âHoo!â
Jiang Chenâs eyes opened again after two days of meditation. Breaking through to the eighth level had caused more dao inspiration to spring forth from within, ideas gushing forth like a newly excavated spring.
The benefits of refining the Fire Raven King core were becoming more apparent day by day.
âTo think that the benefits of the Fire Raven King core would be thus. At this rate, if I continue to stay in the sky quadrant, I could likely make for the ninth level spirit realm after three months.â
Jiang Chen could clearly feel that his spirit ocean had an abundance of spirit power thanks to the boundless source of energy from the Raven King core.
âMm, this is the path of martial dao that I, Jiang Chen, wish for. This is the exciting life of martial dao!â Jiang Chen was in extremely good spirits when he sensed the vibrant spirit power in his mind.
âHowever, Iâve been away for too long. I wonder how the outside world has changed? The Purple Sun Sect will not rest after Iâve slaughtered Long Juxue. Although, if they vent their rage on my people, thereâll be no safe harbor for them to take shelter in the vast Skylaurel Kingdom.â
Jiang Chenâs heart lay with his people. He felt that although the Eternal Spirit Mountain was extremely suitable for cultivation, he would still leave resolutely.
Otherwise, having worries constantly circle him would cause his state of mind to be in disarray. This would be a disadvantageous impact to his cultivation.
âIâm now at eighth level spirit realm, and only one step away from ninth level. Once I reach the ninth level, Iâll be able to do as I will in the sixteen kingdoms, barring interference from the forefathers. But even in the eighth, I have no need to fear when faced with those in the ninth level. Iâll be able to put up a fight even against a spirit king.â
Jiang Chenâs continuous breakthroughs had also raised his confidence.
As his cultivation level rose and he mastered all of the forms of the âVast Ocean Current Splitterâ, he began to develop the technique to a higher level, utilizing mysteries not found in the original method.
His comprehension of the dao of the sword had surpassed that of when he killed Long Juxue.
Heâd also long since completed the nine cycles of blooming and wilting of the âDivine Aeons Fistâ. The strongest aspect of this technique lay in its ability of rebirth.
The mysteries within the âDivine Aeons Fistâ meant that when Jiang Chen practiced other techniques, he would be able to naturally assimilate various techniques, allowing them to reach unthinkable heights.
Jiang Chen was also well versed in the four great arts of the âMoonshatter Flying Daggersâ now. Add the throwing daggers forged from the Raven Kingâs tail feathers, and it was like giving wings to a tiger.
The most critical thing was that as the four divine arts of the âMoonshatter Flying Daggersâ continued to improve, the power of this technique would continue to increase as well.
Godâs Eye, Ear of the Zephyr, Boulderâs Heart, and Psychicâs Head all continued to improve as Jiang Chen broke through.
His trump card, the Bewitching Lotus of Fire and Ice could now control forty nine vines at any given time.
The abilities of the Lotus were dependent on his cultivation level.
The stronger his body and spirit ocean were, the stronger the Lotus was as well.
This meant that the Lotus was also continuously evolving and improving.
It was a heavenly treasure to begin with, but its current form was still a far cry from its peak condition.
Jiang Chen was well aware of this, so he cared deeply about the Lotusâ evolution.
âItâs a pity that I could not refine Long Juxue that day in the ring. If I couldâve taken Long Juxueâs innate constitution, the Lotus wouldâve risen by more than just one level.â
Although Jiang Chen felt vaguely regretful, he didnât mind it terribly. There would be many more opportunities like these in the future.
Apart from the Lotus, the magnetic golden mountain was also a great treasure trove.
Ever since entering the sky spirit realm, Jiang Chenâs control over the magnetic power had grown more and more refined. He could easily deploy a magnetic force field now, but he was still a ways off from a magnetic storm.
âIf I could form a magnetic storm, I would be able to fight even if I met the forefathers. At the very least I will have confidence in escaping if I canât hold my own in battle.â
Even though he was still a ways off from generating the magnetic storm, heâd already started practicing the Evil Golden Eye.
The beam of light that had shot out from the evil eye on the magnetic golden mountain had left a deep impression on Jiang Chen.
This art was more useful than any hidden weapon. With a single glare, all enemies would be frozen by the immense magnetic power before theyâd had time to react. How domineering of this art!
Therefore, Jiang Chen spent the majority of his time in recent days practicing this art.
It was a difficult matter to train the Evil Golden Eye. It was a good thing that Jiang Chen had practiced Godâs Eye, and had a firm foundation in the arts that made use of his eyes.
He used the metal essence power everyday to forge and temper his aura.
The Evil Golden Eye wasnât just an art of the eyes, but one of the strength of heart as well. It combined the metal essence power with strength of heart to create an enormous power that froze oneâs soul and consciousness in an instant, then used the metal essence power alone to spontaneously petrify them.
To Jiang Chen, this Evil Golden Eye art was basically a divine art that was tailored for him.
He possessed everything needed to train in it, and possessed them in spades.
Having cultivated Godâs Eye, his eye arts were far in excess of his peers.
Thanks to Boulderâs Heart, his strength of heart was so strong that even the origin realm forefathers stood in admiration.
His source of metal essence power would never be exhausted thanks to the magnetic golden mountain. Add Jiang Chenâs daily refining of the elemental energy into himself to temper his body and train the Nine Transformations of Demons and Gods, he had no shortage of metal essence power.
