Actually, the fallacy of “Cultivate the mind before the body, refine the spirit before the physique” wasn't entirely made up.
In the theoretical system of the cultivation world, and even in the literary works Gu Chengming had read in his previous life, there were traces of this.
As everyone knows, body cultivators are often beings with “high attack, high defense, low magic resistance”.
They achieve sainthood through their physical bodies, capable of shattering mountains and rivers with their fists, yet they often have extremely weak resistance to illusions and mind-control skills.
In those classic storybooks, the character with the strongest physique and combat ability was often the first to be swayed by the villain using some mental charm, then turned around and beat their teammates until they were looking for their teeth all over the ground.
So, a powerful divine sense is indeed key to compensating for the shortcomings of body cultivators.
But these words were originally what Gu Chengming intended to use to trick Hundred Bones Resonating.
He had already drafted a whole set of theories about “divine sense guiding qi and blood” and “micro-management determines the upper limit”, preparing to completely fool this cultivation method.
Yet, this cultivation method actually turned the tables and stole his lines?
Gu Chengming looked at the lines of eager text on the system panel, an extremely absurd feeling welling up in his heart.
Alright, no matter the process, at least the result matched Gu Chengming's expectations.
Since both sides had reached an agreement, what were they waiting for?
Time to practice!
Gu Chengming sat cross-legged, pouring out a Glazed Pure Spirit Pill from the exquisite jade bottle. The pill felt slightly cool to the touch and was crystal clear throughout.
Without any hesitation, he tilted his head back and swallowed the pill.
Gu Chengming felt a roar in his mind, and then, his previously somewhat heavy thoughts instantly became incredibly light.
He didn't even need to deliberately concentrate to clearly “see” every meridian and every bone in his body, and he could even hear the sound of blood flowing distinctly.
This was the power of a second realm top-grade pill.
Although the Glazed Pure Spirit Pill itself had no effect on strengthening the physical body, its only purpose was to make Gu Chengming's divine sense more acute, allowing him to “introspect” better.
But for Hundred Bones Resonating, this was enough.
Gu Chengming could clearly feel that, with the aid of such high-precision “introspection”, the circulation route of resonance qi in the meridians was optimized to the extreme.
Of course, Gu Chengming knew very well in his heart.
This so-called “miraculous effect” was actually 99% achieved by Hundred Bones Resonating itself, desperately working.
The Glazed Pure Spirit Pill's minuscule auxiliary effect was simply not enough to support such a huge improvement.
What truly worked was the effort this cultivation method made to prove, “My theory is correct,” and “This pill is really useful.”
It was desperately squeezing its own potential, actively cooperating with that non-existent “body refining medicinal power.”
As the circulation continued, a faint luster began to appear on Gu Chengming's skin, a sign that the dermal membrane was gradually strengthening under the tempering of resonance qi.
The bones inside his body, in constant vibration, expelled traces of grayish-black impurities.
This process of expelling impurities was usually incredibly painful, but under the suppression of the Glazed Pure Spirit Pill, Gu Chengming only felt a dull ache, as if separated by a layer of gauze, completely within a tolerable range.
【Hundred Bones Resonating was overjoyed!】
【It thought, “It worked! It really worked! Gu Chengming truly believes these pills are for body refining!”】
【He truly is a heaven-blessed genius! He found the correct way to use this cheat so quickly!】
Time passed by minute by minute.
When the medicinal power completely dissipated, Gu Chengming slowly finished his cultivation and exhaled a mouthful of turbid air.
He clenched his fist, feeling the distinct increase in power within his body, and nodded with satisfaction.
This mutual scam had an outstanding effect.
【Hundred Bones Resonating highly praises your trust.】
【Affection +2】
【Affection +5】
【...】
【Current Affection: 35/Friendly】
As the affection broke through the boundary of “Stranger” and entered the “Friendly” stage, a warm current spontaneously arose and merged deep into Gu Chengming's body.
That was a gift from the cultivation method, an sublimation of life's essence.
【Physique +1】
【Current Physique: 5】
【Current Remaining Lifespan: 720 days】
Although it was only one point of physique added, his lifespan nearly doubled.
Did this mean his physique attribute was almost at a normal person's level?
The big stone that had been hanging in Gu Chengming's heart finally seemed to be half-lifted.
.............................................................................
In the following days, Gu Chengming's life was very routine.
Eating, sleeping, tricking Hundred Bones Resonating, and taking pills to cultivate.
With Hundred Bones Resonating's full cooperation, his physique steadily improved, and his days were fulfilling yet monotonous.
Until one afternoon, the tranquility of the small courtyard was broken again.
“Senior Brother Gu, Jiang Lu has come to visit.”
Outside the courtyard gate, Jiang Lu's slightly reserved voice rang out.
Gu Chengming opened the door and saw Jiang Lu holding two pots of Spirit Wine, a somewhat embarrassed smile on his face.
“Junior Brother Jiang, please come in quickly.”
The two sat down by the stone table in the courtyard.
“Actually...”
Jiang Lu paused, his expression even more awkward:
“Mainly, Senior Brother Gu, the body refining resources you previously entrusted me to find, there hasn't been any definite news... I was too embarrassed to come see Senior Brother Gu empty-handed.”
“No matter.”
Gu Chengming waved his hand and poured Jiang Lu a cup of tea:
“Such matters depend on serendipity; they cannot be forced. I am already very grateful that Junior Brother is helping me keep an eye out.”
