Chapter 32: Dangerous thoughts

Jun first wanted to learn the elementary emperor technique called the Eternal Phoenix Rebirth. Right now this one took priority for it being the only emperor-grade cultivation technique.

This technique was levels above the Azure Soul technique he currently practices. At most with it, he could only reach the peak of the foundation establishment, but with the addition of this emperor-grade technique, it could allow him to reach a realm that stood high in the sky called the Saint Realm.

What is the concept of a person in the Saint Realm? They are the true expert in Sky Domain. If one can reach this realm, one could start their very own 10-star city and receive resources from Heaven's eternal alliance.

Heaven's eternal alliance very heavily promotes the expansion of cities and sects and would give resources to any new beginning forces. This is part of their plan to promote population growth and increase the overall power of Eternal Continent.

Cultivators are akin to deities once they step foot into the Saint Realm. The previous realm, called the enlightenment realm would not even hold up a finger in the face of a Saint-level cultivator.

Even the most basic Saint-level cultivator could face 1000 enlightenment cultivators and still win easily.

Such a difference is why there are countless 9-star cities but few 10-star cities in Sky Domain. While powerful, it is close to impossible for most cultivators to be able to achieve this realm, one needs talent and good comprehension at the minimum. 

Jun's goal right now was to learn these emperor-grade techniques, along with the king and heaven-grade ones to increase his knowledge about the art of cultivating. 

Although it's tempting to just practice such a powerful technique, with his 10,000x comprehension, couldn't he create his own technique surpassing these ones?

Focusing, he opened the book and started reading the Eternal Pheonix Rebirth with his 10,000x comprehension. Within seconds insights on the words and their meaning started to flood his mind rapidly, yet Jun was not overwhelmed. 

A mere 20 seconds have passed and Jun felt himself already have an elementary understanding. He felt his mind go thousands of miles per hour, the knowledge that would confuse someone and mistake it for hieroglyphics was as simple as the ABCs in his eyes.

Yinling on the outside was also concentrating, trying to figure out how Jun was able to comprehend a heaven-level cultivation technique in a matter of seconds. If he had such an ability, would he be able to help her understand her own techniques better?

Inside Jun's mind, his progress was skyrocketing. Twenty seconds later, his comprehension had finally taken the next step.

Intermediate understanding...

Jun's knowledge of the human body and how it interacts with spiritual energy and what exactly is spiritual energy had already surpassed his previous self hundreds of times over. So much so that it could put even some old monsters' understanding of cultivation to shame.

Advanced Understanding...

Mastered...

BOOM

Only 3 minutes had elapsed yet Jun was able to master such a high-level cultivation technique in less than 5 minutes. 

Jun closed the book and felt his understanding of cultivation and the basics had increased exponentially. Previously unknown ways and routes now could speed up his cultivation 5x times, saving him time in the future.

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As the day faded, the sun's final rays surrendered to the moon's gentle rise. The city, once alive with the hustle of daylight, now lay cloaked in a tranquil hush. Moonlight streamed through the windows, painting the streets in a palette of soft silver and deep blues.

In a cozy room, dimly lit by the moon's subtle glow, a male sat amidst a sea of books. The quiet of the night seeped through the walls, filling the space with a sense of calm and focus. 

Next to him, we find a beautiful female in a tight-fitting nightgown sitting down with her eyes closed. 

Suddenly the male stood up from the ground.

"Gosh... I think my legs fell asleep from sitting down for this long" he commented, his voice a soft intrusion in the quiet room.

The female eyes fluttered open "Are you finally done? Why did you stop me from practicing those techniques"

Jun paused, his expression a mix of revelation and uncertainty.

"After mastering the Emperor Level technique," he began, "I asked you to wait before practicing. I know it seemed odd, but I had a reason but..."

Right after finishing comprehending the Emperor Level technique, Jun had told her to hold off from practicing any of them. Although she was confused about why and was a little tempted to begin practicing, she trusted him enough to listen.

Jun himself felt a little dazed but did not know how to explain what he discovered, even right now, he was a little confused and doubted if he was understanding it correctly. Even knowing that he had his 10,000x comprehension, he still felt he had understood something wrong.

From the knowledge he gained and his understanding of novels. Cultivation is known to go against the will of heaven to reach a higher plane of power, or more simply defy heaven. From the countless king grade, heaven grade, and emperor grade techniques he had read, they all share this in common.

Yet, from understanding all of this, why does it have to be like that? Why can't you be in harmony with heaven instead of against it? This question has raddled his mind but he seems to have stumbled upon a clue. 

In the second emperor-level technique called The Blade of the Dancing Phoenix, one part in particular caught his eye. Near the end of the technique, the creator gave some of his insights into the technique, as he stated "One has to harmonize their mind, body, and soul for the technique to truly flourish".

Of course, if someone else had read this, or even a genius for that matter. They would have put this into effect for this technique only, but Jun was no ordinary person at all, he could draw references from things no one could even imagine. 

Going from this, isn't the way of the sword basically the same? In the novels he had read, they always mentioned to master the sword, or even a weapon for that matter, you have to become one with the sword/weapon, not against it.

Yet, for cultivation, why is it the opposite? How does one harmonize with Heaven and Earth? This is where Jun's confusion began. 

Is there something wrong with the cultivation system they are using? How do attributes come into play?

So after studying all day over this question, with his 10,000x comprehension playing a huge role, Jun seems to stumble across a huge secret.

Coming out of his daze, Jun turned to see Yinling taping him on the shoulder frantically.

"Yinling..."

"What's wrong Jun?"

Yinling had never seen Jun look this defeated.

"As you know... I learn pretty fast" Jun smiled weakly but continued "While I was reading, I seem to have discovered something... big"

Seeing Yinling awaiting his reply Jun continued.

"This is just my theory but... have you noticed anything unusual about the spiritual energy around us"

Now Yinling was confused, something about the spiritual energy?

Yinling's brow furrowed in confusion. "No, should I have?"

"Well, its just... I have a feeling the energy around us is just wrong if I can put it that way"

Jun watched her closely, understanding her confusion. After all, he too was still coming to terms with this.

"Haven't you wondered how exactly I was able to heal you?" he gently prodded, guiding her toward his line of reasoning.

Yinling's eyes widened, if Jun hadn't mentioned it, she almost would have forgotten to ask him.

"Do you mean..."

Jun nodded.

"In essence, the way I healed you was by changing the properties of my energy to promote the body's natural healing process, yet why doesn't the energy around us do the same when we absorb it, they may seem unrelated but..."

Yinling quickly interjected, "I'm not sure I'm following you Jun... you said you changed the properties of your energy?"

"By improving your energy manipulation, you should be able to do that as well. Haven't you found it weird how so many techniques mention to be one with it, yet why does cultivation go against the will of heaven, I'm sure you were taught that growing up to"

Yinling's eyes widened, she seemed to have picked up what Jun was trying to say, but a part of her didn't want to believe such a concept. The reality of that situation was too horrifying to think about.