Chapter 286: Astonishing Spiritual Efficacy

Chapter 286: Astonishing Spiritual Efficacy

"What dense spiritual energy!" Chu Ning exclaimed as he gazed at the three drops of spirit liquid within the bottle, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

He could already imagine the significant advancement in his spiritual power if he were to consume them.

However, after some hesitation, Chu Ning decided against taking the elixir right away. After all, he had no idea how long it would take to refine and absorb such a potent liquid.

And he still had to attend the trading event that Chang Ling Shan had mentioned the next day.

So, with caution, Chu Ning carefully sealed the jade bottle and stored it away in his spatial pouch.

Only then did he turn his attention back to the Xue Jing Zhi.

Now that the spirit liquid had been extracted, the previously transparent leaf had returned to its snowy white state, although it looked slightly duller than the other leaves.

Chu Ning examined it closely, his gaze eventually settling on another leaf.

"I wonder if this leaf will be able to condense spirit liquid in half a year. And I'm curious to see if using the Xuan Qing Spring Art or having Ling Xiao Bai accelerate its maturation would make the Xue Jing Zhi produce spirit liquid faster."

With that in mind, Chu Ning felt it was worth trying. After all, so far, he had experimented with the Xuan Qing Spring Art and Ling Xiao Bai's maturation technique on numerous spiritual plants without encountering any adverse effects.

At worst, it might just not speed up the process.

However, before attempting anything, he needed to figure out a way to plant this precious herb.

Chu Ning once again performed a series of intricate hand seals, directing them at the Xue Jing Zhi.

The plant flashed with white light once more, transforming into a tiny white humanoid figure.

Chu Ning then placed it back into the jade box and resealed it with the spirit-sealing talisman.

Heading out to the spiritual herb garden, Chu Ning surveyed the area before settling on a secluded corner.

He casually retrieved several talismans from his spatial pouch.

"This Xue Jing Zhi needs to absorb spiritual energy, but I also need to prevent it from escaping. I'll have to put some thought into setting up the right array. And given the exceptionally dense spiritual energy it exudes, I'll need to include a corresponding isolation restriction to prevent other cultivators from detecting it."

In the past, Chu Ning wouldn't have been able to set up such an intricate array.

But now, his expertise in arrays had improved by leaps and bounds. During his six years on Wuling Island, he had dedicated himself to studying various arrays, and even after arriving in Iceland City eight years ago, he had continued to delve into this art.

Taking out the talismans, Chu Ning began refining them with his Elixir Fire before commencing the formal setup.

Soon enough, he had created a restricted area measuring three zhang square.

Stepping inside, he tested the array by attempting to use the Earth Escape Technique, only to be swiftly blocked by a restriction below.

After a moment's thought, he had Ling Xiao Bai try as well. As expected, the little creature easily passed through the restriction.

"I didn't ask you to use your talent. Try a regular Earth Escape and see if you can get through," Chu Ning chuckled and scolded gently.

"Whine!"

Ling Xiao Bai whined in protest, expressing his dissatisfaction at being denied tasty treats.

Chu Ning took out a spirit fruit that he didn't need from his spatial pouch—one that he had obtained from Gu Feng—and fed it to Ling Xiao Bai.

Only then did the little creature happily begin to experiment.

Seeing that even without using his innate abilities, Ling Xiao Bai couldn't break through the array, Chu Ning finally relaxed a little.

Nevertheless, he still didn't take out the Xue Jing Zhi.

This herb was simply too important. If it escaped, not only would he lose a priceless treasure, but it might also cause unnecessary trouble.

If other cultivators learned that he possessed a Xue Jing Zhi of such an ancient vintage, the people from the Huan Ling Sect might start connecting the dots.

So, Chu Ning retrieved the jade slip that recorded the Spirit Earth Shadow Escape Technique.

Since Yun Qian Shan had been able to capture the Xue Jing Zhi using this escape technique, Chu Ning figured that once he mastered it, he shouldn't have any problems either.

As for the Ice Crystal Worm, Chu Ning hadn't found any traces of it on Yun Qian Shan.

However, with Ling Xiao Bai's ability to sense the aura of heavenly treasures, they were equally matched.

For the rest of the day, Chu Ning dedicated himself to studying the Spirit Earth Shadow Escape Technique.

With his Xu Tu spirit body, he grasped the technique incredibly fast.

