Chapter 524: Soaring Above the Birds, Diving into the Ocean

Chapter 524: Soaring Above the Birds, Diving into the Ocean



"Hmm..."

A muffled grunt escaped the lips of a young man, his clothes tattered and his body covered in cracks and scars. It was unclear how long he had been in this state.

In the dimly lit surroundings, Luo Chen struggled to sit up.

His head felt heavy and dazed, but his gaze immediately fell upon two objects in his hands.

One was a three-inch black wooden figurine, motionless, and the other was a withered, dull-colored blue feather.

Looking at these two objects, Luo Chen recalled the scene he had witnessed during the spatial teleportation.

When the spatial teleportation array was activated, an overwhelming pressure, impossible to match, squeezed in from all directions.

Even with his expertise in body refinement and his powerful Third Stage Ancient body, under that terrifying force, he still felt as if his body was about to collapse.

Fortunately, the Azure Feather in his hand suddenly burst into azure light, enveloping both him and Han Zhan in an instant.

Then, with a flash of blue light, they merged into the array.

In that moment, Luo Chen witnessed the rotation of stars and the vastness of the Four Seas and Five Continents, as well as countless wondrous places in the Mountain and Sea Realm.

It was at that moment that Luo Chen realized just how vast the coverage area of the teleportation array located in Cangwu Mountain truly was!

It was a top-tier teleportation array with tendrils reaching almost every major region in the Mountain and Sea Realm, far surpassing the ordinary teleportation arrays he had read about in books.

Such a teleportation array should never have appeared in the Mountain and Sea Realm!

This further deepened his fear of the Phoenix Empyrean, the ancient demon cultivator who had never shown her face and resided alone in the Donghuang Fifth Stage Sacred Ground.

With just one remaining method, she rendered all Nascent Soul Cultivators unable to stop her, and even Venerable Transcendents had to retreat.

Moreover, the teleportation array she had arranged was even more magnificent.

"Such a remarkable figure, truly dazzling and unparalleled, but where did she come from?"

For some unknown reason, Luo Chen recalled some rumors he had occasionally heard during his stay in Cangwu Mountain.

It was said that the Phoenix Empyrean had risen a thousand years ago.

At that time, she had obtained the Upper Realm Phoenix heritage from the Jade Cauldron Region, also known as the Lianxia Mountain Range, before it was renamed.

Hence, from then on, she had always used 'Phoenix' as her Daoist name.

Phoenix, Phoenix, dwelling upon Lianxia.

However, later, when the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect, supported by the Abyss Sect, launched a war to open up the Lianxia Mountain Range, the Phoenix Empyrean did not wish to fight with the Abyss Sect. Moreover, as she sought a spirit vein suitable for her cultivation realm, she voluntarily retreated and ventured deep into the Donghuang Wilderness.

As a result, she left behind He Qingzi, who was alone guarding the Lianxia Mountain Range at that time.

As for how He Qingzi was later subdued by Yunhe Shangren, who was still at the Golden Core stage, or how she took a liking to Yunhe Shangren, that was another story.

"So, the legend I heard in Dahan Market about the Celestial Phoenix falling into the Lianxia Mountain Range back then is probably seven to eight parts believable."

"Otherwise, how could such a powerful demon cultivator have been born in this realm?"

His head felt heavy and dazed, and stray thoughts arose.

Suddenly, Luo Chen jolted awake!

At this moment, how could he think about such trivial matters? He tightened his grip, applying a little force.

Hiss...

The Azure Feather on his right hand, subjected to external pressure, instantly turned into a puff of ash.

As Luo Chen raised his hand, the ashes scattered and fell to the ground.

"The power contained within it has completely dissipated!"

This Azure Feather was just a temporary token given to him by Dark Spring, used to enter and exit the dungeon.

To be honest, being able to temporarily activate the teleportation array and use it as a key was already an unexpected joy.

Now, it had completely lost its usefulness.

Luo Chen took a deep breath, retrieved the only remaining Supreme Grade Star Essence Pill from his treasure ring, and swallowed it down without even waiting for it to refine. Then, without further delay, he stood up from the ground.

Turning around, he gripped the Blackfire Sword in his hand.

