Chapter 70 - Heaven Will Not Cross Over for Anyone Everyone Must Cross Over for Themselves
Chapter 70 of "Red Heart Patrols the Sky" opens showing developments: The night was deep, and Anan had already been coaxed to sleep, perhaps now in... Keep reading!
The night was deep, and Anan had already been coaxed to sleep, perhaps now in sweet dreams occasionally smacking her lips.
Jiang Wang sat cross-legged, his five hearts turned to the heavens.
His mind sank into Tongtian Palace, where the intricate star chart arranged by Path Origin shined overhead.
An unknown black candle hung in the center, with the Earth Caterpillar Spirit, transformed by the Dao veins, slowly circling around it.
Jiang Wang was not anxious or impatient, quietly waiting for the right moment.
He originally chose the Zhou Tian Xing Dou formation as the foundation-mapping technique, estimating that it would take half a year.
But his gains since starting to open his meridians had been substantial.
First, there was the practice of the âPurple Qi Eastwardâ sword techniqueâs nine forms to regulate his blood and qi, allowing his body to endure more Meridian Rush Practice.
Then he also cultivated the Soldier Home Body Refinement Seal Technique, greatly increasing the number of times he could rush his meridians.
Although it was only the Earth Caterpillar Spirit, the high frequency meant that the amount of Path Origin it ingested and expelled was not insignificant.
Later, with the Seal Technique for controlling Path Origin passed on to him by Dong Ah, he arranged the formation chart with hardly any omissionsâŚ
Finally, after his great advancement in Dao Heart and the explosive increase of Path Origin during the battle with Xiong Wen, he was nearing a qualitative change.
The time moved to midnight.
Midnight marks the beginning of the day, the starting point.
Jiang Wang silently manipulated the Seal Technique for controlling Path Origin, moving the last round and smooth element of Path Origin into the star chart, precisely at the position of the Taiyin Star.
Starting with the Taiyang Star and ending with the Taiyin Star.
Then the Three Enclosures vibrated in unison, and the twenty-eight constellations shone together.
The entire Zhou Tian Xing Dou formationâs brilliance burst forth, illuminating the entire Tongtian Palace!
At that instant, Jiang Wangâs mind even had the mistaken sensation of being momentarily blinded.
When he regained his insights, a mysterious and dreamy vortex appeared within Tongtian Palace, slowly rotating with flecks of starlight rising and falling.
It was less of a spiraling wind and more like a spinning Star River.
At the moment of its birth, nine Path Origin elements leaped out of the Star River Dao Spiral.
With the Dao Spiral established, Path Origin was spontaneously generated.
Jiang Wang knew that the foundation was set.
From that moment on, he had truly stepped into the transcendent, entering the Ninth Grade Circulation Realm!
He began opening meridians on the fifteenth day of the sixth month in front of the Qingming Dao Academy, and laid the foundation at his home in Feima Alley on the sixteenth day of the tenth month, taking four months.
He could not yet fully grasp the effects of the Zhou Tian Xing Dou formation compared to a common regression mapping technique.
But he noticed that at this time, the unremarkable Earth Caterpillar abandoned the black candle and began climbing towards the star spiral.
When it reached the front of the spiral, it suddenly leaped vigorously!
Piercing through the Star Spiral, its body seemed to be covered with a bit of starlight, becoming slightly more agile and lively.
The strengthening of True Spirits through the Dao Spiral is an accumulation process over time, a reason why people do not judge a cultivatorâs future based solely on their innate disposition.
But this is usually a long and gradual process, evidently not resulting in such immediate and visible changes.
Perhaps, this was one of the unique features of the Zhou Tian Xing Dou formation?
Jiang Wang could not be sure, but he eagerly anticipated more changes, very much indeed.
After the Earth Caterpillar passed through the star spiral, it slowly made its way back to the black candle, appearing somewhat tired, and then coiled around the candle, motionless.
The beautiful spectacle within Tongtian Palace tonight was intoxicating to Jiang Wang.
When he came to his senses, he realized that the smacking sounds in the room had stopped.
He heard little Ananâs drowsy muttering, âBrother, I think I saw stars.
So many stars.â
Jiang Wang was silent for a while, knowing that Anan had not awakened.
He then gently got up, helping her tuck in the covers with soft movements, before quietly stepping out into the courtyard.
He wanted to try practicing Dao Techniques, to respond to his previous academic accomplishments at the Taoist Academy.
The starlight does not inquire about the travelerâs haste.
Jiang Wang has always believed in putting forth as much effort as possible, never less.
Heaven does not carry people across; people carry themselves.
In the prevalent Dao Technique system of the Daoist academies, there are four classes and twelve grades of Dao Techniques.
