Chapter Thirty-Four: Song Shi’s Three-in-One

The number of psionic techniques one holds at the First Ring is not a case of "the more, the better"; three is the optimal amount.

It is not merely a matter of "biting off more than one can chew." Possessing too many varied psionic techniques dilutes the purity of one’s personal path, leading to excessive confusion.

Song Shi had already determined the combination for his First Ring. Aside from [Forging Flame], the other two were [Containment] and [Tidal Return].

The effect of the former is to significantly increase the upper limit of one’s psionic capacity. The latter is used to recover energy from one’s surroundings; for instance, if he were to manifest a ball of psionic fire and hurl it out to explode, [Tidal Return] would allow him to rapidly absorb a portion of the scattered psionic energy and reclaim it for his own use.

Combined, these two form a classic psionic technique set for the [Great Source] path. One raises the psionic ceiling, while the other boosts the recovery rate, creating a circulatory system that drastically enhances the practitioner's endurance.

"Classic" implies a solid foundation; being common does not mean they are weak. Thus, this was also the First Ring psionic combination Song Shi used in his past life.

Of course, that did not include [Forging Flame]—the first pitfall he encountered in his previous life was choosing [Ignite as Blade] as the initial technique granted by his path. While not entirely useless, its strength was quite low, causing him to suffer for quite some time.

"Hoo—"

Setting these memories aside, Song Shi officially began his attempt. His time was indeed tight, and proceeding step-by-step would likely not suffice. Song Shi intended to integrate all three at once.

[Containment] and [Tidal Return] are psionic techniques that do not require prerequisites like talents, special items, or introductory scriptures. Ordinarily, there is only one way to learn these two: constant practice.

Letting one's psionic energy permeate blood vessels, muscles, nerves, and organs through repeated immersion and expansion—this is [Containment]. Releasing one's psionic energy, then capturing it and attempting to reabsorb it—this is [Tidal Return]. Through relentless practice, once proficiency reaches a certain height, one can attempt to "inscribe" it into their own path, truly mastering the technique.

As for why one would need the corresponding psionic technique when these things can be done without "inscription"... it is because after being "inscribed" into one's path, the effects of these two are significantly strengthened, and they transition from "personal skills" into "innate instincts."

Originally, Song Shi had also planned to practice them one by one. But the appearance of the Forging Flame changed his mind.

The usage of Forging Flame involves it surging into one's limbs and bones, constantly smelting the body to purge impurities and achieve the effect of physical strengthening. By its nature, Forging Flame is still a "psionic fire." That is to say, while the Forging Flame smelts the body, it can also be used for [Containment] practice.

Song Shi intended to go even further. Just as a furnace smelting ore cannot utilize its internal flames entirely—there is bound to be significant overflow—so too is it with "Forging Flame." This portion of overflowing, wasted psionic fire could be used to attempt [Tidal Return].

Of course, splitting one's focus into three tasks performed simultaneously would require control far exceeding three times the norm. A moment of carelessness would result in his psionic energy running wild.

"But as for whether it’s possible..."

"How can one know without trying?"

Song Shi closed his eyes and let out a low chuckle. In the next instant, without hesitation, he directed the "Forging Flame" to surge entirely into his body.

The first sensation was "heat." The second was "pain."

At this moment, a reddish-gold light emanated from Song Shi. Like a lantern with its flame shielded by an outer paper covering, the light was not intense—one might even call it faint—but this could not mask the fact that a fire was burning within. Even though Song Shi was in the bathroom, the room's temperature rose instantly, causing the ceiling to creak—but because of long-term neglect and illegal wiring, the "fire alarm" embedded in the ceiling was long broken and could not spray a drop of water.

If one were to look into Song Shi’s body, this is what they would see: Driven by his will, streaks of reddish-gold flame flowed through his blood vessels, starting from the heart, diving into surrounding organs, and eventually surging into his limbs before flowing back, repeating the cycle continuously.

Under the smelting of the "Forging Flame," his heartbeat grew more powerful, muscle fibers tightened, bones slowly solidified, and the various impurities accumulated in his body over time were incinerated.

From time to time, flickering flames would break free, turning into sparks that drifted around Song Shi, but immediately afterward, a portion would be rapidly captured and re-absorbed into his body.

At this moment, if a psionic practitioner of the [Great Source] path were present to witness this, they would likely not believe their own eyes. A practitioner who had just advanced to the First Ring was performing three psionic operations simultaneously—it was a challenge to everything they understood about psionics!

After a long while, Song Shi opened his eyes again.

Deep within his pupils, the reddish-gold flames vanished in an instant, and his expression carried a distinct detachment.

"Hoo—ha—"

But immediately afterward, as if he had completely broken out of the state, Song Shi returned to normal. He shifted his sitting posture and took several deep breaths.

It was clear that his clothes were soaked with sweat. This had nothing to do with willpower; it was a purely physiological reaction. At the same time, waves of intense pain radiated from every part of his body, bringing an indescribably complex stimulation.

"The theoretical limit for physical strengthening by 'Forging Flame' at the First Ring stage is thirty percent, and for me currently... it's about ten percent."

"To have such an effect on the first try—as expected, the earlier you start, the better the results. Once you reach the limit of strengthening, further 'smelting' is less about enhancement and more about 'maintaining one's optimal state'."

"Hmm, I have a grasp on [Containment] and [Tidal Return] as well. Within four days at the latest, I will be able to inscribe them into my path and truly master these two psionic techniques."

"However..."

Song Shi clicked his tongue, unable to help himself, and hissed through his teeth: "It really is meant literally! Throwing oneself into a fire to be smelted and forged—that is truly a strange kind of pain!"

The path of psionic cultivation must not be rushed.

Song Shi exhaled a long breath, stood up, and turned on the showerhead, letting the ice-cold water wash over him.

He would go downstairs later to buy two cans of iced drinks from the vending machine and take a rest.

...

At the same time.

Deep Moss District.

A container-style apartment building on Long Bean Street.

With no awareness of being an uninvited guest or a trespasser, Milton looked at the empty room revealed after he slid open the door, scratched his head, and sighed with some frustration.

"Sigh..."

"As expected, is the person already gone?"