Two months passed leisurely.
Nine Cloud Peak was enveloped in a layer of pale golden spiritual mist, the haze coiling around the peaks like a silk veil, even the streams between the mountains shimmered with a faint spiritual glow.
Inside the cave abode, the Tier Three Top Grade Spirit Gathering Array was operating at full power, the array patterns flowing like living creatures, with light red, light blue, and emerald green patterns intertwined into a net.
Each flicker was like a breath, continuously absorbing the spiritual qi from the world into the cave abode, converging into a hazy spiritual mist.
Chen Sheng sat cross-legged at the center of the array hub of the Spirit Gathering Array, three feet in front of him, six spiritual objects floated in mid-air, arranged in a perfect hexagonal formation, like six illuminated stars, each exuding a pure and thrilling aura.
The six auras intertwined within the spiritual mist, yet did not interfere with each other— the weight of thick earth, the fury of thunder and lightning, the frostiness of ice, the sharpness of metal, the fluidity of water, the vitality of plants and woods, like six parallel streams.
A balanced energy field formed within the hexagonal area, even the surrounding spiritual mist gently rotated along with this energy field, creating a miniature spiritual energy vortex.
"Myriad Phenomena Sources Returning to Spirit Skill, refine the origin, condense marrow and fuse roots."
Chen Sheng's fingertips quickly executed the complex spell, an invisible suction exuded from the center of his brow, carrying the unique rhythm of the Myriad Phenomena Sources Returning to Spirit Skill, not forcibly plundering, but gently guiding the power of origin within the spiritual objects.
The deep brown crystal core of the Thick Earth Elemental Crystal abruptly shone, countless earth-yellow light dots peeled away from the crystal patterns, like stardust blown by the wind, slowly converging within the spiritual mist.
The light dots increased in number, gradually condensing into a wisp of pale golden original qi stream, the stream carried the weight of the earth, drifting gently to Chen Sheng's brow, dyeing the surrounding spiritual mist with a faint earthy yellow, even the air seemed to become heavier.
Meanwhile, the Purple Thunder Crystal Core erupted with dazzling light, pale purple thunder light frantically danced on the crystal core's surface, a stream of original thunder, accompanied by crackling sounds, peeled away, resembling a miniature Thunder Dragon.
The color of the thunder stream deepened, shifting from pale purple to deep purple, finally condensing into a wisp of violent original energy, flying towards Chen Sheng's brow.
The origin refinement of the Ice Heart Snow Lotus was the most elegant, its snow-white petals slowly unfolding like melting ice and snow, a wisp of ice-blue original qi stream overflowed from the stamen.
Artsen uit Antwerp waarschuwen: als je heupen of knieën pijn doen, negeer het dan niet!Open
Wherever the stream passed, the surrounding spiritual mist instantly condensed into tiny ice crystals, rotating in the air, reflecting a chilling light, like a miniature ice and snow feast.
The ice-blue stream carried a bone-chilling cold, yet became gentle as it approached Chen Sheng, like a tamed cold wind, drilling into his body through the brow.
The origin separation of the Golden Pattern Spirit Fruit was somewhat piercing, the golden surface of the fruit, its golden patterns suddenly lit up, a wisp of golden original qi stream fell off like fine sand, glistening with a metallic sheen.
The stream in the air condensed into a small sword shadow, carrying a heart-palpitating sharpness, yet instantly retracted its edge upon touching Chen Sheng's spiritual power, transforming into a docile stream, merging into his brow.
The origins of the Deep Sea Profound Bead and Thunder Pattern Dragon Wood were also successively refined, the pale blue original qi stream gushed out like a creek, carrying the fluidity of sea water, forming a miniature water ring in the air.
The emerald green original qi stream entwined with pale purple thunder threads, exuding exuberant vitality, winding like vines in the air.
Having the experience of refining spiritual object origins once before, Chen Sheng's actions were exceedingly smooth, guiding the six wisps of original qi streams like six ribbons of varying colors, flowing gently along the meridians into the dantian.
...
The nature of the spiritual root inside the body is indescribable, formless and intangible, unseen and untouchable.
However, every cultivator can clearly perceive its existence, when absorbing spiritual qi, it is the invisible "net", when channeling spiritual power, it is the flowing "stream".
At this moment, Chen Sheng could distinctly sense the "spiritual root" undulating slowly with the influx of original qi streams.
As soon as the six wisps of original qi streams entered, they were gently "wrapped" by the spiritual root— there was no rejection, only a reunion-like fit, as if these origins should belong to the spiritual root all along.
"Filter impurities, refine spirit marrow."
Chen Sheng's heart spirit sank into the dantian, urging the Golden Core within to emit gentle golden light, the golden light like a fine mesh, gradually stripping away the mixed auras in the six wisps of original qi streams.
The roughness in the Thick Earth's origin was refined, the harshness in the Purple Thunder's origin was soothed, the cold in the Ice Heart's origin no longer stung the bones, the impurities in the Thunder Pattern Dragon Wood's origin were sifted out, purity of vitality increased...
