Ever since he embarked on the path of cultivation, Luo Chen had explored countless ways to increase his cultivation speed.
From internal improvements to external supplementary resources, each approach had its own subtleties.
Long before, after advancing to Foundation Establishment, he had noticed a distinct phenomenon: the boost provided by a spirit ground had already surpassed that of ordinary low-grade pills.
Taken on its own, if the standard unit of spiritual energy gained from a low-grade Soaring Dragon Pill was set at one, then a full day of cultivating in a tier-two high-grade cave dwelling yielded four, or even five, such units!
The difference was terrifying.
This was precisely why he had found it entirely reasonable for the Falling Cloud Sect to actively provoke the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect despite the massive gap in overall strength.
In the entire Jade Cauldron Domain, there was only a single tier-four spirit ground.
If the Falling Cloud Sect's grand elder wished to advance further along the Great Dao, a mere tier-three spirit ground could never satisfy him.
Of course, just because Luo Chen could absorb five units of spiritual energy in a high-grade cave dwelling did not mean others could do the same.
His foundational advantages were simply too overwhelming:
The core cultivation method of a Nascent Soul superior sect;
A divine soul foundation far exceeding his actual cultivation realm;
A powerful physical physique;
And an array of external aids, including Fiery Spirit Incense, Ice God Jade, and the Ice Silkworm Prayer Mat.
Luo Chen craved high-grade pills merely to accelerate his speed on another track. But now, along the most primal track of all, the opportunity for another breakthrough had arrived.
Inside his body, the superior-grade Blood Fiend Pill suddenly unleashed an overwhelmingly terrifying wave of medicinal potency.
Carrying forces of life and death, as though directly tapping into creation itself, that surge ran rampant through the wide meridians that Luo Chen had already cleared ninety-nine percent of the way.
It was like a great flood dragon yearning to transform into a true dragon, scaling mountains and surging through rivers toward the open seas.
Wherever it passed, waterways crisscrossed and oceans surged!
Meridians that were already broad expanded even further.
Only because Luo Chen had spent over a year growing accustomed to these impacts and repeatedly repairing the damage was his meridian resilience far beyond ordinary men. Otherwise, he never could have withstood the terrifying medicinal force of a dragon's torrential surge.
Circulating *Spirit Clarifying Evil Dispelling*, Luo Chen steered the medicinal power forward with irresistible momentum, charging directly toward the final, slender meridian.
*Boom!*
A deafening roar seemed to erupt from deep within his body.
"Urgh..."
Luo Chen let out a muffled groan as a trace of blood involuntarily seeped from the corner of his lips.
The next instant, the crimson glow shrouding his body suddenly receded.
Across his entire frame, countless waves of vitality and blood abruptly surged.
Guided by the residual medicinal potency of the Blood Fiend Pill, they rushed toward every single meridian, large and small, that had been opened, thoroughly flushing away any rugged or incompletely developed passages along the way.
It was as though a vast aquatic network had been completely cleared.
When the scouring finished, the vitality and blood retreated back into his flesh and bones.
Inside Luo Chen, every meridian gleamed with a crystalline crimson sheen, entirely unobstructed.
They looked like an intricate waterway network—or a glistening web of scarlet silk!
"Meridian opening complete—all hundred meridians connected!"
Luo Chen snapped his eyes open, wanting nothing more than to throw his head back and roar to the heavens.
Yet he forcibly suppressed the urge.
Glancing at his system interface:
[Blood River Realm: 45/100]
Sure enough, with his meridians fully connected, his body refinement realm had leapt forward by a minor stage.
Yet that was not what drew his attention most.
Under the cast of his perfected Healing Art, pure wood-attribute spiritual power washed over his entire body.
The faint, minuscule tears gradually smoothed over and vanished.
Once his physical condition returned to normal, Luo Chen slowly closed his eyes, settling his mind and reining in stray thoughts.
The Perfect-tier *Ageless Evergreen Scripture*... No, wait!
