Based on the evening's developments, it is now confirmed that the imperial court is aware of this matter and has begun to monitor it.

  Under these circumstances, it won't take long for the court to determine how those people acquired their superpowers, which means Dong Qi's newfound abilities might soon be exposed.

  However, that's a concern for later. If they are ultimately revealed, the restrictions on item upgrades he obtained from the Blue Planet will also become known. The gift from the Earth Mother to the wanderer, the ability to manifest items from thought, must remain hidden.

  Although the specific energy required to manifest items is currently unknown, the power to materialize any object from human thought waves on Earth is an ability that absolutely cannot be revealed. It's far too extraordinary.

  Calming down, Dong Qi began to carefully study the item-upgrading ability he awakened on the Blue Planet.

  After thorough examination, he found its advantages and disadvantages to be quite distinct.

  The item upgrades are conceptual. For example, upgrading a weapon could consume resources to enhance either its physical attributes like durability or toughness, or its conceptual attributes like penetration or resistance.

  It can only upgrade a weapon's capabilities within the realm of common understanding; it cannot enhance abstract, mentally-driven developmental abilities. Furthermore, upgrading a specific capability requires consuming the corresponding resource.

  For instance, an ordinary magic treasure sword could be upgraded into a divine weapon with various attributes like those in games, but it couldn't be transformed into a flying sword that defies gravity.

  In public perception, while techniques to conjure fire or cause instant death could be developed using specific ores, a flying magic treasure sword would be considered a martial art learned through cultivation by its wielder.

  To put it simply, the Compliant Golden-Hooped Rod can change size and transform into other weapons, but in the public's mind, it cannot become a house or a vehicle.

  Thus, while this seemingly powerful ability is highly effective, it demands substantial resources and comes with significant limitations.

  Compared to the meager superpower granted on the Blue Planet, the gift from the Earth Mother to the wanderer was much more generous.

  Although the specific energy needed to manifest items hadn't been found yet, upon acquiring the ability to manifest, the wanderer was granted a one-time opportunity to do so.

  This manifestation is similar to a beginner's gift package; it doesn't allow for the creation of anything desired, but it can generate the most suitable item based on one's current heartfelt wish.

  Given the ongoing cosmic anomalies, what Dong Qi desired most at that moment was something to significantly enhance his own strength, yet remain undiscovered by others.

  Following Dong Qi's intense plea, the items manifested by the tide of thought appeared in his mind:

  Cultivation Technique: Hundred Refinement Scripture.

  Occult Arts Technique: Blood Coagulation Incantation.

  Heterodox Technique: Artifact Forging Mantra.

  The tide of thought directly provided three distinct cultivation methods, none of which were traditional orthodox qi-refining techniques.

  Upon first seeing these three cultivation methods, Dong Qi almost felt like an unwanted orphan, unloved by aunts and uncles.

  However, after careful consideration, he realized these were specifically chosen by the tide of thought as the most suitable for his current three-tier cultivation path.

  The reason no orthodox qi-refining methods were manifested was because Dong Qi didn't know if spiritual energy, a special energy source, even existed on the Blue Planet at this time.

  The items manifested by the tide of thought, unless explicitly confirmed by Dong Qi, are always recommended based on his known conditions.

  Therefore, these three cultivation methods, regardless of whether spiritual energy currently exists on the Blue Planet, can all be practiced normally.

  There's no need to elaborate on the physical refinement technique; the resources consumed during cultivation are food. However, as cultivation deepens, higher-quality food is required.

  If high-quality food is truly unavailable, a large quantity of ordinary food can serve as a substitute, though naturally, the volume needed would be immense.

  Fortunately, given the current technological advancements on the Blue Planet, even without spiritual food, some high-nutrition alternatives can still be sourced.

  The occult arts technique, Blood Coagulation Incantation, clearly indicates that its cultivation resource is blood.

  Compared to ancient times when large amounts of blood could only be obtained through continuous slaughter, acquiring blood in modern times is considerably simpler.

  If animal blood can be used as a substitute, then the numerous large slaughterhouses across the country could provide ample blood daily for his practice.

  If one truly requires fresh blood for cultivation, although it may be difficult to procure in large quantities within the Daxia Kingdom, in other places, as long as you have money, acquiring it in bulk is not a difficult task.

  Although, similar to body refining techniques, the quality of blood required for cultivation must continuously improve as one's cultivation advances, the Blood Coagulation Art inherently includes a method to enhance blood quality.

  Therefore, even if the quality is lacking, having a sufficient quantity can compensate for this deficiency.

  As for the unorthodox Artifact Forging Formula, there is even less to say.

  Using the blood refinement method, one can refine an ordinary object into a life-bound artifact fused with one's own vitality.

  Afterward, by continuously consuming various materials, this originally ordinary object can be gradually enhanced bit by bit.

  Through the continuous elevation of the life-bound artifact's grade, one's own cultivation is thereby improved.

  When the life-bound artifact's grade advances to that of a magical instrument, one's cultivation naturally reaches the Qi Refining stage.

  And when the life-bound artifact's grade rises to that of a sacred treasure, one's cultivation naturally reaches the Foundation Establishment stage.

  However, compared to traditional Qi Refining techniques, if a life-bound sacred treasure is damaged, the cultivator will only suffer severe injuries and can recover through recuperation.

  Even after consuming some rare natural treasures, they can later refine a new life-bound sacred treasure.

  But for a life-bound artifact refined using the Artifact Forging Formula, if it is completely destroyed, the cultivator will not be severely wounded—they will die outright.

  Nevertheless, if the body sustains irreparable damage, the soul can reside within the life-bound artifact, essentially becoming what is known as an artifact spirit.

  It is precisely for this reason that when some individuals discover someone cultivating the Artifact Forging Formula, they will try every possible means to kill them.

  After all, only spirit treasures can give birth to artifact spirits.

  As long as one obtains the life-bound artifact of a cultivator who practices the Artifact Forging Formula, kills them, and erases their consciousness after they become an artifact spirit, then at the very least, they have acquired a spirit treasure embryo.

  By investing corresponding resources, they will inevitably obtain a spirit treasure in the future.

  Even though these are three different techniques, representing three distinct cultivation paths, they all satisfy the condition that the effects of cultivation are not easily noticeable by others.

  Unlike modern bodybuilding, where obvious muscle mass develops, cultivating body refining techniques does not cause any noticeable physical changes.

  The same applies to demonic cultivation techniques; after all, in most worlds, no one would openly practice demonic arts.

  The unorthodox Artifact Forging Formula is even more so; although enhancing the life-bound artifact provides feedback to the cultivator, on the surface, no special changes will be apparent in them.