Flood: I, the Nine Turns of the Golden Pillar, all want to eat me!
Chapter 4 - The Nine Revolutions of Power, Three Methods of Cultivation

Chapter 4: The Nine Revolutions of Power, Three Methods of Cultivation

Laozi and the others remained in seclusion, and Xuan Qing was also immersed in the Nine Revolutions Xuan Gong.

After some contemplation, Xuan Qing said, “Zi Yun… help me analyze the Nine Revolutions Xuan Gong.”

“Alright. Beginning Avenue Analysis. The ‘Nine Revolutions Xuan Gong’ is a method of body refinement that incorporates the Great Dao of Force and evolves alongside it. However, this method is heavily flawed, particularly in lacking a core technique for cultivating the Great Dao of Force. As a result, while it can strengthen the physical body to an extraordinary degree, it cannot condense the Great Dao of Force within it. Relying solely on this technique has both advantages and disadvantages.

“The Nine Revolutions Xuan Gong is divided into nine revolutions, each consisting of nine stages, for a total of eighty-one stages. Every stage requires the tempering of the physical body. By operating its incomplete core technique, the energy within the body is transformed into pure Nine Revolutions energy. This energy contains the rhythm of the Way of Force and may also be called the Energy of Force. Through it, the body is gradually refined—bones tempered, muscles strengthened. Completing a single refinement signifies advancement to the next stage. Nine refinements complete one revolution. Each breakthrough marks a metamorphosis, fundamentally altering the physical body. However, every metamorphosis demands immense energy.

“The greatest flaw of the Nine Revolutions Xuan Gong lies in the transformation process of the Energy of Force, which remains severely crippled. Thus, the conversion rate is extremely slow and requires a massive amount of energy. Cultivating this technique necessitates vast resources and time. Furthermore, with each revolution, the energy required increases exponentially. This is why the Nine Revolutions Xuan Gong is considered a technique that is nearly impossible to master…”

Zi Yun’s meticulous analysis revealed many hidden secrets of the Nine Revolutions Xuan Gong, providing Xuan Qing with a detailed understanding of its strengths and weaknesses.

After absorbing the information, Xuan Qing’s expression shifted slightly. “So this is the Nine Revolutions Xuan Gong? Even with a broken core technique, it remains an incredibly powerful method of refinement. More importantly, it requires no innate talent—only enough time and resources to strengthen the body. Zi Yun… pass the Nine Revolutions Xuan Gong to me.”

“Understood. I will first transmit the First Revolution to you.” Zi Yun did not hesitate before transferring the initial techniques to Xuan Qing.

Every insight, potential danger, and cultivation process was relayed systematically. As long as Xuan Qing followed the instructions, there would be little room for error.

He contemplated for a moment, then murmured, “Interesting… this Nine Revolutions Xuan Gong, does it truly originate from the Great Dao of Force? Why does it seem so simple?”

“The Great Dao is simple. A technique that appears straightforward may conceal profound wisdom.” Zi Yun’s voice carried a hint of realization.

Xuan Qing nodded. “That is true. However, the core technique remains incomplete. I wonder when this method can be fully restored.”

“To achieve that, you must seek additional divine abilities aligned with the Great Dao of Force. The more I imprint upon the Great Dao of Force, the more I can refine and perfect the Nine Revolutions Xuan Gong, allowing you to cultivate at an accelerated pace.” Zi Yun’s tone was filled with confidence.

Xuan Qing understood Zi Yun’s nature well. She possessed divine abilities capable of analyzing and optimizing various cultivation techniques and abilities through the Great Dao itself.

After briefly pondering the matter, he settled into cultivation, preparing to absorb the medicinal properties lingering in his body. As he operated the Nine Revolutions Xuan Gong, the medicine within him was gradually transformed into Force Energy, which then refined his physical body. The conversion process was arduous, and the amount of energy produced each time was minuscule.

