Celestial Human Diagram

Chapter 366 - 97: The New and Old Methods

From his seat, Cao Guiqi looked up at the scattered, falling flower branches. He said with a sigh, "A moment becomes an eternity. A meeting is but a farewell."

He brushed a silvery wisp from his lapel, then held back his sleeve and reached out to push aside the withered branches on the table. From beneath them, he retrieved a silver-white root. "Uncle Ding, keep this safe."

Uncle Ding stepped forward and carefully took it in both hands. With this root, the flower could be grown again.

Cao Guiqi looked at Chen Chuan and said, "Junior Chen, according to the silver cage’s display, you are gradually approaching the Third Limit. The Divine Qi in your body is straining to be released. If you can maintain your daily training resources, you should be able to break through this limit within the next month or two.

"So now is the time to prepare for it. Only by accumulating enough power will you have the strength to push open that door."

Chen Chuan asked earnestly, "Senior Brother Cao, what should I do?"

Cao Guiqi said, "First, the method. Breaking the Third Limit not only has a high threshold, but the method you use will also determine the direction of your future development. We can discuss the specifics later. For now, let’s go over the common methods used since the New Era began.

"One way is to find a Fighter who has already reached the Third Limit. Using a Resonance Nest, you can resonate your Domain with theirs and, under their guidance, gradually cross the threshold."

"A Resonance Nest?" Chen Chuan sounded surprised.

Cao Guiqi nodded. "Yes, a Resonance Nest. They were originally used to guide the next generation of Fighters. With technological advancements, they’ve gradually become specialized tools for Resonators, but they’re still used when a Fighter breaks through the Third Limit. Of course, those are models more suited for Fighters.

"Nowadays, most Fighters from established lineages choose this method because the success rate is very high. As long as the Guide is genuinely committed to helping you, there’s very little risk.

"The only issue is that with this method, your Biological Domain will subconsciously align with that of the Fighter who guided you. In the future, the growth of your Mutated Organization will also gradually trend toward theirs.

"If the Guide’s Force Technique and Breathing Technique are already similar to yours, then the coverage of your Mutated Organization will most likely be identical, which can sometimes even be beneficial.

"But if your types of Power differ and there’s a significant deviation in your Mutated Organizations, it could be counterproductive. Even if you manage to break through, it might limit your future potential. You would then need to expend significant effort to correct and reverse this influence, and your chances of advancing further would be much lower than others.

"What’s worse, however, is if your compatibility is poor. In that case, there’s a chance you won’t be able to break through the limit at all.

"This kind of attempt is best made in a single, decisive push. Your chances of success on a subsequent attempt would be much lower than the first. If you fail repeatedly, your Mutated Organization will enter a dormant state, and then all hope will be lost."

Chen Chuan considered this. ’This method won’t work for me,’ he thought. He cultivated the Circulation Technique, and it was highly unlikely he could find a predecessor who practiced the same technique.

Cao Guiqi continued, "The second method is to use medicine, relying solely on its power to help you break the limit. You’re a Medicine Tester for the Cyan Bag Jade Workshop, so you can get specialized drugs from them. These drugs can drastically stimulate the growth of the Mutated Organization in your brain, allowing you to achieve your goal.

"However, for this method to have a high success rate, the drugs need to be custom-tailored to your specific physiology. This means the company will gain access to detailed data about your body. That’s something you’ll have to consider for yourself.

"There is a third method: purchasing a service from Wuyi Academy. The academy’s active Consciousness Body, Hong Fu, can provide you with highly effective guidance. This is more reliable and has a greater chance of success than the previous two methods.

"The downside is that the specific feedback from your body will also be in the academy’s hands. Not just your current physical condition, but the entire process of your breakthrough to the Third Limit, as well as your potential future paths, will be laid bare for the academy to see."

He fixed his gaze on Chen Chuan. "The academy is a collective. Once one person sees that data, it means many more will be able to see it. You need to think carefully before making your decision."

After some deep thought, Chen Chuan looked up and asked, "Senior Brother Cao, are there any other methods for Breaking the Limit besides these?"

Cao Guiqi said slowly, "Since the beginning of the New Era, these have been the main methods. There are also some folk methods for Breaking the Limit, of various types, but they aren’t suitable for you at this stage. However, if you find all of these options unacceptable, then..."

He paused, lifting his teacup. Screening his mouth with his sleeve, he took a sip and said slowly, "Then your only option is to look to the Old Era."

Chen Chuan was lost in thought. ’The Old Era...’

"The ways of the Old Era are not entirely without merit. Once you strip away the mysticism, many aspects are actually better suited for an individual."

Cao Guiqi gazed intently at Chen Chuan. "I personally favor this method for you. While the new technologies have greatly increased the chances for a Fighter to reach the Third Limit, for exceptionally talented individuals, they can actually be a restriction."

