Meanwhile, Lu Xuan and the little fox were standing in front of a cave.
The cave was very well hidden, its entrance obscured by dense thickets of grass. However, Lu Xuan was still able to find it by scent. It was just that the snake, through some unknown means, had somehow managed to eliminate the snake trails around the cave. This took him a little effort.
The cave's inhabitant seemed to sense the presence outside and began to grow somewhat agitated. However, it didn't rush out to drive the two away; instead, it slightly shifted its position and swam deeper into the cave.
Lu Xuan followed with the little fox. They found the cave winding and much larger than they had imagined. Lu Xuan extended his divine sense, extending it deeper into the cave.
Since arriving in this world, he had sensed its abundant spiritual energy, making it an ideal place for cultivation. However, precisely because of this, there were quite a few cultivators. Therefore, he rarely used his divine sense to scan his surroundings, as this could very likely be perceived as a provocation by other cultivators.
Lu Xuan even avoided the mortal world, specifically finding a small spiritual vein site. After some preparation, he began his secluded cultivation there.
Martial arts, Taoist techniques, spiritual sense, as well as Qi cultivation and alchemy. These things were difficult to train systematically in the previous world because spiritual energy was insufficient and one's understanding was not clear enough. But this world makes up for all the deficiencies.
Lu Xuan felt that after arriving in this world, all kinds of constraints seemed to have disappeared. The accumulation of his knowledge from several worlds began to produce explosive results. The cultivation progress of those Dao techniques that were previously only theoretical and were blocked by bottlenecks all experienced explosive growth.
This further solidified Lu Xuan's resolve to pursue cultivation in seclusion. He didn't even venture into the world to verify which world this was; instead, he built a hut in the mountains to live in, hoping to advance further.
Lu Xuan scanned the cave's interior with his divine sense, his brow furrowing slightly. This cave had surprised him somewhat. He led the little fox down a side path and walked straight towards it.
As they ventured deeper into the cave, the atmosphere grew increasingly chilling. Deep within this cave lay a small spiritual vein, though its long-sealed underground state gave it a somewhat somber and oppressive aura.
Deep inside the cave, the temperature had dropped so low that the little fox needed to snuggle in Lu Xuan's arms to endure it. Before them lay a pool of water.
A chilling aura was visible on the water's surface. A giant, azure python was swimming in the icy pool. Its azure body appeared and disappeared in the dark blue water. This sight startled the little fox, causing it to shrink back into Lu Xuan's arms.
Lu Xuan carefully sensed his surroundings and discovered that the source of the spiritual vein originated from the cold pool in front of him.
Judging from the situation, this pool must be connected to a spiritual vein deep within the earth's veins. The water seeped up, creating a small spiritual vein deep within the cave. This green snake discovered this place, instinctively living near the pool, and developed some intelligence. Afterwards, it completely took over the area, making it its dwelling.
The woodcutters and hunters he drove away were likely injured because they had entered his territory. However, this creature possessed some spiritual awareness and consciousness, yet it didn't eat people. This puzzled Lu Xuan.
The green snake noticed Lu Xuan's arrival and its massive body leaped out of the water, charging towards him. Lu Xuan stood calmly in place, not moving an inch.
Sure enough, the green snake stopped abruptly in front of him. It merely swayed its large mouth back and forth, but didn't actually attack Lu Xuan.
Lu Xuan extended his right hand and gently stroked the green snake's head. At the same time, he activated his Beast Spirit Walker ability, attempting to communicate with it.
The process was simple; the green snake was a sentient being and could communicate with it easily.
However, it seemed a little unaccustomed to this mode of communication, its thoughts coming out haltingly. It took Lu Xuan a moment to understand. It had originally been a snake charmer's pet, traveling with its owner to perform and earn money. Life had once been quite happy.
But later, it grew so big that its owner's bamboo basket could no longer contain it. Its excessive size also made it unable to perform, as it would frighten the surrounding crowd.
Left with no other choice, its owner had to release it back into the wild.
Even after gaining freedom, the Green Snake still remembered its master's teachings. It never harmed humans, only driving them out of its territory.
"Good child," Lu Xuan said, stroking the green snake's forehead. This spirit pet was a model of loyalty and righteousness. After gaining sentience, it should have been considered a demon. However, it was still able to control its desires, showing that its former master had taught it quite well.
Lu Xuan looked down and patted the little fox.
"Little one, how about I find you a companion?"
The little fox glanced instinctively at the ferocious green snake. It shook its head repeatedly, indicating no.
