rán hòu lín xuān kāi shǐ xiū liàn dì èr gè fǎ shù ， bīng zhēn jué ！
然后林轩开始修炼第二个法术，冰针诀！
Then Lin Xuan began to practice the second technique, Ice Needle Art!
suī rán zhè jǐn jǐn shì yí gè zhōng jiē de fǎ jué ， rán ér què bǐ jiào tè shū ， yīn wèi tā de wēi lì shèn zhì kě yǐ hé bù shǎo zhù jī qī cái néng xiū liàn de gāo jiē fǎ jué xiāng bǐ 。
虽然这仅仅是一个中阶的法诀，然而却比较特殊，因为它的威力甚至可以和不少筑基期才能修炼的高阶法诀相比。
Although this was merely a middle-grade technique, it was rather special. Its power could even compare with some high-grade techniques that required Foundation Establishment stage practitioners to master.
zài xiū zhēn jiè ， fǎ shù fēn wéi sān gè děng jí ， dī jiē de xiān bù shuō ， nà me zhōng jiē de hé gāo jiē de yòu shì rú hé qū fēn de ne ？
在修真界，法术分为三个等级，低阶的先不说，那么中阶的和高阶的又是如何区分的呢？
In the cultivation world, techniques were divided into three levels: low-grade, middle-grade, and high-grade. Setting aside the low-grade ones for now, how were middle-grade and high-grade techniques distinguished?
duì ， dàn bìng bú shì quán bù ， qí shí qū fēn tā men de zhǔ yào biāo zhǔn ， shì líng dòng qī néng gòu xiū liàn de jiù shì zhōng jiē fǎ shù ， ér bì xū yào zhù jī qī cái néng xiū liàn de jiù shì gāo jiē fǎ shù 。
对，但并不是全部，其实区分它们的主要标准，是灵动期能够修炼的就是中阶法术，而必须要筑基期才能修炼的就是高阶法术。
Yes, but not entirely. The main criterion was whether a technique could be practiced during the Flexible Spirit Period; those that required Foundation Establishment stage practitioners to master were considered high-grade.
yì bān shuō lái ， gāo jiē fǎ shù yāo qiú jiào gāo ， wēi lì zì rán yě jiù qiáng ， dàn fán shì dōu yǒu lì wài ， zài zhōng jiē fǎ jué zhōng ， yǒu wéi yī yí gè tè shū de ， nà jiù shì bīng zhēn jué ！
一般说来，高阶法术要求较高，威力自然也就强，但凡事都有例外，在中阶法诀中，有唯一一个特殊的，那就是冰针诀！
Generally speaking, high-grade techniques had higher requirements and thus stronger power. However, there were exceptions. Among middle-grade techniques, there was one unique exception: Ice Needle Art!
líng dòng qī yě néng xiū liàn ， dàn bīng zhēn jué de wēi lì què bìng bù bǐ mǒu xiē gāo jiē de fǎ shù xùn sè ， wèi zhè ge wèn tí ， jù shuō yī xiē qián bèi xiū zhēn zhě hái zhēng zhí guò ， shuō yīng gāi jiāng tā huà wèi gāo jiē fǎ shù 。
灵动期也能修炼，但冰针诀的威力却并不比某些高阶的法术逊色，为这个问题，据说一些前辈修真者还争执过，说应该将它划为高阶法术。
It could be mastered during the Flexible Spirit Period, but its power did not fall short of some high-grade techniques. This issue even led to debates among senior cultivators who suggested it should be classified as a high-grade technique.
dàn bù zhī dào shén me yuán yīn ， zhè ge tí yì méi yǒu tōng guò ， bīng zhēn jué zài 《 fǎ shù dà quán 》 zhōng ， hái shì bèi liè wèi zhōng jiē ， dāng rán ， shì zhōng jiē zhōng zuì qiáng de 。
但不知道什么原因，这个提议没有通过，冰针诀在《法术大全》中，还是被列为中阶，当然，是中阶中最强的。
However, for reasons unknown, this proposal was not adopted. In the Comprehensive Techniques Manual, Ice Needle Art remained categorized as middle-grade, though it was considered the strongest in its category.
