Chapter 145: Digging Deeper Again

After reviewing the divine abilities, Chen Luo proceeded to the section on cultivation techniques. Here, there were even more books, and their prices were considerably cheaper.

Using Daoist Wuwei’s credit extension on his Inner Sect disciple token, Chen Luo embarked on a comprehensive study of Foundation Establishment-related knowledge. With over a hundred external brains processing within him, they diligently organized and memorized the information.

In less than half a day, he had read through all the books in this area.

Only when his disciple token could no longer extend further credit did he reluctantly leave the library, filled with regret. He had assumed there would be no limit to the borrowing, but it seemed Daoist Wuwei, despite being a Foundation Establishment cultivator, was not as affluent as he imagined.

“Now, what are my chances for success at Foundation Establishment and Core Formation?”

Descending from Divine Lake Peak, Chen Luo stood by the roadside, deep in thought.

The eight Foundation Establishment cultivators’ external brains simultaneously activated, providing varying feedback:

‘Spirit Concentration Foundation Establishment Method: 80% chance of Foundation Establishment, 50% chance of Core Formation.’

‘Five Elements Foundation Establishment Method: 80% chance of Foundation Establishment, 45% chance of Core Formation.’

‘Outer Path Foundation Establishment Method: 100% chance of Foundation Establishment, 70% chance of Core Formation.’

“Significant improvements,” Chen Luo exclaimed, feeling invigorated. He then attempted to consult the mummified brain, which promptly responded with its own feedback.

‘First option: Can cultivate to Late Foundation Establishment, no hope for Gold Core.’

‘Second to seventh options: The strongest can reach Late Core Formation, while the weakest will attain Early Core Formation.’

Chen Luo’s joy instantly froze on his face.

Not even one with potential for Nascent Soul? What exactly is lacking?!

Chen Luo once again accessed the mummified brain, utilizing all his current knowledge, attempting to envision a perfect path to Foundation Establishment from its perspective.

“Insight is insufficient; the strongest in this immortal sect has only reached the Gold Core stage. To surpass him, I must broaden my understanding further. If there were methods like Demon-Type or Evil Cultivation Foundation Establishment, combined with the earth qi of second-order meridians, it might be achievable.”

Demon-Type and Evil Cultivation Foundation Establishment methods… Chen Luo fell silent.

The issue of meridians could be easily resolved. Within the region encompassing various nations, there were three second-order meridians in total. These meridians corresponded to the locations of the three major immortal sects. Currently, Chen Luo stood above one such second-order meridian.

Having addressed the first problem, only two more remained.

“I can approach Uncle-Master Chengfeng for insights on Demon-Type Foundation Establishment, and for Evil Cultivation methods, I’ll seek assistance from the Loose Cultivators Union.”

Within moments, Chen Luo had formulated a plan.

“However, before that.” Chen Luo’s gaze shifted towards the nearby Beast Taming Peak.

It was relatively quiet here; throughout his day-long vigil, aside from the guard disciples at the checkpoint, he hadn’t seen anyone else.

Nightfall.

On the dark slopes of Beast Taming Peak, a solitary figure tirelessly wielded a shovel, diligently clearing weeds around the graves for the senior cultivators interred there and helping them breathe fresh air by opening their tombs.

Clang!

The sound of the shovel striking a coffin lid echoed.

A flickering octagonal lantern approached, its firelight instantly illuminating the face of the grave-digger—none other than Chen Luo, who had been observing the terrain earlier that day.

“It can’t be another Qi Refinement brain, surely?”

With practiced ease, Chen Luo put on deer-hide gloves and placed his hand on the skull of the white bones.

‘Contact with deceased person’s brainwaves detected: Degradation Rate 99%. Read now?’

Read now!

Chen Luo’s spirits lifted.

After digging for so long, he finally found a Foundation Establishment cultivator’s remains.

Buoyed by this discovery, Chen Luo swung his shovel even faster. Four hours later, the entire cemetery was cleared. Exhausted, Chen Luo sat down to rest, tossing the shovel aside.

“I can’t believe how impoverished Beast Taming Peak is. In such a vast cemetery, there’s only one buried Foundation Establishment cultivator.”