He possessed all three requirements in abundance.
Therefore, Jiang Chen quickly picked up the Evil Golden Eye. Thanks to his foundation in eye arts, he encountered a lot less trouble and pain in the course of his training.
With his immense strength of heart and comprehension skills, he actually achieved quite a breakthrough with the Evil Golden Eye over these months. Although it paled in comparison to that employed by the enormous sculpture on the mountain, Jiang Chen still possessed roughly thirty percent of the sculptureâs power.
âHmm, if Iâm ever able to deploy fifty percent of the sculptureâs power, then Iâll be able to instantly annihilate those on the same level as me. If I possess seventy percent of its power, then Iâll be able to distract even spirit kings. If I can harness a hundred percent of its power, then Iâll have hope to challenge even the origin realm forefathers. If I surpass it... then I will have full confidence when facing origin realm cultivators.â
Jiang Chen was well aware that there was no limit to the Evil Golden Eyeâs aura, just like that one beam of strength from the enormous sculpture hadnât been its ultimate blow.
How strong the Evil Golden Eye was, was entirely dependent on the cultivator.
If Jiang Chen made it into the origin realm, he would still be able to easily smash his peersâ faces in when he deployed the Evil Golden Eye.
He finally set foot out of the door after heâd resolidified his grasp over all his techniques. He was in a great mood as he breathed in the unique air of the sky quadrant.
I wonder how Miss Huangâer has been in my days of closed door cultivation?
Jiang Chen hadnât forgotten his responsibilities as he pushed through the door and walked towards Huangâer and Elder Shunâs residences.
âWhat? You want to leave?â
Jiang Chen raised his desire to leave when he saw that Huangâerâs condition had stabilized. Elder Shun was slightly surprised when he heard this.
Jiang Chen nodded affirmatively. âIâve been away too long and some matters in the secular world still weigh on my mind. I might as well go back and take a look instead of being constantly uneasy. It would be difficult for me to progress in my cultivation here in this way.â
If oneâs mind was uneasy during cultivation, it would be very easy to give rise to internal demons.
Elder Shun was silent for a moment and nodded lightly, asking, âDo you plan to return to the Precious Tree Sect then?â
âYes, since Iâve chosen them, I need to give them an answer as well. Now that crisis is rearing its head in the sixteen kingdom alliance and the situation is changing rapidly, it would be a pity to miss it all.â
Jiang Chen didnât become arrogant even though his cultivation level had kept increasing. His feet remained firmly planted on the ground.
When he thought about how the sixteen kingdom alliance was just a small corner of the world, the joy that heâd felt in defeating Long Juxue seemed to be minuscule in comparison.
Killing Long Juxue was just the finishing touch on their grudge, it was nothing to be happy about. The true challenges were just about to begin.
He didnât have the ambition to soar to the skies in a single leap, but wanted to do things slowly but surely.
Elder Shun had an obvious admiration of Jiang Chenâs attitude. This young man was neither cocky nor hasty, and didnât consider himself as having rendered a great service after diagnosing Huangâer. Jiang Chen never put forth a variety of requests or wanted to learn of any gossip from him either.
Neither arrogant upon victory, nor dejected upon defeat, he didnât reach for anything beyond his grasp and wasnât self complacent.
âThatâs alright, itâs time to leave anyways. In that case, I will need to trouble you for Huangâerâs ailment. I can search for the Requiem Wood, however, Huangâer is sick and thus unsuitable to accompany my travels. I am also helpless when her symptoms flare up. Would it be an intrusion to give Huangâer over to little brother Jiangâs care?â
Elder Shun had actually chosen his words carefully, since he had given this idea careful consideration.
He wanted to leave and seek the Requiem Wood.
However, he hadnât been able to bear leaving Huangâer and fretted over her.
After a few months, Elder Shun finally convinced himself that Jiang Chen was a dependable man before speaking these words.
Jiang Chen looked at Huangâer. She happened to be looking at him as well. Her gaze was noncommittal and leisurely, but he understood the meaning in her eyes.
Even if he declined this request, she would understand and wouldnât blame him in the least.
However, since he had made his diagnosis, Jiang Chen had made up his mind to see things through the end. He knew that the Requiem Wood must be located. Since Elder Shun had made this request of him, his sense of honor made it impossible for him to refuse.
After all, it was only natural for him to do so after his life had been saved twice.
âAs long as Miss Huangâer doesnât think I am crude and base, I am happy to take care of you. Miss Huangâer herself is very intelligent, so thereâs not much for me to worry about at all.
Jiang Chenâs words meant that he was agreeing to Elder Shun.
Elder Shun was delighted by these words. Heâd been afraid that Jiang Chen would refuse.
When Huangâer heard the tone of acceptance in Jiang Chenâs words, an odd light flashed through her eyes as well. Her heart trembled as a trace of being touched flashed through her heart.
She had disguised herself with such ugly features because sheâd wanted to test this secular youthâs character.
When she saw that he didnât have the slightest aversion to her ugly face, she was certain that Jiang Chen was a true gentleman.
However, Elder Shunâs departure slightly saddened her. After so long, sheâd grown used to their mutual reliance.
Even though she knew that his sudden farewell was for her ailment, she still felt a bit lost in that moment.