Chapter 155 - 107: Meteor Escape

Chapter 155: Chapter 107: Meteor Escape

In Jade Altar Temple.

As the second half of the night drew to a close, the full moon gradually set in the west, and the cascading Moonlight grew increasingly sparse. At midnight, it had resembled white silk, but as dawn approached, it had thinned out like smoke.

Yanming and Yanqing, who had been operating the Array all this time, finally stopped. The Tree of Light of the Mother Array and the Epiphyllum of the Child Array retracted and dissipated, allowing the roof of the grand hall to close once more.

Yanming picked up a stone bowl and walked toward Li Yinsheng with Yanqing.

Even after a night of Refinement, the stone bowl had only accumulated less than half a bowl of Moon Dew. As Yanming walked, the clear radiance of the Moon Dew flickered slightly. She walked up to Li Yinsheng and Shangguan Ling’Er, and with a tap of her fingertip, the Moon Dew in the bowl divided into four portions, forming small spheres that flew in front of the four of them.

Once suspended as spheres, the originally liquid Moon Dew truly looked no different from the full moon, except they were only about an inch in size.

"This is the Moon Dew," Yanming said with a light chuckle. "Please."

Li Yinsheng and Shangguan Ling’Er exchanged a glance and did not stand on ceremony. After both expressed their thanks, they swallowed the Moon Dew hovering before them.

The moment it entered his mouth, Li Yinsheng couldn’t feel like he was drinking any liquid. Instead, a soothing, cooling sensation rushed down his throat. However, this cooling sensation did not flow downward. Instead, it surged straight up into his Sea of Consciousness.

He only felt a mass of clear radiance emerge in his Sea of Consciousness, enveloping his Soul, which then rapidly absorbed the light.

A hint of marvel flashed in Li Yinsheng’s eyes.

Naturally, this small amount of Moon Dew wouldn’t cause any earth-shattering changes to his Soul. But as a Grand Daoist at the sixth layer of the Heart Seal Scripture with a highly solidified Soul, he could still feel a noticeable improvement.

If consumed year-round, it would provide immense benefits to the Soul, even for a Grand Daoist.

And if he gave it to his junior sister... Having a stronger Soul would probably make Artifact Refining easier for her, wouldn’t it? After all, with a more powerful Soul, her Divine Sense would also further improve.

"Not bad," Shangguan Ling’Er spoke up. "Although it can’t compare to the Heavenly and Earthly Treasures in the Dharma Vein that specifically strengthen the Soul, it’s far better than things like Cultivation Fruits, and it provides a steady supply."

"It’s just that this Array can only be used during a full moon, and it requires at least two Daoists to operate it, which consumes a great deal of Heart and Spirit," Daoist Yanming said, shaking her head.

After operating the Array for an entire night, a trace of exhaustion had already appeared on her and Daoist Yanqing’s brows.

"Fellow Daoists, does this mean Yin Sheng has won?" Shangguan Ling’Er changed the subject, asking with a beaming smile.

"What do you think? I told you already, connecting a Mother-Child Array doesn’t need to be as troublesome as you two previously imagined," Li Yinsheng also said with a smile.

Yanqing frowned slightly. "But the Array’s operation is clearly not as smooth as before!"

"Why, has the efficiency dropped?" Li Yinsheng retorted.

"Well... not exactly," Yanqing’s momentum deflated, "but when I operated the Array this time, it just wasn’t as handy as before!"

"I’m just asking you, has the efficiency dropped!" Li Yinsheng crossed his arms and took a step forward, his momentum surging as he stood face-to-face with Yanqing.

"N-No!" Yanqing turned her face away, still somewhat unconvinced.

The method Li Yinsheng used to repair the connection of the Mother-Child Array was a bit unorthodox, and its operation wasn’t as silky smooth as the unified Array formation that Jade Altar Temple was accustomed to. However, his foundation in the Array Dao was truly extremely solid and profound. The repaired Mother-Child Array could operate and coordinate perfectly well.

"Alright, sister," Yanming, holding the empty stone bowl, spoke up. "Fellow Daoist Li’s method is indeed effective. According to our previous agreement, we have lost."

"I know." Yanqing looked back at Li Yinsheng. "Fellow Daoist Li, we’ll consider it your win. Tell us your condition."

"As long as it’s something we sisters can do, we absolutely will not refuse," Daoist Yanming added.

