Seeking Immortality in a Bizarre World-Chapter 507 - 502: Coveting and Counterattack, Whims of the Heart_1
The Refining Palace was not much different from the Main Sect, featuring the same Refining Workshop setup, so it didn’t require much effort to get accustomed to it.
The shared Refining Techniques and methods for Spiritual Treasure fabrication were even more detailed than those available outside the Sect. For example, the method of forging the Soul Capturing Treasure Mirror that he had obtained from Elder Zhou in an exchange was freely available here. In addition, there were methods of fabricating Spiritual Treasures and many special Spirit Treasure Inscriptions he had never encountered before. If one wished to learn these in the Main Sect, it would inevitably incur some cost.
But now... it was all free of charge!
The Lingbao Sect’s Fire Seeds inheritance received even better treatment. The inheritance was entrusted to the people of the Source Treasure Cave Heaven to learn, indicating that the Sect had prepared for the worst-case scenario. Even if the Lingbao Sect were to be destroyed, its inheritance and essence would not vanish, and there would still be a chance for revival in the future.
However, he failed to find the Heaven-reaching Refining Method. Just as before, his cultivation level was not high enough, and he could not access it.
Besides the ranking contests, not much had changed in the Refining Palace.
He left the Refining Workshop and, using the Identity Token he had received, located Cave Number 152. Compared to within the Lingbao Sect proper, the nature’s spiritual energy in this new Cave was nearly twice as dense. The downside was its lack of seclusion, which didn’t offer much peace of mind.
Jia Ren tidied up briefly and set up the Five Treasures Chaotic Deity Array.
Having reached the peak of the Divinity Transformation Stage, he next needed to consider advancing to the Lianxu Stage. The only item he possessed for breaking through to the Lianxu Stage was a single Returning Void Pill. The Returning Void Pill’s quality was acceptable, nearing superior grade, making it barely usable. A single Returning Void Pill could, at most, increase the chance of breakthrough by thirty percent. What difference is there between such a success rate and simply courting death?!
Advancing from the Divinity Transformation Stage to the Lianxu Stage was extremely perilous. One had only a single life, and a failed breakthrough would mean death and the dissolution of one’s cultivation. Jia Ren wouldn’t consider attempting a breakthrough without absolute confidence.
There are many treasures in the Source Treasure Cave Heaven. Surely, I can find other items there to help advance to the Lianxu Stage.
Now, it was a matter of how to obtain them. Do the resources allocated by the Second Lingbao Sect include such treasures in their exchange list?
In the following days, Jia Ren shuttled between the Refining Workshop and his Cave, learning new Artifact Refining Method Gates.
Besides that, he went to the Transmission Hall to find a Transmission Master Instructor. The number of Cultivation Techniques and Divine Skills available was also abundant. The crucial point was that each year, one could choose a Spell, secret technique, or Divine Skill to learn for free. To prevent the Sect’s disciples from biting off more than they could chew by learning too many Divine Skills or Spells at once, restrictions had been imposed. A Divine Skill with high entry difficulty couldn’t be mastered even within a year. While one free Divine Skill per year differed from complete freedom, the distinction wasn’t significant for ordinary cultivators.
Jia Ren found a Transmission Master Instructor surrounded by more than a dozen disciples from the Lingbao Sect’s Fire Seeds, all seizing the opportunity to learn new Spells and Divine Skills.
One’s ranking within the Sect determined resource allocation. The stronger the cultivator, the more cultivation resources they received, and the smoother their cultivation path became. Prioritizing learning Spells and Divine Skills was essential for them.
"Junior Brother Jia, have you learned the Great Divine Power, Law of Heaven and Earth?" Jue Wushuang stared intently at Jia Ren, his words causing everyone present to turn their gazes toward Jia Ren.
The Great Divine Power, Law of Heaven and Earth?
