Douluo: Divine Dragon Pattern Staff

Li Luochen returned to the small house where he lived. Since his last visit to Shrek Academy, Li Yusong had brought him to live inside the academy.

During this time, Li Luochen had gotten along well with several of the students at Shrek Academy since they would likely become his seniors in the future. Qin Ming had left the academy two years ago to explore the continent, departing with a spirit power level of 44.

At one point, Li Luochen and Qin Ming had discussed the configuration of soul beasts and soul rings. Casually, Li Luochen reminded Qin Ming that his fifth soul ring should ideally come from a ten-thousand-year-old soul beast, and if he lacked confidence, he could seek help from the teachers within the academy.

Initially, Qin Ming was reluctant because, as a graduate, he felt it improper to trouble his teachers. However, Li Luochen persuaded him, pointing out that both the principal and vice-principal had optimal soul ring configurations. Shouldn't students aim to surpass their teachers?

With that reasoning, Qin Ming was convinced. He resolved that if he didn't feel confident at level 50, he would return and ask the teachers for help in hunting a ten-thousand-year-old soul beast.

As for Mo Yu, Li Luochen interacted with him frequently. Mo Yu often struggled with stress and didn't know how to relieve it. Li Luochen provided some psychological guidance. The reason for Mo Yu's frustration was simple: despite working just as hard as Qin Ming and having similar talent, he still lagged behind.

In reality, it wasn't entirely Mo Yu's fault. He was nearly two years younger than Qin Ming, meaning he had about a year less cultivation time. Naturally, it was difficult to catch up, especially when their talents were comparable.

The main issue was that there weren't many students at Shrek Academy, so Mo Yu only had Qin Ming to compare himself to, which made him feel inferior. It was only later that he realized his talent was among the best, even in prestigious institutions like the Four Elements Academy or the Tian Dou Imperial Academy.

Li Luochen showed him records of past elite soul master competitions. Eighty percent of participants of the same age had lower cultivation levels than Mo Yu—and that was without Mo Yu having access to any cultivation resources.

Afterward, Mo Yu became more accepting of his situation. At the age of 19, he broke through to level 40. Zhao Wuji took him to obtain a soul ring, and he graduated over a year ago with a spirit power level of 42. Before leaving, Mo Yu was given advice similar to what Qin Ming had heard: the importance of obtaining a ten-thousand-year-old fifth soul ring.

Finally, Li Luochen had helped both of his seniors. After all, it would have been embarrassing for graduates of Shrek Academy to settle for a thousand-year-old fifth soul ring.

Now that Li Luochen had awakened his martial soul, his earlier thoughts of giving up were shattered. He realized he possessed a certain level of talent—talent worth striving for.

Li Luochen decided to begin cultivating his spirit power and testing the meditation method. Sitting cross-legged on his bed, he entered a meditative state, sensing tiny particles slowly entering his body. The sensation was incredibly soothing.

The energy in the air gradually flowed into Li Luochen's body, merging with his spirit power. His spirit power began to rise slowly. Through meditation and other cultivation methods, soul masters opened channels in their bodies to absorb compressed spirit power into their meridians, creating a concentration gradient to harness the energy.

Cultivation techniques acted like programs, guiding soul masters on how to safely and effectively absorb ambient energy and convert it into their own spirit power. However, in this era, meditation methods were not considered top-tier and were relatively inefficient.

Li Luochen decided to create his own cultivation technique. Relying solely on meditation was too slow. Tang San's Xuantian Technique not only accelerated cultivation but also increased spirit power capacity and maintained an endless cycle of regeneration.

Li Luochen had previously studied the 'Huangdi Neijing' (Emperor's Inner Chapter) and understood the concept of the Eight Extraordinary Meridians. Most cultivation techniques involved circulating energy through the meridians in a complete cycle, connecting the Eight Extraordinary Meridians.

{T/N: The 'Huangdi Neijing' is an ancient Chinese medical text written in the year 111 AD.}

The Great Universe cycle (Da Zhoutian/Big Zhoutian) begins at the Yongquan point on the soles of the feet, slowly rising along the back of the legs to the tailbone, then ascending through the spine via the Du meridian, passing through the tailbone, back, and neck before reaching the Baihui point at the top of the head. From there, it descended to the Shenting, Shanzhong, and Lower Dantian points, then traveled down the inner sides of the legs to the Yongquan and toes.

{T/N: This is an energy circulation method used in Chinese Kungfu, Shaolin and meditation. There is also the 'Xiao Zhoutian/Small Zhoutian' circulation method that's used by Yoga and other similar exercises, mindful practices and meditations.}

This process completed one full cycle—from the Du meridian to the Ren meridian, and finally down the legs to the soles of the feet.