Li Yinsheng had already thought it through beforehand, so he immediately said, "Fellow Daoist Yanming, Fellow Daoist Yanqing, I wonder if there is a simplified or smaller Array Map for this Moonlight Spirit Refining Array?"

The reason he asked for a simplified or smaller Array Map wasn’t that he worried he wouldn’t understand the large Moonlight Spirit Refining Array before him. Rather, an Array of this caliber was undoubtedly the foundational heritage of Jade Altar Temple, and they would absolutely never hand it over to an outsider casually.

Besides, he truly had no use for such a massive Moonlight Spirit Refining Array. After all, the cost of setting up the gigantic Moonlight Spirit Refining Array in front of him was bound to be outrageously high. He merely wanted a simplified version that could be laid out using the black and white chess pieces of the Array of Profound Mystery, just to test it out in his Grotto Heaven.

Asking for the Array Map of the complete, large-scale Array before him would be of no use.

"Does Fellow Daoist Li wish to set up the Moonlight Spirit Refining Array in your own Daoist Temple?" Daoist Yanming asked.

Li Yinsheng nodded. "I have just experienced the efficacy of the Moon Dew, and it is truly miraculous.

"Moreover, you two are aware of the situation at Xuanzhen Temple. I only need a Moonlight Spirit Refining Array that can be formed by a single person to satisfy the needs of the entire temple."

"The Moonlight Spirit Refining Array... does indeed have a smaller Array Map," Daoist Yanqing said, shaking her head. "Since Fellow Daoist Li defeated us sisters, we are willing to concede our loss, so we can give it to you.

"However, Fellow Daoist Li had best think twice. As good as the Moon Dew is, the Moonlight Spirit Refining Array might not be as practical as you imagine, especially the smaller version."

Li Yinsheng revealed a look of confusion.

"Regardless of its size, the Moonlight Spirit Refining Array can only be activated by a Daoist, and it consumes an extreme amount of Heart and Spirit..." Daoist Yanqing explained. "This large-scale Moonlight Spirit Refining Array can only be activated by us sisters working together.

"But even the small Moonlight Spirit Refining Array must be personally activated by a Daoist—meaning you, Fellow Daoist Li. It’s impossible to have Cultivators below the Daoist realm take over the task of collecting and Refining Moon Dew."

"Then I shall personally Refine it," Li Yinsheng said.

"But the efficiency of a small Moonlight Spirit Refining Array is greatly reduced," Daoist Yanqing said, shaking her head. "A large Moonlight Spirit Refining Array is worth using because, even though a full moon only occurs once a month, it can collect a substantial amount of Moon Dew each time.

"A small Moonlight Spirit Refining Array can only collect a few drops of Moon Dew during a single full moon, which is truly of no great use to a Daoist."

Daoist Yanming chimed in, shaking her head, "A few drops of Moon Dew are only enough to cultivate junior disciples."

Li Yinsheng’s expression remained unchanged. "No matter. It just so happens that I have a junior sister who needs cultivating."

Shangguan Ling’Er abruptly snapped her head toward Li Yinsheng, her eyes wide.

"Are you serious... doing this again?!" she thought.

"Then... I suppose that works out perfectly." Seeing Li Yinsheng so insistent, Daoist Yanming no longer refused. She took a Jade Scroll out of her Qiankun Bag and handed it to him.

Daoist Yanqing reminded him, "By the way, because Cultivators who haven’t reached the Daoist realm still have scattered Souls, their experience when consuming Moon Dew will differ from that of a Daoist.

"When a Daoist consumes Moon Dew, they will feel their Soul become cool and comfortable during Refinement, and their Sea of Consciousness will be clear.

"But when those who are not yet Daoists consume Moon Dew, their scattered Souls will cause the Refinement process to be very slow, and they will feel an icy chill piercing to the bone all over their bodies."

Li Yinsheng grew a little worried. "Could it be that the Moon Dew has side effects for Cultivators with lower Cultivation?"

"No, that’s merely an illusion during the Refinement of the Moon Dew. As long as they don’t continuously Refine too much Moon Dew in one breath—going too far and causing harm—it won’t have any detrimental effects on their Soul or Flesh Body. So, there is no need to worry too much," Daoist Yanqing said, shaking her head.