There was no denying that the Nine Revolutions Xuan Gong lived up to its reputation. While easy to practice, reaching the highest level was an immense challenge. The sheer amount of resources and time required was staggering.

…

In the blink of an eye, thousands of years passed in seclusion. Xuan Qing had reached the Second Revolution of the Nine Revolutions Xuan Gong.

Having completed eighteen stages, his body had undergone multiple refinements. Each cycle had transformed him further, making his physical form immensely powerful. However, he could not ignore the exorbitant consumption of resources. The medicinal properties he had accumulated were nearly depleted. Despite thousands of years of effort, he had only reached the second revolution. The difficulty of this technique was undeniable.

“Worthy of its name, the Nine Revolutions Xuan Gong… I have only reached the second revolution, yet my physical body has already undergone a qualitative change.” He sighed, torn between satisfaction at his newfound strength and frustration at the staggering cost of cultivation.

Though Xuan Qing’s form appeared unchanged, the power he now possessed was truly fearsome.

One day, as he prepared to continue his cultivation and fully exhaust the remaining medicinal properties, he was interrupted. Suddenly, the air around him trembled with Taoist rhythms, and Laozi’s voice resonated through the space.

“Master…” Xuan Qing’s eyes lit up in surprise. Without hesitation, he turned and made his way toward Laozi’s place of seclusion. Though he possessed the ability to fly, he refrained from doing so within the sacred grounds of Kunlun.

Soon, he arrived before his master. Laozi, the First Heavenly Father, and Tongtian had emerged from their meditation, surrounded by an aura of profound Daoist resonance, as if awakening from deep enlightenment.

Laozi smiled gently at Xuan Qing, his eyes filled with warmth. “Disciple… this time, your master and uncles have spent our seclusion in deep contemplation, creating a cultivation method suited for you.”

Yuan Shi Tian Zun and Tongtian also regarded him with approval, stroking their beards. Xuan Qing was their only junior, and they had dedicated great effort to crafting a method tailored to his growth. They understood the immense benefits of practicing a technique that harmonized with one’s nature, and their care for him was evident.

Deeply moved, Xuan Qing bowed. “Xuan Qing thanks Master and Uncles for their efforts.”

Laozi flicked his duster and smiled. “Very well. It is time to pass down your cultivation method.”

The First Heavenly Father nodded. “Before that, we must first discuss the three fundamental paths of cultivation.”

“Indeed,” Tongtian added, his voice thoughtful. “The path of cultivation consists of three methods: practicing the Dharma, using the Dharma, and realizing the Dharma. These three form the foundation of all cultivation.”

Xuan Qing furrowed his brow. “Practicing, using, and realizing the Dharma? I do not fully understand.”

Laozi chuckled. “Disciple… within the current floodplain, all cultivation methods and divine abilities originate from the Chaos Demon Gods. Yet, the Chaos Demon Gods derived their techniques from the Great Dao itself. Thus, all cultivation techniques are transformations of the Great Dao, resulting in three primary approaches.

“Practicing the Dharma refers to the cultivation techniques themselves—methods derived from the Great Dao that allow one to refine the Yuanshen, strengthen the body, and cultivate mana. The Great Dao is vast, and different approaches give rise to numerous cultivation systems. Simply put, this is the process of cultivating.

“Using the Dharma pertains to abilities—techniques derived from various Daos, encompassing flight, combat, healing, and more. These divine abilities are learned and utilized in battle. This is the practical application of cultivation.

“Realizing the Dharma is the core of cultivation—the comprehension of the Great Dao itself. True cultivation is a path toward understanding. The deeper one’s realization, the higher the realm they may attain, and the more profound the abilities they can create. A higher enlightenment leads to greater mastery over one’s future.

“These three methods together form the complete path of cultivation. The technique we have created for you emphasizes both practicing and realizing the Dharma, ensuring a foundation for an expansive future.”

Xuan Qing absorbed the wisdom in silence, contemplating the depth of his master’s words.

After a moment, he nodded. “Master… I understand.”