In just one night, he had already reached the introductory stage. To increase the speed of the escape technique, he would simply need to continue practicing in the days ahead.

The next morning, Chang Ling Shan arrived promptly to invite Chu Ning to the trading event as promised.

Having attended several trading events in Iceland City before, Chu Ning knew that this one wasn't as large-scale as the one organized by Frost Moon Pavilion.

However, since most of the cultivators had only recently entered Snow Mist Valley, the spiritual herbs and alchemy materials on offer were far superior to the previous event.

While Chu Ning couldn't offer any spiritual herbs obtained from Snow Mist Valley for exchange, he still had some items from the Western Alliance Continent.

These items were equally rare and valuable in the northern cold lands.

Additionally, in the past few days, Chu Ning had hunted and obtained several dozen demon pills from the demons near the Central Sea, half of which he didn't need himself.

Among them were pills from sixth-stage demons, which were quite popular.

He even had tens of thousands of spirit stones, which he used to purchase items when he couldn't offer something the other party needed.

Since Chu Ning was offering reasonable prices, there were indeed cultivators willing to do business with him.

By the end of the trading event, he had made significant gains. He finally acquired the last two types of spiritual herbs he needed, and in considerable quantities, too.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Chu Ning also befriended several cultivators who resided in Iceland City year-round and were on good terms with Chang Ling Shan.

They were introduced to Chu Ning, making the trip well worth his while.

After the trading event concluded, Chu Ning returned to his cave abode.

As soon as he entered the cultivation room, he took out a jade bottle from his spatial pouch.

【Nine Transformations Body Refining Technique, Second Volume, Second Layer (11,920/90,000)】

【Refine God Technique, Fourth Layer (48,285/64,000)】

"Now I can finally try the effects of the Xue Jing Zhi's spirit liquid!"

As he spoke, Chu Ning poured a drop of the spirit liquid from the jade bottle into his mouth.

It felt cool and refreshing on his tongue.

The next moment, Chu Ning felt a surge of dense spiritual energy enveloping his entire mouth.

Soon, this spiritual energy began to flow towards his dantian.

Without hesitation, Chu Ning started to cultivate using the Five Elements Chaotic Formula.

Ten days later, Chu Ning slowly opened his eyes.

They shone with an unprecedented brightness.

"No wonder countless cultivators fight over the Xue Jing Zhi after it has undergone spirit transformation.

Just one drop of its spirit liquid took me, with my current magical power cultivation, a full ten days to completely refine!

And even now, there's still some spiritual energy lingering in my body, which will be beneficial for my future cultivation."

Chu Ning was full of emotion at that moment.

This was obviously related to the fact that the Xue Jing Zhi he possessed was far older than a thousand years.

But the effects of the Xue Jing Zhi were indeed beyond Chu Ning's expectations.

The next moment, Chu Ning checked his cultivation proficiency levels again.

【Five Elements Chaotic Formula (Middle-grade Celestial Tier), First Layer (23,744/50,000)】

After seeing this, a smile spread across Chu Ning's face.

"One drop of the Xue Jing Zhi's spirit liquid, which took about ten days to refine, actually increased my cultivation proficiency by 200 points.

It's a pity that there are only three drops in half a year; otherwise, with this, I wouldn't have to worry about any pill for cultivation!"

At that moment, Chu Ning was filled with delight, tinged with a hint of regret.

Then, he was about to start cultivating the Spirit Earth Shadow Escape Technique immediately.

Since the Xue Jing Zhi was so precious, he naturally wanted to plant it as soon as possible to see if he could extract more spirit liquid.

Just then, Chu Ning suddenly sensed something.

"Hmm? Are the two Golden Thunder Eagles about to wake up?"

In the next moment, Chu Ning's figure flashed, and he appeared outside the spirit beast room.

Indeed, the two Golden Thunder Eagles, who had been asleep all this time, were now standing.

Chu Ning immediately released the restriction on the spirit beast room.

The two Golden Thunder Eagles happily left their room.

"Whine!"

Ling Xiao Bai, upon seeing the two Golden Thunder Eagles, let out a delighted cry.

Chu Ning examined the two Golden Thunder Eagles, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

Both eagles had broken through the third stage and reached the level of fourth-stage demonic beasts.

Their bodies were noticeably larger than they had been a few years ago.

This didn't surprise Chu Ning, as he had also been able to sense them absorbing spiritual energy during this period.

However, Chu Ning noticed that the color of their feathers had changed as well.

