349: Top-grade spiritual stone, middle stage of golden elixir!

Chapter 346: Top-Grade Spirit Stone, Golden Core Mid-Stage!

Inside the Law Enforcement Hall of the Canglan Heavenly Mansion Sect.

“Excellent, Steward Lu has truly brought honor to our Law Enforcement Hall this time.”

A deep, resonant voice came from the main seat of the hall. An old man with silver hair cascading over the back of a dark iron chair half-closed his eyes, his withered fingers lightly tapping the armrest.

As one of the three Deputy Hall Masters of the Law Enforcement Hall, the mere oppressive Aura emanating from this Golden Core initial-stage Cultivator caused cold sweat to break out on the forehead of the reporting Law Enforcement Disciple.

“Reporting, Deputy Hall Master, that little girl from Huaqing City possesses a mutated ice-attribute Spiritual Root. She is practically a cultivation prodigy tailor-made for our Sect’s Canghai Bibo Technique.”

Before the Law Enforcement Hall Disciple finished speaking, the old man suddenly opened his eyes, a glint of sharp light flashing in his turbid pupils.

“Ice-attribute Spiritual Root, Transmission of Skills Hall…” The old man stroked the armrest of his seat.

“That one has extremely high standards and likely set his sights on this promising talent long ago.”

He sighed heavily, his sleeve sweeping a Jade Slip off the table. “If she could be brought into the Law Enforcement Hall, she would surely become a sharp blade for the Law Enforcement Hall in the future.”

“What a pity, what a pity…”

In a corner of the Law Enforcement Hall, towering clusters of steward palaces stood scattered.

Layers of grey-blue eaves overlapped, and the small green spiritual cauldrons hanging from the eaves jingled in the strong winds.

In the center of the palace complex, a magnificent Law Enforcement Hall stood out from the rest.

Vermilion pillars were carved with ferocious thunder-dragons, and the glazed tiles gleamed with a cold luster under the sunlight.

This was precisely the residence of Lu Yun, the original body’s chief steward of the Law Enforcement Hall.

Deep within the palace, Lu Xuan sat cross-legged on a futon in the center of the palace, his fingertips unconsciously caressing the Jade Slip on the table.

He had originally thought the rewards for the mission seven days ago, which involved escorting cultivation prodigies, would be settled a month later.

Unexpectedly, the communication Jade Slip from the Treasure Pavilion Hall suddenly vibrated, and two inner Disciples from the Mission Hall respectfully entered the hall, holding a jade box.

Inside the box lay a Top-Grade Spirit Stone the size of a pigeon’s egg, its circulating spiritual charm stirring a subtle spiritual energy vortex within the hall.

“It actually rewarded a Top-Grade Spirit Stone!”

Lu Xuan murmured softly, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

In the original body’s memory, Top-Grade Spirit Stones were extremely important hard currency in the cultivation world, and even a crucial aid for breaking through to the Golden Core Realm.

It was said that Top-Grade Spirit Stones contained a trace of incredible Heavenly Spiritual Objects.

They could grant Cultivators at the Foundation Establishment Stage a tiny, almost imperceptible opportunity, thereby increasing the chances of breaking through to the Golden Core Realm.

Even if that chance was far less than one-tenth, it was still a goal countless Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivators yearned for.

Even with the original body’s status as the chief steward of the Law Enforcement Hall, he was not qualified to touch such a rare item as a Top-Grade Spirit Stone.

According to the rules within the Canglan Heavenly Mansion Sect, only Elders at the Golden Core Realm were qualified to receive Top-Grade Spirit Stones.

Moreover, they could only receive one Top-Grade Spirit Stone per year.

Even Golden Core Realm Elders within the Sect found it so difficult to obtain a single Top-Grade Spirit Stone.

Not to mention Lu Xuan, who was merely a Foundation Establishment Stage steward.

It seemed that the Sect’s high-ranking officials were very pleased with the female prodigy with the superior ice Spiritual Root.

Therefore, they made an exception and bestowed a Top-Grade Spirit Stone upon Lu Xuan.

Lu Xuan’s fingertips lightly touched the surface of the Spirit Stone, and a cool sensation spread through his spiritual meridians.

He could feel the immense spiritual energy contained within it resonating with his Physical Body.

But Lu Xuan did not revel in the joy for too long.

