Zhang Chi’s cave dwelling was located at the foot of an Outer Sect Peak. The Spiritual Qi here was relatively abundant, but for a Qi Cultivation Middle Stage cultivator, it was stretched thin.

This was because, according to the Cangwu Sect’s rules, one had to continuously advance their Cultivation to be able to move into a High Level cave dwelling.

New Outer Disciples could only live at the foot of the mountain. Upon reaching the Qi Cultivation Middle Stage, they could move to the mountainside, and at the Qi Cultivation Late Stage, they could live near the peak.

The closer to the peak, the larger and better-equipped the cave dwelling, and the more abundant the Spiritual Qi.

The Sect had assumed Zhang Chi would be restarting his Cultivation from scratch, so they had arranged for him to be at the foot of the mountain like any other ordinary Immortal Seed.

Furthermore, this cave dwelling came with a protective Array.

However, the cave dwelling was of a low Level, and the built-in Array wasn’t impressive either—it was only Tier One Low Grade, making it barely usable.

Fortunately, Zhang Chi had planned ahead, spending a fortune to buy a Tier One Peak Four-direction Spirit Gathering Array, which would now come in handy once again.

After activating the cave dwelling’s defensive Array and setting up the Four-direction Spirit Gathering Array, Zhang Chi finally felt at ease.

—

’As expected of a Top Grade Demon Technique. Its profoundness is in no way inferior to the Nine Flames Spirit Devouring Technique.’

’But its dangers are even greater than the Nine Flames Spirit Devouring Technique, not less.’

’Thankfully, I have the Jade Pendant’s help. Without the negative side effects, mastering this Cultivation Technique isn’t actually that difficult!’

Zhang Chi quickly finished reading the White Bone Divine Forging Technique and couldn’t help but marvel at it.

He then spent three days studying and comprehending it before officially beginning his Cultivation.

He sat cross-legged on the ground, using his Divine Thought to continuously sketch in his mind. Soon, the image of a ferocious, terrifying Demon God composed of gleaming white bones appeared.

Although it was just a rough outline, a cold, savage, and bloodthirsty aura instantly filled his entire mind.

He even heard strange, whispering voices, giving him a splitting headache to the point where he was about to lose his sanity.

But at the critical moment, the Jade Pendant trembled slightly, and all these negative effects vanished in an instant.

The outline of the White Bone Demon God, which had been on the verge of collapsing, immediately stabilized.

’It really works!’

Zhang Chi had anticipated this, but he was still overjoyed.

He calmed his mind and continued sketching.

After an hour, the image of the White Bone Demon God finally emerged in full.

Although it was still a bit stiff, he had successfully reached the Entry Level for the Cultivation Technique.

To his pleasant surprise, Zhang Chi discovered that the Power of the Divine Soul had already begun to strengthen rapidly during this process.

From now on, as long as he visualized it for a period of time each day, it wouldn’t be long before the Power of the Divine Soul could rival that of Qi Cultivation Late Stage cultivators.

Of course, by then, the White Bone Demon God he visualized would surely be more complete. He might even have reached Minor Success, and the strength of his Divine Soul would continue to increase as a result.

’According to the Cultivation Technique’s description, even someone with a talent for the Divine Soul, who isn’t afraid of death, and has treasures like Soul Nourishing Wood and the guidance of a powerful expert, would generally need more than ten years for even a slight chance at reaching the Entry Level.’

’But it only took me an hour to succeed! This type of Cultivation Technique really is the most suitable for me!’

After reaching his limit, Zhang Chi ended his Cultivation session, feeling extremely satisfied.

He extended his Divine Thought and found that the range of his Divine Sense had clearly expanded by a small margin.

Originally, his Divine Thought, or rather, his Divine Sense, could extend about fifteen yards away.

And that was after practicing the Nine Flames Spirit Devouring Technique, which had already given his Power of the Divine Soul a certain boost.

Otherwise, an ordinary Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer Cultivator’s range was only about twelve yards.

But now, he found that the distance had directly increased by a full six inches.

While this increase might seem trivial, if he persisted, and not accounting for changes in his Cultivation Realm or improvements in the technique, his Divine Sense’s scanning radius would double in at most three months.

Zhang Chi then tried cultivating his Magic and the Bright Jade Body Forging Technique and immediately noticed a clear increase in his efficiency with both.

