Chapter 805: Mutated Cultivation Art, Old Zhao, Spirit Transformation Dao Body (10/10)
As Zhang Yu pushed the Crippled Ox Body-Sacrifice Heart Art all the way to Level 50, the peak of the Spirit Transformation Realm, he felt his previously turbulent Sea of Consciousness stabilize once more.
The 32 white oxen in his mind stomped their hooves and roared toward the heavens. An endless fighting spirit, capable of battling heaven and earth, surged through Zhang Yu’s body.
Simultaneously, his body’s vitality was further enhanced. His flesh and blood writhed, radiating a surging life force that could instantly heal any ordinary injury.
Of course, the greatest change Zhang Yu experienced at this moment came from the 32 true clones within him.
Thanks to the two Great Sage Cultivation Arts, the Level 50 Immeasurable Heart Inner Dharma Body and the Myriad Transformations Self-Sovereign Art, Zhang Yu’s 32 true clones possessed not only immense power but also 32 parallel streams of thought.
Specifically, the Level 50 Myriad Transformations Self-Sovereign Art had carved out 32 acupoints within Zhang Yu’s body. Each acupoint housed a clone, seamlessly connected to him, allowing their magic power, strength, and thoughts to flow and merge as one.
At this moment, Zhang Yu felt as if 32 versions of himself were being controlled, thinking, and operating simultaneously.
“With the enhancement of 32 clones, my cultivation efficiency, and even my efficiency in refining Immortal Dao Technology, has skyrocketed. If I release them all to work together, 32 versions of me acting in concert, the increase in work efficiency would be exponential.”
This was precisely why Zhang Yu had prioritized upgrading these three cultivation arts. This explosive boost in efficiency was his top priority after breaking through to the Spirit Transformation Realm.
Just then, Fu Ji chimed in, “It’s not just about work. I see your 32 clones can even engage in dual cultivation directly. Wouldn’t that mean you could dual cultivate with yourself, causing your efficiency to soar? Two men solving their own needs?”
Desolate Ox spoke up, “Do I have to participate?”
Ever since Zhang Yu had comprehended the Great Sage’s Intent and pieced together the Great Sage’s Memories, the remnant consciousness known as Desolate Ox had entered his Sea of Consciousness, becoming one of his clones. However, Desolate Ox had remained either dormant or silent, rarely speaking.
Hearing him now, Fu Ji exclaimed in surprise, “You’re finally awake?”
Fu Ji cursed inwardly, “Damn it! Another competitor for the position! And this one can even dual cultivate with Zhang Yu!”
At that moment, Fu Ji suddenly realized her fatal weakness as an Evil God: she couldn’t dual cultivate with her leader.
Zhang Yu knew that Desolate Ox had likely been awakened by his breakthrough to the Spirit Transformation Realm and his subsequent advancement of the three Great Sage Cultivation Arts to Level 50.
Hearing Desolate Ox’s question, Zhang Yu quickly replied, “You don’t have to.”
Then he turned to Fu Ji and said, “Stop talking nonsense. I’m not the kind of person who would dual cultivate with his clones.”
Immortal Slayer added, “Indeed. To achieve great things, one must not indulge in dual cultivation. The power gained from it, though swift, is ultimately illusory. It was only after I completely lost all desire for such things that I felt my Dao Heart truly become complete and perfect.”
Zhang Yu countered, “That’s a bit extreme.”
After gaining the 32-fold efficiency from his 32 clones, Zhang Yu began to plan his subsequent cultivation path.
“First, I’ll focus on the three fundamentals.”
Dao Heart, magic power, and physical strength — Zhang Yu knew that regardless of the cultivation realm, these three fundamental attributes were the cornerstone of a cultivator’s foundation.
Having cultivated these aspects throughout his journey and broken through multiple realms, Zhang Yu was already well-versed in this process.
“My Dao Heart needs to be raised from Level 40 to Level 50. For now, I just need to keep it passively training.”
“As for magic power, my maximum has increased from 100,000 to 1,000,000, and my magic power quality needs to be pushed to 500%… This requires cultivating another passive breathing technique to Level 50 and then just letting it train passively.”
