https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-440-Externally-Strong-Internally-Weak-Fragrant-Recognition/12934831/
Chapter 441: The Great Perfection of Burning Pestilence, Let's Go!
Chapter 441: The Great Perfection of Burning Pestilence, Let's Go!
"Leader, here are the seven secret martial arts weapons you requested. It took some time, and I specially asked the weapon forgers within the association to craft them."
Luo Chen nodded, and his spirit perception swept over the storage bag.
Inside, seven types of secret weapons commonly used in the secular martial arts world were neatly arranged.
Seven-Star Bone-Piercing Needles, Intestine-Ripping Threads, Five-Flower Cotton, Blood Drops...
If you add the three secret weapons that Luo Chen had mastered many years ago—the Primordial Sphere, Seven-Night Stars, and Iron Tribulus—he would have all ten secret weapons needed to practice the Heavenly Maiden Scattering Flowers.
Yes, Luo Chen intended to thoroughly perfect this comprehensive manual of secret weapon techniques that he had acquired decades ago.
Having the Master Rank Heavenly Maiden Scattering Flowers hanging there was not the same as actually mastering it.
In the past, he didn't cultivate it because he thought it was too troublesome to collect ten types of secret weapons, and after learning three techniques, he felt it was more than sufficient.
But now!
With numerous talented individuals within the Luo Tian Association, it was easy to obtain these few ordinary secret weapons. He could simply give an order, and the Weapon Forging Hall would craft them, providing as many as he needed.
Furthermore, with his profound cultivation realm, it would take him no more than a month or so to perfect the Heavenly Maiden Scattering Flowers.
Perfecting this technique was not about the increase in strength, but rather the opportunity to gain an additional achievement point!
After his subordinate left, Luo Chen delved into the practice of the seven secret weapon techniques.
Day after day, his proficiency steadily improved.
Seven days passed in the blink of an eye.
Looking at the 'Heavenly Maiden Scattering Flowers Grand Completion' entry on his attribute panel, Luo Chen smiled.
He had underestimated himself.
It didn't take a month's worth of effort.
The essence of secret weapons lies in the weapons themselves, followed by techniques, eyesight, and internal energy.
He already possessed the secret weapons, and his eyesight was hundreds of times better than ordinary martial artists. He could also use higher-quality spirit energy instead of internal energy.
This progress was only to be expected!
After perfecting this technique, Luo Chen didn't stop his efforts to enhance his combat techniques.
One day, Gu Caiyi arrived at his cave mansion.
She brought good news.
"I've received information about the high-quality Third Rank Fire Malefic you wanted."
Upon hearing this, Luo Chen's eyes lit up.
After the battle at Fragrant Valley, his Burning Pestilence was broken by Qin Taiyan using the Sunfire True Malefic. Since then, this technique had been almost half-useless.
Three years in the Ice Fortress, and another three years after returning to the Heavenly Wave Immortal City.
It had been a long time, and it wasn't easy to finally find information about it!
"What kind of malefic is it, and where did it appear?"
Gu Caiyi smiled and said, "It's a special Third Rank Malefic called the Sinking River Ghost Malefic. It was obtained by a business alliance from the Lancang River and is currently being transported to the Hundred Flowers Immortal City. It's estimated that they plan to sell it at an auction to the Falling Cloud Sect cultivators."
The Hundred Flowers Immortal City was exclusively owned by the Falling Cloud Sect.
Over the years, the Falling Cloud Sect's puppetry techniques had gradually become well-known.
These puppet techniques were not merely about controlling puppets to fight; they could also attach additional powers to the puppets.
For example, malefics were an extremely powerful technique to add to puppets.
After all, cultivators feared malefics like tigers.
But lifeless puppets didn't have such concerns.
However!
Luo Chen asked in confusion, "The Sinking River Ghost Malefic doesn't sound like a fire malefic; it sounds more like a water malefic or a ghost malefic."
Malefics were also categorized into the Five Elements.
In fact, they were not limited to the Five Elements. When a certain power accumulated excessively in a place, it would easily form an extreme force.
This extreme force was what they called a malefic.
Gu Caiyi nodded slightly and then shook her head with a smile.
"As you thought, this malefic does possess the characteristics of both water and ghost malefics, but its primary attribute is fire."
"The Sinking River Ghost Malefic, also known as the Sinking River Ghost Fire Malefic."