It was now Master-tier *Ageless Evergreen Scripture*.
With the connection of all his meridians, this Foundation Establishment core cultivation method of a Nascent Soul superior sect had leaped to the Master tier as well.
A double blessing!
Suppressing his internal excitement, Luo Chen calmly circulated his natal cultivation method, the *Ageless Evergreen Scripture*.
Wisps of spiritual energy passively surged toward his body.
His immense soul manifested externally in the form of spiritual sense, transforming into countless tireless hands that snatched up the stray spiritual energy drifting outside.
With this two-pronged approach, the meridians that had once groaned under the strain now felt no burden whatsoever.
In fact, they felt a faint thirst, like a broad waterway through which only a trickle was flowing.
*Not enough!*
*Not enough!*
*Nowhere near enough!*
Luo Chen frenetically gathered spiritual energy from the surroundings.
Within his Qi sea, a cloud of spiritual energy rapidly took shape.
*Drip!*
A drop of supremely pure spiritual liquid suddenly fell.
***
Two and a half hours passed in the blink of an eye.
Luo Chen opened his eyes, a wild joy in his gaze that he could barely keep in check.
"This cultivation speed..."
"It has actually doubled!"
He could clearly sense that the spiritual energy gathered in a single circulation cycle far exceeded what he had managed before—more than twice as much, in fact.
Disregarding the time required for subsequent purification, such an increase in speed was like riding a rocket.
Feeling the fullness of his Qi sea—that "small pond" that had suddenly absorbed double the spiritual energy from the ocean of ambient Qi—Luo Chen could hold it in no longer.
He threw up a perfected soundproofing barrier.
"Aaaahhh!"
He let out a resounding roar!
Ever since advancing to the mid Foundation Establishment stage, that snail-paced cultivation speed had finally been left in the dust.
By his current estimate, reaching the fifth layer of Foundation Establishment would not take four or five years at all. Supplemented with tier-two low-grade pills, he would need at most two or three years to break through!
With such joyous news, how could he not roar?
How could he not laugh?
Once the excitement subsided, Luo Chen felt the state of his body, the corners of his mouth curling upward uncontrollably.
According to his calculations, his new cultivation speed was fully sufficient to carry him to the peak of Foundation Establishment within two to three centuries.
From an unattainable two thousand years at the start, to two or three centuries now.
What a cause for celebration this transformation was—and how arduous the journey to achieve it.
Outsiders had no inkling of how much effort he had poured into this process.
Through countless days and nights, he had either been cultivating or scheming for his future cultivation. Only now had he finally caught a glimmer of hope for reaching the completion of Foundation Establishment.
He did not continue cultivating.
While the surge of spiritual power within his body was exhilarating, the pressure on his Qi sea and the strain on his divine soul still brought fatigue.
Furthermore, having only just connected all his meridians, even though his body had largely healed, hidden injuries might still linger.
Luo Chen exited the quiet room.
He prepared a healing mixture blending supreme-grade Golden Quality Jade Liquid and Essence Cultivating Spirit Liquid, then lowered himself into the bath.
His eyes gently closed, his expression serene.
The slight curl of his lips showed just how delighted he was.
***
The following morning.
Luo Chen awoke in bathwater that had already grown cold.
The originally milky-white bath liquid had turned crystal clear; its medicinal potency had been completely absorbed.
At this moment, he felt an endless reservoir of strength coursing through his limbs.
With a mere thought, pure spiritual power surged from his Qi sea, roaring through his widened meridians.
*Indeed, Wang Yuan spoke the truth!*
*Connecting all the meridians not only enhances cultivation, but also brings tremendous benefits to outputting spiritual power in battle.*
The volume released in an instant had increased!
The speed of that release was faster, too!
The deeper consequence of this change was that Luo Chen could cast his spells far more swiftly and with vastly greater power.
Even standard control of magical instruments would yield destructive force far surpassing peers of the same cultivation level.
"Such a shift brings a slight variance to my combat strength."