yǒu rén jiāng bīng zhēn jué xì chēng wéi “ wěi zhōng jiē fǎ shù ”。
有人将冰针诀戏称为“伪中阶法术”。
Some referred to Ice Needle Art戏称为 "pseudo-middle-grade techniques."
líng dòng qī jiù néng xiū liàn ， wēi lì yòu néng yǔ gāo jiē fǎ shù xiāng bǐ ， chū yī tīng ， bīng zhēn jué jù yǒu mò dà de yòu huò ， dī jiē de dì zǐ rén rén dōu yīng gāi xiǎng xiū liàn ， rán ér zhēn shí de qíng kuàng bìng fēi rú cǐ ， tiān xià kě méi yǒu zhè yàng de hǎo shì ， jiù rú tóng yǒu duō dà de fù chū ， cái huì yǒu duō dà de shōu huò yī yàng ， bīng zhēn jué de wēi lì suī rán guān jué zhōng jiē fǎ shù ， dàn nán xiū liàn yě shì chū le míng de 。
灵动期就能修炼，威力又能与高阶法术相比，初一听，冰针诀具有莫大的诱惑，低阶的弟子人人都应该想修炼，然而真实的情况并非如此，天下可没有这样的好事，就如同有多大的付出，才会有多大的收获一样，冰针诀的威力虽然冠绝中阶法术，但难修炼也是出了名的。
Being able to master it during the Flexible Spirit Period and having power comparable to high-grade techniques made Ice Needle Art highly alluring. Low-grade disciples should all want to practice it. However, reality was not so straightforward; there were no such good things in this world. As with greater effort leading to greater rewards, while Ice Needle Art's power was unparalleled among middle-grade techniques, its difficulty of mastery was also notorious.
tā duì fǎ lì de yāo qiú dào bù suàn gāo ， dàn xiǎng yào liàn chéng ， shén shí què bì xū fēi cháng qiáng dà ， yīn wèi suǒ wèi de bīng zhēn jué ， qí shí jiù shì yòng líng lì jiāng kōng qì zhōng de shuǐ fèn níng jié chéng shù bǎi gēn bīng zhēn ， měi yī gēn dōu jiān ruò gāng tiě ， rán hòu cāo zòng zhè xiē bīng zhēn shāng dí 。
它对法力的要求到不算高，但想要练成，神识却必须非常强大，因为所谓的冰针诀，其实就是用灵力将空气中的水分凝结成数百根冰针，每一根都坚若钢铁，然后操纵这些冰针伤敌。
Its requirement for spiritual energy wasn't particularly high, but mastering it demanded a very powerful spirit awareness. Because Ice Needle Art essentially involved condensing moisture from the air into hundreds of ice needles, each as hard as steel, and then manipulating these needles to attack enemies.
měi yī méi bīng zhēn suī xiǎo ， dàn tóng shí yào cāo zòng shù bǎi méi ， duì shén shí de yāo qiú gāo dào nán yǐ xiǎng xiàng ， liàn xí de shí hòu fēi cháng xīn kǔ 。
每一枚冰针虽小，但同时要操纵数百枚，对神识的要求高到难以想像，练习的时候非常辛苦。
Each needle might be small, but controlling hundreds at once required an unimaginably strong spirit awareness. The practice was extremely arduous.
qiān nián lái ， bù zhī dào yǒu duō shǎo líng dòng qī de dī jiē xiū zhēn zhě cháng shì ， dàn zuì hòu néng gòu liàn chéng de ， què liáo liáo wú jǐ ， zài zhù jī yǐ qián ， xiǎng yào xué huì bīng zhēn jué ， xū yào shí fēn jiān rèn de yì lì 。
千年来，不知道有多少灵动期的低阶修真者尝试，但最后能够练成的，却寥寥无几，在筑基以前，想要学会冰针诀，需要十分坚韧的毅力。
Over a thousand years, countless low-grade Flexible Spirit Period cultivators had attempted it, yet only a few managed to master it before Foundation Establishment stage. Before reaching Foundation Establishment, one needed extraordinary perseverance to learn Ice Needle Art.
lín xuān de bǐ jì ， xiě dé hěn xiáng xì ， bù jǐn yǒu bīng zhēn jué de xiū liàn fāng fǎ ， hái yǒu dāng shí jiào xí duì tā men shuō guò de zhè yī fān huà 。
林轩的笔记，写得很详细，不仅有冰针诀的修炼方法，还有当时教席对他们说过的这一番话。
Lin Xuan's notes were detailed, not just the method of practicing Ice Needle Art but also what their instructor had said at the time.
