62: Chapter 62: The Yin Sha Sect Gathering, Insidious Methods

Besides this, he also bought ten Low Grade Tier 2 Talismans. In terms of quality, they were somewhat poor; the power of a single strike was only equivalent to the might of a strike from Early Foundation Establishment. It was not the might of a full-strength strike from Early Foundation Establishment.

However, this could still be considered an unexpected pleasant surprise.

After finishing his stroll, Xiao Yuan returned to the stronghold and entered the empty room in the backyard.

Presently, aside from him, there was no one else in the stronghold. He also did not need to worry about anyone disturbing him.

After sitting down cross-legged, he first took out the manual titled 《Soul-Absorbing and Divine-Searching Secret Technique》.

He opened the booklet, read through it carefully, and had a clear idea in mind.

"creation cauldron, get to work!"

With a thought, the yin-yang creation cauldron emerged within his body and sucked the booklet into it.

Colorful light flickered as the booklet slowly rotated inside the cauldron, spiritual light radiating from its surface.

A quarter of an hour later.

The light converged, and a brand-new Jade Slip flew out from the cauldron.

Xiao Yuan caught it, and his Divine Sense probed inward——

《Nine Nether Soul-Searching Great Technique》!

It was no longer a crude soul-searching technique, but an exquisite Divine Soul secret method!

Not only was the damage to the person being searched greatly reduced during soul-searching, but memories could also be completely extracted, and one could even trace back through the soul-searching!

"Good stuff!" Xiao Yuan's eyes lit up.

He immediately sat down cross-legged and began to comprehend this secret method.

Two hours later, he opened his eyes, a dim light flashing within them.

"It's done."

With the assistance of the creation cauldron's energy, the soul-searching technique had already reached Minor Achievement, which was enough.

Next was the Formation Flag.

Xiao Yuan took out the set of dilapidated Yin-Yang Five Elements Formation Flags and examined them closely.

There were a total of twelve Formation Flags. Originally, they should have been a complete set, but now three were cracked, two had missing corners, and the remaining ones had dim spiritual light.

"Broken to this extent, can it still be used?" Xiao Yuan muttered, yet he still threw it into the creation cauldron.

He finally understood why he was able to buy such an item belonging to the Foundation Establishment Stage in the market. Broken like this, even those in the Qi Condensation Stage might disdain it, let alone those in the Foundation Establishment Stage!

"Refine, repair, enhance!"

The creation cauldron trembled slightly and began to operate.

This time took a bit longer, and the energy consumption was also immense—after all, these were Tier 2 Formation Flags, and they were severely damaged.

After a full fifty breaths, a multicolored glow spewed from the mouth of the cauldron!

Twelve brand-new Formation Flags floated in front of Xiao Yuan. Every single one of them glowed with brilliant spiritual light, their Formation patterns clear, radiating powerful spiritual power fluctuations!

Xiao Yuan picked up one, and his Divine Sense probed inward, instantly understanding the functions of this set of Formation Flags.

"Yin-Yang Reversed Five Elements Heaven-Confusing Formation"!

Medium Grade Tier 2 Formation!

The effect of the complete version was—

Trapping enemies: Traps Early Foundation Establishment for a starting minimum of three hours, Middle Stage Foundation Establishment for two hours, and even Late Foundation Establishment Stage for half an hour!

Killing enemies: After activating the Formation, it can draw upon the power of the Five Elements to strangle enemies within the Formation. Early Foundation Establishment cannot hold out for a quarter of an hour, and Middle Stage Foundation Establishment can hold out for half an hour at most!

Illusion: It forms its own space within the Formation, reversing directions and confusing perception.

Even the Late Foundation Establishment Stage could possibly be trapped to death within it!

"Holy shit..." Xiao Yuan gasped a breath of cold air.

Is this fucking Tier 2 Medium Grade?

He would believe it even if someone said it was High Grade! As expected of a treasure used during the Foundation Establishment Stage, if utilized well, Xiao Yuan even had the confidence to counter-kill the Late Foundation Establishment Stage.

However, what puzzled Xiao Yuan was that previously, when the creation cauldron enhanced Low Grade items, it was able to upgrade them to the absolute highest grade almost instantly.

For instance, Low Grade Spiritual Artifacts could be upgraded to supreme grade Spiritual Artifacts, and Tier 1 Low Grade Talismans could be upgraded to Tier 1 supreme grade Talismans.

