harleyscars Chapter 97 Teach me how you did it?
Chapter 97 Teach me how you did it?
Chapter 97 Teach me how you did it?
The next morning, Chen Yi sat cross-legged in the quiet room of his cave dwelling, with a set of celadon tea set on the table in front of him.
With a slight twitch of his fingertips, a wisp of spiritual fire ignited in his palm, slowly warming the teapot.
The teapot contained a first-grade spiritual tea called "Green Mist Bud," and the aroma of the tea rose with the steam, filling the room.
He looked up at the person opposite him—Qin Chengcheng had transformed into a middle-aged female cultivator in a plain dress, with an ordinary face, but her eyes remained as cold and clear as ever.
She did not sit down, but stood by the window, gazing into the distance, her expression revealing a hint of solemnity.
"Fairy, why are you in such a hurry? Didn't we agree to wait two more years, until they've explored enough, before we go?"
Chen Yi asked a question, and at the same time picked up the teapot and poured the clear tea into the cup.
Things have changed.
Qin Chengcheng turned around, his sleeves fluttering slightly, his voice low and deep.
"Qi Yunxi, one of the eight prodigies, discovered a legacy palace deep within the secret realm. Relying on her innate talent of the lightning spirit root, she forcibly entered the first level of the palace and obtained a portion of the legacy."
"It has been confirmed that the lineage originated from the ancient Thunder Soul Sect and is one of the genuine Thunder Cultivation lineages."
"Oh, so what?"
Chen Yi remained calm, picked up his teacup, and took a small sip.
He has no interest in other people's opportunities; although there are many opportunities in the world, none of them are as important as the steady advancement he has gained.
"This news has already spread among the major sects and prodigies."
Qin Chengcheng took the teacup, her fingertips tracing the rim, her gaze cool and aloof.
"And in these two days, the royal family suddenly issued an order—"
"Order all your prodigies to spare no expense and plunder all the precious inheritances and resources in the secret realm within two years, without regard to casualties."
"Two years? Why is it so urgent?"
Chen Yi frowned slightly.
"It is rumored that the Thundercloud Sect of Central Continent has learned of this matter and intends to take over this secret realm."
Qin Chengcheng sneered, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes, "They claim to be the rightful heirs of the ancient Thunder Soul Sect and want to seize the secret realm for themselves."
"What orthodoxy? It's nothing but profit-driven greed."
Chen Yi shook his head, his tone indifferent, as he was already used to such behavior.
"Did the Emperor of Qi just agree to that?" Chen Yi asked again.
"Although Emperor Qi is strong, this place is ultimately just a corner of the Great Qing cultivation world."
Qin Chengcheng sighed softly.
"Although he has already entered the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm, the Thundercloud Sect has three Nascent Soul cultivators in charge."
She paused briefly, her eyes growing even more grave:
"The leader among them has reached the peak of the mid-Nascent Soul stage, only one step away from the late stage."
"If the Thundercloud Sect really sends someone to demand the secret realm..."
At most, Emperor Qi could secure some compensation, but there was absolutely no chance of retaining ownership of the secret realm.
"So, we need to hurry..."
"Two years."
Chen Yi frowned slightly. His original plan was to wait until his Golden Bone technique was fully developed before entering the secret realm, but now it seemed that he would have to enter ahead of schedule.
Although he is very strong now, he has had close contact with three top geniuses before.
Whether it's Qi Wuba, Qi Yourong, or Qi Yunxi,
He wasn't entirely confident he could beat his opponent.
Even the occasional sense of danger emanating from the other person often made him feel terrified.
Originally, Chen Yi's idea was,
It would be safer to descend into the secret realm only after his Golden Bone technique has reached its full potential, allowing him to crush those with false cores head-on and easily subdue the eight prodigies.
Going now would be a bit too hasty.
"What else do you need?"
Qin Chengcheng knew Chen Yi's temperament, but she couldn't wait any longer, so she asked,
"I'll take you to the Immortal City these next few days to replenish your strength and items."
Will you take me to buy it?
Chen Yi glanced at her sideways, somewhat puzzled.
"What are you looking at?"
