The Urban Cultivation Grandmaster

Chapter 21: The Tides of Spiritual Energy

How embarrassing—truly, utterly embarrassing. Mu Tian cried out in shock. He finally understood the awkward situation his young apprentice, Yang Chun, had found herself in a few days earlier. In his case, it was merely the visualization of the “Heavenly Garment” manifesting while he practiced the “Seamless Heavenly Garment” technique—as if he were wearing a period-style women’s outfit. But his apprentice, Yang Chun, had been wearing a schoolgirl uniform she’d bought online, live-streaming in front of tens of millions of viewers. Just thinking about that scene filled him with shame and dread. Mu Tian hurriedly ended his cultivation of *Seamless Celestial Robe*. After testing it himself, he finally nodded in satisfaction. Just as he had expected, *Seamless Celestial Garment* was indeed the perfect cultivation technique for his young apprentice, Yang Chun. The “divine” imagery in “Seamless Celestial Robe” is the attire of celestial maidens and goddesses; it is inherently a Yin-attribute cultivation technique. Yet, remarkably, as the technique channels Yin-attribute spiritual energy from the heavens and earth into the body, it miraculously transforms into all major attributes upon absorption, nourishing the physical body and enhancing cultivation. It made sense—the reason “Heavenly Garment Without Seams” was seamless was precisely because it was all-encompassing, with not the slightest flaw. If it were purely Yin-attribute, how could it possibly achieve that? However, a problem soon arose. Mu Tian felt that practicing this “Seamless Celestial Garment” technique was simply too humiliating. If it were him, he’d never choose to practice it under any circumstances. Before, Mu Tian hadn’t experienced it firsthand and didn’t know the bitterness involved, but now that he thought about it, it seemed a bit… inappropriate for his young apprentice, Yang Chun. “Oh! What a blunder, what a blunder.” Mu Tian thought it over and explained the whole story to his young apprentice, Yang Chun, leaving the decision to practice or not entirely up to him. If Yang Chun wasn’t willing, Mu Tian would never force him. There were countless cultivation techniques in the world, and Mu Tian could always find another one for him. Even if he couldn’t, as long as Mu Tian was around, Yang Chun would never fade into obscurity among the masses. “Did you take me on as a disciple because you knew about my constitution?” Surprisingly, Yang Chun didn’t make an immediate decision but asked Mu Tian instead. Mu Tian: “No. Although that was a factor, the main reason is that I greatly admire your ‘clear conscience.’ That’s the mindset a true master should have. Even if you didn’t have a special constitution, I would still teach you well.” “Master, I’ve made up my mind,” Yang Chun replied instantly. “Mm-hmm,” Mu Tian replied, sounding a bit disappointed—not because the cultivation technique he’d gone to such lengths to obtain would go to waste, but because the Seamless Heavenly Robe was truly well-suited for Yang Chun’s cultivation. As long as he practiced diligently, his future prospects would be limitless; at worst, his “cross-dressing master” appearance might be a bit awkward. “I’ve decided to cultivate ‘Seamless Robe’! Please teach me, Master,” Yang Chun said firmly. Mu Tian was a bit taken aback; he’d assumed Yang Chun was asking this way to avoid learning it, but to his surprise, Yang Chun changed the subject: “Have you really thought this through? If you blend into the crowd in the future, that’s one thing, but once you become famous, I’m afraid plenty of busybodies will bring up the ‘cross-dressing master’ joke.” At this, Yang Chun smiled indifferently: “I don’t care. Let them say what they want—their mouths are their own, and I can’t control what everyone says. Besides, didn’t you say, Master, that this cultivation method is merely visualizing celestial robes and rainbow garments, not actually changing my gender to become a hermaphrodite? As far as I’m concerned, there’s absolutely no downside. One day, when I rise to the top, those who spread gossip will only be fit to look up at me from below.” “Excellent!” Mu Tian was truly pleased—even more so than when he’d first discovered Yang Chun’s unique constitution. While exceptional cultivation talent certainly gave him an unprecedented advantage, character was crucial for going the distance. Looking at Yang Chun, whose face radiated sincerity and openness, Mu Tian smiled gently. “Then I’ll teach you well. Although I don’t personally cultivate ‘Heavenly Robe Without Seams,’ I’ve studied it extensively and have gained a certain understanding of it. Even within the Ruan clan, among the many practitioners of ‘Heavenly Robe Without Seams,’ there are no more than three who surpass me.” Mu Tian was speaking the truth. Through his analysis of the Star Sea, he had already dissected “Seamless as Heaven” to 30 percent. At this level, he had already touched upon the essence of the art. Indeed, throughout the entire Ruan Clan, no more than three people could reach this realm. Mu Tian’s casual remark struck Yang Chun like a thunderclap. Though Yang Chun had little experience in the wider world, he had at least heard of the Ruan Clan in the Southwest. The fact that his teacher had casually attained such a level of mastery in “Seamless as Heaven”—a level rivaling the Ruan Clan’s top cultivators—made him wonder: just how unimaginably profound would his teacher’s primary cultivation technique be? For several days in a row, Mu Tian spent his mornings teaching Daowen at the Tianjiang Cultivator Academy, and in the afternoons, he set aside time to personally instruct Yang Chun on the cultivation pathways and the subtle, profound essence of “Seamless as a Robe.” In addition, Lu Yue and Luo Yi often came to chat with Mu Tian, asking about points of confusion and difficulty in the Daowen texts, and Mu Tian was always happy to answer their questions. The rest of his time was devoted to cultivation and rest—simple yet fulfilling. One day, Mu Tian sat cross-legged on the Sanjang Pavilion, meditating and cultivating. Outside the pavilion, the waters of the Three Lakes Region churned and echoed, their waves unceasing. Upon the surface, the Wild Ox strode across the river with an imposing and domineering presence, while beneath the water, a dragon stirred up wind and waves. Streams of spiritual energy, drawn by a powerful force, were channeled into Mu Tian’s body, where he refined and absorbed them. The Meridian Condensation Realm cultivation method comprises several major stages: Divine Form, Divine Essence, Divine Charm, Divine Might, Divine Will, and, of course, the legendary Divine Powers. According to Mu Tian’s analysis of the Star Sea, 0%–10% corresponds to Divine Form; 10%–30% to Divine Marrow; 30%–50% to Divine Charm; 50%–70% to Divine Might; 70%–90% to Divine Will; and finally, the legendary Divine Powers. Currently, among his three primary cultivation techniques, Mu Tian has analyzed and comprehended the Ancient Wild Ox Visualization Diagram to 65% and the Thousand Tides, Ten Thousand Waves Technique to 60%. Both have reached the Divine Might realm, allowing him to visualize the “Divine” might that sweeps across heaven and earth. Whether in cultivation or combat, the boost this provides to Mu Tian is immense. As for the “Three-Headed Fierce Dragon Visualization Diagram,” however, it still falls slightly short; he has only grasped its divine form and is far from mastering it. Just as expected, after spending many days at the fourth level of the Meridian Condensation Realm, Mu Tian’s cultivation has finally advanced another step. The Fifth Level of the Meridian Condensation Realm! Mu Tian slowly opened his eyes, a look of joy spreading across his face. He looked inward and discovered his body was covered in the residue left behind by the “Purifying Essence and Refining Marrow” technique. Without a second thought, he immediately headed to the bathroom to wash up. The advancement in his cultivation brought more than just an increase in spiritual energy within his body; this enhancement was all-encompassing. Both his physical body and his cultivation had made incredible strides—especially his physical body. Mu Tian practiced multiple techniques simultaneously, incorporating the strengths of each, and his development of his body far surpassed that of ordinary cultivators, reaching a truly terrifying level. “It’s truly incredible. Once my cultivation advances a bit further, I suspect this physical body will be able to withstand gunfire directly without relying on spiritual energy. Wow, just thinking about it gets me pumped!” Just as Mu Tian was savoring the growth in his cultivation, his keen spiritual sense suddenly picked up an unusual sensation. The spiritual energy in the heavens and earth seemed to be growing increasingly dense! This wasn’t a normal phenomenon. Although spiritual energy in the world was constantly increasing, the process was gradual—it wouldn’t surge all at once. Yet right now, this strange phenomenon was occurring. “A spiritual energy tide!” Mu Tian exclaimed in delight.