https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-641-Demon-Clan-Mobilization-Celestial-Tree-Influence/12942499/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-643-The-Six-Empyrean-Flying-Cloud-A-Visitor-from-Zhongzhou/12942505/
Chapter 642: Self-Created Domain, The Hell of Samsara
Chapter 642: Self-Created Domain, The Hell of Samsara
Luo Chen said he needed more time to consider, but when he gifted Han Zhan with the set of Seven Stars Swords from Mountain Lord Bai Zao, it was clear that he had made up his mind to venture into the Sinking Sea.
Such indecisiveness and inconsistency were rarely seen in Luo Chen.
However, the changes that occurred required specific analysis based on the circumstances.
Initially, after years of seclusion and the sudden acquisition of treasures, his ambition knew no bounds, and the allure of spiritual herbs further tempted him, making his decision an easy one.
After witnessing the combat power of a Nascent Soul cultivator in Withered Wood Ridge, his heart couldn't help but waver, and he began to cherish his own life.
But in the end, Ding Yi's intelligence left him with no time to spare for such concerns.
Once the Sinking Sea was completely controlled by the demon clan, what use would it be even if he reached the late Golden Core stage or even Grand Perfection in the future?
In the vast Northern Sea, there were countless Fourth Stage Demon Kings who were more powerful than Golden Core cultivators. The Sinking Sea, such a crucial location, would undoubtedly have a Demon King stationed there. By then, he would no longer have the opportunity to obtain the Five Elements Lotus Platform.
Luo Chen had been searching for the Five Elements Lotus Platform for many years, but to no avail.
Whether it was Ding Yi or Han Zhan, they both told him that this item was hardly available in the market, and only True Monarchs occasionally traded it among themselves.
In reality, even True Monarchs had very limited stock of this item.
The truth was that the Five Elements Lotus Platform was controlled by the Five Continents Sacred Lands!
He didn't know where Qingdan Valley obtained their Five Elements Lotus Platform, but he knew that the Sinking Sea was his only chance!
What truly made up his mind was Han Zhan's promise.
The other party promised to lend a helping hand at a critical moment, just like when Cold Light Island encountered the Blood Nightmare Demon possessing He Yuan.
With the protection of a True Monarch, if he was more careful and didn't harbor greed, obtaining the Five Elements Lotus Platform and leaving would greatly ensure his safety.
Of course, relying on others for everything wasn't Luo Chen's nature.
Once he made up his mind, he started preparing for this relic exploration with all his might.
The direction of his preparation was the few problems he had discovered at the edge of the Cold Abyss on Purple Spirit Island.
Once those three problems were solved, his strength would inevitably surge, and with increased power, he would naturally have more means to protect himself.
For this, he even asked Tianxuan to cancel the meeting with the Zhou Family's Golden Core cultivator the next day.
Tailoring defensive treasures for others was a time-consuming and laborious task.
Especially with his Artificer Mastery, which relied on the Primordial Cauldron, it became even more troublesome.
Because the Primordial Cauldron was related to the secret technique he had been researching during this period.
...
"Are you trying to emulate the remnants of the Demon Origin Sect and study the pseudo-domain technique?"
"Yes, Senior, you once said that this technique was of little use to me, but if I truly intend to venture into the Sinking Sea, I believe that mastering this technique can give me a few more ways to protect myself."
"Times change, and your consideration is not wrong. However, what are your thoughts on seeking me out?"
On Penghu Solitary Island, Han Zhan curiously observed Luo Chen.
Luo Chen abandoned his distant behavior towards Han Zhan over the years and had been frequently visiting him recently to seek help in perfecting his pseudo-domain concept.
At that moment, he shared all his research from these years with Han Zhan.
The white-robed cultivator from the Demon Origin Sect used the Soul Splitting Ghost King, the Ten Thousand Souls Banner, and corresponding secret techniques to set up a pseudo-domain that could suppress Golden Core cultivators of the same level.
Luo Chen's plan was to achieve a similar effect using his Golden Core, the Primordial Cauldron, and formation arrays.
