https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-674-The-Spirit-Linking-Platform-and-the-Path-to-Nascent-Soul/12942652/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-676-Ghost-Vine-Old-Tree-and-the-Dark-Crow-Along-with-a-Third-Person/12942654/
Chapter 675: The Hundred-Crow Ghost Forest, Zhimu Tianyuan
Chapter 675: The Hundred-Crow Ghost Forest, Zhimu Tianyuan
On the banks of a great river.
A Daoist with a treasure cauldron suspended above his head, sitting cross-legged on a lotus platform.
His face showed a hint of hesitation.
His gaze fell upon the pure white surface of the lotus platform, where five fist-sized lotus seeds were embedded, emitting pure Five Elements spiritual energy.
The lotus platform bore the lotus seeds, as was to be expected.
And this Five Elements lotus platform, one step away from the Fifth Stage, had condensed lotus seeds of no inferior quality.
If used as an ingredient, it could serve as the primary material for a Fourth Stage pill.
If used for forging a disposable artifact, its killing power might not be any less than the Thunder Immortal Pearl from the White Night Cave Mansion of the Accumulated Thunder Mountain.
Luo Chen, however, had no immediate use for it.
After all, refining the Jinying Dan only required the lotus platform itself.
At this moment, Luo Chen tentatively placed his hand on a red pearl, precisely the Fire Lotus Seed.
According to Han Zhan, the Five Elements Lotus Platform was an auxiliary cultivation treasure that only Nascent Soul True Men could utilize. It could automatically filter out impurities by inhaling and exhaling spiritual energy, thus accelerating cultivation.
Even in the Eastern Wilderness, this treasure was rarely seen, and it was controlled by the Misty Abyss Sect.
Occasionally, a small number of them would be circulated.
It was said that the Spirit Origin True Man of the Five Elements Divine Sect could cultivate all five attributes simultaneously and reach the late Nascent Soul stage because he obtained a Five Elements Lotus Platform.
Most likely, the Spirit Origin True Man's lotus platform was not as good as the one in front of Luo Chen.
The topic had drifted far.
Back to the main point.
Although this object was Nascent Soul exclusive, it wasn't entirely useless for Core Formation Cultivators!
If a Golden Core replaced the lotus seeds, supplemented with the Confusion Technique, the spirit of the lotus platform would treat the cultivator's Golden Core as its nurtured lotus seed.
This way, it could also serve an auxiliary cultivation function.
Furthermore, during this process, Luo Chen could take the opportunity to 'tame' the spirit of the lotus platform, making it stop resisting and struggling, thus allowing him to easily bring it out of the Blazing Hell.
"Let's give it a try!"
Luo Chen exerted a bit of force, and amidst the struggling of the Five Elements Lotus Platform, he forcefully plucked out the Fire Lotus Seed.
Then, opening his mouth, a white pill flew out.
It wasn't his Nascent Soul Pill, but his second Yuan Dan, with his spiritual power exhausted. Although he believed Han Zhan, Luo Chen still didn't dare to experiment with his Nascent Soul Pill. What if something went wrong?
After all, Han Zhan himself had never cultivated with the Five Elements Lotus Platform. The little trick he shared was also something he heard from fellow cultivators.
The second Yuan Dan was fine.
If all else failed, Luo Chen still had the strength to extract it.
With the Yuan Dan entering the lotus platform, it was as if it were its lotus seed.
As Luo Chen circulated the Celestial Phoenix Nirvana Sutra, a vast amount of spiritual energy surged from all directions, from the lava river beneath his feet, from the Blazing Hell filled with rich fire spiritual energy.
Such violent spiritual energy would usually require Luo Chen to carefully capture and refine it.
But at this moment, he omitted this step.
The next moment, the surging spiritual energy directly infused into the Five Elements Lotus Platform.
With this batch of spiritual energy, the originally struggling Five Elements Lotus Platform calmed down slightly.
It was as if someone was 'feeding' it.
Luo Chen held his breath and focused, attentively sensing the changes within.
After a moment, he exhaled a breath of relief.
"It indeed works; Han Zhan did not deceive me!"
According to his perception, the violent spiritual energy flooded the entire lotus platform. Impurities began to be filtered, and the essence flowed through the platform's meridians, separately surging towards the five lotus seeds.
And because this place was the Blazing Hell, most of the spiritual energy was fire-attributed. Streams of fire spiritual energy flowed towards the original position of the Fire Lotus Seed.
