I am grinding experience in another world

Eight hundred miles east of Nine Peaks Mountain, in a certain valley. Yuan Zhen, holding the Divine Communication Mirror, ventured into the depths of the valley.

Thin silver mist spewed from the copper mirror, forming a vague phantom image on a piece of open ground.

Upon closer inspection, it was indeed Luo Ding.

“The place where Luo Ding ultimately appeared should be here.”

“Judging by the surroundings, he must have perished.” Luo Ding sighed in relief.

Hu Sheng, who came along, formed a spell with his hands, chanting with his eyes closed, as an invisible exotic force spread from him to the surroundings.

After a while, Hu Sheng opened his eyes and shook his head slightly, “I can only sense a bit of cold aura, not much trace left.”

Cold aura?

Yuan Zhen suddenly thought of a cloud of ghosts shrouding the sky.

“Could it be that Mr. Chen?”

Yuan Zhen’s heart skipped a beat, and exchanged a glance with Hu Sheng, both thinking of Chen Mu.

Recalling the earlier commotion on Weizhi Peak, Yuan Zhen found it unbelievable, yet saw a great possibility.

After all, on Nine Peaks Mountain, only a few could contend with Luo Ding.

Moreover, although the “Holy Heart Scripture” was miraculous, possessing part of the power of the True Form of Heavenly Demon, it wasn’t truly cultivated into the True Form of Heavenly Demon.

Luo Ding had been severely injured by his Five Rams Furnace earlier. Finding him during his weakness and being killed by Mr. Chen was not impossible.

“Our Mr. Chen is truly unfathomable.” Hu Sheng clicked his tongue in wonder.

“Doesn’t he have the Daoist Soldier Contract constraining him? Luo Ding held the Imperial Decree, theoretically, he should have had the upper hand.”

Yet he managed to kill Luo Ding even under the constraint of the contract?

“That is even more remarkable.” Yuan Zhen exclaimed in admiration.

“Shall we go and ask him?” Hu Sheng suggested.

“No need.” Yuan Zhen waved his hand.

“If he wanted to talk, he would have already.”

“It might involve some secrets, if he doesn’t want to speak, there’s no need to press. Any Qi Cultivator who has cultivated the Daoist Foundation surely has some secrets.”

“As long as we know that the ghost of Luo Ding has been dispelled, and that our Mr. Chen is skilled, it’s enough.” He said nonchalantly.

“From my view, Mr. Chen seems to be someone who cultivates steadily, only his methods are somewhat mysterious.”

“The stronger his methods, the safer it is for our Nine Peaks Mountain, isn’t it?” Yuan Zhen chuckled, feeling quite relaxed.

…

On Weizhi Peak.

Chen Mu sat on a rocking chair in front of his door, his brows furrowed.

These days, recalling the Flying Cicada Monster that was with Luo Ding, he always felt something was off.

After consuming it with Yama’s Feast, besides a mass of vital energy, he also acquired some fragmented meanings,

which contained strange patterns that resembled talismans and ghost patterns, yet were entirely different.

Though incomplete, they could stir the Dao Foundation, which intrigued Chen Mu.

“Is it because the other party is a Flying Cicada Demon?” Chen Mu mused.

The Dao Foundation Atlas he cultivated came from the Qing Chong of the Thousand Mechanisms Sect, named “Jade Cicada Secret Scripture.”

“Are they both cicadas? So there’s a connection?”

“That can be the only explanation.”

After many years of cultivation and witnessing various secret techniques, Chen Mu had a clear understanding of the essence of cultivation.

The Heavenly Demon Reincarnation Technique is about absorbing the bloodline of the Heavenly Demon Demon God, transforming the flesh and soul, turning a mortal body into a powerful True Form of Heavenly Demon.

Qi Cultivators emulate the true intent of the Heavenly Demon Demon God, reshaping the Superior Fetal Spirit, transforming the fragile Spiritual Deity into an invulnerable Primordial Spirit.

Among these, the Dao Foundation Atlas is a compilation by the Daoist Ancestor Baiyi, using the true form of the Heavenly Demon Demon God as a blueprint.

“Within the Jade Cicada Dao Foundation, there’s likely a trace of the True Form intent of that Flying Cicada Demon clan.”

“But… what was the deal with those odd exotic beasts hunted by tens of thousands of ghosts earlier? They also stirred the Dao Foundation.”

“Was it related to this Flying Cicada Demon? Were they in cahoots all along?”

Chen Mu felt a chill run down his spine.

Previously, he simply thought it was the Emperor’s Liquid stimulating the exotic beast bloodline to mutate. But now it seems that those peculiar exotic beasts’ quick awakening was probably due to some secret technique of the Flying Cicada Demon!

If that’s the case, didn’t he inadvertently foil the other party’s scheme?

No wonder Luo Ding, even severely wounded, didn’t think of escaping, but instead brought the Flying Cicada Demon to ambush him.

This was not only to seize his body but also for revenge!

Chen Mu couldn’t help but grin.

Understanding the cause and effect, he didn’t regret it.

