https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-415-Searching-for-the-Sword-in-the-Sword-Pool/12544493/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-417-My-Sword-Sheath-is-Hungry-for-Action/12544495/
Chapter 416: The Sting of the Gods
Chapter 416: The Sting of the Gods
"Thank you, Senior Brother Shen, for arranging such a precious opportunity for me." Lu Chen rose to his feet and bowed respectfully.
Although the light spheres offered a plethora of artifacts, and there were already swords like the Wind and Thunder Sword, the Purple Electric Sword, and the Xuntian Thunder Sword Pill, the chance to enter the Sword Pool was not one to be missed. Light spheres were valuable, but a free opportunity was even more tempting.
"There's no need for formality, Junior Brother Lu. All of this is due to your own hard work and skill," Shen Ye assured him.
"If it weren't for your 100% success rate in cultivating sword grasses and the hope of obtaining a third-grade sword grass condensation method, I wouldn't have been able to secure this opportunity for you." Shen Ye's voice carried a hint of gravity.
"Since this is your first time entering the Sword Pool, let me brief you on how to obtain sword treasures within it." Shen Ye continued, "The Sword Pool is filled with rampant sword energy. Without the sect's token, even a Quasi-Core Formation cultivator would find it difficult to emerge unscathed."
"Once inside, you can choose from various sword artifacts and sword pills. You can forcefully collect the lower-grade ones, but the high-grade sword artifacts have been nurtured in the Sword Pool for many years and may have developed sentience. In such cases, there needs to be a mutual agreement, as if the spirit sword is choosing its master."
"There are many factors that influence a high-grade sword artifact or pill's recognition of its owner. The cultivator's sword techniques, sword intent, and sword heart all play a role. Of course, if one has deep fortune, these factors may not be as crucial."
"Junior Brother, do you know Senior Sister Jian Wuxia, a true disciple of the sect?" Shen Ye asked.
"Yes, we've met a few times when the sect opened a new blessed land," Lu Chen replied with a slight nod.
"Senior Sister Jian Wuxia possesses an innate sword body, which greatly attracts all kinds of sword artifacts and pills. Each time she enters the Sword Pool, she gains the recognition of numerous swords," Shen Ye said, a hint of envy lacing his tone.
"That sword cultivation talent... For others, it's an adventure, but for her, it's like going shopping," Lu Chen mused inwardly.
"Right, Senior Brother Shen, have there been any cases where a fellow disciple entered the Sword Pool but came out empty-handed?" Lu Chen asked.
"Yes, there have been. Some with high standards may overlook ordinary sword artifacts and only seek high-grade ones. In the end, they leave with nothing," Shen Ye replied.
Hearing this, Lu Chen nodded vigorously, committing Shen Ye's advice to memory.
After imparting some more instructions and cautions, Shen Ye took his leave.
As Lu Chen watched him go, he turned and made his way into the spirit fields to check on the various spirit plants.
While inspecting the fields, he happened upon the grass puppet, tirelessly patrolling the area on its slender legs.
With a thought, Lu Chen summoned the diligent grass puppet, which had been diligently guarding the spirit fields, and took out a green spirit pearl from his storage bag.
The spirit pearl was none other than the Naling Caozhu that had sprouted from the Cangyuan Grass light sphere. It was imbued with pure and rich plant spirit energy, making it especially suitable for feeding grass puppets.
Lu Chen inserted the green spirit pearl into the grass puppet's large gray grass tumor.
Thin strands of emerald green spirit energy radiated from the center of the tumor, spreading throughout its body. After a dozen or so breaths, the grass puppet's entire body transformed from gray-black to a vibrant emerald green, brimming with vitality.
Through his spiritual sense, Lu Chen perceived the green spirit pearl condensing within the gray grass tumor, slowly rotating as the grass puppet absorbed the pure plant spirit energy.
