It’s just that the Qingling Knife Mackerel is rather small in size, so it’s only for a taste of its delicacy, and it must be offered to Yunyang Sect for a long time.

Because of this, Jason Brooks had only eaten it a few times since childhood.

He took a bite of rice, then a bite of the dishes, and in no time at all, he finished his dinner cleanly.

Putting down his bowl and chopsticks, Jason Brooks leaned back, the fullness in his belly making his body and mind comfortable, and he became completely relaxed.

The household servants quickly tidied up and withdrew.

As the spiritual ingredients were digested, Jason Brooks’s body gradually grew warm, and a surge of energy arose in his abdomen, darting about inside him as nimbly as a little mouse—this was the tangible manifestation of vigorous qi and blood.

He dared not delay, and entered the cultivation chamber, sitting cross-legged on a meditation cushion, and began to circulate the family’s inherited cultivation method, 【Jinyuan Body-Tempering Art】.

In the world of cultivation, cultivation methods are roughly divided into three ranks. The first is 【Dao Lineage】, the second is 【Orthodox Method】, and the third is 【Wild Method】.

Dao Lineage refers to the top-tier cultivation arts possessed only by great sects, capable of leading directly to the Nascent Soul stage, and some even allow Nascent Soul cultivators to continue breaking through.

Cultivation arts of the Dao Lineage level are utterly beyond the imagination of a cultivation family like the Chen clan of Cangyi.

Orthodox Methods are the legitimate cultivation arts of this world, allowing one to cultivate up to the Golden Core stage, and some can even be practiced further within the Golden Core stage.

Even within Yunyang Sect, there are only a dozen or so Orthodox Methods.

Below the Orthodox Methods are all Wild Methods.

But Wild Methods also vary in quality.

Superior Wild Methods can achieve something within the Foundation Establishment stage.

The worst of the Wild Methods are even lacking in Foundation Establishment techniques, and can only linger within the Qi Refining stage.

The 【Jinyuan Body-Tempering Art】 cultivated by Jason Brooks is a rare superior Wild Method, which can be cultivated up to the sixth layer of Foundation Establishment at most.

As Jason Brooks entered meditation, his breathing gradually became long and steady, all distracting thoughts were dispelled, and his body and mind became tranquil and clear.

With every breath, the surrounding air was drawn into his body, then refined to remove impurities, expelling turbid air and most of the spiritual energy.

With each cycle of breathing, like waves sifting sand, only the faintest traces of golden spiritual energy remained.

Each time a wisp of golden spiritual energy was gathered, it would merge with the vigorous qi and blood, sinking into the qi sea.

At the same time—

The abundant spiritual power in the qi sea, under Jason Brooks’s conscious direction, flowed along the meridians down to the perineum, then to the tailbone pass, life gate, great vertebra, jade pillow pass, finally passing through the crown of the head, pausing briefly in the purple palace, before cascading down the face like a waterfall, and gathering once more in the lower abdomen’s qi sea.

This is what is commonly called the Great Circulation in cultivation methods.

With each Great Circulation, a cool and comfortable sensation would spread throughout Jason Brooks’s body, making his mind clear and his whole body refreshed.

Unknowingly,

The night passed.

When Jason Brooks awoke from meditation, the horizon over Jade Cliff was already tinged with pale light.

He stood up and stretched, his bones cracking noisily. He felt his mind clear and refreshed, and the spiritual power in his qi sea seemed to have become a bit more refined. He couldn’t help but feel secretly pleased—tonight’s cultivation had clearly made good progress.

The path of cultivation is always long and tedious, relying on accumulation over months and years.

Spiritual roots and bloodline are certainly important, but steadfast will and temperament are equally indispensable.

After washing up, Jason Brooks carefully tidied his appearance in front of the glazed mirror. Seeing the heroic and handsome face reflected back, he nodded in satisfaction.

Afterwards, with the help of a young servant, he had some breakfast, and then went to 【Siyuan Residence】 to pay respects to his fourth uncle, Henry Brooks.

The courtyard of Siyuan Residence was full of spiritual energy and blooming flowers.

As soon as Jason Brooks entered, he saw a man who appeared to be in his early thirties, meticulously tending and pruning a variety of rare and exotic flowers.

The most eye-catching among them was a spiritual peony, brilliantly colored and exuding a strange fragrance.

“Jingyun pays respects to Fourth Uncle.”

Jason Brooks stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

“You’re here, Yun’er.” Henry Brooks put down his work and greeted him with a smile. “Come, come, have some morning tea with your fourth uncle first.”

As he spoke, he called inside, “William Clark, your nephew Jingyun is here—aren’t you going to hurry and brew some 【Qingya Sparrow Tongue】 tea?”

No sooner had he finished speaking,

A graceful and beautiful woman entered the courtyard carrying a tea tray, casting a sidelong glance at Henry Brooks with feigned annoyance. “I see you’re just using Jingyun as an excuse to trick me into making spiritual tea.”

Jason Brooks quickly bowed as well. “Jingyun greets Fourth Aunt.”

His fourth aunt, William Carter, was a direct descendant of the Zheng clan of Lingbei, and also the great-granddaughter of the Zheng clan’s 【Crimson Flood Ancestor】.

The Chen, Zheng, and Zhao clans jointly operated the Sheshan market, and to solidify their alliance of interests, naturally intermarried.

Fourth Aunt William Carter married into the Chen clan during the heyday of this alliance.

But as time passed, conflicts of interest gradually emerged, and relations grew increasingly tense. The Crimson Flood Ancestor even declared he would never have anything to do with Ethan Brooks again.

However, when Elder Ethan passed away this time, the Crimson Flood Ancestor still rushed over at the first opportunity to attend the funeral.

Chapter 6: “The Spirit Sword Recognizes Its Master”