When this renowned Great Divine Power was mentioned, not only the Lingbao Sect’s Fire Seeds who had come with them looked over, but cultivators from the Second Lingbao Sect also cast surprised glances. Despite being in the Source Treasure Secret Realm, they were not completely cut off from news. They had recently learned that Grand Ancestor Tai Yuan had used the Great Divine Power, Law of Heaven and Earth to slay a Mahayana Stage Cultivator from the Xuantiandao Sect in a single blow. Although the battle involved the Mysterious Heavenly Spiritual Treasure and Five Heaven-reaching Spirit Treasures, this could not overshadow the prominent roles Law of Heaven and Earth and Three Heads and Six Arms played.
Many Lingbao Sect disciples yearned for the Great Divine Power, Law of Heaven and Earth, and naturally wanted to learn this formidable Divine Skill. No wonder the Xuantiandao Sect had repeatedly come seeking this Divine Skill; it was truly enticing. Having become Lingbao Sect’s Fire Seeds and entered the heritage site, they had yet to find any trace of this Great Divine Power.
Naturally, some turned their attention to Jia Ren, hoping to learn this Great Divine Power from him.
"I am of limited talent and had not yet learned Law of Heaven and Earth when I came to the Secret Realm," he replied. He neither confirmed nor denied, creating a sense of ambiguity.
"If you perform well enough, the Lingbao Sect will grant you the opportunity to learn the Great Divine Power, Law of Heaven and Earth," Jia Ren continued. "Or do you believe you lack the talent to compete for the top ranks?"
Jia Ren didn’t wish to attract trouble, so he deliberately added that last remark. Exceptionally talented disciples disdain such despicable means. If you wish to learn Law of Heaven and Earth, go to the Lingbao Sect or Ancestor Ji Kong.
This matter, however, was not over.
Jue Wushuang’s eyes remained on Jia Ren as he said with a smile, "The Ji Kong Lineage is truly unique. Your lineage’s Ji Kong Palm and Spirit Devouring Treasure Art are not on the list of publicly taught techniques. Does your lineage always keep to itself, disregarding the greater good?!"
The Ji Kong Lineage’s Spirit Devouring Treasure Art was particularly famous, and many cultivators coveted this technique. Once mastered, and with sufficient Spiritual Treasures to devour, one’s cultivation speed would skyrocket. The Ji Kong Palm had a slightly lesser reputation, but to those in the know, it was a renowned Divine Skill of Heterodox Peak, second only to Great Divine Powers.
Many had long harbored thoughts about these two Divine Skills and were interested in learning them. Unfortunately, they couldn’t simply change allegiances and seek apprenticeship under the Ji Kong Lineage. If they truly considered such a move, their masters would be the first to strike them dead for betraying their sect and ancestors.
Besides, acquiring the Ji Kong Palm and the Spirit Devouring Treasure Art was no easy feat. As a newly advanced Nascent Soul period cultivator, Ancestor Ji Kong’s combat prowess was second only to the Heterodox Peak Master, and he was a renowned high-level cultivator who had attained the Dao. Moreover, many knew that the Lingbao Sect’s victory and the Azure Dragon Giant Beast Treasure Formation were closely linked to Ancestor Ji Kong. Without the Ji Kong Lineage, the Lingbao Sect would have fallen into crisis long ago; its current situation was still uncertain. No one dared to trouble Ancestor Ji Kong; even if they harbored such thoughts, they had to diligently suppress them.
Without Ancestor Ji Kong as his backer in the Source Treasure Cave Heaven, it was inevitable that some would harbor ill intentions towards Jia Ren.
"Whether Divine Skills should be added to the legacy teachings is not something for us juniors to question," Jia Ren said. "If you have doubts, you can contact my master. He’s not dead yet!"
Entering the Source Treasure Cave Heaven didn’t mean he was completely cut off from the outside world. Furthermore, Ancestor Ji Kong was in his prime. Jia Ren deliberately emphasized this to make one thing clear to them: Ancestor Ji Kong was still alive. Although the two locations were separate, it didn’t mean Ancestor Ji Kong lacked the means to enter Source Treasure Cave Heaven. Jia Ren was not someone without backing.
Jue Wushuang dared not slander Ancestor Ji Kong, lest he earn a foul reputation. However, his desire to obtain the Ji Kong Palm and the Spirit Devouring Treasure Art had not diminished. He said, "Indeed, I should not have spoken rashly about this matter. How about a wager? If you lose, you will give me the Ji Kong Palm and the Spirit Devouring Treasure Art. If I lose, I will gift you the Purple Extreme Divine Eye and the Three Lifetimes Killing Sword. How does that sound?"