Seven days ago, after he had just returned to the Sect,

Lu Xuan had completely used up all the mission points accumulated by the original body.

In exchange, he obtained three profound-grade Heavenly Spiritual Objects wrapped in spiritual light: a millennium cold marrow with frost flowers condensed on its surface,

a dragon blood ganoderma shimmering with golden light,

and a jade marrow fruit with peculiar patterns.

These three profound-grade Heavenly Spiritual Objects brought Lu Yun a total of 12,000 System points.

Because each spiritual object varied in age, the System points obtained from refining them also had slight differences.

Coincidentally, adding the remaining 300 System points from before, the total was 12,300 points.

Subsequently, Lu Xuan directly consumed 10,000 System points to advance the Canghai Bibo Technique to the fifth layer.

His Golden Core initial-stage, which he had just entered, instantly broke through to the Golden Core mid-stage Realm.

Host: Hongchen Immortal Lu Xuan (Second Life)

Realm: Golden Core (Mid-Stage)

Cultivation Method: Canghai Bibo Technique 5/9

Points: 2300

“Top-Grade Spirit Stone… I hope it’s useful.”

Lu Xuan looked at the Top-Grade Spirit Stone in his hand, which was so pure it contained no Impurities.

Previously, Lu Xuan had tried both mid-grade and Low-Grade Spirit Stones.

He eventually discovered that the System simply couldn’t refine them into the points Lu Xuan needed.

Only this Top-Grade Spirit Stone remained untried.

Thinking this, Lu Xuan’s fingertips suddenly tightened, and the Top-Grade Spirit Stone sank into the hollow of his palm.

In an instant, the spiritual energy within Lu Xuan’s body erupted like a volcano, blue spiritual tides surged from his palm, enveloping the Spirit Stone in a dazzling light cocoon.

Amidst the crisp sound of stone meeting metal, the spiritual energy cloud patterns on the Spirit Stone’s surface began to crack inch by inch, and the blue light flickered erratically.

As the spiritual energy vortex spun faster and faster, the Top-Grade Spirit Stone’s luster visibly dimmed, and its surface gradually turned frosty white.

When the last wisp of spiritual light was drawn away, fine ice crystals exploded in Lu Xuan’s palm.

The Top-Grade Spirit Stone turned into dust and dissipated with the wind, leaving only a faint spiritual Aura lingering at his fingertips.

Host: Hongchen Immortal Lu Xuan (Second Life)

Realm: Golden Core (Mid-Stage)

Cultivation Method: Canghai Bibo Technique 5/9

Points: 22300

The change in System points made Lu Xuan’s eyes light up.

Twenty thousand System points.

The System could actually refine Top-Grade Spirit Stones into points.

Moreover, one Top-Grade Spirit Stone could provide twenty thousand System points.

This was equivalent to about six profound-grade Heavenly Spiritual Objects.

“Top-Grade Spirit Stone…”

Only now did Lu Xuan finally find something that could provide System points.

Top-Grade Spirit Stones, profound-grade Heavenly Spiritual Objects, or even earth-grade Heavenly Spiritual Objects and heaven-grade spiritual objects above profound-grade.

Next, he needed to figure out how to quickly acquire these items and then conclude this life’s Red Dust Immortal trial.

“Hmm?”

Just as Lu Xuan gathered the last trace of spiritual energy into his Golden Core, he suddenly felt a metallic tremor from above his head.

He abruptly looked up, and with a sweep of his dark-colored wide sleeve, the nine spiritual crystals floating above illuminated the hall even brighter.

In the center of the hall’s dome, a pigeon-egg-sized deep blue Spirit Stone was embedded.

The spiritual patterns carved on its surface flickered at an astonishing frequency—this was the unique communication signal of the Law Enforcement Main Hall.

This communication Spirit Stone glowed with the luster of cold jade, and the circulating runes emitted a mysterious, faint light.

As a confidential communication item of the Law Enforcement Hall, only the Law Enforcement Hall Master and the three Deputy Hall Masters could activate it,

and the recipient must be one of the fifteen stewards of the Law Enforcement Hall.

“The Hall Master personally summoned me?” Lu Xuan’s pupils constricted slightly, and he murmured softly.

According to the original body’s memories,

This Law Enforcement Hall Master was one of the Canglan Heavenly Mansion Sect’s top-tier powerhouses.