The second Yuan Dan, under this empowerment, was like a starving beast, greedily devouring everything that came its way.
After a large cycle, when Luo Chen looked at the second Yuan Dan again, the spiritual energy within had increased by one-hundredth.
The progress was delightful!
While Luo Chen rested, Han Zhan specially reminded him, "Remember to subsequently refine the spiritual energy within this batch of Yuan Dan using your divine sense, completely transforming it into your spiritual power. After all, you're only at the Golden Core stage, lacking the ability of a Nascent Soul to control the power of spiritual energy. The spiritual energy you absorb hasn't been imprinted with your mark yet."
"Mm."
Luo Chen lightly nodded.
Subsequently, after a brief rest, Luo Chen began circulating his cultivation technique again.
...
After a great battle, there must be a period of rest.
Luo Chen cultivated by the lava river, rich with spiritual energy, just like the Lord of the Cloudsoaring Cave. He found a quiet place and closed his doors to heal his injuries.
The Great Year, however, was exceptional.
After his condition improved significantly from the battle with the Giant Squid, not only did his body recover from a skinny bamboo-like state to a well-fed plumpness, but his mental state also greatly improved.
Instead of cultivating in seclusion, he wandered within the Blazing Hell.
The three of them had no rush to set off.
Time slowly passed.
During this process, Luo Chen released Tianxuan, letting her search for some fire-attributed resources nearby.
She explored the safe areas while avoiding dangerous ones.
After another day of cultivation, Luo Chen felt a bit weary in his soul.
This kind of day and night uninterrupted cultivation of his Nascent Soul cultivation technique often required deep seclusion, as it exerted great pressure on a cultivator's soul.
Even if it was him, he still needed to take breaks from time to time.
T
There was a red fish swimming nearby.
(End)
Hua!
As Luo Chen's gaze shifted, a lively red fish leaped out of the river, splashing up layers of red waves.
It was a Tier Four Fire Spirit.
Perhaps due to Luo Chen saving the Silver-White Fire Python, this fellow Fire Spirit fish, a fourth-tier being, had developed a friendly affinity towards him. Recently, it would swim by his side from time to time, absorbing the pure Fire Spirit energy leaking from the Five Elements Lotus Platform.
Looking at the red fish, Luo Chen's thoughts stirred.
A wisp of green flame appeared at his fingertip.
The Prosper-Doom True Flame, which he had been refining for nearly a hundred years, had absorbed the life force of countless demons, making it incredibly profound.
This time, in the Blazing Hell, he had devoured seven low-tier Sourceless Fires and a fourth-tier Heaven-Burning Fire. Despite this, he had not fully grasped their power yet, which led to his underwhelming performance against the Shark Emperor.
"It shouldn't have been like this."
Muttering to himself, Luo Chen fell into deep thought.
He began to reflect on his battle with the Shark Emperor.
Even with the Shark Emperor's injuries and the lack of home-field advantage, Luo Chen still struggled in the head-on confrontation, even resorting to a desperate escape.
This outcome was unacceptable to him.
Why was that?
...
Half a month later.
Luo Chen remained seated by the riverbank.
Below him, within the river of magma, a green Fire Tree stretched its branches, allowing the red fish Fire Spirit to douse them with waves of magma.
The green Fire Tree showed no sign of evasion, instead feeling incredibly refreshed.
From time to time, it would differentiate wisps of green flames to tease the red fish, causing it to emit mysterious laughter.
Given their close relationship, Luo Chen could have taken the opportunity to devour and refine the fish, but he would never do such a thing.
For now, the number and quality of Sourceless Fires devoured by the Prosper-Doom True Flame had reached their limit, and any further would be beyond his control.
While controlling the Prosper-Doom True Flame and playing with the red fish, Luo Chen communicated with Han Zhan through divine sense.
The topic of their conversation was clearly what had been bothering Luo Chen for the past half a month.
"Your spells are still exquisite, and your use of treasures is just right. In terms of seizing opportunities and utilizing the battlefield, there's no one better..."
Han Zhan carefully analyzed Luo Chen's performance.
In the end, he concluded, "In that battle, you didn't make any major mistakes."
Seeing Luo Chen's worried expression, Han Zhan sighed, "Why be so hard on yourself? Being able to retreat from a Nascent Soul-stage cultivator is already impressive. If this spreads throughout the cultivation world, how will those old Golden Core cultivators react?"