If those peculiar spiritual beasts were allowed to grow, it might lead to greater troubles.

Moreover, those strange demon beasts provided a wealth of experience, allowing the Heavenly Demon Armor to reach perfection. Ultimately, he used the Heavenly Demon Armor to fend off the attack of the Flying Cicada Monster.

No matter how you calculate, it was a gain, so naturally, he wouldn’t regret it.

Only…

First, there were strange Exotic Beasts with Awakening, then the Flying Cicada Monster attacked. Is there more to come?

…

“Your concern is not unfounded.” In the Star-picking Hall, Yuan Zhen nodded in agreement.

“I have already informed the Upper Court of the situation in Yizhou. This chaos will soon have a turning point.”

“Moreover, rest assured, my friend, I will not blindly defend Nine Peaks Mountain. If the situation becomes untenable, abandoning Nine Peaks Mountain is not out of the question.”

This is good!

This aligns with my wishes.

Chen Mu felt pleased in his heart.

He feared that Yuan Zhen might value Nine Peaks Mountain too much and stubbornly defend it.

“We can first retreat to the Border Desolate Sea Area of southern Yizhou.”

“There, the Vital Energy is sparse, making it unlikely for powerful demons to emerge. It is a safe haven.”

“We can hide for a while, and when the Upper Court sends reinforcements, we can then return.” Yuan Zhen laid out the plan in full.

“When you return, you should also make some preparations, so we can immediately retreat if traces of demon invasion are discovered.”

Chen Mu immediately bowed in agreement, feeling greatly relieved.

“There’s no need to worry too much.” Yuan Zhen smiled.

“The operation to conquer Mistaken Heaven is led by the three Daoist Ancestors from Luofu, Pure Yang, and Heavenly River, with participation from Thousand Mechanisms Sect and Pill Cauldron Sect.”

“Currently, they can’t spare time for this place, but they have definitely considered it.”

“We might not even need to leave Nine Peaks Mountain before the Upper Court starts taking action.” He raised his eyebrows, smiling widely.

Three Daoist Ancestors leading?

That’s quite a grand gesture!

Something this significant must have been thoughtfully considered.

Seeing Yuan Zhen’s confident smile, Chen Mu guessed that Yuan Zhen might already have some insights into the Upper Court’s plans, but it’s inconvenient to disclose them.

…

After some discussion with Yuan Zhen, Chen Mu returned to Weizhi Peak with peace of mind.

He informed Tang Zhimu to mobilize the disciples and make early preparations,

and then returned to the hut on the mountaintop to continue his cultivation.

Two days later.

His physical changes were stabilizing, with the second heart completely embedded in his body.

The expansion of the Thousand Lanterns City Grotto Heaven had also ceased.

The violent changes triggered by Yama’s Feast consuming Luo Ding finally settled.

The physical qualities doubled, and even poking the palm with the Vermilion Feather Sword only left slight white marks.

The entire Thousand Lanterns City expanded nearly three times its original size, becoming a massive spherical Grotto Heaven with a diameter of approximately twenty-seven to twenty-eight kilometers.

Enhancement of physical body and Grotto Heaven expansion are good things.

But suddenly growing an extra heart, such a structure different from normal human anatomy, made Chen Mu inevitably anxious.

“I can’t let Yama’s Feast devour things randomly in the future.”

…

In the evening.

Chen Mu gazed in fascination at the giant eyeball atop Thousand Lanterns City.

That is the core of the Thousand Lanterns City Grotto Heaven mechanism.

“Can the Spirit Treasure Core Mechanism Technique be used on Thousand Lanterns City?” he wondered.

The Thousand Lanterns City Grotto Heaven is extraordinary, yet it is still a tangible existence. Thinking of it as a peculiar Magic Treasure does not seem inappropriate.

With this thought,

Chen Mu immediately invoked Yin Spirit Divine Power, employing the Spirit Treasure Core Mechanism Technique and simultaneously immersing his Spirit in the giant eyeball.

Qualitative Exotic Force slowly permeated the Thousand Lanterns City.

Chen Mu felt as if he was submerged in an ocean, countless vague True Meaning Talismans abruptly appeared in his mind.

It actually worked?!

Chen Mu was overjoyed.

He even felt that the Spirit Treasure Core Mechanism was exceptionally well-suited to the interior of Thousand Lanterns City, penetrating the Magic Artifact a hundred times more smoothly than usual.

It seemed as though this Secret Technique was originally intended for controlling Grotto Heaven.

“Perhaps it is indeed so.” The more Chen Mu pondered, the more possible it seemed.

The Spiritual Treasure Pivot Scripture initially came from the Divine Statue Cave Heaven within the Luandu County City God Temple. It might have been a complementary secret technique for controlling the Divine Statue Cave Heaven.

Chen Mu was excited, and he couldn’t help but summon the gray Stone Gate to check.

He found the experience value of the Spiritual Treasure Pivot Scripture, like the hands of a clock, rising slowly but steadily upward.

Hey!

This is the right path!