Chapter 18: The Method of Evolution

Inheritance of memory...

Jiang Ning had no idea what had just occurred in that fleeting moment. According to the sect records, it should have been some kind of enlightenment—an opportunity that could only be encountered by chance. It was precisely such a moment of enlightenment.

He perceived the traces of the Dao, once again cleansing the imprint of the Great Dao that lingered within his body. At the same time, a sliver of the seal on his inherited memories was torn open, and what emerged in his mind was the method for evolving the Immortal Spirit Body!

“Comprehending one’s own Dao can wash away the imprint of the Great Dao, or during breakthroughs, by using the rules of heaven and earth, one can dispel any Dao that does not belong to oneself!”

Jiang Ning’s heart was resolute. Enlightenment was rare and unpredictable, but at least he now knew another way to remove the imprint of the Great Dao!

Erhuang shook its head and circled Jiang Ning, yawning as if bored, and soon fell asleep once more. Its wounds had healed remarkably quickly these past few days, astonishing Jiang Ning—they were almost entirely gone, and unless examined closely, one could hardly see any traces of injury in its fur.

“Evolution method…”

Suppressing his excitement, Jiang Ning began to review the memories he had gained.

“It’s actually… the refinement of bloodline!”

His heart leaped in joy.

“The Immortal Spirit Body is extraordinary because it is close to the Dao, embraces all things, and is immune to any poison or medicine… At the same time, it can refine the power of bloodlines, obtaining the cultivation talents of others…”

This was his own miraculous golden finger.

“The power of bloodlines is also divided from Grade One to Grade Nine…”

He frowned. He had read about the levels of bloodline power in the sect records before, but they were vague descriptions. In the world, there are those with great fortune; in ancient times, they reached the pinnacle, established sects, and left their bloodlines behind.

These bloodlines, according to their dominance and innate attributes, were divided into nine grades.

“I only broke through some seals during enlightenment, and the evolution method I obtained seems incomplete…”

Jiang Ning pondered, but even incomplete, it was already extraordinary. Moreover, as his strength grew, he could continue refining higher-grade bloodline powers.

“The current method allows me to refine Grade One to Grade Three bloodlines…”

Grade One is the lowest, Grade Nine the highest.

Refinement has its limits; refining a Grade One bloodline allows one to acquire the cultivation talent of its owner. After three refinements, the bloodline grade rises to Grade One.

Grade Two bloodlines can also be refined three times, raising the grade to Grade Two and granting the talents of three Grade Two bloodline owners. Furthermore, with the increase in bloodline grade, inherited secret techniques can still be retained.

For example, among the three Grade One bloodlines refined, if one possesses a certain inherited secret technique, after refining three Grade Two bloodlines, the grade rises, but all previous secret techniques remain usable.

Grade Three bloodlines can still be refined up to three types…

And so forth.

Inherited secret techniques, also known as innate skills, are not possessed by every bloodline.

Some Grade One bloodlines may have inherited secret techniques, while some Grade Two bloodlines only offer higher cultivation talent without any secret techniques. Thus, there are cases where inherited secret techniques help one surpass their bloodline grade.

As strength increases, those with higher bloodline grades have greater chances of reaching the peak.

This evolution method, however, allows Jiang Ning to possess both advantages…

“Evolve the bloodline…”

Jiang Ning stared blankly, lost in thought.

The most extraordinary aspect of the Immortal Spirit Body lies in its capacity to embrace all things, thus granting such an evolution formula…

“Hiss…”

Jiang Ning drew in a sharp breath, only realizing after a moment, “I never imagined that a single moment of enlightenment could shatter a seal and grant me the evolution method in advance. But I wonder if refining bloodlines can erase the remaining imprint of the Great Dao within me.”

The imprint clings like a stubborn patch.

Had he not entered the state of enlightenment, cutting off the path to Dao comprehension, he would never have been able to merge with heaven and earth.

“To be able to enter the state of enlightenment and gain all this is still due to the Immortal Spirit Body’s affinity with nature and all things. Otherwise, under the imprint of the Great Dao, I would never be able to comprehend anything. This is my greatest advantage…”

Jiang Ning understood well that this was a double-edged sword.

But as long as he used it wisely, nothing could hinder him.

“With this evolution method, what is there I cannot strive for?”

His spirit surged, and he inadvertently stepped on the sleeping Erhuang, who let out a howl of protest.

