Chapter 471: Dead Cultivation, A Gift of Sword Talisman
Chapter 471: Dead Cultivation, A Gift of Sword Talisman
Time flew by as Lu Chen oversaw the blessed land.
With the minor matters of the blessed land not requiring his personal attention, Lu Chen finally had time to cultivate. Each day, he practiced and contemplated the various techniques he had obtained from the spheres of light.
In his free time, he would pay a visit to the White Ape and the Ancient Turtle.
Due to his efficient handling of the experiments with the fierce beasts in the forbidden area, he didn't need to go there every day.
Instead, he would go in every few days to collect the remnants of demonic beast flesh and blood, merge the failed demonic beast essences, and gather the lingering resentment of the wandering souls in the dark red passageways.
Occasionally, he would return to the sect's cave abode to tend to the numerous spirit herbs and pay a visit to the Underworld Courtyard and the Fragmented Secret Realm to fulfill the needs of the spirit plants.
During this period, another outbreak of Imperial Flow Fluid occurred in the blessed land, and Lu Chen collected a substantial amount, even stripping the Ancient Turtle of every last drop.
Before long, three months had passed.
On this day, he returned to the sect.
Seated on the Spirit Crane, Lu Chen keenly sensed that the atmosphere within the inner sect was somewhat different from usual.
On a few occasions, he saw fellow sect members who, before Lu Chen could even greet them, hurried away as if something were chasing them.
Puzzled, Lu Chen returned to his cave abode and devoted himself to cultivating the spirit herbs and raising the spirit beasts, looking every bit the diligent spirit herbologist.
The next day, he arrived at Huo Lin'er's cave abode.
"Brother Lu, didn't you go to manage the blessed land? Why do you have time to come here?" Huo Lin'er asked, a hint of surprise on his youthful face.
"There are a few fellow disciples taking care of things in the blessed land. Everything is fine. I returned to check on the spirit herbs in the cave," Lu Chen replied.
"By the way, Brother Huo, I noticed that many of our sect members seem to be in a hurry when I came back. Has something major happened?" Lu Chen asked curiously.
"Indeed, something significant has occurred in the cultivation world recently," Huo Lin'er said. "A large secret realm has appeared within the Black Magic Abyss, filled with evil and treacherous creatures, but also hiding countless opportunities.
"It is said that some cultivators have obtained not just one, but several fifth-grade techniques and magical artifacts from within. After this news spread, countless cultivators were drawn to that secret realm, hoping to seize upon those opportunities."
Upon hearing this, Lu Chen fell into deep thought and nodded.
"How is it that Brother Lu isn't tempted by fifth-grade treasures?" Huo Lin'er asked with a smile.
"Brother Huo jokes," Lu Chen said, laughing bitterly. "How could I, a mere cultivator at the middle stage of the Foundation Establishment, not be tempted by treasures meant for those at the Core Formation stage?"
He wasn't wrong. Although he already possessed quite a few fifth-grade treasures, one could never have too many items of that caliber.
"I was just thinking of heading over to explore," Huo Lin'er said. "Brother Lu, if you're interested, would you like to join me?"
"With a true disciple like yourself leading the way, safety would certainly be guaranteed," Lu Chen said.
"However, I am also aware of my own limitations," he continued. "Although my cultivation is passable, I lack both protective artifacts and powerful spells. Following you would only hold you back, so it's better if I stay here in the sect."
"Very well, I won't force you, Brother Lu," Huo Lin'er said. "But on the path of cultivation, one cannot avoid competition. Only by striving can one attain great opportunities and advance further.
"Even if you don't want to compete with other cultivators, they will come looking for you. These things are unavoidable." There was a maturity in Huo Lin'er's youthful face that belied his age.
"Brother Huo's words make sense," Lu Chen said with a smile. "But my mind is made up."
"You all can compete among yourselves," he thought to himself. "I have my own path, and no one can take that away from me."
"Since Brother Lu has decided to focus on the path of a spirit herbologist, I won't try to persuade you further," Huo Lin'er said.
"Then I wish Brother Lu the best of luck in finding great opportunities and obtaining the treasures you desire!" Lu Xuan blessed with a smile.
After bidding Huo Liner farewell, Lu Chen returned to his cave abode.
He rested for a moment and was just about to go inspect the spirit plants in the spirit field when Bai Li Jianqing paid him a visit.
"Brother Lu! Have you heard about the new large secret realm that appeared in the Black Magic Abyss?" Bai Li Jianqing rushed in excitedly, his face lit up with enthusiasm.
"Yes, I've heard. Many cultivators have perished within, including some from the major sects," Lu Chen replied.
Bai Li Jianqing's enthusiasm was momentarily dampened by Lu Chen's blunt response.
"But we can't just focus on the negative. There are also countless cultivators who have gained opportunities, and the majority of those who entered are still alive," Bai Li Jianqing quickly added.
"So, you're planning to venture into this secret realm?" Lu Chen asked, his face expressionless.
"Yes! This is a rare opportunity to seize great fortune. If I don't take this chance, I know I'll regret it," Bai Li Jianqing said solemnly.
"Even if it means risking your life?" Lu Chen inquired.
"Absolutely!" Bai Li Jianqing nodded without hesitation. "As a disciple of a major sect and with fellow disciples by my side, I'm confident in my ability to return safely."
"Brother Lu, aren't you considering entering the secret realm as well?"
"No, I'm not interested," Lu Chen replied nonchalantly.
"What a pity, Brother Lu. With your mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, you're more powerful than me and several of our fellow disciples. I was hoping to rely on your strength," Bai Li Jianqing said, his eyes narrowing into a mischievous smile.
"My cultivation is nothing special; it's just the result of consuming countless pills. It's meant to help me cultivate more spirit plants. As for spells, artifacts, and talismans, I'm quite ordinary in those aspects compared to those who have faced countless life-and-death battles," Lu Chen explained casually.
"In a few days, I'll be heading there with some fellow disciples who are also interested in exploring the secret realm," Bai Li Jianqing said with a smile.
"Wait!" Lu Chen called out, stopping Bai Li Jianqing before he left. "Here, take this fourth-grade Sword Talisman. It's my protective treasure, and I've been reluctant to use it. But I want to lend it to you for this journey."
Lu Chen made up a reason to give the talisman to his friend, knowing it could be crucial for his survival. "You can activate it in times of danger. Its power will depend on the amount of sword intent you can infuse into it."
"Remember to return it to me after you're back, and only use it when your life is truly at stake," Lu Chen added.
Bai Li Jianqing was one of the few friends Lu Chen had made since joining the Celestial Sword Sect. Knowing his friend's low cultivation level, Lu Chen was concerned for his safety and decided to lend him the fourth-grade Whistling Sea Sword Talisman, the most valuable item he could offer without arousing suspicion or greed.
"Thank you, Brother Lu! I promise to make good use of this talisman and compensate you if I end up using it," Bai Li Jianqing said, his voice filled with gratitude as he felt the surging sword intent within the talisman.
The fourth-grade talisman was an invaluable treasure to Bai Li Jianqing, who was still in the early stages of the Foundation Establishment. In dire situations, it could very well be the difference between life and death.
"Go and return safely," Lu Chen waved him off as he turned to walk towards his spirit field.
(End of Chapter)
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