Her tone remained cold. "You're someone I hired, so naturally I need to improve your strength. Otherwise, once we enter the secret realm, you won't be able to go anywhere. What use are you to me then?"
"But I'm out of spirit stones."
Chen Yi has been using all his spirit stones to exchange for resources and improve his Golden Bone progress, so he hasn't kept any resources.
"I have."
"You'll buy it for me?"
"Consider it a debt you owe me. We'll settle the score after the secret realm ends."
"oh."
"Also, since you mainly cultivate your body, you can take this 'Azure Willow Jade Body Technique' for reference; it might be useful to you."
Qin Chengcheng took out another cultivation manual, his movements calm, as if giving a worthless manual to an ordinary person.
Chen Yi took the jade slip and scanned it with his divine sense. He immediately sensed the profoundness of this body-refining technique, which seemed to be a level higher than his "Diamond Skill"!
In this world, all cultivation techniques are passed down through generations. If one practices another's techniques without permission, at best one's subsequent cultivation will be hindered, and at worst one's cultivation will be abolished.
"Fairy, this advanced technique must have quite a background. Are you sure I can practice it?" Chen Yi asked doubtfully.
"You may not know this, but since the appearance of the secret realm, cultivating both body and spirit has become a trend among the geniuses of various sects."
I obtained the "Green Willow Jade Body Manual" from a good friend in Zhongzhou.
Just focus on your cultivation; I'll take responsibility if anything goes wrong.
Of course, if I perish in the secret realm, and you are discovered to have practiced this technique... then you'd better stay far away and not be found by my friends in Zhongzhou.
"You still have friends in Zhongzhou? Aren't you two years younger than me?" Chen Yi's tone was clearly surprised.
"We met once when we were very young, and have only corresponded since then." Qin Chengcheng did not elaborate, her tone flat.
Chen Yi took the cultivation manual, a strange feeling rising in his heart.
This cultivation technique originates from Zhongzhou, and it has quite a prestigious background.
Why is she suddenly taking such good care of me? Could it be that her memories have returned?
Qin Chengcheng did not regain his memories, but some things remain even if the soul and memories dissipate, the body's instinctive reactions and subconscious will still remain.
These days, whenever she sees Chen Yi's calm and gentle middle-aged appearance after he has reached the Foundation Establishment stage, she inexplicably dreams of a "young man with a gentle temperament and indifferent expression".
But when she actually faces Chen Yi, she always unconsciously overlaps the two.
In addition, Qin Chengcheng, considering the potential dangers of entering the secret realm, did indeed want to improve Chen Yi's strength.
Otherwise, given Chen Yi's personality, if they encountered danger, he would most likely run away, leaving her alone, and they might not be able to achieve their goal.
Chen Yi sensed it carefully again.
He discovered that the [Azure Willow Jade Body Technique] was even more suitable for him to cultivate than the [Diamond Skill].
Although the Jade Body Technique is more geared towards female cultivation, Chen Yi's spiritual root attribute is leaning towards water and wood, and his second divine aperture in his divine sense is also of the green wood attribute.
Essence, Qi, and Spirit are inherently complementary, so his cultivation of this Wood-based Body Refining Technique should be even more effective.
However, his body refinement level has already increased, and if he wants to cultivate the Azure Wood Technique, he may need a lot of wood-type treasures to assist him, which is another considerable expense.
After asking Chen Yi what items he needed that day, Qin Chengcheng left, agreeing to visit him the next day.
Chen Yi sat quietly for half a day, carefully studying the "Green Willow Jade Body Technique".
He found that this method was far more difficult to learn than the Vajra Kung Fu, and his meridians felt slightly stiff when he circulated his spiritual energy, so he temporarily put it aside and would devote himself to cultivating it again after finding a wood-attribute spiritual object.
After clearing customs, he found in his storage bag
The communication jade talisman has been vibrating for a while now.
Upon checking, it was found to be a message from Lin Xiaoyu.
She said that a distinguished guest had visited the Miaoyin Pavilion and was quite interested in the music, so he wanted to host a banquet of second-tier spiritual plants and demon beasts to entertain his friend.