Without hesitation, he swung the sword down! In an instant, a corner of the intricate teleportation array was severed.

Luo Chen carefully collected the stone corner and stored it in his treasure ring.

With the teleportation array destroyed, the enemy should no longer be able to pursue him.

"Although the enemies from Cangwu Mountain can't catch up, I still need to be cautious of possible strong foes from the Bone Dao Palace."

Luo Chen pursed his dry lips and quietly walked outside.

He couldn't afford to wait here for his complete recovery before attempting an escape.

He had to flee before the people from the Bone Dao Palace realized what had happened!

He cautiously made his way outside, his exposed skin covered in black lines—a sign that the Concealment Array had been activated to its limit.

With such a perfectly executed array, even a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator, if not paying close attention, wouldn't be able to detect your aura."

One step, two steps...

Luo Chen sniffed, catching a whiff of a salty, damp scent.

Shouldn't the lair of demon pythons smell putrid? Why was it so salty and moist?

Just as he was pondering, he had already exited the cave.

Pushing aside the thick curtains made of large vines, Luo Chen stood at the mountainside, his eyes wide with astonishment at the sight before him.

The sea and sky merged into one, stretching endlessly into the horizon!

The vast blue ocean rippled with waves, and rays of light shone through the clouds at the edge of the sky, casting a golden glow on the distant horizon.

It was the time when the setting sun dipped below the horizon, and birds returned to their nests.

Luo Chen swallowed, a sense of absurdity welling up in his heart.

"Could there be such a scene at the Great Snow Mountain?"

The unfamiliar environment made it hard for Luo Chen to accept the reality for a moment.

But soon, with his exceptional adaptability, he forced himself to accept the current situation.

This was definitely not the Great Snow Mountain!

Nor was it any place he was familiar with!

The terrain also didn't provide any clues as to their location.

Of course, according to some descriptions in the books about the Mountain and Sea Realm, there were only a few places with such an endless vast ocean.

Dongming Abyss, Nanyang, and Beihai.

It was said that Dongming Abyss was perpetually shrouded in thick ghost mist and darkness, so it couldn't be that place.

That left only Nanyang and Beihai as possible locations.

Nanyang was known for its strange gu worms, and Beihai was filled with demon monsters; neither was a pleasant place!

Luo Chen's face paled slightly, and he quietly retreated, brushing his sleeves to erase any traces of his presence.

As he returned to the cave with the Teleportation Array, he fell into a moment of silence.

He was now certain that something had gone terribly wrong during the teleportation process!

Otherwise, Han Zhan had mentioned the Great Snow Mountain, so how could he have ended up in this endless ocean?

The powerful force that Han Zhan had left behind was not intended for him but was meant to deal with the Bone Crystal Serpent in the Bone Dao Palace on Great Snow Mountain.

However, the other party had not expected that the Nirvana Holy Flame, weakened countless times, would not only completely exhaust Han Zhan's backup but also severely injure him, and he still hadn't awakened until now.

His gaze fixed on the charred black wooden puppet.

A murderous intent suddenly rose in Luo Chen's heart.

He could clearly sense Han Zhan's current weakness, so much so that even a Foundation Establishment True Cultivator could kill him.

A faint soul, curled up within the black wooden puppet, was unable to receive nourishment from the sea of consciousness derived from the physical body.

The other party's injuries were healing extremely slowly.

Should he kill him?

The urge to do so surged within him!

Luo Chen had witnessed the power of Nascent Soul Cultivators far too many times.

Even the weakest Early Nascent Soul Cultivator was not someone a Golden Core Cultivator could contend with.

Even though the other party only had a faint soul left, he posed no threat.

But Han Zhan's specialty was soul attacks and puppet control.

Who knew if he could launch some bizarre attack with just a faint remnant of his soul?

Leaving such a threat by his side was not a wise choice.

Killing him was the only way!

Luo Chen flipped his wrist, and a strand of azure flame enveloped the puppet. With a strike, Han Zhan's faint soul would completely disappear from the world.

Whether it was reincarnation, returning to the netherworld, or losing the chance to reincarnate and cultivate anew, it was beyond Luo Chen's ability to predict.

The cold and scorching aura gradually approached the black wooden puppet.