The lowest class, Ding-grade Dao Techniques, primarily manifest in enhancement states.
Take the Five Elements Dao Techniques as an example, which are: Attach Flame, Sharp Edge, Solidify, Qingming, and Vitality.
Attach Flame uses Fire Element Energy to adhere to objects, Sharp Edge uses Metal Element Energy to reinforce weapons, Solidify uses Earth Element Energy to strengthen the bodyâs defenses, Qingming uses Water Force to clear the mind and improve sight, and Vitality employs Wood tactics energy to dispel fatigue and invigorate vitality.
While there might be slight differences in specific Dao Techniques across various Daoist academies, the overall structure remains consistent.
This is the heritage passed down by the three great sacred lands of the Taoist Sect.
In theory, a Ninth Grade Circulation Realm practitioner can utilize all Ding-grade Dao Techniques.
However, it varies from individual to individual.
Some may struggle even with the medium Ding-grade techniques, while others might excel in Metal tactics or Water tactics, and the same goes for the rest.
One point that teaching and training staff in the Daoist academies often emphasize is that every cultivator must be clear about their strengths.
Whether itâs to play to oneâs strengths or to compensate for weaknesses, one should quickly establish their own combat system.
Jiang Wang first attempted Attach Flame.
He had long perfected the basic Seal Technique, and at this moment, he had a full nine Path Origins at his disposal.
The Seal Technique he had rehearsed countless times was completed in two breaths.
He held the Longsword in his left hand and with his right hand extended two fingers, tracing them along the blade.
Flames ignited!
The Longsword lay horizontal in the night, flames burning under the moonlight.
Without the aid of any tool.
This was Transcendent power, this was Dao Technique!
Overcome with emotion, Jiang Wang suddenly felt the urge to cry.
He longed to return to his past and tell his younger self, âYou can do it, you are capable.â
He also wanted to tell his father, who had lingered in sickness, âI can do it, I am capable.â
Jiang Wang dissipated the flame with a flourish of the Longsword, using the Purple Qi Eastward sword technique and method of channeling.
Then he proceeded with Sharp Edge, SolidifyâŚ
Jiang Wang nearly wanted to try each basic Dao Technique he knew in turn, only stopping when his Path Origins were exhausted.
Jiang Wang discovered that, surprisingly, his speed at mastering different elemental basic Dao Techniques was the same, without any discrepancy.
Put arrogantly, he was good with all of them.
Regardless of Water tactics or Fire tactics, it was the same.
But mortal energy has its limits; of course, he couldnât cultivate every Dao Technique.
The headmaster, Dong Ah, had said more than once that cultivation is the essence of the Dao, and Dao Techniques are merely tools to protect the Dao.
Even if there were geniuses who felt their energy was boundless, they should focus more on the fundamental aspects of the Dao.
Jiang Wang planned to save up more Path Origins before trying other Dao Techniques, such as Wind Element Energy or Lightning tactics.
However, even the most basic Lightning tactics belong to the Yi-grade Dao Techniques, and if nothing special occurred, heâd have to wait until he reached the Grade-7 Tongtian Environment to master them.
Although he showed the same talent for all Five Elements Dao Techniques, Jiang Wangâs preference, in his heart, leaned towards Fire tactics and Wood tactics.
The latter was because his mentor, Dong Ah, was a master of Wood tactics, and the former was of course because ofâŚ
that spectacular fight outside the True Spirit View, because of that man, fiery and brilliant as the sun in his might.
Even though Zuo Guanglie didnât even know his name.
But Jiang Wang learned and gained a lot from him and therefore felt a strong affection towards Fire tactics.
It was foreseeable that, regardless of which Dao Techniques he chose, his combat options would increase countless times over, and his combat strength would multiply by more than just double.
For the upcoming campaign against the Fierce Beasts, this was undoubtedly fantastic news.
Having tentatively decided on his Dao Techniques, dawn was breaking for Jiang Wang.
Facing the morning light, Jiang Wang completed his first Meridian Rush Practice of the day in the courtyard.
He felt the Earth Caterpillar Spirit within him seemed to absorb and exhale the Path Origins with much more ease.
After practicing Meridian Rush twice in a row, his body finally began to feel a slight fatigue.
So he took a break.
He washed up, made his bed, and went out to buy breakfast for Jiang Anan.
Early vendors pushed their carts shouting their wares, soybean pudding stewed in the pots, and youtiao (deep-fried dough sticks) wafted their hot steam into the air.
The worldly flavors of life, the stairway to the azure skies above.
(Heaven does not ferry people across; each must cross on their own.
Thatâs what I want to say, what I am doing.
I am very grateful to the readers who have accompanied me on this journey, for it is you who keep me from feeling lonely on the path of writing.
Thank you for striving alongside me.)