Seeking Immortality in a Bizarre World-Chapter 431 - 426: Awakening the Lifebound Spirit Treasure? The Path of Ancient Treasures!_1
The new cave abode was located in the southwest corner of the Eastern District, a remote and uninhabited area. It was too far from the Earth Vein Divine Spring for the Spiritual Energy to be considered rich. The most important thing was to avoid the cave abodes of Refinement Void and Integration cultivators, staying away from so-called ’opportunities’ and trouble. Jia Ren was very satisfied with this area.
The Punishment Peak cultivator inputted the spell into the Identity Token and handed it back with a smile, saying, "From now on, this cave abode belongs to you, Junior Brother."
"You can modify the cave abode, Junior Brother; however, the modified area must not exceed the designated region of the cave."
Jia Ren took the Identity Token and left Punishment Peak, heading southwest. The farther he went, the sparser the ambient Spiritual Energy became. Sparse was relative, of course; it was still far superior to Xiao Mang Mountain and the areas where the Inner Sect Disciples of the Lingbao Sect resided.
A spell was cast into the Token, and a faint light shone from it, flying out a hundred li before stopping. The light screen projected by the Token was large enough to cover an area with a one-li radius. This one-li radius was his designated cave abode territory, within which he could construct buildings and cultivate Spiritual Medicine.
Let’s get to work!
The army of Spirit Insects worked efficiently to dig, and with the help of the Converge Soil into Stone spell, the cave abode preliminarily took shape in less than half a day. Jia Ren’s proficiency in Formations was insufficient, and he lacked the energy to improve it. His level was still at the Third Rank.
There was an easy solution. Stalls in front of the Spirit Law Pavilion sold Array Plates, and some people specifically offered services to set up cave abode Formations. Sect contributions could be exchanged for higher-rank Array Plates, making it easy to find a suitable replacement.
Jia Ren temporarily used a Third Rank Formation as a transition and hurriedly entered the Cultivation Room to retrieve a Jade Slip and study it carefully. The Jade Slip recorded Ancestor Ji Kong’s Ji Kong Palm. He had to master the Divine Skill first and record it on his Proficiency Panel to ensure everything was foolproof.
The Ji Kong Palm, being a top-notch Divine Skill just below a Great Divine Power, was not easy to learn. This was unlike consuming the Corpse-Eating Bizarre Pill, which allowed one to master a deceased person’s Cultivation Technique, secret techniques, and Divine Skills. Once used, such abilities would be permanently recorded on the Proficiency Panel, never to be forgotten. One still had to study the Cultivation Techniques and secret techniques from Jade Slips personally. The higher the grade of the Divine Skill, the more difficult it was to learn. Just reaching an elementary understanding of the Ji Kong Palm would take considerable time.
Still, the Corpse-Eating Bizarre Pill offers a quicker shortcut.
Only a handful of Lingbao Sect cultivators had mastered the Ji Kong Palm. He certainly couldn’t expedite his mastery of the Divine Skill by killing his own Master and senior brothers. This matter had to be taken slowly.
After cultivating for a day, Jia Ren felt a divine sense sweeping over his cave abode. It was unclear whether it was an intentional probe or just someone passing by. Jia Ren, who had not entered the Mountain and Sea Pearl specifically to practice the Ji Kong Palm, couldn’t help but frown. The Bewildering Spirit Bead’s effect was still active, so he didn’t need to worry about being spied upon. He was not completely sure whether it could withstand the probing of Refinement Void and Fusion Ancestors.
Without a high-grade Formation, the cave abode was not safe enough. Any small mistake could expose his secrets. The best approach was to eliminate any potential danger before it could manifest, nipping it in the bud. He had to prepare a high-rank Formation in advance and could not delay any longer.
I’ll make a trip to the Spirit Law Pavilion first.
Just as Jia Ren had this thought, his Identity Token vibrated, and the voice of the Vice Hall Master of the Refining Hall came from within.
"Your artifact refining is haphazard; you haven’t studied at the Refining Palace, leaving your refining skills unstructured."
"Only with a solid foundation can one erect a towering structure. Your future is promising."
"Remember not to be impatient; you must start from the beginning."
"Starting today, you will join the Outer Sect Disciples in the Refining Annex to study the fundamentals of artifact refining."