In the end, Luo Chen waved his hand and extinguished the Prosperity and Withering True Flame.

"Forget it! Forget it!"

He recalled the many instances where the Luoyun Sect had shown him kindness during his journey.

Whether it was Tian Xingzi's deal during the battle at the Fragrant Incense Valley, or when he advanced to the Golden Core stage and Qu Xibai from the Luoyun Sect opened the Immortal City's restrictions to aid him, or even when he was under the influence of the Golden Wolf King's demonic energy at the foot of Qianye Peak, Han Zhan had come to his aid.

Although Luo Chen had also repaid them in various ways, overall, their relationship could be considered a sincere collaboration.

Especially!

Luo Chen recalled the scene when the grand teleportation array was activated.

At that time, Han Zhan had already been severely injured by the Nirvana Holy Flame, and he must have known that even if the teleportation succeeded, he would be powerless and at the mercy of others.

Yet, he still gave Luo Chen the Azure Phoenix Feather.

"Don't let me down!"

Han Zhan's low and stern voice still echoed in his ears.

Luo Chen shook his head.

"He treated me with sincerity, so I should repay him with honesty!"

He extinguished the thought of killing Han Zhan.

But Luo Chen didn't do nothing.

Instead, he took out an object from his Treasure Ring.

The Primordial Cauldron!

Looking at the large cauldron, a mixture of love and fear flashed in Luo Chen's eyes.

Whose primary magic treasure wouldn't listen to its owner's commands? But since Tian Yezi had perished, there should be no one else in this world who could control this treasure, not even Han Zhan and Qingfeng, who had participated in its refinement.

After all, Tian Yezi was a master artificer, Luo Chen was the treasure's owner, and the others had only added one or two formations to it.

They couldn't achieve the level of turning the tables.

"The Primordial Cauldron itself has the effects of suppression, imprisonment, and restraint, making it perfect for this situation!"

Luo Chen channeled his magical power, and instantly, gray chains emerged from the small cauldron.

Unlike the azure chains summoned by Tian Yezi, Luo Chen's chains were red.

One represented wind-attributed magical power, and the other represented fire-attributed magical power.

The chains slowly coiled around the black wooden puppet and then gently pulled it into the cauldron.

This completely isolated the inside from the outside, preventing Han Zhan from spying on Luo Chen or launching any surprise attacks.

Even if the other party woke up, without Luo Chen opening the Primordial Cauldron, he could only stay put inside.

"When he wakes up, I'll negotiate with him and see what he has to say!"

"If all else fails, we'll go our separate ways."

"At least we'll part on good terms."

Muttering to himself, Luo Chen looked around, found a suitable spot, and sat down cross-legged to cultivate his primary cultivation technique.

At this moment, his cultivation base was somewhat unstable.

He had just broken through the Third Level of the Golden Core stage and went to find Tian Yezi, so his cultivation level hadn't been stabilized.

The long-distance spatial teleportation had also consumed a significant amount of his magical power.

In this state, it wasn't suitable for him to venture outside.

Even though the spiritual energy in this place was thin, it was still better than nothing.

In the dim cave mansion, things gradually quieted down, and only the ragged Daoist's rhythmic breathing could be heard, absorbing the scarce spiritual energy of heaven and earth.

...

Half a month later.

Luo Chen slowly woke up from his meditation.

He first observed the silent Primordial Cauldron to confirm that Han Zhan hadn't awakened yet.

Then, he naturally opened the attribute panel.

The panel, as transparent as water, unfolded, visible only to Luo Chen, and his eyes immediately focused.

[Lifespan: 124/446]



[Spirit Root: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth]



[Cultivation: Golden Core Stage, Third Level 1/100, Third Stage Ancient 30/100]



[Cultivation Techniques: Heavenly Phoenix Rebirth Scripture Proficiency 101/200, Master of Ten Thousand Paths Confluence 657/1000, Ten Thousand Beasts Sutra 15/100]



[Spells: Fourth Stage: Dragon Slaying Technique Proficiency 175/200

[Martial Skills: Cloud Probing Claws Master 590/1000, Fiery Poison Mist Master 530/1000]

Great Perfection Spells (Click to View Details)