The message detailed several dishes, asking if Chen Yi could cook them—"Azure Scale Python Soup," "Mysterious Mist Mushroom Stew," and "Azure Spirit Fruit Wine," all made from mid-grade second-tier demonic beasts and spiritual plants.
These things happened to be what Chen Yi needed for his cultivation.
It's not as good as it comes at the right time.
After a moment's thought, Chen Yi replied in agreement.
Within half a day, the ingredients from Miaoyin Pavilion were delivered to the courtyard.
This batch of rare materials, worth three thousand spirit stones, was actually personally escorted by Liu Jinjin, the deputy head of Miaoyin Pavilion, and Zhao Jingwu.
Chen Yi had a long-standing relationship with these two people, especially Liu Jinjin, with whom he had a minor grudge from years ago.
But things are different now. Chen Yi is now able to discuss important matters on an equal footing with Lin Xiaoyu. Liu Jinjin has also become more cautious with Chen Yi, fearing that he might take the opportunity to make things difficult for her.
Although Liu Jinjin became a Daoist couple with Xu Shixian of the Jade Dragon Sect, her life was not happy.
Because Xu Shixian later realized he had been somewhat tricked, even though he had sworn never to leave, he didn't give Liu Jinjin many cultivation resources.
Furthermore, she had never conceived a child, so her status was not high.
After a brief chat, Chen Yi learned that this banquet was hosted by Long Xitian, the chief disciple of the Jade Dragon Sect, to entertain one of the eight great prodigies.
Chen Yi calmly accepted the ingredients, gave Zhao Tieshan and Liu Jinjin a brief nod, and then turned and went into the kitchen.
In front of the stove, he channeled spiritual energy through his fingertips, and the system quietly activated, drawing out the bloodthirsty energy from the monster meat bit by bit, and then adjusting the attributes of the spiritual plants according to the principle of mutual generation of the five elements.
An hour later, a spiritual feast was ready, with 85% of the impurities and evil energy completely removed.
His cooking skills have reached a level that is no longer simply second-tier superior quality; they even have a hint of alchemy involved.
He performed at about 80% of his potential this time. Since it was his first collaboration with Lin Xiaoyu, he naturally didn't want to do too badly.
For him, the more such collaborations there are, the greater the benefits.
After the two left with the spiritual feast, Chen Yi immediately sealed the cave's restrictions and went to the underground secret chamber.
He sat cross-legged on the futon in the center of the quiet room, taking out the ingredients that Miaoyin Pavilion had brought for his service as a spirit chef and placing them in front of him.
These ingredients exude a faint bluish glow, among which a section of 300-year-old jade bamboo stands out, with liquid-like radiance flowing between the bamboo joints.
Chen Yi channeled his magic power into his hands, touching each of the spiritual materials one by one.
As the system's power erupted, fine patterns gradually appeared on the surface of the spiritual material, as if it were being decomposed by an invisible carving knife.
The first thing to be devoured was the section of jade bamboo. The bamboo joints gradually softened under the influence of spiritual energy, eventually turning into a pool of emerald green spiritual liquid that entered Chen Yi's body.
"Green Willow Jade Body Technique," Chen Yi silently recited the key points of the technique, transforming the spiritual essence of the green bamboo into comprehension for understanding the technique.
At the same time, he absorbed the essence of these spiritual plants, transforming it into an energy similar to golden radiance and earth energy, which the cultivation technique recorded as [Azure Spirit].
After condensing dozens of [Azure Spirits], Chen Yi used them to refine his bones.
Unlike the fierce and domineering Vajra Skill, this [Azure Spirit] power is like spring rain nourishing all things, silently seeping into the depths of the bones.
He could clearly feel that fine, hair-like blue lines were growing on the surface of his bones, which had previously shone with a metallic luster.
The cultivation lasted for a full half day.
As the last Mist Spirit Grass was refined, Chen Yi suddenly swayed, his whole body floating up like a willow catkin, leaving seven afterimages in the small quiet room.
This is precisely the unique movement technique inherent in the Azure Willow Jade Body Technique—Azure Willow Step.
Its mystery lies in the fact that while it appears gentle and slow, it can actually move several meters in an instant.
