Chapter 86: Cultivating in the Dimensional Osmanthus World to Master the Tortoise Sovereign's Kata and Acquire the Six Foundational Steps of the Black Tortoise. Meeting New Master, Li Meixiu.
It was now evening.
Shadows had covered all the courtyards in the residential sector.
Yang Wei and Wu Fengtian were perched on weathered boulders, greedily slurping down noodles from wooden bowls.
There was even the savory aroma of the steaming broth in the air.
Yang Wei, finishing the last bundle of noodles, stretched his arms in satisfaction.
Wu Fengtian, glancing at Yang Wei, asked with a mouthful, "Senior Brother, is anything the matter? Are you alright?"
Yang Wei ignored the question and swished his wide sleeves dramatically and clasped his hands behind his back as he strolled back into his house.
His departing words for Yang Wei was straightforward.
"Feng, stand guard for me. I'm off to cultivate in the Dimensional Osmanthus World. I might be gone for a week, but that's probably just a day in this realm, if my calculations are correct, that is."
With noodles puffing up his cheeks, Wu Fengtian nodded vigorously and managed to muffle out a mumbled, "Yes, sir."
...
In Yang Wei's study room, he retrieved the Dimensional Osmanthus Seed from his storage pouch.
"Alright then..."
He placed it forward.
A burst of golden light shot forth, opening a swirling golden portal.
Without hesitation, Yang Wei stepped through, and the portal sealed behind him.
...
Now, he was in the Dimensional Osmanthus World.
It is a pocket dimension teeming with natural beauty and rich in spiritual energy.
The perfect place for peace and concentration—a safe haven many cultivators wished to have.
Yang Wei marveled at the peacefulness of the place with a simple nod.
Retrieving the First Volume of the Profound Black Tortoise Inheritance from his pouch, he settled into a lotus position and eagerly unfolded the scroll.
Before he read the scroll, Yang Wei took some time to think.
Before I bring down another tribulation cloud to finish up the first three folds of the Mortal King stage, I reckon it's smarter to focus on cultivating Xuanwu's inheritance first. Last time, when I caught that intense lightning strike, my Body Refinement was quite weak. Even though it boosted my spiritual garden's soul, it crippled my cultivation base for nearly three months.
That's why I've been holding off on cultivation lately.
Then, he looked at the scroll and started to read out what was written.
"The opening volume is mainly cultivating the essence of the Black Tortoise's shell. It's all about boosting both physical and spiritual resilience, tapping into the enduring nature of Xuanwu. Through intense martial arts and meditation, one shall learn to harness the protective energy of the tortoise's shell, creating a rock-solid barrier against outside forces."
Yang Wei flipped through the illustrations on the scroll. Even though he was the one who wrote it, it didn't mean he had all the details at the forefront of his mind. Everything got etched into his memory and then poured onto the scroll.
Once he wrapped up studying it, he stood up.
To unlock the Six Foundational Stances and the Tortoise Warding Stance, I need to nail the Tortoise Sovereign's Kata first. Doesn't sound too hard... however, the Dimensional Osmanthus World's spiritual energy has a limit, so I need to work with what I've got and master the Eight Progressive Steps of the Tortoise Sovereign's Kata now!
Starting with the Shell Housing Posture, a foundational stance where he crossed his arms over his chest like the protective shell of the Black Tortoise, he smoothly transitioned into the low crouching Flowing Current move.
Next, is the Celestial Invocation Flow, where he extended his arms upward with a fluid motion.
Following that, he performed the Resilient Rotation with a graceful twirl, and immediately went into the Majestic Dragon's Arc, extending one arm in a sweeping motion.
Afterward, the Illusory Serpent's Dance.
This form of kata requires more spiritual energy than I expected, but this place should have just enough.
He flowed into subtle, stream-like hand movements, almost like dancing with the wind but in slow motion.
I must focus... the body must be strengthened, but that is only through strengthening one's belief, not one's corporeal body. Let the spiritual affect the physical... and then one can truly grasp the Black Tortoise.
Shortly after, the Twin Serpent Formation.
He gently and slowly moved his arms outward on a circular path upwards before bringing them in, pressing his palms against each other.
Right after, the Protective Emanating Wave Stance.
He shot his hands forward, unleashing a small burst of energy, and finished it off with the double-handed mudra, that was the last step—Sage Unity Seal.
Yang Wei scrutinized his own body, muttering, "Hm? Did it not work? Instead of feeling stronger, I swear I've lost a huge amount of spiritual energy." Just then, a leaf in the lush forest straightened and lunged at him, breaking free from its tree.
With lightning reflexes, Yang Wei dodged it by rotating swiftly to the side.
About fifteen other leaves, sharper than blades, zoomed toward him. Skillfully, he danced between them, leaped high into the air, and executed a flawless backward rotation before landing on a boulder with only one foot. Observing the sentient leaves, he wondered aloud, "What are these things? Is this place testing me or something?"
The leaves attacked again, this time like bullets with increased murderous intent. Yang Wei performed a front flip, effortlessly evading them. The sharp leaves crashed into the boulder, reducing it to pieces. Yang Wei landed and exclaimed, "Wow, what kind of physical amplification did those leaves get?"
Suddenly, a woman's voice sounded, "I'm that physical amplification!!" Her voice was sharp and ruthless.
Yang Wei turned to identify her but found her unfamiliar. Puzzled, he asked, "Eh, who are you?"
She had a stern expression, with short hair neatly tied in a bun and attractive green eyes. Her skin tone fell between fair and dark, giving her a unique She had a slim, toned, and muscular yet distinctly feminine physique. Her clothing was provocatively revealing, with a top barely concealing her perky, strong breasts, showcasing even the shape of her nipples.
A short skirt-like attire revealed a bit of her crotch, emphasizing her alluring figure and sexy, bulging V-cut abs that made her slender waist even more of an attractive sight.
The woman, with a violent expression told him, "I'm Li Meixiu, and I've…"
Eager to interject, Yang Wei couldn't resist a cheeky remark, "With a muscular body like that, you should learn to smile more or you'll scare away a lot of suitors..."
The woman, veins throbbing on her forehead, gritted her teeth angrily, squeezing her fists tightly in response. "You arrogant... bastard!"
"Eh?"
"Don't you know who I am?!" she asked him furiously.
Yang Wei stretched his arms as he told her, "No, of course not."
"IDIOT! I was sent here by Elder Tortoise's followers to help you train!" She glared at him.
"Eh?"