NABC Chapter 218 Star Thunder Escape Technique, Keeping the Appointment with Wuchen
Chapter 218 Star Thunder Escape Technique, Keeping the Appointment with Wuchen
Chapter 218 Star Thunder Escape Technique, Keeping the Appointment with Wuchen
Since obtaining this formula, Chen Yi has never been idle for the past three years.
Using the basic ingredients for thunder brewing provided by the Star Moon Sect and with the help of the system's capabilities, he spent a lot of time and effort removing impurities from the ingredients bit by bit, retaining the purest part, and upgrading the quality of each batch of ingredients to the third-grade superior quality.
After three years of accumulation, he barely managed to gather two sets of materials to refine "Thunder Brew Spirit Essence".
With his previous experience in making high-quality improved Azure Thunder Brew, he successfully refined a third-grade superior Thunder Brew essence in his second attempt two months ago.
At this moment, this top-grade third-tier Thunder Brew Essence lies quietly in his storage bag, becoming his important trump card.
After creating this Thunder Brew Essence, Chen Yi, in theory, officially became a third-tier superior spirit chef.
With this Thunder Brew Essence as a foundation, now is the perfect time to announce that we can produce the regular version of the authentic Azure Thunder Brew.
More importantly, the materials required to refine a Tier 3 superior-grade Thunder Brew Spirit Essence are far too high-level.
He also needed to take this opportunity to appropriately increase his demands for material supplies from the sect.
We can't keep relying on the system to absorb impurities and purify materials bit by bit. That would consume too much energy and time, and it's not a good long-term solution.
In fact, Chen Yi had already planned out a follow-up strategy.
If the sect feels that providing third-grade high-quality lightning-type spiritual materials is too much of a burden, he will compromise.
Revealing an improved version of the premium [Azure Thunder Brew] is also acceptable.
Its quality is not as good as [Thunder Brew Essence], but it is worse than the ordinary version of [Azure Thunder Brew] that Yue Qingqiu just proposed. It should be easier to exchange it for higher-grade Thunder Brew materials.
However, this step exposes a slightly greater risk. If the improved process of brewing premium thunder wine were to be leaked, it would be very easy for cultivators with ulterior motives to target it.
Fortunately, he has been keeping a low profile and staying within the Star Moon Sect, so as long as the sect keeps it confidential, there is no need to worry too much.
As his thoughts drifted, some past information resurfaced: the Nine Heavens Chamber of Commerce, which he had reported to the sect years ago, had now been investigated and the results confirmed.
The original chamber of commerce was officially dissolved more than 20 years ago. The "Nine Heavens Chamber of Commerce" that continued to operate between Qi State and Zhongzhou was actually privately established by a senior member of the original chamber of commerce, who also colluded with some wanted bandits.
Since the last time the cultivators who sold an entire airship to the Demonic Sect, the Grand Elder Xuan Shui Zhenren of the Merchant Guild, who was in the late Core Formation stage, has completely disappeared without a trace.
Furthermore, the Eagle Ridge Mountain forces near the Star Moon Sect have always harbored hostility towards the sect.
His new offering was also recorded by the other party, but Chen Yi had been cultivating in seclusion for many years and never went out, so the other party could never find an opportunity to provoke him.
Having taken stock of these miscellaneous matters, Chen Yi had already made up his mind and decided to negotiate with the sect step by step.
He looked up at Yue Qingqiu and replied sincerely:
"Replying to the fairy, I, Chen, can indeed barely produce a full-quality version of [Azure Thunder Brew]."
However, the success rate is currently low, and the requirements for materials are somewhat stringent.
The main ingredient, which requires the Thunder Blood, must contain at least the essence of the blood of a late-stage Tier 3 Thunder Beast.
If one could obtain lightning blood containing the bloodline of an ancient lightning beast, the success rate of refining it would increase even further.
Upon hearing this answer, Yue Qingqiu felt both joy and worry.
The good news is that Chen Yin is able to produce all-quality Qingxiao Lei Niang.
This is a huge help to the Star Moon Sect, because in the Central Plains, high-quality Azure Thunder Brew is a scarce, top-tier resource.
It can significantly enhance the combat power of Core Formation cultivators, even more so than ordinary magic weapons.
The worry is that Chen Yi's material requirements are too high. Late-stage Tier 3 Thunder Beasts are already rare, and their blood essence is even more hard to come by.
"Sigh, fine, I'll figure out the materials. You just focus on your cultivation and refining the Thunder Brew."
After a moment of contemplation, Yue Qingqiu finally gritted her teeth and agreed.
She pondered to herself: the Ji family's genuine [Azure Thunder Brew] has always been regarded as a treasure and is almost never circulated in the market.
