Chapter 446: Advancing Cultivation, The Sage of Heavenly Secrets Visits

Chapter 446: Advancing Cultivation, The Sage of Heavenly Secrets Visits

January 3rd, 2025

Early morning, at the Lu Family.

Lu Qing awoke from his cultivation.

The spirit stone in his hand had lost its luster and was devoid of spiritual aura.

He sensed the mystic core within his body and let out a sigh.

After refining an entire low-grade spirit stone, his mystic core's power had barely increased by an almost imperceptible amount.

"The remaining spirit stones are limited, and at this rate, completing the first transformation of the Golden Core seems like a distant dream."

Lu Qing pondered silently.

It had been a year since Grandpa Zhang's passing.

Within this year, Lu Qing had already perfected the first three transformations of the Perfect Golden Core Art.

However, his cultivation progress was painfully slow.

He was still at the initial stage of the Golden Core realm.

The first transformation was only half-completed, and there was still a long way to go before it was fully achieved.

And this was the result of using spirit stones for cultivation.

Without spirit stones, relying solely on absorbing spiritual energy from heaven and earth for cultivation, his progress would be even slower.

The reason for this was that the concentration of spiritual energy in the world was no longer sufficient to support his cultivation needs.

Even with the formation in the Jade Transformation Cave, the speed of gathering spiritual energy couldn't keep up with his absorption and refinement.

Lu Qing had to resort to using spirit stones for cultivation in the latter half of the year to feel a noticeable improvement in his cultivation.

But his supply of spirit stones was limited, and after half a year of cultivation, he had already consumed most of his low-grade spirit stones.

Lu Qing estimated that even if he used all his remaining spirit stones for cultivation, it would barely be enough for him to complete the first transformation and barely reach the second transformation.

"If the first transformation is this challenging, then the second transformation will require even more spirit stones, right?"

Lu Qing felt his scalp tingle at the mere thought.

The Perfect Golden Core was powerful, but the resources it consumed during cultivation were also exponentially greater than other Golden Cores.

Lu Qing couldn't even imagine how terrifying the resources required would be when he reached the later stages of the Golden Core realm.

This Perfect Golden Core truly lived up to its name as a gold-devouring beast!

"Moreover, since the fifth heavenly resonance, the increase in spiritual energy has gradually stabilized.

The next resonance will likely take a long time to occur."

Lu Qing quietly sensed the surrounding heavenly rules, feeling that they had become extremely stable.

The next metamorphosis seemed to be a long way off.

He had anticipated this.

"Yan" had also told him that in the previous cultivation era, it took hundreds of years from the revival of spiritual energy for it to reach its peak concentration.

The current revival had only just begun, and it would likely take a long time for the next metamorphosis.

"It seems I need to come up with a plan. I wonder if the places 'Yan' mentioned have given birth to spirit stone veins."

Lu Qing pondered silently.

As an ancient relic from the previous cultivation era, "Yan" knew many hidden secrets.

One of them included the locations of some well-known spirit stone veins from the previous cultivation era.

It was uncertain if, in this short time since the revival, those places had produced any spirit stones.

As Lu Qing contemplated his future cultivation path, his heart suddenly stirred.

He took out a jade talisman from his pocket and read it with his divine sense.

This jade talisman was a communication talisman he had refined, capable of transmitting messages through divine consciousness.

A message emerged from the talisman.

"Lu Qing, come see me after you exit seclusion."

It was a message from his master.

"Does Master have something for me?"

Lu Qing's heart stirred.

Without further thought, he left the meditation chamber and quickly arrived at the courtyard halfway up the mountain.

As he entered the courtyard, he saw his master drinking tea under the plum tree with two others.

One of them was Lin Zhirui, but the other was someone he didn't expect.

"Sage of Heavenly Secrets?"

Lu Qing was surprised to see the immortal-like elder.

"Young Master Lu, it's been a while," the Sage of Heavenly Secrets said with a smile.

"I didn't expect that you, a busy person, would have time to visit our remote place," Lu Qing said humbly.

"Young Master Lu is too modest. This place is filled with abundant spiritual energy, rivaling even the Central State. It's a land of geniuses and heroes.

