Chapter 140: Passing and Harvest
’What a pity!’
Zhang Chi sighed softly. He had discovered that aside from one Foundation Establishment Middle Stage Cultivator, the rest were all at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage.
He immediately activated his Flying Sword. SLASH! It severed all the steel-wire-tough spiderwebs. After taking the Cultivators’ Storage Bags, he cast a Fire Bomb Technique, incinerating their bodies and the webs and reducing everything to ash.
In the flickering firelight, a complex look appeared in Zhang Chi’s eyes.
’These Cultivators managed to reach this Realm and make it this far. They were undoubtedly all exceptionally talented.’
’And yet, they all died here. If I hadn’t come, their bodies would have simply been left to rot.’
But his resolve quickly returned.
’There was nothing wrong with them taking risks to improve their Cultivation. They just weren’t strong enough.’
’All I need to do is learn from their mistakes. There’s no need to dwell on it.’
Afterward, he searched the surrounding area but found no spider eggs, much to his disappointment.
Continuing on, however, he soon discovered a stone chamber off to the side of the passage.
The chamber door was sealed shut, but a quick scan of the exterior revealed a twistable mechanism. He used it to successfully open the door.
Inside was only a single stone table, upon which sat a black Jade Scroll, a meditation cushion, and a small box.
Zhang Chi picked up the Jade Scroll. A glance revealed it contained a Top Secret Technique called the Divine Refining Technique.
This Secret Technique allowed one to use Divine Thought to assist in Alchemy and Artifact Refining, greatly increasing the success rate.
If one’s Divine Thought were powerful enough, a Cultivator could even perform Alchemy and Artifact Refining directly, without needing a Pill Furnace or an Artifact Cauldron.
Strictly speaking, however, this Secret Technique was actually a method for applying Divine Thought, so its requirements for a Cultivator’s Divine Thought were extremely high.
Even if most Cultivators obtained this Secret Technique, its use to them would be limited.
But Zhang Chi’s Divine Thought happened to be exceptionally powerful, so this Secret Technique was practically tailor-made for him.
’Of course, it makes sense for this to be the reward here. Anyone who could pass through this tunnel must have a powerful Divine Thought.’
’With the Divine Refining Technique, my proficiency in Alchemy and Artifact Refining will soar, and I’ll be able to earn Spirit Stones much faster.’
Next was the meditation cushion. It was a drab gray and felt surprisingly light. Even as an Artifact Refiner, Zhang Chi couldn’t determine its material.
But Zhang Chi could discern its function: it could filter some of the impurities from the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, slightly increase a Cultivator’s Cultivation speed, and clear the mind.
This was, without a doubt, another excellent find.
’Its effects might not be noticeable in the short term, but the long-term benefits will definitely be significant.’
Finally, there was the Jade Box. When Zhang Chi opened it, he saw a golden, apricot-sized fruit.
The Jade Box was made of a special material and protected by a dedicated Restriction. As a result, though the fruit was likely ancient, it was perfectly preserved. The moment he opened the box, an astonishing amount of Spiritual Qi billowed out, along with a rare, refreshing fragrance.
As both an Alchemy Master and a Spirit Plant Master, Zhang Chi recognized it instantly. It was an Element Condensing Fruit.
This was the most important of the three main ingredients needed to refine the Dust Condensing Pill.
Zhang Chi already had Profound Light Grass and a Demon Companion Flower. The only thing he was missing was the Element Condensing Fruit, and now he had it.
"This is wonderful! Not only did I get a Top Secret Technique, but an Element Condensing Fruit as well. With this, I can take the three main ingredients to the Sect and trade them for a Dust Condensing Pill. But it would be even better to refine it myself. After all, trading these three ingredients would get me one Pill at most, and it might attract unwanted attention. If I do the refining, I can definitely make more than one."
Overjoyed, Zhang Chi immediately stored away his new treasures.
Next, he took out the spoils from "collecting the bodies" of the other Cultivators and began to inspect them carefully.