“Heh…”

Jiang Ning laughed awkwardly, “I got too excited…”

Erhuang barked twice, its sleepiness dispelled, and it lay back down, curiously gazing at the mysterious nightscape of Idle Cloud Sect.

“Refining bloodlines—this must never be revealed to anyone!”

Jiang Ning’s resolve was firm. If he refined bloodlines and gained multiple inherited secret methods, others might suspect the presence of the Immortal Spirit Body. In this world, countless ancient clans and secrets exist.

Such a legendary constitution as the Immortal Spirit Body would surely attract research and scrutiny.

“Keep a low profile… keep a low profile…”

Jiang Ning calmed himself. Developing steadily, without showing off, would keep him unnoticed.

Still, he was already itching to try. Refining bloodlines might be the third method to assault the imprint of the Great Dao within him, perhaps even offering a chance to break into the Body Tempering Realm.

The imprint that refused to be wiped away after so long tugged at his heart.

“But Idle Cloud Sect doesn’t even have anyone with a Grade One bloodline…”

Jiang Ning’s head ached. This continent was vast beyond measure; south of Nanling was called the land of barbarians. Idle Cloud Sect was merely a small sect in Nanling, near the forbidding Tian Mountain Range—a peaceful yet barren place where no great inheritances or graded bloodline families or sects would be found.

“Talent… Grade One bloodline, inherited secret technique…”

Jiang Ning muttered for a while, then suddenly noticed Erhuang lying in the corner.

Erhuang shuddered, sensing Jiang Ning’s ill intent.

“Hmm…”

Jiang Ning calculated, “Refining bloodline power should only require a little, right? The evolution method doesn’t specify how much. If anything seems off, I’ll stop immediately…”

He hesitated, fearing he might harm Erhuang, which would be a loss not worth the gain.

Still, he coveted Erhuang’s traversal technique, a must-have for escaping danger, and extremely useful.

“Three opportunities to refine Grade One bloodlines, but not all will have inherited secret techniques. Erhuang, however, possesses one…”

Jiang Ning made up his mind: if anything went wrong and Erhuang was harmed, he would stop at once.

If Erhuang’s bloodline power was less than Grade One, he would also abandon the attempt.

Though he coveted Erhuang’s inherited secret technique, all three refinements must be Grade One bloodlines to elevate his own to Grade One.

“Erhuang, come here.”

Jiang Ning walked over, wearing what he believed was a righteous smile.

Erhuang howled and immediately tried to leap away.

Jiang Ning was faster, and pounced!

…

Under the starry sky, Li Zhenyu sat upright in his residence.

At this moment, he seemed to merge with space itself—ethereal, as he cultivated his unique Dao method, unlike any other lineage.

His body melded with the myriad paths, every movement and sound in the world reaching his ears.

Suddenly, he opened his eyes, bewildered…

“Wait… from that direction, dog barking?”

While immersed in his Dao method, he vaguely heard barking, along with the deep, angry shouts of a youth?

“Good heavens… that brat… doesn’t even spare the dog?!

This… is too much!”

He was left speechless in shock.

…

No one knew that Jiang Ning was currently trapped, unable to advance or retreat!

“I was careless; this state is completely uncontrollable!”

He merely had Erhuang draw a drop of blood, but the instant his finger touched it, the evolution method activated on its own, like a starving man encountering an unrivaled feast, forcibly draining Erhuang’s bloodline power!

Jiang Ning roared, desperately trying to restrain it!

Erhuang was terrified; its tiny wound pressed against Jiang Ning’s hand, unable to break free, bloodline power draining away. Jiang Ning struggled to return the energy, but the evolution method of the Immortal Spirit Body operated independently, utterly uncontrollable.

It was like a tug-of-war.

Spiritual energy surged and roared, but nothing could stop it.

Jiang Ning felt his consciousness growing ever more hazy. Before fainting, he noticed Erhuang had also collapsed.

He struggled to rise, worried for Erhuang, but his body and head felt as if they would split apart—then everything went black as he fell.

…

While Jiang Ning was unconscious, in a secret chamber of the palace complex—

Boom!

Within the darkness, spiritual energy exploded. An aged figure appeared, coughing blood repeatedly.

“Summon Xiang Tian here.”

The two guards at the chamber entrance exchanged glances, startled by the sudden appearance of Master Yang.

Was he… injured?

“Hurry!!”

Master Yang roared, his aura erupting. The two guards trembled, blood seeping from the corners of their mouths, nearly forced to their knees. They dared not delay and rushed straight to Xiang Tian’s residence!