46: Chapter 46 Choice

"They are suspected to have discovered a ruin of an ancient Cultivator, located in the blurred zone between the two Sects' spheres of influence." Deacon Wu lowered his voice. "Disciples at the Foundation Establishment Stage from both sides have already clashed several times, with casualties on both sides. The situation is tense and could escalate at any moment."

He paused. "The Sect's upper echelon has decided to prioritize resources toward Late Stage Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment Disciples to prepare for war. At the same time, they will mobilize more Deacons and elite Disciples to guard the border and fight for the ruins. The Outer Sect tournament... naturally, they won't have time for that."

So that was it. Lin Xuan realized. Compared to the resource competition and potential war at the Sect level, the Outer Sect tournament was indeed insignificant.

"Then our Cultivation..." Lin Xuan asked tentatively.

"In the short term, the Sect's management of low-level Disciples might relax, and the distribution of resources might also be affected."

Deacon Wu spoke bluntly, "But a crisis is also an opportunity. If the Sect gains the upper hand in the competition for the ruins, the overall resources will increase, and everyone will benefit at that time. Conversely... hmph."

He didn't continue, but the meaning was clear. If the Sanyang Sect failed, the Cultivation resources for all Disciples in the future might shrink.

"Many thanks to the Deacon for clarifying." Lin Xuan already had a plan in mind.

Leaving the medicinal garden, he walked back, deep in thought. Just as he reached the main road of Emerald Bamboo Peak, he ran into a group of people.

It was Chen Yufei and his team. It had been months, and Chen Yufei's aura was more composed; clearly, his Cultivation had improved again, and he was likely approaching Qi Refining Level 4.

But at this moment, his brows were tightly knit, and his expression was solemn, completely different from his usual high spirits.

The team members following him, besides the sturdy Disciple from Houtu Peak and the female Cultivator from Sharp Metal Peak, were missing the injured Disciple from Qingmu Peak, but there were two new faces, both with auras at Qi Refining Level 3.

When the two teams passed each other, Chen Yufei suddenly stopped and looked at Lin Xuan.

"Lin Xuan." He spoke, his voice somewhat low.

"Senior Brother Chen." Lin Xuan stopped.

Chen Yufei seemed to hesitate for a moment before saying, "You know about the cancellation of the tournament, right?"

"I just heard."

"Three Senior Brothers from Houtu Peak at the Late Stage of Qi Refining were conscripted to the border yesterday." Chen Yufei's tone was complex. "One of them once gave me pointers on sword techniques."

Lin Xuan was silent. The Sect conflict had already begun to affect specific people.

"Hurry up and improve your strength." It was rare for Chen Yufei not to use that condescending tone; instead, he carried a hint of warning. "Chaos is coming, and strength is the foundation. Contribution points, resources... exchange them as soon as you can, and convert them into tangible Cultivation and means."

After saying this, he didn't say anything more and hurried away with his team.

Lin Xuan stood where he was, watching their backs disappear at the end of the bamboo forest path.

Chen Hao was still sulking in his small courtyard. Seeing him return, he immediately jumped up. "What did you find out?"

Lin Xuan briefly explained what Deacon Wu had said and the encounter with Chen Yufei.

After listening, Chen Hao was stunned for a long time before murmuring, "Xuanyin Sect... the ruin of an ancient Cultivator... Foundation Establishment Disciple conflict... no wonder."

The indignation on his face was gradually replaced by worry. "Does this mean that Sect contribution points will be hard to earn in the future? And resources will be tight too?"

"In the short term, yes." Lin Xuan nodded. "But Deacon Wu is right; a crisis is also an opportunity. The Sect's attention is shifting, and internal management will relax, which is the perfect time for us to develop low-key and accumulate strength."

He looked at Chen Hao. "Haozi, instead of complaining, let's take action. The tournament is gone, but we can take on missions ourselves. Missions with controllable risks and good rewards—if we team up to do them, the efficiency will be higher."

Chen Hao's eyes lit up. "Right! Why didn't I think of that! Senior Brother Zhang Meng is at Qi Refining Level 3, and Senior Brother Li Ming is at the Peak of Level 2. The four of us are used to working together; taking on mid-to-High Grade C missions shouldn't be a problem!"

