100: Chapter 100 Undercurrents

On a rest day, in a mountain stream near the Artifact Refining Peak.

The stream gurgled, bringing a hint of coolness amidst the summer heat. Chen Hao squatted by the stream, scooping up water to wash his face, a large portion of his crimson magical robe's sleeves getting soaked.

"It's boiling hot," he said, shaking his hands and sitting down on a green rock next to Lin Xuan. "The Artifact Refining Peak is like a steamer. The furnace fires never go out, and even my magical robe can't completely block out the heat of the earth fire. I suspect in a few more days, I'll be refined into a Magical Artifact myself."

Lin Xuan handed over a water skin. "How is the progress on the City-Breaking Crossbow?"

"Don't even get me started." Chen Hao gulped down some water and wiped his mouth. "Master is so busy he's nowhere to be seen, and we assistants are working non-stop. Security has been incredibly tight lately; three whole patrol squads have been added to the perimeter of the project area, and identity jade plaques are checked three times just to enter or leave."

"And... we've been rushing to produce a batch of special 'Demon-Detecting Needles' and 'Stealth-Breaking Dharma Disks'."

Lin Xuan's heart stirred. "Demon-Detecting Needle?"

"Yeah." Chen Hao nodded, his eyes filled with excitement. "They're specifically designed to detect hidden Devilish Qi, Wraiths, and stealth units. I heard they're urgently needed at the front line, and a strict order was issued to deliver a thousand sets by the end of the month."

He paused, lowering his voice even further. "Lin Xuan, do you think... some demon bastards have snuck in?"

Lin Xuan glanced at him. "What do you think?"

"I think so," Chen Hao nodded heavily. "Otherwise, why would they suddenly make so many detection Magical Artifacts? Besides, when I heard Master talking with several Junior Martial Uncles, they mentioned words like 'infiltration' and 'purge'..."

As he spoke, he grew excited. "This is a big deal! If we can help root out a few demon Sect spies, that would be a massive achievement!"

Lin Xuan fell silent for a moment, then patted his shoulder. "Chen Hao."

"Yeah?"

"Be careful." Lin Xuan looked into his eyes. "If elite members of the Demon Sect have really infiltrated, they won't be easy to deal with. The Artifact Refining Peak has too many eyes and ears. Just focus on your work and don't get involved in things you shouldn't."

Chen Hao froze for a moment, then smiled. "Don't worry, I get it. I'm just a blacksmith; all that fighting and killing has nothing to do with me."

But the excitement in his eyes had not completely faded.

Lin Xuan said no more.

The two chatted for a while longer. Chen Hao mentioned a funny story from the Artifact Refining Peak: a Senior Brother tried to forge a sword using a method of "balancing ice and fire," but failed to control it. The furnace exploded, freezing half the workshop into an ice cellar, and now everyone avoids him whenever they see him.

Lin Xuan also briefly mentioned the increase in the quota at the Hundred Talisman Hall.

"Six talismans?" Chen Hao clicked his tongue. "You talisman makers don't have it easy either."

"It's the same for everyone," Lin Xuan said.

As the sun began to sink in the west, the two parted ways.

Instead of returning directly to the Emerald Bamboo Peak, Lin Xuan deliberately took a detour, passing through areas like the General Affairs Hall and the Dharma Transmission Pavilion.

Indeed, things were different.

The number of patrolling Law Enforcement Disciples had clearly increased. They were in squads of three, with a post every five steps and a sentry every ten steps. Each of them had a solemn expression and sharp eyes, questioning passing Disciples with extra scrutiny.

The glow of the Sect's Grand Array appeared exceptionally bright in the setting sun, and its flow seemed slightly faster than usual.

Relaxed on the outside, tense on the inside.

The entire Sanyang Sect was like a bow being slowly drawn.

Late at night, in the small courtyard on Emerald Bamboo Peak.

Lin Xuan entered the Spirit-Taming Tower Space.

Thunder Spiritual Energy rushed over him, bringing a slightly numbing, nourishing sensation. Completely different from the sweltering heat of midsummer outside, the space was always mild and pleasant.

He first went to check on the thunder essence fruit tree.

When he walked to the center of the spiritual field, his steps paused.

The tree had already grown to ten feet tall, its canopy like an umbrella. And at the tip of the thickest side branch—

A flower had bloomed.

It was in full bloom.

Five pale purple petals were fully spread, thin as a cicada's wing, with silver patterns flowing along the edges, shimmering with a dreamlike luster under the reflection of the lightning in the space.

At the center of the flower, silver stamens clustered around an extremely tiny ovary that flickered with lightning, resembling a miniature star.

A strange fragrance assailed his nose.

Just by taking a few breaths of the floral fragrance, Lin Xuan felt his spirits rise, and the Thunder Spiritual Energy in his Dantian grew faintly active.

He approached carefully, not daring to touch it.

His Divine Sense gently extended, guiding the pure Thunder Spiritual Energy in the space to slowly encircle the stamens, simulating the natural pollination process.

The petals trembled slightly, as if in response.

"Finally..." Lin Xuan murmured.

Now that it had entered the blooming phase, the next step was pollination and fruiting.