Originally, the two Golden Thunder Eagles were a bright golden yellow, but now they had turned a deep golden hue.

Their eyes, in particular, seemed much deeper than before.

Moreover, Chu Ning felt that they exuded a more primitive and wild aura.

It was a sensation he had rarely encountered in demonic beasts, only vaguely experiencing something similar when facing the Fierce Yang Spirit Bird's feather.

"Alright, Xiao Bai, stop fussing for now. I'll ask Jin Da (Big Gold) and Jin Xiao (Little Gold) about the changes they've undergone during their years of slumber."

Chu Ning picked up Ling Xiao Bai and began to communicate with the two Golden Thunder Eagles.

Although they didn't understand the secret art of spiritual communication, he had signed a contract with them, so he could roughly sense their consciousness through it.

"Your beast crystals have disappeared?"

When he heard the two Golden Thunder Eagles say that their beast crystals had disappeared and fused into their bodies, Chu Ning was taken aback.

Previously, he had been wondering what changes they would undergo after leaving Wuling Island and absorbing spiritual energy for a long time.

He had wondered if they would develop both a demonic core and a beast crystal.

But now, the beast crystals were gone, and their primal power had completely merged into their bodies.

Surprised, Chu Ning reached out and stroked the two Golden Thunder Eagles.

Indeed, their bodies felt much firmer, and even their feathers were exceptionally resilient, like sharp swords.

"I wonder if these changes are for the better or worse for the two Golden Thunder Eagles."

Chu Ning pondered this silently.

However, judging from the changes in their bodies, it didn't seem like a bad thing.

The two types of power didn't conflict with each other within their bodies.

At that moment, Chu Ning took out the demonic beast meat he had hunted near the Central Sea in recent days and fed it to the Golden Thunder Eagles.

After waking up and being able to eat so much high-grade demonic beast meat, the two Golden Thunder Eagles let out satisfied "Gurgles."

Of course, Chu Ning didn't play favorites, and he also took out a spirit fruit to feed to Ling Xiao Bai.

Then, he began to cultivate the Spirit Earth Shadow Escape Technique in earnest.

For the next half month, Chu Ning stayed in his cave abode.

He cultivated the Five Elements Chaotic Formula, the Nine Transformations Body Refining Technique, the Refine God Technique, and the Spirit Earth Shadow Escape Technique. Whenever he had free time, he continued to research pill formulas.

After half a month, Chu Ning consumed the second drop of the Xue Jing Zhi's spirit liquid and cultivated nonstop for another ten days.

Then, he resumed his normal cultivation routine.

Two months after consuming the first drop of spirit liquid, Chu Ning finally took out the jade box containing the Xue Jing Zhi and went to the courtyard where he had set up the array restrictions in advance.

He also called out to Ling Xiao Bai.

"Xiao Bai, if this Xue Jing Zhi breaks through my array restrictions, you lead me through them so that I can use the Earth Escape Technique to chase after it.

However, to be safe, he made thorough preparations.

Removing the talisman from the jade box, he opened it.

The Xue Jing Zhi, which had transformed into a tiny humanoid figure, quickly burrowed into the ground.

In response, Chu Ning immediately dove underground with Ling Xiao Bai in tow.

"This Spirit Earth Shadow Escape Technique is indeed incredibly fast!"

Closely tailing the Xue Jing Zhi, feeling that he could capture it at any moment, Chu Ning breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Just then, when the Xue Jing Zhi had burrowed about thirty feet into the ground, it collided with the array restriction Chu Ning had set up.

"Bang!"

It was repelled back.

"This restriction is effective!"

Seeing this, Chu Ning relaxed, and as soon as he let go, the Xue Jing Zhi scurried back to the surface.

However, as soon as he released it, the Xue Jing Zhi burrowed into the ground once more.

Chu Ning followed suit, and when it collided with the restriction again, he pulled it back.

After repeating this process nearly ten times, the Xue Jing Zhi finally seemed to resign itself to its fate.

When Chu Ning brought it back to the surface and held it in his hand, it remained quiet and no longer attempted to escape.

Seeing this, Chu Ning finally smiled faintly.

He performed a series of intricate hand seals, causing the Xue Jing Zhi to revert to its original form.

Chu Ning then buried its roots in the soil.

Immediately, he cast the Xuan Qing Spring Art on it.

Right after, Chu Ning felt the spiritual energy in the surroundings rapidly flowing into the Xue Jing Zhi.

