Chen Fei spent two hours reading through the manual in his hands several times. Rubbing his somewhat dry eyes, Chen Fei set the manual aside and fell into deep thought.
The Source-Connecting Art was the uniform cultivation technique practiced by all inner disciples of the Yuanchen Sword Sect. Only by completing the Source-Connecting Art would one have the opportunity to strive for the true inheritance of the Yuanchen Sword Sect.
The Source-Connecting Art consisted of five stages in total, and currently, Chen Fei only held the cultivation steps for the first stage. Yet, even this first stage was comparable to the Cloud-Swallowing Art he had purchased previously.
It was only that the Shocking Cloud-Swallowing Art, which Chen Fei had fused himself, was slightly stronger—especially regarding the ability to bypass the restrictions on medicinal pills, where the Source-Connecting Art was significantly weaker.
However, the Source-Connecting Art had five stages, each more difficult than the last, but also more effective. Upon reaching the third stage, the technique would even automatically birth a special characteristic.
Yes, it was similar to the characteristic derived after reaching Great Perfection with the Heart-Calming Art.
It was only today that Chen Fei realized the standard for judging a good cultivation technique was how many characteristics it could produce after cultivation. These characteristics were by no means mere "icing on the cake"; they elevated the power of the technique to a whole new level.
Just as the "bullet time" characteristic of the Heart-Calming Art had greatly enhanced Chen Fei's strength.
Upon reaching the third stage of the Source-Connecting Art, the first characteristic, *Colossal Strength*, would be derived. Upon reaching the fifth stage, the second characteristic, *Iron Bones*, would emerge!
Chen Fei currently only possessed the cultivation method for the first stage. To obtain the subsequent methods, he would have to reach Great Perfection in the first stage before he could apply for them.
The restrictions were extremely strict; the treatment offered to a disciple of the Chuyuan Sword was worlds apart from others.
Chen Fei sat cross-legged and attempted to circulate his internal energy, practicing according to the circulation route of the Source-Connecting Art. It was a bit bumpy at first, but after half an hour, Chen Fei was able to complete a full cycle of the first stage of the Source-Connecting Art.
【Technique: Source-Connecting Art, First Stage (1/1000)】
"Eh? The proficiency is no longer divided into levels like 'Beginner' or 'Proficient.' Is it because the technique is divided into five stages?"
Chen Fei looked at the panel with some surprise. He had originally thought that each stage of the Source-Connecting Art would follow the previous format, but what was currently displayed was somewhat unexpected.
Perhaps it was because the Source-Connecting Art he obtained was not the complete version. If it were a complete set, the progress would likely be measured from "Beginner" to "Great Perfection."
"Fuse Shocking Cloud-Swallowing Art!"
【Technique: Source-Connecting Art, First Stage (693/1000)】
Chen Fei felt the insights flooding into his mind. After the fusion, most of the Shocking Cloud-Swallowing Art was discarded, leaving behind only the essence, such as the ability to refine medicinal pills and rapid circulation.
The rest remained primarily based on the Source-Connecting Art, which was why even the name of the technique did not change.
"Technique detected. Would you like to spend one thousand taels of silver to simplify the Source-Connecting Art, First Stage?"
"It got more expensive!" Chen Fei couldn't help but grimace when he saw the price.
"Simplifying Source-Connecting Art, First Stage... Simplification successful... Source-Connecting Art, First Stage $\rightarrow$ Shocking Cloud-Swallowing Art!"
With the "matryoshka" nesting successful, Chen Fei only needed to circulate the Shocking Cloud-Swallowing Art to reach the peak of the first stage of the Source-Connecting Art. Once he did, he could continue to cultivate the second and third stages.
In the interim, Chen Fei returned to Xianyun City to explain the situation to Chi Defeng, telling him to come to the Yuanchen Sword Sect to collect medicinal pills from him in the future.
While this caused some inconvenience for Chi Defeng, it invisibly increased his safety.