He soon found another portion of Profound Light Grass and a Demon Companion Flower. He was only missing the Element Condensing Fruit to make another set.
There were also plenty of other Tier Two Spirit Medicines and Demon Beast Materials.
The Cultivators’ personal Magical Artifacts, Spirit Stones, and Elixirs were all quite valuable as well.
More importantly, Zhang Chi was stunned to find another Core Formation Spiritual Object among their possessions.
This item was called Pure Essence Spirit Liquid. Unlike Profound Light Grass, it wasn’t an Alchemy Material and wasn’t even a requirement for Core Formation.
However, it could improve the quality of one’s Golden Core. Its value thus far surpassed that of Profound Light Grass and the Demon Companion Flower, making it comparable to the Element Condensing Fruit.
’It is said that for condensing a Golden Core, besides the essential Dust Condensing Pill, there are five great Spiritual Objects. All five can improve the quality of the Golden Core. If one could obtain them all, they could successfully achieve Core Formation, regardless of their prior Cultivation level.’
’Now, I have what I need for the Dust Condensing Pill and one of the five great Spiritual Objects—the Pure Essence Spirit Liquid. If I can obtain the others, then with my other advantages, the quality of my Golden Core will definitely not be low!’
Zhang Chi gazed at the Jade Bottle in his hand, his heart filled with anticipation.
Inside the Jade Bottle was a blue liquid that radiated astonishing Spiritual Qi—the Pure Essence Spirit Liquid.
This single portion alone would be enough to drive countless Cultivators into a murderous frenzy if it were discovered.
"Huh? What’s this?"
After checking several times to be sure, Zhang Chi stored the Spiritual Liquid. He then gave his spoils one final look-over and suddenly noticed something he had previously missed.
It had come from the dead Cultivator who’d had the Pure Essence Spirit Liquid. It was a piece of unidentifiable Beast Hide.
A rough map of the Secret Realm’s terrain was drawn upon it, with a clear mark at the location of the Ancient Cultivator’s Cave Mansion.
However, the focus of this particular Beast Hide Map wasn’t the Ancient Cultivator’s Cave Mansion, but rather a swamp.
’Judging by the location, this must be back outside. Could it be that this Cultivator obtained the Pure Essence Spirit Liquid in that swamp?’
’Also, am I not the only one with a Beast Hide Map? Do other Cultivators have one, but with a different focus? Doesn’t that mean plenty of Cultivators know about the Ancient Cultivator’s Cave Mansion?’
’Even if their maps don’t explicitly mark it, they can probably guess that there’s something good there, right?’
Looking at the map, Zhang Chi began to form a few theories.
He immediately took out an Array, set it up within the stone chamber, then produced several Tier Two Turtle Shells and performed a few divinations on the spot.
Soon, he had his answer. His theories were correct.
The Beast Hide Maps were all copies of a single original, but they had been deliberately altered to create different versions with different areas of focus.
’Good. My map should be the most important version. Even if others know the location of the Cave Mansion, I’ll have the biggest advantage once inside. Besides, no more than ten people could possibly get through this passage.’
’So, I don’t have much competition. And the divination regarding this Exploration still points to turning peril into fortune!’
Having deduced this much from the divination, Zhang Chi finally let out a sigh of relief.
He then put away the Array, left the stone chamber, and continued onward, soon reaching the end of the passage.
He didn’t encounter any more Demon Beasts or stone chambers along the way, but he was already more than satisfied with his haul.
GRIND!
There was a Stone Gate at the end of this passage. As Zhang Chi approached, the Restriction Array on it sensed his presence, and the gate rumbled open on its own, revealing the light of the outside world.
Zhang Chi flew through. What greeted him this time was not a barren wilderness, but a vast, golden desert.
In the distance, at the edge of the desert, he could faintly make out a large Oasis.
That Oasis surely held even more precious Spirit Medicines. It was also the ultimate destination of his journey.