Chapter 512 284: Golden Palace Secret Talisman (Part 2)

The bad news kept coming, but there was some good news as well.

The trade with the Western Realm was a great success. The latest round not only brought back numerous rare Spiritual Objects, which Lü Zhong could use to purchase urgently needed Pills to advance his cultivation, but it also came with a startling piece of news.

Progress had been made in Spiritual Energy Conversion Technology!

"How credible is it?" Lü Zhong looked at his incarnation, Li Dong, who was sitting opposite him.

Li Dong was responsible for all trade with the Western Realm. Perhaps it was from spending so much time in the desolate, empty Western Realm, but his already indifferent nature had grown even more placid.

"I believe it's true. The Western Border Alliance's demonstration couldn't have been faked. Although they didn't reveal the key components and the input is completely disproportionate to the output, they did successfully convert Crimson Spiritual Energy into Immortal Spiritual Qi. That's why I suggest you accept their terms."

"Alright!" Lü Zhong chose to trust his incarnation.

He would provide a million catties of Spirit Rice free of charge each year in exchange for shared access to the Spiritual Energy Conversion Technology. In his view, it was a worthwhile investment, even if the technology was still a long way from maturity.

Judging from the Western Border Alliance's demonstration, their chosen research direction was clearly superior to that of the East Sea Cultivation Realm. They might actually achieve true spiritual energy conversion, which would broaden the sources from which cultivators could obtain Spiritual Qi.

When that time came, whether it was Medicinal Spiritual Qi, Demon Spiritual Qi, Poisonous Spiritual Qi, or Blood Spiritual Qi, any form of energy with "Spiritual Qi" in its name could be converted into the Immortal Spiritual Qi that cultivators need.

If Spiritual Qi could truly be converted at will.

The greatest obstacle in alchemy—the need for ancient Spirit Medicines—would cease to be an issue. In the future, one could simply use a sufficient quantity of younger Spirit Medicines. With the Spiritual Energy Conversion Technology compensating for their lack of potency, it would be possible to refine High-tier Pills.

From that day forward, resource scarcity would be a thing of the past in the Cultivation Realm.

...

「Tide Cave.」

「Quiet Chamber.」

Lü Zhong sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, refining Qi with his Cultivation Body.

Even though he was facing a crisis, he still hadn't neglected his daily practice. As usual, the results of his cultivation were almost nil, but compared to the beginning of the year, his progress was noticeable.

His progress couldn't compare to the top, but he was far better off than those at the bottom.

This level of cultivation progress, while far from matching those geniuses with single or Dual Spirit Roots, was an absolute blessing compared to his peers whose cultivation had stagnated for ages.

After he finished refining the Fire Source Pill, he suddenly felt his Golden Core tremble slightly. The Spiritual Qi pervading the Quiet Chamber surged madly into his body. The circulation within his Cultivation Body abruptly quickened, and his cultivation broke through to a new level, bringing him one step closer to the Fake Infant Realm.

'Phew… Finally, some real progress!'

A look of pleasant surprise appeared on Lü Zhong's face. He could feel the slight increase in his total amount of Magical Power and noted how it had become several degrees more pure. 'All my hard work has finally paid off,' he thought.

He got up, walked out of the Quiet Chamber, and went to the Waterside Pavilion.

"Greetings, Master!"

He had just sat down when two figures approached together.

The one in the lead was his senior disciple, Su Caocao. Her appearance had changed dramatically after reaching Foundation Establishment. There was no longer any trace of her formerly gaunt and frail self. She was now dressed in a black Secret Pattern Robe, her ink-black hair simply tied up. Her overall look was crisp and capable, giving off an impression of decisive efficiency.

Following behind her was his junior disciple, Hex Luo.

His aura was also much more stable than before. It was clear he had been following Lü Zhong's instructions and was diligently polishing his foundation.

"Reporting to Master… The survey of all the farmlands in Bihai was compiled and completed yesterday. This is the land register…" Su Caocao first bowed, then presented a Jade Scroll.

Lü Zhong glanced at it and found the statistics to be extremely detailed. The basic details of area and ownership went without saying, but there were also comprehensive records of the surrounding climate, environment, and suitable crops for planting. It was clear that Su Caocao had put her heart into it and had not disappointed his expectations.

He was very pleased.

"Mm, well done!"

He always gave praise where it was due, never stingy with his compliments.

He then turned to look at Hex Luo. The latter took a step forward, bowed respectfully, and said, "Master, the background check you instructed me to perform on the disciples from the various major families of Bihai has also been successfully completed. The information has been recorded in this Jade Scroll. Please review it, Master!"

As he spoke, he presented a Jade Scroll with both hands.

"You've done well, too!"

Lü Zhong gave it a cursory glance. From Spirit Root to bone age, and even family of origin, it had everything. It was obvious that Hex Luo felt competitive with Su Caocao and had gone the extra mile to collect a lot of information that would interest him, such as which branch families generally had strong Divine Souls, or which were skilled in Alchemy, and so on.

