Chapter 148: Breakthrough to Foundation Building Seventh Floor · The Art of High-Level Play

Chapter 148
Breakthrough to Foundation Building Seventh Floor · The Art of High-Level Play

After eliminating Dongfang Xingzhe, Xiao Chen turned around to retrieve the storage pouch and superior-grade magic artifact—a defensive magic robe—left behind by his opponent.

In the past, such defensive artifacts would shatter before combat even concluded. This was the first time he’d acquired an undamaged treasure. If he could bring it to a place like Bat Tower, it would fetch at least a thousand spirit stones.

“Reel it in!”

With a wave of his hand, Xiao Chen dismantled the sword array guarding the cave entrance.

Cao Honghai, who had recently broken through to Foundation Building Seventh Floor, stood no chance against the Lesser Trinity Sword Array’s annihilation. He had perished long ago.

Xiao Chen collected Cao’s storage pouch and erased all traces within the cave. Then he proceeded to search both storage pouches.

This time, his decryption was a quarter of a cycle faster than before. Together, the two pouches were fully processed in just one and a half hours.

Cao Honghai’s pouch contained a chaotic mess—bits and pieces of random items—but nothing valuable. His most prized possessions, a shield shredded by the sword array and a broken superior-grade magic sword, were already destroyed. Truly befitting a solitary cultivator. Xiao Chen couldn’t help feeling disappointed.

Fortunately, Dongfang Xingzhe’s storage pouch lived up to his reputation as a wandering mercenary.

First came 41,889 spirit stones, packed so densely they nearly overflowed the pouch.

Hissing in astonishment, Xiao Chen muttered, “Damn, this guy’s loaded.”

Of these 40,000 stones, at least 20,000 were ill-gotten gains plundered from Zhuxian County. Xiao Chen estimated the rest were equally tainted.

Next, he found a specialized cauldron for blood wine and three matching cups—a demonic set likely tied to poison. There were also batches of consumables like Bigu Pills and Gushing Spring Pills, plus a golden token engraved with the words “Huidong” on its front and cryptic inscriptions on the back, whose purpose remained unclear.

Then came three demonic cultivation manuals.

The first was Yellow Spring Secret Canon: True Interpretation, filled with annotations and cultivation insights on the Yellow Spring Secret Canon.

The second was Blood Sea Divine Flame Record, detailing a unique fire magic technique.

The last was an independent volume: Blood Sacrifice Secret Technique.

“Soul-chasing shuttle… Soul Severing Needle… This is literally ‘soul-hunting and spirit-severing’,” Xiao Chen murmured, flipping through the pages. Indeed, this was a specialized demonic secret art designed to counter orthodox cultivators’ defensive magic artifacts.

“No wonder rumors say the Spirit Origin Sect suffered heavy losses.”

Now he understood. With such specialized methods, it would be abnormal for the Spirit Origin Sect to gain the upper hand.

“Could this mean another large-scale demonic calamity is imminent?”

Previously, while researching ancient texts about malevolent qi at the Scripture Pavilion, Xiao Chen had also studied historical records of past demonic disasters. The Southern Domain had experienced similar catastrophes multiple times before.

At regular intervals, demonic cultivators’ power would surge dramatically, breaking through the orthodox sects’ blockades and expanding rapidly. What followed was always a human catastrophe.

Smaller disasters might be contained within a single province, while large-scale ones could spread across multiple provinces, even engulfing half the Southern Domain.

The former would eventually be quelled by orthodox cultivators from neighboring provinces uniting to eradicate the threat—and then squabble over territorial control.

The latter scenario had two possible outcomes.

The first: the demonic forces would transform into a new orthodox sect, becoming the dominant power and turning against other demonic cultivators.

The Luotian Sect, during its peak, had ruthlessly targeted demonic cultivators in Li Province.