"I should rent a training ground to familiarize myself with my current state."
Conveniently, Tao Yisheng was supposed to be in seclusion. Luo Chen had this extra time entirely to himself.
Without hesitation, he released a voice transmission paper crane to notify Wang Yuan, then set off alone toward the Dao Discussion Platform.
***
Beyond Tianlan Immortal City.
A figure rode a flying sword at high speed.
Whenever occasional Foundation Establishment cultivators crossed his path, they hurried out of the way.
And for good reason: the robes of the cultivator in the streak of light bore the insignia of Azure Pill Valley.
This was an Azure Pill Valley Foundation Establishment true disciple—not someone to cross!
The streak of light moved swiftly, crossing thousands of li over the Bamboo Sea toward more distant lands.
Had Luo Chen been there, he would have realized at once that the traveler was none other than Tao Yisheng, who was supposed to be in closed-door seclusion.
Hurried yet brimming with excitement, his hasty return to the sect clearly heralded a matter of great importance.
***
Azure Pill Valley.
The sect's atmosphere—usually serene, with petty rivalries and schemes concealed behind polite smiles—had grown increasingly restless as the competition for the Golden Core Dao Seed drew near.
It felt like the prelude to a volcanic eruption.
Numerous late Foundation Establishment cultivators were bustling about in every direction.
Those at the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment in particular had abandoned their quiet cultivation to recruit figures from various factions.
Some courted cultivators renowned for their formidable combat prowess, while others sought those versed in alchemy.
Many smooth-talking disciples navigated the waters, seeking advantage from all sides.
Among these senior cultivators, Tao Wan's faction appeared relatively tranquil.
Yet that was only relative.
Presently, quite a few sect Foundation Establishment cultivators had gathered beneath her banner, including three tier-two alchemists.
Among them was an elder with white hair and the ruddy complexion of youth, who had earned a place among the Seven Azure Pill Prodigies while merely in early Foundation Establishment.
He had achieved that solely on the back of his consummate alchemy skills!
And he was the one Tao Wan relied upon and trusted most for the upcoming Dao Seed contest.
Finding a spare moment, Tao Wan gathered everyone to discuss the contest set for two years from now.
"Senior Sister Tao, in my view, the Dao Seed position belongs to no one but you. There is no need to worry."
"Indeed. With Senior Brother Qi watching your flank, the others won't even reach you."
"When it comes to alchemy, with Senior Brother Huanghezi here, few in the sect can compare."
"Senior Sister Tao, if you ask me, all you need to consider is your opponent for the final sword duel."
Inside the hall, the crowd chattered enthusiastically.
Seated at the head of the room, Tao Wan remained as aloof as ever.
Yet watching the brimming confidence of those below, her heart did not share the assurance her face projected.
She said slowly, "I have received word that Senior Brother Danyangzi will still be permitted to participate in the Dao Seed contest this time. Do you still possess such confidence?"
The moment those words landed, the lively discussion froze instantly.
Huanghezi, one of the Seven Azure Pill Prodigies, showed a subtle shift in expression.
"Was his Dao Seed status not stripped away?"
"How could we presume to fathom the minds of the sect's Masters? These are turbulent times. Even if Senior Brother Danyangzi made a mistake, his ability and prestige remain intact. Giving him another chance is only natural," Tao Wan said calmly.
Yet watching how the mere mention of Danyangzi's name threw everyone into disarray, a wave of sorrow washed over her.
The Tao clan had once been a prominent clan in Azure Pill Valley.
However, following the death of the clan's Golden Core elder, it had declined steadily over the past two centuries.
Even after she attained the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment, she had failed to assemble even thirty percent of the influence the clan commanded at its peak.
Part of this was due to the lack of a Golden Core ancestor in the clan.
It was also because she had devoted all her efforts to elevating her own strength, spending little time cultivating networks and connections.
Now, an opportunity had finally presented itself.
Yet relying on the people she currently had, did she truly stand a chance of winning the Dao Seed contest?
