Chapter 102: Breakthrough

“Fine.”

Chen Luo, aware of the Qi Nourishing Pill’s cost, promptly handed over the tiger king’s bone without hesitation.

“Shixiong, recently, the sect announced another joint mission. During a demon-slaying expedition, Tianming Peak’s Shixiong discovered a medium-sized arcane realm. Even the Foundation Establishment elders were alerted. Now, the three main peaks are collaborating to explore it, causing a high demand for Search Talismans again. You should draw more and capitalize on this opportunity,” Huang Ying quickly mentioned as she saw Chen Luo preparing to leave.

“An arcane realm?”

Chen Luo paused, recalling the Yue Tomb back in his homeland.

In a way, the Yue Tomb from which he escaped was also an ancient relic—a massive one at that. The countless mausoleums within, akin to a sea of stars, still baffled him. Not even the records of the Divine Lake Immortal Sect contained descriptions of such formations.

The tunnel through which Longevity Daoist led them was formed after significant changes in heaven and earth, much like how “the Great Dao is fifty, yet Heaven manifests forty-nine,” with the tunnel being the elusive ‘one.’ Without it, Chen Luo doubted they would have found the entrance to the Great Mausoleum.

“It’s the remnants of an ancient sect.”

Seeing Chen Luo pause, Huang Ying assumed he was interested in the mission.

“Is Shixiong intrigued by these ancient ruins? I have plenty of information on various ruins; would you like to purchase some?”

“Not interested.”

The mention of ancient ruins merely reminded Chen Luo of his hometown.

He had absolutely no desire for exploring arcane realms.

In contrast to fictional stories where protagonists effortlessly dominate such realms and return laden with treasures, true relics in the cultivation world were treacherous pitfalls. The vast differences between ancient and modern techniques posed significant risks even for Foundation Establishment cultivators, while those at the Qi Refinement stage essentially walked straight into danger.

Unless blessed with a destiny-defying aura, venturing inside could claim ten lives without mercy.

Rather than risking life so recklessly, it would be wiser to stay home and draw a few extra talismans. Although not as lucrative as exploring ruins, safety is paramount.

Leaving the Merit Bestowal Grounds, Chen Luo returned to the cemetery at the rear mountains.

“I wonder when my medicinal pills will reach this level of quality.”

Inside his room, Chen Luo took out the black porcelain bottle given by Huang Ying and examined the red pill within.

Unlike the Qi Nourishing Pills he concocted, this pill bore a golden rim, indicating its status as a first-grade medicinal pill—flawless and devoid of toxins. This exemplified the standard set by the sect’s alchemists. If sold outside in the markets, such a pill would command twice the price.

Naturally, if it were Chen Luo’s own Qi Nourishing Pills, they would be much more affordable, and rogue cultivators typically consumed those.

For rogues, a first-grade medicinal pill was considered a luxury; obtaining one could require immense effort and resources.

This highlighted the advantages of being affiliated with a sect.

The alchemist who crafted this Qi Nourishing Pill likely possessed the skill level of a second-rank pill concoctor. Outside, such individuals were regarded as masters, and acquiring their concoctions usually demanded advance booking.

After swallowing the pill, Chen Luo closed his eyes and silently activated the seventh-level technique of the Spirit Comprehension Art.

He had long mastered these techniques by heart.

Previously, purchasing all thirteen levels’ methodologies proved to be a wise investment for his current progress.

Upon entering his body, the medicinal pill swiftly dissolved.

Transforming into a warm flow, it rapidly infused into his limbs and bones. His entire body became energized, causing the surrounding spiritual energy in the room to spontaneously gather around him and enter through his pores.

His four elemental spiritual roots began absorbing the pill’s potency, converting it into the required spiritual power to elevate his realm. With just two cycles of circulating this newfound strength, he effortlessly broke through the previously stagnant sixth layer of Qi Refinement.

Seventh layer of Qi Refinement!

The so-called bottleneck for Late Stage Qi Refinement never materialized for Chen Luo.

With his spiritual roots now transformed into four, his aptitude significantly improved, making him equivalent to a genius with superior dual elemental roots.