kùn nán bǎi zài yǎn qián ， dàn lín xuān bù pà ， bié de bù gǎn shuō ， duì yú yì lì ， lín xuān kě shì zì xìn wú bǐ ， liàn xīn lù hái bú shì zhǐ yǒu zhù jī qī yǐ shàng de xiū zhēn zhě cái gǎn jìn qù ， kě zì jǐ yī yàng rěn zhù le huàn jìng de zhé mó 。
困难摆在眼前，但林轩不怕，别的不敢说，对于毅力，林轩可是自信无比，炼心路还不是只有筑基期以上的修真者才敢进去，可自己一样忍住了幻境的折磨。
Challenges lay ahead, but Lin Xuan was not afraid. While he couldn't boast about other qualities, his resilience in terms of willpower was beyond doubt. The Heart Refinement Path wasn't only for Foundation Establishment stage practitioners; he had endured the trials of the Illusory Realm as well.
bīng zhēn jué de wēi lì ràng lín xuān yǎn chán ， xué huì le ， zì jǐ de shí lì jiāng yǒu cháng zú de jìn bù ， wú lùn rú hé yě bù néng tuì suō 。
冰针诀的威力让林轩眼馋，学会了，自己的实力将有长足的进步，无论如何也不能退缩。
The power of Ice Needle Art tempted Lin Xuan. Mastering it would significantly boost his strength. He could not afford to back down under any circumstances.
lín xuān kāi shǐ nǔ lì xiū liàn ， jié guǒ bǐ tā xiǎng xiàng de hái nán ， zuì chū jǐ tiān ， jī hū méi yǒu shén me jìn zhǎn ， jí biàn lín xuān de shén shí ， yuǎn bǐ xiāng tóng xiū wèi de dì zǐ qiáng dà ， kě xiū liàn bīng zhēn jué ， hái shì ràng tā chī zú le kǔ tóu 。
林轩开始努力修炼，结果比他想象的还难，最初几天，几乎没有什么进展，即便林轩的神识，远比相同修为的弟子强大，可修炼冰针诀，还是让他吃足了苦头。
Lin Xuan began to practice diligently, but it proved more difficult than expected. In the first few days, there was little progress. Even though his spirit awareness far surpassed that of other disciples with similar cultivation levels, practicing Ice Needle Art still left him struggling.
duì qí tā rén lái shuō ， zuò yī jiàn shì qíng ， huò zhě shuō liàn xí yī zhǒng fǎ shù ， shī bài yī cì liǎng cì zhèng cháng ， shī bài sān cì sì cì yě kě yǐ rěn shòu ， dàn rú guǒ shī bài gè qī cì bā cì shèn zhì gèng duō ， kěn dìng jiù xīn huī yì lěng ， xuǎn zé fàng qì le 。
对其他人来说，做一件事情，或者说练习一种法术，失败一次两次正常，失败三次四次也可以忍受，但如果失败个七次八次甚至更多，肯定就心灰意冷，选择放弃了。
For others, failing once or twice at a task or technique was normal; even three or four times could be tolerated. But if one failed seven or eight times or more, they would likely lose heart and give up.
bù néng shuō tā men méi yǒu nài xìng ， zhè yě suàn rén zhī cháng qíng ， dàn lín xuān bù yí yàng ， tā xīn zhì jiān rèn ， shǔ yú bǎi zhé bù náo de nà zhǒng ， xiǎng dāng chū ， méi yǒu huò dé tí chún de běn lǐng ， míng zhī dào pǔ tōng rén xiū xiān jiān nán wú bǐ ， kě lín xuān hái shì zài lěng cháo rè fěng zhōng jiān chí le xià qù 。
不能说他们没有耐性，这也算人之常情，但林轩不一样，他心智坚韧，属于百折不挠的那种，想当初，没有获得提纯的本领，明知道普通人修仙艰难无比，可林轩还是在冷嘲热讽中坚持了下去。
They weren't lacking in patience; it was human nature. However, Lin Xuan was different. His mind was resilient, tenacious to the point of indomitable. Back then, even though he knew ordinary people's path to cultivation was incredibly difficult, he persisted through ridicule and criticism.