His Golden Core Realm complete-stage strength allowed him to rank among the top ten in the Canglan Heavenly Mansion Sect.

“It seems something important has happened.”

For the Law Enforcement Hall Master to personally summon him was an unprecedented event.

Suddenly, a clear sword cry echoed through the hall, and the Clear Water Sword shot out from its scabbard, its blade rippling with a deep blue light.

Immediately after, the Formation outside the palace gate rapidly disappeared, and the hall doors slowly opened.

Lu Xuan lightly tapped his toes, his robes billowing like ink-colored flowing clouds, and landed steadily on the sword blade.

The blue spiritual light beneath his feet wound and flowed along the sword’s spine, casting subtle ripples on the ground.

He deliberately suppressed his Aura, keeping his cultivation fluctuations at the Foundation Establishment Stage complete-stage level.

Lu Xuan did not choose to fly through the air using his Golden Core Realm cultivation, but instead opted for sword flight, typical of the Foundation Establishment Stage.

The matter of his Breakthrough to the Golden Core Realm must not be exposed for another month.

Otherwise, it was highly likely to attract unnecessary trouble.

As he passed through layers of clouds and mist, Lu Xuan gazed at the surging blue glow in the direction of the Law Enforcement Main Hall.

If he were to fly through the air now, he would arrive in an instant, but the unique oppressive Aura of a Golden Core Cultivator would surely be detected by that Hall Master Elder.

Amidst the clouds, Lu Xuan’s figure gradually transformed into a faint blue light.

Inside the main hall, a mysterious and solemn Aura permeated, and the glazed dome reflected fragmented halos, rendering the inner hall in shifting light and shadow.

Lu Xuan had just stepped into the outer corridor of the main hall, not yet reaching the threshold of the core inner hall,

when a fierce, chaotic clamor, like surging waves, washed over him.

The sound carried undisguised anger, and upon closer distinction, it was a string of curses.

“That bastard Liu Xing!”

A furious roar, like a clap of thunder, exploded. “He actually incited the Sect Master to throw this extremely troublesome mission to us!”

Immediately after, another old but resentful voice sounded: “It’s clearly their own fault, why should our Law Enforcement Hall clean up their mess?”

“Isn’t this going too far!”

Before the words fell, another heavy slap on a table was heard, accompanied by an exasperated “This old man is furious,” which made the surrounding air tremble slightly.

At this moment, a slightly calmer but still dissatisfied voice interjected: “Hall Master, to be honest, you should have firmly refused this troublesome matter at the time.”

After a pause, the person’s tone became even more solemn, “Even if we put in our utmost effort and succeed, we will still have difficulty explaining ourselves to Elder Feng.”

“After all, this mission is highly related to his old man’s great-granddaughter.”

“Any slight mishap will surely incur Elder Feng’s displeasure.”

“But if we fail, the reputation our Law Enforcement Hall has accumulated over the years will be instantly ruined.”

“At that time, we will lose face throughout the Sect and will no longer be able to hold our heads high!”

Lu Xuan followed the sound and entered, his eyes met by the sight of four old men suspended in the void.

The three Deputy Hall Masters were red-faced, speaking over each other, incessantly pestering the old man in front who was meditating with closed eyes.

Their brows were tightly furrowed, their eyes filled with anxiety and dissatisfaction, and their waving arms and rapid speech fully revealed their inner indignation.

If any uninformed Sect Disciple were to accidentally witness this scene, they might mistakenly believe that the three Deputy Hall Masters had harbored rebellious intentions and were openly defying the Hall Master.

“Disciple Lu Xuan, Steward of the Law Enforcement Hall, greets the Hall Master and the three Deputy Hall Masters!”

“Enough.”

The Hall Master finally slowly opened his eyes, his voice deep but carrying an undeniable authority that brought the agitated discussions to an abrupt halt.

His gaze swept over the tense faces of the three Deputy Hall Masters, and his tone was unhurried.

“Since the Sect Master has made arrangements, we, the Law Enforcement Hall, as the pillar of the Sect’s discipline, shall wholeheartedly carry out the mission.”

With a slight movement of his robe, the Hall Master condensed a wisp of blue profound light at his fingertips, outlining the territorial boundaries of the Canglan Dynasty in the air.

“Do not forget, though the Canglan Dynasty is a mortal kingdom, it is also one of our Sect’s Foundations in the Mortal World.”