The Purple Extreme Divine Eye and the Three Lifetimes Killing Sword were Divine Skills Jue Wushuang had learned, neither of which were on the list of publicly taught techniques. The Three Lifetimes Killing Sword was a legacy of the Jisheng Lineage, a top-tier killing Divine Skill of the Lingbao Sect. The origins of the Purple Extreme Divine Eye were unknown; it was unclear where Jue Wushuang had acquired it. This Divine Skill had first shown its prowess in combat and was indeed remarkable.
A wager? Jia Ren had no interest whatsoever and decisively refused, "Senior Brother, as the foremost cultivator of the trials, you possess the ability to vie for one of the top rankings. Why bully a mere Artifact Refiner like myself?"
This was a clear jab at Jue Wushuang and a reminder for the cultivators of the Second Lingbao Sect. Jue Wushuang is your main target for suppression; go deal with him.
"I am just a ’vulnerable’ Artifact Refiner. I won’t participate in the Combat Law Sequence," Jia Ren declared.
Jia Ren had his own plans. If he were to fight, merely deploying the Thornback Tortoise Puppet would make it difficult for others to breach its Peerless Gold Composite shell. Winning first place in the Divinity Transformation Stage Combat Law Sequence would be effortless. Moreover, with a Sky-reaching Spirit Treasure like the Soul-Shaking Bell, defeating them would be as easy as bullying children. With both treasures, his combat power was on a different level than his peers. They had no chance of challenging him, even if they ’fought above their Realm’.
The Sky-reaching Spirit Treasure and Thornback Tortoise Puppet were best kept secret. Both were precious treasures and, moreover, external items. Once revealed, many envious cultivators would emerge, and unforeseen disasters could strike. In the Second Lingbao Sect, he lacked Ancestor Ji Kong’s backing and thus sufficient confidence to act boldly. Revealing his treasures could lead to countless troubles and an endless stream of challenges, robbing him of any peace.
It was better to nip such ideas in the bud and focus on refining Spiritual Treasures. Once he advanced to the Lianxu Stage, Jia Ren’s sights would extend beyond the Second Lingbao Sect; the vast treasures of the outside world would be his target. The Lingbao Sect had deliberately preserved the primordial state of the outside world to prepare for the cultivators’ growth. That will be my true arena.
The ’vulnerable’ Artifact Refiner thus rebuffed Jue Wushuang.
Many then recalled that Jia Ren was an Artifact Refiner, not a conventional disciple of Heterodox Peak, but one walking an unorthodox path. With Jia Ren opting out of the Combat Law Sequence, others had no grounds to challenge him. Forcing a fight would violate the Sect’s rules.
While the Second Lingbao Sect permitted infighting among its members, this typically applied to ordinary cultivators and excluded Spirit-level Refiners. Spirit-level Refiners still enjoyed special privileges within the Second Lingbao Sect. They were not to be attacked casually; otherwise, severe punishment would follow. This was a form of protection afforded to Spirit-level Refiners. Normally, Spirit-level Refiners were also responsible for forging Spiritual Treasures for Lingbao Sect Cultivators, so ordinary cultivators wouldn’t dream of provoking a Spirit-level Refiner.
Thwarted repeatedly, Jue Wushuang’s expression turned ugly.
"First in the Main Sect’s Combat Law Sequence?" a cultivator from the Second Lingbao Sect sneered at Jue Wushuang. "Here, you wouldn’t even have a chance to make the top thirty!"
The tactic of redirecting animosity worked quite well. Cultivators from the Second Lingbao Sect took notice of Jue Wushuang, looking eager to challenge him.
Jia Ren paid no more attention to their squabbles. Having successfully diverted the trouble, he began to peruse the publicly available Divine Skill inheritances, searching for one suitable for him to learn.
Before long, Jia Ren discovered a Divine Skill he wanted to learn.
Divine Skill: Whims of the Heart!