Having absorbed a multitude of plant spirit energy treasures and even some of the fifth-grade Azure Wood Origin Qi, the grass puppet had developed a degree of spiritual intelligence. Like an infant, it conveyed its gratitude to Lu Chen and continued its patrol of the spirit fields with its slender legs.
"As for the remaining hundred or so Water Firefly Grass plants, they have gradually entered the fully mature stage. We'll need to leave about fifty for condensation purposes.
"However, a third-grade spirit herb belongs to the realm of Qi Establishment. Unlike the smaller gap between the first and second grades, the difficulty of improving a spirit herb to the third grade is probably much higher."
Lu Chen thought to himself.
Having experienced the lesson learned from the Spirit Glow Grass when he had just broken through to the Qi Establishment stage, he decided to wait until he reached the late Qi Establishment stage before attempting to improve the second-grade Water Firefly Grass.
As his thoughts wandered, he found himself at a remote peak, where a seductive melody suddenly rang in his ears.
The sound constantly tantalized his desires.
Looking up, he saw a cloud of pink miasma, and within the pale pink peach leaves, tender pink peaches were half-hidden, occasionally revealing a small part, as if inviting Lu Chen to bite into them.
Coupled with the enchanting sound of the Illusory Sound Bamboo, the allure of this place increased severalfold.
"The enchanting combination of the Bewitching Peach and the Illusory Sound Bamboo, both visual and auditory, no wonder the Demon Ghost Vine comes here every day and stays for so long, forgetting all else."
After being harvested once, the third-grade Bewitching Peach began to bear spirit peaches again. In a while, there would be a large number of white light spheres to collect.
Before leaving, Lu Chen cast a Cleansing Chant on himself, emptying his mind of desire and keeping his heart calm as he turned away from these two unconventional spirit herbs.
"The last Spirit-bearing Pine has matured."
He arrived before the solitary Spirit-bearing Pine.
Having been nurtured by his spiritual sense for many years, the pine tree was now in tune with his thoughts. From afar, it rustled its branches, and at the very top, a proud Azure-green pine cone stood erect, awaiting Lu Chen to pluck it.
Lu Chen confirmed that the translucent progress bar below was completely filled, and he reached out to gently pluck the pine cone.
The cone resembled a towering peak, its scales like layers of translucent green jade. A flash of spirit light passed through it, and holding it in his hand gave him a feeling of clarity and moisture.
"Another cone from the fourth-grade Spirit-bearing Pine, and it's of good quality too. I wonder what reward it will bring."
He was extremely satisfied. To harvest a spirit fruit of good quality from a fourth-grade spirit herb was already beyond his expectations.
Lu Chen had not yet consumed the four Azuregreen pine cones from the four Spirit-bearing Pines. He carefully stored them in the Gluttonous Worm Pouch.
After keeping the cone, Lu Chen's gaze turned to the top of the pine tree, where a white light sphere quietly appeared, flickering slightly.
Unable to contain his anticipation, he reached out and gently touched the surface of the light sphere.
With a soft ping, the light sphere instantly shattered into countless tiny specks of light that rushed into Lu Chen's body.
In an instant, he felt countless sharp and piercing sensations in his sea of consciousness, and a thought flashed through his mind.
['Fourth-grade Spirit-bearing Pine cone harvested, obtaining a fifth-grade magic artifact, the God-Piercing Spike.']
A silver-white spike appeared in his hand.
The spike was over half a foot long, adorned with intricate and profound hollowed-out talismans. It was exquisite and profound, with an incredibly deep interior, as if beckoning to Lu Chen's soul.
When he examined it with his spiritual sense, he felt a sharp intent rushing at him, causing a slight stinging sensation.
Lu Chen focused his mind on the silver-white spike, and detailed information about it immediately flashed through his mind's eye.
['God-Piercing Spike, fifth-grade magic artifact. When activated, it can inflict severe damage to the souls of cultivators, demons, and beasts. In severe cases, it can even cause the soul to flee and the body to perish on the spot.']
(End of Chapter)
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