“Its emperor, Cang Mingtian, is even a nominal Deputy Hall Master of our Sect’s Foreign Affairs Hall, overseeing the Dynasty’s operations on behalf of the Sect.”

“Now that he and Wind Yao have fled, how can the Law Enforcement Hall stand idly by?”

Before the words fell, the gazes of the three Deputy Hall Masters involuntarily drifted downwards.

Lu Xuan had, at some point, quietly stood in the shadows of the hall.

The Hall Master seemed to see through everyone’s thoughts and deliberately raised his voice: “However, this matter must not be publicized.”

“Wind Yao has a protective divine read from Elder Feng within her, which will be triggered if there is any slight carelessness.”

As he spoke, an ancient spiritual seal lit up in his palm, its circulating spiritual energy flowing like a river of stars.

“Fortunately, the Sect Master has consulted Elder Feng and also entrusted the tracking spiritual seal to me.”

“Based on the spiritual energy fluctuations within Wind Yao, Wind Yao and Cang Mingtian should have fled to the Southern Domain’s Flowing Flame Valley.”

The Hall Master’s spiritual energy rippled slightly around him, and he said with a solemn expression: “The Flowing Flame Valley has long-standing grievances with our Sect.”

“This pursuit can only involve Sect Disciples below the Golden Core Realm.”

“If the Flowing Flame Valley detects Golden Core Cultivators entering their territory, they will surely view it as a provocation.”

“At that time, if the war between the two Sects reignites, the situation will likely become uncontrollable.”

As his voice faded, the Hall Master’s gaze directly landed on Lu Xuan, and he asked, word by word: “Lu Xuan, did you hear clearly?”

Without waiting for Lu Xuan’s reply, the Hall Master continued speaking to himself: “Cang Mingtian is at the Foundation Establishment Stage Late Stage cultivation, and Wind Yao is at the Foundation Establishment Stage mid-stage.”

“With your Foundation Establishment Stage complete-stage Realm, capturing them should be no problem.”

Lu Xuan’s eyes narrowed, then he cupped his hands in salute, his voice like a resounding bell: “This Disciple obeys!”

“Good!” The Hall Master nodded, and no sooner had his voice fallen,

A secret message, audible only to Lu Xuan, exploded in his Sea of Consciousness: “Remember, Cang Mingtian must die, and Wind Yao must be captured alive and brought back to the Sect!”

The words were chillingly cold. Before Lu Xuan could ponder them further, an exquisite cloth bag embroidered with cloud patterns, enveloped in spiritual energy, floated before him.

“This is something the Sect Master has bestowed upon you.”

The Hall Master flicked his finger, and a spiritual seal glowing with a deep blue light floated out. “And the spiritual seal to track Wind Yao, I also give it to you.”

“The Flowing Flame Valley is fraught with danger, do not be careless.”

The Canglan Heavenly Mansion Sect Law Enforcement Hall’s pursuit of Wind Yao was inevitable.

The root cause was that she carried the complete cultivation diagram of the Canghai Bibo Technique.

This Sect-founding cultivation method had always been strictly controlled.

Outer Disciples, upon entry, could only learn the basics, mere shallow methods of qi absorption, not even touching the essence of the cultivation method.

Inner Disciples and stewards of various halls, though slightly higher in status, could only Cultivate one-third of the method, touching upon some core principles.

As for Core Disciples and Elders of various halls, even with their high positions in the Sect, they were only allowed to study two-thirds of the content.

The complete version of the Canghai Bibo Technique, however, was the highest secret of the Sect, known only to the three Grand Elders and the Sect Master.

Yet, Elder Feng, out of personal bias, had long ago taught this forbidden secret to Wind Yao.

Now, with Wind Yao fleeing with the Sect’s foundational cultivation diagram, it was undoubtedly a shocking crisis for the Sect.

If left unaddressed, once the complete Canghai Bibo Technique flowed out, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Therefore, Wind Yao faced only two paths: either die outside the Sect, allowing the cultivation method to disappear with her.

Or return alive to the Canglan Heavenly Mansion Sect, and have the secret locked back deep within the Sect.

For the Law Enforcement Hall, the answer was already clear.

If they rashly killed Wind Yao, it might anger Elder Feng.

Therefore, they could only capture Wind Yao alive and bring her back to the Sect, awaiting the Sect Master’s judgment!