Chapter 159: Perfection in the First Layer of the Blazing Divine Wood Art, Talent Refresh (Part 1)

Chapter 159: Perfection in the First Layer of the Blazing Divine Wood Art, Talent Refresh (Part 1)



Hearing Chu Ning's question, Wen Yancheng smiled and explained, "It has indeed been like this for many years. Previously, the Thousand Islands Alliance suspected that it might be due to the remnants of an ancient array formation. They even speculated that this place could be the site of an ancient sect, which is why this Water Cloud Island used to be under the jurisdiction of the Thousand Islands Alliance."

"The Cen family also spent a considerable amount of time but still couldn't find anything unusual. As the spiritual veins here are truly too scarce, the Thousand Islands Alliance gave up on this island and handed it over to other cultivators to manage."

Chu Ning nodded slightly after hearing this.

He had heard that a few hundred years ago, there used to be sites of ancient sects in this area of a thousand lakes and islands, which had indeed attracted a lot of attention from cultivators, leading to intense battles.

"So Fellow Daoist Wen took over the jurisdiction of this island?"

"Not exactly!" Wen Yancheng shook his head. "Some cultivators still didn't give up, and even a few Base Building cultivators managed it for a period of time, but they also didn't discover anything. Moreover, as this island is not very convenient for low-level cultivators and mortals to live on, it's not very popular and the income is average, so it ended up in my hands."

Hearing this, Wen Yancheng smiled slightly and said, "I happen to cultivate water-attribute techniques, so a place like this actually makes me feel quite comfortable."

Chu Ning nodded slightly. He was less sensitive to the spiritual energy of water attributes.

But since Wen Yancheng said so, this place should have a relatively denser water spiritual energy.

As the group chatted, they made their way towards Wen Yancheng's cave abode.

Since it was Chu Ning's first time here, Wen Yancheng wanted to show him around Water Cloud Island, so they didn't fly too fast.

After a while, they finally arrived at Wen Yancheng's cave abode.

Along the way, it seemed just as Wen Yancheng had said—there weren't many people on the island.

According to Wen Yancheng, there were fewer spirit fields cultivated on the island.

Instead, the island was abundant in a type of spiritual fish called the Black-tailed Flood Dragon Fish, which was a good supplement for cultivators.

So many people on the island raised this type of spiritual fish.

At the same time, some outside cultivators would come to the island's surroundings every day to catch these fish.

Wen Yancheng even specially took Chu Ning to a place to see.

"I wonder if that cultivator obtained the Soul Calming Bead by chance in this manner."

Chu Ning's heart stirred slightly as he pondered. Back then, it wasn't convenient for him to ask where the other party had obtained it specifically.

However, Chu Ning pretended to be curious and asked Wen Yancheng a few questions, secretly memorizing the larger capture sites on the island.

All of this was because Chu Ning suspected that there might be some clues related to the Divine Dream Manual and the mysterious figure who created it somewhere nearby.

Chu Ning only had the first two layers of the Divine Dream Manual, and after he started cultivating the second layer, he had searched for related information on multiple occasions.

However, he had hardly found any records or mentions of the Divine Dream Manual.

The only thing Chu Ning knew that was somewhat related to the mysterious figure was the Soul Calming Bead.

Since the Soul Calming Bead had appeared on Water Cloud Island, Chu Ning knew that he would have to come and investigate sooner or later.

When the group entered Wen Yancheng's cave abode, Chu Ning took a look and laughed, "Fellow Daoist Wen, it's rare to see someone like you who loves books so much."

In the room that Wen Yancheng led them to, there were rows upon rows of bookshelves, with at least a dozen of them, all filled with books.

It was uncommon for cultivators to have so many books in their rooms, as they usually preferred to use jade slips.

Chu Ning had indeed rarely seen such a sight.

Hearing Chu Ning's words, Wen Yancheng laughed heartily, "You flatter me, Brother Chu. This is just my hobby—collecting books, maps, and the like. To be honest, many of these are even books from the mortal world."

Chu Ning didn't mind, as he knew that aside from some miscellaneous books, the books in the cultivation world recorded cultivation secrets.

It would be impossible for Wen Yancheng to collect so many of those.

