Chapter 171: Earth-Storing Spirit Tortoise · Aphrodisiac Elixir · Nine-Strength Mountain-Moving Technique

Chapter 171: Earth-Storing Spirit Tortoise · Aphrodisiac Elixir · Nine-Strength Mountain-Moving Technique

All under heaven hustle for profit; all under heaven bustle for gain.

Xiao Chen had always understood one thing clearly—most of the time, no one would bestow favors without reason, especially when the parties involved weren’t even close acquaintances.

Where there’s profit, there’s always a hidden demand.

Su family’s old patriarch was an exception, though.

Even now, Xiao Chen still didn’t know what exactly the su laoye’s true intentions were.

After all, he’d already displayed his False Core Stage strength and received countless invitations. Yet the su family had never actively approached him.

Strictly speaking, they hadn’t made contact since the day he took those items.

But setting this exception aside for now.

Since the Qiu family had brought this expensive Yin-Yang Synergy Manual to his doorstep, the conditions they’d propose next would certainly be no simple matter.

As expected, after a brief exchange of pleasantries, Qiu Qichen finally revealed the Qiu family’s objective—the Earth-Storing Spirit Tortoise.

These yao beasts resided deep within the Wanyao Mountain Range, renowned for their extraordinary defensive techniques. There were two breeding pairs, each adult possessing combat strength equivalent to the Foundation Building Peak Stage.

And like all turtles, they had one particularly notable trait—their lifespan could reach a thousand years.

Qiu Qichen smiled warmly as he explained, “Our family has already secured two top-tier experts willing to assist in restraining the male tortoises.”

“But what we still lack is someone capable of retrieving the eggs while the female guards them.”

“If Cultivator Xiao is willing to help, this secret technique manual will be your reward.”

Hmm?

Xiao Chen felt something was off.

He could understand the Qiu family’s reasoning. By taming and raising the hatchlings from these eggs, they could cultivate a Spirit Beast of Foundation Building Peak strength for their clan’s protection. With abundant Spirit Herbs, this beast could ensure a millennium of security for their family, even at great cost.

From a clan’s long-term perspective, the investment was justified.

But what puzzled Xiao Chen was why, knowing the tortoises’ location, the Qiu family didn’t simply send others to seize the eggs.

Hezhou wasn’t lacking in Foundation Building Peak cultivators.

He asked directly, “Fellow Cultivator Qiu, is there some special difficulty with this mission?”

Qiu Qichen hesitated, then decided to speak plainly. “Cultivator Xiao, I’ll be frank today.”

“Their nesting caves lie extremely deep, passing through the territories of three Golden Core Stage yao beasts along the way.”

“Our clan has gathered spirit-shielding incense to conceal cultivators’ spiritual auras, but we’ve only managed to collect six sticks so far.”

Xiao Chen recalled reading about spirit-shielding incense in the Scripture Pavilion’s records. When burned, its smoke could mask one’s spiritual presence from Golden Core Stage yao beasts.

“We had originally reserved a batch of this incense,” Qiu Qichen paused, “but due to the Divine Flame Cult’s interference, the shipment never arrived.”

“The Spirit Tortoise Eggs will hatch in just three years. Time is nearly up.”

“If we can’t perform the soul-bonding ritual before hatching, there’s no guarantee the tortoises won’t defect later.”

Now Xiao Chen understood.

With only six sticks of spirit-shielding incense, they could guarantee safe passage for just three people.

The problem lay in facing four Earth-Storing Spirit Tortoises—Foundation Building Peak beasts famed for their defense.

Even with four Foundation Building Peak cultivators, success wasn’t assured.

And unlike Xiao Chen, who had cultivated the False Core, most cultivators couldn’t hope to fight two such beasts at once. Just surviving would be an achievement.

Moreover, the journey was perilous. Any unexpected encounters in the Wanyao Mountain Range could spell disaster.

Despite the Qiu family’s connections, they couldn’t gather three Foundation Building Peaks willing to take this risk.