After a busy night, Chen Luo excavated every grave on Beast Taming Peak and astonishingly found only one Foundation Establishment cultivator’s brain. This outcome left him deeply unsatisfied, feeling contempt for the poverty of Beast Taming Peak.

No wonder the peak lord turned traitor.

With such destitution, even he would have defected. The Corpse-Raising Sect seemed far more promising!

“Tomorrow, I’ll check out Tianming Peak. Heard there aren’t many people there either.”

Standing up, Chen Luo dusted off his pants. Having taken a break, he descended the mountain. He believed that after this airing-out, the esteemed predecessors of Beast Taming Peak would surely sleep better tonight.

Over the following days, Chen Luo visited Tianming Peak, Wanwu Peak, Tianjian Peak, and Tianlu Peak in succession.

Out of the Divine Lake Immortal Sect’s ten main peaks, he had covered six!

Initially cautious, he dug only when no one was around. However, as time went by, he realized that even if someone spotted him, they paid little heed. Emboldened, he worked without restraint.

For a prolonged period afterward, rumors spread within the sect. It was said that members of the Corpse-Raising Sect, undeterred, infiltrated during the sect’s vulnerability to steal corpses each night, causing widespread unease.

Half a month later, Chen Luo decided to halt his activities.

“The four main peaks up ahead won’t be easy to tackle,” Chen Luo lamented as he stood below Xingdou Peak.

Unlike the six secondary peaks at the rear, the first three main peaks of the immortal sect suffered minimal damage during the conflict with the other sects. Especially Divine Fire Peak, focused on artificing, and Medicine King Peak, dedicated to pill concoction, saw their numbers not diminish but increase instead. As a result, despite multiple attempts, Chen Luo was unable to unearth any corpses there - truly regrettable.

After half a month of relentless activity, his harvest was quite substantial.

Within Chen Luo’s body, external brains from Late Stage Qi Refinement were now virtually nonexistent, replaced by those at Peak Qi Refinement or higher. Moreover, the number of Foundation Establishment cultivator brains reached thirty, significantly enhancing his strength and confidence.

Notably, acquiring the brain of a Foundation Establishment predecessor from Tianlu Peak greatly improved his talisman drawing abilities, bringing him close to breaking through as a tier-2 talisman master. Additionally, he gained entry-level proficiency in formations and artificing.

Now, Chen Luo resembled a versatile all-around cultivator.

He had dabbled in arrays, pill dao, artificing, and talismans, achieving notable skill levels across each discipline.

“I’ll have to wait for future opportunities to help them turn over some more soil.”

Chen Luo turned and began descending the mountain.

Having spent considerable time on this endeavor, it was now crucial to prepare for securing the final resources. He already had ideas about obtaining the Xianhe Chengfeng beast cultivation technique, but first, he needed to accumulate spirit stones to purchase the necessary materials for the exchange.

As Chen Luo descended the mountain, he arrived at the sect’s market once more. At first glance, he almost thought he had taken the wrong path. Numerous shops were closed and shuttered, with very few solo cultivators in sight; only a handful of active individuals remained.

Following his memory, Chen Luo made his way to Medicine King Peak’s shop.

He used to frequent this place, which now stood as one of the few still open within the market.

Upon entering, Chen Luo surveyed the surroundings.

In the spacious hall, including himself, there were merely five people present—two being disciples from Medicine King Peak assigned to manage the store. He heard that during the conflict, the disciple previously overseeing the shop was transformed into a mummy by the Corpse-Raising Sect’s refined corpses.

During the clash between the three sects, even Gold Core patriarchs got involved, leaving no attention for managing such chaos below. Only after the battles subsided did they discover the extent of devastation, with ruins scattered throughout the sect.

The current state of the market, which Chen Luo observed, was already post-reconstruction. The original market had been completely plundered, with many areas razed to the ground.

Failing to annihilate the Divine Lake Immortal Sect left the cultivators from the Corpse-Raising Sect and Nine Poisons Valley dissatisfied. They subsequently looted the shops to compensate for their war losses. Undoubtedly, the Divine Lake Immortal Sect suffered the greatest damage in this conflict between the three sects.

It was unclear what the high-ranking patriarchs were thinking, allowing it all to end unresolved.