The Purification Sanskrit Sound was like a trickling clear stream, cleansing the demonic thought haze accumulated in the main hall for ages. It also propped up a rare pure space for Xiao Qi and Zhao Tiezhu. That annoying tempting whisper and cold erosion in the air completely disappeared, leaving only the gentle, heavy aura emitted by pure Buddhist power under the Sanskrit sound's guidance, and the pure power true meaning naturally flowing from those ancient patterns on the walls.
With the demonic thought dispelled, the dust obscuring their eyes fell away. Those remnant "Indestructible Diamond Body" murals now seemed to have gained new vitality in their eyes.
The qi and blood circulation routes that had previously appeared blurry and distorted from demonic thought interference now became clear and smooth. The exertion techniques and muscle-bone coordination mysteries contained in those strange postures also became like pearls with grime wiped away, shining brightly. Even those incomplete Sanskrit formulas beside them—their contained true meanings of "immovable,""resilient,""subduing demon,""fearless"—became more intuitive, easier for the mind to understand and accept.
"Brother Qi! Looking at these things now feels completely different!" Zhao Tiezhu excitedly growled low, pointing at that "Earth Diamond Form" remnant chart, his eyes flashing with insight's light, "I think I understand! It's not devouring—it's resonance! It's making one's own qi and blood resonate with the earth beneath one's feet in an unshakable way, borrowing its heaviness to stabilize oneself, like a mountain taking root!"
He no longer hesitated. He immediately assumed that strange standing stake posture shown in the mural. His feet spread not too wide, deeply planted in the golden sand. His waist and back slightly arched, hands emptily embracing before his abdomen. His will sank into his soles, trying to establish connection with this Buddhist temple ruin's earth (sand ground).
At first there was no response. But as he adjusted his breathing, channeling his own pale golden qi and blood to slowly circulate along the now-much-clearer route in the mural, a weak yet truly existing heavy power began seeping into his body from the golden sand beneath his feet! Though far from "drawing earth veins'" level, this power made his stance become exceptionally stable, his whole body's aura settling a notch, as if truly one with the earth!
"It works! It really works!" Zhao Tiezhu was so excited he trembled slightly. He could feel that even from this most preliminary attempt, his control over his own power and understanding of defense had gained a subtle yet real improvement! And this was only the foundation standing stake of the introduction chapter!
Xiao Qi, seeing this, also felt more at ease. He didn't immediately begin cultivation. Instead, he walked along the wall, once again carefully scanning, memorizing, and deducing with his divine consciousness those body refining charts and formulas "activated" by the Purification Sanskrit Sound and now clearer. With his comprehension far exceeding ordinary people, he not only memorized the remnant chapters but was in his mind attempting to deduce and complete some key missing links based on their Dao rhyme logic.
Especially that "Golden Body Jade Bone Formula" remnant chart—the method for guiding qi and blood to temper the spinal dragon and skull was originally missing. Xiao Qi, combining his understanding of body structure and the "from outside to inside, step by step" body refining general principle revealed by other complete parts of the mural, actually faintly constructed a relatively reasonable qi and blood circulation route in his mind.
Feeling he had deduced enough, Xiao Qi also chose a relatively open area to begin cultivation attempts. He didn't select a single chart but combined the "Earth Diamond Form's" stabilizing foundation, the "Golden Body Jade Bone Formula's" tempering of internal organs and bones, and another relatively complete "Arhat Holding Up Heaven Form" for shoulder-arm power development—combining all three in a more systematic, more efficient simultaneous cultivation!
He assumed a stance. His movements seemed slow, yet contained a unique rhythm. His whole body's qi and blood, under his powerful divine consciousness's precise control, was like a well-disciplined army, dividing into several strands circulating simultaneously along different routes. One strand drew the golden sand beneath his feet's heavy power to stabilize his stance; another like fine small hammers repeatedly struck and tempered his four limbs, hundred bones, five viscera and six bowels down to the finest meridians; another strand condensed in his arms, simulating an arhat holding up the sky, developing his upper body's potential.
Gradually, his body surface began emitting a warm, restrained pale golden luster. This luster wasn't like Zhao Tiezhu's externally manifesting qi and blood, but a deeper-level precious light naturally emitted after blood, flesh, and bones had been preliminarily tempered! His breathing became long and powerful. Each inhale seemed to swallow the surrounding thin Buddhist power aura; each exhale expelled some subtle impurities along with turbid qi from his body.
He could clearly feel his body undergoing a subtle yet real strengthening! Muscle fibers became tougher and more elastic, bone density seemed to slowly increase, and internal organs also became more condensed and powerful. This strengthening wasn't brute force growth, but an all-around, essential elevation—a consolidating of body foundation and excavation of potential!
Even some extremely subtle, unnoticed physical hidden injuries from multiple extreme battles and channeling Southern Ming Li Fire before were quietly repaired in this systematic tempering.
Zhao Tiezhu focused on the "Earth Diamond Form," his stance becoming increasingly stable, his aura increasingly heavy.
Xiao Qi drew from many sources, integrating everything, his body's precious light inwardly contained, his aura rounded and complete.
The rabbit spirit watched from the side with curiosity at the pale golden halos emitting from both of them that made it feel warm and comfortable. Occasionally it tried to mimic a posture, but always ended up crooked and unable to grasp the essence.
Time flew past in focused cultivation. After who knows how long, perhaps one or two hours, Zhao Tiezhu first emerged from his immersed state. He felt his more condensed qi and blood and obviously much more stable stance, his face overflowing with irrepressible joy.
"Brother Qi! This 'Indestructible Diamond Body' is too miraculous! I feel now even if someone hits me, same-level body cultivators might not be able to shake me!" He waved his fists, his confidence brimming.
Xiao Qi also slowly withdrew his power, the pale golden precious light on his body restraining. He opened his eyes, a flash of essence disappearing in an instant. He lightly clenched his fist, feeling that surging yet controllable power within him, a satisfied smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.
Though still far from true "indestructible diamond," this introduction chapter's cultivation had already benefited them enormously. Physical body power and defense had significantly improved. More importantly, it had opened a door to the supreme hall of body cultivation for them.
However, just as they were pleased with this preliminary gain, in the main hall's depths, that always-violently-fluctuating Buddha-demon halo, because of Xiao Qi's continuous chanting of Purification Sanskrit Sound and the Buddhist qi and blood true meaning they triggered during cultivation, seemed to reach some critical point!
"Crack—"
An extremely faint, yet clearly soul-penetrating shattering sound abruptly rang out!
The Buddha-demon halo shrouding the jade platform fiercely contracted inward, then suddenly exploded! A far purer and more vast Buddhist power than before, mixed with a sharp, resentful demonic shriek, like a breached dam's flood, swept toward the entire main hall!
The transmission core's seal seemed... to have been broken!