Furthermore, compared to the thunderous force of the Golden Step, this movement technique is more suitable for maneuvering in confined spaces.
Although both "Green Willow Jade Body Technique" and "Diamond Skill" are body-refining techniques, they each have their own strengths in terms of cultivation effects.
While the former is indeed slightly inferior in terms of physical strength and attack power, it has found a new path in expanding its bone-refining realm.
In addition to the conventional three realms of Iron Bone, Bronze Bone, and Gold Bone, this cultivation method also records a near-legendary level of bone refining—Jade Bone.
Jade Bones cannot be achieved through the [Green Willow Jade Body Technique], but it is recorded that there were once exceptionally talented individuals who practiced several body-refining techniques and, after achieving mastery of Golden Bones, forged their own paths.
This person integrated several types of body-refining energy within his body, ultimately tempering the bones of his arms with jade-like properties.
These two pieces of jade bone are as hard as a third-tier magic weapon, and even the spells of ordinary True Core cultivators can hardly damage them.
What's even more terrifying is that if such a body cultivator gets close, even a third-tier Grand Master at the early stage of Core Formation often finds it difficult to withstand his thunderous attack.
"To be able to temper one's bones to the limit and reach the third tier level in the Bone Refining Realm must be a manifestation of energy being condensed to its extreme."
Chen Yi pondered along these lines, wondering what would happen if all five elements of body-refining energy were gathered together.
Immediately upon conceiving the idea, Chen Yi combined the three body-refining energies: [Golden Radiance], [Earthly Qi], and [Azure Spirit].
Even with the guidance of a wisp of divine thought reaching the third level, it was impossible to completely combine the three energies.
It even nearly exploded.
Chen Yi quickly stopped the experiment, wiped away the cold sweat, and prepared to try again later.
The next day, Qin Chengcheng arrived as promised.
The two first communicated telepathically, then Chen Yi escaped from the market through an underground secret chamber, where he assumed the identity of the strongman Xu Jiu in the wilderness.
They met up with Qin Chengcheng, who looked like an ordinary Taoist nun, outside the Lake and Sea Immortal City.
Unlike his high-profile appearance in the Hercules Alliance, Chen Yi dressed casually this time, even wearing a hat.
If it weren't for the excessive trouble of registering a new identity each time and the need for a traceable growth trajectory, Chen Yi would have liked to change his identity again.
Qin Chengcheng's cool eyes flashed with a hint of mischief when she saw Chen Yi's appearance, but she quickly concealed it, returning to her usual cool demeanor.
He said calmly, "Let's go into the city. I'll take you to replenish your equipment and improve your strength. You also need to contribute well when we enter the secret realm."
To Chen Yi's surprise, Qin Chengcheng's registered identity was also that of a strongman.
[Strongman: Chen Su, Early Stage of Bone Refinement]
Lake and Sea Immortal City is vast. Although it is a basin, it is exquisitely constructed, with array formations, cave dwellings, merchant guilds, and shops everywhere. It is surrounded by spiritual energy, and the array patterns glow with spiritual light.
With thousands of royal puppets stationed there, even a casual late-stage Core Formation cultivator who rashly ventures in would not return alive.
"These shops are all newly opened, selling elixirs, talismans, magical artifacts, robes, puppets, and cultivation techniques. See if there's anything you need?"
Qin Chengcheng, dressed in plain clothes, explained the situation to Chen Yi. She was very familiar with this place, and Chen Yi guessed that she should live in this immortal city.
"Your robes are too worn out, offering no protection whatsoever, and there are no magic arrays present. Would you like to choose a magic robe to wear first?"
Passing by a shop selling robes, Qin Chengcheng glanced at Chen Yi's ordinary clothes and said indifferently.
Chen Yi shook his head, "No need. My main focus is on body cultivation. In a fight, ordinary robes simply cannot withstand the power of my physical body. I have prepared several sets of these ordinary robes. I can just replace them with new ones when they are torn."
"Shall we go buy some pills?"
"The price of elixirs is too high, it's not worth it. It's better to browse for raw materials, or spiritual items and rare treasures."
Chen Yi made a suggestion.