So, it was only natural for him to have some books from the mortal world.

At this moment, Wen Yancheng seemed eager to show off his collection and began to introduce it to Chu Ning.

"You might not be interested in these books, but I also have quite a few maps, some of which are ancient. Perhaps you'll find them intriguing."

As he spoke, Wen Yancheng casually took out two pieces of beast hide from the shelf and unfolded them.

"For example, this ancient map shows that Water Cloud Island used to be called Water Cloud Cave. I spent a lot of effort to collect it. I even specially made a map of Water Cloud Island as it is now and compared the two to determine their positions."

Chu Ning's heart raced as he looked at the two maps Wen Yancheng had taken out.

The modern map of Water Cloud Island that Wen Yancheng held wasn't particularly interesting.

However, the ancient map depicted a scene that Chu Ning immediately recognized.

Many parts of the map were identical to the fragmented beast hide map that Chu Ning had obtained from Peng Dajun of Shadow Moon Island, He Mingjin of Green Wave Island, and the unnamed middle-aged cultivator.

Originally, Chu Ning didn't know what place was marked on the fragmented map, and since it wasn't complete, he hadn't found it useful.

However, he remembered that the map in his hand marked a specific location.

Even if he didn't have the rest of the fragmented map, as long as he could use this ancient map of Water Cloud Island to pinpoint the exact location, it would be enough.

With this thought flashing through his mind, Chu Ning's face showed a keen interest as he asked, "This is quite intriguing. For example, where is your cave abode located on the original ancient map?"

Wen Yancheng was delighted to see Chu Ning's interest and eagerly began to explain, "My cave abode, in the original Water Cloud Cave, was located at a place called Meiwu Peak..."

Chu Ning asked about several other places before casually asking, "This Viewing Moon Mountain on the ancient map seems to be in a rather odd location. I don't recall you mentioning it earlier."

"Occasionally, some cultivators will go there to fish, but it's also quite rare." Chu Ning nodded slightly and continued to chat with Wen Yancheng about Water Cloud Island.

Later on, he even asked if there were any ancient maps or the like of Fei Hong Island.

From their interactions, both Wen Yancheng and Jiang Hongguang got the impression that Chu Ning was indeed very interested in such matters.

When Chu Ning left Water Cloud Island, Wen Yancheng repeatedly invited him to visit his abode.

Chu Ning naturally agreed.

After returning to Fei Hong Island from Water Cloud Island, Chu Ning politely declined Jiang Hongguang's invitation to his cave abode and instead returned directly to his own cave on Yan Peak.

Using his flying abilities, he arrived outside his cave and was about to enter the formation when he noticed a white figure quietly standing by the lake near the cave.

In an instant, the figure flashed towards the lakeside as well.

"Why didn't Fellow Daoist Cen come into the cave?" Chu Ning called out.

Hearing Chu Ning's greeting, Cen Zikin turned her head, her face partially hidden by a veil, but her pair of enchanting eyes looked at Chu Ning with a faint smile. "You're not afraid that I might walk right into your cave and take a look at the treasures in your medicinal garden?"

As Chu Ning used a jade token to unlock the restrictions, he laughed, "If you wanted to take a look, you would have done so already. With your status as a Core Formation cultivator, I doubt I could keep any secrets from you."

"I'm not so sure about that. I always feel like there's something I can't quite see through about you." Cen Zikin mumbled.

Chu Ning quickly changed the subject and laughed it off. "I just got back from Water Cloud Island. Sorry to have kept you waiting."

Cen Zikin's attention was piqued, and she asked why he had gone to Water Cloud Island.

The two of them chatted casually as they made their way to the stone room in Chu Ning's cave, which was the outer room with a view of the entire lake.

After Cen Zikin sat down, she took out some spiritual tea from her storage bag and started preparing it.

Once the tea was ready, she naturally removed her veil, revealing her exquisite and otherworldly face.

She took a sip of tea and then pulled out two objects from her storage bag.

First, she handed a small jade box to Chu Ning. "These are high-quality spiritual tea seeds. You can plant them, so next time I come, you won't have to bother bringing spiritual tea."

