Immortality Starts With Ignorant Heart Sword Art

Chapter 205: Method of Returning to the Sect after Advancing to the Mid-Foundation Building Stage

"Buzz!!!"

Looking at the spiritual energy within tens of miles, gathering towards the cloud-covered mountaintop as if being sucked by a whale, even though Xiang Ling had seen it many times before, she still couldn't help but feel amazed.

"This kind of power is not inferior to a lower three grades Gold Core. Achieving this level at the Foundation Building Stage, my husband is truly remarkable," she said.

After speaking, she thought of something and turned to her younger sister beside her.

"Ling Que, since my husband is willing to take you as his disciple, this is your good fortune. You must seize this opportunity and not disappoint my husband's expectations."

"No need to tell me, I will naturally cultivate diligently... It's just a pity that I can't comprehend either the Five Organs Divine Palace True Form Diagram or the Heaven and Earth Eight Trigrams Diagram," Ling Que said with some frustration.

She knew that Zhong Cang's strength came from these two cultivation techniques.

Ling Que wanted to learn them, and Zhong Cang was willing to teach her.

However, these two cultivation techniques were not something that anyone could cultivate. Ling Que couldn't even grasp the basics, let alone reach the level of Zhong Cang, who had rapidly advanced to the 4th stage.

In contrast to Ling Que's unhappy expression, Xiang Ling remained calm.

"Difficulties in cultivation are inevitable. My husband's talent in cultivation is rare even among the major sects... You don't need to compare yourself to my husband. As long as you make progress on your own, it's enough..."

Xiang Ling and Ling Que, the two sisters, were talking to each other.

Meanwhile, Zhong Cang, who was sitting on the mountaintop, had reached the most critical moment.

After several hours of resonance and with the assistance of the Innate spiritual resonance from the Law Weapon, his cultivation had reached the doorstep of the mid-Foundation Building stage, feeling the barrier between the early and mid-Foundation Building stages.

"Break for me!"

"Buzz!"

With a determined effort, Zhong Cang directly used his abundant spiritual energy to attack the barrier of the mid-Foundation Building stage. This step... was quite easy.

This was a normal situation. Firstly, after obtaining the Chest Containing Five Qi characteristic and nurturing the Five Organs Divine Palace, the spiritual energy within Zhong Cang's body was extremely abundant, several times that of an ordinary person.

With such abundant spiritual energy, breaking through the barrier naturally became easier.

Not to mention that Zhong Cang's current physique was no longer at the third level of mediocrity.

After the hundred days of Foundation Building with the Qi Consumption Technique, Zhong Cang's talent had undergone a transformation. He now possessed a First Grade spiritual root.

This First Grade talent, due to its extreme compatibility with spiritual energy, not only had a high absorption efficiency but also had a weak barrier when breaking through.

With a little effort, Zhong Cang easily broke through this thin film and entered the mid-Foundation Building stage.

"Boom!"

At the moment of advancement, Zhong Cang's first feeling was that he had broken free from the constraints of his own limits.

This was manifested in his overflowing dantian, where the stored spiritual energy had increased its limit.

"Inhale..."

With the expansion of the dantian, the spiritual energy between heaven and earth was sucked into Zhong Cang's abdomen.

Due to the gathering of the Five Elements Spirit Gathering Great Array, the concentration of spiritual energy around Zhong Cang had always been high. At this moment, with a slight absorption, a huge amount of spiritual energy was refined and assimilated into his body, causing Zhong Cang's cultivation to soar.

After the dantian benefited, it was the internal organs. Like the dantian, their limits were also expanded.

This change not only made Zhong Cang's Five Organs Divine Palace more magnificent and powerful, but also stimulated the growth of his physical fitness.

"Buzz..."

As his body and mana grew together, the giant spirit shadow behind Zhong Cang, which was faintly visible, became more and more solid.

...

Compared to the advancement of techniques and cultivation, there are not many anomalies or characteristics that appear in the advancement of cultivation. It only strengthens one's mana and physical body.

However, for cultivators, the transformation of mana and physical body is fundamental. After all, no matter how powerful and mysterious a spell is, it still requires abundant mana to be cast. With sufficient mana, even low-level spells can produce effects surpassing their level. Therefore, this advancement greatly enhances Zhong Cang's strength.

