Chapter 328 : Breakthrough!
Chapter 328: Breakthrough!
Sea Abyss City.
“Fellow Daoist has good eyesight. The spiritual energy in this cave abode is extremely abundant, and it is also connected to the earthfire below. Whether for alchemy or other uses, it is extremely convenient.”
A steward of the Azure Sea Palace cupped his hands with a smile and handed over the jade token of the cave abode.
Lin Chang’an nodded, took it into his hand, and at the same time paid the Spirit Stones required to rent the cave abode.
“Many thanks, Fellow Daoist.”
This time he had only rented the cave abode for half a year, and the rent was not expensive. After all, with the identity jade token given by the Sixth Elder, he could now enjoy the privileges of an internal cultivator of the Azure Sea Palace.
After the other party left, Lin Chang’an turned around and began to examine this cave abode.
Outside the cave abode were pavilions, pools, and artificial rockeries—everything one could expect. Even the cultivator’s cave residence itself was decorated with carved beams and painted rafters.
It was unknown whether it was a custom of the cultivation world, but they all seemed to be accustomed to building an elegant pavilion outside the cave abode, connected to the cave residence behind it.
This allowed cultivators to enjoy leisure in the pavilion, while those devoted to arduous cultivation could retreat into the cave abode behind it to cultivate.
“The spiritual energy here is truly rich—far beyond what the remote sea regions can compare with.”
Lin Chang’an could not help but sigh in admiration. Then with a raise of his hand, he set up the Five Elements Escape Techniques formation flags he had prepared earlier.
Since he had already gathered all the medicinal ingredients needed to refine the Clear Spirit Pill, he naturally intended to begin refining pills immediately.
After all, this concerned the improvement of his own strength. Once his Spiritual Sense broke through to the late Golden Core Realm, he would be able to master two Soul Spirit attack techniques. His strength would increase by far more than just a little.
Moreover, he had personally experienced several times that possessing treasures and opportunities meant nothing unless they were turned into one’s own strength.
“Improving one’s strength cannot be delayed.”
Therefore, Lin Chang’an had never considered slowly working on it after returning to Five Dragon Island once he bought the materials.
Besides, Sea Abyss City did not necessarily mean peace and safety. Who knew whether purchasing so many materials here would attract attention?
Previously when he came here, he had always taken a Spirit Vessel. Ordinary cultivators did not dare easily rob such ships.
But when he returned this time, he would be traveling alone.
Thus he purchased the materials and rented a cave abode here to enter secluded cultivation.
Even if someone secretly targeted him, it would give them the illusion that most of the materials had already been consumed and converted into strength.
In that case, very few people would continue to watch him.
Lin Chang’an walked through the pavilion and entered the cave abode behind it.
Inside the quiet and clean cave residence, when he reached the deepest chamber, a wave of heat suddenly emerged.
In the center of the cave abode was a hollow channel connecting to the earthfire of Sea Abyss City.
“What powerful earthfire energy.”
Lin Chang’an was also surprised when he saw it. As expected of Sea Abyss City—the earthfire here was completely incomparable to that of Five Dragon Island.
And judging from the traces of the surrounding layout, it seemed that the previous owner of this place had been an alchemist.
“Now it’s my turn to refine pills.”
Lin Chang’an lightly patted his Storage Pouch, and multicolored lights instantly appeared.
Chains extended out and connected to the surrounding fixtures. Immediately afterward, an alchemy furnace appeared, locked by chains and suspended in midair.
This furnace was one he had personally refined—a low-grade Third-rank alchemy furnace.
【Low-grade Third-rank Artifact Refiner (Proficiency 302/500)】
Looking at his artifact-refining level, Lin Chang’an nodded in satisfaction.
“A low-grade Third-rank alchemy furnace is sufficient for me. But this pill refinement cannot be careless. I’ll still need the assistance of a formation.”
The multicolored lights around him dissipated, revealing a formation plate slowly descending to the ground. The multicolored objects were actually screens of different attributes.
Under Lin Chang’an’s control, the power of the Five Elements from the formation plate could assist in alchemy, increasing the efficiency of pill refinement.
“I cannot afford to be careless next.”
Lin Chang’an took a deep breath. If he had a top-grade Third-rank alchemy furnace, it would naturally be best—but he could not expose his alchemy skills.
He first formed spell seals to familiarize himself with the intensity of the earthfire here, then began controlling the furnace to adapt to it.
At the same time, the Five Elements formation plate rotated, drawing in the spiritual energy of the surrounding environment.
After all, having changed to a new location, he needed to re-familiarize himself with both the strength of the earthfire and the density of the spiritual energy before beginning alchemy.
Several hours later, Lin Chang’an patted his Storage Pouch again. One by one, the materials for refining the Clear Spirit Pill appeared.
With a metallic sound, the furnace lid opened. Precious auxiliary spirit herbs were placed inside, along with the piece of Clear Spirit Jade that had been cut earlier.
Lin Chang’an slightly opened his lips, and a strand of pure pill fire continuously flowed from his mouth.
