C21 The Use of the Spirit Body

"The array's runes will gradually regenerate over time," Lin Tian stated calmly. "In fact, the Spirit Gathering Array Compass has already begun its restoration. Take a closer look."

Upon hearing this, Spiritual Energy Pavilion Master Liu Cheng inspected the device. His eyes soon sparkled with realization. "Indeed, the recovery is slow, but it's unmistakably accumulating spiritual energy little by little. I'm confident that the pace of restoration will accelerate as time goes on."

Lin Tian nodded. "Well, since you've noticed that, I suppose everything is in order now."

"Absolutely!" Liu Cheng's respect for Lin Tian deepened. He then offered, "My friend, allow me to escort you out personally."

Lin Tian replied with a nonchalant tone, "She will suffice for that," gesturing towards a bewildered Xiao Waner. Liu Cheng quickly agreed, "Certainly, there's no issue. Xiao Waner, come and help me see our friend off."

"Ah... Yes," Xiao Waner responded, still taken aback, but she quickly nodded and joined Liu Cheng in accompanying Lin Tian to the pavilion's entrance.

There, Liu Cheng warmly addressed Lin Tian, "My friend, I apologize for the earlier misunderstanding caused by my people. I ask for your understanding. If you're willing, our Spiritual Energy Pavilion would like to extend our friendship. This jade pendant represents the status of a top-tier VIP in our pavilion. With it, you'll enjoy complimentary access to all our facilities. Additionally, we frequently host exclusive auctions where you can enjoy significant discounts with this pendant."

He then presented a green jade pendant.

Lin Tian examined the pendant and accepted it with a nod. "All right, if Pavilion Master Liu is keen on friendship, I won't decline. I'll take the pendant."

His acceptance brought an even broader smile to Liu Cheng's face.

Lin Tian then added, "Regarding Xiao Waner, I trust you'll treat her well. She wasn't at fault for today's incident; I was the one who ventured into the core of the Spiritual Energy Pavilion of my own volition."

"Rest assured, my young friend! From this moment forward, I will take Xiao Waner under my wing with the utmost seriousness and provide her with personal guidance on her cultivation path!"

Liu Cheng declared with a grave tone, causing Xiao Waner, who stood nearby, to shudder, her eyes wide with disbelief.

She could hardly fathom how the perilous situation from moments ago had transformed so swiftly. She was now to receive personal instruction in martial arts from the Pavilion Master himself!

"Very well, we shall meet again."

Lin Tian nodded, offered Xiao Waner a reassuring smile, and then strode away.

As Lin Tian departed, the faces of many guests within the Spiritual Energy Pavilion registered shock.

"Who is that guy, carrying himself with such authority? Even Pavilion Master Liu Cheng of the Spiritual Energy Pavilion is treating him with such deference!"

"Who can say for sure? But one thing is certain: the kid must be extraordinarily skilled. After all, he was given a special VIP token by Pavilion Master Liu—a token that even members of the royal family rarely possess!"

This statement prompted nods of agreement from the crowd. It was clear to them that Lin Tian's origins were far from ordinary, given his possession of such a prestigious token.

In the Heaven Level cultivation room of the Spiritual Energy Pavilion, the onlookers had dispersed, leaving only the elders, Vice President Wang Zhan, and Pavilion Master Liu Cheng.

Liu Cheng fixed Elder Zhang with a chilly gaze and said bluntly, "Elder Zhang, it seems your years of studying formations have been in vain if you couldn't even detect the alterations the young man made to the Spirit Gathering Array Compass. What use does the Spiritual Energy Pavilion have for you now?"

Elder Zhang's face paled further at these words. He fell to his knees and pleaded, "Pavilion Master! I admit my mistake. Please grant me another opportunity..."

"Another opportunity? I'm offering you one now, but who will offer us one in the future?"

Liu Cheng cut him off icily, "Enough, there's no need for further words. The situation has unfolded, and aside from your negligence, your intent to eradicate that young man's entire family was unfounded. It's clear he's a person with significant backing. To the likes of him, our Spiritual Energy Pavilion is insignificant. To prevent his animosity, as of now, you are no longer affiliated with our Pavilion. Go and make your own way elsewhere."

"Ah! Pavilion Master, I..."

"Silence!"

Elder Zhang was about to plead when Liu Cheng cut him off with a frosty command, "Don't make me raise my hand against you! Remember, the only reason you're still breathing is due to the many years of service you've given to our Spiritual Energy Pavilion!"

Elder Zhang shuddered at these words, his face draining of color as he bowed his head.

He understood that Liu Cheng's words meant he had to leave or face death.

"Take Elder Zhang to his room to gather his things, then escort him out," ordered Pavilion Master Liu Cheng. At once, several guards complied, leading Elder Zhang away.

Once they had departed, Liu Cheng's gaze fell upon Xiao Waner, causing her to startle and bow her head in trepidation.

Yet Liu Cheng offered a gentle smile and nodded at Xiao Waner, "Fear not. You've performed admirably. I've promised to personally oversee your martial arts training, and I intend to keep my word. But first, you must tell me the name of our young guest. Where does he hail from?"