“My physical strength needs to be raised from 40.00 points to 50.00 points … For that, I’ll have to spend time every day cultivating a body refinement technique myself…”
Thoughts flashed through Zhang Yu’s mind as he mentally recorded his daily cultivation schedule.
“After joining the Ethereal Communications Department, I’m temporarily free from the usual work grind, which allows me to focus entirely on cultivation.”
“Alright, continuing to advance diligently after breaking through to the Spirit Transformation Realm is a blessing in disguise.”
Although Zhang Yu spent his days cultivating in his dormitory, he was officially working remotely.
During his four-hour work shifts, he would simply stay connected to the Spirit Realm, delegating all minor tasks to Yan Qianji.
Initially, Zhang Yu had worried that Minister Qin Chuan would cause trouble and forbid him from working remotely. But now it seemed Qin Chuan was more than happy to let him voluntarily relinquish his authority and stay cooped up in his dormitory, far from the department’s workplace politics.
“Besides the three fundamentals, the most crucial aspect of the Spirit Transformation Realm is naturally the cultivation of the Primordial Spirit.”
Various plans for Primordial Spirit cultivation surfaced in Zhang Yu’s mind.
“Primordial Spirit cultivation primarily involves the Ten Divine Light Transformations, which guide the Primordial Spirit through a series of metamorphoses while it’s in the Divine Light State.”
“Each transformation requires inscribing 12,960 runes, refining a Magic Power Mimetic Organ, and integrating Primordial Spirit Resources like Star-Chasing Flowing Light Sand into the Primordial Spirit.”
Zhang Yu knew that the runes could strengthen the Primordial Spirit’s power. This reminded him of the Righteous Gods of the Spirit Realm, and he thought to himself, “It seems the Spirit Realm and the Righteous Gods… also use technologies similar to those of the Primordial Spirit.”
Besides the runes, a Spirit Transformation Cultivator’s magic power could shift between tangible and intangible states. This allowed them to create Mimetic Organs that could be integrated into the Primordial Spirit, further enhancing its foundational strength.
Primordial Spirit Resources like Star-Chasing Flowing Light Sand, when used during each transformation, could facilitate qualitative changes in the Primordial Spirit’s essence.
Zhang Yu understood that each of the Ten Divine Light Transformations required the steps of inscribing runes, creating a Magic Power Mimetic Organ, and integrating Primordial Spirit Resources.
Only through these repeated divine transformations could the Primordial Spirit grow progressively stronger. Its escape speed, spellcasting speed, cultivation speed, the effectiveness of techniques channeled through it, and its influence over the Spirit Realm would all increase with each metamorphosis.
The cultivation of the Ten Divine Light Transformations could be said to span the entire Spirit Transformation Stage.
He thought to himself, “It’s like adding an independent multiplier called the Primordial Spirit. It can amplify all my abilities and grant me the terrifying mobility that only a Primordial Spirit can possess.”
Zhang Yu mused, “This is also the gap between Sect Spirit Transformation and Lower Realm Spirit Transformation. Teacher Magnetic Pole and the others… without the sect’s conditions and resources, reaching the Fifth Divine Light Transformation is likely their absolute limit.”
Immortal Slayer said, “Inscribing runes, refining Magic Power Mimetic Organs, and integrating Primordial Spirit Resources… all require time, effort, and money — a vast, vast amount of money.”
“Especially in the later transformations, the consumption increases exponentially. It can take decades, even several decades, and a massive amount of Immortal Coins.”
“Even within the sect, not every Spirit Transformation Cultivator can achieve the Tenth Divine Light Transformation. Some cultivators break through to the Void Refinement Realm without ever pushing their Primordial Spirit to the Tenth Transformation.”
“But if you want to achieve great things and possess even greater power in higher realms in the future, it’s best to push your Primordial Spirit to the Tenth Transformation.”
“This will be a crucial asset for both your breakthrough to the Void Refinement Realm and your future mastery of a Dao Lineage.”
Zhang Yu nodded. He understood this was just like his Golden Core and Nascent Soul, the more solid the foundation, the higher his future potential would be.
But he also knew that the Ten Divine Light Transformations became progressively harder, with the required time, effort, and Immortal Coins skyrocketing at each stage.
