A month later
In the Chen Residence of Jingxing Alley, Nanyang Prefecture City.
Chen Mu followed his usual practice by setting up a thatched shed on the east side of the courtyard, with green bricks laid on the ground.
Under the shed, there was a rocking chair in a row, and beside it on a low table, incense, milk tea, and an assortment of snacks and candied fruits were all available.
He squinted his eyes, nestled in the rocking chair.
His breathing alternated between rapid and slow, changing quickly yet unexpectedly maintaining a rhythm akin to flowing clouds and water.
In his mind, through a haze as if behind frosted glass, a three-dimensional pattern connected by dots and silk threads flickered and shifted along with Chen Mu's breathing.
After a long while, Chen Mu's body shuddered, and he opened his eyes.
"Three hundred and sixty changes in one breathing cycle, this is probably the limit," he mused.
Sense of understanding brought about by proficiency slowly faded into the recesses of his mind.
"The Breathing Method is the index, the doorway, the starting thread."
"The Divine Intent Diagram is the core," Chen Mu pondered thoughtfully, "The Breathing Method tunes the body and soul, all to usher one into a certain special state!"
In his previous life, some theories held that different breathing frequencies could place one in varying states.
Some might bring calmness and focus, while others could make one's thoughts lively and more creative.
The Breathing Method was probably of a similar nature but more mystical.
"If one day I could directly enter that state, then perhaps I could abandon the Breathing Method," Chen Mu had an epiphany.
With a thought, the grey wall in front of him came into view.
Chen Mu looked toward the item at the very bottom.
Cloud Mirage Shape Cultivation Technique: 1955/10000/Fifth Rank;
"At the current pace, in a little over four months, I'll likely master Shell Soul."
"Over a month and not even one-fifth of the way there? Tch... the progress is really slow!" Chen Mu fought to suppress the curl of his lips and shook his head in lament.
With a thought, a stream of jet black substance burst forward from the back of his head like dark water.
It was as though a helmet that clung to the skin formed in an instant, covering Chen Mu's head entirely, not sparing even a single hair.
It continued to spread downward along his neck.
Chen Mu opened his robes to check.
The Wandering Soul only managed to cover up to his shoulders before its advance faltered.
"If the other six strands of Wandering Souls were added..."
Whoosh!
The Jet Black Soul Strength surged downwards, stopping just below the ribs.
"It seems I might achieve Shell Soul in less than four months..."
"Ha!"
Chen Mu quickly covered his mouth. He couldn't laugh, he absolutely couldn't let himself laugh!
What am I bragging about? Those scions of noble families have bloodline enhancements, making their cultivation speed even faster!
And they also have Body Protection Aura!
I'm just an ordinary person, what do I have to be proud of!
I must stay humble, contain my impatience, and learn to control my emotions and desires!
"Hmm, let's go to Chunfeng Tower tonight. I haven't seen Yu Tao in a long time; I really miss her."
...
Lost in his daydreams.
Gurgle...
"Then one thousand!" Jie Jia said bluntly.
Chen Mu looked at Jie Jia with mixed feelings.
Why was he not surprised at all?!
"No, you have to create a fake identity for me."
Without getting something extra, he always felt like he was losing out.
"That's possible," Jie Jia put away the silver note, a faint smile appearing on his face.
Good marks are hard to find, after all.
Chen Mu was so frustrated he didn't want to talk. This old guy always took the chance to scam him!
But who could replace what he had?
"You can't eat it all at once," Jie Jia reminded as he passed a white porcelain bottle to Chen Mu.
"What? Is it poisonous?" Chen Mu still wanted to taste it.
"It'll bloat you to death," Jie Jia stated plainly.
Chen Mu: "..."
...
After dinner, having sent Jie Jia away, Chen Mu sat at the desk in his room and lit the oil lamp.
He took out the porcelain bottle Jie Jia had given him and poured it out.
"This thing is a Fasting Pill."
Chen Mu pinched an Elixir Pill the size of a longan, white as jade, incredulity filling his eyes.
"Old man Jie isn't just palming off a jade bead to trick me, is he?"
The old guy had a history of selling fake medicines!
The Fasting Pill was round and smooth, white jade in color, heavy in his palm.
Chen Mu squeezed with both hands, but it didn't budge.
His Seven Types of Shape Cultivation were complete, his strength unimaginable, and that squeeze could have crushed a stone bead.
"Interesting!"
Chen Mu set the little porcelain dish on the desk.
Soul Strength covered his right hand, the jet black fingernail of his index finger scraping slightly.
Screech screech screech...
A series of enamel-eroding scraping sounds filled the air.
Droplets of white jade powder fell, and a faint scent of grass and wood wafted through the air.
"It's not a stone then."
He tasted a bit of the powder. It was like cotton candy, melting instantly in his mouth.
A sweet, cool sensation rushed to his heart and then went down his throat to his belly.
A sense of fullness instantly came over him.
"Really filling!"
"If I could replicate it, I wouldn't have to worry about the cost of the Cloud Mirage Shape Cultivation Technique," Chen Mu's eyes lit up. Explore stories on M V L
"No rush, take it slowly in the future."
With a puff of black smoke, the Fasting Pill was put into the Five Ghosts Bag.
"Now there are more important things to do."
Chen Mu straightened his clothes, changed his appearance, and looked left and right in the mirror.
Completely unrecognizable, very good!
Then he went out at ease, heading straight for Chunfeng Tower in the North Market.