Unlike other body cultivators who must constantly seek higher-tier body refining techniques to temper their physiques, Yi Tianxing's path was unique. Ordinary body refining techniques become less effective as one's cultivation deepens, offering diminishing returns. The more advanced the technique, the rarer and more demanding it is—requiring astronomical resources.
To train a single body cultivator could easily cost enough resources to raise ten, or even a hundred, qi cultivators of the same realm—and that still might not guarantee success.
Thus, many cultivators only dabble in body refinement, relying on internal true qi to passively nourish their bodies. As their cultivation rises, their physique strengthens naturally, reaching the point where even divine weapons and treasures barely leave a mark.
The strength of a true body cultivator was undeniable. In qi cultivation, the difference between the Divine Sea and Life Aperture realms wasn't too vast. So long as one awakened life apertures, the divine abilities would be similar—just powered by either true qi or true essence. Life Aperture cultivators might wield slightly more potent abilities due to the superior energy source.
But for body cultivators, their cultivation realm was directly proportional to their combat power. Everything was real and tangible—flesh strength, body durability, physical divine abilities, battle techniques.
They were unmatched in raw combat.Their realm equaled their combat strength.Their strength determined their destructive power.
This recent breakthrough in Yi Tianxing's body refinement meant he had reached the White Cauldron stage, gaining a physical strength of 100,000 jin. This was a solid equivalent to the Life Aperture realm—and enough to crush any Divine Sea realm cultivator.
"Top-tier body refining techniques are extremely rare. The Vajra Dragon Elephant Technique is powerful but not suitable for me. There must be a more unique technique among the many stored in the Scripture Pavilion," Yi Tianxing muttered to himself, eyes gleaming.
With his body having broken through to innate strength, and his qi cultivation needing steady, patient progress, finding a suitable new body refining technique was now crucial.
Not long after, Yi Tianxing left his residence and entered the Scripture Pavilion.
Inside, the old Book Mountain Elder was flipping through a jade scroll, deep in thought. He glanced at Yi Tianxing, then ignored him.
Yi Tianxing simply smiled and walked up to the second floor.
The first floor held mostly historical records and classics—no combat techniques or cultivation arts. The second floor, however, was where the techniques and martial skills were stored.
It mirrored the first in structure, with large white jade bookshelves radiating an ancient scholarly aura, the air thick with the scent of ink and paper. Several cultivators were browsing, nodding respectfully when they saw Yi Tianxing but not daring to disturb him.
"I don't need a high-tier technique, but it must have unique traits," Yi Tianxing thought, browsing shelf after shelf.
There were a multitude of foundational Divine Sea-tier cultivation techniques here, including Pure Origin Art, Eternal Spring Art, Greenwood Art, Flame Art, Flowing Water Art, Metal Essence Art, and Thick Earth Art—all fundamental and stable methods, many originating from the Immortal Tomb's library.
Yi Tianxing soon picked up a jade scroll.
"Iron Statue Technique: hardens the body to iron-like toughness, making flesh and bones nearly indestructible. In battle, the user becomes an unbreakable iron figure. A foundation for body cultivation, with higher tiers: Bronze Statue, Silver Statue, Gold Statue—though only the first two are in the Pavilion."
But after some inspection, he returned it to the shelf.
"Not bad, but lacks the uniqueness I seek. It's not better than the Vajra Dragon Elephant Technique."
What he truly needed was a technique that infused his flesh and blood with unique Daoist intent—something to serve as spiritual nourishment for future divine abilities. Raw strength alone wasn't his priority.
Next, he found:
"Flame Body Refining Art: tempers the flesh using fire, enhancing strength and refining impurities. Once mastered, grants powerful flame resistance—even the ability to bathe in fire. Blood boils like flame, enabling the incineration of enemies during combat."
This included a Flame Truefire Diagram used for visualization, drawing in flame-elemental energy to burn and refine the body from within—an excruciating and risky process, with a real chance of self-immolation.
Promising, but he moved on.
"Tiger Roar Iron Shirt: includes a Tiger Roar Beast Diagram. Using tiger-like sonic roars to temper the bones and body, making the flesh impervious to blades and resistant to fire and water. When activated, it unleashes a thunderous roar."
"Dragon Chant Golden Bell Shield: features a Nine Heavens Dragon Chant Diagram. Through draconic sound waves, it hardens the body to a state akin to a golden bell—unyielding and near-invulnerable. At mastery, one can form a supreme golden bell shield."
Two extremely valuable techniques, both formidable.
Then he encountered:
"Thunderfire True Body: uses thunder and fire to temper the body. At mastery, forms a Thunderfire Battle Body—unleashing strikes imbued with lightning and flame. Devastating, but very risky."
Finally, one last scroll caught his eye:
"Great Strength Bull Demon Body: contains the Bull Demon Battles the Heavens Diagram. Visualizing it tempers the body into the Unbreakable Bull Demon Form—immensely resilient, power incarnate. Once mastered, the body resembles a demonic bull, unstoppable and grounded. While standing on earth, it connects with the land itself, drawing endless strength from it."
"This is it," Yi Tianxing decided.
This technique wasn't the most advanced among those he had seen, but it had a unique attribute: the ability to draw strength from the earth. Once cultivated, his power would be virtually limitless while grounded. Endurance, sustainability, and raw destructive power would all be enhanced.
More importantly, it held the potential to birth a divine ability connected to the earth itself.
Decision made, Yi Tianxing triggered the jade scroll. A ray of divine light shot into his body, embedding the technique's legacy into his mind.
There, a strange visualization diagram appeared.
It depicted a colossal bull demon, standing firmly on the earth. Its hooves were rooted in the soil, drawing in endless power. Muscles rippled under its skin, like serpents or dragons weaving beneath, radiating a heavy, oppressive Daoist aura.
It was the Dao of Weight, Endurance, and the Mad Will to Battle the Heavens.
"Bull Demon Shatters the Sky!!"
Yi Tianxing envisioned the beast charging across the land, shattering mountains and splitting the ground with its might. Earth trembled with each step—invincible, peerless.
"Yes… this is the one. But more than the bull's strength—I seek to fuse with the Dao of the Earth itself."