https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1006-Stopover-at-the-Former-Residence/13109979/
Chapter 1007: Mystical Intent Concealed in the Jade Peak
Chapter 1007: Mystical Intent Concealed in the Jade Peak
Chao Ming had only rested for a few minutes when another black snake slithered up and was instantly bitten and swallowed by it.
After swallowing two snakes, a warm current of energy surged through his body.
These snakes seemed to contain extremely rich energy within their bodies, and at this moment, their modified organisms felt like they were soaking in a hot spring, feeling unmotivated but strangely becoming more spirited.
It didn't return to the nest it had chosen earlier but instead waited here. From then on, these black snakes kept appearing, sometimes one at a time, sometimes two or three together, and they even collaborated in attacking it.
Chen Chuan had always been consciously training his modified organisms' combat capabilities, and he was also quite intelligent, so he didn't rely solely on his body and instincts. Instead, he employed some simple tactics and techniques, and his advances and retreats were well-planned, always preventing the black snake from getting past him.
In the next half-day, it had swallowed no less than forty of them, one after another. However, as they seemed to realize the danger, their numbers gradually decreased, and after nightfall, they stopped appearing altogether.
Chao Ming remained vigilant, guarding this place to prevent these creatures from taking advantage of any gaps and affecting Chen Chuan's cultivation on the other side.
Within the rift, Chen Chuan wanted to test how long this rift could last, so he continued his cultivation.
He entered this place around three in the afternoon, and by the time dawn broke, the rift was gradually showing signs of closing.
This lasted for at least seventeen hours, a significant improvement compared to before.
In fact, he felt he could continue for another ten to twenty minutes without any issues.
However, as his cultivation deepened, he gradually stopped focusing solely on extending his cultivation time.
A certain amount of cultivation time was necessary, but within the rift, absorbing energy would incur additional mental strain. Even though the second self could withstand the previous invasion, his very existence in that place would inevitably exert a certain mental pressure on the other side.
Therefore, mental relaxation was essential. He gradually understood this principle during this period of cultivation.
Cultivation was crucial, but so was nurturing. With a well-adjusted mental state, he could be more efficient. Moreover, after absorbing sufficient energy, the growth of modified organisms also required a certain amount of sedimentation, especially as he progressed further.
At this moment, with a thought, his spirit form dispersed into a misty vapor, and he emerged from the rift. With a slash of his sword, the entire rift closed, and he then examined the surrounding secret rituals.
To his surprise, what he saw was unexpected. In the Confluence Land, especially deep within the Confluence Land during the night, the erosion was quite severe.
This time, he didn't use You Hufa's Vertebra Stone but relied purely on high-level ritual materials to resist. Logically, the erosion should have been severe, lasting only for a night. However, surprisingly, the entire secret ritual showed little damage.
He turned his thoughts, and a possibility emerged in his mind...
His gaze shifted, and he looked towards another corner of the cave. There, he saw Chao Ming lying there, chirping at him.
Seeing Chao Ming's swollen belly, he knew it had eaten quite a lot. He raised an eyebrow in surprise.
Chao Ming wouldn't eat randomly. It would only consume what it judged beneficial to itself. It seemed that something had happened here during his cultivation.
He walked to the edge of the cave entrance, and at that moment, Chao Ming moved its claws away, revealing a black snake beneath that had been pecked and torn into pieces.
Chen Chuan took a glance. This creature was about three feet long, pitch-black all over. If it hid in a dark place, it would be almost invisible.
It must have come from the bottom of the cave. Indeed, there was something special below.
At this moment, he looked towards his luggage, noticing that one of the modified creatures he had released had returned. This creature resembled a beetle, with its limbs, wings, and antennae retracted, quietly lying there.
He walked over, picked up the creature, and placed it on the specialized Boundary Token he was carrying. The modified creature immediately wrapped its limbs tightly around the token.
After a while, a scene appeared in the light screen in front of the Boundary Token. This was the scene the modified creature had witnessed earlier.
Following the creature's perspective, the scene descended, and the speed was not slow. However, since they paused in each cave, it would take too much time to view the entire sequence, so he tapped the Boundary Token to increase the speed, and the scene on the screen suddenly accelerated, though this didn't hinder his observation.
Before long, the vision reached the deepest pit, and he estimated the distance on the light screen to be about seven to eight hundred meters.
This peak was probably at its highest point, so not only had he reached the bottom of the peak, but he should have also penetrated deep underground.
As the modified creature explored further, a cave opening parallel to the ground appeared. As it continued deeper, the previous black snakes appeared, beginning to attack and prey on these modified creatures.
He had sent out fifteen of these creatures, but only one returned, while the rest were devoured along the way.
Despite this, the last one faithfully completed its task, and he also witnessed something.
On the cave walls, vibrant painted patterns adorned the surface, their colors reminiscent of ancient times. Upon closer inspection, one could discern the faint traces of star trails, undoubtedly the remnants of a secret doctrine ritual.
It seemed that the predecessors of the Xuan Sect had made some arrangements here.