He was naturally happy to see this development.

Then he waved his hand, dismissing the two of them.

Reading the land register and the information on Bihai's various families in detail, he discovered that after only a few decades of development, more than thirty Foundation Establishment Clans had already risen in Bihai.

Branches of the great families from the Seven Domains of the South Barbarians accounted for the majority, and among them, seven clans originated from Changchun Valley. Now that the Bihai Sect and Changchun Valley were on bad terms, these seven Foundation Establishment Clans and the disciples they had sent to the Bihai Sect had become a hidden danger.

Figuring out how to handle them would be a headache.

Being too lenient or too harsh would both be detrimental to the future development of the Bihai Sect.

By cross-referencing the family information with the land register, he could see the development speed of each major family, with the five great families of Chen, Wang, Chu, Ye, and Qin leading the pack. If a Core Formation Clan were to emerge in Bihai in the future, it would most likely come from one of these five. Fortunately, none of them originated from the Changchun Domain, or that would have been another problem.

After reviewing everything, Lü Zhong devised a strategy to mitigate the damage and guard against spies from Changchun Valley.

Suddenly, a request popped up in his mind.

'Oh, is that my incarnation requesting I take control of its body?' Lü Zhong did not refuse.

He connected with the incarnation.

...

「Changchun Valley.」

「On the martial arts stage.」

A young cultivator at only the Qi Refining Eighth Layer looked at his opponent, whose strength was a Small Realm higher than his own, without showing the slightest bit of fear. His expression remained as calm as ever.

He was Li Yun, Lü Zhong's incarnation who had joined Changchun Valley.

What was currently taking place was the Changchun Valley Outer Sect's annual grand competition. This was the best opportunity for the Outer Disciples of Changchun Valley to advance and also the best chance to gain the favor of the Sect's upper echelons.

Every year at this time, "lucky winners" would emerge and be granted the nigh-unobtainable Foundation Establishment Pills.

To increase his chances of obtaining the Nascent Soul Secret Technique, Li Yun planned to make a name for himself in this competition.

As for his trump card, it was naturally to let his main body take control.

"Heh… You think you're worthy of competing with me for a spot?"

On the other side of the stage, a portly young man sneered.

Then, the young man glanced at the crowd below the stage, where a few richly dressed men and women in Dharma Robes stood. A smug smile appeared on his face as he summoned a High-grade Magical Artifact Flying Sword and said:

"Just watch how I—"

But before he could finish his sentence, he saw the few people below the stage showing surprised expressions.

When he turned back around, he came face-to-face with a cold, stern expression. At the same time, he felt a chill on his neck where a sharp sword was already pressed. If the portly youth dared to make the slightest move, the sword's owner would not hesitate to strike. The portly youth, refusing to believe it, was immediately rewarded with a shallow cut.

At this moment, a tremendous force separated the two.

"This round, Li Yun wins!"

The Foundation Establishment cultivator below the stage announced the result with a deadpan expression.

"He—he sneak-attacked me! This round doesn't count!" the portly youth protested, then shot a vicious glare at Li Yun and threatened, "Junior Brother Li, I advise you to obediently have another match with me, or else—"

Before he could finish, the Foundation Establishment cultivator swatted him into a corner like a piece of trash.

"You disgraceful thing, get lost!"

'Does he think this stage is his own home? He didn't even notice someone sneaking up behind him, yet he has the gall to demand a rematch. People like him will only lower the standards of Changchun Valley.'

The competition then continued.

Lü Zhong, controlling the incarnation's body, relied on his many years of combat experience, profound mastery of Magic Skills, and strong mentality to "narrowly" defeat one opponent after another, ultimately stopping in the top ten.

It wasn't that he didn't want to go further, but the opponents in the top ten were either direct descendants of Changchun Valley Elders or elites from Noble Families. Each one was more laden with Magical Artifacts and Protective Spiritual Objects than the last.

Elite cultivators like these were in a league of their own compared to peers of the same realm. From any angle, it seemed impossible for them to be defeated by someone from a Loose Cultivator background, especially one whose cultivation was a layer lower at the Qi Refining Eighth Layer.

Rather than arouse suspicion, it was better to quit while he was ahead.

Even so, Lü Zhong's outstanding performance in the competition successfully attracted the attention of many. On the spot, an Elder expressed his desire to take the incarnation as a Registered Disciple.

'A Registered Disciple of an Elder? That doesn't sound too bad.'

Lü Zhong agreed on the spot.

His plan to obtain the Nascent Soul Secret Technique had achieved its first breakthrough in Changchun Valley.

As for the other five fronts, there were no unusual situations. They were all still cultivating step-by-step, or earning the resources needed for cultivation through the Hundred Skills of Cultivation.

They were living quiet, unassuming lives, detached from worldly strife.