...

"Hoo... exhale..."

After the advancement, Zhong Cang spent more than half an hour breathing at the mountaintop. During each breath, the spiritual energy between heaven and earth continuously entered Zhong Cang's body and merged with his own through the refinement of the Five Organs Divine Lord.

However, due to his profound foundation and the expansion of his limits by nearly ten times in this advancement, it was extremely difficult for Zhong Cang to fill it up completely.

What troubled him even more was that the density of spiritual energy in the wilderness was far inferior to that of the Cloud Firmament Sect. Even with the Five Elements Spirit Gathering Great Array, which could gather spiritual energy within a radius of ten thousand meters, it was still not enough.

For example, in the current situation, Zhong Cang had already absorbed all the spiritual energy within tens of thousands of miles in just half an hour of cultivation.

Although spiritual energy flows like water from high places to low places, it would take at least three days to fill this area. He couldn't afford to wait for such a long time.

This situation made Zhong Cang realize one thing: "If I were to cultivate in the wilderness, it would take me at least ten years to fill myself with spiritual energy and reach the bottleneck of the Late Stage of Foundation Building."

Thinking of this, Zhong Cang became even more eager to return to the Cloud Firmament Sect.

If he were in the Cloud Firmament Sect, where the density of spiritual energy was more than ten times higher than now, and with the access to numerous resources, Zhong Cang was confident that he could reach the Mid Stage of Foundation Building within a year.

If he was lucky enough to receive rewards from the sect and be granted rare items equivalent to half an Innate Law Treasure, Zhong Cang even had confidence in advancing his cultivation within a few months.

There was also one thing that made Zhong Cang feel the need to return.

"The way of heaven is to diminish the excess and supplement the deficiency; the way of man is to diminish the deficiency and offer the excess."

"If there is a deficiency in the human body, unless external substances are added to the mana, the chances of advancing to the Gold Core stage for all Foundation Building cultivators will be less than one percent. Even if they manage to advance by chance, it will only be a lower three grades Gold Core."

"Therefore, all Foundation Building cultivators need to absorb the Earthly Fiend Qi between heaven and earth during the Mid Stage of Foundation Building, allowing it to merge with their bodies. In the Late Stage of Foundation Building, they need to absorb the Astral Fiend Qi and integrate it with their mana."

"This kind of integration not only transforms the body and mana, but also serves as a means to complete oneself."

"And this process of replenishing oneself with the qi of heaven and earth perfectly fits the saying: 'The way of heaven is to diminish the excess and supplement the deficiency; the way of man is to diminish the deficiency and offer the excess!'"

...

The process of refining the Astral Fiend Qi is something that all Foundation Building cultivators must go through. However, not all cultivators can absorb the Astral Fiend Qi.

Depending on the different techniques, the Astral Fiend Qi that cultivators can absorb also varies. For example, Yan Lingdie, who practices the fire attribute, can only absorb fire attribute Astral Fiend Qi, and at most, due to the principle of the Five Elements generating each other, she can absorb a bit of wood attribute Astral Fiend Qi.

As Zhong Cang possesses all five elements, he can absorb all five types of Astral Fiend Qi. In theory, having more choices is a good thing for Zhong Cang.

However, things are not that simple... Unless the world falls into a state of decline, Astral Fiend Qi will continue to be born from the heavens and the earth. However, even though the heavens and the earth produce Astral Fiend Qi, it is still not enough compared to the number of cultivators. Moreover, both Heavenly Dipper Qi and Earthly Fiend Qi have different quality grades.

Over the course of tens of thousands of years, with the establishment and expansion of major cultivation sects, many Supreme Grade and High Grade Astral Fiend Qi have been monopolized by these sects. It is difficult to find Astral Fiend Qi in the outside world, and even if found, it is usually of Low Grade. Only the major sects have access to High Grade and even Supreme Grade Astral Fiend Qi.

Not wanting to settle for mediocrity in refining the Astral Fiend Qi, Zhong Cang can only return to the sect.

The condensed Astral Fiend Qi is related to his future potential, how could he settle for less?

Of course, he could rely on luck.

Like this time, he obtained five and a half Innate Law Treasures in the secret realm of Mount Wutai. If he were to find another secret realm, there is a chance he could obtain a Supreme Grade Astral Fiend Qi.

