C10 The Forbidden Technique Was Inconvenient to Show to Others but It Had Its Own Reasons

As night deepened, even the most studious disciples required sleep to ensure they would have sufficient energy and mental clarity for the following day.

Yet, in Le Yang's room, where the light was faint, it had not been extinguished.

Seated cross-legged on his bed, Le Yang resolved to begin cultivating the Starlight technique, which he suspected might be the ultimate method. Closing his eyes, he sensed the nebulous Qi Sea within his lower abdomen. His cultivation should have been denser by now, but the day's battles had drained him. Despite the Qi Recovery Pills provided by the Skull Monster, he had only regained about a year's worth of cultivation.

"If only I had techniques that enhanced my prowess in battle, I wouldn't have to spend days recovering my cultivation after each fight, which only slows down the accumulation of my power," he mused.

As this thought crossed his mind, a dozen or so techniques that could benefit a cultivator in combat surfaced in his thoughts.

"Disperse. Don't distract me from my practice," Le Yang admonished himself, pushing aside the temptation to peruse these superior and intermediate techniques. Having set his heart on mastering Starlight, he wouldn't entertain the thought of other, seemingly superior paths.

A dream master's warning echoed in his mind: On the path of cultivation, focus is paramount. Distractions only lead to wasted effort and regret in old age.

With experiences from his dreams guiding him, Le Yang had spent the past month employing only the most rudimentary methods to assimilate the cultivation he'd acquired from Hua Shang Ji's blood essence, all the while expanding and solidifying his Qi Sea. This was partly why, despite a decade of cultivation, he was still mistaken for a novice in the Qi Refining state. Without a proper technique to guide him, advancing to the mid-stage of Qi Refining was unattainable.

Le Yang circulated his cultivation through his body once more, ensuring all his meridians were clear. Taking a deep breath, he silently recited the Starlight Blazing incantation, beginning the transformation of his cultivation into the starlight power described in the technique.

The initial phase of refining his cultivation was straightforward. He simply needed to follow the technique's prescribed circulation pattern, allowing his cultivation to flow repeatedly through his body, naturally converting his unattributed power into starlight.

During the process of transforming into starlight, Le Yang had moments of insight. Once his cultivation had completed a full cycle within him, he stepped out of his room and settled onto a large black stone at the threshold. Looking up, he contemplated the scattered stars in the heavens above.

Indeed, the circulation of my cultivation is ten percent faster under the starlight than it was indoors.

Yue Yang was ecstatic, completely absorbed in the flow of his cultivation. Before he knew it, dawn had broken.

"In just one night, I've managed to recover about twenty percent of my star power. If cultivating always yields such results, my progress will be much faster than I initially planned."

Yue Yang opened his eyes and gathered the cultivation spread throughout his body back into his Qi Sea, only then noticing the chilly morning air. He stretched his limbs and performed a series of 'Five Animal Frolics' to invigorate his body.

As Yue Yang concluded his exercises, a black light settled beside him. Ye Fan looked over and saw it was his master, the Skull Monster.

"Master, what brings you here so early?"

Yue Yang had assumed the Skull Monster came to his dwelling to escort him to the Order of Duality's grand hall, but it seemed a bit premature, considering the early hour. He pondered this with a hint of amusement.

"My disciple informed me you didn't return to your room last night. I thought perhaps you found it too spartan, so I came to offer you a better one."

Yue Yang then realized the Skull Monster's hasty arrival was out of consideration for him, which moved him deeply.

"Master, you jest. I've been with you for over a month, traversing mountains and wading through rivers, enduring many hardships. How could I be unhappy with simple accommodations? To be honest, I began practicing my cultivation techniques last night."

The Skull Monster expressed surprise, "Why the rush?"

Yue Yang understood what the Skull Monster was getting at. Typically, a cultivator who has just embarked on the path without prior cultivation experience would first experiment with various foundational Dao Arts. Cultivation devoid of attributes allows a cultivator to learn a wide array of techniques, thereby selecting the one most suited to them.

Such cultivators, who start on the Dao and then learn techniques, are known as "Innate Dao Cultivators."