The mission had been delayed for a full year.

Now, with Xiao Chen’s arrival in Hezhou and his recent display of shocking strength, the Qiu family saw their opportunity.

“With your strength, Cultivator Xiao, two female tortoises will be no challenge.” Qiu Qichen flattered. “With your help, success is assured.”

Objectively speaking, this task wasn’t difficult for Xiao Chen.

But he didn’t agree immediately. “Fellow Cultivator Qiu, I’ll do it, but I have three small requests.”

Qiu Qichen leaned forward eagerly. “Cultivator Xiao, please speak!”

“First, I’ll only retrieve the eggs. I won’t be responsible for the other two’s safety.”

The Wanyao Mountain Range was treacherous. If Golden Core Stage beasts appeared, Xiao Chen could rely on Night’s Blade to survive.

Qiu Qichen agreed immediately. “Of course. The other two cultivators are well aware of the risks.”

“Second, I’m interested in the Pearl of Fu and Tiger Bone. I’d like to meet the seller beforehand.”

If possible, Xiao Chen wanted to intercept these auction items early. Doing so would undoubtedly lower the auction’s quality.

Qiu Qichen hesitated briefly before nodding. “No problem. I’ll arrange a meeting as your intermediary.”

“Third, this secret technique manual must remain with me now.”

Xiao Chen had already seen the spirit resonance diagrams and genuinely desired this technique. Keeping it himself was far better than leaving it with the Qiu family, where unforeseen complications might arise.

“No problem. I absolutely trust Cultivator Xiao.”

Qiu Qichen answered generously, having anticipated this request.

“Cultivator Xiao, with this agreement settled, we’ll proceed with the Spirit Tortoise Egg mission.”

“We’re running out of time. It’s best to depart before the end of March.”

Xiao Chen nodded. “I have no pressing matters. As soon as Fellow Cultivator Qiu is ready, we can leave.”

With that, they parted ways.

Qiu Qichen returned to his clan to contact their prearranged allies.

Xiao Chen, meanwhile, sought out the Yao family to meet the elders possessing the Tiger Bone.

The elders proved accommodating, asking no unnecessary obstacles.

For a mirror-like golden light shield and 11,500 spirit stones, the deal was struck.

Compared to competing at the auction, this price was fair.

Without delay, Xiao Chen traveled 150 kilometers to visit the Yang family.

There, he unexpectedly encountered Yang Huaian.

With Yang Huaian’s recommendation, the Yang family head agreed to a private transaction, waiving additional spirit stone payments.

Xiao Chen even made a detour to Xianghe Bazaar to retrieve a high-grade magic shield fragment from the Saint Child.

The two items balanced evenly in value—neither side gained an unfair advantage.

At Yang Huaian’s persistent invitation, Xiao Chen stayed for dinner.

It wasn't until Xu Shi that they finally began their return journey.

As Xiao Chen flew on his flying sword, he couldn't stop thinking about his cultivation progress.

"The Qiu family should still need a few days to prepare, so there's probably nothing urgent to do right now."

"After returning this time, I must focus on cultivation and strive to breakthrough as soon as possible."

.

Two days earlier, at Heavenly Star Ridge.

Located at the border between Hezhou and Quanzhou, this area contained a second-tier spirit vein and served as Divine Flame Cult's current outpost.

After Niejing Zhenren returned, she first spent two days in secluded cultivation organizing her insights from the duel, refining orthodox Dao Golden Core techniques.

Yet as soon as she emerged, she received intelligence that Xiao Chen had appeared at Yuan Ci Peak.

"What? How could this happen?"

Niejing Zhenren's expression darkened instantly. After a moment's contemplation, she asked, "Have Ghost Jiao and Poison Sha completed their seclusion?"

Her subordinate immediately replied, "They both emerged this morning."

"Summon them, and also invite Fellow Cultivator Yaoshang."