Seeing that Gu Chengming didn't mind, Jiang Lu finally breathed a sigh of relief, and the smile on his face became much more natural.
“Oh, by the way, Senior Brother Gu.”
Jiang Lu seemed to suddenly remember something:
“Although specific body refining resources haven't been found, our sect's Disciple Market has just opened recently. I wonder if Senior Brother Gu would be interested in taking a look?”
“Perhaps you can find something suitable there.”
The so-called “Disciple Market”, as the name suggests, is a trading place spontaneously organized among disciples within the sect.
Unlike official channels like Cangjian Pavilion, where items are guaranteed in quality but expensive and rigid in type, mainly exchanged with Sect Contribution Points.
The Disciple Market, however, is more like a large free trade market.
The currency circulating here is mainly spirit stones, and the items traded are diverse.
There are unknown ores picked up by disciples during their outdoor training, “failed pills” that unexpectedly produced miraculous effects, some inherited obscure secret manuals, and even peculiar services like ghostwriting love letters or hunting demonic beasts on behalf of others.
In short, it's a mixed bag; one might find a hidden treasure or buy a pile of junk, all depending on discernment and luck.
Gu Chengming heard this and instinctively wanted to refuse.
“Thank you for your kindness, Junior Brother, but I recently...”
He currently had a pile of divine sense pills given by Great Elder Ren, and with the “mutual scam” tactic, he wasn't really short on body refining resources in the short term.
However.
Just as he was about to politely decline, Hundred Bones Resonating within him suddenly became agitated.
【Hundred Bones Resonating heard the words “market” and instantly perked up!】
【It thought, “A market? That's the dragon's rising place for protagonists in storybooks!”】
【According to common tropes, places like this, where fish and dragons are mixed, often hide astonishing great opportunities! Ancient remnants, dusty divine artifacts, iron lumps that look like scrap metal but are actually fragments of Immortal Swords...】
【And as a top-grade cultivation method rarely seen in a thousand years, such opportunities often fall to it.】
【It urgently wants you to agree to go to the market to investigate.】
Gu Chengming's expression was strange as he glanced at the system panel.
Sure enough.
This divine cultivation method had new divine ideas.
But...
Since it wanted to go so badly, could he perhaps use this to his advantage?
A so-called Gal Master, without understanding the other party's personality, it was indeed difficult to formulate a perfect strategy.
But now, he had thoroughly figured out Hundred Bones Resonating's temperament.
What do those ■-point protagonists love most? Aren't they just those few things?
Bargain hunting at auctions, old grandpas in rings, getting ambushed, killing back, and getting rich.
And after seeing Hundred Bones Resonating's thoughts, a plan quickly formed in Gu Chengming's mind.
Thus, Gu Chengming swallowed the refusal that was about to come out of his mouth.
He put down his tea cup, cupped his hands to Jiang Lu, and showed a gentle smile:
“Since Junior Brother is so kindly inviting me, it would be rude to refuse. To be honest, I am indeed quite interested in such places and have always wanted to experience them. Then I'll trouble Junior Brother Jiang to lead the way.”
Jiang Lu was overjoyed at this, and quickly stood up: “Senior Brother Gu, you're too polite, please!”
.............................................................................................................
The two left the small courtyard and walked along the mountain path towards the market.
Along the way, Jiang Lu was quite talkative, introducing Gu Chengming to many interesting anecdotes within the sect.
As they walked, Jiang Lu seemed to remember something and lowered his voice, saying:
“By the way, Senior Brother Gu, have you heard of anything strange recently?”
“What strange thing?” Gu Chengming asked casually.
“It's about a very strange cultivation method that has been circulating recently among our Outer Sect disciples, and even some Inner Sect disciples.”
Jiang Lu said mysteriously, “I heard this cultivation method is quite miraculous, with no threshold; anyone can practice it. And the strangest thing is, the more people who practice it, the greater its power, and the more benefits everyone can gain.”
“It is said that many senior brothers who have been stuck at bottlenecks for years, after practicing this cultivation method, have inexplicably broken through.”
Gu Chengming frowned slightly upon hearing this.
Extremely low threshold? Stronger with more people?
This sounds so much like... a pyramid scheme?
A subtle feeling instinctively arose in his heart.
In the cultivation world, there was never such a thing as a free lunch. Behind such seemingly good shortcuts, there were often huge pitfalls.
Could this be some sinister thing created by evil cultivators to harvest the disciples' essence and spirit?
However, he then thought.
Since this news had already reached Jiang Lu's ears, it meant it had long spread throughout the sect.
Although Wenjian Sect was not as strict with its disciples as some reclusive sects, it was by no means a place for filth and evil to hide.
The elders within the sect were all shrewd individuals; if it were truly a conspiracy by evil cultivators, they would have probably slapped it down long ago, how could it still be circulating now?
Since the elders had not intervened, it meant this thing was at least harmless on the surface?
“Oh? Is that so?” Gu Chengming pretended to be surprised and responded: “That is interesting.”
As they talked, the two had already crossed a mountain peak.
The noisy human voices from the valley ahead rushed towards them with the mountain wind.
The once serene valley had now been transformed into a huge market.
Hundreds of makeshift stalls lined both sides of the valley, stretching as far as the eye can see.
The stalls displayed a dazzling array of items, some emitting a faint spiritual glow, others plain and unadorned.
Disciples in various colored dao robes moved through it, haggling, hawking, and even arguing over items, intertwining into a cultivation scene full of worldly hustle and bustle.
This was the Disciple Market of Wenjian Sect.
..........................................................................
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