"Alright. Let's go to the Imperial City Chamber of Commerce then. This chamber of commerce has the backing of the Qi Kingdom's royal family. If we're lucky, we might find some good items that appear in the secret realm here."
As the two talked, they arrived in front of a five-story jade pavilion with a gilded plaque that read "Imperial City Chamber of Commerce," the characters gleaming in the gold.
Silver-armored puppets holding halberds guarded the entrance, and an array of light barriers surrounded the area.
Stepping through the main gate, the floor paved with warm jade gleamed with a gentle luster under the soft light of the luminous pearls.
The crystal display cases are arranged in a ring, their surfaces shimmering with a soft glow, reflecting the outlines of the treasures inside.
A maid dressed in an elegant long dress stepped forward and explained the origin and purpose of each exhibit to the guests.
Ascending the spirit wood steps, the aroma of medicinal herbs wafts from the second-floor alchemy chamber.
Inside the three-tiered talisman pavilion, talismans of various colors shimmered with spiritual light within specially made glass covers.
Inside the fourth-floor hall of magical artifacts, flying swords, precious mirrors, jade seals, and other items are displayed in an orderly manner, each radiating a unique spiritual energy fluctuation.
The small hall on the top floor is reserved for VIPs, where rare treasures obtained from the secret realm are displayed.
The two went up to the fifth floor, where Chen Yi immediately took a liking to a second-grade high-quality lightning-struck wood.
But someone was already buying it, and a piece of lightning-struck wood the size of a palm was priced at 3000 spirit stones.
Chen Yi was somewhat tempted, but seeing this, he stopped in his tracks.
Qin Chengcheng glanced at Chen Yi's expression and gestured for him to wait.
At this moment, a man and a woman were haggling with the shopkeeper about buying the lightning-struck wood.
The man was tall and handsome, while the woman was sweet and lovely.
Even from a distance, Chen Yi could sense the powerful aura emanating from these two individuals; the man possessed strength no less than that of the peak Foundation Establishment stage.
The woman's aura was even stronger than the male cultivator's.
These two must be among the prodigies?
"Miss Yourong, this piece of lightning-struck wood is clearly not worth three thousand. This shopkeeper is obviously trying to inflate the price."
The tall, burly male cultivator had a bitter expression on his face, likely because he was short of spirit stones. True geniuses had long since converted spirit stones into strength, and didn't have much money saved up.
"Fine, if you're not sincere, then forget it. You don't need to team up with us in the secret realm later."
The cute and sweet female cultivator's face turned cold, and she turned to leave.
"No! Since Miss Yourong likes it, even if it's overpriced, I, Long, will buy it!"
Long Xitian finally gritted his teeth and bought it.
The fat shopkeeper grinned from ear to ear, then took out the piece of lightning-struck wood, placed it in the jade box, and handed it to Qi Yourong with both hands.
Qi Yourong nodded lightly, put the item into her storage bag, and continued browsing the store with her hands behind her back.
Here
Qin Chengcheng was somewhat displeased to see that the lightning-struck wood had been sold.
"Boss, do you still have any lightning-struck wood? I need high-grade second-tier wood!"
The portly shopkeeper quickly came over to Chen Yi and Qin Chengcheng, looking apologetic, and said, "Second-grade high-quality lightning-struck wood is extremely rare; this is the only piece we have."
I was just given to the beautiful Qi Tianjiao by that handsome fellow Daoist. I'm so sorry.
Qin Chengcheng was displeased. What beauty, what handsomeness? With looks like that, he doesn't deserve it.
She wanted to try again.
Chen Yi pointed to a white droplet the size of a pearl contained in a transparent magical artifact and asked,
"What is this?"
The shopkeeper glanced at Qin Chengcheng and saw that Qin Chengcheng, following Chen Yi's gaze, also showed interest.
He quickly explained, "This is Earth Spirit Stone Milk. Don't be fooled by the fact that there's only one drop; it has reached the near-third-tier level."
This time, only a few drops were found in the secret realm. This item is extremely precious; it can harmonize the five elements and even play an auxiliary role in the core formation process, slightly improving the quality of the resulting core.
Therefore, the price is 2500 spirit stones per drop.