Soon after, Guijiao Zhenren, Poison Sha Zhenren, and Yaoshang Zhenren arrived one after another.

After Niejing Zhenren shared the intelligence report, it immediately triggered a furious curse.

"Damn it, Qianhong is such a useless waste!"

"Wasting one of our second-tier spirit veins, yet failing to even accomplish this simple task."

Gujiao Zhenren cursed while suggesting, "I say we just eliminate him. What use is there keeping someone this incompetent?"

Niejing Zhenren shook her head, "Let's not dwell on that."

"Today we're only discussing Xiao Chen. What should we do now?"

Gujiao Zhenren glanced at the report dismissively, "That brat was just lucky to be away from Qingyang Mountain at the time."

"He can hide at Yuan Ci Peak for now, but he'll eventually have to come out."

"Send someone to monitor him. This time I'll personally oversee the formation - it'll be foolproof."

Niejing Zhenren shook her head again, "No, we only have two spirit veins left."

"And the remaining blood stones must be saved for opening the Yellow Spring Palace. Let's find another method."

Yaoshang Zhenren frowned, "Right now both Luoyan Mountain and Xunmei Mountain have at least two Golden Core cultivators stationed there."

"It would be dangerous to infiltrate Spirit Origin Sect's territory recklessly."

They weren't opposed to taking risks in principle.

But they were unwilling to risk their lives for what they considered a "minor" matter like eliminating Xiao Chen.

Even a 1% chance of getting trapped inside would be unacceptable for these Zhenren-level cultivators.

After all, Golden Core cultivators' safety was far more important than Foundation Building cultivators'.

Gujiao Zhenren bluntly suggested, "Then maybe we should just forget it. Xiao Chen is just a Foundation Building cultivator - what can he possibly do?"

"After we capture Yuan Ci Peak, I can kill him with a single slap."

Niejing Zhenren disagreed, "A thousand-mile dike can collapse from an ant's hole. We must prevent small problems before they grow."

"The harder he is to deal with, the more determined we must be."

"Poison Sha, do you have any effective poisons available?"

"I can send multiple people inside with the poison."

Poison Sha Zhenren frowned slightly, "I do have some poisons that work on Foundation Building cultivators."

"But I've never tested them against False Core cultivators."

"And even if others carried my poison, without my Toxic Art cultivation, they couldn't produce the same effects."

Niejing Zhenren felt some frustration.

She certainly had several methods to kill Xiao Chen, but her rational mind told her it wasn't worth wasting precious trump cards on a Foundation Building cultivator.

Yet she couldn't completely ignore the threat either.

Seeing this, Yaoshang Zhenren suggested, "What if we let my disciple try?"

She had taken a disciple in recent years, practically a half-heir to her cultivation.

"Your disciple?"

Niejing Zhenren waved her hand dismissively, "Even with a demonic weapon, she can't match a False Core cultivator."

Some demonic weapons could create surprises, but only when both sides had similar power levels.

Since Four Directions Wanderer had failed, it was clear Xiao Chen's strength was in a completely different league from ordinary Foundation Building cultivators.

"I don't think that's necessarily true."

Yaoshang Zhenren smiled faintly, "As the saying goes, even heroes can't resist beauty. My disciple resembles Yaohua with 90% similarity - what cultivator could resist that?"

"That Xiao Chen is barely twenty, with no cultivation partner by his side."

"If we stage a 'hero saves beauty' scenario, I guarantee he'll fall for it."

Gujiao Zhenren laughed first, "Right! Ziyan has been charming since childhood, now with her matured figure..."

"If she weren't Yaoshang Fellow Cultivator's disciple, I would've taken her as my Dinglu long ago."

Yaoshang Zhenren turned to him with a sly smile, "What's so special about a little girl?"

"If Ghost Jiao Fellow Cultivator is interested, why don't you come to my room tonight?"

She had recently mastered a new Reverse Essence Replenishment Technique and was eager to test it.

