Immortality Begins With The Alchemical Master Chapter 674: The Spirit-Linking Platform and the Path to Nascent Soul - Novel Cool

Chapter 674: The Spirit-Linking Platform and the Path to Nascent Soul

Chapter 674: The Spirit-Linking Platform and the Path to Nascent Soul

A grand lake, vibrant yet dangerous, quietly nestled within the vast expanse of Zhuque Mountain.

From a high vantage point, it resembled a flowing fire.

The dazzlingly bright lava lake, deep within, stirred curiosity about hidden demons or a portal to another world.

No demons, but a sacred bird!

Deep within the earth's veins, a radiant halo of flowing light housed a small firebird, its eyes closed, wings covering its body, peacefully asleep.

It seemed that no external upheaval could wake it.

Thin strands of red flames, centered on its tiny body, slowly spread outward.

Wherever the flames passed, solid rocks and hard cliffs melted, transforming into scorching liquid that rose upwards, becoming part of the lava lake.

Yet, these flames expertly contained their range, merely hovering within a thousand zhang.

Beyond this thousand zhang, a terrifying heat replaced them.

Being within this heat felt like even thoughts would melt.

This place was an absolute forbidden area.

Without the right opportunity, entry was impossible.

Drip!

Drip!

Black liquid dripped from a figure standing there.

He was an ordinary-looking man, but his aura resembled that of Han Zhan, the Grand Master of Luoyun Sect.

Unbothered by his melting body, his eyes fixed on a small lotus platform in the high-temperature zone.

The platform, amidst the scorching heat, seemed agitated.

It, too, couldn't bear the terrifying temperature.

Yet, it dared not leave, subconsciously aware of someone outside watching it with ill intent.

Advance further?

That was instinctual fear!

Even after years of secluded cultivation in Zhuque Mountain, absorbing the essence of Zhuque Sacred Fire, it was merely a tiny fraction, enough to prevent rejection by this place.

The man quietly observed this scene.

Suddenly, he turned his head.

Outside the high-temperature zone, a figure rushed over at lightning speed.

In a few quick moves, he reached Luo Chen.

"It's right there!"

After speaking, he seemed unable to hold on, his entire body unexpectedly turning into a pool of liquid.

Then, a faint glow flew out, swirling before merging into the Yang Soul Wood Plaque hanging on Luo Chen's chest.

Witnessing this, Luo Chen's pupils constricted.

Was this Han Zhan's soul-forging prowess?

Splitting the soul, attaching it to a puppet corpse, creating an incarnation.

Recalling how Han Zhan attached his entire soul to a Nascent Soul-stage puppet, Luo Chen's expression turned solemn.

"Senior's divine abilities are extraordinary, and it seems the 'Soul Splitting Technique' has reached the pinnacle!"

Han Zhan was surprised that Luo Chen suddenly brought this up.

Casually, he said, "Pinnacle is an overstatement, but I've achieved minor success."

Luo Chen was incredulous, "Such free soul-splitting, and it's only minor success?"

Han Zhan smiled faintly, "According to the description in the 'Soul Splitting Technique', splitting into two is just the beginning. I was fortunate to achieve it in the Ice Prison's Ice Hell. After two hundred years of arduous cultivation, reaching the number of nine souls, I finally entered the inner circle. As for the so-called pinnacle achievement, well... I'm afraid I won't achieve it in this lifetime."

"Is it that difficult?" In Luo Chen's view, Han Zhan's soul-splitting prowess was outstanding, even among the many Nascent Soul True Men he had encountered. He tentatively asked, "Is it a limitation of talent? Or is there a flaw in the technique?"

"Neither," Han Zhan sighed, "I'm only missing an auxiliary treasure mentioned in the technique for soul cultivation."

As he spoke, Han Zhan suddenly realized something.

Luo Chen, usually respectful, was subtly probing Han Zhan's soul cultivation.

It turned out to be an "aftereffect" of their previous battle!

Luo Chen, reflecting on his significant strength improvement, felt no fear towards Nascent Soul experts, yet during their initial confrontation, he fell under the allure of the Shark Emperor's enchanting voice.

