"The technique I'm referring to is known as 'Snake Strangles Kid, Turtle Shields Kid'. Contrary to the name, the technique is not as violent or dangerous as it seems. In fact, the name is mostly meant to trick others in case the method falls in the wrong hands. Unless you know how to read the method, you'll do more harm than good. Currently, I am the only man who knows how to use this method. Although it is a very powerful way of cultivating one's Soul Embryo, very few cultivators would accept it. Indeed, a very deep trust must exist between the one using 'Snake Strangles Kid, Turtle Shields Kid' and the one receiving it."

Sect Leader Xuan sent a surge of spiritual senses directly into Cao Yun's sea of consciousness. Suddenly, he could see the entire technique. In fact, he could read the original text and then hear Sect Leader Xuan's understanding of its true meaning. To be honest, the original text wasn't bad per se. If one were to use it as stated, it would be very effective but it was so dangerous that most cultivators would either be injured or killed. All things considered, this wasn't a good trade-off.

According to the original text of 'Snake Strangles Kid, Turtle Shields Kid', one had to completely seal the disciple's Soul Embryo and constrict it with layers upon layers of Qi, the snake. This Qi was very specific in its composition and one had to perfectly control the five elements. Besides, the master would create Qi Manifestations along the way. Finally, around those layers, the master had to create a thicker layer made of their own spiritual senses. This would completely isolate the Soul Embryo from the rest of the soul. This was considered the shell of the turtle. But this shell wasn't meant to be completely hermetic. In fact, its goal was to let parts of the disciple's soul in, lure it in to be more accurate. Then, this part of the soul would go through the various layers of Qi. As it would be processed by it, it would then be easier for the Soul Embryo to accept it.

As Cao Yun was seeing this method, he thought about his own 'Asura Strengthens Deva, Deva Enlightens Asura'. Even his technique, which he deemed violent, wasn't as violent or dangerous. However, it did give him some ideas, to be fair.

Then, Cao Yun used the various keys Sect Leader Xuan had sent into his mind. By reading this text in a very different light, he understood it better. Although spreading knowledge in order to improve all of mankind was a core belief of the Hongchen Kingdom's philosophy, the School of Ren Dao, not all knowledge was equal. Many families and sects had secret techniques, for various reasons. That being said, everyone could read and practice 'Universal Law of Immortality', left behind by Emperor Nuwa. It was very basic, but technically it could allow anyone to cultivate to the highest stages. However, it was much more difficult without specific techniques. At the very least, 'Universal Law of Immortality' explained what the general idea was.

Now that Cao Yun was using those keys, he understood 'Snake Strangles Kid, Turtle Shields Kid' better. Obviously 'Kid' referred to the Soul Embryo, but also to the disciple himself. 'Snake' wasn't Qi but Po, while 'Turtle' wasn't just spiritual senses but Hun. So the master had to use their Po to force the soul of the disciple into their Soul Embryo while the master's Hun was protecting them both in order to calm and soothe them. The action of the Po was to be subtle and the main part of the technique was how to use one's Hun to make sure that the Soul Embryo and the soul would accept one another. If one were to fail this part, then the technique became dangerous.

Having all that in mind, Cao Yun understood why this technique wasn't often used. Not only would the master have access to all of the disciple's soul, the disciple would also feel their master's soul. The two of them would see and feel all the deepest secrets of the other. Obviously, there had to be a great level of trust between the two of them. Since Sect Leader Xuan had chosen Cao Yun to replace him, it was obvious that he trusted him. Besides, by baring his soul to Cao Yun, it might benefit the Wubei Sect as well. Indeed, Cao Yun would know how to manage it even better.

Before practicing this technique, the two of them would have to prepare for several hours in order for their souls to not reject one another. Thankfully, Cao Yun had cultivated his soul to very high levels so he wasn't afraid of such a technique. That being said, Sect Leader Xuan's old age might be an issue. Thus, Cao Yun gave his master what he had already planned to give him anyway. But now, he had the perfect excuse to give him. Indeed, he was afraid that his master would reject his gift, but now this gift wasn't just for Sect Leader Xuan, it was also indirectly for Cao Yun himself.