He turned to look at the lush, secluded courtyard, closing his eyes for a moment before opening them again. He spoke slowly, "In the Old Era, the way to enter the Third Limit wasn’t about blindly forcing a breakthrough. Instead, one typically had to wait for a catalyst. This process was called ’awakening’ or ’attaining insight’.

"This catalyst might take a very long time to appear, or it could come quickly. In the past, some people of lesser intellect, desperate to find this opportunity, devised many extreme methods, such as jumping off cliffs, severing all worldly ties, and even deliberately trying to get struck by lightning.

"But now, there’s no need for that. The heritage of the Old Era, combined with the theories developed in the New Era, has created a clear path one can follow.

"This method requires the coordination of breath, body, and spirit, aided by specific medicines. Not a single component can be omitted.

"The coordination of breath and body primarily relies on the application and adjustment of a Breathing Technique. A superior Breathing Technique can put your body in the most appropriate state of readiness.

"I have a Breathing Technique developed by the National Church of the Old Era. It helps one find self-awareness through calm and stillness, making it easier to enter the required state. I can teach it to you later.

"This tuning process also requires some unique medicines. They are quite difficult to find these days. I have sixty doses on hand, which is just enough for two months’ use. I have no need for them anymore, so keeping them is pointless. I’ll give them to you as well."

At this, Uncle Ding raised his head, looking as if he wanted to speak but held his tongue.

Cao Guiqi, however, seemed not to notice. He continued, "Then there is the spiritual aspect. During this process of self-adjustment, you need to find something that truly sparks your interest, or an objective you pursue with all your heart and soul.

"What we Fighters pursue is, naturally, breakthroughs in strength and the continuous defeat of our opponents. Therefore, you can often find a powerful adversary to serve as the catalyst for your breakthrough.

"However, some people are not genuinely passionate about fighting; they merely use it as a tool for advancement. For them, this approach might not align with their heart’s true desires.

"Thus, a person who loves art might appreciate a sublime masterpiece. Someone who longs to travel might seek out the scenic wonders of their heart’s desire. A person who craves great achievements might pursue power and influence. The methods vary.

"These are just means to an end. The goal is to achieve a spiritual sublimation, a perfect fusion of mind and body.

"But remember, Breaking the Limit doesn’t happen overnight; it’s a process. Your strength will typically increase gradually until you cross that threshold. Sometimes, when you reach the tipping point, you might still need an extra push.

"However, as long as you follow this path and meet all the conditions, the probability of success is quite high. For you, Junior Chen, it’s an eighty-one percent chance. Barring any outside interference, you should have no problem."

After listening, Chen Chuan understood. ’The Old Era’s method has no quantifiable metrics,’ he thought. ’It relies entirely on personal insight and practice.’

He found himself favoring this method. Although it seemed more complex and difficult, every step was a choice he would make for himself, rather than walking a path someone else had planned for him.

He thought for a moment, then looked up and said, "Senior Brother, I want to use this method."

Cao Guiqi seemed to have anticipated his choice. He nodded and said, "Then I will teach you the key points and everything you need to watch out for. Listen carefully and commit it all to memory."

For the next two hours, Cao Guiqi explained all the breakthrough methods in detail, including the crucial junctures and potential problems. Finally, he gave Chen Chuan the medicine and some tools for the breakthrough and had Uncle Ding see him off.

After Uncle Ding returned, he said, "Young Master, the Breathing Technique is one thing. Plenty of those have been passed around since the Old Era, and not many people care about them now. But that medicine... the Old Mistress left that for you..."

Cao Guiqi blew the steam from his tea. "What use do I have for it now?"

Uncle Ding sighed. "It was something to remember her by."

Cao Guiqi shook his head. "It’s just a painful reminder. Things are meant to be used. If Junior Chen can make good use of it, then it will at least have some value."

As Chen Chuan drove away from Motie Mountain, heading back toward the Profound Palace Building, he replayed Cao Guiqi’s words in his mind. ’The initial steps are straightforward enough,’ he thought. ’I just have to follow them in order. The difficult part is the one that requires looking inward.’

He pondered the things that interested him. Mystical phenomena were certainly one, but Fighting Skill was something he pursued with equal passion. His greatest desire was to be free from all constraints, to be completely unfettered, and only Fighting Skill could give him that. Only the power honed through combat was truly his own.

Having confirmed this, his next step was to find a sufficiently powerful opponent.

This wouldn’t be a short-term process, so he needed an opponent who could consistently challenge and threaten him. As far as he knew, there was exactly one person who fit the bill.

Hong Fu.

Among Wuyi’s purchasable services was the option to have sparring sessions with Hong Fu. The price was just quite high, and it also required certain simulation resources. It was impossible to get such a service with an insufficient rating.

Fortunately, with his recently increased rating, he should be right on the cusp of qualifying for it.

’In that case, I can get it arranged as soon as I’m back.’

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