"Hmm. But we must be more cautious; safety first." Lin Xuan cautioned.

After seeing off the reinvigorated Chen Hao, Lin Xuan returned to his Quiet Room and closed the door. He needed to re-plan.

The Sect conflict meant that the uncertainty of the future Cultivation environment would increase. Resources might be tight, contribution points might depreciate, and improving strength was urgent.

"I must accelerate accumulation and quickly convert existing gains into immediate combat power."

He took stock of the resources in his hands: mist heart orchid, high-quality wind bell flower, lightning-struck stone, Thunder-patterned iron scraps, and various Yao Beast Materials... these were all hard currency.

Previously, out of caution, he had only exchanged a small amount. Now, it was time to sell them in batches.

Over the next few days, Lin Xuan frequented the market. Through different channels, he sold some Yao Beast Materials (such as complete Poison Mist Python skin and Yin Erosion Toad poison sacs) and two slightly inferior quality wind bell flowers in small batches, exchanging them for nearly six hundred contribution points.

Added to his remaining balance, the contribution points in his hands exceeded one thousand again. He did not spend them recklessly.

He first went to the Dharma Transmission Pavilion and used two hundred contribution points to exchange for a Grade 3 body refining Cultivation Technique—the Jade Slip for the "Thunder Body Refining Technique (Qi Refining Chapter)."

Since he had decided to try Dual Cultivation of magic and body, and since the "Purple Heaven Divine Thunder Art" had already laid a good foundation, he chose the body refining Cultivation Technique that was most compatible with it.

Thunder body refining, drawing lightning to temper the body, was a perfect match for his main Cultivation Technique and Thunder Gathering talent.

With the remaining contribution points, he purchased a batch of better quality healing and Qi-restoring Medicinal Pills, as well as several High Grade "Vajra Talisman" (defense stronger than the Golden Light Talisman) and "Swift Wind Talisman" (speed-boosting effect superior to the God-Speed Talisman).

High Grade Tier 1 Talismans had power equivalent to a Late Stage Qi Refining Cultivator.

Finally, he also ordered a drop of "Earth Vein Spirit Milk" through a broker—this was the spiritual item the Pangolin craved most, which could promote the growth of its earth-attribute talent. It was expensive, but worth the investment.

After doing all this, Lin Xuan stood in the small courtyard, looking at the heavy twilight in the western sky. The autumn wind blew, and the bamboo waves were like an ocean. A mountain rain was about to come.

He clenched his fist, feeling the Thunder Spiritual Energy rushing through his body, feeling his increasingly strong physique, and feeling the growth of the three little ones in the Spirit-Taming Tower Space. The turning point had arrived; only power could break it.

In the Quiet Room, the oil lamp was lit. The new Jade Slip was pressed against his forehead, and vast amounts of information flowed into his mind. The practice of the "Thunder Body Refining Technique" was about to begin.

...In late autumn on Emerald Bamboo Peak, the morning cold was already enough to breathe out white mist.

Lin Xuan pushed open the door of the Quiet Room, standing in the courtyard wearing only a thin cyan practice robe. He took a deep breath, set up the starting stance of the "Thunder Body Refining Technique," and began the tenth day of Cultivation.

Thunder Spiritual Energy was drawn from his Dantian and flowed along a specific path to his limbs and bones. His muscles felt the pain of being pierced by countless fine needles, and his bones made a slight "clucking" sound.

Compared to the violent nature of the "Purple Heaven Divine Thunder Art" where thunder runs through the body, this pain was more lingering and profound, as if it were permeating from his bone marrow.

An hour later, Lin Xuan withdrew his energy and stood up, drenched in sweat. He scooped up mountain spring water and poured it over himself; the cold water stimulated his scorching skin, and his spirit was refreshed.

Drying his body, he poured the "Bone Forging Powder" into the wooden barrel, and the hot water quickly turned into a cloudy, pale yellow. The moment he stepped into the medicinal bath, the spicy medicinal power drilled into his pores like little insects. Lin Xuan closed his eyes and circulated the absorption technique, the internal and external forces blending and hammering his Physical Body.