Seeking Immortality in a Bizarre World-Chapter 486 - 481 Ancient Cave Dwelling, Three Heads and Six Arms_1

Chapter 486: Chapter 481 Ancient Cave Dwelling, Three Heads and Six Arms_1

Breaking formations is too cumbersome; consuming Boundary-breaking Talismans would also alert the enemy. It’s best to let the Array Spirit open the formation itself—the most hassle-free and effortless way.

This is a Fifth-order Array. Should I subdue it? However, changing the formation’s ownership would hardly go unnoticed. Should I use this place as a trap instead, attempting to lure this person? Regardless of whether the plan succeeds, it seems this Xuling Flower will inevitably be lost. Let the choicest prey slip through my fingers?

Jia Ren would never do something so foolish. Besides, the Void Pill was a top-notch treasure for preserving one’s life and must not be given up easily.

After a moment’s hesitation, he chose the most secure method.

Get the treasure first, then report the matter to the Sect and leave the trap-setting to them. Reaping the benefits firsthand wouldn’t delay the Sect’s resolution of the dangers within the Jiao Dragon Secret Realm—achieving multiple objectives with a single action.

Jia Ren used the Mirror Flower Divine Moon to deceive the Array Spirit. After confirming this Divine Skill would not cause any problems, he dispatched the Xuan Beast Avatar to accelerate the Xuling Flower’s growth, seeking to resolve this matter as quickly as possible.

His main body stayed behind, ensuring no errors occurred along the way.

The Insect External Incarnation, carrying the Bewildering Spirit Bead and the Treasure-seeking Mouse, continued its journey. Without the Bewildering Spirit Bead’s protection, the Insect External Incarnation could not hide from his Senior Brothers, nor could it conceal the Treasure-seeking Mouse. Carrying the Bewildering Spirit Bead was a necessity to split up and proceed in two directions.

In the time that followed, Jia Ren and the Xuan Beast Avatar hastened the maturation of the Xuling Flower, while the Insect External Incarnation searched for Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures in the Jiao Dragon Secret Realm.

As a professional in tending Medicinal Gardens, the Xuan Beast Avatar was well-versed in this task. It plundered the essence of Spiritual Objects everywhere, bringing the Xuling Flower to maturity at the fastest possible speed. The Jiao Dragon Secret Realm’s vegetation was dense, hiding a large quantity of Spiritual Medicine. Now, their essences were all being plundered, transferred into the Xuling Flower through a method of withering and flourishing.

The cultivation of the Spiritual Medicine proceeded methodically. By estimation, it would still take over a year. Under normal circumstances, the Xuling Flower would require at least several hundred more years to mature; the time had been shortened by ninety-nine percent.

After Jia Ren’s advancement to the Divinity Transformation Stage, his Heavenly Treasure Spirit Power was abundant. With the Demon-sealing Spirit Tower serving as a supply station, maintaining the Mirror Flower Divine Moon for a year was not a problem. The cultivation of the Xuling Flower progressed smoothly, unaffected by external factors.

The Insect External Incarnation’s luck was barely satisfactory; it had found only one Heavenly Earth Elixir known as the Wooden Marrow Primordial Root, necessitating a temporary halt in its search. It was then that he unexpectedly ran into Zhuo Chengdao, who promptly dragged him across tens of thousands of miles to a vast lake.

Senior Brother Zong Wu, Senior Brother Qingge, Senior Brother Guang Wu, and Senior Brother Yu Lin were all present. The remaining disciples of the Jikong Lineage had all gathered.

"Waterspout Decree!" Senior Brother Guang Wu raised his hand and cast a spell. An invisible force parted the lake waters, creating two massive walls of water and leaving a dry stretch in the middle, revealing the muddy lakebed below. Lake shrimp, fish, and crabs that hadn’t escaped in time were scuttling and tumbling incessantly in the muck.

There was an unusual spot here; although no Spiritual Power Fluctuation could be felt, it still seemed out of place.

"Go!" Senior Brother Guang Wu commanded, gesturing towards the distance. A huge Spiritual Power fist shadow flew out and smashed heavily against the formation. The invisible light screen blocked the Green Lotus, causing the ground to shake violently, yet the light screen remained intact. This strike was not entirely in vain, as it at least allowed them to catch a glimpse of a palace silhouette within the light screen.