The essence of this was clearly his insufficient soul foundation.

This didn't dampen Luo Chen's self-confidence, but it made him keenly aware of the gap between him and Nascent Soul True Men.

Hence, at this moment, he was asking to bridge this gap.

After understanding this, Han Zhan chuckled lightly, "Don't think about it. In a short time, it's impossible for your soul foundation to surpass the Nascent Soul level, even if I teach you the 'Soul Splitting Technique'."

His thoughts were exposed, and Luo Chen's face reddened.

Of course, under the illumination of the Zhuque Sacred Fire, it was hard to tell if he was blushing or not.

He asked casually, "Why? Is it a matter of time?"

"It's not a matter of time," Han Zhan denied, then explained, "When we Nascent Soul True Men ascend, we face the Heavenly Tribulation, enduring it with our bodies. Those who survive experience a significant realm increase, and their soul essence begins to metamorphose, as the heavens and earth refine us. You lack this step, so how can you compare yourself to them?"

Luo Chen fell silent.

The Heavenly Tribulation!

Apparently, this tribulation was accompanied by immense blessings.

"Even if he wanted to compensate with external means, it wouldn't be as effective as a heavenly baptism."

Seeing Luo Chen's dejection, Han Zhan spoke to comfort him, "Actually, you've already done quite well. At your age and cultivation level, to have such profound spiritual cultivation is impressive. Why force it further? Wait until you reach the seventh or eighth Golden Core layer, or even the Great Perfection stage, and your spiritual foundation might become infinitely close to that of a Nascent Soul True Man."

"If you're worried about being suppressed by a Nascent Soul expert in the upcoming battle, don't forget I'm here too."

"In terms of combat prowess, I might fall short, but when it comes to spiritual cultivation, even a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator would find it challenging to match me. I can protect your spirit and ensure it's safe!"

Luo Chen managed a weak smile, feeling a bit more cheerful.

The path of the spirit was mysterious and unfathomable.

Not all Nascent Soul True Men were proficient in this path.

Even the Demonic Song Emperor, Liu Ziweng, had only used sound wave attacks and some spiritual techniques.

Such methods were no different from his illusionary skills, like the Mirror Flower Water Moon.

In fact, in Luo Chen's opinion, Liu Ziweng's seductive singing was slightly crude compared to his mastery of the Mirror Flower Water Moon.

Someone like Han Zhan, who could directly attack an opponent's spirit, was a rare talent in this world.

Focusing his mind, Luo Chen's spiritual gaze pierced through the flowing lava and landed on the small lotus platform.

The previous conversation wasn't just to pass the time.

Throughout, he had been observing the Five Elements Lotus Platform.

This lotus platform had an extremely high level of spiritual connection, and it was aware of the danger here. So, it intentionally reduced its size to avoid being burned by the high temperature.

At the same time, the smaller size made it easier to conceal itself.

If not for Han Zhan's Refined Corpse incarnation following them, Luo Chen might not have found this place, let alone locate the hiding spot of the Five Elements Lotus Platform.

Now, it was time to collect this spiritual object!

But how to collect it?

Luo Chen already had a plan in mind!

As a seasoned Refining Master at the fourth tier, he was well-versed in gathering various spiritual herbs.

Especially before stepping into the Demon Annihilation Land, he had already researched several methods to collect the Five Elements Lotus Platform.

The simplest and most forceful method was to use overwhelming power to isolate the heavenly spiritual energy and directly capture it.

The second method was to use tools that didn't belong to the Five Elements to gather it.

But why use tools that don't belong to the Five Elements?

The reason was simple. The Five Elements Lotus Platform possessed the power of the Five Elements, and the cycle of mutual generation and mutual restriction was almost instinctive.

Regardless of whether it was a wood-earth jade box or a metal-fire sharp blade, it could instinctively avoid them, and even if caught, it could still escape.

Therefore, using tools that didn't belong to the Five Elements could bypass this restriction.

Finally, there was one more method! That was to use a Five Elements-compatible treasure to collect this object.