Even if you can buy it, it will cost a lot of precious resources, and sometimes you even have to owe someone a favor to ask for help.
Now that our own sect can refine it, even if it costs more in materials, it's worth it in the long run.
However, just as Yue Qingqiu agreed to handle the materials, Chen Yi spoke up again, his tone tinged with difficulty:
"However... Fairy, making this genuine [Azure Thunder Brew] consumes a great deal of divine sense and magical power."
I am now in the mid-stage of Core Formation, and I also have two mid-stage third-tier spirit pets with me. This third-tier mid-grade spirit vein dojo is right now…”
Although he didn't finish his sentence, his meaning was already very clear—the existing spiritual veins were insufficient to support his refining of thunder wine and daily cultivation, and he needed to be given a higher-level spiritual vein cave.
Yue Qingqiu raised her hand and gently touched her forehead, her heart filled with helplessness.
When she signed the contract with Chen Yi, she thought that by using a third-grade low-level spiritual vein, she could retain a spiritual chef who could serve the sect for hundreds of years, which was extremely cost-effective.
But who could have imagined that only ten years later, the other party would already need a third-grade high-quality spiritual vein to meet their needs?
She was having a real headache at the moment.
As for the current high-grade third-tier spiritual vein, she might be able to manage to coordinate it if she and Ping Xingye discussed it properly.
But what if, decades later, Chen Yi's cultivation advances further and he reaches the late stage of Core Formation, and he needs a fourth-order spiritual vein then?
Should we ask her to give up her cave dwelling, or ask Ping Xingye to vacate his position, or perhaps alarm the sect's Nascent Soul ancestor and ask him to share some of the spiritual veins?
"Okay, I'll think of something."
Yue Qingqiu left these words behind and hurriedly turned and left.
Her steps were light but somewhat hurried, because she was worried that if she stayed any longer, Chen Yi would ask for something else.
It wasn't that she thought Chen Yi was asking for an exorbitant amount,
She knew better than anyone that people with real skills deserved better treatment.
However, sect affairs are ultimately not something she can decide alone. Above her, there is the Nascent Soul Ancestor overseeing the overall situation, and on Xingfeng's side, there is Ping Xingye managing the daily affairs.
Moreover, Ping Xingye is decades older than her, and recently the sect has allocated a large amount of resources to fully support his attempt to break through to the Nascent Soul Realm.
Once Ping Xingye successfully forms his Nascent Soul, the Nascent Soul Ancestor will completely transfer the sect's power to him.
As a result,
She really needs to have a good talk with Hoshino before she can make a decision on matters such as the allocation of spiritual veins and the distribution of resources.
Back at her residence, Yue Qingqiu hesitated for a moment before taking out a communication jade slip. She gathered her magical power at her fingertips and slowly inscribed the words:
"Senior brother, how is the Nascent Soul Pill being refined?"
There's been some trouble at the sect. When would be a convenient time for you to come back?
She hadn't sent a message to Hirahoshino for decades, but now, because of Chen Yi's spiritual veins, she had no choice but to do so.
Meanwhile, in a secluded cultivation chamber deep within Qingyun Cave, Ping Xingye was sitting cross-legged in meditation.
While consolidating his cultivation by drawing upon the spiritual energy of the cave, he also waited in line for a fourth-tier alchemy sect to refine his Nascent Soul Pill.
Occasionally, he would seek out the opportunity to consult with the Green Mountain Ancestor of Qingyun Cave about methods to suppress demonic thoughts, leading a busy yet fulfilling life.
That day, the jade slip on his wrist suddenly glowed faintly. He activated it casually, and when he saw the familiar handwriting and signature on the slip...
His previously listless expression instantly brightened, and a gleam of undisguised light flashed in his eyes.
"My junior sister actually contacted me!"
Ping Xingye's heart was filled with excitement, and his fingertips unconsciously tightened their grip on the jade slip.
"Has she finally come to her senses?"
Once this thought popped into his head, it grew wildly in his heart like vines, and even his patience for cultivation dissipated by more than half. He only wanted to return to the sect immediately to see Yue Qingqiu.
He immediately stood up, not bothering to straighten his robes, and strode towards the fourth-tier alchemy sect of Qingyun Cave Heaven.
He planned to pay a higher price to ask the other party to make an exception and allow him to skip the queue to refine the Nascent Soul Pill, so as to settle this matter as soon as possible and return to the Star Moon Sect.
On the Star Moon Sect's side, after advancing to the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm, Chen Yi did not rush into action, but instead spent some time consolidating his foundation in magic.
