Qiu Xia carefully considered the five visualization methods before looking up at Uncle Jiu. "Master, are there only these five? Are there no others?"
Uncle Jiu fell silent for a moment, then replied, "There are many more visualization methods at Maoshan, but if you want to learn those, you would have to return to the mountain. Besides the ones I have shown you, I only have the Stellar Visualization Method."
Qiu Xia's eyes lit up at the mention of it. "Master, what is this Stellar Visualization Method?"
"The Stellar Visualization Method must be practiced at night by visualizing the stars in the heavens. The benefit is that it allows you to draw upon stellar power to temper your soul. However, it can only be practiced at night.
If you attempt it during the day, your spirit could easily be scorched by solar fire, which is extremely dangerous. Furthermore, while it is easy to initiate, reaching minor or major completion is incredibly difficult. As far as I know, no one who has practiced this method has even reached minor completion."
Qiu Xia did not hesitate for a single second after hearing the description. "Master, I choose the Stellar Visualization Method."
Stellar power existed in every world. Even in the Age of Dharma Decline back on Earth, where spiritual qi was depleted, the stars remained. As for not being able to practice during the day, he could simply practice Taoist arts then.
Besides, it wasn't necessarily impossible to practice during daylight; once his spirit no longer feared the power of the sun, practicing this method under the daylight might even be faster than any other.
Seeing his choice, Uncle Jiu's expression turned solemn. "Qiu Xia, are you certain you want to practice the Stellar Visualization Method?"
"I am certain, Master. Of the other methods you brought, I have no need for the Taiji Visualization Method. As for the Eight Trigrams Visualization Method, my eyes have already manifested an Eight Trigrams Dojutsu under the nourishment of spiritual qi.
The Supreme Purity Visualization Method is mainly for Deity Invitation, and the Talisman Visualization Method is for talismans. If the Stellar Visualization Method weren't an option, my only choice would have been the Nine-Story Pagoda Visualization Method. But since it is, I choose the stars."
Uncle Jiu sighed. "Very well. Since you have made your choice, I will say no more. I only hope you do not regret it in the future."
"Do not worry, Master. I will never regret it."
"Right, Qiu Xia. What exactly is this Dojutsu you mentioned?"
Qiu Xia didn't hide anything. He told Uncle Jiu about how his eyes had upgraded with the help of spiritual qi after returning from the Naruto world and explained their effects.
"Hiss!" Uncle Jiu sucked in a breath of cold air upon hearing about the eyes' power. "Qiu Xia, these eyes of yours are stronger than even some specialized Dharma Eyes."
"I have the Patriarch to thank for that. If he hadn't helped me with the baptism and lifted the curse, these eyes wouldn't have reached this level of strength even if they were naturally powerful.
Master, I'm going to go see if the ninjutsu from the Naruto world can be used here. I'll let you know once the tests are done. In the meantime, why don't you take a look at The Sage's Theft and try to decipher the seals on the Scroll of Seals?"
"You've certainly started ordering your master around!" Uncle Jiu rolled his eyes and gave Qiu Xia a playful flick on the head. "Rest assured, I will find a way to crack the seals on that scroll for you."
Leaving Uncle Jiu's room, Qiu Xia walked out of the Mortuary to a nearby deserted clearing. Practicing ninjutsu here even Fire Release wouldn't cause a fire, provided he could actually pull it off.
He steadied his breathing and centered his state. Then, his hands began to move, weaving through hand seals. As he formed the signs, the mana within his body began to stir. Qiu Xia's eyes brightened.
It was working. If his mana had remained a stagnant pool while he formed the seals, there would be no hope. But the fact that his mana responded meant that ninjutsu was possible in this world.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
With the final seal, Qiu Xia shouted the command. He felt a surge of heat in his throat as a massive fireball, over three meters tall, erupted from his mouth.
Boom!
The giant fireball soared fifty meters through the air before crashing into the earth, blasting a crater over two meters wide into the ground.
"The effect is decent, and the consumption is acceptable. Now, let's try this... Water Style: Water Bullet."
As Qiu Xia finished the seals, a sphere of water shot out, striking the center of the existing crater.
"Not bad. Again. Lightning Style: Falling Tiger! Wind Style: Breakthrough! Earth Style: Earth Fountain Spikes!"
One ninjutsu after another flowed from Qiu Xia's hands. The crater he was attacking gradually widened, marked by a chaotic variety of elemental scars.
Having confirmed he could use ninjutsu, Qiu Xia was like a child with a new toy. He cast spell after spell until his mana was completely exhausted. Even then, he wasn't satisfied. He used the power of The Sage's Theft to rapidly recover spiritual qi and continued playing until dusk. Only after filling in the massive hole did he return to the Mortuary.
He still wanted to practice more, but it was time for dinner, and he had to learn the Stellar Visualization Method that night.
Qiu Xia timed his return perfectly. Just as he entered the Mortuary, Wencai and Qiusheng were bringing the food to the table. Seeing him, Qiusheng asked curiously, "Little Junior Brother, where did you run off to? You've been gone all day."
"I learned some new tricks and spent the day testing them out," Qiu Xia replied. He then looked at Uncle Jiu. "Master, ninjutsu works."
Uncle Jiu nodded. "Eat first. After dinner, I will protect your path and teach you the visualization mantra."
Wencai pouted. "Master, you're being biased."
Uncle Jiu glared at him. "Biased? Do you think you're ready to practice visualization? You can only learn visualization techniques when you are progressing from a Human Master to an Earth Master."
"But isn't Little Junior Brother just a Taoist Priest? How can he learn it?" Wencai asked defiantly.
Qiu Xia smiled. "Senior Brother Wencai, my cultivation has already reached Human Master Perfection."
"So fast? You were just a Taoist Priest yesterday, and today you're already at Human Master Perfection!" Not just Wencai—Qiusheng's eyes nearly popped out of his head.
"The Human Master realm requires opening the meridians throughout the body. While I was at the Taoist Priest level, I accumulated enough mana to smoothly open all my meridians and advance straight to Human Master Perfection."
"Little Junior Brother's aptitude is truly monstrous. Not even ten years old and already at Human Master Perfection, on the verge of the Earth Master realm. Forget Maoshan I doubt there's anyone this strong in the entire supernatural world."
Uncle Jiu chuckled. "There is always a mountain higher than the one you stand on. Your Junior Brother's talent is excellent, but there will always be someone better. So, you mustn't become arrogant, understood?"
Qiu Xia nodded respectfully. "Yes, Master."
After a simple meal, Uncle Jiu sent Qiusheng and Wencai to their rooms to draw talismans. Qiu Xia remained in the courtyard under Uncle Jiu's guidance to begin his visualization practice.
While most visualization methods were best practiced indoors with an elder protecting the path, the Stellar Visualization Method was different. Its first cultivation had to take place outdoors under the open sky.
After observing the star-studded sky, Qiu Xia focused his attention on a single star. He studied it for several moments before closing his eyes and initiating the visualization.
As he practiced, a miniature star appeared within Qiu Xia's Sea of Consciousness. It was blurry at first, but as the visualization technique took hold, the star grew increasingly bright and large.
Once that star had reached a certain size, a second and third star popped into existence within his mind. Just like the first, these stars grew rapidly, and soon, more stars began to manifest, appearing faster and more frequently with every passing moment.
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