With the Five Elements combined, it wouldn't fear the cycle of mutual generation and restriction, following the principle of common origin.

The Demonic Song Emperor, Liu Ziweng, couldn't forcefully collect this object, probably because he lacked the corresponding treasure for collection.

And Luo Chen, on the other hand, happened to have such a treasure!

With a thought, Luo Chen opened his mouth slightly.

A small gray cauldron flew out, hovering over the lake.

Under the empowerment of his spiritual power, the small gray cauldron expanded, and in the blink of an eye, it became several dozen feet tall.

It was his Lifebound Treasure - the Primordial Cauldron!

Luo Chen pinched a spiritual technique, and the Primordial Cauldron started spinning rapidly, emitting a powerful suppression force that instantly spread out, immediately trapping the Five Elements Lotus Platform that was hidden so well!

Then, Luo Chen flicked his fingers.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

...

Several grayish-black spiritual power chains flew out, unlike the usual crimson ones Luo Chen used.

Apparently, while controlling the Primordial Cauldron, Luo Chen had already transformed his Five Elements spiritual power, so the nine chains that emerged were grayish-black.

The nine spiritual power chains, like spiritual snakes, swayed and flew out, quickly landing beside the Five Elements Lotus Platform.

With danger approaching, the spiritually connected Five Elements Lotus Platform naturally wouldn't sit and wait for its demise.

The lotus platform turned, and its size suddenly increased, becoming about five dozen feet tall, standing erect within the sea of fire like a fire lotus! The nine chains bound its body, attempting to pull it back.

But under their struggle, the Five Elements Lotus Platform remained unmoved!

"This!"

Luo Chen's face showed surprise.

Han Zhan, witnessing this scene, exclaimed, "The Great Year's words were right. This lotus platform's cultivation is indeed profound, just one step away from reaching the fifth tier."

Luo Chen's eyebrows furrowed, and he understood the situation.

The reason Liu Ziweng couldn't directly collect this object was not only because he lacked the corresponding treasure for collection but also because the Five Elements Lotus Platform's resistance played a significant role.

So, he could only make do with borrowing this treasure for healing at Phoenix Mountain.

Even during the battle, the Five Elements Lotus Platform forcefully escaped, and Liu Ziweng's clone couldn't suppress it due to a lack of techniques.

If this was the case, even if he collected this object now, it would be challenging to store it in his storage ring and take it away.

This was troublesome.

"I was unprepared. The Blood Scatterer spent a lot of effort to collect the fifth-tier withered blood, and this Five Elements Lotus Platform is just one step away from the fifth tier. The difficulty in collecting it is imaginable."

"But no matter how troublesome it is, we must first get it out of here!"

He could clearly see that they were inside Zhuque Mountain, and the Five Elements Lotus Platform had the home-field advantage, its power unceasing and ever-replenishing.

So, he could only take it away first!

Luo Chen pursed his lips, and his heart hardened. He exhausted the remaining spiritual power in his Golden Core, and it surged forth.

The nine chains tightened.

"Come out!"

A silent struggle unfolded between the man and the lotus platform.

Eventually, Luo Chen even depleted the spiritual power in his Golden Core and began to draw upon the power of his lifebound Golden Core. Only then did he manage to pull the Five Elements Lotus Platform several hundred zhang away.

And at that moment—

"If you don't mind, I can lend you a hand!"

"Hmm?"

Luo Chen was surprised but accepted Han Zhan's help.

He only felt the Primordial Cauldron suddenly sink, and a mysterious power was infused into the nine chains.

Clatter!

The chains shook, and Luo Chen retreated.

The Five Elements Lotus Platform was also forced to move outward.

During this process, Han Zhan exclaimed, "In just a few decades, you've nurtured the Primordial Cauldron to this level of quality. Truly impressive!"

The Refinement Corpse body was already sufficiently hardened. But even in the high-temperature environment derived from the Zhuque Sacred Fire, it still melted away in a short time.

However, the Primordial Cauldron remained completely unaffected!

Thus, one could see the exceptional quality of this treasure.