Thanks to his powerful endurance, his pill fire was not only strong but also endlessly sustained. His mana recovery speed was also faster.
With the assistance of the high-grade earthfire here, the speed of pill refinement increased by several degrees.
As time passed, more than half a month quickly went by.
Inside the cave abode illuminated by firelight, three crystal-clear pills glowing with spiritual light had already appeared within the furnace.
Boom!
With a rumbling sound, the furnace lid opened. At the same time, the surrounding earthfire gradually dispersed.
Under the assistance of the Five Elements formation plate, the remaining power of the earthfire was sealed. At the same time, an invisible wave of water spiritual energy filled the cave abode.
The heat slowly faded, replaced by a refreshing coolness.
“The pills are complete!”
Looking at the three pills, Lin Chang’an could not suppress the smile on his face.
“There are actually three Clear Spirit Pills. It seems the quality of this Clear Spirit Jade was extremely high, and the other materials were also sufficiently aged. That’s why three pills were successfully refined.”
Looking at the three pills in his hand, Lin Chang’an nodded secretly.
The Clear Spirit Pill could not only assist cultivators in breaking through Spiritual Sense bottlenecks, but its most important feature was its medicinal property.
Because this spirit pill contained Clear Spirit Qi, after being consumed, this energy would nourish the cultivator’s Soul Spirit for a long time, gradually dissipating only after sixty years.
During that period, if the cultivator practiced Spiritual Sense cultivation methods, the speed of cultivation would increase greatly.
Otherwise, this pill formula would not have appeared in the inheritance of the Sinister Soul Sect.
After all, the Sinister Soul Sect was an extremely rare sect in the cultivation world that specialized in Spiritual Sense cultivation methods.
“The only pity is that cultivators only gain the full effect the first time they consume it. Within sixty years, their Spiritual Sense cultivation becomes twice as efficient. The second pill’s effect is greatly reduced.”
Looking at the three spirit pills in his palm, Lin Chang’an sighed.
If only the effects could stack.
But for him now, this was already quite good. He stored the remaining two pills.
“Next is secluded cultivation for breakthrough!”
Lin Chang’an took a deep breath. He put away the alchemy furnace, formation plate, and erased all traces of alchemy here before entering secluded cultivation inside the cave abode.
……
After consuming the Clear Spirit Pill, the Spiritual Sense became exceptionally clear.
A cultivator could clearly feel the gradual growth of their Spiritual Sense.
Unlike sudden explosive growth, it was like a gentle drizzle that silently nourished the Spiritual Sense.
Two months later.
Inside the cave abode, Lin Chang’an slowly opened his eyes. At that moment, he felt clarity in both ears and vision—the surrounding world seemed even clearer.
A breakthrough of Spiritual Sense did not have the surging power of mana breakthroughs, nor any earth-shaking phenomena.
It was simply a smooth breakthrough.
“So this is the benefit brought by the growth of Spiritual Sense.”
Feeling the changes within himself, Lin Chang’an’s thoughts moved. Instantly, nine sword gleams appeared around him.
“Nine sword gleams. As expected, they’re far easier to use than before.”
He had cultivated the divine ability Sword Shadow at Will for one hundred and fifty years.
To simultaneously release nine sword gleams required the Spiritual Sense of the late Golden Core Realm.
“I’ve finally broken through. Now I can cultivate the two divine abilities in the Art of Spirit Refinement.”
Lin Chang’an smiled broadly.
As his cultivation grew stronger, the power of this ancient cultivation method was finally beginning to manifest.
The Art of Spirit Refinement contained two divine abilities.
The first was called ‘Profound Soul Spike’.
A cultivator with powerful Spiritual Sense control could instantly condense an invisible spike of Spiritual Sense to attack an enemy.
It wounded others invisibly and was extremely vicious.
“Spiritual Sense control is not only about the strength of Spiritual Sense, but also its solidity.”
Lin Chang’an could not help but sigh.
Even among cultivators with late Golden Core Spiritual Sense, there were differences.
Different cultivation methods made a huge difference. Especially since he cultivated the Art of Spirit Refinement, his Spiritual Sense was far more solid.
The solidity of Spiritual Sense often manifested in a cultivator’s control and their defense against Spiritual Sense attacks.
The second divine ability was called ‘Soul-hooking Mystic Sound’.
Once activated, a sharp ringing sound like ear-piercing waves would sweep outward, causing a cultivator’s Soul Spirit to tremble violently in unbearable agony.
【Profound Soul Spike (Beginner 0/100)】
【Soul-hooking Mystic Sound (Beginner 0/100)】
“These two divine abilities are truly powerful!”
Only after personally cultivating them could one truly feel their strength. Lin Chang’an was extremely excited.
He was no longer the shallow and inexperienced drifting cultivator he once was.
Now he possessed numerous opportunities.
Especially from the records of the Sinister Soul Sect, he clearly understood just how powerful these Spiritual Sense divine abilities were.
“Spiritual Sense cultivation methods are extremely rare in the cultivation world, let alone Spiritual Sense attack techniques.
I’m afraid more than ninety-eight percent of cultivators in the cultivation world have very few methods to defend against Soul Spirit attack techniques.”