Foundation Building stage cultivators were too weak to endure her techniques.

Gujiao Zhenren chuckled awkwardly without responding.

He had tried once before, but ended up needing over a month of secluded cultivation to recover.

Even with his Dragon Strength cultivation, he couldn't withstand her endless demands.

Fortunately, this incident never spread - the few disciples who knew had already been silenced by Guijiao Zhenren.

Except for Yaoshang, none of the other Golden Core cultivators knew about this.

Niejing Zhenren interrupted, "Discuss your personal matters privately."

Then she asked seriously, "What are the chances of success with this method?"

Yaoshang Zhenren raised three fingers, "If relying solely on my disciple, only 30% chance."

"According to the intelligence, Xiao Chen isn't some spoiled noble, but a humble cultivator focused on cultivation. These types are the hardest to ensnare."

"But if we use an aphrodisiac elixir, the success rate could reach 90%."

"And once someone like him breaks his cultivation vows, he might even become useful to us."

The aphrodisiac elixir surpassed Harmony Incense in potency, being a colorless, odorless secret-recipe spiritual elixir.

Regardless of gender, applying it on the body would emit an alluring "natural fragrance" that easily attracted cultivators.

This spiritual elixir also contained mild charm effects.

It could subtly stir a cultivator's hidden desires, making them believe these feelings originated from themselves.

However, aphrodisiac elixir barely qualified as a third-tier spiritual elixir.

Though considered low-tier among third-tier elixirs, due to its Eastern Territory origins and unique effects, it was both expensive and extremely rare.

Few cultivators ever crafted such elixirs, let alone sold them.

Yaoshang Zhenren didn't possess one herself, but she knew Niejing Zhenren had once obtained a bottle.

Based on her estimation, it was likely still unused.

Sure enough, when Niejing Zhenren heard the words "become useful to us", her expression shifted with interest.

If they could plant such a "seed" within Spirit Origin Sect, then when the Yellow Spring Palace opened, Divine Flame Cult would face no obstacles.

With her carefully cultivated disciple working openly, and Xiao Chen operating in secret.

No matter how many resources Spirit Origin Sect deployed, it would be like throwing meat buns at a dog - nothing would return!

Capturing the Yellow Spring Palace, harvesting its Yin Demon Qi, and refining it with secret techniques could produce Yellow Spring Demon-Annihilating Cones specifically designed to shatter all kinds of formations.

Even a third-tier formation was rendered useless before the power of the Yellow Spring Demon-Annihilating Cone. Once deprived of the Defense Formation's support, the Spirit Origin Sect's destruction was merely a matter of time. With new third-stage Vital Blood replenishment, the remaining Wan Hua Valley and Qingxiao Sect were no more stable than a flickering candle in the wind. Though I wouldn't say they'd be eradicated with a mere snap of the fingers, they could only prolong their demise by a few more days.

"Agreed! I approve this plan." Nie Jing Zhenren immediately decided, then cheerfully produced a colorful phoenix-through-flowers double vial and handed it to Yaoshang Zhenren. "This contains the aphrodisiac elixir you requested."

"You can have it, but I need to see results."

"At the latest by the end of March, we must capture Xiao Chen."

Yaoshang Zhenren's face blossomed into a smile. "Nie Jing Fellow Cultivator, rest assured - this matter is as good as done. Tomorrow... no, tonight I'll send Zi Yan to depart immediately."

After happily accepting the aphrodisiac elixir, she returned to her courtyard. From her storage bag, she retrieved a white-glazed double-bottle and poured half the elixir inside. After a moment's thought, she added three more portions. This was just to deal with a Foundation Building cultivator - who needed an entire bottle of spiritual elixir? Even if Xiao Chen had formed a false core, his essence remained no different from ordinary Foundation Building disciples, merely possessing slightly more mana. Leaving two portions would surely suffice. After all, this was a beauty trap mission, not a duel.

After preparations completed, she stored the white-glazed double-bottle and summoned Han Ziyan.