Luo Chen forced a smile, his voice low, "I just feel like I could have done better in that battle, but I can't pinpoint where I went wrong."
"Perhaps there wasn't a problem at all?" Han Zhan disagreed, adding seriously, "The Shark Emperor is no weakling; he's a survivor of the Demon-Human Great War. Even when I was in my prime, the outcome against him would still be uncertain. If it were on the open sea, I'd have no chance at all!"
These words were both comforting and true.
The Shark Emperor was a generation's Shark Monarch, and his most skilled methods involved controlling water energy.
When Blood Scatterer, a Nascent Soul-stage cultivator, had chased the Shark Emperor in the Sinking Sea, the Shark Emperor managed to escape.
This was a testament to the Shark Emperor's abilities.
Luo Chen smirked, merely saying, "Senior is too modest," and didn't respond further.
Suddenly, Luo Chen looked up, sensing an approaching flying light.
It was Tianxuan.
Behind Tianxuan was a powerful black-robed cultivator.
Whoosh!
The wind howled as Tianxuan landed.
"Master..."
Luo Chen raised his hand, interrupting Tianxuan, then coldly stared at the newcomer.
The black-robed cultivator sensed Luo Chen's presence, his body halting, and his eyes fell on the Five Elements Lotus Platform beneath Luo Chen.
He opened his mouth, his face filled with elation.
"A top-grade Five Elements Lotus Platform!"
"This treasure, I must have it!"
After speaking, he kicked his flying sword and charged towards Luo Chen with murderous intent.
Without any unnecessary words, the cultivator's treasure-snatching was straightforward.
Luo Chen had expected to meet others in the Demon Annihilation Land, but he hadn't anticipated such pure intentions, whether it was the group led by Crimson Corpse Ascetic or this black-robed eighth-layer Golden Core cultivator.
To snatch others' possessions without even pretending to say, "This treasure is fated for me," showed how the isolation of the Demon Annihilation Land amplified the baseness of human nature, be it human or demon.
Including Luo Chen himself!
Facing the flying sword rushing towards him, Luo Chen's expression remained unchanged, and he merely extended his left hand.
Seeing a sixth-layer Golden Core cultivator acting so boldly, the black-robed cultivator scoffed.
"Seeking death! My Supreme Absolute Vein Sword is forged from the collection of extreme heavenly demon energy and a large amount of Yin Gold. It's incredibly sharp, and even ordinary defensive treasures would struggle to resist. Yet you, a junior, dare to block it with your bare hands..."
Astonishment appeared on his face.
Because that jade-like left hand had effortlessly clamped the sword's tip.
No matter how the black-robed cultivator channeled his energy, the so-called Supreme Absolute Vein Sword couldn't move an inch under the terrifying force.
"How is this possible!"
He roared inwardly, his face filled with disbelief.
Then, he saw the red-robed cultivator's right hand forming a seal, finally opening into a palm, and pushing out.
A massive green palm imprint rumbled forward.
The black-robed cultivator hurriedly cast a defensive technique, but against the green palm imprint, all defenses were futile.
Even as he took out a low-grade defensive treasure, a strand of cyan flame attached to it, and the defensive treasure seemed to lose its vitality right before the Black-Robed Cultivator's eyes.
Boom!
A palm strike extended eight hundred zhang.
The Black-Robed Cultivator was like a torn sack, flying through the air amidst the raging force.
Tianxuan seized the opportunity and leaped, her banana fan in hand. She unleashed several strands of gale force, directly killing the Black-Robed Cultivator.
As the commotion subsided, Tianxuan returned to Luo Chen's side, holding a storage bag.
"Reporting, Master. This person coveted the fourth-tier amber lava I excavated, and pursued me along the way..."
Tianxuan recounted the events, but as she reached the end, she noticed Luo Chen's lack of focus.
Clang!
The Tai Xuan Jue Pulse Sword fell to the ground.
Luo Chen looked at his right hand, a thoughtful expression on his face.
"Indeed, my most powerful skill is Body Tempering."
"In the past, I used Body Tempering as my trump card. When battling against opponents, I would always use my cultivation techniques and treasures, even when facing the Lord of the Shark Royal Clan. I've maintained this habit."
"Apparently, this habit now has a flaw."
He slowly lowered his right hand, leaving only his left hand raised in front of him.