Even he himself, if he encountered such attacks before, could only rely on the strength and solidity of his Soul Spirit to resist them.
This was also the common response method used by most cultivators in the cultivation world.
“With these two divine abilities in hand, even a late Golden Core cultivator who is careless and struck by them might be killed by me.”
As his cultivation grew stronger, he increasingly felt the gap between cultivation realms.
The gap between mid Golden Core and late Golden Core was not impossible to overcome, but in the cultivation world it was indeed rare for someone to kill an opponent across even a minor realm.
Especially since any cultivator who reached the late Golden Core Realm possessed formidable means. One might defeat them, but killing them was extremely difficult.
Crossing a major realm and escaping alive was already extremely rare.
“Now, within the Golden Core Realm, I finally have the power to protect myself.”
Although Lin Chang’an’s expression remained calm, the smile in his eyes could not be concealed.
He would never dare claim to be the strongest below the Nascent Soul Realm.
After all, a cultivator’s combat strength depended not only on divine abilities and spells, but also heavily on the power of magical artifacts.
Some direct disciples from major forces possessed extremely powerful magical artifacts—even legendary ancient treasures.
Those were things he could not contend with.
But below the Nascent Soul Realm, even when facing a peak Golden Core cultivator from a major force, he was confident he could retreat safely.
……
Half a year later, when the cave abode rental expired, Lin Chang’an reluctantly left.
No wonder so many cultivators fought desperately to join the Azure Sea Palace—the spiritual energy here was truly abundant.
“But these two divine abilities are now basically familiar to me.”
Although he had only just cultivated them, Spiritual Sense attacks were inherently secretive and relied on surprise, so it did not matter much.
“Looks like Old Hu hasn’t returned yet.”
After leaving the cave abode, Lin Chang’an looked at the Voice-transmission Talisman and could not help sighing.
Joining the Azure Sea Palace had its benefits, but many things were beyond one’s control.
Each had its advantages and disadvantages.
“It’s just a pity that I missed the trading gathering Old Hu mentioned.”
Between a Spiritual Sense breakthrough and a Golden Core cultivator trading gathering, Lin Chang’an had chosen the former without hesitation.
The former directly increased his strength, while the latter merely provided a platform for exchanging treasures.
Opportunities to trade would come again in the future.
“Next I’ll purchase some cultivation resources and prepare to return.”
He had been out for more than half a year. It was time to go back.
Besides, there was still a Sword Attendant at home waiting to break through.
Afterward, Lin Chang’an secretly concealed his aura and changed his appearance, purchasing cultivation materials throughout the massive Sea Abyss City.
……
Half a month later, Lin Chang’an rode the Azure-Horned Ox across the sea, heading toward the Five Dragon Island Sea Region.
“The Five Dragon Island Sea Region is remote. Merchant ships rarely allow unfamiliar cultivators aboard. This journey can only rely on myself.”
Lin Chang’an sighed helplessly.
However, the Azure-Horned Ox below him was extremely excited. After staying in the cave abode for so long, it was finally out again.
“Moo!”
The Azure-Horned Ox occasionally let out cheerful bellows. Sometimes it even plunged into the sea, and when it surfaced again, a spirit fish would already be clamped in its mouth.
“Hm?”
After flying for several days, when they had already reached the area near the Ghost Domain and were about to bypass it to reach the Five Dragon Island Sea Region—
Lin Chang’an suddenly sensed something.
He narrowed his eyes slightly.
“Someone is hiding in the shadows… Did I encounter robber cultivators?”
However, while pretending not to notice and continuing forward, his perception grew clearer as the distance shortened.
When he sensed two familiar mana auras, Lin Chang’an’s expression suddenly changed.
“It’s the couple from the Red Fire Sect… and three other Golden Core cultivators!”
At this moment, Lin Chang’an felt that they were not ordinary robber cultivators.
They were probably here for him.
“Caw!”
A flock of black demon birds circled overhead. Seeing this, Lin Chang’an curled his lips into a mocking smile.
“So they discovered me through these most ordinary demon beasts. Looks like those two truly love their son dearly.”
As he spoke those final words, a cold glint appeared in his eyes.
No matter their motives or their parental affection, he only knew one thing.
Someone had set their sights on him.
Meanwhile, on a distant barren island, five figures hid in concealment.
“As expected. He came.”
“I told you long ago—this man is cautious by nature. He would never take the shortcut through the Ghost Domain. If we ambush here, we definitely won’t miss him.”
The middle-aged woman of the Red Fire Sect spoke coldly.
Since she engaged in the business of robbery cultivation, she had naturally investigated the target’s information in advance. Therefore, she had a basic understanding of Lin Chang’an.
The other three robber cultivators revealed bloodthirsty smiles and nodded.
“Enough. We waited half a year and finally caught this fat fish. That Azure-Horned Ox’s demon core will be perfect nourishment for my precious treasure.”
On the island, beneath a concealed formation, scattered cultivator skeletons lay around.
It was obvious that during these past six months, the five of them had hunted and killed many cultivators here.
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