Xiao Chen recalled from ancient texts that the Soul Confusion Spirit Gathering Grand Method he’d found in Heyang County belonged to the Scent-Seeking Dao, which had been mercilessly suppressed by the Luotian Sect back then.

The second outcome was continued devastation until a celestial genius emerged to quell the disaster—someone who achieved Nascent Soul True Monarch status, sweeping across the Southern Domain to purge all evil and restore order.

Before that happened, countless innocents would inevitably fall victim to demonic cultivators.

Judging from current events, the situation was dire.

“But these are all offensive magic artifacts,” Xiao Chen mused. “We still need a defensive-type ace up the sleeve.”

He rummaged through his storage bag and pulled out an item. “Hmm, this Murky-Water Round Shield seems pretty decent.”

“As long as no one finds out Dongfang Xingzhe was taken down by me, no one will know I took the Murky-Water Round Shield.”

He then reviewed his spells.

The Seven Star Sword Technique, used repeatedly, was definitely exposed. The Blazing Crimson Clouds technique, used in Cuiwei Valley, would likely be recognized by observant experts.

Fortunately, the Zongdi Golden Light and Luotian Xuan Fire Crow techniques remained unknown.

“Come to think of it, does exchanging for the Nahuuo Talisman at the Merit Hall count as exposure?”

Normally, only Foundation-Building elders in the sect could access records of Merit Hall transactions. As long as there were no traitors, it should stay secret.

“Still, I guess I can’t be too cautious,” Xiao Chen muttered.

This wouldn’t stop him from cultivating the Nahuuo Talisman, but from now on, it would serve only as auxiliary protection against fiery energy—not his ultimate trump card.

He spent two hours carving the cave inside and out with the Seven Star Sword Technique, ensuring no traces remained beyond the sword method itself. Only then did he leave Wanyao Mountain Range, satisfied.

Truth be told, he owed Cao Honghai thanks for coming here himself—saved the trouble of chasing him elsewhere later.

With Dongfang Xingzhe and his two henchmen dealt with, Xiao Chen could finally enjoy some peace.

“Xiao Chen, you’re safe—that’s a relief!”

Before reaching Lihuo Sect, he encountered Mei Yong, who had been searching for him.

He later learned that cultivators from clans like the Chen and Liu families had scoured the region all day, even pausing outpost operations to grant disciples three days off.

“By the way, where’ve you been? Did you find any clues about the demonic cultivator?” Mei Yong asked after confirming his safety. “Since we’ve mobilized so many people, we might as well capture this Demon Head.”

“For the sake of those he killed.”

Previously, Xiao Chen might’ve confessed the truth, but now he chose secrecy. “I saw the message on the city wall and checked Wanyao Mountain Range.”

“But there was no trace of the demonic cultivator—just a ploy to draw us away.”

Mei Yong nodded. “Makes sense. Demonic cultivators are always cunning.”

“In that case, Senior Brother, you rest first. I’ll patrol this area.”

Back in Cuiwei Valley, Xiao Chen retrieved the Yellow Wind Quicksand Formation blueprint, studying the array.

Formations were complex, but Dongfang Xingzhe, unfamiliar with array arts, had used pre-made flags designed for simplicity. Most challenges were already solved by formation masters and artisans. Deploying them required only setting secondary flags and activating the main flag with a chant.

Once mastered, the process took no more than a quarter-hour.

This method was rare due to its cost—each set of nine flags was expensive to craft, and activation consumed a thousand spirit stones.

While the true Yellow Wind Quicksand Formation, a second-tier entrapment array, could immobilize five or six Late-Stage Foundation-Building cultivators, these pre-made flags delivered only half the power—trapping just two or three people—and lasted only five uses before breaking.

A poor investment, generally.

But since Xiao Chen acquired them for free, the cost-effectiveness flipped. Whether resting in the wilds or ambushing enemies, pre-deployed flags added another ace up his sleeve.

“With this formation, I’ll easily dominate terrain advantages.”

He spent two full days learning flag placement and activation.

