novelhk Chapter 250 Dustless Transactions, Top-Level Monopoly
Chapter 250 Dustless Transactions, Top-Level Monopoly
Chapter 250 Dustless Transactions, Top-Level Monopoly
Chen Yi's expression instantly turned serious, and several ways to counter the attack flashed through his mind.
The first thing he ruled out was using movement techniques to escape. Under Yuan Lingling's domain, no matter how fast his lightning escape technique was, it couldn't outrun the spatial abilities controlled by the opponent.
Chen Yi could clearly sense that Yuan Lingling was only using the flame ability from the silver-red crystal marrow at this moment;
If she really wanted to kill, she could have skipped the trajectory of the fiery finger strike and directly used the shortcut in the shallow space to strike herself with a single finger.
Since there is no way to escape, we can only fight back.
However, without using the crystal marrow, with his current strength, there was absolutely no way he could withstand this fourth-tier finger strike.
That's all.
The moment the thought crossed his mind, Chen Yi activated the full power of his Concealing Breath Divine Ability on his Golden Core. At the same time, he activated his ability to perceive the world, making the space within three inches around him extremely blurry and difficult to detect.
Taking advantage of Yuan Lingling's spiritual cultivation being below the fourth level, Chen Yi also secretly laid out a spiritual interference wave outside his body to further conceal his movements.
After doing all this, he quietly moved the two Thunder Crystal Marrows to the front of the bone acupoint of his right fist.
"Bang-"
Chen Yi suddenly threw a punch, and the wind from the punch collided violently with the fiery finger force.
The fiery finger force shattered instantly, and a muffled boom erupted from the space three feet in front of him. A shallow ripple appeared on the surface of the space, spreading out like ripples on water.
The immense impact sent Chen Yi flying backward, skimming dozens of feet before he could barely regain his footing.
His face was ashen, a trickle of blood escaped from the corner of his mouth, and his right fist hung limply, as if he had suffered a severe injury.
He had already retrieved the two Thunder Crystal Marrows in one fell swoop, hiding them in the deepest bone cavity of his body, protected by the Breath Concealment Divine Power, leaving no trace.
After the first strike, the fluctuations of Chen Yi's internal energy and blood suddenly weakened, and his body also exuded a clear sense of emptiness. Anyone who saw him would feel that he had exhausted his strength and was unable to deliver a second strike.
However, this seemingly effortless result of "only managing to block the fourth-level finger strike of the ethereal fairy" caused Yuan Lingling to frown slightly.
Although the result was not much different from her initial guess, there was one aspect of the process that was beyond her control.
Her original idea was:
Chen Yi absolutely could not withstand this attack. As the finger force approached Chen Yi's body, she would use the power of a fourth-order flame spirit to force Chen Yi to unleash all of his lightning crystal cores and gold crystal cores, and then fuse the two crystal cores into one.
Then, the fiery finger force will break through these crystal cores one by one, and finally use the remaining force to strike Chen Yi's chest, leaving a fiery mark before dissipating on its own. This way, it can test Chen Yi's full potential without actually damaging his foundation.
However, the current situation is clearly different from her prediction.
Furthermore, the flame mark she originally intended to leave had already been specially treated, so even if it landed on Chen Yi, it would only cause minor injuries.
More importantly, the mark contains a wisp of the energy from her Fiery Crystal Essence, which gathers the power of heaven and earth. This energy can provide Chen Yi with a reference when he tries to condense crystal essence and perceive the rules of heaven and earth, helping him to grasp the key points more quickly.
But now, the situation is completely beyond expectations. Not only did her finger strikes fail to land on Chen Yi's chest as intended, but they were also directly shattered by him.
The moment Chen Yi shattered the finger force, the space around him suddenly fluctuated, interfering with Yuan Lingling's divine sense and preventing her from clearly capturing the specific changes at that instant.