No wonder it produced a talent like you."

The Sage of Heavenly Secrets praised.

"You flatter me, Senior," Lu Qing smiled and asked, "But why have you come to Cangzhou?"

Lu Qing knew that someone like the Sage of Heavenly Secrets, with countless responsibilities, would not leave the Central State unless necessary.

"And Master specifically sent a message for me to come, so there must be something important."

As Lu Qing pondered, the Sage of Heavenly Secrets was also observing him.

Then, he discovered that just like in Central Province, despite his recent breakthrough in cultivation, he still couldn't see through Lu Qing's true strength.

Besides sensing that Lu Qing had become even more unfathomable, he couldn't discern anything else.

His Heavenly Secrets Divination technique was completely ineffective on Lu Qing.

Recalling Zhirui's previous message, the Sage of Heavenly Secrets understood.

Lu Qing's cultivation had indeed reached an incredibly profound level, making it difficult for them to fathom.

"I won't hide anything from you, Young Master. I have indeed come here for a specific reason."

Seeing Lu Qing's inquiry, the Sage of Heavenly Secrets didn't beat around the bush and spoke directly.

"I've been entrusted by someone to ask you a question."

"Oh? I don't know what it's about, but if I do, I'll certainly speak without reservation." Lu Qing replied.

Upon hearing Lu Qing's words, the Sage of Heavenly Secrets's expression turned solemn, and he looked at Lu Qing intently.

"This matter concerns one of the Four Great Secret Realms, the Hanging Mountain."

"A year ago, a mysterious and powerful figure wearing a ghost mask slaughtered numerous disciples and elders of the Hanging Mountain.

This forced the Hanging Mountain to retreat into its secret realm, shutting itself off from the outside world.

For over a year, there has been no news of them in the world.

Everyone assumed that the Hanging Mountain was afraid of the masked figure.

Additionally, the two Celestial Strangers were formidable at the time, so they remained hidden in the secret realm, biding their time.

But later, those two Celestial Strangers were easily slain by you, Young Master. They disappeared for a long time.

Still, the Western Territory showed no signs of the Hanging Mountain's emergence.

Not long ago, another secret realm couldn't bear the wait and sent people to the Western Territory to gather information.

They were astonished to discover that the Hanging Mountain secret realm had lost all contact.

Their requests to visit went unanswered.

After extensive investigations, the other secret realms concluded that the Hanging Mountain secret realm had vanished.

It wasn't just a matter of seclusion; the entire secret realm, along with its inhabitants, had completely disappeared.

Young Master Lu, do you know what happened?"

Lu Qing smiled calmly under the Sage of Heavenly Secrets' intense gaze, "From what you're implying, you believe this matter is related to me?"

The Sage of Heavenly Secrets remained silent.

Some things didn't need to be spelled out so clearly.

But for an ancient secret realm with a lineage spanning tens of thousands of years to vanish without a trace was an extraordinary event.

No power in the entire world could accomplish such a feat.

If he had to guess, the only person he could think of besides Lu Qing with such abilities was the one who effortlessly slew those two incredibly powerful Celestial Strangers in the Core Formation Realm.

More importantly, Lu Qing had an unresolved grudge with the Hanging Mountain.

Based on these speculations, although it was hard to believe, the Sage of Heavenly Secrets concluded that if the disappearance of the Hanging Mountain secret realm was man-made.

Then, Lu Qing was the only person capable of such an incomprehensible act.

Noticing the Sage of Heavenly Secrets' gaze, Lu Qing smiled, "Since you've already formed your conclusion, why bother asking me?"

The Sage of Heavenly Secrets's heart trembled, "If that's the case, then it's true..."

"Could it be...?"

"Indeed, the remnants of the Abyss Tower, once hunted by the entire world, have been quietly surviving within the Hanging Mountain's secret land."

"Rest assured, Elder, they have also faded into obscurity alongside the secret land."

"So it seems..." The Celestial Mechanism Tower Master murmured.

When the Abyss Tower remnants resurfaced, he had already guessed as much.

Only now did he receive confirmation from Lu Qing's words.

"Junior understands your intentions, Elder. You can inform the people you've sent."