It must be said that this concept had the shadow of Mountain Lord Bai Zao's Northern Dipper Seven Mountains Array.
After listening, Han Zhan fell into deep thought, occasionally muttering to himself.
"Using your innate treasure to amplify your magical power, pouring out your own power to form a small-scale magical power domain?"
"Such a method is too wasteful; ordinary Golden Core cultivators wouldn't even dare to dream of it."
"You are different. Firstly, your Five Spirit Roots physique has laid a solid foundation for abundant magical power. Secondly, you have the top-tier cultivation technique, the Heavenly Phoenix Nirvana Sutra, which refines pure and domineering fire attribute power, indeed having a strong suppression effect. Lastly, your Primordial Cauldron truly has sufficient depth to amplify the released power by several times."
Luo Chen nodded repeatedly, as he had affirmed his own foundation through repeated simulations, which gave him the courage to take such a bold step.
Especially the Primordial Cauldron, an innate treasure, had an incredibly robust foundation!
It also had remarkable effects in suppression, imprisonment, and capture.
Luo Chen's actions were merely to maximize its characteristics with the help of formation arrays.
In the end, Luo Chen added, "Senior, don't forget that I've also refined the second Jade Core. In terms of accumulated magical power, among the Golden Core cultivators of this era, there's probably none who can surpass me!"
Han Zhan's eyes lit up, as he had forgotten about this.
The Yuan Dan Technique personally taught to Luo Chen, combined with the Third Stage Grand Perfection of the Hidden Dust Sand, had led to his cultivation.
Over the years, with the assistance of the Penghu Star Pavilion, which was comparable to a Third Stage Superior-grade treasure, Luo Chen's accumulated magical power had reached a terrifying level.
According to Luo Chen's concept, using the innate Golden Core as the pseudo-domain core and the second Jade Core as the regular combat power core, would not affect his normal combat capabilities.
"I must say, your idea is quite interesting and indeed feasible to a certain extent. So, what do you need my help with now?"
Luo Chen's expression turned solemn as he looked at the Nascent Soul figure.
"I need you to unleash your domain, so I can experience its power up close! Only by experiencing it firsthand can I emulate and even counter it!"
Han Zhan was taken aback, and his Nascent Soul trembled slightly as if realizing something.
He took a deep look at Luo Chen.
"Alright, since you have a request, how can I not oblige!"
As he spoke, his mind stirred, and his Nascent Soul's power began to radiate outward. Simultaneously, the heavens and earth seemed to respond, as a vast amount of free-flowing primordial energy surged from within eight hundred li of Penghu.
In just an instant—
Boom!
On the solitary island, it was as if heavenly might had descended.
Luo Chen's body shook, and he was suddenly overwhelmed by an immense pressure, forcing him to kneel on the ground.
He was caught off guard.
Clenching his teeth, his bones trembled, and his blood rushed down as he struggled to stand up bit by bit.
Watching Luo Chen go from "prostrating himself" to half-kneeling, Han Zhan couldn't help but take a deep breath.
Even with his power suppressed, this young man could still move.
His physical strength was simply inhuman!
It was hard to imagine that if his physical strength were to improve further, whether he could resist the suppression of a Nascent Soul domain without even breaking through the Golden Core stage.
A thought flashed through Han Zhan's mind, and his expression remained unchanged as the three-inch figure spoke calmly:
"Don't resist, just calm your mind and feel what a domain truly is."
"Only by understanding its essence can you emulate and counter it."
Luo Chen took a deep breath, struggling to adjust his body, and sat cross-legged on the ground.
Even as his flesh and bones signaled their inability to bear the strain, he continued to mobilize his divine perception to sense the surrounding situation.
Gradually, he began to perceive something.
Unconsciously, the pressure around him dissipated.
Luo Chen looked on in confusion, and Han Zhan smiled helplessly.
"In the end, I don't have a physical body, so I dare not manipulate the domain too much, or my Nascent Soul will be assimilated by the primordial energy. You should go back, and every month, come here to experience the true power of a Nascent Soul domain."