"Hehe, I see that you are interested in this, Fairy. You must be preparing for your future attempt to break through to the Core Formation stage."
Young man, why don't you buy this and win a smile from the fairy?
The portly shopkeeper finally looked at Chen Yi, indicating that the male cultivator should be more generous, since there had already been a precedent.
Harmonize the five elements?
Chen Yi's heart stirred slightly. He didn't need the benefit of this item—that it could improve the quality and probability of Core Formation—right now.
But it's about harmonizing the five elements.
He discreetly probed through the transparent container with his third-level divine sense and indeed discovered a wisp of spiritual energy within.
Maybe you can give it a try.
However, Chen Yi did not show it on his face, and only said: "It's too expensive. A drop of spiritual milk is worth at most 2000 spirit stones. Boss, your price is not fair."
"Young man, these are fresh from the secret realm, extremely rare. An extra 500 spirit stones isn't expensive at all. Are you really so heartless as to let this fairy not have them?"
Not far away, Long Xitian and Qi Yourong were also secretly observing the commotion.
Long Xitian was secretly pleased. See? It turns out I'm not the only simp, and the one I'm fawning over is none other than Qi Yourong, a royal noblewoman, one of the eight prodigies, and possessing an innate treasure body.
And look at who that bald guy is licking, his appearance is so ordinary.
"Shopkeeper, we'll take it for 2000 spirit stones."
This stuff, even a single drop, has almost no effect on Core Formation.
Moreover, this spiritual milk has existed for an unknown amount of time; its spiritual essence has long been lost, and it probably doesn't even reach the quasi-third rank.
Seeing that Chen Yi was indeed interested, Qin Chengcheng stepped forward and started bargaining with him.
She and Chen Yi took turns haggling, and the chubby shopkeeper eventually couldn't hold out any longer.
It was finally sold for 2100 spirit stones.
Qin Chengcheng paid the money.
After buying it, she handed the transparent container directly to Chen Yi:
"Keep it. Take it when you get back. I'll show you around and see if there are any other resources you need."
The fat shopkeeper was taken aback when he saw this; it was actually a female cultivator who bought it for this bald man.
Long Xitian couldn't understand it either, staring at Chen Yi's bald head, unable to see anything good about it.
In comparison, his act of buying things for Qi Yourong made him seem like a clown.
In the end, Long Xitian could only console himself by saying that Qi Yourong was exceptionally beautiful and talented, and was a member of the royal family, while the other woman was of ordinary appearance and had mediocre magical power, and might be keeping a lover.
Qi Yourong looked at Chen Yi with even greater interest, a hint of doubt flashing in her beautiful eyes.
Her cultivation level was not low, especially her spiritual power. Although she couldn't see through Qin Chengcheng's magical power,
However, they could sense Qin Chengcheng's true, stunning beauty beneath her disguise. Qin Chengcheng's disguise skills were only at the second level, not very advanced.
Strange, a stunningly beautiful woman who is a level above me would actually buy things for such an ordinary bald man.
Qi Yourong glanced at Chen Yi a few more times, secretly memorizing the bald man's appearance.
Chen Yi didn't care. He already owed Qin Chengcheng 20,000 spirit stones, so owing another 2,000 or even a few thousand more wouldn't make a difference.
Later, the two of them bought several more high-grade second-tier materials from the shop, including special spirit soil, spirit wood, and even fragments of magical artifacts and high-grade ores.
In the end, Qin Chengcheng paid for everything, and the total cost, including the spirit milk, was 5600 spirit stones.
The two's rampage left Long Xitian and Qi Yourong dumbfounded. What surprised them even more was that...
Qin Chengcheng spent so many spirit stones, all of which were for Chen Yi.
Because after each purchase, she would hand the item to Chen Yi and say a few words, her voice cold but revealing a sense of concern.
This made the fat shopkeeper stare wide-eyed. Before leaving, he secretly sent a telepathic message to Chen Yi to ask for advice:
"Brother, teach me how you did that?"
Long Xitian's lips moved, as if he wanted to ask for guidance, but in the end he didn't send a telepathic message.
He was also extremely curious and very eager to learn.
(End of this chapter)