In Han Zhan's eyes, the Primordial Cauldron just needed a heavenly baptism to reach its full potential.

At that time, this treasure would undoubtedly advance to the ranks of a true artifact, commanding the heavenly spiritual energy for its wielder's use.

Luo Chen remained silent, still urging his spiritual power.

Time slowly passed...

...

One day later.

"It's out!"

The Great Year was excited, gazing at the faint figure on Zhuque Mountain.

Beside him, the awakened Master of Cloudsoaring Cave slowly opened his eyes, looking at Luo Chen's figure and the enormous lotus platform bound by nine chains. His eyes revealed a complex expression.

All this for a mere treasure, he almost perished here.

Was this trip worth it? And later, could he safely leave the Demon Annihilation Land alive?

If he ended up like Dao Lan...

He pursed his lips and asked in a hoarse voice, "Does this spiritual herb truly aid in the Nascent Soul formation for cultivators?"

"That should be impossible." The Great Year shook his head and said, "The Five Elements Lotus Platform absorbs the Five Elements Spiritual Energy and grows, becoming incredibly pure and attuned to the heavenly spiritual energy. For cultivators, its greatest use is actually as an auxiliary cultivation object, helping cultivators filter out impurities in the heavenly spiritual energy and directly absorb it."

Directly absorb?

Master of Cloudsoaring Cave was taken aback. "Don't refine it?

"No need for refinement! With a cultivator's Nascent Soul and the Five Elements Lotus Platform, one can directly absorb the most attuned heavenly spiritual energy."

"Nascent Soul?"

"Yes, the Five Elements Lotus Platform is a treasure exclusive to Nascent Soul True Men. It's normal that you Golden Core cultivators haven't seen it before."

Master of Cloudsoaring Cave was even more perplexed. "Then why did the Blue Sun Demonic Lord exhaust his efforts to find this treasure?"

As Golden Core cultivators, they didn't possess a Nascent Soul within their bodies. They couldn't withstand the influx of violent heavenly spiritual energy and had to capture and absorb it bit by bit. Then, through the use of cultivation methods, they would filter and refine it in their meridians, gradually purifying and transforming it into spiritual power attuned to themselves.

Luo Chen's actions were in preparation for advancing to the Nascent Soul stage, and it couldn't be considered overcautious. It was akin to worrying needlessly.

The Great Year shrugged, "I don't know, but he's a high-level pill concocting master. He must have some method to make use of it!"

Master of Cloudsoaring Cave was speechless.

All along, he had treated Luo Chen as a fellow Artificer Master.

But he had forgotten that Luo Chen's true expertise was in pill concocting techniques!

If Luo Chen had some means to refine the Five Elements Lotus Platform and make it an auxiliary resource for Nascent Soul formation, then it would be settled.

"Nascent Soul..."

He murmured, his eyes filled with anticipation.

The Great Year seemed to sense the desire in Luo Chen's heart and smiled, "Master of Cloudsoaring Cave, don't underestimate yourself. After helping me free my main body, I'll guide you to the place of my heritage. If you can accept a few of the Blue Sun Demonic Lord's Artificer heritage, the Nascent Soul realm will be a piece of cake for you."

Is it that simple?

Master of Cloudsoaring Cave was half-believing, half-doubting.

The Great Year spoke softly, "Think about Fei Leng Xianzi."

With just these words, Master of Cloudsoaring Cave's heart was greatly encouraged, and his confidence soared!

Boom!

A loud noise came from the distance.

The Five-Colored Lotus Platform descended by the side of a flowing lava river.

In the sky, a gray cauldron emitted a grayish light, enveloping the platform, preventing it from struggling to escape.

With just a glance, Master of Cloudsoaring Cave's eyes lit up.

"What kind of treasure is that gray cauldron?"

But the Great Year's focus was elsewhere. He watched as Luo Chen leaped and sat atop the lotus platform, and as he breathed, it seemed as if he was cultivating.

"Huh, does he know that the Five Elements Lotus Platform can be used to aid in cultivation?"

"But without a Nascent Soul, how can he withstand the influx of that violent spiritual energy?"

(End of Chapter)

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