After some thought, he decided against delving deeper into the matter. Regardless of the nature of these arrangements, as long as they didn't interfere with his cultivation, it was fine. For now, they didn't seem to pose any hindrance to him, and if he wanted to investigate, he could always do so after achieving the Longevity Perception Realm.
He instructed Chao Ming to continue guarding the area while he stepped out of the cave dwelling. He proceeded to the hot spring waterfall for a quick wash before heading out to hunt for ingredients.
Within ten minutes, he returned with a robust Gaoshan Niu (High Mountain Ox), and indeed, the surroundings were inhabited by relatively powerful Confluence Land creatures. However, they posed no real threat to him, making it easier to obtain ingredients.
The Gaoshan Niu only required the meat from its back, the most nutritious part of the beast. Although it lacked distinct flavors, its sheer quantity and ability to be roasted made it more than sufficient for his needs.
He casually started a fire and placed the meat on the flames, slowly roasting it. The dripping fat sizzled in the fire, emitting a subtle hissing sound, and the aroma gradually wafted through the air.
As he savored the meat, he relished the aroma and taste of the roast, and the tension within him gradually relaxed with this simple yet delightful meal.
This time, Chao Ming had no appetite and lay on the side, clearly having eaten too much earlier.
Chen Chuan consumed the most delicious and nutritious parts of the meat, leaving the rest outside. Within a short time, worms emerged from beneath the soil, and soon the entire ox was devoured, and within minutes, a cluster of white, slender, jade-like flowers sprouted.
"Unbelievable! It's incredible!" he exclaimed.
He examined the flowers, recognizing them as Yu Zhu Hua (Jade Bamboo Flowers), a plant commonly cultivated in the front yards of various Xuan Sect temples. The sight of these flowers confirmed his earlier speculation that this place had likely been inhabited by Xuan Sect practitioners for an extended period, making it a significant feature.
After finishing his meal, he sat on a stone bench and activated the Boundary Token. When he emerged, this specialized token had indeed stored numerous items, and he could take his time examining them.
In the evening, he checked the Secret Doctrine and found no issues. He continued his cultivation, repeating this process for half a month.
During this period, he went out daily to gather ingredients to reward himself, and his mornings and evenings were dedicated to bitter cultivation. With a clear understanding of his progress, he didn't find the process tedious at all. Watching his strength gradually grow was incredibly captivating.
Moreover, as he never finished the ingredients he gathered, they were left outside, and after over ten days, the area was filled with Yu Zhu Hua, swaying gracefully in the wind, creating a beautiful and fragrant scene.
On this day, after returning from his outdoor hunt, Chen Chuan didn't re-enter the cave. Instead, he was roasting an unknown Shan Zhi (Mountain Pheasant) over the hot spring waterfall. As he glanced outside, he noticed numerous mountain springs and waterfalls in the surroundings, most of which flowed into a winding river. He observed the Yu Long Huan Hui (Jade Dragon Ring), a magnificent sight filled with hidden mysteries. It was no wonder that the predecessors of the Xuan Sect had chosen to stay here; they indeed had a keen eye for such places.
He pondered, wishing there was a direct path from Central City to this place.
However, this was generally not feasible, unless...
He pondered for a moment, shaking his head. After finishing his meal, he tidied up and stood up, heading back into the cave dwelling. But as he took a step inside, his footsteps paused. He saw a person lying on the stone bed, dressed in Xuan Sect attire, holding a fly whisk, and appearing as a Xuan Shi (Xuan Practitioner). Their gaze moved, focusing on Chen Chuan, and no signs of virtualized illusions were visible.
Upon seeing Chen Chuan, the Xuan Shi examined him for a moment before suddenly shaking his head and saying, "No, no, you've practiced the wrong method. You've made a mistake."
Chen Chuan looked at him and asked, "What did I practice incorrectly?"
The Xuan Shi replied, "The method you've been practicing must be our Xuan Sect's secret manual, 'Tai Bai Jing Guan' (Tai Bai Realm Perception). When this method is cultivated to its depths, one can connect to the Golden Heavens and continue the Jade Bridge. However, the latter part of this method is not suitable for you, as it obstructs your path."
Chen Chuan said, "This method has no errors."
The Xuan Shi nodded and said, "There are no errors, but it doesn't suit your body. With your talent, you should practice our sect's Wu Shang Mi Dian (Supreme Secret Manual), which is more appropriate. Otherwise, you'll be wasting this precious body of yours."
Chen Chuan smiled, not paying further attention to him, and went to rest with the Boundary Token.
The Xuan Shi smiled at him and said, "I know you don't believe my words, but it's no matter. Let me inform you of something. At the foot of this mountain, there's a pool established by our sect, and the steam rising from this pool can assist you in increasing your merit by threefold." As he spoke, he raised three fingers, "You can try it and see for yourself."
Without waiting for Chen Chuan to ask, he gave him a few instructions and then jumped off the stone bed, walking out of the cave.
Chen Chuan turned to look again and found that the outside was deserted.
...
...
(End of Chapter)
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