He not only mastered the newly acquired Golden Core stage spells, but also increased the power of his previously proficient illusion arrays and wood-based spells, making them more fluid and easy to use.
Once he felt he was in peak condition, Chen Yi calculated the time with his fingers and muttered to himself:
"It's time to keep my appointment with Young Master Ji."
Chen Yi used his perception of heaven and earth to observe the causal relationship between heaven and earth over several days and found that if he went out at this time, he would hardly be in any great danger.
In fact, more than four years ago, after Chen Yi replied to Ji Wuchen, Ji Wuchen had secretly visited Moon Lake Spirit Land three years ago.
On that occasion, Chen Yi only told others that he was going to the Moon Lake area to enjoy the scenery and absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to cultivate and prepare for advancing to the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm.
In reality, he deliberately avoided the sect's eyes and ears and met Ji Wuchen on a deserted island deep in Moon Lake.
Reunited after more than forty years, Ji Wuchen's cultivation progressed even faster than Chen Yi's. He had already formed his Golden Core more than thirty years ago and was now at the peak of the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm.
At that time, Ji Wuchen came to Chen Yi to solve a thorny problem.
When he was hunting demons in the Qi Kingdom, he was accidentally left with a fourth-order demonic soul mark between his eyebrows. This mark was extremely stubborn and could never be completely removed.
Chen Yi had asked him curiously at the time, "Even with the abilities of that late-stage Nascent Soul senior behind the Ji family, they couldn't resolve this demonic soul mark?"
Upon hearing this, Ji Wuchen responded:
"Brother Chen, to be honest, I have already informed the elder of my family about this matter."
The Grand Elder said, "This demonic soul mark is both a crisis and an opportunity for me."
He does have the ability to remove the mark for me, but if he does it, I am destined to never reach the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm, and at most I can only reach the early or middle stage.
If that's the case, I will definitely lose my qualification to compete for the position of leader of the Ji family.
The Grand Elder told me to think it over carefully; as long as the mark is removed before the Nascent Soul stage, there's still time.
In these words, Ji Wuchen concealed a hidden secret.
Even with his talent, he wasn't considered top-tier in the talent-rich Ji family, so naturally he didn't want to waste the opportunity to break through to a higher realm and let the Grand Elder remove the mark.
Over the years, he has also sought solutions from various sources.
However, with his current Golden Core stage cultivation, he can only barely suppress the mark at most, and cannot completely remove it.
Later, he sought help from the divination master of the Ji family, who told him to find Chen Yi.
After listening, Chen Yi's face showed a hint of emotion. He pointed to his own nose, his tone tinged with doubt:
"I?
Brother Ji, do you perhaps think of me as omnipotent?
This is a fourth-tier demonic soul mark, a technique that can only be used by those who have reached the Nascent Soul level!
"I'm just a lowly Core Formation cultivator, and you want me to solve this kind of problem for you?"
Seeing that Chen Yi had misunderstood, Ji Wuchen quickly explained with a wry smile, his tone tinged with urgency:
"Brother Chen, I don't need to rely on you alone."
I asked the Ji family's divination master to perform a divination, and he naturally pointed me in the right direction.
Three hundred thousand miles deep in the Monster Mountain Range, there is a place called Thunder-Attracting Peak. Inside the peak is a special ancient Thunder Pool. Only there can I wash away the mark of my demonic soul.
Of course, the Thunder Pool itself only provides a fixed environment and does not have the ability to directly clean the marks.
The real key is that certain special soul-cleansing spirituality within the Thunder Pool needs Brother Chen's guidance and manipulation.
Only by combining the environment of the Thunder Pool with Brother Chen's control can a complete solution be achieved.
Ji Wuchen himself couldn't explain why the Nascent Soul level divination master in his family could predict that his opportunity lay with his friend Chen Yi.
But there was no other way at the moment, and when he spoke to Chen Yi, his tone unconsciously carried a hint of expectation.
After all, in the Ji family, the status and treatment of an ordinary early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator are worlds apart from that of a super strong cultivator with the potential to grow into a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.
Moreover, every cultivation prodigy inevitably harbors the ambition to reach the pinnacle of the Great Green cultivation world.
To achieve this goal, one must first reach the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm before there is any possibility of continuing forward.
Chen Yi thought for a moment, then said in a deep voice:
"Brother Ji, tell me first, what level of location is that ancient Thunder Pool secret place at Thunder-Guiding Peak? And what kind of dangers might it contain?"
Ji Wuchen answered honestly:
"To be honest, Brother Chen, that ancient thunder pool is probably at the peak of the third rank."
As for the specific dangers, it is currently unknown...