Yet upon reaching Tier 2, it only enhanced by a single grade, upgrading from Low Grade to Medium Grade.

He tried to see if he could use the creation cauldron once more to further enhance the already upgraded Formation Flags, but unfortunately, under his incantation chanting, the creation cauldron showed no reaction at all.

It seemed that wanting to infinitely enhance the grade of items was simply impossible!

After enhancement, those ten Tier 2 Low Grade Talismans only turned into Tier 2 Medium Grade Talismans. As for their power, it was equivalent to a full-strength strike from Middle Stage Foundation Establishment.

However, his heart was still filled with pleasant surprise.

With this set of Formation, coupled with ten Tier 2 Medium Grade Talismans, plus his own strength!

Even if he encountered a Late Foundation Establishment Stage powerhouse, he could still retreat unscathed. With these preparations, he... could go meet that Yinsha Sect Leader.

He must definitely get his hands on the Pill Formula for that earth-grade foundation establishment pill in the other party's possession.

He stood up, walked over to the window, and looked in the direction outside the city.

...

Black Wind Stronghold was nestled deep in the mountains fifty miles outside the imperial capital.

Xiao Yuan used the Great Turtle Breathing Technique to alter his appearance into that of Deacon Zhou. Standing at the entrance of the stronghold, he felt a bit timid inside.

It was not because of fear—but rather because...

Dammit, he forgot to bring offerings!

Deacon Zhou probably had no harvests recently, or perhaps his offerings were hidden deeply, as Xiao Yuan found no Cultivators bound by the other party at all in the stronghold.

Meanwhile, people in black robes arrived one after another, each followed behind by several tightly bound, unconscious Cultivators.

There were men and women, with cultivation ranging from the seventh to the ninth layer of the Qi Condensation Stage. Each of their faces was pale, evidently having been drugged.

"Brother Zhou, long time no see!" A fierce-looking Bald Man approached, dragging three unconscious female Cultivators behind him. "Yo, how come you... came empty-handed today?"

Xiao Yuan's heart tightened, but his expression remained calm as he imitated Zhou Yuansheng's sinister tone: "Hmph, this batch of goods... is a bit special; the sect leader must inspect it personally."

The Bald Man was stunned, then flashed an "I understand" expression, lowering his voice to ask: "High Grade?"

Xiao Yuan nodded inscrutably.

Envy flashed across the Bald Man's eyes: "Brother Zhou is truly lucky. These few of mine are all Medium Grade, barely enough to fulfill the quota..."

Xiao Yuan breathed a sigh of relief inwardly, while his expression remained cold: "Hurry and go in, don't keep the sect leader waiting."

The two walked into the stronghold.

In the center of the stronghold was a huge Stone Hall, reeking with eerie Yin Qi.

Thirty to forty people had already gathered inside the hall, all shrouded in black robes with only their eyes exposed. Five of them stood at the very front, possessing the strongest auras—they should be those five Protectors.

Xiao Yuan silently counted; including himself, there were exactly six.

Mimicking the appearance of the other Protectors, he walked to the front row.

The hall was lit with eerie green ghost fires, casting a greenish hue over everyone's faces. The surrounding walls were covered in bizarre runes, and a faint smell of blood drifted over.

Not long after, footsteps came from behind the hall.

A person in black clothes walked out from the shadows.

He also covered his face, revealing only a pair of crimson eyes. But that aura—

Early Foundation Establishment!

Furthermore, it was that fierce, murderous aura condensed from killing countless people!

"Greetings, Sect Leader!" Everyone bowed in unison.

The Yinsha Sect Leader waved his hand and walked to the stone platform in the center of the hall.

Placed upon the stone platform was a huge black cauldron furnace, its body carved with twisted runes, emitting an unsettling evil Qi.

"Begin." His voice was hoarse, like sandpaper grinding against stone.

The first to step forward was a tall and thin Protector. He waved his hand, and his subordinates escorted four unconscious men and women, pushing them in front of the stone platform.

The Yinsha Sect Leader raised his hand and made a grasping motion in the empty air.

The four people floated up, suspended midair.

He reached out his left hand, his five fingers forming a claw, and grabbed through the air—

Puff!

A cluster of hazy light was forcefully ripped out from the Dantian of one of them! Within the light, tiny root-like patterns were faintly visible—it was precisely that person's Spiritual Root!