Chapter 255 - 252: Intent
An endless range of colossal mountains, each ten thousand zhang high, rose and fell across the vast land.
The majestic, sprawling peaks were so immense they blotted out the sky and sun.
Viewed from high above,
they looked just like great dragons, coiled and dormant upon the mortal realm!
Clouds and mist coiled between the peaks, which were brimming with Spiritual Qi.
From a distance,
it presented the image of a paradise, of immortal mountains.
But without a doubt, this place was a forbidden land of death for mortals.
However,
the Earth Vein Essence Qi that permeated the land and the abundant Spiritual Qi that gathered in the forests made it an excellent place for Cultivators to practice their craft.
"Dream Traveling Immortal..."
Shen Changchuan rode on Xiaofeng, passing through the sky above the colossal mountains. The clouds beside him brushed past, carrying a refreshing coolness.
He gazed down at the vast, winding mountain ranges below,
his eyes holding a profound look.
In truth,
with the Soul Emergence Pill, his own various fortunate encounters, and the Dragon Cloud Sect’s complete and well-established path to advancement,
Shen Changchuan had little doubt he could ascend to the Soul Emergence Realm.
As the saying goes, the shade is best under a large tree.
As a disciple of the Dragon Cloud Sect, and having been accepted as a Registered Disciple by the founding Sect Leader, Master Wandering Dragon,
the vast cultivation resources at his disposal
were far beyond anything that cultivators from outside, be they from Immortal Cultivation Clans or simply Loose Cultivators, could ever hope to match.
The Heavenly and Earthly Treasures that could increase one’s chances of reaching the Soul Emergence Realm—items ordinary Cultivators would kill for, covet endlessly, and be driven to ecstasy by obtaining just one—
were, in his eyes, nothing special.
For this reason,
the opportunity to simulate the breakthrough to the Soul Emergence Realm with the Dream Traveling Immortal held little real meaning for him.
He could take it or leave it.
But he still came, not giving up this opportunity.
This wasn’t because he was greedy, fighting with others for every little benefit and wanting to hoard all profits for himself.
Rather, it was all part of his own design.
’The Dream Traveling Immortal is a Spirit Plant, after all—a plant, not a human.’
’The dream it creates is likely based on its own power, combined with the perceptions of the Cultivator entering the dream. It then uses the unique properties of the Dream Realm to further extrapolate and simulate the process of breaking through to the Soul Emergence Realm...’
’But just as a person can’t imagine something they’ve never seen, the Dream Traveling Immortal has never actually gone through a breakthrough to Soul Emergence itself. Therefore, the Dream Realm it generates can’t possibly replicate the process perfectly.’
’Perhaps that’s why the Dream Realm only contains a partial ’truth’!’
Shen Changchuan mused internally.
Throughout the journey,
since he didn’t have to worry about using the Dream Traveling Immortal’s opportunity to simulate his breakthrough to the Soul Emergence Realm,
he had been able to ponder things on a deeper level.
And this,
was the conclusion he had drawn from the information Shen Tingchu had given him.
It wasn’t just baseless speculation, either.
During their journey, he had asked Shen Tingchu if the Dream Traveling Immortal was of any use to Soul Emergence Realm Cultivators, or if it could even help with the breakthrough to the Divine Travel Realm.
The answer, of course, was no.
Shen Tingchu had laughed, saying that if the plant had even a shred of use for advancing from Soul Emergence to Divine Travel, it would’ve been uprooted long ago. Would it really be left for a few Soul-Departing Influences to control for nearly two hundred years?
That was true enough,
and it only served to further confirm Shen Changchuan’s suspicions.
’The Dream Realm created by the Dream Traveling Immortal is based on the plant’s own existence.’
’Perhaps the Dream Traveling Immortal is a Spirit Plant on par with the Soul Emergence Level, which is why it can construct a partially ’real’ simulation of the breakthrough...’
’But ultimately, it isn’t a true Soul Emergence Realm Cultivator. It couldn’t have personally felt what that breakthrough is like, so it can’t simulate it perfectly.’
High in the sky,
a glint flashed across Shen Changchuan’s eyes.
’But what if I forgo simulating the Soul Emergence breakthrough in the Dream Realm and choose another path instead?’
’I won’t use it to practice Inference Magic or infer Divine Techniques... Instead, I’ll delve into the nature of the Dream Traveling Immortal itself. For instance... what if, within the Dream Realm, I assume the perspective of the plant itself? What if I experience its entire life, from germination to growth, and finally to its withering and end?’
’If my theory is correct, then the insights and information I gain this way... I suspect they would be completely real!’
’The Dream Realm is born from the Dream Traveling Immortal itself. Using its own information to simulate its own life... there shouldn’t be any inaccuracies!’
’By doing this, I can make full use of all the ’truth’ within the dream, immerse myself in the plant’s entire life experience... and then, building on that foundation, I can try to gather all its Wood Attribute Vitality and condense a Wood Spirit Body...’
A burning ambition rose in Shen Changchuan’s heart.
The reason he had thought of this unconventional path
was that he already had a plan for the Spirit Body he would need to condense upon his breakthrough to the Soul Emergence Realm—
He planned to form a Wood Spirit Body!
Back then, the Cyan Essence Water Grass and the Cyan Essence Purifying Spirit Pill gave Shen Changchuan the foundation to soar and improved his Cultivation Talent. Later, he was nourished by the Earth Vein Spiritual Milk, allowing him to advance even further.
Nourished by these Heavenly and Earthly Treasures, Shen Changchuan could feel that he had a stronger affinity for the power of the Wood Element.
Combined with the Cyan Wood Sword Light he practiced, and the Divine Skill Sanqing Forest Sword Array that came after... condensing a Wood Spirit Body was likely his only option.
And if he were to form a Wood Spirit Body,
the Dream Traveling Immortal’s complete growth memories and lifelong insights would almost certainly be of use to him!
If he succeeded,
it would be of immense significance for Shen Changchuan!
This could potentially make the process of condensing his Spirit Body during the Celestial-Human Communication phase of Foundation Establishment much smoother. It would drastically cut down the time required, leaving him more time to focus on condensing his Divine Seed afterward.
"We’re here. The Song Family is just ahead!"
Just as Shen Changchuan’s thoughts were wandering,
Shen Tingchu’s voice broke in.
Startled, Shen Changchuan quickly reigned in his thoughts and followed Shen Tingchu’s gaze.
...
The Song Family went to great lengths to welcome Shen Tingchu and Shen Changchuan.
They showed them immense respect; even the injured Song Family Ancestor came out of his seclusion early to greet them personally.
However, Shen Changchuan noticed what seemed to be a hint of worry etched between the Song Family Ancestor’s brows.
It wasn’t until they entered the guest hall and exchanged some pleasantries that the conversation turned to the main topic.
Shen Tingchu explained the purpose of their visit,
only to see an awkward expression appear on the face of the Song Family Ancestor, who was seated in the host’s chair.
Shen Tingchu also saw that something was wrong, and couldn’t help but frown slightly.
"What is it, Brother Song? Has something unexpected happened?"
"This... Younger Brother Shen, I’m truly sorry. Something unexpected has indeed happened..."
"Someone else has their eye on that spot... and they intend to interfere..."