Yaoshang Zhenren originally hadn't intended to take disciples. Yet among tens of thousands of refugees, she'd immediately recognized that familiar face. Though Han Ziyan had been emaciated and dark-skinned from starvation, Yaoshang Zhenren still selected her, deliberately teaching only seduction techniques. To maximize her utility and create greater similarity between them, she'd restrained herself all this time. After this mission's return, however, Yaoshang Zhenren planned to personally savor her apprentice's charms.

"Master, you summoned me?"

"Come closer, Zi Yan. Remember every word I tell you now." Yaoshang Zhenren patiently instructed for half a watch. "Have you memorized everything?"

"Master, I have. I'll find Xiao Chen and use your teachings to steal his very soul."

Yuan Ci Peak.

Xiao Chen had just returned when he suddenly realized he still lacked a Body Cultivation manual. Though possessing mid-stage Foundation Building in Body Cultivation, his realm wasn't self-cultivated - he'd taken a shortcut using a jade bone fragment. Now facing cultivation, he discovered no methods for processing tiger bones.

"What if I just eat it directly?" Holding the three-meter-long bone with its top-grade magic artifact-like texture, he realized this might not be wise. After all these years, the bone remained rock-solid - he might chip a tooth. Direct digestion would likely yield poor results.

"Better find a vital energy manipulation technique." Since committing to Body Cultivation, he couldn't afford carelessness. Yet in Li Zhou, even Hezhou, Body Cultivation practitioners were as rare as phoenix feathers. Acquiring a suitable legacy wouldn't be easy.

Previously, he'd search alone, but circumstances changed. He directly sought Steward Chen, who connected him through Zhu Hui to Tie Xinweng - one of Li Zhou's Top Ten, famed for Body Cultivation.

"Cultivator Xiao, this technique even surpasses yellow-rank legacies as our ancestral secret." Tie Xinweng explained, "Normally reserved for blood heirs, never to be shared externally. But today, for your request and Fellow Cultivators Zhu and Chen's sake, I'll make an exception. Promise me - never reveal this manual to outsiders. Not even future disciples, only biological children."

These final words were spoken with solemn emphasis. Xiao Chen's initial declaration seeking only yellow-rank techniques, not core earth-tier legacies, was the sole reason Tie Xinweng agreed.

After negotiation, they exchanged three taels of mustard soil spirit sand plus five thousand spirit stones for the Nine Strengths Mountain Shifting Method. This manual, when cultivated to Grand Mastery, allowed lifting small mountains barehanded. It even included a special vital energy chart.

For three days, Xiao Chen temporarily resided in a guest room, studying vital energy manipulation under Tie Xinweng's personal guidance. He memorized oral teachings never written in manuals.

This was his first such learning experience. He asked, "Why not write these details in the manual? Won't oral transmission risk loss?"

In Lihuo Sect manuals, cultivation methods were meticulously detailed, even including ancestral insights to aid disciples.

Tie Xinweng simply replied, "I deliberately concealed part of the heart sutra. No enemy should ever cultivate from my manual."

Xiao Chen pondered - this actually made sense. Without these three days' teachings, he'd struggle to comprehend the manual. Attempting cultivation without proper blood-qi manipulation methods could cause self-injury.

Three days later, under Tie Xinweng's one-on-one guidance, Xiao Chen successfully entered the Nine Strengths Mountain Shifting Method's cultivation. He also learned a crucial taboo: immediately after breakthroughs, when internal energy was unstable, one must never simultaneously advance both cultivation realm and Body Cultivation realm. This common knowledge explained why pills like Guyuan Pills existed - to stabilize realms. Tie Xinweng's ancestor discovered this through Dual Cultivation (Body & Spirit) experiments. Though Xiao Chen might not need this, future descendants following Dual Cultivation paths could face risks. Thus, Tie Xinweng specifically warned to prevent future generations from repeating mistakes.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end