Chapter 278: Refining the Spatial Secret Art, Leaving Wuling Island

Chapter 278: Refining the Spatial Secret Art, Leaving Wuling Island

"Brother Chu, is it ready?"

In the stone chamber of the valley, in front of the teleportation array, Snow's voice trembled slightly.

Chu Ning stared at the array, his eyes carrying a complex expression, before he gently nodded.

"It's ready, but not completely."

Hearing Chu Ning's contradictory statement, Shi Xue'rong was not surprised.

She furrowed her delicate brows and asked, "Couldn't you find any other way?"

Chu Ning shook his head.

Ever since he discovered this place five years ago, Chu Ning had asked Shi Xue'rong to retrieve the array formation manuals from their storage bags.

Then, day and night, he tirelessly delved into the mysteries of array formations.

For someone with an array spirit body like him, even though array formations were one of the most profound and abstruse arts in the cultivation world,

it still took Chu Ning over a year to comprehend the intricacies of setting up a teleportation array.

However, when Chu Ning began to repair the array, he found it wasn't easy.

The reason was simple—they lacked the necessary materials.

Although the teleportation array set up by the Nine Transformations Elder used origin stones for transportation, most of its principles were still based on external spiritual stone arrays.

Only a small portion of the materials had been replaced with resources from Wuling Island.

And the damaged parts of the array involved not just the local materials from Wuling Island but also a significant number of external resources.

It was easy enough to gather the materials from Wuling Island, but finding the common teleportation array materials proved to be extremely difficult.

Chu Ning had Shi Xue'rong help him open all their storage bags, including his own, Tie Shi's, Ao Langtian's, and the old man Zou's from the Black Cloud Sect of the Demon Path Alliance.

Even after pooling all their resources, they still lacked quite a few materials.

At this point, Chu Ning had no choice but to utilize his array spirit body's talent and repeatedly analyze the array's origin and essence, attempting to understand it thoroughly.

Then, he tried again and again with different materials.

Even so, it still took him five long years to repair the teleportation array, and it still wasn't perfect.

Shaking his head, Chu Ning slowly explained,

"We're still missing some materials, and I can't find any suitable substitutes.

So, although this array was originally a directional teleportation array, we can't control its destination now.

It can only randomly teleport us to a place with a teleportation array."

Hearing this, Shi Xue'rong bit her red lips lightly.

"Brother Chu, does that mean that not only do we not know where we'll end up, but we also might not teleport to the same place?"

Chu Ning nodded.

"This array can only teleport one person at a time. If we teleport one after the other, it's highly unlikely that we'll end up in the same location."

Hearing Chu Ning's words, Shi Xue'rong's expression turned slightly glum.

Chu Ning glanced at her and, seeing that she remained silent, continued, "Sister Xue'rong, I've just reached a new stage in my body refinement cultivation, so I'll be staying for one more day.

Let's do some final preparations, and we'll leave early tomorrow morning."

Shi Xue'rong nodded gently.

Although she had been eagerly anticipating leaving the island and regaining her cultivation over the past five years, now that the moment was upon them, she felt a sense of loss.

Watching Chu Ning's retreating back as he walked out of the stone chamber, Shi Xue'rong sighed softly and finally followed after him.

"Swish!"

As they stepped out of the stone chamber, Chu Ning whistled, and two golden shadows descended from the sky, landing before him.

They were his two Golden Thunder Eagles.

And the small white figure on one of the eagles' backs was naturally Ling Xiaobai.

The three little guys had been kept in their Spirit Beast Bags.

However, considering the lack of spiritual energy in this place and the fact that they couldn't leave immediately, Chu Ning had Shi Xue'rong take them out of their bags.

As the two Golden Thunder Eagles and Ling Xiaobai landed in front of him, Chu Ning smiled and asked, "Did you guys go out to look for something to eat again? It's a good thing we're leaving now, or else you three would have eaten everything in this forbidden area."

"Cheep!"

Ling Xiaobai chirped and then transmitted his voice to Chu Ning, "Are we leaving?"

