The Quest for Immortality

In general, cultivators of the same realm do not have a significant disparity in spiritual awareness that would prevent them from locking onto an opponent.

However, Mo Hua is not what one might call a ”typical” cultivator, at least not in terms of spiritual awareness.

If his spiritual awareness continues to grow at this rate, whether it can still be locked onto by others is a question worth pondering...

Unperturbed, Elder Gui contemplates quietly, ripples of thought stirring within him.

Mo Hua raises another question, ”Elder Gui, is spiritual awareness locking something every cultivator can do?”

”Not exactly,” Elder Gui returns to the present and responds indifferently, ”Among the cultivators I have observed, seventy percent cannot do it, more than twenty percent can but are not adept, and less than ten percent can use it exquisitely.”

Mo Hua expresses his confusion, ”It doesn’t seem that hard, why can’t most cultivators do it?”

At least to him, it didn’t seem challenging.

Elder Gui silently regards him, noting a resemblance between Mo Hua and Mr. Zhuang at this moment.

Not all cultivators possess strong spiritual awareness, nor are all adept in utilizing it.

”Like master, like disciple,” Mo Hua seems somewhat influenced...

With a sigh in his heart, Elder Gui explains, ”Seventy percent of cultivators cannot lock spiritual awareness because half of them have no one to teach them the technique, and the other half, even if taught, cannot grasp it...”

”Spiritual awareness is ethereal, like an antelope hanging its horns, traceless and elusive. Thus, it is difficult to teach and learn, hard to grasp through mere words...”

”Oh,” Mo Hua nods, half-understanding.

”But,” he hesitates before asking, ”even if a spell hits, Fireball Technique isn’t very powerful and seems harmless, right?”

Elder Gui does not answer directly but counters, ”How much spiritual power is needed to kill a cultivator?”

Mo Hua shivers slightly, shaking his head.

He had never killed anyone; how would he know...

”Some cultivators can kill with the spiritual power of ten Heavenly Cycles, while others can’t kill even with a hundred,” Elder Gui says.

A Heavenly Cycle refers to one complete circulation of spiritual power through the twelve primary meridians. Regardless of a cultivator’s age or physique, the variation in spiritual power for one Heavenly Cycle is minimal.

Thus, cultivators often use ”Heavenly Cycles” to measure the amount of spiritual power.

The more Heavenly Cycles, the greater the spiritual power and the stronger the magic invoked.

”Is it because cultivators have vital points?” Mo Hua asks.

Elder Gui nods, ”Vital points like the Baihui, Shenting, Heart Meridian, and Dantian are crucial. If hit by a spell unguarded, one could either be severely injured or killed.”

Mo Hua realizes, ”So, hitting these vital points, even with a weaker spell, can cause greater damage. But if it hits non-critical areas, even a powerful spell may not be fatal.”

”Exactly.”

Mo Hua ponders and then has an epiphany, ”That’s why spiritual awareness locking is crucial. Only with strong spiritual awareness and precise locking can spells hit vital points more effectively. Is that right, Elder Gui?”

Elder Gui nods.

Mo Hua grows excited; even with his weak spiritual power, his spells could pose a significant threat.

However, Elder Gui throws cold water on his enthusiasm, ”That’s the theory, but it’s useless in actual combat.”

”Ah...” Mo Hua is stunned.

”Anyone not a fool knows to protect their vital points. If you aim at vital points, even if not hitting armor or Dao robes, the cultivator will block with hands or arms,” Elder Gui explains.

Mo Hua is confused again, ”Then what should I do?”

”You should know the cultivator’s vital points. Sneak attacks might work occasionally, but relying on them in direct combat isn’t worthwhile,” Elder Gui advises, ”For a spiritual cultivator who excels in magic, the most important thing is to know how to use spells.”

”How should I use them?”

Elder Gui nods, explaining, ”Casting a spell takes time.”

Mo Hua still doesn’t quite understand.

”Cultivators need to channel spiritual power to cast spells, which can take from a single breath up to ten,” Elder Gui continues.

”The higher the grade of the spell, the more spiritual power it requires and the greater its power, thus the longer the casting time. Some extremely powerful spells can even take hours to cast.”

”Conversely, lower-grade spells require less spiritual power and have less power, but their casting time is also shorter...” Elder Gui slowly explains.

Mo Hua’s eyes brighten.

”Thus, in facing an enemy, a spiritual cultivator must either anticipate the opponent’s moves, casting powerful spells in advance to strike a lethal blow, or...”

Elder Gui’s gaze sharpens, ”take the initiative with simple yet fierce spells to suppress the enemy, leaving them no room to breathe...”

Mo Hua’s understanding deepens.

Given his low-grade spiritual roots and weak spiritual power, he cannot learn those powerful but energy-consuming high-grade spells.

He must find an alternative path, learning spells like the Fireball Technique, which, although not very powerful, can be executed quickly and seize the initiative.

However, a new concern arises.

”Can a spell with small power truly suppress?” Mo Hua asks.

”Physical cultivators interrupt their moves, spiritual cultivators disrupt their spells; if the opponent cannot attack, they can naturally be suppressed,” Elder Gui explains further, ”Physical cultivators are also human. Struck by your spell, they naturally suffer pain. Unless their will is exceptionally strong, their assault will inevitably break...”

”If you encounter someone who trades injury for injury, risking their life in the fight, you can aim at their joints or vital points. This makes them think twice during the battle. Once they hesitate, they dare not stake their lives recklessly...”

...

Mo Hua had never imagined there was so much nuance to the use of spells, feeling as if he had received a sudden enlightenment. He looks at Elder Gui with profound respect.

Elder Gui remains composed, but seeing Mo Hua’s admiring gaze, a ripple of satisfaction passes through his otherwise still heart.

Mr. Zhuang was right, teaching his disciples is indeed a pleasant pastime.

”Do you understand?”

Mo Hua nods vigorously.

Elder Gui continues to instruct, ”There are countless spells in the world, but the principle is generally the same. Every spell has its disadvantages and advantages. What cultivators must do is to play to their strengths and avoid weaknesses.”

”Conversely, every spell has its advantages, but also inevitable disadvantages. What you need to do is to see through these disadvantages and exploit them to break the opponent’s spells.”

”The myriad arts of Dao each have their strengths and weaknesses, the art of their use lies within the heart.”

...

Usually reticent, Elder Gui becomes eloquent when discussing spells, his words sparkling with wisdom.

”These principles might not be applicable now, but the path of cultivation is long, and someday they may prove useful,” Elder Gui states.

Mo Hua listens intently, engraving every word in his heart, then bows respectfully to Elder Gui:

”Thank you, Elder Gui, for your guidance. I have remembered everything!”

Elder Gui nods in acknowledgment.

Mo Hua reflects further on Elder Gui’s words, then faces a practical issue.

He currently knows only the Fireball Technique.

With all the strategies of ”initiating to suppress, using spells to exploit strengths and weaknesses, and breaking the enemy’s spells” that Elder Gui mentioned, it still seems a bit distant.

After all, he knows only the Fireball Technique...

”What should I do now?” Mo Hua scratches his head.

”Practice the Fireball Technique,” comes the straightforward reply from Elder Gui.

”How long should I practice?”

”Keep practicing, making it as accurate and fast as possible.”

Elder Gui looks at Mo Hua with profound eyes, ”Just remember one thing...”

”In the realm of spells, speed is unbeatable!”