Time passed quietly within the flow of spiritual mist.
Thirty days passed in the blink of an eye, the six wisps of original qi streams in the dantian had completely transformed into six crystalline, dragon-eye sized Spirit Marrow Crystals.
"Fuse!"
Chen Sheng softly commanded, the six Spirit Marrows, as if pulled by an invisible thread, transformed into pure energy, surging towards the formless spiritual root.
Simultaneously, the spiritual mist from the Spirit Gathering Array surged into Chen Sheng's body like a tide, nourishing the spiritual root within the dantian, undergoing a massive transformation, its diffuse form becoming increasingly concentrated.
Though still formless and intangible, it became incredibly tangible, as if transforming from a wisp of smoke into a thick cloud layer.
"Crack—"
A faint crisp sound echoed from the depths of the dantian, not a substantial sound, but a "perception" of the spiritual root's breakthrough in essence.
Chen Sheng felt an unprecedented sense of comfort spreading from the spiritual root throughout his body, he could clearly "see" an invisible golden aura overlaying the spiritual root, rendering the surrounding spiritual qi incredibly docile.
...
Another half a year passed, and the Spiritual Mist over Nine Cloud Peak gradually dispersed.
Chen Sheng slowly opened his eyes, a deep golden Spirit Light flashed in his gaze, then settled back to calmness.
At this moment, the six pieces of Spirit Marrow had completely merged into his Spiritual Root, causing significant transformation.
He waved his hand, an earth-yellow Spiritual Power flicked from his fingertip, condensing into a tiny "little hill" in mid-air, with even the fine lines clearly visible on it. After elevating his Spiritual Root, his control over Mana had reached a more exquisite realm.
Another wave of his hand, and a faint purple Thunder Light gathered in his palm. Although the Thunder Light was only fingertip-sized, it exuded an awe-inspiring pressure, evidence of the gradual enhancement in the quality of his Mana following the breakthrough in his Spiritual Root.
He walked towards the Spirit Testing Array on the eastern side of his cave dwelling—the Array Base was embedded into the ground with three High Grade Spirit Stones, and the Array Core hovered a half-person-high black Spirit Testing Crystal.
Chen Sheng stepped into the Array, and the Spirit Stones suddenly radiated brilliantly with golden light. A black light curtain rose from the ground, enveloping him within.
Minute golden scales surfaced on the light curtain. As the Spiritual Root resonated with the Array, a multicolored light pillar rose from the light curtain, piercing the cave's dome like a sharp sword, all surpassing the fifty-mark scales.
"All Five Elements Spiritual Roots reaching Earth Grade, this method truly is unparalleled!"
A smile curled up on Chen Sheng's lips, his heart uncommonly excited.
Enhancing his Spiritual Root to Earth Grade not only meant his cultivation speed increased by several folds but also signified that the difficulty of the Pill Shattering Tribulation during Nascent Soul formation would decrease once more.
Combined with the prepared Nascent Soul Spiritual Objects, his confidence in reaching the Nascent Soul True Monarch would increase by at least twenty percent.
Chen Sheng walked out of the Spirit Testing Array, gazing at the roiling Cloud Sea in the distance, took a deep breath, and without needing to operate a Cultivation Technique, Heaven and Earth's Spiritual Qi naturally gathered towards him.
Artsen uit Antwerp waarschuwen: als je heupen of knieën pijn doen, negeer het dan niet!Open
"Earth Grade Spiritual Root is just the beginning. Next, it's time to strive for the Late-stage Golden Core to prepare for the Nascent Soul formation..."
...
Two days later, Chen Sheng pushed open the stone door of his cultivation chamber and walked out at a slow pace—at this moment, his aura had completely changed, as restrained as a deep pond, yet as natural as the Spiritual Qi of Heaven and Earth.
Just as he walked to the tea room, a slight fluctuation in Spiritual Power came from outside the cave, the next second, Chen Xihua's figure appeared in the courtyard.
The change in Spiritual Root was extremely secretive, yet Chen Xihua, as a Sword Cultivator with Sword Heart Clarity, possessed perception far exceeding cultivators of the same realm.
Plus, the Taiyue Void-Slaying Sword can be considered the "source of Myriad Phenomena Sources Returning to Spirit Skill," creating a strong resonance, he almost vaguely sensed the change around his father the moment Chen Sheng exited seclusion.
It was no longer a simple cultivation level increase but an essential transformation of life, a unique Spiritual Rhyme after breaking the innate shackles.
"Congratulations, Father, for breaking the innate shackles. The Great Dao is within reach!"
Chen Xihua stepped forward quickly, bowing deeply to Chen Sheng, his tone full of sincere joy.
Chen Sheng smiled lightly, gestured for him to sit, picked up the teapot, and poured warm Spiritual Spring into the teacup, sighing:
"To have reached today's achievements is also thanks to you. The 'Myriad Phenomena Sources Returning to Spirit Skill' is such a heaven-defying Cultivation Technique. I truly wonder what kind of exceptionally talented cultivator created it."