Because he had cast the Xuan Qing Spring Art, Chu Ning was more sensitive to the spiritual energy fluctuations in the Xue Jing Zhi.

At this moment, he clearly felt that unlike other spiritual plants that absorb spiritual energy through their entire bodies, only about half of the spiritual energy was absorbed by the Xue Jing Zhi.

The remaining half of the spiritual energy seemed to be drawn towards the leaf that Chu Ning predicted would condense spirit liquid in half a year.

"So that's how it is. It seems that the Xuan Qing Spring Art might indeed help this Xue Jing Zhi condense spirit liquid ahead of schedule."

Chu Ning thought to himself as he continued to cast the Xuan Qing Spring Art.

At the same time, he said to Ling Xiao Bai, "Little guy, it's your turn to contribute. Hurry up and help speed up its maturation."

Without any hesitation, Ling Xiao Bai ran to the base of the Xue Jing Zhi tree and peed on it.

In the beginning, the little guy used to be shy and even seemed a little aggrieved about it.

But after doing it numerous times, he had gotten used to it.

What surprised both Chu Ning and Ling Xiao Bai was that after Ling Xiao Bai finished peeing, the entire Xue Jing Zhi tree began to tremble slightly.

Chu Ning stared at the trembling leaves of the shaking Xue Jing Zhi, dumbfounded.

"It seems to be very happy!"

At that moment, Chu Ning suddenly realized that the Xue Jing Zhi was naturally resistant to cold, and Ling Xiao Bai was also a creature with ice attributes.

He wondered if it was because of this reason, or if it was because Ling Xiao Bai's urine could accelerate the growth of most spiritual plants, and the Xue Jing Zhi, having already attained sentience, was able to express its joy.

Regardless of the reason,

Chu Ning knew that his guess was correct.

With this method of acceleration, the Xue Jing Zhi might indeed condense spirit liquid ahead of schedule.

With the Xue Jing Zhi taken care of, Chu Ning returned to his cultivation room and continued his research on the three types of pills.

Previously, he had made initial guesses about possible substitutions for the spiritual ingredients.

However, without access to those spiritual ingredients, Chu Ning was unclear about their medicinal properties.

Now, with these ingredients in hand and by combining his understanding of the ancient texts that recorded the effects of ancient spiritual ingredients, Chu Ning began to compare and analyze them.

In the end, he eliminated one spiritual ingredient and unexpectedly added a demon beast's demon pill, which he had initially thought was useless, to the list.

Day after day, a total of another month and a half passed.

Finally, Chu Ning confirmed the types and quantities of spiritual ingredients needed for the three pill formulas.

Then, he began to research and experiment with the pill refinement techniques.

Retreating into his pill refinement room, he secluded himself for another month and a half.

During this period, Chu Ning would come out of seclusion every day to cast the Xuan Qing Spring Art on the Xue Jing Zhi in the courtyard.

The rest of his time was spent researching pill refinement techniques, and in the last half month, he officially began pill refinement.

Finally, on this day, Chu Ning emerged from his pill refinement room with a smile on his face, holding three jade bottles.

"I've completely used up all the ingredients I obtained in the first three months, but the results are remarkable. I've successfully refined all three types of pills!

Now, I just need to exchange some talismans for spiritual ingredients at the Frost Moon Pavilion, and I'll be able to start mass pill refinement."

In fact, with Chu Ning's talisman crafting efficiency, he could have easily focused his energy on crafting a large number of talismans and then exchanged them all at once.

However, doing so would have attracted too much attention.

Moreover, it would not be conducive to maintaining a long-term business relationship with the Frost Moon Pavilion.

At this moment, Chu Ning walked out of the courtyard and, as usual, went to check on the Xue Jing Zhi.

The next moment, his eyes lit up.

"It's condensed spirit liquid! In just three months, it has already produced new spirit liquid!"

As he spoke, Chu Ning took out a jade bottle and quickly performed a series of intricate hand seals, directing them at the Xue Jing Zhi.

Immediately, several drops of spirit liquid dripped from the transparent leaf into the jade bottle.

What delighted Chu Ning was that previously, the Xue Jing Zhi had only condensed three drops of spirit liquid.

But this time, it had condensed four drops! Not only had the time been reduced by half, but the quantity of spirit liquid had also increased by thirty percent.

"From now on, I won't have to worry about resources for my cultivation!"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end