【Alchemy: Scaled Transformation Palm Mastery 580/1000, Phoenix Burning Palm Beginner 77/100. Great Perfection Alchemy (Click to View Details)】

【Profession: Fourth-Rank Pill Refiner, Second-Rank Physician

Fourth-Rank Pills: Shape Transformation Pill Beginner 5/100

Third-Rank Pills: Star Essence Pill Great Perfection, Dark Essence Pill Beginner 6/100

Second-Rank Pills: Emperor Flowing Elixir Great Perfection

Great Perfection Pills (Click to View Details)】

【First-Rank Array Master: Third-Rank Formations: Concealment Array Great Perfection

First-Rank Formations: Spirit Gathering Array Mastery 800/1000, Sharp Metal Array Mastery 750/100, Armored Wood Array Mastery 900/1000, Vast Essence Array Mastery 760/1000, Fire Gathering Array Great Perfection, Armored Stabilization Array Mastery 767/1000】

【Achievement Points: 101】

Each entry, vivid and lifelike, caused ripples in Luo Chen's heart.

"A 124-year-old at the third level of the Golden Core, this is considered among the best in the Donghuang Cultivation World!"

Luo Chen couldn't help but exclaim.

Such a rapid cultivation speed, even the top disciples of the major sects couldn't catch up.

Even the Heaven's Spirit Root cultivator, Yu Jiao Long from Mengquan Cave, would pale in comparison.

In fact, Luo Chen didn't start out this fast.

After forming his Golden Core, it took him ten years to barely stabilize his realm and reach the first level of the Golden Core.

The reason why he was able to break through two minor realms in the following fourteen years, which should have been a more difficult and lengthy cultivation period, was mainly due to him resolving his external resource dilemma.

Especially!

He also refined a large number of Superior and Supreme Grade Star Essence Pills to assist in his cultivation.

Supreme Grade Third-Rank Pills!

In the entire Donghuang Cultivation World, who else could afford such luxury? Luo Chen even doubted that even the Golden Core cultivators of the Abyss Sect wouldn't enjoy such treatment.

After all, Superior Grade pills were still considered normal, but Supreme Grade pills were completely disproportionate in terms of value. It was purely a matter of exchanging resources for time, and it was a big loss.

Luo Chen could afford to do this, but the major sects wouldn't be so extravagant in investing in their own disciples.

In addition to these, Luo Chen's self-created Dust Essence Art also played a significant role.

Since the day he created it, he had been cultivating it for a full thirty years.

By now, he had barely reached the Great Perfection realm.

If he were still in the Luo Tian Sect, Luo Chen would have already transcribed a condensed version of the Dust Essence Art, and it would have at least reached the Middle or even Superior Grade!

With this assistance, the success rate of Golden Core cultivators forming their cores would surpass that of other Superior Grade core formation secrets!

"Finally, the key to my rapid advancement from the second to the third level of the Golden Core in a short time was still the Supreme Grade third-rank spirit vein of Cangwu Mountain and my switch to cultivating the Heavenly Phoenix Nirvana Scripture!"

After a moment of reflection, Luo Chen's heart couldn't help but stir.

The previous achievements were the result of his hard work, and he felt satisfied and even proud of them! But the latter was a matter of luck.

Who else could enjoy the benefits of a Supreme Grade third-rank spirit vein?

The Heavenly Phoenix Nirvana Scripture, known as the origin of fire laws, is not just for Nascent Soul cultivators, but even the Five Continents might not possess a Spirit Vein of such caliber.

"Between life and death lies great terror, but also great opportunity."

"Falling into the hands of the Cangwu Mountain Demon Cultivators, I had already prepared to be a caged bird for life, serving as a tool for others, but I also gained something else. Every gain and loss is predetermined by fate, and the cycle of cause and effect is evident."

Luo Chen pursed his lips, feeling a surge of emotion.

The three years at Cangwu Mountain still felt surreal when he thought about it.

It wasn't self-pity, but it truly felt like a dream.

He wasn't oppressed or humiliated, nor was he imprisoned the entire time; instead, he gained a lot.

He conversed with Nascent Soul Demon Cultivators, witnessed Nascent Soul True Immortals in action, and even personally witnessed the might of Soul Transformation experts.