The Refining Palace was in dire need of Spiritual Treasures and overwhelmed with work. Spirit-level Refiners were going all out, frantically refining Spiritual Treasures. Even so, they could not keep up with the Lingbao Sect’s ever-increasing demand. In such a situation, instead of urging Jia Ren to refine Spiritual Treasures or process Spiritual Materials, the Vice Hall Master of the Refining Hall told him to build a solid foundation. This clearly demonstrated the Vice Hall Master’s high regard for Jia Ren and his expectations for his future. A talent capable of becoming a Heaven-reaching Refiner should not be squandered here. The earlier he built his foundation, the less likely problems would arise, thus avoiding negative impacts on his future.
Artifact refining fundamentals?!
Jia Ren had a strange expression but did not refuse. A solid foundation is essential to build a tall edifice. His refining knowledge was a hodgepodge of techniques gleaned from various Artifact Refiners, each with different interpretations. Although he had forged his own ’path,’ it was imperfect. It lacked comprehensive knowledge and a truly solid foundation. To progress more smoothly and achieve greater heights in the art of refining, systematically learning artifact refining was an indispensable step.
"Thank you for your guidance, Hall Master!"
Aware of the Vice Hall Master’s intention to nurture him, Jia Ren quickly expressed his gratitude.
"Such fine talent should not be buried. Go! A broader future awaits you."
Jia Ren wasted no time and headed straight for the Refining Annex. The Refining Palace was divided into the Inner Hall and Outer Hall; the Annex was merely a designation, still part of the Outer Hall. The Annex nurtured apprentice Artifact Refiners; it was a cradle for new Artificers. Every Artifact Refiner who joined the Refining Palace went through this stage. The Vice Hall Master’s decision to have Jia Ren enter the Refining Annex was a well-intentioned plan; he didn’t want Jia Ren to deviate from the ’rules’ and risk being ostracized.
Upon entering the Annex, Jia Ren saw an old man in a purple Taoist robe with a white-streaked beard standing on a platform at a distance, lecturing the cultivators below. The cultivators seated below were mostly youths, ranging from seventeen to their early twenties. Even the least skilled among them were in the early stage of Foundation Establishment; their talent was astonishing. The Lingbao Sect had raised its standards for accepting disciples. Only those with Top Grade Spiritual Roots and special Spiritual Treasures could join the sect. With such high aptitude and a constant supply of resources, how could their cultivation levels not improve rapidly? This was a stark contrast to Jia Ren, who, possessing only Lower Grade Spiritual Root aptitude, often wished he could split a single Spirit Stone in half to make it last longer.
Their starting points are simply too high!
When the instructor saw Jia Ren’s arrival, he couldn’t help but frown. He had just received news that a transfer cultivator would be joining the annex to learn from the very beginning. What was most vexing was Jia Ren’s identity as a disciple of Ancestor Ji Kong.
"This is the new disciple... ah, Senior Brother, who will be studying with you from now on."
Jia Ren wore a purple Taoist robe, a garment whose wear was a privilege reserved for True Disciples and high-ranking sect members. The sword pattern embroidered on the cuff was particularly eye-catching.
A True Disciple of the Lingbao Sect!
A disciple of the Heterodox Lineage!
Why would a True Disciple come here to learn the basics of artifact refining?!
Shouldn’t a True Disciple of the Heterodox Lineage be battling Demon Cultivators in the War Secret Realm?
The Outer Sect Disciples looked on with curiosity but didn’t dare to ask too much.
"Junior brothers, this Senior Brother will study Artifact Refining with you from now on."
Many Outer Sect Disciples felt somewhat flattered. Only a few among them ever became Inner Sect Disciples, and becoming a True Disciple was a distant goal they all strived for.
Jia Ren found a seat in the back row, took out a mat, sat down, and listened attentively to the lecture.
"The Lingbao Sect relies most heavily on Artifact Refining; it is the very foundation upon which our sect was established."
"Artifact Refining is not only the foundation but also the future of our sect."
"You should all aim to become Heaven-reaching Refiners."
"Today’s lecture will primarily cover the refining of Spiritual Treasures."
Although the instructor delivered the lecture, it was actually prepared specifically for Jia Ren. The other Outer Sect Disciples were merely present to make up the numbers.
"There are several methods for refining Spiritual Treasures, including the Spirit Activation Method, the Demon Soul Refining Method, and the Living Soul Refining Method."
"We have discussed these three methods previously. This time, we will cover the techniques for advancing a Life-bound Magic Treasure to a Spiritual Treasure, as well as the Path of Artifact Fusion pursued by ancient cultivators."
