Chapter 218: Hints of More

Chapter 218: Hints of More

[Author Note}

Thanks for all the support. You guys are the best!

[End Author Note]

The Tortoise Swallows Dragon cultivation method.

Granting both protection and increasing power for its user. In combining barriers, body refining, and stealth, the person who uses it is bound to be a great figure. Using that with the other items guarantees it.

Adding that to its ability to absorb power from attacks means that if you fight a user of this method, you really need to get them the first time. Because what doesnt kill them makes them stronger.

As the Jade slip had imparted the method to the father, Xing Hu, he automatically knows what steps need to be taken to cultivate. Similar to when he was practicing the breathing method, he remains sitting in a cross-legged position. From here, I can see the qi in his body circulate normally, before congregating first in his lower dantian and then into his middle dantian.

It continues to pool there, until suddenly it shoots out into every Meridian simultaneously, in a way that is reminiscent of a plasma globe. Unlike how I was suspecting, though the key had exploded outwards from the dantian, it was in actuality a tiny amount. Which is still being fed from the main area.

My scan detects minute changes throughout the body and on the surface of his skin. The appearance of his body hasnt changed, but it's slowly becoming tougher. More resilient.

Body refinement.

Unlike dedicated body refinement methods, this is simply a byproduct, rather than the main goal. I can see what the main one is, as my scan reveals that the specific patterns of toughening going on within his body, which will obscure any spiritual sense that would give away information about him.

Obviously, my scan sees past that.

But this isnt the most interesting part about how this cultivation method is working.

Xing Hu slowly raises his hands, which then shimmer with the same style of energy projection I that I was seeing inside of his body.

A few centimeters away from his hand, a glimmer of light is shown that slowly grows into a shimmering plaque half a meter wide and long. The thickness is infinitely small.

Slowly it grows in size to around 2 meters of size.

And then it stops.

Sweat grows on his forehead, although he is a previous body cultivator and has been strengthened by the cultivation method earlier.

The barrier, as Im calling it, gradually begins changing shape and moving closer to his body.

Hes molding it to fit over every part of his skin and body. As it does so, it increases in size to accommodate the insides of his body, protecting even that. From the organs to even his meridians and Dantians, it forms a small layer upon each and within them. The structure and usage of that seems to differ from the ones on the outside. Seeming to be a more automatic and subconscious process than one that can be manipulated.

This becomes by far the longest part of the process, taking two hours to complete. Despite the time, it is extremely interesting to behold the way his meridians and qi interact with the barrier. Giving me countless insights into how the ability works.

While the barrier absorbs Ki from attacks and protects its user, there are several other things that it does.

For the obvious, it allows breathable air in. On the non-obvious side, it filters non-breathable Air. He also filters out any poisons that would enter the body, unless allowed in.

Even more shockingly, this filtering ability applies to several other things, including sound, light, and, from what I can tell, even some illusions.

To be specific, its a barrier to what the user wishes it to be. Which is part of the reason its able to absorb the Ki from attacks, as it lets that part through and has a built-in process to utilize it.

But these aspects of the barrier arent yet at an useable level.

Its so tempting to accept this.

And if I decline this, it will actually engender hard feelings from them, if Im not willing to accept such a thing.

But I know I cant. Having them be stronger is only in my favor. And in not malicious way, having them on my side is even more important while making sure theyre strong enough to handle that.

Theyre clearly expecting an argument from me and are ready to go to battle on this front.

I change my scan to a conversation one to find the proper way to handle this.

My face darkens, showing both disappointment and a tinge of anger. Despite them being ready for a response, they seem to take a step back at this.

I speak low and ominously, to communicate the seriousness of my words.

Xing Hu. It appears you did not truly realize what Im asking of you in return for all this.

I pause. Theyre frozen in place, all looking at the father now.

He may have explained it, but that doesnt mean they know the specifics.

I clarify.

I said I wanted a true ally. Someone who I help without strings attached and that would do the same for me. That would truly look out for the interests of the other.

These are your family heirlooms, that are specifically tailored to help you and your family grow as quickly and as strong as possible. If I took these from you, could I truly say that I was looking out for you or just myself?

But its not only that.

I look them deep in the eyes to convey how serious this is.

I have many enemies and future enemies. Youve already seen a little of what I can do. If Im needing help against groups like that, imagine yourselves?

Their faces grow pale from this. Because Im basically telling them that the reason, Im letting them have all this is because what they will go against is just that bad.

Without a contract in place, this is pretty perilous for me to state this like this.

But my eyes returned to the daughter in this family. Her inquisitive, yet slightly suspicious look that transformed into a surprised one, seems to harden.

Theres was a spark of something in her eyes that seems a little strange. If felt like she was thinking of something when I said that. Like she knows something that I dont

I think there may be more to her than just what this level of scan has told me

She speaks out, as if talking for her family.

Well do it. We have a chance in front of us and wouldnt be worth our name if we backed down from this.

Her father looks back at her with unsure eyes, but with just a glance, he nods and moves the orb to the mother.

Well.

Her weird reaction aside, this is one less thing to worry about.