After explaining everything to me, the spirit serpent departed. Before leaving, I wanted to give him some protective treasures. However, I hesitated for a while and decided not to do so.
The snake spirit's cultivation was at the Glory of Consciousness realm. After absorbing the liquid, his power was infinitely close to the pinnacle of Glory of Consciousness. In terms of power, he was much stronger than me, so I didn't need to worry about his safety.
Unless he met someone at the Celestial Master realm, even if he couldn't defeat them, he would at least be able to escape with his life.
After the snake spirit left, my life returned to peace. The shaman energy in my body had completely calmed down. Every day, I spent all my energy on researching the Nine Star Heavenly Dipper.
On the second day after the snake spirit left, I finally succeeded in taking the second step of the Nine Star Heavenly Dipper, which was the Merak Steps.
The first star of the Big Dipper was called Dubhe, also known as the Yang Heavenly Wolf Star Sovereign. The second star was called Dubhe, also known as the Yin Spirit Giant Gate Star Sovereign.
Solitary Yang and Solitary Yin didn't exist, so the first two steps consumed a lot of energy and the efficiency was extremely low. However, after comprehending these two steps, the Yin and Yang complemented each other, making the subsequent steps much simpler. Not long after, I comprehended the third step, Phecda, the fourth step, Megrez, and the fifth step, Alioth.
Of course, other than the Yin and Yang complementing each other in the first two steps, the speed at which I progressed was related to my stabilized cultivation at the intermediate stage of Glory of Consciousness.
As for the remaining four steps, Opening Sun and Alkaid, they could only be cultivated at the advanced stage of Glory of Consciousness or even the pinnacle of Glory of Consciousness. As for the last two stars, the Astral Steps, which corresponded to the Yin Star, were even more illusory. Whether one could successfully cultivate the Glory of Consciousness realm depended on fate. According to the Death Scripture, if one couldn't cultivate the Glory of Consciousness realm, it was normal for one to slowly cultivate it at the Celestial Master realm.
Even though it was only these five steps, it was enough to make me excited. I couldn't say for sure how powerful they were without any proof. However, I had a general feeling that if I used all five Astral Steps at the same time, the power wouldn't be any weaker than Lu Chengping's Righteous Ruler's Seven Steps.
The Lu Family was a famous family in the field of Metaphysics. The direct descendant of the Lu Family would definitely not be weak. In fact, the Gangyu's Seven Steps was quite famous in the field of Metaphysics. But this Nine Star Celestial Dipper was able to match the power of the entire Gangyu's Seven Steps with just five steps. It was clear that it was extraordinary.
No wonder the Death Scripture said that the last two steps, Stellar Concealment Steps, could contend against a Heavenly Master.
Of course, all of this is only my guess for the time being. If I want to verify it, I'll have to find someone to verify it first.
If it was in the past, it wouldn't have been easy to find an opportunity to verify it. I could only test it in a real battle. But now, Zhang Kanwen was here. His strength wasn't inferior to Lu Chengping's, and when he used the [Song of Righteousness], he could easily defeat Lu Chengping.
It had been a few months since he started cultivating the Song of Morality, and his cultivation had also reached Glorious Memory later stage. Finding him to verify the power of the Nine Star Heavenly Spirit was the most suitable choice.
During this time, Zhang Kanwen didn't stay idle. Although he stayed in the shop, I didn't have many chances to see him.
This fellow stayed in his room all day, saying that he was preparing for the trip to Anyang. I didn't know what he was doing all day.
When I went to look for him, I knocked on the door for a long time before Zhang Kanwen answered and hastily opened the door.
I raised my head and saw that large beads of sweat were flowing down his face. The collar and chest area of his clothes were also wet.
I was stunned and asked him what was going on. Zhang Kanwen only replied indifferently that he was cultivating.
I was puzzled after hearing that. Cultivation in Metaphysics was different from training the body. Under normal circumstances, it was impossible to sweat a lot. However, each sect's cultivation method was different, so I didn't ask too much. I changed the topic and briefly explained my purpose for coming here.