{T/N: Tang San's Mysterious Heaven Skill (Xuantian Gong) also explicitly mentions the Du and Ren meridians in the original works.}

Most cultivation techniques followed this route. Li Luochen decided to give it a try, channeling his spirit power and absorbing ambient energy according to the Great Universe Circulation method.

With a clear path for circulation, the absorption of spirit power increased significantly. It was far superior to the original meditation method, and his spirit power began to feel much denser, devoid of any instability.

Taking advantage of the unique benefits of first-time cultivation—where absorption and effectiveness were at their peak—Li Luochen aimed to forcefully open the first of the Eight Extraordinary Meridians: the Du meridian.

The Du meridian originated in the lower abdomen near the uterus. Opening it was the most challenging part, but Li Luochen felt that his first cultivation session was going exceptionally well. Opening the Du meridian would lay the foundation for future cultivation. 

{T/N: I know it sounds weird but from my research online, that's what most of them say. I would say it starts from the tail bone but most sources say uterus so idk.}

Once the Eight Extraordinary Meridians were connected, cultivation speed would skyrocket—a key factor in his rise to power.

Time flew by during cultivation. In the morning, he had awakened his martial soul and immediately began practicing. By the time he realized it, it was already evening. Li Yusong had come by once and, seeing his grandson deep in meditation, chose not to disturb him.

By now, Li Luochen's spirit power had completed one full Great Universe circulation. He prepared to open the Du meridian, absorbing ambient energy and accumulating spirit power to break through.

—The Du meridian was successfully opened, and his cultivation speed improved significantly. The flow of spirit power through the Great Universe circulation accelerated, leaving Li Luochen feeling better than ever.

Opening his eyes, Li Luochen sensed the abundant spirit power within his body. Originally, his spirit power was close to level nine; now, it had reached a perfect level eight. He estimated that he would break through to level nine within the next couple of days.

By combining his previous life's research on cultivation techniques, Li Luochen had created his own method in the world of Douluo. Though still in its infancy, it marked a crucial step forward and was far more efficient than the meditation method Flender had provided.

Looking outside, Li Luochen noticed it was getting dark, and his stomach growled with hunger. He decided to head to the cafeteria for dinner.

His next goal was to raise his spirit power to level ten, which he estimated would take less than half a month. Once he reached level ten, he would need to hunt a soul beast to obtain a soul ring in order to advance further.

The standard lifespan for the first soul ring was 423 years—a theory proposed by the so-called "Master" Yu Xiaogang. In reality, influential factions had long since determined this based on experience. How could someone like Yu Xiaogang, merely a Great Soul Master, personally test such theories?

Still, this lifespan limit must have been achieved by someone—likely a Beast Soul Master, possibly even one with a top-tier Beast Soul.

As a Tool Soul Master, Li Luochen knew his physical body couldn't compare to that of a Beast Soul Master. Although he had been well-nourished over the past six years, enjoyed good health, and occasionally bathed in medicinal concoctions, he wasn't sure how strong his physique truly was.

Unlike other transmigrants who fearlessly absorbed millennium-level soul rings as if drinking water, completely unafraid of being overwhelmed, Li Luochen knew he couldn't do the same. He simply couldn't.

Though he had been raised with care, maintaining a plump and healthy physique, and had exercised regularly since regaining his clarity, these factors alone weren't enough to justify attempting to absorb a higher-level soul ring.

Unless he consumed something like Whale Glue, he might consider trying to absorb a higher-level soul ring. For now, though, his first soul ring would remain conservative, approaching the upper limit but not exceeding it. After all, he had no prior experience absorbing soul rings and didn't want to take unnecessary risks.

Rushing into absorbing a higher-level soul ring would be courting death. Once he gained experience with his first soul ring, he could aim to increase the lifespan of his second soul ring. Yes! That was the plan.

Over the next ten-plus days, Li Luochen spent all his time, except for meals, cultivating in his room. While refining his technique, he pushed toward level ten. He had already named his cultivation method: 'The Limitless Universe Technique'. 'Universe' represented the method's focus on the Great Universe circulation path, while "Limitless" symbolized the origin of all things in the universe.

The name reflected Li Luochen's ambition—though it was somewhat childish.

After more than half a month, Li Luochen's spirit power reached level ten, and he had refined 'The Limitless Universe Technique', making its operation smoother. Now, he prepared to open the next meridian: the Ren meridian.

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