From Cao Yun's spatial ring, he took out a 4-star Heaven pill, a Resplendent Mercury Breath pill. Such a pill was meant to improve the quality of one's postnatal Jing. For an older cultivator like Sect Leader Xuan, it might even help him live a few more decades. Indeed, even though he couldn't stop using his prenatal Jing, having a better postnatal Jing would mean that he would waste less of his prenatal Jing. Since prenatal Jing determined one's lifespan in great part, then he might be able to live longer through this improvement.

"Master, I recommend you take this pill before using 'Snake Strangles Kid, Turtle Shields Kid'. It will promote your blood and your postnatal Jing. You'll be in perfect condition to work on the technique and only focus on your soul."

Sect Leader Xuan hesitated for only an instant. Despite Cao Yun's words, he saw right through his intent, then he smiled and swallowed the pill.

"If you insist, I won't refuse my young disciple... Your brother Sun Liao prepared the perfect array formation for us to cultivate. Follow me."

The two of them went deeper into the Sect Palace. After a few minutes, they reached a very large room almost entirely made out of jade. It had white and green hues all over. But this wasn't just jade. This was Celestial Truth Jade. In all of the Hongchen Kingdom, this was probably the most expensive material there was. Seeing an entire room made out of it was simply insane. This room alone was probably more expensive to build than the entire Wubei Sect. Maybe, this was a bit of an exaggeration, but not by much. Such Celestial Truth Jade was perfect for cultivating one's soul. But that was not its intended purpose. Indeed, it was said that Celestial Truth Jade was perfect for understanding the Dao itself. Unfortunately, no current cultivator would put that theory to the test considering that they had all failed to become Sages.

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Even Cao Yun was taken aback by this room. Without any light within, it was still shining as though it was daylight. Such a place was simply extravagant. Obviously, Sect Leader Xuan expected this reaction so he waited some time for his disciple to take it all in. Within the Celestial Truth Jade, Cao Yun could see many markings. Someone had recently engraved the Celestial Truth Jade. Considering how precious it was, any bit of Celestial Truth Jade taken out by sculpting it was a fortune. Looking at the engravings, Cao Yun quickly recognized his brother Sun Liao's work. He had engraved a large array formation into the Celestial Truth Jade. Despite his vast knowledge, Cao Yun wasn't sure what this array formation was.

Dian Mo started to speak.

"I'm not completely sure, but this probably comes from his 'Crossing the Three Chasms in the Eight Directions'. It's not exactly the same, but it really looks like one of the array formations in there, the 'Heaven Gate's Punishment'. It's supposed to be a 2-star Spirit array formation to help one open their Inner World. But it's been altered in ways that I... that I... that I don't understand. Damn! Where did this boy find all this?! I'm sure I know everything there is to know about array formations on this small pathetic planet! Did I miss something?! Don't tell me he came up with it himself!"

Cao Yun could tell that Dian Mo was about to go on a rant, but he controlled himself. After all, Cao Yun was going to cultivate his soul, so he needed calm and quiet.

"Anyway, the point of this array formation, at least of the 'Heaven Gate's Punishment', is to calm the Soul Embryo and make it more receptive. A 1st-grade Sage must open their inner world, in other words, they must quite literally burst open their Soul Embryo so that it replaces their sea of consciousness. Another way, less violent, of seeing it is to say that if their Soul Embryo is a flower that fully grew, it must now bloom. Obviously, this is still quite frightening and the Soul Embryo will resist. Since you can't force it open without injuring it, a Sage must spend a lot of time slowly opening it, almost like opening a flower petal by petal until it blooms on its own. That's a nice way of putting it. The 'Heaven Gate's Punishment' will help calm the Soul Embryo and make this process easier.

"I'm not too sure about the changes, but I imagine that it conserves the same principles. Cultivating here will make your Soul Embryo more docile, easier to manipulate. In other words, it won't reject your soul as easily. Even your 'Asura Strengthens Deva, Deva Enlightens Asura' would probably be easier to cultivate here, twice the results for half the efforts."