How many Golden Core cultivators in the world could have such a bizarre experience?

The more he thought about it, the more he couldn't help but delve deeper into his thoughts.

However, Luo Chen was already accustomed to cutting off distracting thoughts, and he refocused his attention on browsing the attribute panel.

The improvement in his physical body wasn't significant; in all these years, he had only advanced five levels.

If his cultivation method for the physical body had stages, he would be considered to have reached the final stage of the initial stage, just ten levels away from entering the intermediate stage.

This progress was due to the proficiency of the Ten Thousand Paths Confluence technique increasing by over a hundred levels.

Luo Chen was well aware of the reasons for the slow progress of his physical body.

Firstly, his cultivation method was self-created, and even after simplifying it several times, it was still too complex.

Secondly, after leaving Tianlan Immortal City, he no longer had Bai Meiling regularly preparing spirit meals for him, cutting off the simplest and most direct auxiliary supplement method.

Lastly, Luo Chen also lacked pill formulas that could aid in body refinement.

Of course, if Luo Chen lifted his restrictions and indulged in slaughter, using Essence True Flames to refine the life force of demonic beasts, his physical body might improve faster.

But doing so in his original environment would attract too much attention and invite trouble.

As he thought about this, Luo Chen subconsciously glanced at the Primordial Cauldron.

A thought, vague yet present, emerged.

"Let's not rush for now, we can discuss it after he wakes up."

Muttering to himself, Luo Chen's gaze continued downward.

In terms of spells, the fourth-rank Dragon Slaying Technique had reached the Proficiency level, and with further cultivation, it might yield remarkable results.

The third-rank Xiantian One Breath Great Seal had reached the Master level, not far from Great Perfection.

This technique was extremely comprehensive, capable of manipulating the five elemental energies, each with its own effect.

However, its comprehensiveness would undoubtedly decrease in the future.

As he had switched to cultivating the Heavenly Phoenix Nirvana Scripture, the Golden Core within his body contained only fire-attributed energy.

The remaining four elemental energies would be transformed into fire energy.

Consequently, the Xiantian One Breath Great Seal could only be used with fire energy.

As a result, this technique would become the purest and most direct killing technique.

"Gains and losses come hand in hand. Who knows, perhaps a single, more powerful seal might be even better?"

In the Third Stage section, there were also Mirror Flower Water Moon, Dust Essence Art, and Life Extraction Finger.

After years of arduous cultivation, he had already achieved Great Perfection in the former two, which would undoubtedly provide him with even greater assistance in the future.

As for the Life Extraction Finger, a peculiar spell obtained from Li Jinhuang, Luo Chen had barely cultivated it over the years.

He had only tried to activate it a few times on demon beasts, but the lifespan extracted would often disappear shortly after.

Meanwhile, his own lifespan continued to deplete without pause.

Since it couldn't increase his lifespan limit nor replace his own depleting lifespan, this technique was too impractical.

Perhaps it was only suitable for someone in Li Jinhuang's situation!

After browsing through the spells, the remaining entries didn't require much explanation.

In the Alchemy section, there was an additional Phoenix Burning Palm obtained from Mu Yunyan of Luoyun Sect. It was a newly acquired technique, suitable for processing fire-attributed medicinal ingredients, especially during the refinement of Nascent Soul Pills.

With the entry-level fourth stage Shape Transformation Pill, his profession advanced from a third stage Pill Refinement Master to the fourth stage.

Star Essence Pill and Imperial Flowing Elixir were at the Great Perfection level.

Regarding formations, he was still at the first stage.

However, he had cultivated all the foundational first stage formations to the Master or even Great Perfection level.

This was during the war when Xiao Yue opened up the Qianye Peak, and he had painstakingly copied them during his free time on the front lines.

Initially, he had planned to use them as a foundation for refining his Lifebound Treasure.

Who would have thought that with Tian Yezi's "help," he would save himself all that effort.

Lastly, there were the Achievement Points!

With so many spells, pills, and formations at the Great Perfection level, he had gained several dozen Achievement Points!

Even though he had spent ten Achievement Points midway to enter the cultivation of the Heavenly Phoenix Nirvana Scripture, he still possessed a terrifying 101 points!