Luo Chen nodded and stood up, drenched in sweat.
He bowed to Han Zhan in gratitude and then flew towards Penghu Island.
On his way back, he muttered to himself.
"Assimilation..."
...
Inside the Star Pavilion.
Luo Chen sat cross-legged, and his power surged like a tide, attempting to merge with the dense spiritual energy outside.
In his heart, his thoughts were in turmoil.
"Throughout history, cross-level battles have always been extremely difficult because higher-level cultivators naturally suppress lower-level ones."
"This suppression is not just a matter of numerical disparity in power but also a fundamental transformation."
"Foundation Establishment cultivators surpass Qi Condensation cultivators because they can project their divine perception, allowing them to manipulate artifacts and treasures more easily, and their attack range increases significantly with the support of divine perception."
"Golden Core cultivators can extinguish Foundation Establishment cultivators with a snap of their fingers due to the vast gap in power and spiritual energy, which creates the so-called Ling Ya."
"And the domain power of Nascent Soul True Monarchs..."
"When cultivators form their Nascent Souls, the Three Treasures—essence, energy, and spirit—unite to forge the Nascent Soul body, allowing them to face the might of heaven and earth directly. Essentially, the Nascent Soul is a second body formed outside the sea of consciousness by the pure power of the Nascent Soul. Since the power originates from the primordial energy, the Nascent Soul body can manipulate the corresponding attribute of the primordial energy, thus forming the so-called domain."
"My recent perception was correct. Within that area, the spiritual energy was purely of the wood attribute. Han Zhan's power, like a general leading countless soldiers, completely suppressed me individually."
As his thoughts churned, Luo Chen slowly opened his eyes.
He became increasingly convinced that his judgment was correct.
Han Zhan, without a physical body, meant that his Nascent Soul, the unification of the Three Treasures, lacked the 'essence' aspect.
Without the barrier of physical strength and essence, the Nascent Soul body frequently manipulating the primordial energy was extremely susceptible to assimilation by the heavens and earth.
After all, the influence of an individual's soul is insignificant compared to that of nature.
This was the reason Han Zhan mentioned 'assimilation.'
In this situation, if Luo Chen wanted to follow the path of pseudo-domains, he couldn't learn the true Nascent Soul domain.
Because he couldn't manipulate the free-flowing primordial energy outside, without refining and purifying it and infusing it with his will, he couldn't influence the external spiritual energy with his own will.
"Since I can't use it for my benefit, I'll reject it, leaving only my own power in the space I occupy, thus forming a special Nascent Soul domain."
After understanding this, Luo Chen's spirit trembled.
Without hesitation, his Golden Core inside his body spun rapidly, and a surge of power gushed out, amplified by the Primordial Cauldron, and burst out once more.
However, this time, instead of trying to merge with the primordial energy within the Star Pavilion, he forcefully rejected it.
It was like a giant wave pushing aside the nearby seawater.
In an instant, the Star Pavilion was engulfed in raging flames.
If Luo Chen was like a massive wave, and the heavens and earth were like an endless sea, then the stray spiritual energy was like seawater.
A giant wave, of course, could not compare to the boundless sea.
However, when it crashed and surged, it could push away a certain amount of seawater, ensuring its own wave crested and surged upward.
The Nascent Soul True Monarch, what he controlled, was merely a larger quantity of seawater, far from being able to form his own vast ocean.
Amidst the raging flames, Luo Chen's eyes shone brightly.
"This time, perhaps I've finally found the right path!"
Without a second thought, he channeled his magical power and rushed out of the Star Pavilion, heading straight for Han Zhan's cave abode.
...
The familiar heavenly earth primordial energy enveloped him once again, trapping Luo Chen like a prison.
Luo Chen glanced at Han Zhan's location and, according to his plan, unleashed his surging magical power.
In an instant, two beams of green and red light appeared in the void, facing each other.
Within the dreamlike light, Luo Chen slowly stood up.