He thought to himself, “I’m currently a Rank 4 Sect Staff member, and my basic monthly salary is only around 10,000 Immortal Coins. That’s barely enough to cover my loans and daily expenses, let alone fund the Ten Divine Light Transformations.”
“As for extra bonuses and performance pay…”
Zhang Yu knew other positions might offer these, but his Ethereal Communications Department, which handled Soul Cultivator affairs, was notoriously unprofitable. His Maintenance Group, in particular, had few bonuses. In fact, to adapt to the environment of the Former Days Graveyard, he even had extra expenses like storing his physical body.
Shaking his head at the thought, Zhang Yu sighed. “Ah, I’ll have to take it slow. I’ve just broken through to a new realm. The most important thing right now is still…”
Two days later, Zhang Yu used the Feather Book’s specialization switching to push a passive breathing technique and a body refinement method to Level 50.
Magic Power: 101,032 Physical Strength: 40.06 points
From that moment on, his magic power began to increase passively every day.
His physical strength also improved day and night as he continued his cultivation.
Meanwhile, Zhang Yu was browsing various basic cultivation arts for the Spirit Transformation Realm through the Spirit Realm, studying the Chain Formation Diagrams they could create.
Just as he had sought the High School Sacred Body in his high school days, the University Sacred Body upon entering university, the Golden Core Sacred Body at the Golden Core Realm, and the Nascent Soul Sacred Body at the Nascent Soul Realm, Zhang Yu was now searching for the Sacred Body of the Spirit Transformation Realm.
Based on his experience, the “Sacred Body” of each realm significantly boosted cultivation efficiency and was the Chain Formation Diagram that should be prioritized after a breakthrough.
“The Spirit Transformation Dao Body?”
After some searching, Zhang Yu felt that the Spirit Transformation Dao Body, which could be formed from many basic cultivation arts, was likely the Chain Formation Diagram he was looking for.
Over the next few days, Zhang Yu used the Feather Book’s specialization switching, combined with the Myriad Laws Immortal Clan’s “Selected Basic Cultivation Art Level +1” bonus, to push six related cultivation arts to Level 50. In one go, he completed the first major requirement for the Spirit Transformation Dao Body.
Basic Spirit Transformation Dao Body (6/6): Once the Dao Body is formed, the Primordial Spirit naturally undergoes metamorphosis, returning to the Spirit Pool for one transformation per year. This effect remains active even after switching Chain Method Diagram Sets.
After studying the description, Zhang Yu’s eyes lit up with joy.
The first stage of the Spirit Transformation Dao Body accelerated Primordial Spirit cultivation.
“With the Spirit Transformation Dao Body, I just need to immerse my Primordial Spirit in the Spirit Transformation Pool daily. It will naturally transform, completing one Divine Light State transformation each year. The only catch is that the Primordial Spirit can’t leave the Spirit Transformation Pool for even a moment during that year.”
Zhang Yu thought to himself, “One transformation a year? Doesn’t that mean I can complete the Ten Divine Light Transformations just by soaking in the Spirit Transformation Pool for ten years?”
“And I don’t even need to activate the Primordial Spirit Refining Mode. The basic mode is enough, which costs about 1,000 Immortal Coins per day.”
Zhang Yu knew that completing the Ten Divine Light Transformations by simply soaking in the Spirit Transformation Pool would cost far less time, effort, and Immortal Coins than what other cultivators had to spend.
Especially since…
“I have the Infinite Chain Formation Diagram. If I continue to strengthen the Spirit Transformation Dao Body, it should take even less time.”
With this thought, Zhang Yu understood that his primary goal for the foreseeable future would be to advance the Spirit Transformation Dao Body.
Two days later, Zhang Yu had pushed the number of related cultivation arts to eight. The second-stage effect of the Spirit Transformation Dao Body appeared in the Dao Seed Register.
Advanced Spirit Transformation Dao Body (8/8): Once the Dao Body is formed, the Primordial Spirit regenerates on its own, the Divine Soul is indestructible, and the true nature never slumbers. Primordial Spirit reorganization speed is doubled, and the cost is halved. This effect remains active even after switching Chain Method Diagram Sets.
After studying the description, Zhang Yu fully understood its effects.