The tea soup exuded a faint green color, and the aroma of tea mingled with the crispness of the Spiritual Mist, filled the tea room. It was a rare leisurely moment for the father and son.
In the past, it was either Chen Sheng in seclusion for Alchemy or Chen Xihua out adventuring. Now, sitting opposite each other, topics ranged from their insights in the Grotto Heaven, to the recent changes in the Sect, and then to the business of the Chen Clan Commerce Association, the atmosphere was warm and peaceful.
Midway through the conversation, Chen Xihua put down the teacup, his expression gradually turned serious as he explained his intention:
"Father, I have come to bid you farewell. After resting for a day or two, I plan to travel abroad and will not linger in the Daoist Sect."
Hearing this, Chen Sheng was slightly taken aback at first, then chuckled, his fingertip pointing at Chen Xihua:
"You, truly cannot sit still for a moment. Just emerged from the Grotto Heaven and instead of staying in the Sect to digest and enhance your cultivation, you're thinking of traveling again."
Chen Xihua laughed without speaking, lifting his teacup, but in his heart, he had already made clear plans.
Logically, having obtained the legacy of Xichuan Sword Mansion and the Taiyue Void-Slaying Sword... he should stay in the Sect, utilizing various resources to quickly enhance his realm and cultivate steadily.
But his own secrets were too vast, and opportunities too heavy!
He fully understood how acute the perception of a Nascent Soul True Monarch is, and if paired with a Tier Five Grand Array, it would be enough to see through the entire Daoist Sect.
The Tier Five Top Grade Taiyue Void-Slaying Sword, Tier Five Ice Soul Sword Marrow, Myriad Spirits Stone Milk, Nine Elements Spirit Fruit... The unique Mana operation of Xichuan Sword Mansion's Tier Five top-grade Sword Scripture... any one of them would make a Nascent Soul Cultivator covet,
If accidentally revealing a slight aura, exposing some flaws, he certainly didn't want to bet on the Sect's Nascent Soul True Monarch's integrity.
If these Nascent Soul True Monarchs were indeed malicious, with the heavy restrictions within the Sect and the Tier Five Primordial Magnetic Array, he would have no power to resist, akin to stepping into a trap.
Before his wings were fully grown, Chen Xihua absolutely didn't want to stay in such an insecure place.
It's better to travel around, without needing to venture to dangerous places, only cultivating and training in various Markets, gradually digesting the legacy of Xichuan Sword Mansion...
In these Markets, there are neither resident Nascent Soul True Monarchs nor Tier Four or higher Arrays; with his current strength, he can fully handle any unexpected situation, ensuring his safety.
Even with poor luck, if he really encountered a Nascent Soul True Monarch in the wild, Chen Xihua would still have the confidence to deal with it!
These days, he had gradually digested the Sword Mansion's heritage, the Sword Core of the Taiyue Void-Slaying Sword had completely fused with his Lifebound Sword Pill.
Though limited by his realm, he could only exert a fraction of its power, it was sufficient to perform techniques like "Void Shift of Tens of Thousands of Miles" and "Breaking the Void Seal."
Then he only needs to activate Void Power, allowing him to withdraw gracefully, with no concern of being besieged or captured by Nascent Soul True Monarchs.
At this time, Chen Xihua's heart even harbored a higher goal. If he could settle for decades, fully cultivate the Fundamental Sword Scripture of Xichuan Sword Mansion, refine the External Sword Infant, and with the support of Sword Intent Formation.
Even when facing Nascent Soul Cultivators, he may not be without the power to fight, possibly even capable of crossing realms to kill!
It's noteworthy that in ancient times, Xichuan Sword Mansion's requirement for True Disciples was "Golden Core beheading the Nascent Soul," inheriting the complete legacy, with opportunities like the Tier Five Top Grade Daoist Sword, setting such a standard for himself is not excessive at all.
Chen Sheng saw the firmness flashing in Chen Xihua's eyes and no longer urged him much, just nodded gently:
"Since you have already decided, then go. While traveling outside, safety is always paramount. In this aspect, I am skilled in Alchemy and Arrays, far less than your adaptive experiences, and the road ahead can only rely on yourself."
"Child understands, father take care."
Chen Xihua stood up, bowed deeply to Chen Sheng, and then turned to leave.
His steps were composed and steady without any hesitation, and although the Sword Intent around him was still restrained, it now carried a bit more confidence in controlling everything.
Chen Sheng stood at the tea room entrance, watching Chen Xihua's figure disappear into the Cloud Sea, a sense of inexplicable emotion surged in his heart.
A father knows his son best, and he vaguely sensed some changes happening in his son.
In the past, every time Chen Xihua embarked on a journey, he was resolute, yet always carried a hint of "the wind blows cold as the waters of Yi," as if each departure might be the last.
But this time, he exuded only calmness and confidence, as if no matter what perils lay ahead, he could handle them with poise.