bié de bù jiǎng ， guāng shì chōng jī líng dòng qī dì èr céng tā jiù shī bài le shù shí cì ， kě yī rán wú yuàn wú huǐ de xiū xíng 。
别的不讲，光是冲击灵动期第二层他就失败了数十次，可依然无怨无悔的修行。
He had failed to break into the second layer of the Flexible Spirit Period dozens of times but continued his practice without complaint.
suǒ yǐ zài xiū liàn bīng zhēn jué de qián jǐ tiān ， jǐn guǎn méi yǒu sī háo jìn zhǎn ， kě lín xuān bié shuō huī xīn ， shèn zhì lián jí zào de xīn qíng dōu méi yǒu ， shǐ zhōng rú yī de xiū liàn 。
所以在修炼冰针诀的前几天，尽管没有丝毫进展，可林轩别说灰心，甚至连急躁的心情都没有，始终如一的修炼。
Thus, in the early days of practicing Ice Needle Art, despite no progress, Lin Xuan showed neither discouragement nor impatience. He remained steadfast in his practice.
jiào xí jiǎng dé hěn qīng chǔ ， suī rán wàn nián yǐ lái ， néng gòu liàn chéng tā de líng dòng qī dì zǐ fèng máo lín jiǎo ， dàn zǒng hái shì yǒu ， bié rén jì rán xíng ， wǒ wèi shén me bàn bú dào ？
教席讲得很清楚，虽然万年以来，能够练成它的灵动期弟子凤毛麟角，但总还是有，别人既然行，我为什么办不到？
The instructor's words were clear: while there had only been a few successful cases among low-grade Flexible Spirit Period disciples over thousands of years, it was not impossible for others to succeed. If they could do it, why couldn't he?
huái zhe zhè zhǒng bù dá mù dì ， shì bù bà xiū de xīn lǐ ， lín xuān kè kǔ xiū liàn ， shī bài le yī biàn yòu yī biàn ， què yuè cuò yuè yǒng ， zhōng yú ， liǎng gè yuè hòu ， bīng zhēn jué lüè yǒu xiǎo chéng 。
怀着这种不达目的，誓不罢休的心理，林轩刻苦修炼，失败了一遍又一遍，却越挫越勇，终于，两个月后，冰针诀略有小成。
With this unwavering determination, Lin Xuan practiced diligently, failing repeatedly but growing stronger with each setback. Finally, after two months, Ice Needle Art showed some progress.
bǐ qǐ xué líng lì hù dùn ， zhǐ huā le sān tiān de shí jiān ， zhǎng wò bīng zhēn jué de sù dù cóng biǎo miàn shàng kàn ， sì hū hěn màn ， dàn qí shí bìng fēi rú cǐ ， gēn jù jì zǎi ， bié shuō líng dòng qī de dī jiē dì zǐ ， jiù suàn shì jìn rù zhù jī qī de gāo shǒu ， xiǎng yào zhǎng wò bīng zhēn jué ， yě chà bu duō yào liǎng yuè ， suǒ yǐ lín xuān de sù dù qí shí yǐ jīng hěn jīng rén 。
比起学灵力护盾，只花了三天的时间，掌握冰针诀的速度从表面上看，似乎很慢，但其实并非如此，根据记载，别说灵动期的低阶弟子，就算是进入筑基期的高手，想要掌握冰针诀，也差不多要两月，所以林轩的速度其实已经很惊人。
While mastering Qi Shield took only three days, the speed at which Lin Xuan learned Ice Needle Art seemed slow compared to that. However, according to records, even high-level Foundation Establishment stage practitioners would take about two months to master it. Thus, Lin Xuan's progress was actually quite remarkable.
tā zhī suǒ yǐ yǒu zhè yàng de chéng jiù ， yī lái shì kè kǔ ， xìng gé shàng yǒng bù fàng qì ， èr lái zé yǔ tiān tiān dà liàng xū yòng xǐ suǐ dān yǒu guān 。
他之所以有这样的成就，一来是刻苦，性格上永不放弃，二来则与天天大量需用洗髓丹有关。
His achievements stemmed from his diligence and never-give-up attitude. Additionally, he consumed a large number of Essence Cleansing Pills daily—nine in total, one being a precious middle-grade pill. The powerful medicinal effects not only helped with cultivation but also greatly benefited the practice of techniques. Therefore, it was no wonder that Lin Xuan could master Ice Needle Art so quickly.