And when he cultivated the Nine Flames Spirit Devouring Technique, his Cultivation, which was already on the verge of a breakthrough, was pushed by his newly strengthened Power of the Divine Soul, allowing him to break through to the Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer in one fell swoop.

BOOM!

In that instant, a powerful Spiritual Pressure erupted, and the surrounding Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi swarmed toward him.

Before long, the breakthrough was complete.

Zhang Chi’s Spiritual Power, Divine Soul, and even his physical body had all been significantly enhanced.

"Excellent!"

Zhang Chi was in high spirits.

First entering the Cangwu Sect, then obtaining the White Bone Divine Forging Technique, and now a successful breakthrough—it was truly one good thing after another.

Of course, besides the Wasted Pills and the Top Grade Demon Technique, the abundant Spiritual Qi on the Floating Airship had also played a huge part in his rapid breakthrough.

But the Spiritual Qi in his current cave dwelling was clearly insufficient. It felt especially thin after his breakthrough.

Thus, Zhang Chi immediately began to ponder his options.

He now had three choices.

The first was to declare that he was giving up on switching Cultivation Techniques, report it to the Sect, and receive a new cave dwelling.

But there was a problem with this: the Cultivation Technique he supposedly practiced was too poor and didn’t meet the Sect’s standards, so he would never pass the Sect’s考核.

At the same time, his Spirit Root was also average, yet his breakthrough speed was far too fast. There was simply no way to explain it.

The second was to continue lying low here until he had a certain level of strength before revealing it.

But this would be a complete waste of his status as a Cangwu Sect Outer Disciple.

Moreover, even with a Top Grade Cultivation Technique, his Cultivation speed would be much slower without sufficient Spiritual Qi, which would definitely be detrimental to his goal of charging toward Foundation Establishment in the long run.

Thus, Zhang Chi quickly thought of a third option: using his status as a Sect disciple to find a place similar to the Cold Iron Mine to use as a cultivation site.

Furthermore, now that he had the White Bone Divine Forging Technique, he could also cultivate the Qi Concealment Technique to a profound Realm.

Then, as long as he didn’t run into any High Tier Cultivators, he could completely hide his Cultivation.

Of course, it would be even better if he could find other Secret Techniques for concealing one’s Cultivation in the Sect’s Inheritance Hall.

The branch of the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower didn’t have any, but that didn’t mean the Cangwu Sect wouldn’t.

Having made up his mind, Zhang Chi immediately took out the Jade Scroll he had received upon joining the Sect and began to examine it carefully.

’These places are good. Even better than the mines, and most are within the Sect, so they’re very safe. And this won’t interfere with me attending the periodic lectures given by the Sect’s seniors.’

Soon, Zhang Chi had chosen his target.

His target was none other than the Sect’s Earth Fire Hall.

They were originally volcanoes that had been transformed one by one into specialized locations for Alchemy and Artifact Refining by the upper echelons of the Cangwu Sect using Great Divine Techniques.

These Earth Fire Halls had extremely abundant Fire Spiritual Qi, and many even contained a Tier One Peak Spiritual Vein, making them perfectly suited for a cultivator like Zhang Chi who practiced a Fire Element Cultivation Technique.

At the same time, he could also come into contact with some Alchemy Masters and Artifact Refiners in these places and perhaps learn a thing or two.

At the very least, the Earth Fire there could aid in Alchemy and Artifact Refining, which would in turn save him a considerable amount of Spirit Stones.

However, these places had one drawback: the fire energy was too intense, and ordinary Qi Cultivation Cultivators simply couldn’t stand it.

Staying there for extended periods would lead to erosion by the earth-lung fire poison.

Even Fire Element Qi Cultivation cultivators on duty there had to take pills like the Ice Spirit Pill to periodically neutralize the fire poison.

Foundation Establishment Cultivators could directly refine the fire poison.

But the Spiritual Qi in these places was no longer sufficient for the cultivation of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

Therefore, Foundation Establishment Cultivators looked down on such places. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

For Zhang Chi, however, the fire poison would be absorbed by the Jade Pendant.

So, these Earth Fire Halls were perfect cultivation treasures for him.

Moreover, these places were scorchingly hot and, unlike the mines, offered no perks or profit to be made. Ordinary disciples were completely unwilling to take on guard duty there. Often, the Sect had to make it a mandatory assignment and increase the rewards before someone reluctantly went.

Therefore, as long as he applied, he would surely be approved, and he might even be able to monopolize a Tier One Peak Spiritual Vein all to himself.