However, for a top-tier immortal martial arts cultivator like Yuan Lingling, sometimes she doesn't need to rely on divine sense; she can judge the situation simply by extending her physical sense of touch.
That fiery finger strike was an extension of her power, and even from a distance of a hundred feet, she could maintain complete control over it.
Now that her finger strength has been prematurely shattered, she can clearly sense:
Chen Yi possesses the strength to unleash a fourth-tier attack, and even if this strength is achieved by instantly unleashing all his power, it is still an extremely rare achievement.
In the Immortal Martial Arts system, cultivators who can concentrate all their strength into a single point and unleash a strike that surpasses their own level are all geniuses who excel in combat.
Even if they are slightly inferior in cultivation talent, their combat skills are bound to be at the top level among their peers, enough to make up for the difference in talent.
Yuan Lingling glanced at Chen Yi a few more times with a hint of surprise, then withdrew her aura.
In an instant, the turbulent spiritual energy of heaven and earth within a hundred-foot radius returned to calm, and the fluctuations of the silver and red spiritual energy of the rules also faded away and disappeared without a trace.
She rarely gave Chen Yi a positive evaluation, and her tone was a bit gentler than before: "You are able to concentrate all your strength to deliver a blow that is beyond your level. Your physical talent is even better than I expected."
Perhaps one day, you will truly be able to reach the fourth level of body refinement and become one of us.
If you encounter any difficulties in the path of immortal martial arts in the future, you may report to Hongfeng Cave Heaven. Just mention my name, Yuan Lingling.
She paused, then added, "Oh, and let me remind you of something."
Although your attack just now shattered my fiery finger energy, it also knocked away the condensed crystal essence and enlightenment mark hidden in my finger energy.
Without this mark to assist you, it will be significantly more difficult for you to condense crystal essence on your own later.
After saying this, Yuan Lingling turned her gaze to Ji Wuchen beside her, her tone returning to its previous calmness: "Little Ji, three moves have passed, and I have completed the task of guiding you that I promised you."
Don't forget the quota for the Ji family's Enlightenment Pool that you promised earlier.
Three years later, we'll meet again in the Black Mountain Secret Realm.
After leaving those words, Yuan Lingling stopped looking at Chen Yi and Ji Wuchen in the arena and walked forward.
With each step she took, her figure instantly appeared hundreds of feet away, as if she had transcended the limitations of distance.
In just three steps, he passed through the triple array surrounding Chen Yi's cave and appeared directly outside the cave.
Immediately afterwards, dressed in white, her ponytail fluttering in the wind, she stood with her hands behind her back in mid-air. Without lingering, she flew straight towards the outside of the Star Moon Sect, quickly transforming into a white dot of light and disappearing into the horizon.
Chen Yi watched her departing figure, his eyes filled with undisguised envy.
What he envied was not the ethereal fairy's top-notch immortal martial arts strength, but her spatial ability. This ability to travel freely through space without being bound by conventional formations was truly something to yearn for.
In Chen Yi's view, this ability to protect herself is the ultimate means of "counter-encirclement and counter-hunting". Combined with Yuan Lingling's top-notch body-refining strength and exquisite immortal martial arts skills, it is no wonder that she can be almost invincible among her peers.
Is this the power of the Ethereal Dao Body?
I wonder if there's any way to acquire this spatial ability through the system's devouring power?
Chen Yi couldn't help but have this thought in his mind.
He reflected to himself: In the years since he mastered the Thunder Technique, he had indeed been too cautious in his actions, and had almost never taken the initiative to enter high-level secret realms or dangerous places to seek opportunities.
However, upon further reflection, since thunder magic is already above the five elements, ordinary opportunities no longer hold much appeal for him, so there is naturally no need to take risks.
However, if given the opportunity to acquire spatial abilities, Chen Yi felt that even taking a few more risks was worth considering.
Of course, aside from envying Yuan Lingling's spatial abilities, Chen Yi didn't have much longing for her other aspects.