"I see..."

Cao Yun walked forward. As he went deeper and deeper into the room, he could absolutely feel his soul calm down. Even his Soul Embryo was quieter. It naturally began to open itself a bit more and Cao Yun could feel its energy slowly spread within his sea of consciousness. But it wasn't all. This effect wasn't limited to his Soul Embryo. He could also feel his Drop of Wrath affected by it. In fact, he could feel that his Drop of Wrath and Soul Embryo were slowly drifting closer to one another. It was so slow that it was also imperceptible, but still there, for sure.

"You should already feel the effects of this 'Heart of the Turtle Soul'. This was the name of this chamber so your brother Sun Liao decided to give the same name to his array formation. He invented it based on pre-existing array formations. Only a handful of hand-picked inner disciples have been able to cultivate here. According to the legends, our Ancestor Wu was accompanied by an Immortal Beast, a World Black Tortoise. Among the demonic beasts, it has a very long longevity. Also, it's not sure whether it came from the Legendary Era or not. Some stories claim Ancestor Wu found it as a child and raised it, but some stories claim the opposite, that the World Black Tortoise found Ancestor Wu as a child and raised him. No matter what the truth is, this World Black Tortoise was the last of its kind on the Piaolu planet and it died. Once again, some say before Ancestor Wu died, some say afterward. Most stories imply that the death of one led to the death of the other who was too depressed to live.

"What is absolutely true though is that the World Black Tortoise contained priceless materials. Among other things, its skull was supposedly made of Celestial Truth Jade. And it is its skull that was used to build this chamber."

Looking at the vastness of the chamber, supposing this story was indeed correct, Cao Yun could tell that the actual World Black Tortoise was quite large. But if it had truly been an Immortal Beast, it wasn't surprising. After all, Cao Yun had met terrifyingly large demonic beasts already. In fact, he had also seen beasts in Axiu Qian's memories that were larger than the Sun itself.

Cao Yun naturally sat down in the very center of the 'Heart of the Turtle Soul'. Then, he began to cultivate in order to calm his soul and Soul Embryo. With his great sensitivity, he could immediately tell the difference. Everything became so much easier. It wouldn't even take him one hour to be ready for 'Snake Strangles Kid, Turtle Shields Kid'. While Cao Yun was getting ready, Sect Leader Xuan also sat down and circulated the medicinal essence of the Resplendent Mercury Breath pill. He too could feel powerful effects. His Lower Dantian reacted to the medicinal essence and he could feel his postnatal Jing, but also even his prenatal Jing being excited. This pill was almost a True Essence pill, with hardly any toxins in it.

In less than an hour, Cao Yun was ready but his master was still digesting the effects of the pill. Thus, Cao Yun decided to try something out. He began to cultivate his 'Asura Strengthens Deva, Deva Enlightens Asura'. He didn't go too far because he didn't want to reduce the effectiveness of 'Snake Strangles Kid, Turtle Shields Kid'. Exhausting himself before practicing 'Snake Strangles Kid, Turtle Shields Kid' would be stupid. That being said, he wanted to see how this 'Heart of the Turtle Soul' would help him with his own cultivation method.

Cao Yun realized that everything went smoothly. His seven Turbid Demons were striking on his Soul Embryo but his Soul Embryo wasn't resisting at all while the Turbid Demons were not as aggressive as before. Although their strikes were even stronger, their intents were much more peaceful. If he could keep cultivating in this room nonstop, Cao Yun might become a 6th-grade Spirit Warrior within a year or so. This felt absolutely incredible. Despite the violence of his 'Asura Strengthens Deva, Deva Enlightens Asura', he felt refreshed and full of vigor. He might actually be able to cultivate nonstop.

That being said, he also saw that his soul was indeed getting fatigued. So he had to be careful, the sensations caused by this 'Heart of the Turtle Soul' could lead him into a false sense of security. He shouldn't overdo it.

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