Conversely, while ordinary cultivators might also be referred to as "Acquired Dao Cultivators," this term is seldom used. If one does hear it, it's likely an Innate Dao Cultivator casting aspersions on a fellow practitioner.

In this realm, any cultivator fortunate enough to have the chance aspired to become an Upper Sky Dao Cultivator. The rationale was straightforward: choosing a path that resonated with one's true self was the key to advancing further on the journey of cultivation.

Old Monster Skull refrained from further questioning, simply stating, "Let it be. When it comes to cultivation techniques, your vision far surpasses mine, and I'm not in a position to advise you."

Yue Yang offered a modest smile, "Master, you're too humble. It's merely a matter of good fortune on my part."

Old Monster Skull dismissed the notion with a wave of his hand, "Fortune is a form of strength for cultivators. It's just unfortunate that the materials I obtained for you from the Sect Master yesterday may now be of no use."

Initially, Old Monster Skull had intended to forge a superior Ghost Dao artifact for Yue Yang before he settled on his cultivation path. Driven by personal motives, he wished for Yue Yang to persist in the study of Ghost Dao techniques and enhance the prestige of the Order of Duality.

Yue Yang bowed respectfully to Old Monster Skull, "Master, since you've recently lost your life-bound magic weapon, it's the perfect opportunity for me to craft a new divine weapon for myself, as a token of my appreciation."

The ghostly fire danced in Old Monster Skull's eyes, a sign of his excitement. "I've truly found an excellent disciple. By the way, which cultivation technique are you practicing? Perform it for me to see."

"Since you wish to observe, Master, though it's still a work in progress, I shall demonstrate," Yue Yang replied.

He stepped forward into the open area in front of the house, activating the starlight power within him and reciting the incantation.

"Starlight Shield."

As the spell took shape, an invisible force materialized into a circular light shield before Yue Yang.

Yue Yang anticipated his master's guidance, knowing that despite his theoretical knowledge, he lacked practical experience and required Old Monster Skull's direction.

But to his surprise, he saw Old Monster Skull react as if struck by a grave blow, the ghostly fire in his eyes flickering erratically.

"How could you practice such a technique? It's a terrible misfortune!"

Old Monster Skull's tone suggested impending doom.

Startled, Yue Yang wondered if his fears were confirmed. He inquired, "Master, you recognize this technique. Could it truly signify an apocalypse?"

The Skull Monster's voice shook as he replied, "It's not the apocalypse."

Le Yang, upon hearing "it's not the apocalypse," barely had time to feel relieved before the Skull Monster's next words terrified him.

"It's not the apocalypse, yet it brings a disaster even greater! This is a forbidden art, an art that can annihilate entire sects!"

The Skull Monster was blind, and the ghostly flames flickering in his eye sockets were so fragile they could be snuffed out by the slightest breeze.

"A forbidden art?"

Le Yang asked, puzzled. He had scoured the Daoist Canon and had never come across any mention of such forbidden arts.

"Ten years ago, the three leading sects of Qingyun Continent issued a decree forbidding all cultivators from practicing the Star Dao. That very year, over ten smaller sects specializing in the Star Dao were completely wiped out. If that's not a forbidden art, what is?"

Though the Skull Monster often acted without regard, he couldn't help but feel powerless and fearful before the edicts of the Qingyun Continent's great sects.

"My disciple, remember this: never use the Star Dao in public. Unless it's a dire matter of life and death, this technique must not be used, or you'll face the wrath and pursuit of the entire Qingyun Continent's cultivation community."

The Skull Monster gave his solemn warning.

Le Yang, grasping the gravity of the Skull Monster's words, understood the stakes involved. It wasn't just about his own survival but also the lives of over a thousand members of the Order of Duality. He vowed to his master that he would keep his Starlight abilities hidden.

The Skull Monster lamented, "But with this, your extraordinary talent may forever remain hidden, unknown to the world."

"I initially embarked on the Daoist path to learn the Dao Arts and avenge my parents. Now, it seems my quest for vengeance will be difficult to fulfill."