In his view, this so-called guidance was more like an ethereal fairy subtly showing off.
His greatest takeaway, however, was not the other person's technical guidance, but rather the confirmation of two key insights:
First, there is still room for improvement beyond the crystal marrow; second, the core ability of the crystal marrow lies in communicating with the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.
Having clarified these two directions of cultivation, that was enough for him.
As for the claim that Chen Yi left Yuan Lingling's finger mark on his body, that's simply impossible. Chen Yi has too many secrets; how could he allow a mark containing Yuan Lingling's various probing abilities to touch his chest? That would expose most of his body's secrets.
With this in mind, Chen Yi's thoughts gradually calmed down, and his gaze returned to the training ground, as he began to sort out the cultivation insights gained from this guidance.
"Brother Chen, are you still reading?"
Ji Wuchen quickly walked up to Chen Yi, his tone tinged with regret, "Brother Chen, I'm not trying to criticize you, but you really shouldn't have unleashed your full power to shatter her fiery finger strike with that last attack."
Since Yuan Lingling promised to guide you, she will definitely keep her promise. I estimate that her most valuable guidance is actually hidden in that finger strike.
He paused, then explained further, "Just as she later said, that finger strike left a mark on you, which might help you break through to the Crystal Marrow Realm faster. This is a real opportunity!"
"It's alright." Chen Yi shook his head gently, his expression calm. "Opportunities are like that; once you miss them, they're gone."
Moreover, I did not gain nothing from this guidance; on the contrary, I confirmed many key points in my practice.
Brother Ji, I must thank you no matter what.
He changed the subject, his tone becoming serious: "You said before that you begged her to come and guide me, and I thought it was just a favor I owed you. I didn't expect that you would give up your spot in the Ji family's Enlightenment Pool for this matter."
Mr. Chen will remember this kindness.
"Haha, actually, under normal circumstances, it really is just a favor."
Ji Wuchen smiled and waved his hand, his tone tinged with helplessness, "However, the core inheritors of the Hongfeng Cave Heaven lineage have always liked to put on airs, usually acting superior, and when faced with a problem, they only say one thing: I will only throw three punches."
It's so difficult to get them to do anything for us.
He then changed the subject, comforting her, "But it's good that you've gained something. Even if you didn't get the mark's assistance this time, I'll help you find another opportunity next time."
If all else fails, you can just do as Yuan Lingling said and go directly to Hongfeng Cave Heaven to report for duty. I think she recognizes your talent and won't mistreat you.
"Let's talk about this later," Chen Yi said calmly, neither confirming nor denying. "I'm quite content staying at the Star Moon Sect for now, and I have no plans to leave."
In his opinion, unless Hongfeng Cave Heaven offers him an opportunity to gain spatial abilities or there is another compelling reason for him to go, there is no need to go there for the time being.
Thinking of this, Chen Yi looked up at Ji Wuchen and asked, "Brother Ji, I wonder where Fairy Kongling's spatial Dao body came from?"
How did she cultivate those spatial abilities?
"Hey, don't even think about it!"
Ji Wuchen waved his hand, his tone carrying a certainty, "The innate Dao Body is something that depends entirely on God's blessing; it's a natural talent that you can't envy."
However, even with this talent, one still needs a suitable training environment, exclusive cultivation techniques, and auxiliary treasures to specifically develop spatial abilities.
He paused, then lowered his voice and began to recount the secret: "As for Hongfeng Cave, legend has it that tens of thousands of years ago, it was just an independent secret realm in the Great Qing cultivation world. Later, after some unknown changes, it gradually merged with the main world."
I've heard that it contains a special spatial interlayer, a place specifically for those with spatial talent to cultivate secret techniques.
.
"However, even among the bloodline descendants of Hongfeng Cave Heaven, it takes thousands of years for one person to emerge with spatial talent."
So let alone us outsiders, even those inside Hongfeng Cave may not all know the details.