"It is indeed a formation, and it has been in existence for some time. It very well could be an Ancient Cave Dwelling."

"Senior Brother Guang Wu, you deserve the primary credit this time," Senior Brother Qingge said, a wide smile on his face. An Ancient Cave Dwelling represented treasures—an opportunity to make a fortune.

"Eh, Little Junior Brother, you’ve finished Artifact Refining and have also come to the Jiao Dragon Secret Realm?" Senior Brother Qingge and Senior Brother Zong Wu greeted Jia Ren warmly upon seeing him. Their interactions with Jia Ren were second only to Zhuo Chengdao’s. Senior Brother Guang Wu, still maintaining his silent and taciturn demeanor, simply nodded towards Jia Ren.

"Greetings, Eldest Senior Brother, Second Senior Brother, Fifth Senior Brother, and Seventh Senior Brother," the Insect External Incarnation politely greeted each of them, showing a friendly attitude.

Zong Wu smiled and approached, explaining, "Your arrival is quite timely. Senior Brother Guang Wu discovered a Water Mansion, which appears to be a dwelling left by ancient cultivators. Since you’re here, you mustn’t miss out."

An Ancient Cultivator’s Cave Dwelling? Surely no one’s faking it this time, right? Enemies wanting to set a trap would be too far away to reach. There’s a high probability this Ancient Cultivator’s Cave Dwelling is real, not a fabrication... All present are fellow sect brothers, relatively safe and reliable. At least there’s no need to worry about someone attacking from behind.

"Little Junior Brother," Qingge said, smiling as he sidled up and winked at Jia Ren, "the Fortune Dice you crafted for Second Senior Brother weren’t bad. As your Senior Brother, I was one of the first to recognize your talent. You can’t show favoritism."

"Since Senior Brother has spoken, this Junior Brother will naturally do his utmost. May I ask what sort of Spiritual Treasure Senior Brother wishes to refine?"

Qingge hesitated for a moment. He had initially wanted Fortune Dice as well, but then said, "I have no other hobbies in life, Senior Brother. My favorite is drinking. Just refine a Spiritual Treasure for me that can produce fine wine."

Creating fine wine is something some Magical Treasures can do; refining a Spiritual Treasure for it would be far too extravagant.

"Here are the Spiritual Materials. I’ll entrust this to your skill, Junior Brother."

Jia Ren did not refuse, accepting the Spiritual Materials with a smile.

"Settle your personal matters privately and don’t waste everyone’s time," Brother Yu Lin said, clearing his throat to interrupt their conversation. "Who here is proficient in Breaking the Formation?"

The five cultivators looked at each other; no one responded.

The Jikong Lineage disciples were all skilled fighters. Breaking formations? Wasn’t that something an Array Master should handle? The disciples of the Jikong Lineage weren’t particularly well-endowed with resources. Upon acquiring a Spiritual Treasure, they would only think of using the Spirit Devouring Treasure Art to absorb it. They seldom kept any in stock, and it was even rarer for them to possess a formation-breaking Spiritual Treasure.

"It seems we can only resort to using Boundary-breaking Talismans then..." Boundary-breaking Talismans weren’t specifically designed for dismantling formations. Although they had such an effect, using one here would be somewhat wasteful.

"I’ll do it!" As the eldest Senior Brother and a Void Refining Stage Cultivator, Brother Yu Lin assumed the responsibility. He took out a Boundary-breaking Talisman first. "Break!" he cried. The Talisman activated, unleashing intense spatial fluctuations as it shot towards the formation at the bottom of the lake.

A continuous BOOMING sound was heard as the light screen blocked the Boundary-breaking Talisman’s strike, but it failed to break through.

"This formation has been here for some years!" Brother Yu Lin exclaimed. "To block a Boundary-breaking Talisman, it must be at least a Sixth Rank Formation!"

Although Boundary-breaking Talismans weren’t specialized for destroying formations, they were remarkably effective. A Fifth-order Array would inevitably be breached by one. Only a Sixth Rank or higher Formation could withstand it. The higher the grade of the Cave Dwelling’s formation, the higher the cultivation Realm of its creator, and the more treasures likely hidden inside.

