Li Qing originally thought he was useless.

Now, he saw that not only was he not useless, but he seemed to have some unique talents.

But, this should be considered as taking a shortcut, right?

During the fusion of spirit and flesh with a woman, the progress he made in those brief moments of emptying his mind was tens of times greater than his usual days.

It was precisely because of this that he was able to sense the existence of qi in a short period of time, successfully circulating it through his body and achieving external projection.

Hesitating slightly, Li Qing tentatively asked, "Senior, does this have anything to do with those things that happen with a woman?"

"Are you talking about dual cultivation?" Dian Chunqiu asked.

"That’s more or less what I mean," Li Qing said somewhat embarrassingly.

This shortcut of his was, indeed, somewhat embarrassing to mention.

Dian Chunqiu laughed, "Indeed, there are some techniques of dual cultivation in this world, but ordinary relations with a woman certainly wouldn’t have any effect. You shouldn’t focus your efforts on these unorthodox practices - just cultivate step by step as you should. What is most important on the path of cultivation is diligent and persistent practice."

Li Qing scratched the back of his neck awkwardly; however, his rapid advancement in cultivation was entirely through this method.

If this was considered an unorthodox practice, it seemed he had already taken that path.

"However, I unintentionally discovered that during those relations with a woman, especially at the very end, my mind becomes extremely clear and I can almost instantly enter that profound state, sensing the existence of qi," Li Qing contemplated, then still decided to reveal his actual situation, just slightly concealing the truth without honestly admitting that his entire cultivation was based on this method.

"Really? There’s such a thing?" Dian Chunqiu asked, profoundly surprised.

"You’re referring to the sage time after the act, right?"

Li Qing nodded, "It’s just those brief two or three minutes; afterwards, that feeling disappears."

"Based on your description, it feels somewhat similar to dual cultivation, but dual cultivation requires compatible techniques and accompanying breathing methods during practice. Only then can one enter that state after the deed, aiming for profound advancement in one’s techniques," Dian Chunqiu said, shaking his head.

The situation Li Qing described was also a test for his knowledge.

He had never heard of someone who had not practiced the techniques of dual cultivation, nor had compatible techniques, yet still managed to achieve the effects of dual cultivation—it was simply impossible.

But Li Qing spoke as if it were absolutely true, as if it really happened.

"Do you have any other unusual feelings?" Dian Chunqiu asked seriously.

Li Qing shook his head, "The only thing I feel is that it’s very easy to enter that state, and the speed of my cultivation suddenly increases a lot."

"I discovered it unintentionally while attempting to sense qi; I had always been unable to stabilize my mind to sense it, but that one time, I suddenly sensed it and successfully channeled the qi."

Seeing Dian Chunqiu’s serious expression, Li Qing dared not take it lightly and thus explained in more detail.

Still, he concealed some parts, not fully revealing everything.

He was afraid of being dealt with by Dian Chunqiu as someone practicing unorthodox techniques.

"You really are a peculiar case; I have never heard of anyone being able to cultivate in such a way," Dian Chunqiu said, puzzled, shaking his head. "I will verify this for you after returning to the capital, and find out the reason, but you must not try it recklessly."

"Although there certainly are different methods of cultivation that do not follow the traditional sequence, most shortcuts have their drawbacks."

"Also, ask your master, Mr. Xuan Chen Zhenren, who has already attained the Dao. Perhaps he would know the reason!"

Li Qing said seriously, "I will be careful."

But he had already grown somewhat fond of this cultivation feeling.

Entering the state was easy, and cultivation came effortlessly.

Asking him to return to his previous diligent and arduous training method would indeed be somewhat difficult.

Dian Chunqiu nodded, "Today I will teach you to discern geomancy, also known as the Technique of Auras!"

"In our Ninth Bureau, when carrying out tasks, we do not wait for events to occur before we take action. Instead, we take initiative, striving to eradicate the seeds of potential disasters before they can sprout."

"Watch my hand signs, and listen carefully to my incantations. You have successfully achieved Qi Transformation, so it will be easy for you to see the auras in nature."

"Many things in the world are interconnected. If you can see the Qi within your body, you can also sense the Qi in the natural world."

Li Qing stared intently at Dian Chunqiu’s hand gestures and listened closely to the incantations he murmured, copying them as best as he could.

"You’re close, but not quite there. Try again," Dian Chunqiu said.

Dian Chunqiu glanced at Li Qing’s attempts and then slowed down to teach him again.

After three or five attempts, Li Qing finally managed to grasp the hand signs.

The hand signs and incantations weren’t difficult, consisting of only a few simple steps, but they were slightly complex when combined.

"Add a ’swift’ at the end of the incantation, drawing power from the Dantian," Dian Chunqiu instructed.

Li Qing nodded, recited the incantation silently, and performed the hand signs.

"Swift!"

As he executed the hand signs, he concentrated his Qi in his Dantian and shouted "swift."

Suddenly, the scene before him underwent a bizarre transformation.

Li Qing watched, stunned, his mind momentarily befuddled.

So, what exactly was the nature of this world?

A simple incantation in combination with hand signs had altered the appearance of the previously ordinary, barren hill before his eyes.

In that moment, the landscape before him resembled one surrounded by undulating auroras.

Black, white, red, orange, all kinds of auras were present.

"Senior, is the aura of a place this complex? It’s like an overturned dye vat with colors chaotically mixed," Li Qing asked, bewildered by the scene that gave him the impression of stepping into an animated world.

Dian Chunqiu shook his head and replied, "The aura of a place is naturally not so complex, usually showing a single color. The complexity here can only mean that this place is far from ordinary. Barren land engulfed in mist, muddled with miscellaneous hues, signals a land of great danger where a fierce creature could emerge."

"Well, looking with the naked eye, who would think this is a land of great danger!" Li Qing exclaimed in amazement.

"White, dark purple, and black are all malevolent auras; purple and light red are auspicious. There are corresponding explanations for each, which you can study from books when you return. For today, just grasp the Technique of Auras and know what is present here to enter the threshold of understanding."

Li Qing carefully observed the bizarre landscape, "Since this is a land of great danger, why are there purple and red auras?"

"There is a Yin residence here," said Dian Chunqiu matter-of-factly, "It’s the handiwork of some Mr. Yin and Yang trying to alter the landscape."

"But to strive for prosperity for descendants in a land of great danger is like asking a tiger for its skin. Even if there is a temporary flourishing, it will inevitably lead to a backlash. It’s better to obliterate it all."

"Hm? You want me to obliterate it with thunder?" Li Qing asked in surprise.