měi tiān jiǔ lì ， qí zhōng yī lì hái shì zhēn guì de zhōng pǐn dān ， qiáng dà de yào lì ， bù jǐn yǒu zhù yú tí shēng xiū wèi ， duì yú liàn xí fǎ shù ， yě shì hǎo chù duō duō ， suǒ yǐ lín xuān néng gòu zài jiào duǎn shí jiān nèi zhǎng wò bīng zhēn jué ， yě jiù bù qí guài le 。
每天九粒，其中一粒还是珍贵的中品丹，强大的药力，不仅有助于提升修为，对于练习法术，也是好处多多，所以林轩能够在较短时间内掌握冰针诀，也就不奇怪了。
As the strongest middle-grade technique, Ice Needle Art lived up to its reputation. On the day he mastered it, Lin Xuan returned to the mysterious canyon where only he knew and secretly tested its power.
ér zuò wèi zuì qiáng de zhōng jiē fǎ shù ， bīng zhēn jué yě shèng míng wú xū ， liàn chéng dí dàng tiān ， lín xuān jiù zài cì lái dào nà zhǐ yǒu zì jǐ zhī dào de shén mì xiá gǔ ， qiāo qiāo shì yàn tā de wēi lì 。
而做为最强的中阶法术，冰针诀也盛名无虚，练成的当天，林轩就再次来到那只有自己知道的神秘峡谷，悄悄试验它的威力。
First, he selected a large stone weighing over a thousand catties as his target. Then, Lin Xuan began to mobilize his spiritual energy. He extended his right hand, and with a crackling sound, white mist surrounded his palm, forming hundreds of crystal-clear ice needles within the mist.
shǒu xiān xuǎn le yī kuài zhòng yú qiān jīn de dà shí ， zuò wèi gōng jī de mù biāo ， rán hòu lín xuān kāi shǐ diào dòng tǐ nèi de líng lì ， tā shēn chū yòu shǒu ， cī lā shēng xiǎng zhōng ， shǒu zhǎng de shàng fāng bái wù yíng rào ， wù qì zhōng chū xiàn le shàng bǎi gēn jīng yíng tī tòu de bīng zhēn 。
首先选了一块重逾千斤的大石，做为攻击的目标，然后林轩开始调动体内的灵力，他伸出右手，刺啦声响中，手掌的上方白雾萦绕，雾气中出现了上百根晶莹剔透的冰针。
Lin Xuan waved his hand, and these ice needles shot like lightning towards the massive stone. In the icy light, the hard stone was riddled with holes, reduced to a sieve.
lín xuān shǒu yī huī ， nà xiē bīng zhēn jiù jí ruò shǎn diàn de xiàng jù shí fēi le guò qù ， hán guāng zhī zhōng ， jiān yìng de jù shí qiān chuāng bǎi kǒng ， bèi dǎ chéng le shāi zi 。
林轩手一挥，那些冰针就疾偌闪电的像巨石飞了过去，寒光之中，坚硬的巨石千疮百孔，被打成了筛子。
Satisfied, Lin Xuan nodded. Then, he used a low-grade Strength Technique to push the large stone off the cliff. Although this canyon was hidden, even if someone came and didn't know that Ice Needle Art had left traces on the stone, Lin Xuan always ensured his actions were meticulous, leaving no trace.
lín xuān mǎn yì de diǎn diǎn tóu ， rán hòu wèi zì jǐ shī jiā le yí gè dī jiē de jù lì shù ， jiāng dà shí tou tuī xià le shān yá ， suī rán zhè ge xiá gǔ hěn yǐn bì ， ér qiě jiù suàn yǒu rén lái yě bù zhī dào shī zhǎn bīng zhēn jué zài shí tou shàng liú xià hén jì de shì zì jǐ ， dàn lín xuān zuò shì qíng xiàng lái zhěn mì ， néng bù liú pò zhàn jiù jǐn liàng bù liú pò zhàn ， jiāng jù shí tuī xià xuán yá cái wàn wú yī shī 。
林轩满意的点点头，然后为自己施加了一个低阶的巨力术，将大石头推下了山崖，虽然这个峡谷很隐蔽，而且就算有人来也不知道施展冰针诀在石头上留下痕迹的是自己，但林轩做事情向来缜密，能不留破绽就尽量不留破绽，将巨石推下悬崖才万无一失。
After completing all of this, Lin Xuan began to evaluate his mastery of Ice Needle Art. To be honest, according to the instructor's description, simultaneously controlling a hundred ice needles was merely a small accomplishment. When Ice Needle Art reached perfection, it could control nearly a thousand ice needles at once—truly overwhelming and irresistible.