After hearing my words, Zhang Kanwen smiled and said, "I've heard from Wen Fei that your cultivation technique isn't simple. Previously in Meizhou, you were able to block Lu Chengping's Gangyu's Seven Steps with a mere Pressure Point Realm. Now that you've mastered the Astral Steps, its power will definitely be extraordinary.
Alright, when do you think it's a good time for us to exchange pointers? "
Before coming here, I had already thought about the time and place for the exchange. I immediately replied, "Tomorrow is the thirtieth of the twelfth lunar month. Xiao Jin transforms twice at the beginning and middle of each month. He needs to go to a secluded place. The two of us should go there together and exchange pointers."
When I introduced Xiao Jin last time, I only said that he had a restriction in his body and couldn't use his strength. I didn't tell him about Xiao Jin's transformation. Hearing this, Zhang Kanwen was stunned. However, he didn't ask anything and just nodded in agreement.
After discussing this matter, Zhang Kanwen went downstairs with me and ate lunch with Xie Chenghua and Liu Chuande. Afterwards, he hurriedly returned to his room.
I didn't hurry to go back. I stayed behind to check the accounts with Xie Chenghua and Liu Chuande. Then, I gave them a sum of money.
Although they were under my control and had to work for me, I couldn't treat them like slaves even if I had a restriction. Of course, I wouldn't hesitate to give them the payment they deserved.
After dealing with this matter, I gave them a holiday. "During the New Year, they can go home to reunite with their families. After the New Year, after dealing with their family matters, we can come back and continue our business."
Zhang Kanwen and I were different. They had their own families, and it wasn't appropriate for them to stay here alone during the New Year's Eve.
Xie Chenghua agreed with me with a smile on his face. He repeatedly thanked me.
However, Liu Chuande hesitated for a while. "I don't need to go back for the New Year's Eve. I want to stay in the shop."
I was bewildered. After asking, I learned that his parents had passed away a long time ago. He had no wife or children. Although he had a few brothers, at his age, they had already married and had children. They had their own families. It wasn't appropriate for him to go to their homes during the New Year's Eve. Even if he went back to Foshan, he would be living alone. It would be better for him to stay here and keep me company.
Metaphysics was also considered cultivation, but it didn't mean to be a monk. In fact, marrying and having children was a part of one's life. It was good for cultivation. Not many people would stay single for the rest of their lives. It wasn't in line with the traditional values of China.
I didn't know if Liu Chuande had never married or if something had happened to him. I wanted to ask him, but he looked gloomy. After hesitating for a while, I didn't ask. I just smiled and nodded, asking him to stay.
In the blink of an eye, it was the next day. At noon, I took Xiao Jin and Zhang Kanwen out. I wanted to call a taxi, but since it was almost the New Year's Eve, all the cars on the street had disappeared. Feeling helpless, I had to call Wang Kun.
Last time, when I was helping Xiao Jin find a place to transform, Wang Kun had told me that his wife was having a baby. I had promised him that when the baby was born, I would give him a locket. However, too many things had happened recently, and I didn't have time to do that. I had forgotten about it and hadn't given him the locket until now.
A few days ago, I remembered that I wanted to visit his house. But then I thought about it. It was almost the New Year's Eve. If I gave him a locket during the New Year's Eve, it would be a good time.
Wang Kun's voice was a little gloomy on the phone. I asked him to come over, and he didn't ask. He just agreed. Not long after, he drove to the shop. After Xiao Jin, Zhang Kanwen, and I got in the car, we headed to Hui Province.
Although Wang Kun was a steady person, he was a lively person. Usually, when we stayed together, we would have a lot to talk about. But today, he was very unusual. He just drove and didn't say a word.
I felt strange. I wanted to ask him if something had happened to him, but when I lifted my head and saw his face, I swallowed the words I wanted to ask. I furrowed my brows.
Wang Kun didn't look right. It wasn't his mental state, but his face. There was an obvious dark aura.