Han Zhan was astonished, "Your physique... no, your pseudo-domain has formed?"
As the domain retracted, Luo Chen also withdrew his magical power.
He frowned and shook his head, "Not yet, it's just a rough outline. Moreover, I doubt Senior Han used much of his strength just now?"
Han Zhan nodded, "About three-tenths."
Three-tenths was enough, at least for Luo Chen at this moment.
He pondered as he headed towards the outside world.
His idea still had flaws; it was just a rough outline. To counter the might of a Nascent Soul domain, there was much to improve.
The first thing was to replace the Northern Dipper Seven Mountains Array!
That formation array was indeed unsuitable for him!
Watching the departing figure deep in thought, Han Zhan was filled with awe.
"This child's talent in the art of techniques is truly terrifying. He created a secret technique comparable to a Nascent Soul domain while still at the Golden Core stage."
After this realization, a terrifying thought emerged.
"If he truly advances to the Nascent Soul stage, will his comprehension of the natural laws also be divinely aided?"
The natural laws referred to the laws of nature.
This abstruse concept was usually only controllable by Primordial Transformation powerhouses. Those who could comprehend it at the Nascent Soul stage were rare in this world!
...
While Luo Chen was immersed in his cultivation, the outside world was not calm.
The abnormal activities of the demon clan near the Sinking Sea border gradually came to the attention of the powerful cultivators of the Ten Thousand Immortals Assembly.
Ordinary loose cultivators paid no heed to this.
However, the few top-tier True Monarchs could not ignore it.
As the Blood Scattering Person issued orders, cultivators stationed at the Three Oceans Defense Line began to leave their posts and actively attack low-level demonic beasts near the Sinking Sea.
Not only that, but high-level tasks related to the Sinking Sea also increased, and Golden Core loose cultivators headed to the Sinking Sea for battles, lured by high task rewards.
Ding Yi visited Luo Chen once, explaining the situation.
They both suspected that the Blood Scattering Person had also set his sights on this treasure land of the Sinking Sea.
Ding Yi was anxious because the date of the next heavenly phenomenon was drawing closer.
Luo Chen, however, remained calm and only asked Ding Yi to keep a close watch.
He himself was still immersed in researching his own domain.
...
"I started on the wrong path, but fortunately, I corrected it later."
On a deserted small island in Penghu, Luo Chen stood tall.
With a thought, a scorching and fiery magical power surged forth.
In an instant, the surrounding heavenly earth primordial energy was pushed away.
Moreover, this magical power was highly invasive, continuously expanding—one li, two li, three li...
Luo Chen moved within it, feeling like a fish in water. He formed hand seals and cast spells, with even greater might than before.
"The higher the formation array, the better it is for the cultivator."
"The Yin Prison Fire Control Array from Mountain Lord Bai Zao's storage ring is only third-stage, but it suits me better."
The third-stage Yin Prison Fire Control Array had no offensive or defensive capabilities, nor did it have bewildering or suppressing power. It was just a common array used by the Bai Zao Mountain's Artificer Sect to control earth fire.
Under this array's control, the power of earth fire could be used to slowly burn or gather fire to destroy a city.
Luo Chen obtained this array and inscribed it on his body.
Using his body as the array base, the cauldron as the array eye, and his primordial spirit as the energy source, he formed a pseudo-domain unique to him.
He named it—Hell of Samsara!
But...
"The range is too vast, and the power is not concentrated enough."
With a thought, Luo Chen began to slowly retract the released magical power.
Starting from ten li away, it gradually contracted, eventually forming a fiery hell covering a hundred zhang in radius.
Being within it was like being in a living hell! Luo Chen's magical power became more vibrant, and he could cast spells faster and with greater might.
If an enemy were within it...
Luo Chen felt the urge to test his sword!
And who would be the subject of this test?
Without hesitation, Luo Chen returned to Peng Island, gave Tianxuan a few instructions, and hurriedly left Penghu, heading towards the Demon Hunting Bureau.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