However, this kind of luck is similar to winning the lottery. He doesn't dare to gamble.

On the other hand, if he returns to the sect, Zhong Cang has a chance of obtaining a Supreme Grade Astral Fiend Qi of over thirty percent, and even a High Grade Astral Fiend Qi of one hundred percent.

Therefore, Zhong Cang doesn't need to think too much about what choice to make.

By the way, one of the reasons why there are true disciples within the Cloud Firmament Sect and the distinction between ordinary inner disciples is the scarcity of High Grade and Supreme Grade Astral Fiend Qi.

One of the reasons why the battle between the peak and the center is so fierce is also because of the Astral Fiend Qi.

"The sect must return, and the earlier we return, the more advantageous it is for me!"

...

After making the decision, Zhong Cang cultivated in the wilderness for about ten days to stabilize his cultivation. Then, he took the two women and headed towards a coastal town.

Hmm... I say "headed towards," but in reality, they flew.

And unlike before, where they only rode the wind, with the Mirage Dragon Pearl, Zhong Cang's Mirage Dragon now had the ability to spew clouds and mist.

"Hoo..."

With its mouth wide open, the dragon released a surge of mist, quickly forming a cloud with an area of about one acre around Zhong Cang and the others. Then, driven by the wind, the cloud swiftly flew towards the seaside.

During the flight, there were no changes on the outside of the cloud, but inside, it transformed into a luxurious Cave Mansion through the manipulation of illusion energy.

Lying in the Cave Mansion, Zhong Cang received a massage from Xiang Ling while sighing,

"This illusion technique is really convenient."

"It's just a pity that I haven't reached the Gold Core stage yet, so I can't make a big fuss. Otherwise, I could transform the misty cloud into a dragon boat and summon countless beautiful women to dance and sing. That would be enjoyable."

...

The flight continued for thirteen days. There was no other way, the vastness of the One Heavenly Domain was just like this.

Finally, thirteen days later, Zhong Cang and the others arrived at their destination - the Heavenly Sea Immortal Market!

Looking at the Transcendent Level city that resembled a giant beast, perched by the sea, both Xiang Ling and Ling Que felt a sense of fear.

Especially the former, who timidly asked, "My lord, do we really have to come here?"

Zhong Cang knew the reason for her fear.

Unlike the Tianyun Immortal City, which is located inland, the Heavenly Sea Immortal Market is considered a sacred land in the hearts of Independent Cultivators.

Because it is close to the sea and borders the Transcendent Level power, Dragon Palace, in order to avoid conflicts, several major sects in the Yunmeng Heavenly Domain did not openly station their cultivators here.

However, due to its proximity to the sea and the lack of restrictions from major sects, this place gradually became a gathering place for Independent Cultivators.

When Independent Cultivators who relied on the profits here became Nascent Soul or even Soul Formation cultivators, this place became even more of a sacred land for Independent Cultivators.

Every year, countless Independent Cultivators who couldn't bear the exploitation of the major sects came here to seek treasures.

And there were indeed people who went out to sea and made a fortune, which attracted more and more people to come.

Of course, if it were just that, Xiang Ling and Ling Que would only yearn for it, not fear it.

The reason they were afraid was that while it was prosperous here, it was also... chaotic.

Indeed, many major sects in the cultivation world are hypocritical, but at least the major sects still value face.

As a result, even though people in the areas ruled by major sects were exploited, they could at least maintain surface peace. Some immortal cities even had disciples from major sects stationed there to collect taxes and maintain order.

But the Heavenly Sea Immortal Market is different. It is difficult to manage Independent Cultivators, and with so many of them gathered together, it is even more difficult to manage Transcendent Level cultivators.

There are revenge killings here every day, with factions of Independent Cultivators gathering. Although they don't fight every day, they often have several battles a year for territory and profits, which is considered normal.

The lower-level Independent Cultivators living here have even witnessed scenes of street battles with constantly changing faction flags.

There are numerous opportunities here, but it is also extremely chaotic, which is the impression that people have of this place.

And there are indeed Gold Core and Nascent Soul cultivators stationed here.

Gold Core battles occur once every few years, and Xiang Ling naturally does not want to enter such a chaotic and dangerous city.