I learned these things from ancient records left by the Ji family ancestors.
"Hongfeng Cave Heaven is actually a transformation of a secret realm from the outside world?"
Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed in Chen Yi's eyes.
He couldn't help but wonder: tens of thousands of years ago, or even hundreds of thousands of years ago, before Hongfeng Cave Heaven became a secret realm of the Great Qing cultivation world, to which world did it belong?
As Chen Yi pondered, his gaze toward Ji Wuchen became more inquisitive. Could it be that the Ji family's ancient records of secrets are also related to some kind of secret realm outside?
"Brother Chen, why are you looking at me like that?"
Ji Wuchen felt a little uncomfortable under his gaze and quickly changed the subject, "As a member of the Ji family, I can't just talk about the secrets of the Ji family. But if you're really interested in learning more, why not join my Ji family?"
"Help me rise in the clan, and you'll definitely get a share of the best things from the Ji family, hehe."
He changed the subject, his tone tinged with anticipation: "Let's not talk about that now. You should acknowledge the favor I did for you today, right?"
"Of course I acknowledge it." Chen Yi nodded slowly, his expression serious. "In any case, Brother Ji, you played a huge role in helping me get guidance from Fairy Kongling this time, and I will remember this favor."
"Okay, then my efforts weren't in vain!"
Ji Wuchen immediately laughed, rubbed his hands together, and leaned closer to ask, "So, are you really not planning to go to the Black Mountain Secret Realm three years from now?"
"I'm not going." Chen Yi shook his head, his tone calm. "I was injured a year ago, and today I took a direct hit from Fairy Kongling. My internal energy and blood have been damaged. I really need to rest and recuperate recently, and it's not advisable for me to participate in things like adventures in secret realms that require physical combat."
"Alright, then I won't try to persuade you anymore."
Ji Wuchen felt a little regretful, then changed the subject, his eyes showing a hint of probing: "However, I have a small favor to ask you. Brother Chen, you should have some near-fourth-tier [Thunder Brew Essence], right?"
"On my trip to the Black Mountain wilderness, I'm still missing this one trump card—a tool for both adventure and survival."
After he finished speaking, he stared intently at Chen Yi's expression, afraid of missing even the slightest reaction. After all, near-fourth-tier Thunder Brew Essence was not something that could be obtained easily, and he was not confident that Chen Yi would agree so readily.
Ji Wuchen had already made plans in his mind. Several years ago, when he and Chen Yi entered Thunder Peak together, Chen Yi was already able to refine a basic, castrated version of a third-grade superior [Thunder Brew Essence].
He guessed that Chen Yi must not have slacked off in the past few years. Since he could repeatedly refine the third-grade high-quality thunder brew essence, he would naturally have the opportunity to further refine it and break through to the near-fourth grade level.
It's important to know that [Thunder Brew Essence] at the near-fourth tier level is already the ceiling for ordinary thunder brewing;
The true fourth-tier [Thunder Brewed Spirit Essence] is a treasure from another dimension. Even for Nascent Soul cultivators, it is a life-saving item that can save their lives, and its value is immeasurable.
"well--
—
Chen Yi sighed softly, his tone tinged with helplessness but also frankness, "I did manage to refine one bottle of this item, which I originally intended for my own use. Since Brother Ji has a need for it, I'll trade it to you based on the cost of the materials."
"You knew it!"
Ji Wuchen's eyes lit up instantly, his voice filled with barely concealed excitement.
He quickly stepped forward and said with some urgency, "Brother Chen, to be honest, I don't have any materials on hand to trade with you right now."
"How about this: I'll borrow this item first. If it helps me obtain a fortuitous opportunity in the Black Mountain Secret Realm, I'll use one-tenth of that opportunity as the value of this bottle of Thunder Brew. What do you say?"
Fearing that Chen Yi might not agree, he added, "Of course, I, Ji Wuchen, hereby promise that if we find nothing in the secret realm, I will definitely find a high-quality Thunder Brew ingredient to give Brother Chen an explanation. I will never let you suffer a loss."