With a mere thought, the Primordial Spirit in the Spirit Transformation Pool instantly shattered, only to rapidly reorganize itself in the next moment.
Zhang Yu knew that in ancient times, the Primordial Spirit of a Spirit Transformation Cultivator was both a powerful weapon and a weakness with numerous limitations. A single collapse or contamination of the Primordial Spirit could cause the cultivator to suffer severe injuries, or even perish.
However, after generations of updates by Kunxu’s masters and powerhouses, especially the refinements made by the Ten Great Sects, the Primordial Spirit of today was vastly different from its past self.
For instance, collapsing and reorganizing was the very first skill a modern Primordial Spirit learned after being successfully refined.
The second-stage effect of the Spirit Transformation Dao Body allowed Zhang Yu’s Primordial Spirit to reorganize faster and with less magic power consumption, granting it greater resilience.
Zhang Yu knew this was undoubtedly a good thing, as it would enable his Primordial Spirit to withstand greater pressure and handle more tasks in the future.
Another two days passed, and Zhang Yu unlocked the third-stage effect of the Spirit Transformation Dao Body.
Ultimate Spirit Transformation Dao Body (10/10): Increases the cultivation efficiency and effectiveness of all Spirit Transformation cultivation arts by 3 times. This effect remains active even after switching Chain Method Diagram Sets.
The final effect wasn’t entirely unexpected, but it still brought Zhang Yu a pleasant surprise.
“The Nascent Soul Sacred Body only increases efficiency by 2 times, right? The Spirit Transformation Dao Body actually increases it by 3 times?”
Moreover, the fact that the effect remained active even after switching Chain Method Diagram Sets was another reason for his pleasant surprise.
“The third-stage effects of the other Sacred Bodies didn’t remain active after switching.”
“This Spirit Transformation ‘Sacred Body’ is truly far more powerful.”
Just then, a message arrived from the Spirit Realm.
Zhao Tianxing: “Divine Monarch, here is today’s operational report for the Spirit Transformation Pool.”
Zhang Yu glanced at the report Zhao Tianxing had sent and nodded slightly.
Zhao Tianxing… This Soul Cultivator, whom Zhang Yu had known since their high school days on Kunxu’s First Layer, had finally been awakened by Zhang Yu a few days ago.
In the unique environment of the Former Days Graveyard, even while merely possessing Zhang Yu’s military-grade magical artifact, Zhao Tianxing felt as if he were a fish in water. The nourishing Yin Qi sharpened his thoughts and reduced his spiritual energy consumption to an extremely low level.
“If I could stay in this environment indefinitely, my lifespan would at least double, right?”
“If I could get a better Calculation Pool, breaking through another layer of my cultivation realm… that wouldn’t be impossible at all.”
After awakening Zhao Tianxing, Zhang Yu had him take charge of maintaining the Spirit Transformation Pool and some of the equipment in his living quarters. This freed Zhang Yu from these tasks, allowing him to focus entirely on his cultivation.
Zhao Tianxing was deeply moved, feeling a profound sense of trust.
This feeling intensified after he learned more about the Former Days Graveyard and realized how insignificant a minor Soul Cultivator like himself was here.
The Former Days Graveyard teemed with countless powerful Soul Cultivators. One could even have them killed and processed on the spot, obtaining any variety desired.
Even Soul Cultivators who had been dormant for a long time could be revived, killed again, and turned into fresh “goods.”
“Does reviving them before killing them still count as ‘pre-processed’?” Zhao Tianxing wondered silently. “The competition among Soul Cultivators in the sect is a hundred times fiercer than in the Lower Realm.”
For Zhang Yu, however, a Soul Cultivator he had known since childhood and personally nurtured was far more trustworthy. This was why he had activated Zhao Tianxing.
After all, Soul Cultivators often worked closely with Cultivators and were privy to many secrets. Trustworthiness was paramount.
“Once I’m wealthier, I’ll activate the other Soul Cultivators and boost their strength as well.”
Zhang Yu knew that he was currently dirt-poor in the sect and didn’t need many Soul Cultivators for now.
But as his wealth grew and he needed to activate more magical artifacts, having more Soul Cultivators would naturally be better.