"You agree? That's great. From now on, it will be your companion. You two should get along well."
Little fox: "......"
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Chapter 338 Unexpected Intrusion
Ancient people said that demons cultivated by absorbing the essence of the sun and moon, but this is incorrect. Lu Xuan, a true cultivator, can tell you that the vast majority of demons cannot actually absorb the essence of the sun. They can only increase their cultivation by absorbing the essence of the moon. As for the essence of the sun, if they were to forcibly absorb it, the best they would likely do is turn to ashes. Their souls might even be scattered.
Having confirmed this, Lu Xuan placed even greater emphasis on the Ape Strike Technique. This Qi cultivation technique allowed individuals to absorb the essence of the sun even during the Qi cultivation stage. Although Lu Xuan had previously absorbed the essence of the sun from worlds with lower power levels.
After arriving in this world, he tried using the Sun Training technique and once again felt the scorching heat of the sun. Although painful, it wasn't fatal. As his cultivation improved and he adapted to this world, he was soon able to use the Sun Training technique again. This showed that the Ape Strike Technique, seemingly simple and low-level, contained unimaginable potential.
Lu Xuan began to devote more energy to studying the Ape Strike Technique, especially the daily training, which he explored in greater depth.
In general understanding, daily training and monthly training are clearly yin and yang states. Lu Xuan initially thought so too, never giving this issue a deeper consideration. But now, with enough time, he has finally discovered a crucial problem. For the Ape Strike Technique, the concept of yin and yang may not exist.
Sun training emphasizes absorbing the essence of the sun. It is intensely hot and powerful. However, it can also be problematic. If sun training is yang, then shouldn't its opposite, moon training, being yin, be extremely cold and frigid? But that's not the case; in reality, the effects of moon training are entirely different.
Lu Xuan had long noticed that while Moon Essence possessed a certain degree of yin and cold properties, it was completely different from the scorching and violent nature of Sun Essence. One could even say that Moon Essence was a peaceful energy with a slightly yin and cold undertone. Overall, it was like a balanced version of Sun Essence.
In the world of cultivation, the sun and the moon are completely different entities. It's perfectly normal for them to be divided into yin and yang. However, Lu Xuan knew that moonlight and sunlight are essentially the same thing. Moonlight is merely sunlight that has been reflected once. Perhaps it is the moon, acting as an intermediary, that weakens the harshness of sunlight, allowing people to absorb moonlight more easily.
In this light, the previous claim about absorbing the essence of the sun and moon wasn't entirely wrong, since they are essentially the same thing.
Lu Xuan didn't know if the Qi cultivators in this world had systematically summarized these things. However, due to his personal habits, he still delved into the research, summarizing every detail of his cultivation process. Every step forward he took was planned and achieved naturally, because he was thoroughly familiar with every single detail of his cultivation.
He could even calculate roughly how long it would take him to encounter his next bottleneck, and how long it would take to overcome it. Yes, in Lu Xuan's view, those bottlenecks were never a problem. This was the confidence of a Qi cultivator who had explored and progressed step by step from the very beginning. Every step he took was his own path.
After completing one cycle of meditation, Lu Xuan opened his eyes. The little fox was already watching him expectantly from the side. It seemed hungry, but dared not disturb him.
Lu Xuan checked the time; it was almost noon.
"Alright, I'll go cook now." Cultivation isn't something that can be achieved overnight, especially his method of forging his own path. He can now attempt to run the daily practice. However, he can only complete one cycle a day. Doing too much will cause a burning and painful sensation throughout his body.
Upon arriving in the kitchen, the little fox had already obtained eggs, cucumbers, mushrooms, and other vegetables from the free-range hens. The green snake, on the other hand, had gone out hunting a deer. The two creatures eagerly awaited Lu Xuan's cooking, making Lu Xuan want to chuckle.
The green snake adapted quickly, thanks to Lu Xuan's Beast Spirit Walker abilities. It soon became Lu Xuan's second spirit pet. In the world of cultivation, this was considered quite an opportunity—being able to monopolize a small underground spiritual vein. Its intelligence was remarkably high, and it even possessed some rudimentary supernatural abilities.
If left undisturbed, it might become a true great demon in a hundred or two hundred years. It's worth noting that even the spiritual veins in the small valley where Lu Xuan lives were created by him, using the mountain's terrain and array formations—a hybrid of natural and artificial creation. This clearly demonstrates that the Green Serpent's fortune is definitely not low.