A single stroke of luck could buy a bottle of near-fourth-tier Thunder Brew?
Chen Yi pondered to himself.
Although he was unsure what Ji Wuchen might gain in the secret realm, the Black Mountain Secret Realm was a dangerous place for Nascent Soul level cultivators, and several geniuses had gone there in groups. If he could gain anything, it would surely be something rare.
As long as he can get a Nascent Soul level treasure, it's not a loss for him.
With this in mind, Chen Yi was already somewhat tempted.
However, he still asked one more question, his tone tinged with doubt: "Brother Ji, the recipe for Thunder Brew originally came from the Ji family. Why did you go to such lengths to ask me for it?"
Upon hearing this, Ji Wuchen sighed slightly, his tone tinged with helplessness: "In my Ji family, the branch that can refine fourth-order thunder brew, there is a junior who is in competition with me."
If I were to ask them for help... it would cause a lot of trouble.
Ji Wuchen left his words at that, but Chen Yi had already fully understood the crux of the matter. Whether it was because the branch of the clan that could refine high-level thunder brew was unwilling to give Ji Wuchen good things, or because Ji Wuchen was worried that the other party would secretly tamper with the thunder brew, he absolutely could not use the near-fourth-level or fourth-level thunder brew produced by his family.
Sometimes, the competition for succession within a large family is even more intense than outsiders perceive.
"Brother Chen, this near-fourth-tier Thunder Brew Essence is already extremely effective, but if you could refine a fourth-tier Thunder Brew Spirit Essence, then I, Ji, would truly be able to take off!"
A gleam of eagerness flashed in Ji Wuchen's eyes as he stared intently at Chen Yi, his tone clearly probing, "With a fourth-tier Thunder Brew Spirit Essence by my side, I might be able to compete for the legendary quasi-spiritual treasure in the secret realm, and even have a chance to come into contact with a legacy that reaches the fifth tier!"
At this point, he emphasized his words and offered an even more tempting deal: "If you can truly produce fourth-tier Thunder Brew Spirit Essence, I, Ji, am willing to give Brother Chen four-tenths of my harvest from the secret realm!"
Forty percent harvest!
A surge of emotion welled up in Chen Yi's heart.
This is almost half of what he got from the secret realm. Even if Ji Wuchen only obtained two or three fourth-tier spiritual items in the Black Mountain Secret Realm, it was still a sure-fire deal for him.
While his heart was moved, Chen Yi subconsciously activated his senses and secretly observed the causal relationship between himself and this matter.
Upon seeing this, his enthusiasm instantly cooled. If he were to agree to refine fourth-order Thunder Brew Essence, he would inevitably expose his skill level as a fourth-order Thunder Brew Chef.
This is no small matter.
His ability to refine fourth-tier Thunder Brew Essence is enough to directly threaten the status of the core brewers of the Ji family, and those brewers happen to be in competition with Ji Wuchen.
Once exposed, it will bring him countless dangers.
Chen Yi knew all too well that a behemoth like the Ji family could eliminate a Core Formation cultivator without ever having to take action themselves.
With just a hint, countless people would try every means to drive him to his death in order to curry favor with the powerful and wealthy.
With a sigh, Chen Yi suppressed his desire for profit. He didn't yet have enough power to protect his special skills, and no matter how tempting the gains were, he couldn't put himself in even the slightest danger.
Thinking of this, Chen Yi gave a helpless bitter smile and said sincerely, "Brother Ji, it's not that I'm unwilling to help you, it's just that I really don't have the ability."
Fourth-tier culinary skills are not so easy to break through.
"I can barely refine quasi-fourth-tier lightning essence now; that's my limit."
Upon hearing Chen Yi's reply, a hint of disappointment flashed across Ji Wuchen's face. Failing to obtain the fourth-tier Thunder Brew Spirit Essence ultimately diminished his confidence for the secret realm trip.