Xiao Waner, taken aback, replied, "The young master arrived with a VIP token from Great Master Zhao Danhua of the Pill Tower. With it, he's entitled to a day of complimentary cultivation in our Pavilion's Heaven Level room. He registered under the name Lin Tian."

"Great Master Zhao Danhua? Lin Tian?" Liu Cheng's expression shifted thoughtfully before he continued, "Very well, you may take your leave to rest. Inform the accounts office that, per my instructions, you'll receive an additional year's worth of silver today. After you've had time to recuperate, come see me in two days for your martial arts instruction."

"Thank you, Pavilion Master!" Xiao Waner, still somewhat in disbelief, knew her place and what was expected of her. She curtsied and exited.

"Wang Zhan, activate all our resources and uncover Lin Tian's origins," Liu Cheng commanded, turning to address another.

"Pavilion Master, is this Lin Tian worthy of such attention?"

Wang Zhan's gaze sharpened as he pondered, "Could he truly possess a formidable background?"

"Absolutely. To inscribe new runes on a Spirit Gathering Array Compass without a hitch, and considering this kid is only at Martial Apprentice Level Six, it begs the question: what kind of foundation does one need to accomplish such a feat?"

Liu Cheng spoke with gravity, "Remember, we're talking about a high-level Common Grade Spirit Gathering Array Compass. It's a rarity even in the Central Continent, with few skilled enough to modify it, much less enhance its capabilities."

Wang Zhan was visibly shaken, then said with a serious tone, "Are you suggesting, Pavilion Master, that Lin Tian might hail from a prestigious array formation family in the Central Continent?"

"It's a strong possibility. One thing is certain: the kid is no ordinary individual! Not only can he fortify the Array Compass, but the mere fact that Zhao Danhua willingly gave him his token speaks volumes of his prowess."

Liu Cheng stated earnestly, "Therefore, we must forge a good relationship with him. To do that, we need to cater to his interests and get to know him well. Understood?"

"Understood! I'll get on it immediately!"

With a solemn nod, Wang Zhan vanished in an instant.

Meanwhile, Lin Tian had returned to his residence in South City, only to find no sign of his sister, Lin Ling.

In his room, he discovered a letter. After reading it, Lin Tian shook his head in resignation.

His sister, Lin Ling, had gone out to make money, seeking work as a servant.

"Ling is far too considerate, understanding the value of earning over having wealth," he thought. "But she's so young to be toiling like this. I need to secure ample funds quickly. I can't have Ling struggling out there, especially since she needs to focus on her cultivation."

With these thoughts, Lin Tian retreated to a secluded part of the courtyard and began his meditation, intent on advancing his cultivation.

Having already achieved a breakthrough to Martial Apprentice Level Six and awakened his Spirit Body, Lin Tian was aware that he still had to integrate his internal and external practices to reach the true Martial Cultivator Stage.

Certainly, to the average onlooker, Lin Tian's prowess had already achieved a seamless integration of mind and body, marking him as a true Martial Artist. Yet, Lin Tian himself was aware that he had not quite reached that point.

His physical strength was formidable, and his Inner Strength was considerable. His next step was to achieve a thorough fusion of the two, which would solidify his realm.

"Hu... exhale..."

Lin Tian's deep breaths flowed steadily as he exhaled. With each breath, his Inner Strength and physical form began to resonate in harmony.

This resonance bolstered Lin Tian's strength and physique at an astonishing rate.

Most notably, as his Inner Strength and body achieved complete unity, Lin Tian felt his Inner Strength growing incessantly!

It seemed as though, in a mere moment, his Inner Strength had surged significantly!

"Oh? Is this the power of the Peerless Spirit Body? It can actually generate Inner Strength on its own!"

Lin Tian's eyes snapped open, a sharp glint passing through them.

In his past life, he hadn't fully grasped the Peerless Spirit Body's potential. He knew only that those who possessed it were dominant forces to be reckoned with. Of course, he had also vanquished numerous formidable owners of this rare Spirit Body. When he ascended to supreme status, all masters across the seas bowed before him. Who would dare challenge him then?

Now, in possession of a concealed Peerless Spirit Body, he was truly appreciating its extraordinary benefits.

"With this Spirit Body, my training speed will see a fearsome increase. While others painstakingly cultivate their Inner Strength bit by bit, I can effortlessly gain more just by being still. Coupled with my Black Tortoise Stone, the pace of my cultivation is beyond my wildest dreams."

With this thought, a smile spread across Lin Tian's face.

He was now confident he could exceed his past life's achievements. After all, he had been without a Peerless Spirit Body back then, merely an ordinary one. With this new starting point, his spirits were naturally high.

Lin Tian also understood that Spirit Bodies varied greatly in quality. Their grades were akin to those of medicine pills and weapons, ranging from common to human, magic, empty, earth, and sky. The higher the grade of the Spirit Body, the more formidable it became.

Lin Tian's Peerless Spirit Body was currently at the Common Level, but with time and his continued progress, he was confident that he would soon elevate it to a higher tier!

"When opportunity knocks, I must seize it," he resolved. "I need to enhance my strength quickly. That's the only way to honor the potential of my Spirit Body."

With a reaffirming murmur, Lin Tian closed his eyes and began to practice the Dragon Gate Breathing Technique once more.

In the subsequent days, Lin Tian devoted himself entirely to the art of cultivation.