Chapter 55: Chapter 55: Something Big Happened

However, Jiang Xu could clearly feel that after reaching the Qi Cultivation Middle Stage, his cultivation speed had slowed down considerably.

It was very likely because his Master Level Cangmu Skill was already becoming insufficient.

It seemed the bottleneck between the Qi Cultivation Sixth and Seventh Layers could only be broken by advancing the skill beyond the Master Level.

’But just how many Limit-Breaking Points do I need to break past the Master Level?! I’m already past nine points, and the ’+’ sign still hasn’t appeared!’

’I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve had to hold back! The Golden Light Spell, Exorcism Spell, Seeking Technique, Vajra Indestructible Divine Skill... which of these don’t I desperately need right now?! They’ve all been stuck at the Skilled Stage for ages!’

But complaining wouldn’t solve the problem. Jiang Xu could only bite the bullet and accept it.

If he reached ten Limit-Breaking Points and still couldn’t unlock the next stage,

Jiang Xu planned to just upgrade all his currently stuck Skills at once.

With this in mind, Jiang Xu beckoned with his hand. The Spiritual Gourd Spiritual Artifact, which had been lying on the table, immediately floated into the air and flew toward him.

This was the power of the Exorcism Spell, allowing him to control Magical Artifacts and make them fly.

This Tier One Middle Grade Technique, the Exorcism Spell, had cost Jiang Xu a full ten Spirit Stones.

’I’ve already reached the Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer, and my Exorcism Spell is at the maxed-out Skilled Level... but I still haven’t had a proper flight on my Ten Thousand Laws Gourd. Sigh!’

Jiang Xu had named this Spiritual Gourd Spiritual Artifact the Ten Thousand Laws Gourd, a name that represented his fervent hope for the future.

During his breaks from secluded cultivation, whenever he was bored, Jiang Xu had been constantly exploring the abilities of the Ten Thousand Laws Gourd.

He had discovered that while the Ten Thousand Laws Gourd could only store and release Magic,

a closer study revealed it had a great deal of untapped potential.

For example, it could absorb another person’s Magic and use it against an enemy.

Magic that consumed a great deal of Magical Power or had a long casting time could be stored beforehand. Then, when needed, he could use a minimal amount of Magical Power to have the Ten Thousand Laws Gourd unleash it against a foe.

He could also cast Magic at the same time as the Ten Thousand Laws Gourd, creating a two-pronged attack that would double their combined power.

Furthermore, he could use the Exorcism Spell to control the Ten Thousand Laws Gourd, having it cast Magic from a different direction to make an enemy misjudge his location.

Those were its combat applications.

Aside from combat, the Ten Thousand Laws Gourd could also absorb Magic that Jiang Xu cast on himself.

Such as the Spiritual Eye Technique, Concealing Breath Spell, and Light Body Spell.

Jiang Xu had also experimented and found that Magic absorbed into the Ten Thousand Laws Gourd in this way could then be cast on other living creatures!

Normally, these techniques could only be used on oneself; they couldn’t be cast on others.

This opened up a whole new range of applications for Jiang Xu’s Magic!

’Not only that, this Ten Thousand Laws Gourd will also play a crucial role in hiding my true strength!’ Jiang Xu thought, stroking the gourd.

Living in the Sect, Jiang Xu knew there would inevitably be times when he would have to display his strength.

Sometimes, simply enduring insults doesn’t lead to peace. Instead, it invites more bullying and humiliation. Acting out then would only cause more trouble.

To avoid trouble, it was best to land the first punch, lest a hundred more follow.

But even fighting required skill.

The power of his Magic was Jiang Xu’s trump card.

When the time came for him to display his strength, he could use the Ten Thousand Laws Gourd to attack.

That way, he could transform the perception of his own powerful Magic into the power of his Magical Artifact.

Thus hiding his heaven-defying talent for cultivating Magic.

...

After ending his seclusion, the first thing on Jiang Xu’s mind was his curiosity about Yan Chunyu’s whereabouts.

’I wonder if Yan Chunyu ever came back. What exactly happened back then?’

The best way to find out was to ask someone.

Ideally, he’d find a member of the Jade Heart Association to ask.

Within the Jade Heart Association, Jiang Xu only knew Shan Lanlan and Ding Shiping.

Jiang Xu didn’t know where Shan Lanlan lived in the Inner Sect.

However, Jiang Xu knew exactly where Ding Shiping lived.

Because Ding Shiping had described it to him in great detail, emphasizing a dozen times that Jiang Xu should visit him often for a chat after returning to the Sect.

Hm?

Jiang Xu felt that something was off.

He felt like he had forgotten something...

’Ah! Crap! I was so focused on my seclusion that I forgot to look for Brother Ding!’

Jiang Xu was dumbfounded.

It was all because Ding Shiping had been so chatty back then.

As a result, it went in one ear and out the other, and he completely forgot all about Ding Shiping the moment he got back to the Sect.

’This... ahem, well, it’s been so many days and Brother Ding hasn’t come looking for me. He’s probably forgotten all about it. Yes, he’s definitely forgotten!’

Jiang Xu decided to put the matter out of his mind.

’I can’t go ask Brother Ding, then... Fellow Daoist Zong should know about it. He was directly involved, so he ought to have some idea what happened.’

Jiang Xu decided to go find Zong Ziqi first.

...

Jiang Xu went to the spot where Zong Ziqi usually cultivated.

He immediately spotted Zong Ziqi, who was leisurely practicing a set of sword forms with his Profound Dragon Sword.

Using his Spiritual Eye Technique, Jiang Xu was shocked to see that the Spiritual Qi fluctuations from Zong Ziqi’s body had clearly reached the Body Refining Middle Stage.

’No way!’

’That’s insane!’

Jiang Xu had thought his own breakthrough from the Qi Cultivation Third Layer to the Fourth Layer in four months was fast enough.

But Zong Ziqi had gone from the Body Refining Early Stage to the Middle Stage in just three months!

’Is this the true power of Spirit Stones?!’

Zong Ziqi was a little surprised to see Jiang Xu approach.

"Oh, so you’re out of seclusion? Looks like you’ve progressed quite a bit!"

"Hardly. I can’t compare to you!"

After a brief exchange of flattery, Jiang Xu got straight to the point.

"I’ve been in seclusion for three months and haven’t really been out, so I’m out of the loop. How’s Yan Chunyu? Did she come back? What happened back then?"

Zong Ziqi chuckled.

"You really must have focused on your seclusion for three months. To not even know about that major event."

Jiang Xu was completely confused.

"Don’t leave me hanging. I’m dying of curiosity here, so spill it!"

Zong Ziqi then told him about the major events that had occurred during his three-month seclusion.

Apparently, two months ago, a Secret Realm had appeared in the outer region of the Endless Forest.

But as soon as it appeared, it was immediately taken over by the Three Sects: the Profound Origin Sect, the Celestial Blade Sect, and the Purple Flower Palace.

Very little information was released.

All that was known was that this Secret Realm was no ordinary place.

Currently, the Profound Origin Sect is actively exploring its interior along with the other two sects. It seems that among the Three Sects, the Profound Origin Sect has taken the lead and holds the upper hand.

Last month, the Sect organized an exploration team composed of Outer Disciples and Servant Disciples.

It consisted of two hundred people in total: one hundred and fifty Servant Disciples and fifty Outer Disciples, all of whom volunteered.

The rewards for each participant were exceptionally generous, so the spots on the exploration team were fiercely contested.

Many even came to blows over them.

"I remember the team set out a little over ten days ago. They should have been inside the Secret Realm for quite a few days by now."