"A Life-bound Magic Treasure can be promoted to a Spiritual Treasure using any of the Spirit Activation, Demon Soul, or Living Soul refining methods. The most widely used is the Demon Soul Refining Method. This involves injecting a Demon Soul into a Life-bound Magic Treasure, making it the treasure’s spiritual nature. This method is the simplest, but its drawback is that the growth potential of the resulting Lifebound Spirit Treasure is limited. The artifact spirit formed by the Demon Soul will restrict the Spiritual Treasure’s ultimate growth."
"The Spirit Activation Method and the Living Soul Refining Method are the Treasure Refining Methods of the Lingbao Sect and the Demonic Sect, respectively. Although the Lingbao Sect is proficient in the latter, it is not advocated and has, in fact, been listed as a forbidden technique."
"The transformation of a Life-bound Magic Treasure into a Spiritual Treasure primarily utilizes the Spirit Activation Method."
"You must prepare core Spiritual Materials for the Spiritual Treasure, incorporating them into your Life-bound Magic Treasure."
"This is a time-consuming and laborious task. However, once you replace the foundation of your Life-bound Magic Treasure and successfully nurture its spiritual nature, your future achievements will far exceed those attainable through the Demon Soul Spirit Method."
Everyone listened quietly, completely captivated by the details of the Lingbao Refinement Method. They hardly dared to breathe, fearing they might miss a single crucial detail.
Was this class prepared by the Vice Hall Master of the Refining Hall for me?
He must be aware that I practice the Heavenly Treasure Spirit Cultivation Technique. Advancing my Life-bound Magic Treasure is crucial, especially before I reach the God Transformation Level.
Considering the level of artifact refining I’ve demonstrated, I’m already qualified to use the Spirit Activation Method to upgrade my Life-bound Magic Treasure to a Lifebound Spirit Treasure.
Learning this in advance will prevent me from taking unnecessary detours.
Although the Demon Soul Spirit Method is a shortcut, it’s not a sustainable long-term solution.
I mustn’t seek quick success and opt for a Demon Soul as the artifact spirit, as that would stifle the Lifebound Spirit Treasure’s growth potential.
My understanding of these matters was far too limited.
If I hadn’t obtained the Heavenly Treasure Spirit Cultivation Technique, I would have probably focused on advancing to the God Transformation Level first, before finding time to upgrade my Life-bound Magic Treasure to a Spiritual Treasure.
The Demon Soul was already prepared; I could have proceeded with the upgrade at any time.
At this moment, I feel incredibly relieved that I didn’t act too hastily.
The Fifth Rank Demon Soul hasn’t lost its usefulness; it can still enhance other Magical Treasures, apart from my Life-bound one.
For instance, the Spiritual Treasures I plan to sell, or those I intend for the Spirit Devouring Treasure Art to absorb.
Jia Ren’s thoughts gradually crystallized, and he gained a much clearer understanding.
This is what a true Master should do! Compared to him, my own Master is... well, best discarded!
For the first time in his life, he seriously entertained the thought of finding a new Master...
If Ancestor Ji Kong knew what Jia Ren was thinking, he would probably already be contemplating expelling him from the sect.
"As for the Soul Refining Method, we won’t discuss it. Such a method harms the balance of nature and is not a practice of the righteous path." Once the instructor got into his stride, he spoke eloquently and at length. He candidly explained the advantages and disadvantages of the various Lingbao Refinement Methods without reservation. Jia Ren benefited immensely from this explanation regarding Lifebound Spirit Treasures, now understanding the path he needed to take.
"Besides upgrading a Life-bound Magic Treasure to a Spiritual Treasure, there is another path."
"It is the path of Ancient Treasures, pursued by ancient cultivators."
"On this path, the Life-bound Magic Treasure relinquishes its spiritual nature, forsaking the innate connection with its cultivator."
"Although it loses its spiritual nature and thus the characteristics of Man-Instrument Unity and Lingbao Protector, there is a significant trade-off: every Life-bound Ancient Treasure possesses power far exceeding that of same-tier Magical Treasures."
"When Ancient Treasures lose their spiritual nature, the connection with the cultivator weakens. However, this brings a distinct advantage: the treasure no longer needs to choose its master."
"Any cultivator who obtains an Ancient Treasure can fully utilize its power, provided their cultivation level is not too low."
"A Life-bound Ancient Treasure can subsequently be upgraded to a Profound Treasure, then to an All-Heaven Profound Treasure, and ultimately, it can even become an Immortal Artifact."
"Spiritual Treasures and Ancient Treasures represent two distinct upgrade paths for Life-bound treasures. The choice of which path to pursue is entirely up to you."