"Countless creatures died in the Lancang River, and their spirits eventually gathered in a dead volcano at the bottom of the river. Over the past thousand years, a unique malefic formed. Because it originated from an underground volcano, its primary attribute is Fire. However, due to the presence of the conflicting Water element and the fusion of the spirits' ghost fire, this malefic gained its formidable power. It is said that once this malefic is touched, both magical treasures and cultivators' physical bodies will be corrupted."
After listening to Gu Caiyi's description, Luo Chen was quite intrigued.
This thing indeed seemed to have some unique qualities.
Although it wasn't as domineering and violent as a normal fire malefic, it had a more insidious nature.
If he used this to cultivate the Burning Pestilence, even Golden Core Cultivators might suffer greatly if they were to accidentally come into contact with it.
"Send someone to the Hundred Flowers Immortal City, and acquire the Sinking River Ghost Fire Malefic at all costs!"
"Rest assured, I will personally handle this matter." Gu Caiyi could tell that Luo Chen valued this malefic highly; otherwise, the Luo Tian Association wouldn't have been collecting it for so many years.
Seeing that Gu Caiyi was about to leave, Luo Chen thought for a moment and said, "If it can't be obtained, don't force it. Currently, the Jade Cauldron Domain strictly forbids conflicts with others. If we provoke enemies and trigger a battle, it will be very troublesome. If it's not possible, we can purchase a large quantity of ordinary Third Rank Earth Fire Malefics, which I can make do with."
"Don't worry, I'll be careful."
Gu Caiyi nodded.
After she left, Luo Chen's days returned to the previous routine of rigorous cultivation and pill refining, with one difference.
He reduced the time spent on miscellaneous tasks and devoted more time to researching the refinement of the Shadow Essence Pill.
He hadn't used the system to learn this pill formula yet.
Instead, he relied on the vast amount of low-grade medicinal ingredients collected by the Luo Tian Association and was trying to research and improve it.
For the Third Rank Heavenly Mountain Rejuvenation Water, he attempted to substitute it with the Medicine King Sect's Rejuvenation Water, and the Indigo Thunder Flower was replaced with another Second Rank thunder-attributed medicinal ingredient. He also found corresponding alternatives for the Nine-Striped Snake Saliva Flower.
The medicinal properties were compatible, and their natures were similar.
For the auxiliary materials, he also tried to find the most suitable ones.
Through constant experimentation and improvement, time slowly passed as he refined the pills.
...
A year later, Gu Caiyi returned from the Hundred Flowers Immortal City, but the results were somewhat disappointing.
A portion of the Sinking River Ghost Fire Malefic was acquired by a Golden Core Elder of the Luoyun Sect.
With no other options, Gu Caiyi had to purchase a large amount of third-rank Earth Fire Malefic for Luo Chen, costing over ten thousand Spirit Stones.
If quality is lacking, then quantity will make up for it.
After all, it's still Malevolent Energy!
Even if it doesn't pose a significant threat to Golden Core Cultivators, it remains an absolute deadly move during the Foundation Establishment Stage.
However, Luo Chen didn't stop the Luo Tian Association from collecting high-quality Fire Malefics like the Sinking River Ghost Fire Malefic and the Flaming Sun True Malefic.
As long as the price was within his budget, he would try to obtain them.
While Gu Caiyi received bad news, good news arrived from the Ice Fortress.
Heavenly Mountain Rejuvenation Water!
Luo Chen was willing to pay three hundred thousand Spirit Stones, and the Ice Fortress agreed to sell him two portions.
Two portions were enough! According to the Shadow Essence Pill formula, one complete portion of Heavenly Mountain Rejuvenation Water could be used to refine ten Shadow Essence Pills.
The extra portion could be kept for the Core Formation stage as an auxiliary spirit liquid.
The price of three hundred thousand was actually a significant markup compared to the market price.
However, Luo Chen didn't express any dissatisfaction.
This spirit liquid, which could assist in Core Formation, was a rare treasure with no fixed price.
Many had the Spirit Stones, but they couldn't buy it.
Luo Chen inferred that the Ice Fortress's Heavenly Mountain Rejuvenation Water was primarily for their use and trade with the Medicine King Sect to obtain precious pills.
For them to spare two portions for him was a real show of respect.
In return for their respect, Luo Chen decided to reciprocate.
Next, Luo Chen went all out!
He spent a year refining high-quality Jade Dew Pills, which the Ice Fortress would need for the next ten years.
He even added seven or eight supreme-quality Jade Dew Pills!
This was his sincerity.
In the past, he had never revealed his ability to refine supreme-quality pills.
It could be said that Cang Lang always responded to Luo Chen's requests, so he wouldn't be ungrateful.