Upon hearing this, Chen Yi was speechless for a moment.
He looked at Ji Wuchen, his tone tinged with helplessness:
"Brother Ji, I've only just reached the early stage of Core Formation cultivation, and you actually want me to venture into the peak of the third tier of the Thunder Pool?"
"Brother Chen, you don't need to be so modest."
Ji Wuchen quickly added, his eyes filled with certainty.
"Your true strength is certainly no less than mine. If the two of us join forces, we should have a chance."
Moreover, I, Ji Wuchen, hereby swear that if we encounter any danger along the way, I will immediately use the fourth-tier life-saving trump card bestowed upon me by my family, and I will certainly be able to save Brother Chen's life!
Faced with Ji Wuchen's promises and expectations, Chen Yi still slowly shook his head.
He had his own considerations; he knew he could not entrust his life to the oath of another.
Even if the other party is a friend of many years, it is not easy for him to take the risk.
After much discussion, Chen Yi reluctantly relented and gave Ji Wuchen a chance, while also setting conditions:
Let Ji Wuchen go to that Thunder Pool secret place to explore and find out the specific situation in the next two years;
Once Chen Yi's cultivation reaches the mid-stage of Core Formation, we will discuss traveling together again.
Furthermore, if Ji Wuchen can use this time to advance his cultivation to the late Golden Core stage, the two of them will have a greater chance of successfully venturing into the Thunder Pool.
Ji Wuchen was speechless at Chen Yi's cautious attitude, but since he needed Chen Yi's help, he could only agree for the time being.
Fearing that Chen Yi might change his mind later, he specially prepared a genuine high-level secret recipe for [Thunder Brew Spirit Essence] in advance and gave it to Chen Yi as a deposit:
"Brother Chen, you have exceptional talent in the culinary lineage. You can study this secret recipe when you have some free time."
If we can make one or two bottles of [Thunder Brew Essence] before we head to Thunder Pool, our chances of success on this trip will increase by at least 20%!
Ji Wuchen offered this secret recipe willingly, but he also harbored his own selfish motives.
If Chen Yi can successfully refine the [Thunder Brewed Spirit Essence], it will not only benefit Chen Yi himself,
It will also greatly help him break through the danger zone to remove the demonic soul mark, which is equivalent to indirectly adding a layer of protection for himself.
Now, three years have quietly passed.
As promised, Chen Yi's cultivation level successfully advanced to the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm.
At the same time, he also received several secret letters from Ji Wuchen, which detailed the general environment around the Thunder Pool Secret Realm and several potential dangers encountered during the exploration.
In fact, Chen Yi himself had always longed for and had a real need for that ancient Thunder Pool secret place.
If he can safely and smoothly enter the Thunder Pool, his Thunder Spirit Body Tempering Technique and Purple Lightning Soul Nourishing Technique will most likely advance further.
More importantly, his fifth divine aperture might find an opportunity to open in the unique thunderous environment of Thunder Peak.
Besides this, Chen Yi had another important reason for agreeing to go to Thunder Peak:
In recent years, he has cultivated the Star Technique to the mid-stage of the third level.
Chen Yi did not devote much energy to practicing the other techniques recorded in the Star Manual.
However, he had quietly mastered the [Star Escape] technique, and was fully utilizing the power of stars within it.
It replaced the power of the Swift Wind from the previous Wind and Lightning Release, and combined it with his own expertise in Lightning Release.
They combined and created a new escape technique with a speed as fast as a shooting star—[Star Lightning Escape].
This [Star Thunder Escape] technique is extremely powerful, so powerful that even with Chen Yi's current mid-stage Golden Core mana and mid-stage third-tier body refinement strength, the two combined can only barely operate for ten breaths.
Yet, in those mere ten breaths, Chen Yi's escape speed reached a terrifying near-fourth-tier level.
This speed far exceeds the limit of ordinary Core Formation stage cultivators, and is several times faster than the Wind and Thunder Escape he cultivated before, and even the Blood Escape used by Elder Blood Fiend.
Of course, Chen Yi only intended to save this powerful trump card for his own survival, since the mana consumption of this escape technique was too great and could not be used for a long time.
Fortunately, with the [Star Lightning Escape] technique, even a full-force attack from a Nascent Soul level cultivator...
Chen Yi was also 80% confident that he could dodge in time, which was the key reason why he dared to consider venturing into the peak of the third tier of the Thunder Pool.
With these prerequisites in mind, Chen Yi sent a message to Ji Wuchen, saying that they could set off to explore the ancient thunder pool secret place on Thunder-Drawing Peak.
However, safety must be the top priority. If unexpected dangers are discovered along the way, he will turn around and leave immediately, and will never take any risks.