Le Yang had planned to dedicate himself to cultivation in the mountains until he reached the Foundation Building stage. With the enigmatic powers of the Dao Arts, he would be impervious to ordinary weapons and could return to his hometown to seek out and personally avenge the destruction of his family.

"You needn't worry about that. If you can forge a strong relationship with Senior Brother Le You, not only will revenge be within easy reach, but wiping out your enemy's entire family will be a simple task."

Old Monster Skull advised.

"Master, please instruct me."

Le Yang was eager for clarity, but Old Monster Skull demurred, saying that not all heavenly secrets could be revealed, and suggested that Le Fan should simply befriend Le You.

"Your Taoist arts are off-limits for now, but you can still practice them in secret. Just remember, you can't use them in combat against others. Let me think... perhaps you should learn some hand-to-hand combat. I'll forge a sharp blade for you; it should suffice at the Qi Refining Stage."

Old Monster Skull had Le Yang's best interests at heart. With this in mind, he mounted a black cloud and departed, knowing that the sooner Le Yang possessed a divine weapon, the safer he would be.

Le Yang sat at the mountain's summit, watching the clouds drift by, his fists clenched. Without the use of his marvelous methods, he felt as vulnerable as if he were skulking about in the night.

Yet his master's concerns were not without merit. He resolved to wait until he had achieved the Foundation Building Stage before seeking vengeance. By then, he would harbor no regrets, even if it meant opposing every cultivator in Qingyun Province. This decision had been made when he considered that the 'Dazzling Star' technique might be the last of its kind.

Time passed until a disciple approached with a greeting.

"Uncle-Master Le Yang, the Sect Master requests your presence."

Le Yang followed the disciple to the grand hall of the Order of Duality, where the Sect Master and the elders had evidently been waiting for some time.

"Le Yang, are you fully recovered?"

The Sect Master inquired upon Le Yang's arrival, his voice exuding a reassuring presence.

"I am prepared."

The Sect Master gave a slight nod, his gaze shifting to Elder Le Feng, the one who had presented the 'Thousand Gold Account' the day before. Clad in a green robe with a folding fan in hand, he epitomized effortless grace.

"Junior brother, observe closely. The cultivation technique I practice is called 'Joyful Union'. Based on the incantations and the insights from our predecessors, I should have reached the threshold of the Golden Core Stage by now. Yet, I've had no such premonition, and I can't seem to pinpoint any errors."

Yue Yang listened intently and observed closely. Senior Sister Yue Yu stood nearby, her face alight with joy, suggesting she had made some progress the day before. Yet, when their eyes met, she quickly reverted to her stern, nun-like demeanor.

Yue Yang watched Senior Brother Yue Feng in the center of the hall, practicing a cultivation technique. He cross-referenced the movements with his own knowledge, finding little discrepancy. After Yue Feng completed the sequence, Yue Yang's brow furrowed; he detected no obvious faults.

Startled by Yue Yang's concerned look, Yue Feng feared a grave error in his practice and asked in a panic, "Junior Brother, is there hope for me?"

Yue Yang emerged from his contemplation, "No, the technique you're practicing is correct, but it feels incomplete to me, as if only half is present."

Relieved, Yue Feng complimented him, "Junior Brother, you truly have a discerning eye. In our Order of Duality, many techniques are practiced in pairs. The other half is indeed cultivated by my Furnace. Could it be that they are the ones with an issue?"

Encouraged by his accurate intuition, Yue Yang replied, "Let's have a look, and we'll know for sure."

Yue Yang had expected a wait, but to his surprise, Yue Feng produced an item from his robes—a delicate wooden pagoda inlaid with radiant, multicolored jewels. As Yue Feng recited the spell, he beckoned, "Please, reveal yourselves."

From within the pagoda, swirls of fragrant breezes in various hues descended onto the hall's black stone floor, revealing five enchanting women.

As Yue Yang marveled at the wonder of the artifact, the five women took their positions and, after paying respects to the elders, began demonstrating their cultivation techniques under Yue Feng's direction.