Meanwhile, Lihuo Sect scoured their territory, capturing only a few unlucky bandit cultivators. Dongfang Xingzhe’s trail had gone cold, spreading panic among smaller families.

“Latest news—Southern and Western Travelers have surfaced in Hezhou,” Chen Zhixuan reported, handing Xiao Chen intel. “Northern Traveler, the only one among the Four Travelers who doesn’t use blood arts, is a talisman master. We’ve confirmed Dongfang Xingzhe’s infiltration.”

He sighed. “They’ve mastered the Nine Heavens Blood Transformation Art. Trouble’s coming.”

“Senior Brother Chen, maybe you’re overthinking,” Xiao Chen offered. “Maybe he’ll flee seeing our efforts.”

Chen Zhixuan shook his head. “You don’t know how ruthless demonic cultivators are. Fear won’t drive them off.”

Truthfully, Dongfang Xingzhe felt less threatening than Lu Wuqiang.

By September, Xiao Chen decided to attend the Three Sects Joint Competition for fun and to cheer on Su Wanning.

“Senior Sect Brother Mei, has the competition date been set?”

“You can’t join this year—people’ll say you’re bullying juniors,” Mei Yong teased before answering. “Anyway, it’s postponed. Divine Flame Sect escalated attacks on Hezhou—the situation’s dire.”

“Spirit Origin Sect’s contacting Cangyan and Sihai Sects for reinforcements. They’ve offered us good terms—movement within a fortnight.”

Thanks to Chu Modian’s Hezhou branch, Xiao Chen understood the tensions—Spirit Origin Sect’s bitter history with Qingxiao Sect, and territorial disputes with Wanhu Valley.

Centuries of rivalry meant no love lost. Spirit Origin Sect would rather recruit from Lizhou than ally with closer rivals.

For Lihuo Sect, though, this meant lucrative pill-forge and weapon orders.

“Will the other two sects send reinforcements?” Xiao Chen asked.

“Hard to say,” Mei Yong hesitated. “Rumors say Spirit Origin’s offering an Ascension Spirit Pill as the top reward.”

Ascension Spirit Pill!

Xiao Chen's eyebrows twitched at those words. This definitely didn't refer to Foundation Building Pills—it must be the pill used to break through to Golden Core.

Well now, if Spirit Origin Sect was truly willing to offer that, he'd have to consider joining the competition. Such an opportunity was simply too valuable to miss, who knew when the next chance would come?

Soon, rumors began circulating—Cangyan Sect and Sihai Sect were both making unusual personnel movements.

Breaking his usual habits, Xiao Chen visited Chu Mo Hall daily to check for the latest intelligence. Everyone else capable of obtaining information was equally focused on the unfolding situation.

Except for Su Wanning, who had recently returned to tend the spirit flowers. She seemed unusually gloomy.

Last time during the Sect Competition, Xiao Chen hadn't even attended her match. Now that he finally had time, the Three Sects Joint Competition got postponed.

This agonizing wait dragged on for nearly ten days.

One morning, as Xiao Chen cultivated a Grand Celestial Cycle in his courtyard as usual, he suddenly realized he'd accumulated sufficient energy to surpass the minor cultivation bottleneck and break through to Foundation Building Seventh Stage.

"Timing-wise, it makes sense", he mused, feeling the fullness in his dantian. "The Heavenly Path Foundation Building truly is wondrous."

In high spirits, he wanted to push forward immediately—but paused. "Wait, should I hold off until hearing from Hezhou first?"

Normally, breaking through a minor bottleneck would grant a new hex. But now he faced two critical needs. If Spirit Origin Sect truly offered Ascension Spirit Pills, he'd need to go to Hezhou to compete. This time, he should choose a hex that maximized combat effectiveness to secure the highest score.

But if the rumors proved false and no Ascension Spirit Pills existed, he could opt for a development-focused hex—prioritizing economic gains or future advantages.

