66: Chapter 66 Returning to Origin and Gathering Qi Technique

He did not plant immediately, but instead walked to the planned area of the spirit field, using his Spiritual Qi to draw lines and clearly demarcate four sections:

A two-fen area for thunder-pattern grass, a one-fen area for thunder spirit flower, a one-fen area for shocking thunder flower, and the best position at the very center, about two fen in size—that area was right next to the main root of the thunder-attracting vine, and the space above was where the Thunder-Light Bug loved to hover, making the Thunder Spiritual Energy the most dense and pure there.

He first planted the thunder-pattern grass seeds. Two hundred seeds were evenly scattered across the two-fen area, covered with a thin layer of soil, and gently watered with rain containing Thunder Spiritual Energy.

Next, he took out the five thunder spirit flower seedlings and carefully planted them in the one-fen area, ensuring sufficient spacing between each. He then took out the ten shocking thunder flower seeds and used a special technique to place them into the soil, covering them very lightly.

Finally, the main event. Lin Xuan walked to the central area and dug a deep pit in the ground.

At the bottom of the pit, he spread a layer of pre-ground lightning-struck stone powder—this was leftover scrap material—and mixed in a small pinch of the highest quality spirit soil taken from the thunder-pattern soil in the space.

Then, he extremely carefully removed the thunder essence fruit tree seedling from the jade box and placed it into the pit along with the moss around its roots. He filled the soil and compacted it, but not too tightly. He then drew spirit water containing some Spiritual Qi from the stream in the space and watered it slowly.

After finishing all this, he stepped back a few paces and observed quietly. The thunder essence fruit tree seedling seemed to adapt well to its new environment. The electric sparks on its leaves jumped more actively, and the silver scale patterns on its trunk faintly glowed.

It could clearly "perceive" the pure thunder intent emitted by the thunder-attracting vine overhead, as well as the light dust scattered by the Thunder-Light Bug not far away.

"Grow well," Lin Xuan said softly, using the contract to let the Thunder-Light Bug and the Herb-Seeking Mouse pay attention to and look after this small tree.

When he exited the space, it was already afternoon. Lin Xuan sat cross-legged in the Quiet Room and began today's cultivation.

The Purple Heaven Divine Thunder Art circulated, and the vortex in his Dantian spun. Thanks to the "Thunder Gathering" talent that was always in effect, the thin Thunder Spiritual Energy from the outside world was continuously drawn in. Inside the space, the feedback from the thunder-attracting vine also transmitted wisps of gentle and pure Thunder Spiritual Energy through a mysterious connection. Coupled with the assistance of the Spirit Pill he had been taking for a long time...

Lin Xuan could clearly feel that his cultivation was steadily advancing toward the Late Stage of Level 3 Qi Refining at a stable and considerable speed. He silently estimated that by maintaining this resource consumption, he expected to break through to the Middle Stage of Qi Refining in about a year and a half.

He calculated the total time since he joined the sect. "The entrance Aptitude test was the spring before last. Breaking through to Level 1 Qi Refining was last spring, taking one year. From Level 1 to Level 2, with the Opportunity in Cloud Mist Valley, it took about half a year. From Level 2 to Level 3, with the help of Gravity Valley and thunder fire jujube, it took about five months."

"If everything goes smoothly, I will break through to Qi Refining Level 4 in a year and a half... then, from joining to Qi Refining Level 4, the total time spent will be about... three and a half years."

Three and a half years, Qi Refining Level 4. Lin Xuan's fingers tapped the tabletop unconsciously. What did this speed mean for a Disciple with Low Grade Lightning Spiritual Root, whose Aptitude was universally acknowledged as poor?

He recalled the sporadic discussions he had heard in the Dharma Transmission Pavilion, the General Affairs Hall, and the market. For an ordinary Disciple with Low Grade Spiritual Root, with decent resources, it took on average six to eight years from joining to Qi Refining Level 4. Medium Grade Spiritual Root took four to six years. High Grade Spiritual Root took two to four years. As for Earthly Spiritual Root and Heavenly Spiritual Root... those were extremely rare, and while their early advantages were obvious, their true advantage of having no Bottlenecks would only fully manifest at the Foundation Establishment or even Golden Core stage.

And him, a Low Grade Lightning Spiritual Root, reaching Level 4 in three and a half years? This was no longer just decent; it was abnormal, it was astonishing.

"A tall tree attracts the wind..." Lin Xuan whispered these four words. A chill rose from the bottom of his heart.