This was the most significant number of Achievement Points Luo Chen had ever held in his history.

It could be said that these Achievement Points brought Luo Chen a strong sense of security.

Now, with these points, he could directly enter any fourth stage spell, technique, or even any fourth stage pill formula without any difficulty!

After browsing through his attribute panel, Luo Chen fell into a long silence.

What should he do from now on?

Although he didn't know whether this place was closer to the Southern Border's Nanhai or the Northern Sea, known for its abundance of demons, both were extremely far from Donghuang.

The distance to his home, the Luo Tian Sect, was unimaginable, perhaps billions of miles away.

In the short term, it seemed unlikely that he could return.

Moreover, even if he did go back, he would likely face the war between the Donghuang Demon Race and the Abyss Sacred Ground.

With his early Golden Core stage cultivation, he might not even be able to protect himself in the midst of such a great tide wave.

Especially with his act of refining pills for the demons, a traitorous deed—if it were to be discovered, it would only bring harm to his Dao companion and disciples.

"Sigh..."

With a long sigh, Luo Chen's initially excited mood turned somber.

Far from his homeland and those close to him, he felt a sense of helplessness and confusion, as if he had crossed over into a strange world.

The sect he had painstakingly cultivated, the heritage he had left behind, his Dao companion, disciples, friends, and subordinates, the third stage Spirit Vein he had personally secured...

All of it was gone.

"No!"

"They're not dead!"

"As long as I'm still alive, I'll find a way to return one day."

Luo Chen's spirits were lifted once again.

So what if there was no longer a third stage Spirit Vein?

The World of Mountains and Seas was vast, and high-grade Spirit Veins weren't exclusive to Donghuang. He could certainly find one here. With his Golden Core stage cultivation, as long as he didn't provoke Nascent Soul True Cultivators, he could live comfortably anywhere. Moreover, he possessed exquisite pill refinement techniques!

The immediate task was to understand his surroundings and then plan for long-term development, continuing his cultivation journey.

After sorting out his emotions, Luo Chen prepared to close the attribute panel.

However, before closing it, his heart stirred.

As his cultivation level increased, his knowledge broadened, his lifespan extended, and the number of skills he learned would inevitably grow.

With such a complex panel, browsing through it would become increasingly troublesome.

Thus, he had an idea.

Instantly, the attribute panel began to undulate, transforming into three chapters.

The first chapter was for basic attributes, techniques, and spells.

The second chapter was related to pill refinement.

The third chapter became dedicated to formations.

If he learned other skills in the future, he could simply add new chapters then.

After tidying everything up, Luo Chen calmly stood up.

He stored the Primordial Cauldron in his Treasure Ring and left the quiet cave mansion.

Upon exiting, he glanced at the cave entrance covered in vines.

The Spirit Vein here had an extremely low grade, barely reaching the edge of the second stage, and it was bound by a formation, hidden from the outside world.

Luo Chen had almost sucked dry the spiritual energy here during his half-month of secluded cultivation, causing the grade to drop to the lower tier of the first stage.

It was on the verge of severing the Spirit Vein's foundation.

The demons of Cangwu Mountain hadn't set up additional formations to conceal the area; they merely used the natural trees, vines, and rocks to form a natural illusion formation, preventing low-level demon beasts from accidentally entering.

"I don't need to go through such trouble," Luo Chen smiled slightly, and his eyes shone with spirit light, seeing through the scenery beyond the mountain.

Following the gaps in the illusion formation, he stepped out one by one, finally leaping into the vast ocean.

The waves crashed against the shore.

The rising sun illuminated the boundless horizon.

Luo Chen looked around, then took out a superior grade flying boat and tossed it onto the water's surface. With a surge of spiritual power, the boat sailed southeast, following his intuition.

The cold sea breeze ruffled his black hair.

His clothes fluttered in the wind as Luo Chen gazed at the unknown scenery ahead, his eyes shining brightly.

"In Cangwu Mountain, I was like a caged bird or a trapped fish. Now, I'm free as a bird soaring in the sky or a fish swimming in the ocean, no longer bound by anything!"

On the vast sea, a small boat carried the black-clad youth, sailing with the wind.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end