"Junior has always been clear about gratitude and grudges, and I don't take killing lightly."

"As long as they don't provoke me, I'm not one to easily make enemies."

Lu Qing understood that the disappearance of Hanging Mountain had undoubtedly caused panic among the other three secret realms.

After all, an ancient power with a legacy spanning tens of thousands of years, backed by a mystic realm, had vanished without a trace.

Until this matter was clarified, the people from the other three secret realms would likely find it difficult to sleep soundly.

Lu Qing conveyed his stance to the Celestial Mechanism Tower Master.

As long as they didn't provoke him, everything could be discussed.

But if anyone dared to be unreasonable, he wouldn't mind letting the events of Hanging Mountain's secret land unfold again.

The Celestial Mechanism Tower Master understood Lu Qing's implied meaning.

He immediately said, "Young Master Lu, rest assured. I will convey your words to the other three secret realms."

"Alright, let's put aside serious matters and sit down for some tea."

At this moment, the old doctor spoke up, diffusing the tense atmosphere.

Coincidentally, the spring water he was boiling began to bubble and boil.

The Celestial Mechanism Tower Master sat down.

The old doctor started brewing plum tea.

As the boiling spring water infused the tea, a peculiar fragrance soon filled the entire courtyard, emanating from the teapot.

The Celestial Mechanism Tower Master inhaled the fragrance, feeling refreshed in his heart. The spiritual energy within him seemed to stir subtly.

He stared in amazement at the plum tea poured by the old doctor and couldn't help but praise, "Excellent tea!"

Lin Zhirui smiled and said, "Elder, you must savor this tea. Senior Chen's plum tea here is one of a kind, and it's not an exaggeration to call it the best tea in the world!"

"Zhirui, you're exaggerating. This plum tea is just a bit special, but it doesn't deserve the title of the best tea in the world," the old doctor shook his head.

He then served the first cup of tea to the Celestial Mechanism Tower Master, "Please, Tower Master."

The Celestial Mechanism Tower Master didn't refuse. He took the cup, and the tea inside was clear and bright, emitting a captivating aroma.

He couldn't resist taking a small sip.

As the tea touched his tongue, he felt his mouth watering, and after swallowing the plum tea, the spiritual energy within him began to circulate on its own, becoming more vibrant.

The Celestial Mechanism Tower Master's eyes widened in surprise, "This plum tea..."

"Haha, Elder, you've experienced the wonders of this plum tea, haven't you?" Lin Zhirui said with delight. "This plum tea is no ordinary tea.

It contains spirit aura, invigorates spiritual energy, and enhances cultivation.

Calling it a spiritual herb wouldn't be an overstatement; it's a true spiritual tea.

That's why I call it the best tea in the world."

"The best tea in the world, this plum tea indeed deserves this title."

The Celestial Mechanism Tower Master marveled at the changes within him, unable to hold back his praise.

At the same time, he was astonished in his heart.

This trip had left him deeply shaken.

Although he had heard his disciple mention the strangeness of Nine Mile Village, he was still surprised when he saw the village with his own eyes.

In this remote mountain village, the gathered spiritual energy was no less vibrant than that of Central Province.

The protective formation guarding the village was so intricate that even he couldn't discern its intricacies.

Now, he had tasted the spiritual tea that enhanced cultivation.

No wonder Zhirui, since coming here, had been reluctant to return to Central Province.

This place was indeed an excellent cultivation ground.

Hearing the Celestial Mechanism Tower Master's praise, Lu Qing remained silent, picking up his tea and taking a sip.

Ever since he set up the formation, gathering the earth's spiritual energy from all directions into the village, the plum tree in the Half-Mountain Courtyard had become increasingly mystical.

Now, it possessed a strong spiritual nature, worthy of being called a true spirit tree.

The plum blossoms it bore had significant benefits for low-level cultivators like the Celestial Mechanism Tower Master and Lin Zhirui.

Of course, for Lu Qing, it was just a more delicious tea.

With his current cultivation level, only true spirit stones or high-grade spirit herbs could aid his cultivation.

Thinking about his cultivation progress, Lu Qing couldn't help but feel a headache coming on.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end