Some might wonder why Luo Chen was more willing to share his abilities with Cang Lang than with Mi Shu Hua, Miao Wen, or Jueqing Xianzi, who also fulfilled his requests.
The difference lies in the nature of their relationships.
The former often had urgent needs or specific conditions when approaching Luo Chen.
The latter, on the other hand, never made any specific demands of Luo Chen, and it was Luo Chen who often sought their help.
One could say that Cang Lang's senior had exceptional skills in handling such matters.
But it could also be said that Luo Chen was a person who responded to kindness with kindness.
The more sincere others were towards him, the more sincere he would be in return.
...
After refining the required Jade Dew Pills, Luo Chen focused his energy on refining second-rank Spirit Penetrating Pills.
This was crucial for Chu Kui's cultivation of the Lock Pearl Curtain secret technique.
As Luo Chen's best observation subject for this technique, he couldn't afford to fall behind in logistical support.
Another year passed, and Luo Chen refined all the second-rank Spirit Penetrating Pills he and Chu Kui would need.
He even took the time to teach Qu Lingjun how to refine first-rank Spirit Penetrating Pills.
After this series of events, three years flew by.
There were only six years left before their departure.
"Six years..."
In the cave mansion, Luo Chen calculated the remaining six years.
"Quality over quantity, but with the Grand Imprint of the One Qi barely at the entry level, it's unlikely to reach the Master rank."
This powerful third-rank spell was not suitable for battle unless one had reached the Master rank.
So, Luo Chen wisely chose to temporarily give up on it.
Similarly, the third-rank spell Mirror Flower Water Moon, being a combination spell, was also progressing very slowly.
"The Burning Pestilence can be the focus of cultivation. Once mastered, it will be invincible during the Foundation Establishment Stage."
"Additionally, the Mind-Conquering Spell and Mind-Hunting Spell need further improvement. Xiao Sanren is skilled in soul attack techniques, and with his deeper cultivation, I need sufficient countermeasures beyond the defense of the Blackened Heart."
"Even if my soul foundation is not inferior to his, the backlash could be fatal to him."
After this analysis, Luo Chen set his cultivation priorities for the next six years.
Refine the third-rank Earth Fire Malefic using the Burning Pestilence.
Perfect the Mind-Conquering Spell and push the Mind-Hunting Spell to the Master rank if possible.
Furthermore, he would also research alternative formulas for the Shadow Essence Pill.
However, the progress on deriving alternative formulas for the Shadow Essence Pill was extremely slow, and Luo Chen had already spent numerous Spirit Stones, only experimenting with a few substitute ingredients so far.
"Take it slow!"
"I'm the least rushed of all."
...
The wind blew fiercely, and the sun shone brightly.
In the Jade Cauldron Domain, where preparations for war had been ongoing for fifty years, six years passed in a quiet yet bustling atmosphere.
On this day, amidst a flurry of snow, two graceful figures arrived side by side.
The atmosphere between them wasn't particularly harmonious, but upon reaching the Yi Seventeenth Cave Mansion, they maintained relative restraint.
They could afford to be temperamental at any time, but not when their man was about to embark on a long journey.
Inside the cave mansion, Sima Hui's Daughter and Gu Caiyi sat facing each other.
Without looking at each other, their eyes were fixed on the training chamber.
After a long while, a burst of violent energy suddenly spread out.
The two women's faces changed, but before they could react, the energy was instantly retracted.
The training chamber door opened with a click, and a handsome and tall figure strode out.
Luo Chen, immersed in the joy of regaining his Burning Pestilence ace, was startled upon seeing the two women.
Then, he smiled and shook his head, "It's just a trip; there's no need for you to see me off personally."
Gu Caiyi furrowed her brows, her voice laced with concern. "The last time you went out, you said the same thing. But what happened..."
Luo Chen chuckled, gently rubbing her head. "You're overthinking it. The danger this time pales in comparison to facing a Core Formation Great Sect like last time."
"With my current strength, I can easily dominate a region unless I encounter a Golden Core Cultivator."
"Even if a cultivator in the early stages of the Golden Core realm makes a move, I'm confident I can escape with ease. Don't worry too much."
Gu Caiyi pouted, but she didn't say much more to express her concerns.
Once her man had made up his mind, it was rare for him to change it.
Instinctively, she glanced at Sima Hui's daughter, hoping she could offer some good advice.
However, Sima Hui's daughter merely stood up and bowed respectfully.
"Rest assured and do what you need to do!"
"I'll take care of the Luo Tian Association," she assured.
Luo Chen laughed heartily, hugging both of them before striding out of the cave mansion.
