companion could only do together, her own Song Lang could do alone; thus, her mood was extremely pleasant every day—a sense of comfort that Jing Shifei could not remember when she had last possessed.

However, while feeling comfortable, Jing Shifei also could not help but harbor a trace of fear.

She was afraid that Song Cheng would abandon her.

Therefore, when the two practiced Double Cultivation, this Vice Palace Master of Xuanqing Palace would also exhaust all her efforts, even using the most wanton postures of a mortal woman to please Song Cheng.

Coincidentally, Song Cheng was also worried that Jing Shifei would be afraid, so he would also treat her with exceptional gentleness.

In this way, the two were truly a pair of lovers, and their affection warmed up once again.

If there were a favorability rating above "100," it would certainly have been reached.

Half a year later, Jing Shifei had forgotten the *Longhu Xuntian Scripture* and walked out of the door of her residence with a light step.

Song Cheng continued to sit patiently.

To tell the truth, he felt a bit like he was living off a woman at this moment.

However, he would keep everything Jing Shifei did for him in his heart... For now, sitting quietly here was the best strategy.

"Palace Master Jing."

"Teacher."

"Aunt, you look to be in a very good mood; did you succeed in your cultivation?"

Many people greeted her along the way, but it was not until she reached Lian Chanxi that Jing Shifei paused slightly.

She actually felt a sense of guilt toward this little niece, after all, "this great opportunity of Song Cheng" originally belonged to Lian Chanxi; therefore, she said: "I have found some techniques; perhaps only by cultivating both the Taiyin and Taiyang guidance techniques can there be any assistance."

"Taiyin, Taiyang..." Lian Chanxi had not even finished mastering the Mountain and River Seal, let alone this level; she nodded blankly, and could only imagine what her aunt was talking about.

Some time later.

Jing Shifei arrived at Lihuo Palace.

"The *Taiyang Guidance Technique*?" The Lihuo Palace Master was stunned and said, "I heard that Palace Master Jing had just obtained the Xuntian Scripture from the LonghuChiyangCourt..."

Jing Shifei said: "The Xuntian Scripture is indeed profound. I contemplated it for a long time and deduced that perhaps cultivating both Taiyin and Taiyang is the correct path. Therefore, I forgot the Xuntian Scripture to come and request to read the *Taiyang Guidance Technique*."

The Lihuo Palace Master said: "But, Taiyin and Taiyang cannot be cultivated together; no one in the world can balance and control both powers."

"If cultivated together, it is truly like a mortal walking on a tightrope, stepping over a bottomless abyss—one misstep, and one is doomed forever."

"If not cultivated together, who has that kind of talent, that kind of time, and that kind of patience to toil and experiment?"

Jing Shifei had already prepared her rhetoric; at this moment, she smiled calmly and said: "Palace Master Zhu, it does not need to be fully controlled; perhaps, like a spell, as long as one masters the introductory method, one can use Yin and Yang together."

"Although the Mountain and River Lord cannot peer into the Yin-Yang Illusion Realm, when he transformed into a Lost Spirit, he had already gone a step further and could even sneak into the Yin-Yang Illusion Realm."

"In that situation, the Mountain and River Lord could simultaneously cultivate the *Taiyin Guidance Technique* and the *Taiyang Guidance Technique*; once he can enter the threshold, he can use the former to reduce the Yin Qi gathered in large quantities due to death, and use the latter to maintain the Sun Qi that has no source."

The Lihuo Palace Master pondered for a long time and argued with Jing Shifei for a while.

However, while Jing Shifei was like a spoiled little girl in front of Song Cheng, she was a thorough bigwig in the outside world.

After a long time, the Lihuo Palace Master felt he could not pick any flaws, as this was purely theoretical, so he said: "Why not wait for Shi Feng's side? Palace Master Zhang has gone to interrogate him personally... I believe there will be results in a few days."

Jing Shifei said: "Let's do both; the elders cannot afford to wait. We True Spirit Realm cultivators should naturally shoulder more."

The Lihuo Palace Master nodded and sighed: "For Palace Master Jing to be like this is truly a blessing for the Seven Palaces."

That night, Jing Shifei retrieved the *Taiyang Guidance Technique* and repeated the previous operation with Song Cheng; once everything was transmitted, she looked at Song Cheng happily, like a little girl waiting for her parents' praise, and asked: "Song Lang, is it useful?"

Song Cheng looked at the "【Combat Art】" column on his panel, which displayed "【Taiyang Guidance Technique (Earth Grade Grade B) Not Yet Initiated (0/2048)】", and slowly began to Add Points.

This technique had a similar cultivation method to the *Taiyin Guidance Technique*, both being "Selfless Meditation."

Only by being selfless can there be no barriers.

Following that, he plucked a wisp of Sun Qi from the Sun Phantom Void to transform into a means of attack.

Song Cheng added points repeatedly; 30,720 points were instantly exhausted, the remaining points became 32,200, and the *Taiyang Guidance Technique* had reached Completion.

In an instant, the Yin-Yang Two Qi moved according to his will.

Yet, Song Cheng suddenly felt a strong sense of hunger.

Whether it was the Taiyin Illusion Sea or the Sun Phantom Void, both gave him the feeling of a "desert traveler seeing an oasis."

However... he was also in great pain and very urgent.

Because he had no "mouth."

Without a "mouth," even if he ran to the oasis, he could not draw water.

His "mouth" was in his true body.

He had to immediately merge with his true body, and then follow his instincts to draw the Taiyin and Sun Qi into his own small world.

At this step, there is no longer a need for cultivation technique guidance; this is an instinct, just as a newborn infant will seek mother's milk.

A newborn small world must also seek the Taiyin and Taiyang, and the mother is this very world.

"Perhaps, this is the true essence of Earth Grade Grade A Completion."

Song Cheng was lost in thought; he looked at Jing Shifei, who was somewhat nervous and expectant at his side, and said softly, "You did very well, but now... I must go out."

Jing Shifei's expression shifted, and she said, "Song-lang, wait a moment."

"I will go out first and summon all the disciples into the main hall; you just count silently for one hour."

"Leave after one hour, and you should not encounter anyone; this way, it should be better for you as well."

Song Cheng asked, "Then what will you say when you summon the disciples?"

Jing Shifei said, "Naturally, it will be the method of Taiyin and Taiyang; seeing you like this, I know it is useful. Sigh, since you are in a hurry, then go quickly. Only... after you leave and finish your cultivation, do not forget to return to find me."

The beautiful woman's heart was now completely devoted to Song Cheng; in those beautiful eyes, autumn waters flowed and starlight shimmered, reflecting only one person.

Even after experiencing ten thousand years, the man before her allowed her to find a long-lost maiden's heart.

In front of Song Cheng, Jing Shifei only felt that she was like a young girl whose heart had just blossomed; she was so happily attracted to her own man, shocked, and also proud and boastful of him, and she intended to entrust her remaining life entirely to him.

A moment later, Jing Shifei left and summoned the disciples outside into the main hall.

Song Cheng took the opportunity to leave the small cottage where he had lived in seclusion for a full fifty-seven years, his body breaking through the realms, his Soul returning to the Canghai.

The Canghai was quiet and deep, with no waves showing, and many wild Mysterious Grade demonic beasts had already dug holes there to settle down.

Song Cheng closed his eyes.

Seize the Sea.

Divine soul and sea merged, indistinguishable from one another.

After a long time, there were no more obstacles.

Song Cheng opened his eyes and let out a long breath.

He scanned the data; the data had become 30869~48075.

From this day forward, he, Song, would become a world unto himself.

(End of this chapter)