"Great!" Chu Ning took it.

Cen Zikin then picked up two jade bottles from the side and said, "It's not easy to refine spiritual pills with both wood and fire attributes. I asked someone from the outside to bring some, but I only have 90 pills. If you want more later, I can ask someone else to help."

"Great!" Chu Ning's eyes flickered slightly as he heard this, and he reached out to take the bottles without saying much in thanks. Instead, he took out some mid-grade lower-tier talismans from his storage bag.

"I heard that recently, Fairy Cen has learned several different mid-grade lower-tier talismans, and the cultivators outside are probably eagerly awaiting them."

Upon hearing this, Cen Zikin burst out laughing. "It seems I'm getting closer and closer to the title of the best talisman maker in the Thousand Lakes and Islands."

"Meow!"

Just then, Ling Xiaobai popped out and meowed.

Hearing this, Cen Zikin's face lit up, and she reached out to pick up the little guy. "Little White, I brought you some spirit fruits..."

That night, Cen Zikin stayed over, as there was an extra room in the cave.

The reason she gave was that she wanted to keep Little White company.

While Cen Zikin played with Ling Xiaobai in the next room, Chu Ning returned to his cultivation room and took out a piece of beast hide.

At the same time, he pulled out a large piece of paper and began to recall the two maps he had seen at Wen Yancheng's place earlier that day.

It took him a full half an hour, but Chu Ning finally managed to sketch out one of the maps.

However, the markings on the map he drew were not the same as those on the ancient beast hide map but were instead adjusted to the current location of Water Cloud Island.

"Is it possible that this location is actually the cave abode of that divine dream master?" Chu Ning stared at the new marking on his map, his eyes flashing with curiosity.

The main reason for this speculation was the appearance of the Soul Calming Bead; after all, it would be extremely coincidental for it to appear otherwise.

However, this was just Chu Ning's own conjecture.

"First, I'll cultivate the Blazing Divine Wood Art to perfection in the first layer, then build my foundation. By then, my training in the second layer of the Refining God Technique should also have reached a certain stage.

I'll decide what to do next when the opportunity arises."

Chu Ning's eyes flickered, and he put away the two maps.

If it really was the cave abode of an ancient, powerful cultivator, it was most likely filled with intricate restrictions.

Even with Ling Xiaobai, a spiritual beast that could ignore restrictions, he still had to be cautious and thoughtful.

Cen Zikin only stayed for one night and left the next day.

Chu Ning's cultivation life returned to normal.

He also tried the pills that Cen Zikin had given him. Although they weren't as good as the Primeval Green Yang Pills, they were much better than ordinary pills.

Originally, after Chu Ning had used up his Primeval Green Yang Pills, his progress in the Blazing Divine Wood Art had slowed down, and with the help of the Flame-Wood Twin Birth Fruit and spirit stones, he was only gaining about four points of proficiency per day.

Now, however, he was able to speed up again, gaining about five points per day.

Cultivate, create talismans, nurture spirit plants...

Time flew by in the mountains.

Unknowingly, two years passed in the blink of an eye.

...

Fei Hong Island, Yan Peak.

The island's cultivators knew that this peak was the cave abode of the island's top cultivator, so almost no one dared to approach it.

It was said that a low-level cultivator had once come to Yan Peak in search of a master to accept him as a disciple.

However, he ended up trapped there for three whole days and nights, and after he returned, he acted as if he had seen a ghost, remaining suspicious and fearful for a long time.

On its broad back sat a young man in a green robe, with a small white demon beast by his side.

This person was none other than the master of this place, Chu Ning.

Looking into the distance at the lake, Chu Ning's expression was calm and serene.

After cultivating in his cave abode for several years, Chu Ning no longer had the tense and guarded demeanor he had when he first left Qingxi Sect.

Instead, he exuded an air of nonchalance, giving off the impression of a reclusive sage.

"In another ten days, Cen Zikin should be arriving. It's just the right time to set up the array and draw out the earth fire..."

As he thought to himself, Chu Ning's mind flashed through his cultivation proficiency, and he briefly recalled his progress over the past two years.

