Could the progress bar... be ineffective?
Was it because the other party was too strong?
Li Qi pondered this.
However, he quickly dismissed these thoughts.
There was no need to dwell on such matters. He needed to focus on how to cultivate, which was the proper path.
It was spring, a time when everything began to stir and move. Located in the east, its color was blue, its sound the note Jiao, representing the vibrant energy of qi. Its deity was Tai Hao, who stirred all things to life. Its spirit was Gou Mang, symbolizing the beginning of life, with its essence being the Azure Dragon, representing growth.
Worship wasn't just about kneeling and praying; that was only a small part. According to the book "Wu," Li Qi first had to use ash and water to create a winding path from outside into his room, known as "Guiding the Dragon Back."
Then, he needed to light some herbs and grasses, which he gathered and set aflame, waving them around, called "Fumigating the Insects."
Other rituals included "Roasting Beans" and "Dancing for Rain," completing a series of ceremonial acts before the worship was complete.
Though he didn't roast beans, he used rice cakes instead.
It should be fine.
Li Qi spent nearly half an hour completing these rituals.
Then, he felt a strange change in his body.
The rising dragon-shaped constellation in the east projected a stream of qi into him.
An extraordinary power.
Indescribable.
He felt stronger, more vibrant, full of vitality.
This was normal; spring represented the intersection of heaven and earth, the birth of all things, the meeting of Yin and Yang. The Azure Dragon, one of the Four Symbols, governed the east, where wood thrived. Wood symbolized growth, emerging from the earth, nourished by water flowing eastward, covering the ground and forming forests—this was the Great Forest Wood.
This represented the breath of life, the power obtained through worship and prayer at this moment.
Li Qi felt the fatigue from the past two days dissipate.
His energy surged, even replenishing the depleted primordial qi caused by the Ox Strength Technique!
His barren microcosm finally welcomed its first breath of external qi.
Like rain after a long drought, the vibrant force filled his body, making him feel taller.
A sudden enlightenment rose within him, changing his perception of the world.
He... truly embarked on the path of cultivation, following the Wu Dao of the Wu people, specializing in Earth Spirits.
After truly drawing qi into his body, his perception of the world changed.
Under the guidance of the Great Forest Wood qi, he could faintly see different types of qi between heaven and earth.
Heaven had heavenly qi, earth had earthly qi, humans had human qi, demons had demonic qi, gods had divine qi—each with unique properties.
Various types of qi existed, such as the Eight Winds and Six Laws, aiding the formation of all things, like music harmonizing qi, transforming the masses, and shaping their destinies.
There was also the Taicou qi, symbolizing the birth of all things.
Yin qi resided underground, nurturing all beings.
Countless classifications of qi existed, including summer heat, dew qi, mixed qi, and so on.
Different qi combined to produce various effects.
Humans were born of Yin and Yang qi.
Thunder was the exhalation of Yang qi.
Wu Earth qi could create clouds, relying on fire to manifest, using sunlight to reveal itself.
Clouds were the qi of mountains and rivers.
"Wu" stated, "All things in heaven and earth are born of qi, qi's interaction creates all things, and by understanding qi's nature, one can know the origin of all things."
In other words, countless qi combined to form the world, and by discerning the nature and abilities of all qi, one could understand the world's origin.
For example, the four seasons were created by the cyclical changes of six qi: Yin, Yang, wind, rain, dimness, and brightness.
As stated, "Heaven has six qi: Yin, Yang, wind, rain, dimness, and brightness."
Many types of qi were unfamiliar to Li Qi, but with the help of the "Wu" book, he could recognize some. At this moment, he focused on using the newly acquired Great Forest Wood qi to observe the surrounding qi.
By attaching qi to his eyes, he could perceive other types of qi.
Though this required some consumption, it wasn't significant. A beginner like Li Qi could maintain this state for hours.
In this state, Li Qi could even see Shen Shuibei's nutritive and defensive qi while she slept.
Both were new qi, confirming she hadn't lied. Her qi was weak and fresh, indicating she had indeed destroyed her cultivation and rebuilt it.
He then used the Ox Strength Technique.
Now, there was no ten-minute limit; instead, it ended when his microcosm's qi was depleted.
Of course, the daily limit of three uses still applied.
He now understood why there was a daily limit of three uses—it was because the Earth Spirit Qiong Niu didn't want others to take advantage freely, making it seem cheap. If someone used it three times consecutively, it would not be granted again.
Truly capricious.
Using the Great Forest Wood qi enhanced the durability of the Ox Strength Technique, determined by qi's nature.
Moreover, he could sense the process...
This technique wasn't conjured out of thin air. When activated, he could feel a stream of qi coming from the void.
That was the divine qi of the Earth Spirit Qiong Niu.
This divine qi brought thickened skin, abundant Yang qi, and increased strength, allowing Li Qi to possess the combat prowess of ten men.
Wood qi added new characteristics to the technique. Due to the compatibility of qi's nature, Li Qi felt his endurance increase. Previously, despite powerful bursts, he needed to recover. Now, he could continuously deliver full-power strikes without needing to pause.
Having completed the worship of Heavenly Gods and gained his first strand of Great Forest Wood qi, Li Qi immediately started the second round, worshipping Earth Spirits.
What should be worshipped among Earth Spirits at this time?
At this season, the Five Ancestors should be worshipped.
The Five Ancestors were Door, Window, Well, Stove, and Central Hearth. Why worship them? Because they were essential for living and eating, hence revered as deities.
But there were rules,
Why worship the Five Ancestors once a year? To follow the Five Elements.
In spring, the door should be worshipped. The door represented entry and exit, symbolizing the stirring of all things emerging from the door in spring.
In summer, the stove should be worshipped, representing fire and self-nourishment, as summer was the peak of fire, fostering growth.
In autumn, the door should be worshipped again, symbolizing closure and protection, as autumn marked the maturation and internal preparation of all things.
In winter, the well should be worshipped, representing water stored underground, as winter was the peak of water, concealing all things.
In June, the central hearth should be worshipped, symbolizing earth in the center, as June was the peak of earth.
Thus, "Wu" clearly stated, "In spring, worship the door."
Worshipping the door meant worshipping the deities Yu Le and Shen Shu, who were adept at dealing with evil spirits, thus revered as door gods.
To worship them, Li Qi took out his willow branch.