https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-117-Yan-Xia-Mastery-Su-Wanning-s-Objective/13510321/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-119-Breakthrough-to-Mid-Stage-Foundation-Building/13510323/
Chapter 118: Lin Ping An's Personal Invitation
Chapter 118: Lin Ping An’s Personal Invitation
Laba porridge had barely finished warming their bellies when another seven days slipped by.
It was the fifteenth of the twelfth lunar month—exactly sixty-four days since October eleventh.
Over these past weeks, Xiao Chen had diligently consumed his spirit-nourishing pills daily, steadily sharpening his spiritual sense. Today, his efforts finally bore fruit.
Normally, a Foundation-Building third-layer cultivator’s spiritual sense extended about three hundred zhang. But now, when Xiao Chen expanded his awareness, it effortlessly engulfed a radius of four hundred zhang, dramatically increasing the area he could monitor at once.
Simultaneously, with his Blazing Light Spirit Sand reserves depleted, his most practiced technique—the Xuan Fire Raven—successfully advanced to the Grand Mastery Realm.
Cultivating spells after breaking through Foundation Building felt noticeably smoother. With his enhanced spiritual sense, controlling the Xuan Fire Ravens was no longer a struggle.
Where once commanding a hundred Ravens had been clumsy and taxing, he could now manipulate a thousand within his spiritual sense’s range as effortlessly as moving his own limbs, arranging them however he pleased.
Even better, the Great Fire Raven Formation could now be layered—a discovery likely due to their shared origin. By first grouping ten Ravens into smaller Fire Raven Formations, then treating each cluster as a single raven to form the Great Fire Raven Formation, he created a supercharged, amplified version.
“Xuanyang Bing Fire!”
As Xiao Chen activated the enhanced formation, a torrent of flame erupted—ten times fiercer and more violent than before. With a mere thought, the fiery deluge shifted direction under his spiritual sense’s guidance.
From this moment on, his cultivation manual gained an entirely new stage.
“Since this technique has evolved, it deserves a new name. Let’s call it ‘Xuanyang True Flame.’”
Thrilled at acquiring such a potent offensive ability, Xiao Chen treated himself to a celebratory meal at White Jade Restaurant in Lihuo Bazaar.
Upon returning to Cuiwei Valley, he found Lin Ping An waiting at his doorstep.
Dressed in a star-patterned crown, crane-feather cloak, jade-belt, and cloud-walking boots, Lin looked travel-worn—as though he’d just completed a long journey.
This was a rare visit. They hadn’t met since returning from the Yan Chi Secret Realm earlier that year, nor had Xiao Chen heard any news of him.
Now, Lin had clearly advanced to Foundation Building as well.
“Senior Sect Brother Xiao, it’s been too long. I hope you’ve been well?”
“The same to you, Sect Brother Lin. How have you fared lately?”
“Not bad. I ventured out on a long trip and gained some benefits. I’m still keeping pace with your progress, at least for now.”
Lin Ping An studied Xiao Chen, sighing. “Senior Brother, you seem even more radiant. Your cultivation realm must’ve improved significantly—truly inspiring fierce competition!”
They exchanged greetings and entered the courtyard, chatting as they walked.
Xiao Chen learned that after leaving the Yan Chi Secret Realm, Lin had immediately set off seeking opportunities. He’d traveled all the way to Hezhou, staying there for months before returning to Lizhou at the start of the month.
“Senior Brother, I originally planned to return on the first day of the new lunar month,” Lin explained.
“But guess what? On my way back, I passed Huangfeng Valley and ran into the Black Market auction.”
“Oh? That was fortunate timing.”
“You said it! At that Black Market, someone was selling parchment scrolls—”
Xiao Chen inhaled sharply. “Sect Brother Lin… you didn’t buy a treasure map, did you?”
“Actually, I did.” Lin nodded. “I bought every single one the seller had.”
“These past days, I’ve studied them carefully and found a crucial clue. After the Lunar New Year, I plan to follow these maps to seek treasures.”
“But alone, my cultivation realm is too weak—I might face serious risks. That’s why I’m here, Senior Brother. Our last collaboration went so smoothly… Would you consider joining me this time?”
Logically, this shouldn’t be trusted. Chasing treasure maps from the Black Market was usually a waste of time. The sellers were often dubious—like this one, who’d hidden their face entirely.
But this was Lin Ping An.
“Of course! When do you plan to leave?” Xiao Chen agreed immediately.
Lin considered. “How about March next year?”
Xiao Chen blinked. “That soon? Do you have other matters to attend to first?”
The earlier they acted, the better. If they delayed, someone else might reach the ruins first.
Lin shook his head. “I estimate I’ll breakthrough to Foundation Building Second Layer within one or two months. A higher realm will help handle unexpected dangers.”
“I see. Then let me support you—do you need spirit stones for cultivation?”
“No, no,” Lin waved him off. “I have enough for now.”
“Then it’s settled. Once I breakthrough, I’ll come find Senior Brother.”
Standing, he bowed. “I’ll return to cultivate now.”
Xiao Chen escorted him out. “May you breakthrough swiftly, Sect Brother.”
After Lin left, Xiao Chen resumed his cultivation.
With one to two months remaining, he should have time to breakthrough to Mid-Stage Foundation Building and unlock a new hex. If fortune favored him, this would become another ace up his sleeve.
“Let’s start with Five Light Xuan Water.”
Though similar in effect, using spirit herbs felt like nourishing the seedling in his dantian from Yu Ling Jue. Spirit elixirs simply made the process feel more satisfying.
The Five Light Xuan Water proved its worth—its pure Five Elements mana surged into his meridians upon consumption, transforming into pure Wood mana during a full circulation cycle before nourishing the seedling in his dantian.
This maximized its potency, increasing his cultivation speed by another ten percent compared to using Six Harmonies Spirit Water.
“I originally thought I’d need until late February or March.”
“At this rate, I might complete the breakthrough before the fifteenth of the first lunar month.”
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