【Blazing Divine Wood Art (High-Rank, Top-Tier), First Layer (4990/5000)】

【Nine Transformations Body Refining Art, First Volume, Unending Sinews (1499/1500)】

【Refining God Technique, Second Layer (1700/2000)】

In the span of two years, he had nearly perfected the Blazing Divine Wood Art.

During this time, Cen Zikin's help with providing pills had been invaluable.

She would visit once every three months, each time bringing a sufficient quantity of pills.

This allowed Chu Ning to maintain an increase of 4 to 5 points in proficiency every day.

As for the Nine Transformations Body Refining Art's Unending Sinews, it was also slowly improving with the help of the Iron Sun Fruit.

However, a month ago, it had stalled at 1499 points, refusing to budge any further.

Apparently, the hybrid Iron Sun Fruit, while able to boost proficiency, couldn't help him completely overcome this bottleneck.

As for the Refining God Technique...

Before, by consuming spiritual sense to analyze talisman sources and create talismans, Chu Ning could maintain an increase of about 2 points in proficiency each day.

But after his proficiency reached 1000 points, even with increased spiritual sense consumption, he could only gain 1 point per day.

To break through the bottlenecks of Unending Sinews and the Refining God Technique, the former required a certain opportunity, while the latter required more time.

On the other hand, the Blazing Divine Wood Art only needed a couple more days of diligent cultivation to reach perfection in the first layer.

"Let's go, Big Gray. Back to the cave abode."

With a command from Chu Ning, the Iron Rock Beast carrying him entered the formation, and his figure disappeared into a cloud of white mist.

Upon returning to his cave abode, Chu Ning inspected the various spirit plants in his medicinal garden and spirit fields.

The Flame-Wood Twin Birth Fruit, after bearing fruit for two years, would need another half a year before it could be harvested.

The Iron Soul Flower had bloomed for a year, but it wasn't fully mature yet, and it wasn't time to absorb its wood essence.

As for the Iron Sun Fruit, he had already harvested several batches.

And the hybrid spirit fruit created by Chu Ning through cross-pollination of Iron Stem Orchid, Primeval Green Yang Fruit, and Golden Sun Fruit had also borne fruit for over a year.

However, there were still no signs of maturity.

After a quick tour, Chu Ning arrived at the medicinal garden where the Flame-Wood Twin Birth Fruit was planted.

He performed the Everlasting Spring Art and then took out several pieces of mid-grade spirit stones, closing his eyes to begin cultivating.

This session of cultivation lasted for two days and nights.

On the morning of the third day, Chu Ning opened his eyes, and a flash of green and red light flickered in his eyes before disappearing.

"Blazing Divine Wood Art, first layer, perfection!"

Chu Ning sensed the extremely pure wood and fire dual-attribute spiritual power in his dantian, which had been tempered countless times.

His bright eyes held a hint of satisfaction.

His figure flashed, and he left the medicinal garden, returning to his cultivation room.

Then, he stretched out his hand, and a fire snake as thick as a python appeared in the air.

After coiling in the air for a while, it disappeared back into Chu Ning's hand.

"After reaching perfection in the first layer of the Blazing Divine Wood Art, my control over the Blazing Inferno Art has also improved.

I've been practicing this Fire Serpent Transformation for quite some time, and now I can finally perform it successfully."

Subsequently, Chu Ning turned his attention to his proficiency levels in his mind.

Now that he had perfected the first layer of the Blazing Divine Wood Art, it should refresh his talent!

Sure enough, when he checked his proficiency, he found that it had been updated.

【Blazing Divine Wood Art (High-Rank, Top-Tier), First Layer (5000/5000)】

{Talent Refresh, Reward Talent: "Primordial Elixir Body"}

1. Greatly enhances understanding and talent in pill concoction;

2. Increases pill concoction success rate and quality.】

Hidden Talent: Refining Spirit, able to refine and enhance the quality of pills through spiritual means】

Finally, he could start concocting pills! After reading about the Primordial Elixir Body talent, a smile appeared on Chu Ning's face.

He had been waiting for this moment for a long time.

After all, it was crucial for his next step—foundation building!

After re-examining the Primordial Elixir Body talent, Chu Ning discovered that it both met and exceeded his expectations.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end