The crimson wheel rises in the east, its radiance swift as an arrow.
—Ancient Poems, Nineteen Verses
…
After three months of modification, Wu Tong finally completed his revision of Xuan Tian Gong.
By integrating the Dao and logic from the five core techniques, ideas from novels he'd read in his previous life, the wild speculations of netizens on old forums, and some practical, time-tested knowledge from Douluo Continent's long history, Wu Tong created an entirely new cultivation method.
The original technique had been altered beyond recognition. It was no longer Xuan Tian Gong, but a new creation altogether.
[Qi Cultivation Method · Crimson Wheel True Canon]
"Crimson Wheel" was another mythological name for the sun. Wu Tong used the "Eight Hundred and Forty Million Particles" theory from a novel's divine technique (Elephant Suppressing Hell Force) as reference. He opened 720 acupoints throughout the body, each housing spiritual essence, forming 720 dantian-like nodes.
Then, borrowing the principle of refining pure yang energy from Purple Demon Eye, he simulated the power of the great sun in his cultivation. Within each acupoint, he condensed a crimson sun, forging pure yang essence, ultimately forming 720 Crimson Wheels. With their power, one could boil oceans, incinerate the sky, and silence the stars.
Theoretical realms included: Lesser Yang, Pure Yang, Solar Sun, Extreme Yang, and True Yang. However, due to lack of sufficient reference data, Wu Tong had only completed the Lesser Yang stage. Still, that alone was enough to reach Title Douluo level—though the resource cost would be unimaginable.
The Crimson Wheel True Canon had many advantages. Once cultivated successfully, the body would become indestructible like diamond. A Lesser Yang Golden Body could be formed. One could control fire, use flame in battle, and the internal energy would become vast like a boundless ocean. It could temper blood and forge the physical body.
Of course, it also had drawbacks. The biggest one was the enormous resource consumption. Another limitation was that before reaching the "Solar Sun" realm, it could only absorb the sun's power during dawn or dusk. At other times, solar energy was too intense to bear.
Wu Tong had even crazier ideas while creating this technique. As the saying goes: "Samantabhadra's form manifests without end—eighty-four thousand pores, each a realm, each a Buddha, each a temple."
If acupoints could be opened to store energy, then why not other body structures? In Buddhist belief, even human pores house divine beings.
But food must be eaten one bite at a time, and the path must be walked step by step. Without sufficient knowledge right now, these were just ambitious thoughts.
"At last it's done. Even if it's only the Lesser Yang stage, it's enough for me to dominate the Douluo Continent."
"Although I don't have to worry about self-preservation anymore, my overall plan must continue. If I want to accumulate more knowledge, only the Spirit Hall has the resources to satisfy that for now."
After finalizing the Crimson Wheel True Canon, Wu Tong stood up and slowly stretched his body, which had grown stiff after being indoors for three months.
As he walked out of the dormitory, he thought to himself—
Duang~
Wu Tong, distracted, accidentally bumped into a soft, fragrant figure.
Startled, he quickly stepped back. When he looked up, he exclaimed, "Sister Mu Lan? What are you doing here?"
It was Mu Lan, one of the only two female members of the Soul Hunting Squad. Today, she wore a snowy white dress that fluttered lightly in the breeze—quiet and ethereal like a solitary moon.
The material looked like smooth silk or delicate gauze. Every movement caused the skirt to sway slightly, revealing glimpses of her long, ivory-white legs.
Her long white hair cascaded like a waterfall down her shoulders, gently tied with simple blue ornaments—elegant, noble, yet effortlessly graceful.
Around her neck hung a simple necklace, perhaps embedded with a shimmering gem. It complemented her white dress beautifully, enhancing her refined aura even further.
"Little Wu Tong, I'm a guest lecturer at Nuoding Academy," she replied flatly. "Members of the Soul Hunting Squad take part-time jobs when there aren't missions."
Mu Lan's cool voice carried a kind of indescribable allure. Her tone was like a gentle autumn breeze—calm, soft, and distant.
Lonely, yet peaceful. Like a bright moon hanging silently in the night sky—cold, yet quietly beautiful.
Mu Lan wasn't actually that old—just seventeen—and yet had already cultivated to rank thirty-nine.
Considering the slow progress typical of auxiliary-type Martial Souls, she was undeniably a genius.
"What? Then that means… Sister Mu Lan, you're my teacher now?"
Wu Tong was stunned by her calm answer.
"That's right, little Wu Tong. From now on, remember to call me 'teacher' when you see me."
Seeing how shocked he was, Mu Lan's usually cool gaze carried a flicker of mischief.
"Uh… sure, Sister Mu Lan. Got it, Sister Mu Lan. Next time, definitely, Sister Mu Lan."
Wu Tong deployed his tried-and-true evasion tactic—the same one he used on Fatty.
Mu Lan: (﹏)
She didn't fall for it and looked rather displeased.
But Wu Tong didn't seem bothered. Instead, he asked curiously, "Then what are you doing here, Sister Mu Lan?"
"I've broken through to Soul Ancestor. Our squad was planning to hunt a soul ring for me today," Mu Lan explained. "But after hearing your theories before, Brother Wu Tu and the others thought you might be able to suggest a better soul ring match. So, we wanted to treat you to a meal and ask for your help planning which soul beast I should hunt."
"You reached rank forty already?" Wu Tong was surprised. He recalled hearing that she'd only just hit thirty-nine about four months ago.
Could auxiliary-type soul cultivation really be this fast?
"That's right. My Martial Soul, Moonlight Melody Zither, is a beneficial mutation. I can absorb moonlight at night to cultivate and raise my soul power. That's how I managed to break through so quickly."
Mu Lan explained patiently upon seeing the confusion on Wu Tong's face.
"Well then, I'd be happy to hear what your team has in mind for the soul ring."
Wu Tong nodded in agreement.
As the saying goes, "Three cobblers together can match Zhuge Liang."
Of course, that didn't mean three cobblers were as wise as Zhuge Liang—no matter if it's three, thirty, or even three hundred, they'd still fall short.
What the saying really meant was that with more people, more ideas emerge.
Sometimes, an idea someone blurts out might just spark a breakthrough for a genius.
Wu Tong understood this well. He was curious to see how Wu Tu and the others would approach Mu Lan's fourth soul ring.
After all, a soul hunting squad that operated year-round would have insight into soul beasts that books couldn't offer.
Books were always incomplete.
To truly learn, one had to listen to others—because knowledge gained from paper alone would always be shallow.
Before long, Mu Lan brought Wu Tong to a hotel in the western part of Nuoding City.
Rose Hotel.
When Wu Tong saw the familiar name, his mouth twitched. Was this a branch of that Rose Hotel in Soto City?
Both names were flower-themed.
Both were hotels.
Too similar.
He shook his head and let go of the thought, then followed Mu Lan inside.
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