The little guy's voice was filled with delight.

Chu Ning smiled lightly and nodded, understanding the reason for Ling Xiaobai's excitement.

This little guy loved eating spirit fruits, and to Chu Ning's surprise, the spirit fruits in this small valley contained a very dense amount of origin energy.

However, Ling Xiaobai had only eaten one before refusing to eat any more.

When Chu Ning asked him why, Ling Xiaobai's answer had left him speechless.

"It doesn't taste good!"

Aside from the taste, Ling Xiaobai also mentioned that the fruit didn't provide him with any benefits, so he didn't want to eat it.

Fortunately, Chu Ning had brought a wide variety of spirit medicines and fruits in his storage bag.

Over the past five years, he had fed Ling Xiaobai spirit fruits from time to time.

The little guy was content with that arrangement.

The two Golden Thunder Eagles, on the other hand, didn't have such concerns. Having been cooped up in their Spirit Beast Bags, they were thrilled to be let out.

After Chu Ning released them, they happily devoured the demon beast corpses he provided.

What surprised Chu Ning even more was that although the two Golden Thunder Eagles couldn't mobilize their demonic power, after consuming several demon beast corpses, they actually produced beast crystals.

Moreover, they could absorb the origin energy in this place and cultivate on their own.

Because they had consumed a large number of high-level demon beast corpses, their demonic power had reached the third-rank level after five years.

If they continued cultivating here, it was likely that they would advance to the fourth rank and even peak fourth-rank with ease.

"I called you back to tell you not to wander off. Get into your Spirit Beast Bags now.

Chu Ning's prior knowledge of herbal medicine proved to be quite useful.

Upon entering this place, Chu Ning had immediately started using these spirit herbs and fruits to refine his body.

The results were remarkably good.

Thinking about the possibility of leaving this place in the future, Chu Ning also tried to preserve these spirit fruits and herbs.

He was reluctant to use these aged herbs for experiments, so he went outside the valley to find some younger specimens.

At first, Chu Ning tried storing them in jade boxes, but he found that the original energy within them dissipated very quickly.

After several trials, he finally found a type of wood that could be used to make boxes to slow the loss of energy.

At this moment, Chu Ning carefully picked the spirit herbs and fruits, while Shi Xue'rong followed behind him, holding the wooden boxes.

Nearly a hundred wooden boxes were needed to categorize and store all the spirit herbs and fruits in the small valley.

Chu Ning looked at the rows of wooden boxes and the two Golden Thunder Eagles waiting not far away.

Then he turned to Shi Xue'rong and said, "Sister Xue'rong, can you help me put these three spirit beasts back into the Spirit Beast Bags?

Let's divide these spirit fruits equally between us."

Shi Xue'rong didn't say anything and took the Spirit Beast Bags from Chu Ning.

She embedded an origin stone into the glove artifact she wore, and soon, a wisp of spiritual power gathered at her fingertips.

Quickly, she returned the three spirit beasts into the bags and then used one of Chu Ning's storage bags to put away all the wooden boxes.

Chu Ning was slightly stunned by her actions and asked in surprise, "Why did you put all the spirit herbs and fruits into my bags? Aren't you taking any for yourself?"

Shi Xue'rong shook her head.

"I've been refining my body for five years, and although I've barely reached the second level, I won't be focusing on body refinement after we leave this place.

These herbs would be wasted on me, but they are much more important for you, Brother Chu."

Seeing her sincerity, Chu Ning nodded.

He didn't refuse any further and hung the bags on himself.

As the sky had already darkened, the two of them returned to the stone chamber.

It was the same stone chamber, but Chu Ning had divided it into two rooms and added a stone bed.

Aside from his daily body refinement and research on array formations, Chu Ning had to spend some time resting due to his inability to cultivate his spiritual sense.

Shi Xue'rong's situation was similar, if not worse.

She could occasionally channel spiritual power, but her body refinement cultivation was low, and she couldn't use her spiritual sense at all.

Thus, she needed sufficient rest and sleep every day.