But then, he felt a quiet sense of relief:
Fortunately, Brother Chen did not break through to the fourth-tier skill, otherwise I would really have to find a way to bring him back to the Ji family for protection. Otherwise, facing the second elder's lineage would be a big problem.
Ji Wuchen knew that the recipe for Thunder Brewing was not only leaked out in this one copy, but for thousands of years, anyone who could become a fourth-level brewer either joined the Ji family or mysteriously disappeared without a trace.
He could guess the general truth of some things without needing to verify it. Basic skills could be passed down to the outside world, but truly strategic methods had to be firmly controlled by a few forces. Otherwise, those in high positions would not be able to feel at ease.
"Alright, in that case, this bottle of near-fourth-tier Thunder Brew Essence should be enough."
Ji Wuchen suppressed his thoughts and was about to take the Thunder Brew and leave, but he couldn't help but turn back to probe: "Brother Chen, do you really only have this one bottle? If you can lend me another bottle, I am willing to increase my share of the secret realm to 15%."
In his view, the value of one bottle is different from that of two bottles, and the difference between having one and not having one is decisive. The difference between one bottle and two bottles is not that significant. Therefore, increasing the share from 10% to 15% is a reasonable concession.
As a result, Ji Wuchen saw Chen Yi sigh again, muttering, "Brother Ji, you've almost drained my savings," while his hands kept moving, taking out another bottle of near-fourth-tier [Thunder Brew Essence] from his storage bag and handing it to him.
"There really is!"
Ji Wuchen's eyes widened instantly, and a wave of emotion surged within him.
The fact that Chen Yi was able to produce two bottles shows that his success was not accidental, but rather that he had basically mastered the crafting technique of near-fourth-tier Thunder Brew, and was probably only one step away from becoming a true fourth-tier spirit chef.
"Brother Chen, I never imagined you actually possessed the potential to break through to the fourth tier of Thunder Brew!"
Ji Wuchen's tone instantly turned serious. He stepped forward and lowered his voice to solemnly remind him, "Brother Chen, if you ever succeed in breaking through to the fourth rank, never show this skill to outsiders. You must inform me immediately."
He paused, his expression turning somewhat solemn: "There are some things that I, as a member of the Ji family, cannot say too much about, but I must remind Brother Chen that some important figures in the Ji family do not want anyone outside to be able to independently refine fourth-order Thunder Brew."
I hope Brother Chen can understand the implications and be extra careful.
These were the limits of what he could reveal. If he said anything more, he might touch upon the core secrets of the Ji family, and even he himself would get into trouble.
Ji Wuchen's expression was somewhat serious, while Chen Yi's expression was even more serious.
Even before Ji Wuchen spoke, he had already vaguely sensed this risk while secretly sensing the signs of cause and effect in the world.
Now that Ji Wuchen has confirmed it, he is even more certain that his previous guess was not a misconception.
唉—
Chen Yi sighed softly in his heart again.
He originally thought that by relying on his own cheat codes in the cultivation world and keeping a low profile, he could make steady progress and avoid unnecessary conflicts.
But the truth is clearly not like that.
In the early stages, when one's cultivation level is low, things are relatively stable. However, once one reaches the threshold of the Nascent Soul level, it is easy to touch the "minefield" of major powers, no matter which field one makes a slight appearance in.
It seems that as long as he wants to continue climbing the ladder, there are some conflicts and risks he simply cannot avoid.
The resources in the cultivation world are limited. When it comes to the crucial cultivation stages, every opportunity and every breakthrough cannot be obtained by "lying low"; in the end, you have to rely on real strength to seize them.
With this in mind, Chen Yi's mind became even clearer: the most important thing right now was to improve his own strength as soon as possible.
Only those with sufficient strength can establish themselves within the cracks of the rules of these powerful forces and truly control their own destiny.
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