zuò hǎo zhè yī qiè hòu ， lín xuān yòu kāi shǐ píng gū zì jǐ de bīng zhēn jué ， shí huà shí shuō ， àn zhào jiào xí de miáo shù ， zì jǐ tóng shí cāo kòng yì bǎi méi bīng zhēn zhǐ néng suàn shì lüè yǒu xiǎo chéng ， dāng bīng zhēn jué liàn dào lú huǒ chún qīng de dì bù ， jù shuō yī cì kě yǐ cāo kòng jìn yī qiān méi bīng zhēn ， nà cái zhēn de shì pū tiān gài dì ， lìng rén nán yǐ dǐ dǎng 。
做好这一切后，林轩又开始评估自己的冰针诀，实话实说，按照教席的描述，自己同时操控一百枚冰针只能算是略有小成，当冰针诀练到炉火纯青的地步，据说一次可以操控近一千枚冰针，那才真的是铺天盖地，令人难以抵挡。
Although he aspired to such power, Lin Xuan wasn't unrealistic. With his Flexible Spirit Period cultivation, he couldn't master Ice Needle Art to its peak. Moreover, even the current one hundred ice needles had power comparable to some high-grade techniques.
suī rán shén wǎng ， dàn lín xuān kě bú shì nà zhǒng bù qiē shí jì de rén ， yǐ líng dòng qī de xiū wèi ， shì bù kě néng jiāng bīng zhēn jué liàn dào dǐng diǎn de ， hé kuàng jiù suàn shì xiàn zài de yì bǎi méi bīng zhēn ， wēi lì yě kě yǐ hé mǒu xiē gāo jiē fǎ jué xiāng bǐ 。
虽然神往，但林轩可不是那种不切实际的人，以灵动期的修为，是不可能将冰针诀练到顶点的，何况就算是现在的一百枚冰针，威力也可以和某些高阶法诀相比。
One must have ambition but not be overly ambitious. In this state, he had already achieved his predetermined goals.
Then Lin Xuan began to practice the second technique, Ice Needle Art!
Although this was merely a middle-grade technique, it was rather special. Its power could even compare with some high-grade techniques that required Foundation Establishment stage practitioners to master.
In the cultivation world, techniques were divided into three levels: low-grade, middle-grade, and high-grade. Setting aside the low-grade ones for now, how were middle-grade and high-grade techniques distinguished?
Power?
Yes, but not entirely. The main criterion was whether a technique could be practiced during the Flexible Spirit Period; those that required Foundation Establishment stage practitioners to master were considered high-grade.
Generally speaking, high-grade techniques had higher requirements and thus stronger power. However, there were exceptions. Among middle-grade techniques, there was one unique exception: Ice Needle Art!
It could be mastered during the Flexible Spirit Period, but its power did not fall short of some high-grade techniques. This issue even led to debates among senior cultivators who suggested it should be classified as a high-grade technique.
However, for reasons unknown, this proposal was not adopted. In the Comprehensive Techniques Manual, Ice Needle Art remained categorized as middle-grade, though it was considered the strongest in its category.
Some referred to Ice Needle Art戏称为 "pseudo-middle-grade techniques."
Being able to master it during the Flexible Spirit Period and having power comparable to high-grade techniques made Ice Needle Art highly alluring. Low-grade disciples should all want to practice it. However, reality was not so straightforward; there were no such good things in this world. As with greater effort leading to greater rewards, while Ice Needle Art's power was unparalleled among middle-grade techniques, its difficulty of mastery was also notorious.
Its requirement for spiritual energy wasn't particularly high, but mastering it demanded a very powerful spirit awareness. Because Ice Needle Art essentially involved condensing moisture from the air into hundreds of ice needles, each as hard as steel, and then manipulating these needles to attack enemies.