After eating some spirit fruits to fill their stomachs, Chu Ning went outside the stone chamber to check his cultivation proficiency.

【Five Elements Chaotic Technique (Heavenly Mid-Grade), First Layer (8644/50000)】

【Nine Transformations Body Refinement Technique, Second Volume, First Layer (44998/45000)】

【Spirit Refinement Technique, Fourth Layer (39345/64000)】

For over five years, Chu Ning had been consistently cultivating the Nine Transformations Body Refinement Technique, harnessing the original energy of this place.

The proficiency of the second volume's first layer had been rapidly increasing by over a dozen points each day.

Now, it had reached the threshold for a breakthrough.

Chu Ning was determined to take this opportunity to break through, aided by the original energy.

As Chu Ning performed the necessary movements, the strands of original energy were gradually absorbed by his body.

However, unlike spiritual energy, this original energy didn't transform into spiritual power flowing within his body.

Instead, it settled within his physical body, continuously strengthening it.

Again and again, as Chu Ning reached the tenth repetition.

"Boom!"

The feeling of his bodily constraints being broken, which he had experienced several times before, emerged once more.

"Success!"

At this moment, Chu Ning opened his eyes, a smile in them.

When he checked his proficiency, he saw the expected changes.

【Five Elements Chaotic Technique (Heavenly Mid-Grade), First Layer (8644/50000)】

【Nine Transformations Body Refinement Technique, Second Volume, First Layer (45000/45000)】

【Spirit Refinement Technique, Fourth Layer (39345/64000)】

"I've completed the cultivation of the first layer of the Nine Transformations Body Refinement Technique's second volume.

In theory, my lifespan should be extended by three-tenths!"

This brought a smile to Chu Ning's face. After all, for ordinary cultivators, increasing one's lifespan was an arduous task.

"The secret art of the second volume's first layer..."

As Chu Ning continued to look downward, he soon saw the secret art.

【Nine Transformations Body Refinement Technique, Second Volume, First Layer Complete, Unlocked Mystical Ability: 'Void Finger'】

As he read this information, Chu Ning felt his mind fill with knowledge about this mystical ability.

"The Nine Transformations Body Refinement Technique has finally unlocked a long-range attack ability, and it's a technique that utilizes the power of space!"

Chu Ning's eyes shone with delight.

Void Finger was a technique that used one's physical body or spiritual power to manipulate the power of space, hiding attacks within the void.

The damage of this ability didn't come from the practitioner's spiritual power or physical attacks but from the manipulation of spatial power.

The damage inflicted depended on both the strength of one's physical body and spiritual power, as well as one's comprehension and mastery of spatial power.

Perhaps because it involved the power of space, a fundamental force of the universe, Chu Ning couldn't immediately use this mystical ability like he had with the previous ones.

"It seems that to truly use the Void Finger, I need to have a certain level of understanding of spatial power.

Spatial power..."

Even as he lay on the bed, Chu Ning's mind kept turning over those four words.

However, this understanding was achieved with the aid of array formations.

Being able to harness spatial power himself was an entirely different matter.

Chu Ning hadn't thought about pursuing this direction before.

But now that the need had arisen, he began to comprehend the utilization of spatial power from the fundamental principles of array formations.

The night passed without incident.

The next morning, the two of them stood before the teleportation array once again, their faces bearing complex expressions.

Chu Ning took out several origin stones and said to Shi Xue'rong, "Sister Xue'rong, you go first. Over these years, you've continuously consumed your spiritual power, giving us the opportunity to leave.

Your spiritual power has been greatly depleted, so please be careful after you leave this place."

Shi Xue'rong nodded slightly, her eyes fixed on Chu Ning, her gaze filled with a myriad of emotions.

Then, she bowed to him.

"Brother Chu, you've saved me from the brink of death countless times in the Spirit Domain.

And during our stay on Wuling Island, I've relied on your care. I will forever remember this gratitude.

Now that we part, I don't know when we will meet again.

Brother Chu, if you ever return to the Yun Xiao Mountain Range, please send word to the Gui Yuan Sect.