The Sanyang Sect was not monolithic. There was competition between peaks, and grudges between Disciples. Externally, the Xuanyin Sect was eyeing them covetously, and border conflicts were constant. In such an environment, what would a Disciple with poor Aptitude who displayed an unreasonable cultivation speed attract? Curiosity? Spying? Jealousy? Or... more direct disaster?

Those high and mighty Foundation Establishment Cultivators and Golden Core Elders might not care about the minor anomaly of a Qi Refinement Stage Disciple. But what about Disciples of the same rank? What about those "old Disciples" who had been stuck at a Bottleneck for years without progress? What about those narrow-minded "Geniuses" who could not bear to see others do well?

An innocent man is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime. The "treasure" he possessed was not just the spirit control tower. He had to find a way to cover it up.

Lin Xuan immediately got up and headed to the Dharma Transmission Pavilion again. Inside the Dharma Transmission Pavilion, the One-armed Elder was still curled up in the bamboo chair, seemingly never waking up.

"Senior, this Disciple wishes to consult cultivation techniques related to Qi concealment and hiding," Lin Xuan said respectfully.

The old man raised his eyelids and pointed to the bookshelf on the side: "Look at the catalog yourself. Come find me when you have chosen what to exchange for."

Lin Xuan walked to the row of bookshelves. Dozens of Jade Slips were displayed, each with a short introductory jade tablet next to it. He skipped those ordinary Qi concealment techniques of First Order Low Grade and Medium Grade—those could only fool those of the same rank and were as good as useless in the eyes of Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

His gaze lingered on a few Second Order techniques. "Illusion Breath Formula": Can simulate aura not higher than three levels of one's own cultivation, but consumes a lot of Divine Sense and does not last long. Exchange requires 800 contribution points. "Hidden Dragon Formula": Good at completely concealing aura and blending into the environment, but has significant restrictions on movement and spellcasting. Exchange requires 900 contribution points.

Finally, his gaze locked onto a dark gray Jade Slip. The introductory jade tablet next to it read: "Origin Returning Qi Concealment Formula, Second Order Medium Grade technique. This technique has a lofty intention, aiming to return to simplicity and truth, returning one's aura to a state of primal Chaos, not just simple concealment. When cultivated to Major Achievement, one can hide three levels of cultivation during the Qi Refinement Stage, making it difficult for Early Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivators to see through; if only hiding one small Realm, even Late Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivators will find it hard to detect. Note: Cultivation requires extremely strong control over one's own Spiritual Qi, and a stable Heart-Nature. Exchange requires 1,200 contribution points."

1,200 contribution points! Lin Xuan's eye twitched. This price exceeded even the cost of a High Grade Magical Artifact! The Medium Grade Magical Artifact startling thunder whip he was currently using only cost 200 points. But this was exactly what he needed! It was not just for hiding his cultivation, but for preparing for the higher-level Cultivators he might face in the future.

He silently noted down the name of the technique and the exchange requirements, bowed to the old man, and turned to leave. When he walked out of the Dharma Transmission Pavilion, it was already dusk. The winter sunset was pale and weak, and a cold wind blew by, sweeping up the withered leaves on the ground.

Lin Xuan walked on the road back to Emerald Bamboo Peak, weighing his options repeatedly. He had just invested a huge sum in spirit plants, and his contribution point balance was only 500 left. The thunder essence fruit tree required long-term investment, and daily cultivation, Body Refining, talisman making, and Spirit Beast feeding... everything required money. And the "Origin Returning Qi Concealment Formula" required 1,200 points.

But he did not hesitate for too long. "I must buy it," he told himself. "Before I save enough contribution points to exchange for it, I must be even more low-key. I must buy it within a year."

Night fell, inside the Spirit-Taming Tower Space. The newly transplanted thunder-pattern grass seeds were already asleep in the soil, the thunder spirit flower seedlings stretched their silver-edged leaves, and the location of the shocking thunder flower seeds was silent.

And in the very center of the spirit field, that one-foot-tall thunder essence fruit tree seedling, in the faint light cast by the thunder-attracting vine, had electric sparks on its leaves flickering like breathing.

Lin Xuan stood by the spirit field, looking at this "industry" that was beginning to take shape, and then thought of the "Origin Returning Qi Concealment Formula" priced at 1,200 contribution points. The path of immortal cultivation truly required resources at every step. Without resources, one cannot move an inch; with resources, one must be constantly vigilant of the crime of possessing a treasure.

He took a deep breath, and the dense Thunder Spiritual Energy in the space poured into his lungs. His eyes, however, became increasingly clear and firm. First, let this spirit field take root and sprout, producing the first batch of revenue. Then, save up those 1,200 points as soon as possible. Only by hiding himself well could he go further.