If it weren't for the need to return to the Cloud Firmament Sect as soon as possible, Zhong Cang wouldn't want to come either.

He doesn't have the ability to contend with Gold Core and Nascent Soul cultivators yet, so naturally he doesn't want to meet them.

A gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall, and Zhong Cang understands this principle.

However, due to the scarcity of resources and the need for Condensed Astral Qi cultivation, Zhong Cang must come here.

Of course, he is not here to seek opportunities in the Tianhai Immortal Market, but to find...someone.

"As a major sect, Cloud Firmament Sect has allied relationships with several Dao Sects in the surrounding area. The tentacles (spies) of Cloud Firmament Sect definitely exist not only in the North Abyss Region."

"As a continent on the brink of the North Abyss Region, there must be people from Cloud Firmament Sect in the Cloud Dream Heavenly Domain. Even if it's just to gather information about the situation here, Cloud Firmament Sect would send a few spies."

Just like in the previous life, as a Transcendent Level great power, the lighthouse country would send a large number of spies into various countries. This is a common practice for major sects.

If he can find a spy and contact Cloud Firmament Sect, Zhong Cang's journey home will be much easier.

According to the information he knows, the Foundation Building stage is highly valued in major sects. It is possible for Cloud Firmament Sect to send a Nascent Soul cultivator to bring Zhong Cang back.

...This doesn't mean that the Nascent Soul cultivator will accompany him all the way, but just to make a trip and bring Zhong Cang back to Cloud Firmament Sect. With the speed of a Nascent Soul cultivator, it won't take much time.

...

Since arriving in the Cloud Dream Heavenly Domain, Zhong Cang has been trying various ways to return to his sect.

In the end, Zhong Cang realized that compared to planning how to go back and contacting the sect to send someone to pick him up, it was the easiest way.

However, the only thing that made him uncomfortable was that in the sect, he was still just a Qi Refining minor cultivator and had never had contact with the sect's intelligence department.

Moreover, this is an outer domain, and Zhong Cang has even less opportunity to come into contact with intelligence from the outer domain.

In the end, after thinking it over with his Heavenly Heart, Zhong Cang felt that in a situation where an intelligence department needs to collect information without exposing themselves, the chaotic Tianhai Immortal Market is the most convenient place.

Countless Independent Cultivators come and go, resulting in a wealth of information here. Without the restrictions of major sects, the chances of them being discovered are very low. Even if they are discovered, those major sects can't do much, after all, this place is not under their jurisdiction.

In this situation, Cloud Firmament Sect's intelligence headquarters in the Cloud Dream Heavenly Domain could be established here.

And this is also the reason why Zhong Cang came here.

"But how do I find it?"

Looking at the large city perched by the sea like a giant beast, feeling the presence of at least a million Independent Cultivators in the city, Zhong Cang's scalp tingled.

It is really not a simple task to find someone in such a huge city, especially when that person is good at hiding.

In the end, Zhong Cang once again activated his Heavenly Heart and accelerated his thinking with it, pondering.

In this state, he really found two ways to break through the situation.

"Four Seas Pavilion... There is also a Four Seas Pavilion here. As a Transcendent Level shop, Four Seas Pavilion not only sells goods but also sells information. Cloud Firmament Sect's spies might even buy information here. By spending money to inquire with them, there is a certain chance of contacting the Cloud Firmament Sect spies here."

"And even if I can't contact the Cloud Firmament Sect disciples here, as a powerful force spanning multiple domains, there must be a method of transmitting messages across domains within the Four Seas Pavilion... I can even have the Four Seas Pavilion contact Cloud Firmament Sect and have the senior members of Cloud Firmament Sect come to pick me up."

This method is quite good, and the other one is a bit bold.

"Create a big commotion. If I can cause a big news in the Tianhai Immortal Market and reveal the identity of a Cloud Firmament Sect disciple, the spies located in this city and even in the surrounding areas will know about me and send people to investigate."

"At that time, it will be easy for me to contact people from Cloud Firmament Sect."

Thinking of this, Zhong Cang's eyes lit up, and he made a decision in his heart:

"I'll do both!"

PS: I've been considering the plot these past few days, so there have been fewer updates. I apologize for that. I'll resume double updates tomorrow.

(End of this chapter)