I will definitely visit to express my thanks!"

"Of course," Chu Ning replied solemnly, seeing the seriousness in Shi Xue'rong's eyes.

After a moment's thought, he continued, "After five years without any news, our two sects have likely been worried sick about our survival.

Whoever has the opportunity to leave first must send word to the other's sect."

Shi Xue'rong nodded gently.

"Brother Chu, rest assured. If I have the chance to return to the Gui Yuan Sect, I will definitely inform the Jiuhua Sect."

Hearing Shi Xue'rong's words, Chu Ning remained silent.

He then took out the origin stones and began embedding them into the array.

As the origin stones were embedded one by one, the teleportation array rippled with spatial power.

Shi Xue'rong's eyes grew more and more complex, and she opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something.

In the end, she only said four words.

"Brother Chu, take care!"

"Sister Xue'rong, you too," Chu Ning replied.

As their words fell, the teleportation array rippled violently with spatial power.

The next moment, Shi Xue'rong's figure disappeared from the stone chamber.

Looking at the empty space where Shi Xue'rong had stood, Chu Ning didn't rush to enter the array.

He put on the ring artifact refined by Jiu Yan, then left the stone chamber and headed out of the valley.

"To comprehend spatial power, the hurricanes formed by the spatial power in this Beast Mountain forbidden area are probably the most suitable.

I've already wasted five years, so a little more time won't hurt..."

With that in mind, Chu Ning climbed up the cliff and sat at the top, constantly sensing the spatial power coming from all directions.

At this moment, Chu Ning couldn't use his spiritual sense or spiritual power.

He could only rely on his physical body's instincts to comprehend.

After an unknown amount of time, Chu Ning extended a finger and lightly tapped the air.

Then, he retracted his hand, a puzzled look on his face, and began to sense again.

Days turned into months.

Chu Ning's expression gradually changed from bewilderment to deep thought, and then to sudden realizations.

Half a year later...

One day, a faint smile appeared on Chu Ning's face.

"So that's how it is!"

Murmuring to himself, Chu Ning suddenly extended his hand and pointed into the distance!

A boulder ten meters away suddenly exploded, as if pierced by an invisible force, under Chu Ning's finger.

"Void Finger, spatial power!"

At this moment, Chu Ning looked at the pierced boulder in the distance, a smile on his face.

Just now, there had been no fluctuations in the origin power around him.

And Chu Ning couldn't use his spiritual power either.

Yet he was able to launch a long-range attack.

And he had achieved all this by harnessing spatial power.

"However, the Void Finger's attack power is not strong yet, and it can't cause instantaneous lethal damage like the Heaven-Piercing Fist.

This is mainly because I've just started to understand spatial power and my grasp of it is insufficient. Moreover, I'm only using my physical body to drive the spatial power, so I can't fully unleash the full potential of this secret art.

Next, I need to enhance my understanding of spatial power. If I can also use spiritual power to drive spatial power,

the Void Finger's might will be no less than the Heaven-Piercing Fist, and it will have the advantage of range compared to the Heaven-Piercing Fist!"

Compared to the Heaven-Piercing Fist and other secret arts from the first volume, the Void Finger was more difficult to master.

But because it harnessed spatial power for attacks, opponents would find it harder to guard against.

"These six years have not only delayed my cultivation of spiritual power and divine sense but have also brought me significant gains."

Chu Ning walked to the boulder ten meters away and looked at the hole he had created, his heart filled with emotion.

The past five years had allowed him to focus on studying array formations and also complete the cultivation of the second volume, first layer of the Nine Transformations Body Refinement Technique.

He had gained insights into spatial power and also comprehended a new secret art.

"It's time to leave!"

Murmuring to himself, Chu Ning climbed down the cliff and returned to the stone chamber.

There was nothing left to linger over, so Chu Ning approached the teleportation array.

He took out several origin stones from his pocket and embedded them into the array.

The next moment, the teleportation array rippled violently with spatial power, and Chu Ning's figure disappeared.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end