Better to play it flexible. That's what high-level strategy was all about!

For the next few days, Xiao Chen deliberately reduced his cultivation time, only practicing one Grand Celestial Cycle morning and night to maintain his condition. He spent the extra time at the Alchemy Hall, selecting expensive pills and taking forging tasks to earn spirit stones.

This waiting game continued for nearly a month.

On the thirtieth day of September, definite news arrived.

Spirit Origin Sect would offer three True Yuan Convergence Pills as the ultimate reward, inviting all Foundation Building cultivators in Li Zhou to Hezhou. These were precisely the Ascension Spirit Pills that helped Foundation Building cultivators break through to Golden Core. Depending on the cultivator's age, they could increase success rates by 0.5-20%, with younger ages yielding better results.

To maximize appeal, Spirit Origin Sect also released an unprecedented resource list for public promotion across Li Zhou.

The entire Li Zhou erupted in discussion.

Numerous minor families of Foundation Building cultivators raised banners shouting "Reinforce Hezhou! Eliminate Demonic Threats!"

When Lihuo Sect received the news, they naturally held a second assembly.

"This time we have slightly more time", Mei Yong announced, though his expression remained troubled. "Senior sect brothers have ten days to decide whether to go to Hezhou. The detailed resource list will be distributed shortly."

As sect leader, he needed to consider the sect's operations. Many Foundation Builders had already been reassigned after the previous mobilization—if too many left this time, key industries might collapse.

Truthfully, if not for his responsibilities, he'd rush to Hezhou himself. Even without the Ascension Spirit Pill—which required the most points and posed the greatest challenge—there were still treasures worth pursuing: top-grade magic artifacts, Earth-tier legacy talismans, or even Yao Beast Internal Elixirs!

Indeed, Spirit Origin Sect had astonishingly offered six Internal Elixirs—permanent increases to dantian mana capacity. What cultivator could resist such treasures?

But Mei Yong needed to warn everyone about Hezhou's dangers.

"Senior sect brothers, the reason we haven't distributed the list yet is because I must first clarify something crucial."

"A month ago, a Demonic Dao Golden Core cultivator ambushed Xunmei Mountain. Both Foundation Builders stationed there perished without exception."

He paused before continuing. "Half a month ago, Spirit Origin Sect's Lei Yin Zhenren clashed with that same Demonic Dao Golden Core. The battle's residual energy gravely injured a Foundation Builder who failed to evacuate—damaging his core foundation, leaving him permanently stuck at Foundation Building Sixth Layer."

Mei Yong recounted many such incidents, including intelligence about soul-chasing shuttles. Divine Flame Cult's southern envoys had already hunted at least eight Foundation Builders with their soul-chasing shuttles, with many more likely unreported.

His warnings made many family cultivators hesitate, especially Su Family's supervisors. But Mei Yong's true concern lay with the sect's honorary elders.

The Five Great Families would ultimately follow family decisions—individual preferences mattered little. Only the honorary elders could decide their participation.

Most sect guest elders wore solemn expressions but showed no fear. Spirit Origin Sect's offerings were simply too tempting.

"Not only Ascension Spirit Pills, but so many Internal Elixirs", Xiao Chen murmured, staring at the reward list in Cuiwei Valley.

Frankly, he felt confident defeating same-stage opponents. With three Ascension Spirit Pills and six Internal Elixirs available, he had nearly 90% certainty of securing both.

But one concern remained—what if he encountered a Demonic Dao Golden Core cultivator?

Though unlikely, Xiao Chen preferred not to gamble. His luck had never been reliable—ultimately, strength determined survival.

"At this point, it all depends on drawing an ace in the hole."

He'd suppressed his cultivation for over a month precisely to keep this choice open.

Xiao Chen decisively consumed the last bottle of Pure Wood Essence, immediately feeling wood mana surge through his meridians.

Half a day later, he successfully broke through to Foundation Building Seventh Stage.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end