Brother Yu Lin took out a second Boundary-breaking Talisman and activated it, but still couldn’t break through. "Junior Brothers," he asked, turning to the others as his two Boundary-breaking Talismans were now depleted, "who still has a Boundary-breaking Talisman?"

Qingge, Guang Wu, Zong Wu, Zhuo Chengdao, and Jia Ren each produced a Boundary-breaking Talisman. The five talismans were activated and descended with a thunderous roar.

The formation here was ancient and no longer at its peak. While it could withstand a single talisman, it could not endure five simultaneous strikes. The formation shattered with a deafening crash.

A massive cloud of dust enveloped the area. As the formation broke, a scent of decay emanated from within. With the formation gone, the great hall hidden inside was revealed. Without the formation’s protection, the hall seemed to experience millennia of decay in an instant, crumbling at an astonishing rate. The grand hall became decrepit. A gust of wind swept through, and many objects turned to ash and scattered.

This is a genuine Ancient Cave Dwelling!

Initially, Jia Ren had speculated whether this was left by a cultivator who had discovered the Jiao Dragon Secret Realm, but seeing the astonishing transformation of the grand hall, he no longer had any doubts. Most tales of Ancient Cave Dwellings in the Mysterious Realm were mere rumors. After ages of change and an era teeming with cultivators, any real Ancient Cave Dwellings had long since been discovered. Countless cultivators flocked to them, like locusts passing through. Seeking an Ancient Cave Dwelling in the Mysterious Realm was like a fool’s dream. It seemed only in Secret Realms with few cultivators could one hope to find a genuine Ancient Cave Dwelling.

The Ancient Cave Dwelling showed signs of severe weathering. However, it was only the mundane items that had deteriorated; true treasures, capable of enduring the ravages of time, would remain as good as new.

All six peered at the grand hall, their eyes gleaming with anticipation.

What kind of treasures could they find in this Ancient Cave Dwelling?

"Since Fifth Brother discovered this Ancient Cave Dwelling, he rightly deserves an extra share," Brother Yu Lin proposed, aiming to prevent conflict over the division of the dwelling’s spoils and preserve the camaraderie among them. "The remaining treasures, once retrieved, will be divided equally. What do you think, Junior Brothers?"

"Let’s do as Eldest Senior Brother says."

Brother Yu Lin emitted a treasure light that enveloped the entire Cave Dwelling, covering all items with a layer of special brightness. This was also to mark the treasures, preventing anyone from pocketing items using secret techniques. "You may all leave your marks as well, my brothers."

"We trust Eldest Senior Brother."

A harmonious atmosphere prevailed among the brothers, and their camaraderie was delightful.

The group of six stepped into a great hall that hadn’t been entered for countless years, each step leaving clear and deep footprints. The Cave Dwelling was not large. Internally, it had five sections: a Cultivation Room, a Demon-subduing Room, a Law Repository Hall, a Refining Palace, and an Alchemy Room.

They moved together, first entering the Law Repository Hall. Befitting their combative nature, the Jikong Lineage was naturally curious about ancient Method Gates; this was to be expected.

Inside the Law Repository Hall, there were not many Jade Slips—only five.

Guang Wu acted first, reaching out to take one of the Jade Slips from the wooden shelf. As soon as his finger touched it, the ancient Jade Slip turned to ash.

"Senior Brother Guang Wu, don’t touch them!" Qingge hurriedly called out, afraid he would destroy more treasures. "I have a way!"

"’Green Lotus Jade Seal! Capture!’" Senior Brother Qingge intoned, making a hand gesture and conjuring an Azure Jade Lotus. It flew over each Jade Slip, enveloping them in azure light. Writings corresponding to the content of the Jade Slips then appeared on the flawless Azure Jade Lotus.

"What an excellent method!" The others’ eyes shone with admiration as they marveled at the display. Most of them lacked such a technique. Without it, the Jade Slips in the Law Repository Hall would be difficult to preserve, and they would gain nothing.

"What kind of secret technique or divine skill is this?" several of them wondered aloud, gathering around and looking at the Azure Jade Lotus, their eyes filled with anticipation.

Senior Brother Qingge put away the Azure Jade Lotus and swiftly scanned their contents. Then, his eyes shone with dawning realization.

"Fellow Senior Brothers, we’re in luck! This is a long-lost Divine Skill: Three Heads and Six Arms."