Day after day, Cedric settled back into his routine, quietly cultivating as time slipped by like sand through his fingers. Cedric immersed himself in his routine, and before long, Old Blue arrived again with the monthly resources. Just as Old Blue was about to leave, Cedric stopped him, "Old Blue, do you have any lightning-attributed cultivation technique?"
Old Blue frowned, clearly puzzled. "Why do you need that? You are already cultivating [Solar Ascension]."
Cedric met his gaze steadily. "Don't forget, I come from the Raivorn Tribe. Our lineage carries the blood of Raion, the mythical beast revered for lightning and thunder. If I cultivate a lightning-attributed technique, my progress will be smoother and faster."
Old Blue fell silent for a moment, then sighed. "I'll have to ask Young Master Julian."
Cedric nodded, and Old Blue stepped aside to contact Julian. Whatever discussion passed between them remained unknown, but after a while, Old Blue returned, forwarding him a cultivation technique through the Universe Bracelet.
"This is Lightning Force Circulation Art. Cultivate it carefully. You're already practicing [Solar Ascension]. Switching methods midway could damage your foundation, or worse."
Cedric smiled faintly. "I understand."
In truth, he wasn't worried. From the beginning, while cultivating [Solar Ascension], he had sensed that his body could accommodate another technique without rejection. The real reason he sought lightning cultivation was simply that his Raion Bloodline was fading. He was only guessing if cultivating a powerful lightning-attributed cultivation method could nourish it or perhaps even awaken it.
---
From that day onward, Cedric quietly began cultivating the Lightning Force Circulation Art. The first cycle was harsh as arcs of faint lightning threaded through his meridians, burning and numbing at the same time. By the third day, he had already completed the full cultivation framework, and the technique settled into his body as though it belonged there.
He did feel a faint stirring in his blood, but after careful sensing, he realized it wasn't his bloodline awakening; it was simply the unfamiliar lightning force beginning to root itself inside his body.
Two weeks later, he summoned Lior and handed him the technique.
Lior was stunned at first. He was already cultivating a lightning method inherited from the Raivorn Tribe, but it was clearly inferior. Compared to Lightning Force Circulation Art, his former technique felt crude and shallow.
So, when Cedric told Lior that it was a Tier-3 Cultivation Technique, his eyes lit up. He immediately thanked Cedric.
Cedric only smiled. At that moment, the system chimed as three options appeared before him, each a 300-times return once again.
After thinking over it for a few minutes, Cedric chose ⧼Celestial Lightning Force Circulation Art⧽ without hesitation.
This technique was an Elite-Core level cultivation method, designed not only to refine lightning force but to fuse it into every layer of the body. Practitioners could convert ordinary lightning force into Celestial Lightning, which is purer and more destructive.
Naturally, Cedric abandoned the old technique and began cultivating the ⧼Celestial Lightning Force Circulation Art⧽. Because both originated from the same lineage, the conversion was smooth, almost effortless.
Another quiet month passed.
Cedric called Lior again. They sat across from each other on the rocky platform beside the mine, lightning faintly crackling around Cedric's fingertips.
This time, Cedric decided to check on Lior's progress and give him some suggestions.
When Cedric asked, Lior started cultivating the ⧼Lightning Force Circulation Art⧽ in front of him.
After some time, Cedric said, "Your lightning is too scattered. You let it run wild inside your meridians, so it wastes itself. Lightning seems violent, but its true strength lies in precision."
"Guide it like a blade edge. When you inhale, gather it at the heart. When you exhale, sink it into your core. Never let it linger in your limbs longer than necessary, that causes hidden injuries."
As Cedric said, he demonstrated as well. A thin line of lightning flowed through him.
Lior's eyes widened in surprise. "It's so fast, but so stable!"
Cedric nodded. "Lightning Force is not merely energy; it is a principle. Think of it as the embodiment of inevitability. When lightning descends, it doesn't negotiate, it doesn't wander, and it doesn't slow down. It finds the weakest point in the world and tears straight through it. That is why Lightning Force is feared: it ignores defenses that rely on endurance and collapses them at their most fragile link. It also carries judgment in its nature. It strikes fastest where resistance is greatest, forcing everything it touches to reveal its flaws."
"When a warrior bears Lightning Force, his movements become direct, uncompromising, and brutally honest. Hesitation weakens it, and doubt scatters it. But clarity, intent, and decisiveness make it grow sharper."
"The Lightning Force Circulation Art..."
Cedric talked about Lightning Force and Lightning Force Circulation Art a lot. He poured out everything he knew about Lightning Force and everything he understood about the Lightning Force Circulation Art.
In fact, because he was now already cultivating the Celestial Lightning Force Circulation Art, he had a very deep understanding of Lightning Force Circulation Art, which was clearly a lower level of cultivation method extracted from the Celestial Lightning Force Circulation Art.
In the end, when Lior left, he could barely contain his exhilaration. His steps were light and hurried, as if afraid the knowledge he just learned might escape him if he didn't train immediately.
It was also at this time that the system rang in Cedric's mind.
[Successfully imparted his understanding of Lightning Force and Lightning Force Circulation Art to the bound person!]
[Base return multiplier: 10x.]
[Processing return…]
[Detecting that the imparted content had greatly benefited the recipient and cleared many confusions and misunderstandings. An 80x critical reward has been triggered. The final return multiplier is 800x!]
[Please choose between three options...]
﹂ Complete in-depth comprehension of Celestial Lightning Force Circulation Art
﹂ 80 days of Lightning Force Comprehension
﹂ Level 1 of Lightning Domain
"This..."
Cedric took a deep breath in shock and almost erupted with all his aura.
It couldn't be helped. The options given by the system this time were truly marvelous. Cedric didn't even hesitate to choose the third option.
Why?
Because only Earthen Soul Realm warriors are said to be capable of comprehending a domain, even that, when they are on the verge of advancing to an entirely new realm of cultivation.
Only those monstrous geniuses, the ones who defied all common sense and were hailed as future legends, could touch upon Domain while still at the Awakening Realm. Throughout history, each one of them eventually shook the Midnight Land.
How did Cedric know this?
Because he wasn't just cultivating these past few months. He was also getting familiar with the Midnight Land through his Universe Bracelet.