Chapter 464: Consecutive Bloodline Gains, the Efficacy of Various Arts

Next, Lin Changheng began to carefully explore the Utility of his newly acquired [Earth Control Demon Technique].

He then made an astonishing discovery—he now shared an unprecedentedly intimate connection with the earth beneath his feet.

With but a thought, the soil and stones within a ten-foot radius seemed to become an extension of his own body, giving rise to a sense of control as natural as moving his own limbs.

With a wave of his hand, he deployed an Isolation Array to avoid disturbing Mo Zhaoli’s Cultivation, and only then did Lin Changheng begin his experiments.

He focused his mind, locking onto a greenish-brown rock half a man’s height in front of him within the cave.

An astonishing scene unfolded!

With a slight drain on his Magical Power, the rock silently softened and reshaped, pliant as clay. In an instant, following his will, it formed into a Rock Shield, six inches thick with sharp edges. It floated before him, its surface shimmering with a heavy, earthy-yellow Spiritual Light that radiated solid defensive power.

‘A shield from stone, formed with a single thought!’ A glint of surprise flashed in Lin Changheng’s eyes. This wasn’t moving the rock with brute force; it was a direct alteration of its form and structure—truly one of the Mysteries of Creation.

If his previous [Earth Control Technique] offered only basic, conventional changes with limited augmentation for Magic, then this new change could only be described as monumental.

The effect was incredibly profound!

His thoughts shifted once more.

SHINK SHINK SHINK—

Three sharp-tipped Earth Spikes, each as thick as a young child’s arm, erupted from the ground before him without warning. They radiated a chilling killing intent; an enemy caught above them would be instantly disemboweled.

Lin Changheng had been able to do this before, but with less than half the power.

But that wasn’t all!

He put two fingers together like a pen and traced a shape in the air toward the cavern wall. As if sculpted by an invisible knife, the hard rock face shed dust. In the span of a breath, a perfectly formed alcove several feet deep appeared—large enough to conceal a person.

‘It’s not just for offense and defense, but can also easily reshape terrain and carve out dwellings…’

The more Lin Changheng experienced it, the more shaken he became. This [Earth Control Demon Technique] seemed simple, but its applications were endless. From its element of surprise in battle to its convenience in daily Cultivation, it far surpassed his expectations.

But this was not what concerned Lin Changheng the most. Rather, it was…

…the ability to weaken, or even seize control of, an enemy’s Earth Element techniques!

This was true support in Magical Combat, a way to catch an opponent completely off guard.

After all, who could possibly expect their own Earth Element attack Magic to turn against them, or for their own defensive Magic to suddenly develop a flaw and “betray” them?

He immediately took out a Tier Two Middle Grade Talisman and activated it.

Instantly, five terrifying Rock Spears materialized in mid-air and shot forward.

The next moment, Lin Changheng deliberately severed his connection to the spears and used the [Earth Control Demon Technique] to envelop them, forcibly seizing control and abruptly changing their trajectory.

WHOOSH…!

The Rock Spears’ direction changed dramatically, as if an immense, invisible hand had seized them in mid-air, wrenched them around, and sent them shooting off once more.

At this, Lin Changheng’s eyes lit up.

Controlling the Magic from a Tier Two Middle Grade Talisman was certainly gratifying, but more importantly, Lin Changheng felt he had done so with ease!

This meant it was not the Limit of the [Earth Control Demon Technique]!

The bloodline power of the [Black Armored Earth Turtle] was incredibly strong. Even among Profound Spirits of the same level, there were vast differences in innate power!

At this moment, Lin Changheng also gained a deeper understanding of Demon Techniques and Divine Abilities.

Divine Abilities were infinite.

They were like a path to a mountain peak shrouded in mist and clouds—the scenery ahead was boundless, the potential limitless.

The power of Divine Abilities grew continuously as a Cultivator’s Realm and comprehension deepened, possessing almost no upper limit. However, though the path existed, one had to rely on their own strength to climb it.

For him to use his current strength at the Foundation Establishment Stage to activate a Divine Ability—a power imbued with the profundities of cosmic law—was like a child swinging a giant axe. He knew it was powerful, but he could barely wield it, let alone unleash its full might. The finite nature of his own Magical Power and Divine Soul temporarily restrained the infinite potential of his Divine Abilities.

Demon Techniques, on the other hand—like his new [Earth Control Demon Technique] or the [Concealing Breath Demon Technique]—were rooted in one’s bloodline. They were an innate Talent branded into one’s very essence.

A Demon Technique was more like a weapon perfectly tailored to its wielder from birth. One could use it skillfully from the moment it was acquired, unleashing immense, immediate combat power without the need for deep comprehension. It served as a powerful supplement to his current Magical Combat arsenal.

However, the Grade of this “weapon” was largely fixed at its inception by its bloodline source. Unless that source underwent some astonishing transformation and ascension, the power of such a Demon Technique would eventually hit its Limit. It was focused more on practical application in the “present” than on growth in the “future.”

‘Divine Abilities are for seeking the Dao. Their potential is infinite, but they require a foundation of Cultivation to ascend. Demon Techniques are for immediate use. Their effects are instant, but they are limited by bloodline and focus on the path right here and now.’

With this, Lin Changheng reached an epiphany.

‘For me, this isn’t a choice between one or the other; I must use both. I will use Divine Abilities to forge my ladder to the heavens and seek eternal life. I will use Demon Techniques to guard myself on this path and weather the endless tribulations.’

Having come to this understanding, his Dao Heart became even clearer and more resolute.

Whether they were Divine Abilities or Demon Techniques, they were ultimately just skills to protect his journey. The true foundation still lay in raising his own Realm and pursuing the boundless Great Dao.

Satisfied, Lin Changheng couldn’t help but look to the future. ‘I have now grasped three Divine Power True Intents: Fire Manipulation, Rong Sheng, and Carrying Mountain…’

‘I wonder when I’ll obtain the fourth?’

After this, Lin Changheng quietly took out the [Molten Fire Crystal] and began to absorb and refine it.