Each needle might be small, but controlling hundreds at once required an unimaginably strong spirit awareness. The practice was extremely arduous.
Over a thousand years, countless low-grade Flexible Spirit Period cultivators had attempted it, yet only a few managed to master it before Foundation Establishment stage. Before reaching Foundation Establishment, one needed extraordinary perseverance to learn Ice Needle Art.
Lin Xuan's notes were detailed, not just the method of practicing Ice Needle Art but also what their instructor had said at the time.
Challenges lay ahead, but Lin Xuan was not afraid. While he couldn't boast about other qualities, his resilience in terms of willpower was beyond doubt. The Heart Refinement Path wasn't only for Foundation Establishment stage practitioners; he had endured the trials of the Illusory Realm as well.
The power of Ice Needle Art tempted Lin Xuan. Mastering it would significantly boost his strength. He could not afford to back down under any circumstances.
Lin Xuan began to practice diligently, but it proved more difficult than expected. In the first few days, there was little progress. Even though his spirit awareness far surpassed that of other disciples with similar cultivation levels, practicing Ice Needle Art still left him struggling.
For others, failing once or twice at a task or technique was normal; even three or four times could be tolerated. But if one failed seven or eight times or more, they would likely lose heart and give up.
They weren't lacking in patience; it was human nature. However, Lin Xuan was different. His mind was resilient, tenacious to the point of indomitable. Back then, even though he knew ordinary people's path to cultivation was incredibly difficult, he persisted through ridicule and criticism.
He had failed to break into the second layer of the Flexible Spirit Period dozens of times but continued his practice without complaint.
Thus, in the early days of practicing Ice Needle Art, despite no progress, Lin Xuan showed neither discouragement nor impatience. He remained steadfast in his practice.
The instructor's words were clear: while there had only been a few successful cases among low-grade Flexible Spirit Period disciples over thousands of years, it was not impossible for others to succeed. If they could do it, why couldn't he?
With this unwavering determination, Lin Xuan practiced diligently, failing repeatedly but growing stronger with each setback. Finally, after two months, Ice Needle Art showed some progress.
While mastering Qi Shield took only three days, the speed at which Lin Xuan learned Ice Needle Art seemed slow compared to that. However, according to records, even high-level Foundation Establishment stage practitioners would take about two months to master it. Thus, Lin Xuan's progress was actually quite remarkable.
His achievements stemmed from his diligence and never-give-up attitude. Additionally, he consumed a large number of Essence Cleansing Pills daily—nine in total, one being a precious middle-grade pill. The powerful medicinal effects not only helped with cultivation but also greatly benefited the practice of techniques. Therefore, it was no wonder that Lin Xuan could master Ice Needle Art so quickly.
As the strongest middle-grade technique, Ice Needle Art lived up to its reputation. On the day he mastered it, Lin Xuan returned to the mysterious canyon where only he knew and secretly tested its power.
First, he selected a large stone weighing over a thousand catties as his target. Then, Lin Xuan began to mobilize his spiritual energy. He extended his right hand, and with a crackling sound, white mist surrounded his palm, forming hundreds of crystal-clear ice needles within the mist.
Lin Xuan waved his hand, and these ice needles shot like lightning towards the massive stone. In the icy light, the hard stone was riddled with holes, reduced to a sieve.
Satisfied, Lin Xuan nodded. Then, he used a low-grade Strength Technique to push the large stone off the cliff. Although this canyon was hidden, even if someone came and didn't know that Ice Needle Art had left traces on the stone, Lin Xuan always ensured his actions were meticulous, leaving no trace.
After completing all of this, Lin Xuan began to evaluate his mastery of Ice Needle Art. To be honest, according to the instructor's description, simultaneously controlling a hundred ice needles was merely a small accomplishment. When Ice Needle Art reached perfection, it could control nearly a thousand ice needles at once—truly overwhelming and irresistible.
Although he aspired to such power, Lin Xuan wasn't unrealistic. With his Flexible Spirit Period cultivation, he couldn't master Ice Needle Art to its peak. Moreover, even the current one hundred ice needles had power comparable to some high-grade techniques.
One must have ambition but not be overly ambitious. In this state, he had already achieved his predetermined goals.