Dashing Student

A’Yin had a kind heart and was quite simple. She quickly became close with Priest Chang, calling each other sisters, to the point where they almost seemed to wear the same pants.

Chen Nan also learned about Priest Chang through A’Yin’s stories.

Priest Chang hailed from Xiu Yun Village, an average-sized village. Her real name was Chang Qing, and she was one of three priests in the village, though she was the weakest among them.

Xiu Yun Village was considered one of the top mid-sized villages, with a large population and a high proportion of cultivators. However, because it lacked any Nascent Soul Stage cultivators, it could not be considered a large village.

In the Heavenly Border, there were only three large villages, each possessing Nascent Soul Stage veterans as their guardians.

Chang Qing was being hunted because she discovered a secret, but she did not disclose what the secret was to A’Yin, maintaining an air of mystery.

The people pursuing her were notorious evil cultivators from the Heavenly Border, brought together for unknown reasons.

Chen Nan didn’t pay much attention to these matters; he merely returned to his small room to quietly cultivate.

This time, he first took out the spiritual object he obtained earlier, the "Earth."

When he first arrived in the Heavenly Border, he was severely injured and focused on healing. Now, most of his injuries had healed, except for the Power of Laws within him.

Aside from needing to suppress it using mana and gradually wear it away, all that was left was cultivation.

This was a slow and meticulous process, and even if Chen Nan was anxious, it was to no avail.

When cultivating, although he could sense that possessing multiple spirit roots made his cultivation much more effective than before, he couldn’t feel any advancement or improvement.

After all, his cultivation was suppressed to the Third Level of Foundation Establishment by the Power of Laws. Only when cultivating the "Heavenly Fox Form" could he feel a gradual improvement in his physique.

"After using up so many spirit stones, I still don’t know how far my cultivation has progressed."

The room echoed Chen Nan’s sigh as he touched his now deflated storage bag and shook his head.

In the Ancient Realm Secret Realm, he had slaughtered many, collecting numerous storage bags, and having killed Wang Teng, Chen Nan amassed considerable wealth—over a million in spirit stones alone.

However, after cultivating the "Devouring Spirit Technique," his spirit roots increased, and his absorption of spiritual energy and speed multiplied, leading to a multiplied consumption of elixir pills and spirit stones.

Chen Nan spent about a month in Moon Tower Dong Village, yet he had already consumed half of his spirit stones!

Fifty thousand low-grade spirit stones could directly advance a Foundation Establishment Cultivator to the Golden Core Stage, yet it was merely a month’s expenditure for Chen Nan.

Calling Chen Nan a money-devouring monster wouldn’t be an exaggeration at this point.

Chen Nan was mindful of dangers amid stability. Although he still had tens of thousands of spirit stones left, they wouldn’t last long, worrying him considerably.

He couldn’t stop cultivating, and thus the resource supply couldn’t be cut off.

After contemplating his worries for a long time, Chen Nan took out the Earth from his storage bag.

"I didn’t have time to absorb it earlier. Now I can give it a try."

Chen Nan muttered to himself, placing the Earth in his palm and subtly activating the "Devouring Spirit Technique," gradually devouring and assimilating it.

Running the "Devouring Spirit Technique" required a significant amount of mana, and even though Chen Nan’s mana was richer than ordinary cultivators, it was only at the Third Layer of Foundation Establishment.

Therefore, in order to successfully refine the Earth into an Earth Spirit Root, he needed the assistance of elixir pills and spirit stones.

Feeling the mana within him being rapidly consumed, Chen Nan took out a "Replenishing Essence Pill" and swallowed it, quickly restoring his mana.

However, it still couldn’t keep up with the rate of consumption.

Thus, he could only take out a large number of spirit stones and absorb the spiritual energy within them at an incredible speed.

This process lasted for several hours, consuming thousands of spirit stones.

Finally, at the location of the spirit root, a soil-colored leaf quietly grew atop the Heaven-Reaching Wood seedling, which also became more robust.

The Heaven-Reaching Wood originated from the Wood Spirit Root. Therefore, as the number of spirit roots increased, the Heaven-Reaching Wood would continue to grow.

As Chen Nan’s cultivation improved, the Heaven-Reaching Wood would also mature.

Perhaps one day, it might even grow into the legendary Heaven-Reaching Wood.

Chen Nan slowly opened his eyes, reached out ahead, and with a gentle point, the ground suddenly rose, forming a mound that gradually solidified and eventually compressed into a sharp earthen spike.

He grasped the earthen spike with his hand, using all his strength to break it—an indication of its sturdiness.

Then he stood up, and the surrounding soil instantly formed a layer of "Rock Armor" on his body, offering considerable defense.

Next, Chen Nan used the Earth Spirit Root to conjure a shield, alter terrain, and even bring down rocks and cause the earth to fracture.

These abilities were possible for Chen Nan after possessing the Earth Spirit Root.

The Earth Spirit Root was robust and stable. After acquiring it, Chen Nan felt a connection to the ground beneath his feet.

As long as his feet touched the ground, he could gain the power of the earth, and even his recovery ability improved.

"Not bad, not bad, the thousands of spirit stones weren’t wasted."

Chen Nan smiled slightly, very pleased with the Earth Spirit Root.

Of course, the spells one could cast at the Foundation Establishment Stage were inherently limited in power. Only upon reaching the Golden Core Stage, when using a Golden Core to leverage the power of the heavens and earth, could the full potential of the Earth Spirit Root be unlocked.

And only then could he truly harness the power of the earth.

"Now, I am just one Water Spirit Root away from completing the Five Elements Spirit Roots."

Chen Nan gazed out the window, his expression deep, pondering where to find a Water Element Spirit Object, and it had to be of high grade.

For the Fire Spirit Root, Chen Nan integrated Heaven-Burning Flame and Mo Ying Flame; the Earth Spirit Root was formed from Earth; the Wood Spirit Root integrated the "Heaven-Reaching Wood" and Jian Mu; the Metal Spirit Root formed from the Void Breaking Sword, containing dozens of precious spiritual materials.

Therefore, whatever water element spiritual object he used to form the Water Spirit Root couldn’t be of inferior quality.

"I wonder if the Heavenly Border has any; perhaps I should ask A’Yin... no, I should ask Chang Qing."

After all, A’Yin is still young, while Chang Qing is a priest in a medium-sized village and likely knows more than A’Yin.

Just thinking about asking Chang Qing gave Chen Nan a headache.

This shrew was truly unreasonable!

After thinking long and hard, Chen Nan finally walked outside, preparing to ask. As soon as he stepped out, he happened to encounter A’Yin and Chang Qing walking arm in arm.

With Chen Nan, an expert healer, and the spiritual medicine already stored in Moon Tower Dong Village and Huotang Village, Chang Qing’s recovery was swift.

Now she could stroll around the village with A’Yin.

"Well, isn’t this the muddle-headed one? How did you manage to come out? I thought you had already stunk up your little house!"

Upon seeing Chen Nan, Chang Qing quipped snidely while incessantly rolling her eyes.

Chen Nan took a couple of deep breaths, reciting in his heart not to bicker with women.

"Hey wolf in sheep’s clothing, I want to ask you something."

"Who are you calling a wolf in sheep’s clothing!" Chang Qing flared up immediately, furiously shouting, "Do you believe I won’t tear that mouth of yours apart?"