Chapter 222 - 178: Body Refining Breakthrough, Tier Two Spirit Furnace
Chapter 222: Chapter 178: Body Refining Breakthrough, Tier Two Spirit Furnace
At this point, the number of Spirit Stones in Lin Changheng’s Storage Bag had finally surpassed the thirty thousand mark.
His ability to earn was certainly impressive, but his expenses were also staggering.
Demon Beast Essence Blood and Body Refining Spiritual Materials were all money pits.
Fortunately, he could produce his own Elixirs; otherwise, it would have been another massive expense.
However, while this seemed like a lot of Spirit Stones, it was only equivalent to three hundred Middle Grade Spirit Stones. For someone in the Foundation Establishment Stage, it wouldn’t last long at all.
...
「Two months later.」
One day, Lin Changheng set aside the Dragon-Breaking Stone and soaked in a medicinal bath, slowly circulating the Evergreen Body of the Ancient Wood.
Wisps of energy were slowly absorbed into his body.
As pain washed over him, Lin Changheng’s expression remained resolute. He waited for this agony to transform into accumulation, into his very foundation.
Meanwhile, the residual power of the Flood Dragon Blood Fruit within him continued to be released and thoroughly refined.
WHOOSH...
Lin Changheng suddenly felt a sense of fullness, not in his stomach, but in his skin and flesh.
This meant his accumulation was nearly complete.
「An hour later.」
Suddenly, the emerald-green Spirit Liquid in the refined iron tub began to churn violently. Countless minute, dark cyan glimmers of light, as if activated, drilled through the pores all over Lin Changheng’s body. They converged into a raging torrent inside him, washing through his entire being.
’This is the moment.’
His hands formed a new seal. Instantly, the faint, ethereal image of an ancient, cyan tree pattern appeared upon his body, each branch glinting with profound meaning.
BUZZ—
Lin Changheng’s bones began to creak, a grating sound so sharp it set one’s teeth on edge. The tree pattern seemed to have opened some kind of channel, allowing the accumulated energy within him to be unleashed.
At once, Lin Changheng’s once lustrous white bones gradually took on the color of Cyan Jade.
From skin to flesh, and now to bone—it was a step-by-step progression!
The rich color of the medicinal liquid in the tub faded at a rate visible to the naked eye, all of its Medicinal Power being devoured with frenzied abandon.
HISS!
Lin Changheng sucked in a sharp breath, sweat beading on his brow. It was just too painful.
’It feels like a small knife is scraping my bones.’
’If not for my willpower, how many people could possibly endure this kind of pain?’
In truth, this technique was similar to the Body Refining Techniques of Ancient Cultivators. In those times, when Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures were abundant, Body Cultivators could contend with other Ancient Cultivators of the same tier.
The Evergreen Body of the Ancient Wood was considered a simplified, modern-day adaptation.
Ancient Body Refining techniques were several times more painful than this one, but their power also far surpassed those of the present day.
The Evergreen Body of the Ancient Wood was more powerful than modern Body Refining Techniques, but at least those modern techniques weren’t nearly as painful.
It still couldn’t contend with Cultivators of the same tier unless in close combat, but it had retained a significant amount of its life-preserving capabilities.
At that moment, cyan wood-like patterns rapidly formed upon Lin Changheng’s bones, spreading out layer by layer like the rings of an ancient tree.
’This is... my chance!’
Lin Changheng knew this was a critical juncture. He continued to circulate his Cultivation Technique, not daring to relax for even a moment.
As more and more cyan patterns appeared on his bones, the remaining power of the Flood Dragon Blood Fruit was completely wrung dry.
Thoroughly absorbed.
BOOM!
The Qi and Blood in his body surged like a dragon, and his bones emitted a series of faint popping sounds. The patterns on them completely set, solidifying in place.
CRACK—
With a loud crack, the aura around him surged violently. The refined iron tub beneath him, unable to withstand the pressure, spiderwebbed with cracks.
Lin Changheng’s eyes flew open, a light like electricity flashing within them as he leaped out.
’I did it!’
Feeling the terrifying changes in his body, he murmured to himself. With a gentle clench of his fist, he easily created a sonic boom in the air.
The Evergreen Body of the Ancient Wood had finally reached the Fifth Layer!
Tier Two Middle Stage Body Refining—breakthrough successful!
Filled with satisfaction, he suddenly formed a blade with his fingers. Channeling the Limb Hardening Demon Technique into his right hand, he slashed viciously at his own left arm.
SHINK!
His fingertips scraped against his skin, producing the sound of metal striking wood. A shower of dazzling sparks flew, leaving only a white mark on his arm that vanished in an instant.
’With this body, I could probably withstand a few direct hits from a Middle Grade Spiritual Artifact.’
He glanced around, wanting to test it further. This was his most prominent trait, one carried over from his past life: he believed in empirical evidence, always using his own trials and experiments to discover the truth.
He quickly shook his head. ’I’m probably the hardest thing in this entire cave residence. Even if I tore the place apart, it wouldn’t prove anything.’
He could only suppress the urge.
’I need to find a chance to get my hands on a Spiritual Artifact to test my limits.’
’Also, my Upper Grade Pill Furnace is no longer sufficient. It can’t withstand the intense fluctuations of Tier Two Medicinal Power, so there’s a risk of it exploding. I need to replace it.’
’The furnace exploding is a small matter; destroying the ingredients is a huge one!’
As the thought crossed his mind, Lin Changheng couldn’t help but chuckle. Other people bought Spiritual Artifacts to attack their enemies; he was buying one mainly to attack himself...
’What a bizarre situation.’
...
「The next day.」
Lin Changheng took Yan Mingyi, who also hadn’t been out in a long time, and piloted his Dharma Ship to the Inner City.
He tossed her a bag of Spirit Stones and told her to go wander around and purchase whatever the cave residence needed.
Meanwhile, he went off on his own to find a shop that could forge Spiritual Artifacts.
In truth, Yan Mingyi’s personal wealth was terrifying. Backed by her grandfather’s entire inheritance, she could afford to buy two Foundation Establishment Pills without issue. Furthermore, she herself was a Middle Grade Puppet Master, capable of earning Spirit Stones by customizing and selling Puppets.
But he couldn’t very well have his "Maid" work for him and also pay for everything out of her own pocket, could he? That would make him a truly heartless boss.
Over the past few months, Lin Changheng’s cave residence had undergone a major transformation. Not only was there Spiritual Food and Spirit Wine to enjoy daily, but the place was also clean, pleasant, and exceptionally well-managed.
Aside from tending to his Treasure Plant and hastening its growth, Lin Changheng had handed over all other responsibilities. He focused wholeheartedly on Alchemy and Cultivation, and even had free time to socialize and maintain his network.