To maximize the pill’s efficacy, Chen Luo utilized the knowledge from two Foundation Establishment cultivators’ minds. Drawing upon their innate expertise, he could fully exploit the potential of the tier-1 Nurturing Qi Pill. Harnessing the instincts of two Foundation Establishment cultivators just to digest one Qi Nourishing Pill was akin to using a cannon to swat a mosquito—extravagantly overkill.

Round after round…

After four hours, every last bit of medicinal power within the pill had been completely absorbed. Chen Luo effortlessly stabilized his cultivation at the seventh layer of Qi Refinement, accumulating substantial excess spiritual energy. With more time, he would soon be ready to attempt breaking through to the eighth layer.

In the Late Stage of Qi Refinement, the number of little spiritual energy snakes within Chen Luo increased to thirty.

This surge directly jumped from nine to thirty, explaining the vast difference between late and mid-stage Qi Refinement realms.

Chen Luo resumed his routine as before.

Each day, aside from asking Junior Sister Huang Ying to sell talismans for him, he dedicated the rest of his time to cultivation. Absorbing violet qi at dawn and refining rosy light at dusk, his cultivation steadily advanced. Junior Sister Huang Ying became utterly astounded by Chen Luo’s breakthrough to the seventh layer of Qi Refinement.

She had now completely given up trying to compete with Chen Luo, firmly deciding to cling onto his success instead. As a result, she earned quite a number of spirit stones.

The joint missions were causing a stir, with daily updates about the arcane realm spreading among the disciples. One day, someone would stumble upon a fortuitous encounter and soar to new heights; the next, another would discover a legacy, obtaining ancient secret techniques. The most sensational news involved Su Tianyao, the eldest disciple of Divine Lake Peak. This ‘Outer Sect Eldest Apprentice Brother,’ whom Chen Luo had met once before, acquired a Foundation Establishment artifact within the arcane realm. Leveraging this artifact along with his accumulated cultivation, he successfully broke through the barrier, advancing to become a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

This revelation electrified all the disciples of the Divine Lake Immortal Sect. Each tale of serendipitous encounters spurred more observers into action. Every day, more individuals applied for the joint missions to enter the arcane realm, further fueling the already booming demand for Chen Luo’s Search Talismans. He became so busy that he barely had time to rest.

Every person venturing into the arcane realm believed they would be the next Darling of Fate.

Yet none bothered to look down at the countless white bones scattered throughout the realm, remnants of those who perished. Contrary to their focus on the ‘Darlings of Fate,’ the majority fell victim to the dangers within.

Exploring the arcane realms demanded one’s very life as payment.

Opportunities aren’t easily seized!

Time flowed swiftly, and before they knew it, several months had passed.

For Chen Luo’s cohort, their first year at the Divine Lake Immortal Sect was officially complete.

Over this period, many who could not adapt to the sect’s environment chose to leave, including Fu An. Before departing, he specifically came to bid farewell to Chen Luo. In response, Chen Luo simply exchanged a few brief words with him and then continued drawing talismans.

The fervor surrounding arcane realm exploration had subsided, but Chen Luo planned to capitalize on its lingering interest for one last haul.

Selling Search Talismans had significantly enriched his resources.

A few days ago, he visited Daoist Wuwei.

From his shizun, he learned the second divine ability, ‘Wind Control Technique,’ which was precisely Xianhe Chengfeng’s most proficient life source ability.

“Second divine ability now.”

Chen Luo sat cross-legged indoors, spreading out his palm as a swirling gust of wind materialized within it.

Learning this divine ability proved much smoother than the Soul Technique. One of the Foundation Establishment brains Chen Luo possessed belonged to a former master of Wind Control Technique. After a simple adaptation period, he effortlessly mastered its use.

His execution surpassed even the meticulously mimicked Soul Technique.

It displayed a perfect Foundation Establishment cultivator’s technique.

Apart from lacking spiritual energy, Chen Luo’s proficiency with the Wind Control Technique already matched that of a Foundation Establishment cultivator.