If others saw Chi Defeng coming to the Yuanchen Sword Sect every day to collect pills, they would inevitably investigate. Chen Fei was now an inner disciple of the Yuanchen Sword Sect, which provided a certain level of background and support to deter petty criminals.
Of course, to be completely secure, the status of an inner disciple alone was far from enough. Chen Fei needed to pull in another layer of connection, such as his current master, Feng Xiupu.
However, such things could not be rushed. Chen Fei did not yet know what kind of person Feng Xiupu truly was. If handled improperly, he might end up inviting wolves into his home, at which point even if he wanted to get rid of them, he wouldn't be able to.
Early the next morning, Chen Fei arrived outside Feng Xiupu's courtyard and found many people already waiting.
Many people couldn't help but steal extra glances at Chen Fei when they saw him.
"Are you the Master's newly recruited disciple? What is your name?" Someone suddenly approached Chen Fei and asked curiously.
"Chen Fei. I just joined yesterday and was fortunate enough to be taken in by Master," Chen Fei said with a smile.
"Then you're the Junior Brother? My name is Luo Jun, you can call me Senior Brother Luo!"
A look of joy instantly appeared on Luo Jun's face; he was finally no longer the youngest.
"Greetings, Senior Brother Luo!" Chen Fei looked at Luo Jun somewhat speechlessly, not understanding what he was so happy about.
"Hahaha, greetings, Junior Brother. If there is anything you don't understand in the future, you can ask me!" Luo Jun said, patting Chen Fei on the shoulder with a mock-elderly air.
"Thank you, Senior Brother Luo!" Chen Fei shook his head and laughed; this Luo Jun seemed like an interesting fellow.
A moment later, Feng Xiupu appeared before the crowd. He introduced Chen Fei to everyone and then began explaining the key points of cultivating the Source-Connecting Art.
Whether to accommodate Chen Fei or because there were many newly joined disciples present, Feng Xiupu focused his explanation primarily on the content of the first stage of the Source-Connecting Art.
"The Source-Connecting Art is our foundational cultivation technique, and it places great emphasis on the foundation. If your foundation is unstable, you will be unable to cultivate the subsequent stages regardless of your efforts. I hope you all understand!"
An hour later, Feng Xiupu stood up, looked at the crowd, and spoke in a heavy voice.
"We obey Master's teachings!" the disciples replied hurriedly.
"The rest of you may disperse. Return in half a month. Chen Fei and Guo Linshan are to stay."
Feng Xiupu waved his hand, and the other disciples left with respectful bows.
"Master, Junior Brother."
Guo Linshan was a burly man with tiger-like eyes and a thick beard. He gave a hand salute to Chen Fei.
"Chen Fei has just joined and will inevitably have many uncertainties regarding the techniques. I am busy with daily affairs and find it difficult to guide him personally. From now on, if Chen Fei encounters any difficulties, you must try your best to answer them."
Feng Xiupu looked at Guo Linshan as he spoke. He was quite satisfied with Guo Linshan; among the many disciples he had taken in, Guo Linshan had the highest cultivation realm, already at the peak of the Marrow-Refining Realm. With a bit more tempering, he could attempt to break through to the Viscera-Refining Realm.
Furthermore, having reached the fourth stage of the Source-Connecting Art, he had long since mastered the *Colossal Strength* characteristic and was qualified to guide new disciples.
"Please rest assured, Master. I will take good care of Junior Brother," Guo Linshan said with a simple, honest smile.
Feng Xiupu nodded and looked at Chen Fei, saying, "The Source-Connecting Art relies on talent, but it also relies on diligence. You must spend your daily time contemplating the mysteries of the technique. When you encounter something you don't understand, seek others to clear your doubts. Only in this way can you walk further on the path of martial arts."
"Thank you for your teachings, Master!"
Chen Fei lowered his head in response, knowing that Feng Xiupu had essentially accepted him and no longer treated him as an outsider. However, his expectations for Chen Fei were not particularly high.
This was understandable; after all, his bone structure and age were what they were. For an ordinary person, it was indeed a hurdle that could not be leaped over.
(End of Chapter)