Once it bore thunder essence fruits, it would be a major resource Breakthrough on his path of cultivation.

Retracting his Divine Sense, he turned to look at the thunder-attracting vine.

The bluish-purple fruit on the vine had now reached the absolute limit of maturity.

It was the size of a fist, with blue and purple interwoven. Its surface was densely covered with thunder patterns like natural runes, and electricity coiled and jumped, making fine crackling sounds.

The entire fruit emanated astonishing fluctuations of thunder source energy, as if it could explode at any moment.

It was ready to be harvested.

Lin Xuan carefully plucked the fruit. It felt slightly heavy in his hand, and the sparks of electricity on the surface made his palm tingle.

He sat cross-legged, holding the fruit in his palm.

Operating the "Purple Heaven Divine Thunder Art," he injected a trace of Thunder Spiritual Energy into the fruit.

The electricity on the fruit's surface suddenly retracted, and the pure thunder source energy inside flowed slowly into his Meridians, guided by his spiritual energy.

Boom—

It was like a gentle thunderclap exploding inside his body.

The pure, majestic thunder source energy, which had been filtered by the fruit's natural structure to be easily absorbed, surged into his limbs and bones like a bursting river, flowing into his Dantian.

Lin Xuan closed his eyes to concentrate, guiding it with all his strength.

The Thunder Spiritual Energy surged through his Meridians, the rotation speed of his Qi vortex suddenly spiked, and the purple thunder seed at the core shone with brilliant light.

His cultivation base, which was at the Middle Stage of Qi Refining Level 4, climbed steadily under the push of this external force.

Middle Stage Peak...

The threshold of the Late Stage...

"Break!"

Lin Xuan shouted inwardly.

A soft sound echoed in his Dantian, as if some barrier had been pierced.

The Qi vortex expanded, his total spiritual energy surged by nearly fifty percent, and its purity reached a whole new level!

Qi Refining Stage 5!

He opened his eyes, purple electricity flashing in them, before slowly receding after a long moment.

Clenching his fists, he could clearly feel the more pure and robust Thunder Spiritual Energy surging within him. His Divine Sense's range had expanded by twenty percent, and his perception and control over Thunder Spiritual Energy had also significantly improved.

The fruit of the thunder-attracting vine was indeed extraordinary.

Although it was currently only the fruit of a Tier 1 Low Grade spiritual plant, after being nourished by the dense Thunder Spiritual Energy in the Spirit-Taming Tower Space for a long time, its quality was already close to Tier 1 Medium Grade.

This was only the beginning. The thunder-attracting vine had infinite potential, and its rank was slowly rising. Once it reached Tier 2 or Tier 3, its value would be staggering.

Lin Xuan suppressed the excitement in his heart and looked at the Herb-Seeking Mouse and the Pangolin.

Sensing his Breakthrough in cultivation, the two little guys both gathered around. The Herb-Seeking Mouse squeaked, circling around his feet, while the Pangolin growled softly, sending thoughts of "congratulations."

"Next, I need to step up the training."

Lin Xuan stood up and began tonight's Spirit Beast coordination drills.

The Pangolin created small-scale vibrations underground to interfere with the "imaginary enemy's" perception. The Herb-Seeking Mouse moved rapidly on the ground, locking onto the target's position with [Spirit Energy Tracking]. Lin Xuan then executed the "Thunder Flash Step" to dash forward, with the Thunder-Shocking Spike in hand, instantly shooting out three points of thunderous light.

Their cooperation became increasingly seamless.

An hour later, the training ended.

Lin Xuan exited the space and returned to his Quiet Room.

Outside the window, the night was deep.

But in the direction of the Golden Sun Grotto-Heaven on Rising Sun Peak in the distance, there was a faint abnormality in the sky.

It was not starlight, nor was it moonlight, but a regular fluctuation of Spiritual Qi tides.

At times, rosy clouds would faintly appear, dyeing half the sky pale gold; at times, dark clouds would gather, though they were not the kind of clouds from natural weather, but rather an anomaly formed by the forced agitation of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi.

That kind of fluctuation made all Cultivators feel uneasy.

It was as if a colossal beast was waking up, drawing a response from heaven and earth.

Lin Xuan stood by the window, watching for a long time.

Qi Tianyuan's Core Formation had reached its critical phase.

Elite members of the Demon Sect had infiltrated, an insider was hidden, and the Sect was on full alert.

A storm was brewing.

He slowly exhaled a breath.

The assessment of the situation was clear: during the upcoming critical period, he must maintain an extremely low profile, complete his production quotas, and suspend all extra activities that might draw attention—including black market transactions.

He would focus entirely on consolidating his cultivation base, training his Spirit Beasts, and cultivating the spiritual plants in his space.

Wait and see how things develop.

As for that dark web woven by the forces of the Demon Sect, the insider, and the Sect, its shadow was quietly approaching everyone caught in the whirlpool.

And he only needed to plant his roots deeper before this shadow fell.

And grind his sword sharper.

Lin Xuan turned around, sat cross-legged, and began tonight's cultivation.

Outside the window, the anomalies of the Golden Sun Grotto-Heaven grew increasingly frequent.

The night was still long.

The storm was coming.