Descending from the Heavenly Wave Peak, he didn't pause for a moment, heading straight for the outskirts of the immortal city.
...
A thousand miles away from the Heavenly Wave Immortal City.
In a place devoid of spiritual energy, several small hills stood tall.
Flurries of snowflakes fell, decorating and adorning this unremarkable place. Under the silver blanket, a more pleasing scenery emerged.
On one of the small hills.
Four figures, some sitting and some standing, surrounded by small array flags.
Dressed in snow-white fur, Yinsha Lady stood outside, occasionally glancing towards the direction of the Heavenly Wave.
"Why didn't we meet in the immortal city and depart together? Coming to this remote place, what if Luo Chen can't find us and it delays our departure?"
She was getting anxious! Fu Jiusheng glanced at her, clearly sensing that she hadn't reached the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage.
Perhaps this was why she was so eager!
He Lianyun smiled and said, "In the immortal city, there are many people and prying eyes. If we travel alone, no one will pay attention. But if five of us travel together, we're bound to attract attention from those with ulterior motives."
"This is a matter concerning the Core Formation realm. We must be cautious!"
"Moreover, with Luo Chen's abilities and with my token, finding him won't be difficult."
Yinsha Lady wanted to say something more, but Xiao Sanren suddenly interrupted her.
"He's here!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the four of them looked in one direction.
Fu Jiusheng discreetly glanced at Xiao Sanren, surprised that he had detected Luo Chen's presence even before him.
This didn't seem like the Foundation Establishment Ninth Layer cultivator he appeared to be! However, since Xiao Sanren was trying to conceal his strength, there was no need to expose him. Instead, he could be cautious and prepare for any surprises.
On the contrary, if Xiao Sanren made any sudden moves, it might catch the others off guard.
Fu Jiusheng could prepare in advance and wait for the right moment.
He shifted his gaze to the distance.
A figure, neither hurried nor slow, rode a white cloud towards them.
The falling snowflakes seemed to evaporate before reaching him, turning into layers of misty vapor.
Amidst the mist, a man with grayish-white hair flew steadily.
His tall and straight figure stood like an unyielding pine tree in the snow.
His bright and piercing eyes were like a blazing fire on a cold winter day, making it hard to look away.
Witnessing this, the four of them exchanged surprised glances.
Luo Chen's cultivation seemed to have advanced significantly! This might affect some of the details they had previously discussed.
A powerful Luo Chen might not be suitable for their subsequent cooperation!
Just as they were feeling uncertain, Xiao Sanren stopped.
Luo Chen clasped his hands and greeted them, "My friends, you've waited long enough!"
After they exchanged greetings, Luo Chen casually extended his palm.
"Hand it over!"
"Er..."
This gesture left them all a bit bewildered.
Hand over what? Luo Chen smacked his lips, "The medicinal ingredients you've collected over the years for refining the Shadow Core Pill, give them to me first! I need to check and see how they've been processed. I don't want any mistakes during the refining process, requiring me to make additional adjustments."
He Lianyun hesitated, as he had planned to hand over the ingredients upon arrival.
But Luo Chen wasn't finished giving instructions.
"Fu, you know the way, so you can guide us."
"Xiao's spiritual foundation seems strong. You can be in charge of vigilance."
"Lastly, Yinsha Lady, please pilot the flying boat. I need a quiet place to inspect the ingredients, and traveling by boat will be ideal."
After giving his orders, Luo Chen waved his hand casually.
A high-quality flying boat descended with a boom onto the hilltop, forcing the other four to fly up and make room for it.
Luo Chen stepped onto the boat and extended his hand in invitation.
"Friends, there's no time to waste."
"Please!"
At his invitation, the four of them exchanged glances.
He Lianyun let out a bitter laugh and was the first to board the boat.
Fu Jiusheng and Xiao Sanren exchanged a look, shrugged, and boarded as well.
Yinsha Lady's face alternated between pale and flushed. She had never piloted a boat for anyone before.
But under the gaze of the other four, she could only grit her teeth and make her way to the piloting room of the high-quality flying boat.
"With a great task ahead, I'll be a driver for Dan Chenzi once!" she muttered through clenched teeth.
However, upon seeing the empty holes, she paused.
Even the intermediate spirit stones needed to power the high-quality flying boat hadn't been prepared in advance? So, while silently cursing Luo Chen for being stingy, she reached into her own pocket and took out spirit stones, embedding them into the boat's array.
After a while, the boat roared to life.
Then, it transformed into a beam of light, rapidly flying towards the northeast of the far east.
(End of Chapter)
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