Chen Yi's words, seemingly emphasizing only safety, actually carried an unspoken meaning:
If we encounter any danger or need to face any battles along the way, I hope Ji Wuchen can stand at the forefront.
He himself planned to stay in the back and "slack off" as much as possible to conserve his strength.
If they were to encounter a crisis that even Ji Wuchen couldn't handle, the two would immediately use their trump cards to retreat, never lingering in battle.
After sending a message to Ji Wuchen, Chen Yi went straight to the main hall of the Star Moon Sect and sent a message to Yue Qingqiu, requesting leave to go out.
Upon arriving at the main hall of the former sect leader, Xinghe Shangren, Chen Yi did not close the door and directly stated his purpose in front of Yue Qingqiu:
"Fairy Qingyue, I, Chen, have been cultivating in seclusion at the Xingyue Sect for ten years."
Now that he has advanced to the mid-stage of Core Formation, he plans to go out and gain some experience, and see the spiritual mountains and rivers of Zhongzhou.
In addition, the spiritual vein of my current cave dwelling is under heavy burden, so it's good to let it rest for a while and accumulate some spiritual energy, which will make my subsequent cultivation smoother.
Chen Yi's reasons were reasonable, and Yue Qingqiu simply couldn't refuse.
After all, she couldn't produce a higher-level spiritual vein to meet Chen Yi's previous needs, so it would be unreasonable to prevent him from going out to train now.
She hesitated for a moment, but couldn't help but speak:
"Master Chen, how long is the journey expected to take? And what about the sect's supply of Azure Thunder Brew...?"
Yue Qingqiu stopped halfway through her sentence.
What she was really worried about was that Chen Yi would take this opportunity to leave.
It should be noted that the contract previously signed with Chen Yi was far too weak in binding force on a cultivator who was already in the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm, possessed third-tier skills, and had two mid-stage third-tier demonic beasts.
With Chen Yi's strength, any sect would be willing to pay the price to help him break free from the contract and recruit him, this "hot commodity". The Star Moon Sect has no chance of keeping him.
Chen Yi naturally understood the underlying meaning in Yue Qingqiu's words. He smiled slightly, his tone composed:
"Please rest assured, Fairy Qingyue, since I have agreed to the sect's agreement, I will never break the agreement unless there are extremely special circumstances."
This trip will last at least six months, and at most two or three years. Chen will definitely return.
As for the [Azure Thunder Brew], once Chen has a cave dwelling with more abundant spiritual veins in the future, he will naturally make up for the share he owes over the past two years.
Moreover, even if I wanted to refine it now, I doubt the sect currently has enough high-grade thunder-brew materials stored up, right?
These words precisely struck several of Yue Qingqiu's sore spots.
They reassured her, making it clear that they wouldn't betray the sect, while subtly reminding her...
If you want me to fulfill my promise to refine the Azure Thunder Brew, you must first honor the sect's promise and prepare the high-level spiritual vein cave.
Moreover, the sect currently lacks even core materials like the blood essence of a third-tier high-grade ancient thunder beast, so even if they insisted on having him refine it, they would have no idea where to begin.
Yue Qingqiu was rendered speechless and could only sigh inwardly.
The Star Moon Sect's territory was not very large to begin with, and with only the two main peaks of Star and Moon, it was indeed difficult to free up a third-grade high-quality spiritual vein cave dwelling in a short period of time.
The preparation of high-level thunder brewing materials also requires time to search and collect; it cannot be rushed.
She composed herself and softened her tone:
"You're overthinking it, Elder Chen. I trust your character. I'm not worried that you won't return, but I'm simply concerned about your safety while you're out there training."
As soon as she finished speaking, Yue Qingqiu hesitated for a moment, then took out a magical artifact from her storage bag.
It was a pure white shuttle shaped like a crescent moon, with a faint moonlight aura flowing across its surface.
"Here's what we'll do. This is my privately treasured Moonblade Shuttle. It can be used for attacking, or it can transform into moonlight to escape. It's extremely fast."
With your cultivation level, fellow Daoist, it should be able to unleash the power of a high-grade third rank, enough to save your life in a critical moment.
Moreover, this shuttle can also send out distress signals, and as long as the distance is no more than 20,000 miles, I can clearly sense it.
"If you encounter danger on your journey, this thing can at least save your life, or hold out until I bring people to rescue you."
As she spoke, she handed the Moonblade Shuttle to Chen Yi, explaining that she was lending it to him temporarily.
Chen Yi's eyes were filled with surprise when he saw the Moon Blade Shuttle magic weapon.
(End of this chapter)