The thought of one day equipping all thirty-two of his clones with various magical artifacts filled Zhang Yu with both anticipation and a pang of financial pain.
Shaking his head, Zhang Yu refocused on the task at hand.
While he quietly cultivated after breaking through to the Spirit Transformation Realm, Zhang Yu had also been conducting an experiment he had long wanted to try.
It involved the “Selected Cultivation Art Mutation” ability he had gained from the Myriad Laws Immortal Clan.
Previously, Zhang Yu had either lacked the time or been under the close watch of someone like Bu Yingshu, preventing him from attempting it.
Now, with both time and space, Zhang Yu naturally intended to thoroughly explore what this mutation entailed.
He began by selecting a basic-grade breathing technique to mutate.
The mutation’s result was that the originally ordinary breathing technique now produced an additional phenomenon while being practiced, making it appear ethereal and suffused with immortal aura.
Moreover, Zhang Yu sensed that the cultivation art itself hadn’t changed; this phenomenon only appeared when he circulated it.
Zhang Yu thought to himself, “It seems like a superpower. I can trigger the mutated effect of the cultivation art, but I can’t write down the specific technical details of the mutated technique.”
“But this effect…”
Zhang Yu frowned and tested another Expert-Grade Technique.
This Expert-Grade Technique was Zhang Yu’s old companion, the Nine Heavens Cloud Void Force.
This technique, once Zhang Yu’s signature move, had not been used by him for a long time.
As the mutation’s effect manifested, Zhang Yu struck out with his palm. Amidst the surging Gang Qi, not a single wisp of cloud or mist appeared.
“It’s transparent?” Zhang Yu was astonished. “The Gang Qi of the Nine Heavens Cloud Void Force has changed from its original cloud-like form to being transparent?”
“This way, I can rebound an opponent’s force invisibly and without a trace. This seems… like a beneficial mutation, right?”
Next, Zhang Yu tried the military-grade Mount Sumeru King Sutra.
Originally, this cultivation art borrowed the weight of the earth, allowing one to infuse the heaviness of mountains into every punch and kick, and to transfer incoming force into the mountains and the earth itself.
After the mutation, however, when the mountains and earth were damaged, the force they absorbed would be transferred to Zhang Yu’s own body.
Zhang Yu thought, “Is this… environmental protection? An enhanced version of a Living Stake?”
For a moment, Zhang Yu couldn’t tell if this mutation was good or bad.
After a series of tests, Zhang Yu gradually understood, “First, the mutation only affects me personally. The cultivation art’s content hasn’t changed, so it can’t be taught to others.”
“Second, the mutation itself is uncontrollable. What effect it will have, whether good or bad… it’s all unknown. At least, I can’t find any pattern yet.”
“Finally, the mutation… seems irreversible for now. At least, I don’t know how to reverse it yet.”
Zhang Yu thought grimly, “In that case, it’s better not to mutate important cultivation arts lightly. If a negative effect occurs and weakens the technique, it would be a disaster.”
But the next moment, Zhang Yu’s gaze sharpened. “Wait, there’s also the Selected Cultivation Art Oblivion!”
“Could this Oblivion be specifically designed for mutations?”
“If a mutation fails and produces an undesirable effect, can I just use Oblivion to forget it and then re-cultivate it, removing the mutation’s effect?”
The more he thought about it, the more sense it made. Zhang Yu decided to test it immediately.
“I don’t have many chances for Immortal Sect-grade or Military-grade rewards, but for basic cultivation arts… I still have three mutation chances and two Oblivion effects.”
“Fortunately, I’ve refined a lot of Immortal Dao Technology from basic cultivation arts recently, and the Myriad Laws Immortal Clan Dao Seed has given me plenty of rewards for it.”
Zhang Yu had originally thought the rewards for basic cultivation arts were useless and planned to stop pursuing them. He never expected they would be perfect for this test.
After a moment’s thought, Zhang Yu used the Oblivion effect on the mutated breathing technique. Then, he used a basic cultivation art primer to relearn the technique, bringing it back to Level 1.
When he circulated it again, the original mutation effect was indeed gone.
A flicker of joy crossed Zhang Yu’s face. “Just as I thought,” he murmured.
Then, he used the mutation effect on the breathing technique once more.