Chapter 7: The Silent Meditation and Refinement of the Marrow Essence

No one disturbed him that day, and Lu Xiao’s cultivation efficiency improved greatly.

The "Spirit Wind Step," a technique focused on agility, primarily enhances the practitioner’s ability to coordinate and stabilize their movements. With each swift motion, the cultivator can execute their techniques with steady control.

Even the most basic level of this skill requires considerable time to master. Yet, after just the first day of practice, Lu Xiao felt he had made some progress. At least, the principle of “Feather Light, Silent Descent” was gradually within his grasp.

His elder brother’s gift of the "Spirit Wind Step" had indeed brought him many benefits. Now, no matter what he did, his body felt much lighter and his actions more effortless.

As dusk settled, Lu Xiao sat inside, eating some simple pancakes. The leftovers from yesterday’s meal were nearly finished; what remained was close to spoiling, mostly just some broth.

Despite the heavy hardships pressing down on him, Lu Xiao’s heart was much more at ease now.

Having lived in the Lu family’s marquis residence for years, he had never truly engaged in cultivation due to his grandmother’s disdain. The elders had deemed him unfit for cultivation and had effectively dismissed him.

In truth, through practicing the “Strong Qi Heart Formula” and the “Spirit Wind Step,” Lu Xiao had come to a different understanding of his own aptitude for cultivation.

Previously, his lack of cultivation resources was the main obstacle. Not only had he lacked guidance from instructors, but he hadn’t even possessed two suitable cultivation manuals.

By leveraging his mysterious abilities to enhance the quality of the “Strong Qi Heart Formula,” he finally obtained some cultivation resources.

With these resources, he realized his comprehension was quite exceptional. After refining the “Strong Qi Heart Formula” and “Spirit Wind Step,” their difficulty had increased significantly.

Especially upon reaching the second stage of refinement, understanding became much more challenging.

Yet, he encountered few obstacles in reading and comprehending the texts. When studying, his mind’s eye constantly replayed his own figure practicing the techniques.

Each move and form could be referenced and reflected upon mentally.

Sitting by his bed, Lu Xiao pondered his path of cultivation and experience. The way of heaven is competitive, and he had long held a resolute determination toward cultivation.

He desired to reach the pinnacle of the world, to live freely, and to ensure those he cared for could enjoy a life of ease and comfort.

What were these current crises to fear?

Recollecting the visit from Jiang Yue Rou, her words had indeed surprised him. As his birth mother, she demanded that he surrender his spiritual bone.

In return, she promised to assign him two personal maids to care for him for the rest of his life.

So, he would be left disabled, only to have two servants to look after him.

Moreover, whether Jiang Yue Rou would keep her promise over the coming decades remained uncertain.

At that time, he would be but a cripple, at others’ mercy, with no chance to seek justice for himself.

Besides, why should he sacrifice for her other two children?

All these years, she had never done him any favors. Coming here now, she sought to take something from him.

Fortunately, the spiritual bone was not something that could be taken at will.

Lu Xiao had long learned the truth from his elder brother.

The old madam’s wager with him was merely to force his willing compliance.

If he stubbornly refused to compromise and refused to cultivate the “Heart Condensing Technique,” then their plan to seize his spiritual bone would be indefinitely delayed.

The mid-year Martial Residence trial next year was his opportunity—and theirs.

If he failed to pass the trial, per the wager, he would have to willingly surrender his spiritual bone.

If he passed, he would enter the Martial Residence and become its disciple.

At that point, he would no longer be bound by the marquis residence’s constraints.

The Xia Kingdom valued cultivation among its youth.

Whether entering the academy or the Martial Residence, the family could not obstruct it.

If the family was poor and unable to support him, the academy or Martial Residence would even assign tasks allowing disciples to work in exchange for tuition.

Entering the Martial Residence would solve a great portion of the crises he faced.

Lu Xiao knew clearly that his foremost task was to pass the Martial Residence trial.

Within the marquis residence, he must seize every opportunity to strengthen himself.

Now at nineteen, he was only just beginning his cultivation.

The opening of one’s body is the foundational first step in martial cultivation.

For someone of his age to just enter this stage was considered by many as an extremely poor talent.

But in fact, he had only been exposed to cultivation for a little over a month.

Though others belittled him, Lu Xiao never lost faith in himself.

Sitting on his bed, he took out the “Strong Qi Heart Formula” and focused on studying it.

Through refining other objects, he felt his physique growing stronger.

Though refining consumed energy and strength, it also served as a form of training.

The white text “[Strong Qi Heart Formula +2]” appeared before him.

After being enhanced to the second stage, the “Strong Qi Heart Formula” had taken on a new level of effectiveness.

The results of cultivation were far more pronounced.

Recently, after some further improvement, Lu Xiao decided to try refining the formula again.

Concentrating, he directed his refining consciousness onto the “Strong Qi Heart Formula.”

His energy wove around the text like fine threads.

After about fifteen minutes, the “[Strong Qi Heart Formula +2]” remained unchanged.

Trying once more, it still would not advance.

Lu Xiao guessed that the current limit of refinement for him was the second stage.

This ability likely complemented his constitution.

To advance further, his physique and energy would need a great leap, enabling him to refine the skill to higher levels.

Yet, this research led Lu Xiao to discover a special application of this ability.

He could also remove the refining effect from an item.

On impulse, he conducted a test.

Outside in the yard, he picked up a stone.

Refining it to the first stage, the stone’s texture became harder and even emitted a faint luster.

Without hesitation, Lu Xiao concentrated and attempted to cancel the refining effect.

The stone reverted to its original state; all enhancement vanished.

Removing the refining effect consumed no energy.

Only the energy spent on refining was wasted.

Though this ability seemed of little significance, it had its uses.

For example, if the old madam and others found his refined “Strong Qi Heart Formula” or “Spirit Wind Step,” he could erase the refinement to keep his secrets safe.

His ability to refine objects was his greatest trump card—the key to escaping the abyss.

He was certain that, no matter what, this secret must be kept hidden.