The black mist had already dispersed, but all the small shattered stones still floated in the air, motionless. Upon closer inspection, one would notice that a trace of almost imperceptible black mist was firmly Entanglement around each shattered stone.

"Object Manipulation isn't just about controlling one object; it's about being able to disperse Spiritual Qi into countless portions, with each portion capable of controlling a single object. That's what true Object Manipulation is!"

"When you were performing Alchemy earlier, you would retrieve Materials one at a time. However, I also noticed that sometimes three to five types of Materials needed to be added simultaneously. Although you managed without confusion, wouldn't it be more efficient if you could do it like me?"

"Of course, if this method is applied to attacks, its power will also multiply."

As Old Hei's voice resonated, the countless shattered stones suddenly moved in unison.

Each shattered stone was like a meteor, tracing countless different trajectories in the air, instantly arriving beside Jiang Yun from all directions, firmly surrounding him and leaving him nowhere to escape.

Jiang Yun's gaze followed the clear trajectories formed by the black mist in the air. The excitement on his face slowly transformed into an expression of realization. He murmured to himself, "Spiritual Qi Object Manipulation, to put it plainly, still lies in the control of Spiritual Qi; it just becomes more complex, and the demands on Spiritual Qi control become more precise."

In fact, as early as when Jiang Yun first learned fire-attribute techniques, he had already realized the importance of Spiritual Qi control. He even used the method of grasping small stones to enhance his control over Spiritual Qi, striving not to waste even a trace of Spiritual Qi. Therefore, after seeing Old Hei's demonstration, he quickly grasped the key point.

Old Hei had been observing Jiang Yun's expression changes. Seeing the realization on Jiang Yun's face and hearing his words, he knew that Jiang Yun had understood.

However, he continued to manipulate the shattered stones in the air, constantly drawing one trajectory after another, allowing Jiang Yun to observe carefully.

It was only after a long while that Old Hei spoke again, "Among Cultivators, there are Sword Cultivators. The so-called Sword Manipulation Technique, and even flying with artifacts, are all, in the final analysis, evolved from Spiritual Qi Object Manipulation."

"Now, do you want to learn the Cloud Heaven Mist Earth Technique, or would you like to become more familiar with Spiritual Qi Object Manipulation?"

Jiang Yun immediately replied without thinking, "Spiritual Qi Object Manipulation."

Old Hei smiled slightly and said, "Good. When you feel ready, I'll teach you!"

After speaking, Old Hei withdrew the mist, and the shattered stones in the air, losing his control, naturally scattered onto the ground around Jiang Yun.

Jiang Yun paid no more attention to Old Hei. He sat down cross-legged again, and with a wave of his hand, streams of Spiritual Qi transformed into small whirlwinds, beginning to sweep towards the shattered stones.

Watching Jiang Yun, who was already immersed in manipulating the stones, Old Hei thought to himself, "To achieve precise control over Spiritual Qi, there aren't many tricks; what's needed is continuous practice and familiarity. It's just that this process is too monotonous and boring, so most Cultivators are unwilling to waste too much time. I wonder to what extent Jiang Laodi can persevere!"

Little did he know that compared to spending nearly sixteen years memorizing the characteristics of tens of thousands of plants and animals, the current process of manipulating stones was far more interesting to Jiang Yun.

...

Jiang Yun had never expected that his trip to the Trapped Beast Forest would last a full three months!

In fact, if it weren't for his concern that his Senior Brother and Second Senior Sister might search for him if he was away from the Sect for too long after their return, he would have stayed in the Trapped Beast Forest even longer.

However, when he eagerly rushed back to Hidden Peak, he found that his Senior Brother and Second Senior Sister had not yet returned. The entire Hidden Peak still only had him!

This also deepened Jiang Yun's worry, but he was powerless and could do nothing. He even wanted to find someone to ask, but didn't know who to ask, so he could only return to his small room with disappointment.

After a period of daze, Jiang Yun raised his wrist, and a jade bottle appeared before him, along with over a hundred low-grade Spirit Stones.

Inside the jade bottle were the results of his Alchemy during the last two months in the Trapped Beast Forest: nine Qi Induction Pills and—three Meridian Opening Pills!

The Meridian Opening Pill, a second-grade Medicinal Pill, as its name suggests, is used to open Meridians. Although not as precious as the Tongtian Pill, it is a rare and desirable item for Cultivators in the Tongmai Realm.

At least within the entire Wen Dao Sect, the number of Meridian Opening Pills is not too large. Utility Disciples shouldn't even dream of it, and Outer Sect Disciples must spend a large amount of contribution points to obtain one.

If others knew that Jiang Yun had refined Meridian Opening Pills, his status within the Wen Dao Sect would immediately rise. Even if he couldn't compare to Fang Yuxuan, the top Inner Sect Disciple, he certainly wouldn't be too far off.

Of course, if the news that he could refine Tongtian Pills spread, then even Wei Zhengyang and the other Five Peaks Peak Lords would not dare to openly provoke or suppress him.

However, Jiang Yun had no intention of publicizing this news. It wasn't that he deliberately hid it; he simply didn't think that his ability to refine Medicinal Pills was anything extraordinary.

Looking at the jade bottle and the Spirit Stones, Jiang Yun did not immediately summon the black stone. Instead, he recalled his experiences of the past three months.

During the last two months in the Trapped Beast Forest, aside from Alchemy, he spent most of his time learning Spiritual Qi Object Manipulation and the Cloud Heaven Mist Earth Technique, with no time to think about other matters.

It must be said that Old Hei's attainments in techniques were indeed extremely profound; in Jiang Yun's heart, even his Second Senior Sister was somewhat inferior to him.

It was precisely because of Old Hei's diligent guidance that Jiang Yun truly benefited greatly. Naturally, this also reminded him of Old Hei's identity as a Yao Race member.

Actually, regarding this point, he had one major confusion: since the Wen Dao Sect and Old Hei were irreconcilable, why did he become friends with his Senior Brother?

A moment later, Jiang Yun suddenly smiled and shook his head, saying, "Aren't Old Hei and I friends now! Since I can become friends with him, then with Senior Brother's helpful personality, what's so strange about him becoming friends with Old Hei?"

Thinking of his Senior Brother, the smile on Jiang Yun's face faded. He stopped overthinking, summoned the black stone, held it in his hand, and aimed it directly at a Spirit Stone.

After exploding over thirty Spirit Stones, Jiang Yun not only successfully increased the efficacy of the nine Qi Induction Pills by threefold but also discovered that, like beast cores, each Spirit Stone contained Dao Intent, with the quantity varying—some having as many as three, others as few as one.

Furthermore, a threefold increase in Medicinal Pill efficacy was not a simple increase; it could even elevate the grade of the Medicinal Pill!