When facing top-tier opponents, life and death hung by a thread, and there was no room for error in maintaining equilibrium.
Even if his cultivation techniques were exquisite, he still couldn't bridge the gap between the Golden Core and Nascent Soul stages.
To break through this impasse, he needed a body as strong as a Primordial Beast!
"From now on, if I encounter Nascent Soul-stage opponents, I should change my combat style."
His left palm slowly clenched into a tight fist, muscles tense, and knuckles white.
...
Atop a mountain peak.
The pale-faced Cloudsoaring Cave Master watched this scene, his heart trembling.
"He's become stronger!"
A formidable Golden Core Cultivator, yet he couldn't even withstand a single move. What kind of ability was this?
The Grand Elder of the Great Year Clan smiled, "Good! Keep it up!"
Facing the Cloudsoaring Cave Master's astonishment, he explained, "I mean, the Demon Annihilation Land is full of dangers. The stronger he becomes, the safer we are, right?"
The Cloudsoaring Cave Master accepted this explanation.
Indeed, as of now, the Demon Annihilation Land was extremely dangerous.
Not only were there conflicts among the visiting cultivators, but there were also powerful natural beings native to the land.
The fourth-tier Wood Spirits, Fire Spirits, and the local overlord were all formidable foes, not to be underestimated by Golden Core Cultivators like them.
To achieve success, they needed a strength comparable to the Azure Sun Demon Lord.
The Grand Elder of the Great Year Clan looked up at the sky and said, "How are you doing now? Are you ready to set off?"
The Cloudsoaring Cave Master coughed twice and slowly nodded.
"Then good, I'll ask the Azure Sun Demon Lord to set a departure time from the Blazing Hell."
The Grand Elder of the Great Year Clan descended the mountain.
This Blazing Hell... He couldn't wait to leave.
...
One month later.
In a primeval forest filled with lush vitality, three figures moved stealthily.
The plump cultivator led the way, followed by an old man.
The three of them walked, taking one step at a time.
Suddenly, a branch from a hundred-zhang-tall ancient tree lashed out.
"Hmm!"
The plump cultivator snorted, and the branch froze in front of the trio.
The Cloudsoaring Cave Master was astonished as he witnessed this scene, his gaze eventually settling on the giant face that had formed on the tree trunk.
"Wood Spirit?"
The tree spirit looked at them with confusion, its branches and leaves rustling, and it slightly inclined the branch towards the plump cultivator as if bowing.
"It seems you remember me, Wood Spirit!"
The Grand Elder of the Great Year Clan smiled slightly and waved his hand.
In an instant, the ancient trees and vines ahead shook, making way as if welcoming them.
The Grand Elder turned back, "This Hundred Crows Ghost Forest is home to countless Wood Spirits, Confused Vines, and Crows. It's one of the most dangerous places in the Five Elements Heaven. Inside, there's even a Wood King, a Confused Vine Ancestor, both at the fifth-tier. Their danger is no less than the Thousand Ridges Mountain's Iron Devourer, the Sandy Sea's Sky-Covering Sand, and the Blazing Hell's Phoenix Fire."
"With them guarding the place, even Nascent Soul Cultivators wouldn't dare to cross the Hundred Crows Ghost Forest lightly."
The Cloudsoaring Cave Master shuddered, "This place has two beings as powerful as fifth-tier existences?"
"Of course, the existence of the Hundred Crows Ghost Forest is to protect the Wood Heaven Origin!" The Grand Elder pointed, and across the distance, a towering plain came into view, catching the trio's attention.
"That's the Wood Heaven Origin, the former spirit garden of the Azure Sun Demon Lord."
As he spoke, a proud look appeared on his face.
"Moreover, you're mistaken about one thing. It's not two, but three powerful beings."
He pointed to himself.
"In the past, I was one of the three rulers of the Hundred Crows Ghost Forest!"
"This time, with me leading the way, you're in luck."
After speaking, the Grand Elder burst into laughter, his voice echoing through the ancient forest. Trees shook, and Confused Vines took flight.
He strode forward, and wherever he passed, the ancient trees and vines made way.
The three of them moved forward with ease.
Luo Chen watched calmly, his gaze eventually settling on the towering plain surrounded by the ghost forest.
There, the rumored Wood Heaven Origin!
The place where countless Northern Sea Cultivators entered the Sinking Sea, never to return!
(End of Chapter)
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