As for the so-called Refining too much Moon Dew in one breath... she felt Li Yinsheng didn’t need to worry about that at all. With only a few drops a month, it would be hard to go too far even if he tried.

Li Yinsheng breathed a sigh of relief. "In that case, I am relieved. Thank you for the reminder, Fellow Daoist Yanqing."

In Xuanzhen Temple, on the Third Layer of the Scripture Pavilion.

Three new bookshelves had appeared in front of Li Yinsheng, all filled with heavy Array Dao Manuals. These were all copies he had transcribed from Jade Altar Temple, essentially emptying out all of their Array Dao Manuals outside of their core heritage.

As a price, he had promised that every year around this time in the future, he would go to Yanqing and Yanming to discuss the Dao for at least the next ten years.

Logically speaking, although these Array Dao Manuals were precious, they didn’t qualify to be placed on the Third Layer; at most, they belonged on the second layer. After all, the Third Layer housed the most top-tier Magic and Cultivation Techniques of a Daoist Temple, while these Array Dao Manuals only explained foundational principles.

Li Yinsheng placed them on the Third Layer purely for convenience, as he had grown accustomed to reading on the Third Layer of the Scripture Pavilion while at Xuanzhen Temple. The current Third Layer was, in reality, his personal study. Although it was highly contrary to the precepts, there was no one around to discipline him anyway.

However, before reading today, he had one other matter to attend to.

Walking over to the bookshelf storing Escape Skills, Li Yinsheng flipped through them one by one, carefully making his selection.

"Gale Escape Skill... What a simple and crude name. It’s certainly fast, but its use is too one-dimensional."

"Void Nether... Excels at concealment and hiding, suitable for sneak attacks. This isn’t bad, but the speed is a bit slow..."

"Snow Crystal Escape... Only Female Cultivators who practice Water Element Techniques can cultivate this? Restricting the Cultivation Technique is one thing, but restricting the gender too? Bad review!"

"Golden Stone Sword Escape. Sword Escape? Sword Escape is great! Wait, it requires a Flying Sword Refined from metal and stone to be executed? What a useless skill! Where in the world would there be so many Flying Swords made of metal and stone! Have they never considered Sword Cultivators who use wooden swords?!"

"Blood Spirit Rainbow Transformation Skill... Why is there another Demonic Cultivation Technique? Just what exactly did our seniors collect!"

"Thunder Escape Skill... Holy crap! This is amazing, this is the one... Damn it, why is it only half a book?"

After Li Yinsheng had flipped through all the Escape Skills on the Third Layer, he finally selected a satisfactory one. He sat back down at his desk and began reading.

"Meteor Escape. Extremely fast when executed. During the escape, one can channel Magical Power to protect the body, or even directly transform it into an Attacking Technique. Even if one simply crashes directly into an enemy, it possesses impressive might.

"Moreover, it is highly suitable for Cultivators who Minor in Body Cultivation. When executing the Attacking Technique within the Meteor Escape, one can additionally stack Qi Blood and physical strength on top of it, taking its power to the next level.

"The drawback is that it consumes a massive amount of Magical Power. While fast, it cannot pass directly through simpler Restrictions or other obstacles like certain intricate life-saving Escape Skills.

"Furthermore, once the Attacking Technique within it is executed, although the speed increases explosively, the commotion it causes will also be enormous.

"However, during daily use, as long as it’s not pushed to the maximum, it’s not much different from a normal Escape Skill, and even without full activation, the speed isn’t bad."

Li Yinsheng rubbed his chin. "Enormous commotion? How much commotion can a single Escape Skill cause?

"Besides, if it reaches the point where I have to execute its Attacking Technique, it means a fight has broken out. Since a fight has started, I’ll definitely be hurling other Techniques and Magical Treasures over anyway, so the commotion won’t be small regardless."

He shook his head, feeling that aside from the high consumption, this Meteor Escape essentially had no flaws and was perfectly suited for him.

But as for high consumption, the Six Interpretations of Life and Death that he cultivated excelled precisely in having profound and abundant Magical Power. Furthermore, once he successfully cultivated Two Witherings and Two Thrivings, the Six Interpretations of Life and Death would gain a new miraculous property, directly multiplying his Magical Power recovery speed several times over.

Having made his decision, Li Yinsheng began practicing the Technique for the Meteor Escape. Once he successfully cultivated it, he would also be able to transform into a rainbow and escape without relying on a Magical Treasure!