Just as sorrow stirred within her, a streak of light descended outside the hall.
Before the newcomer's footsteps could even settle, a familiar voice drifted in:
"Sister, Danchenzi truly possesses extraordinary talent!"
"He will definitely help you seize the Dao Seed position!"
As the words echoed through the hall, Tao Wan's expression flickered, and she instinctively glanced at the cultivators present.
Sure enough, the three tier-two alchemists led by Huanghezi instantly looked displeased.
Anyone bearing a Daoist title like "Danchenzi" was unmistakably an alchemist.
She already had the support of three alchemists on her side, yet she was still seeking outsiders. What was that supposed to mean?
Meeting the collective stares fixed on her, Tao Wan snapped at Tao Yisheng, who had just crossed the threshold:
"Who told you to come back? Get back to Tianlan!"
Tao Yisheng froze.
His eager expression vanished as though doused in freezing water.
***
After placating the group of Foundation Establishment cultivators aligned with her, Tao Wan hurried back to her cave dwelling.
With a single glance, she spotted Tao Yisheng standing sullenly by the doorway.
Suppressing the anger in her chest, she said coldly, "I rented a high-grade cave dwelling for you in Tianlan, and I haven't shorted you on any cultivation resources. What did you come back for?"
Tao Yisheng remained silent, pressing his lips together in aggrieved frustration.
Tao Wan rubbed her brow, sat down at the stone table, and poured herself a cup of cold tea.
Without looking at him, she said, "Revitalizing the Tao clan, securing the Dao Seed position, ascending to the Golden Core stage, and taking charge of Azure Pill Valley—these are the things I have always strived for."
"The perils along that path are beyond your imagination."
"Only when you are away can I act without hesitation or restraint."
"That is why, after your Foundation Establishment, I had you transferred to the Yuanzhao Kingdom. Even when your supervisory mission ended, I did not summon you back."
"Now, not only have you disobeyed my orders and returned on your own, but you have also spoken out of turn and disrupted morale."
"Yisheng, you are no longer a child. Before you speak or act, can you show a little maturity and composure?"
Tao Yisheng turned around, his face pale and the rims of his eyes red.
"Am I really such a burden to you?"
"That is not what I meant." Tao Wan looked at him, her tone shifting. "Yet today, you were genuinely reckless. Huanghezi is an alchemy master whom I spent a great deal of effort and resources to win over. A single word from you offended him. Do you have any idea..."
"In front of Danchenzi, does he even deserve to be called an alchemy master?!"
"Shut your mouth!"
"I will not shut up! You were the one who told me to stay in Tianlan to test Luo Chen's alchemy attainments. Now I've rushed back without stopping to tell you the outcome, yet you're displeased. If that's how it is, why did you give me that assignment in the first place?"
Faced with her brother's sharp retort, Tao Wan's demeanor did not soften; instead, her gaze turned stern.
"A rogue alchemist—how could he possibly compare to a master like Huanghezi, who has dedicated his entire life to alchemy?"
She spoke from the bottom of her heart.
Regarding Luo Chen, whom Tantai Jin had recommended, she had never thought much of him from the very beginning.
Assigning Tao Yisheng to test his alchemy skills had merely been a way to give her brother something to pass the time.
Compared to Luo Chen, a wild alchemist of obscure origins, Huanghezi was an entirely different matter!
Huanghezi had been raised in Azure Pill Valley from childhood. After Foundation Establishment, he had neglected his own cultivation to study the craft day and night.
Today, he could skillfully refine tier-two mid-grade pills, and even maintained a remarkably stable success rate with superior-grade pills.
Because of that dedication, his cultivation had been delayed, leaving him only at the third layer of Foundation Establishment.
By comparison, what did Luo Chen have to compete with that?
Seeing his sister's dismissive demeanor—still as confident and proud as ever—Tao Yisheng seemed resigned.
From childhood to adulthood, she had always been like this.
Her affection for him was undeniably genuine. But once she made up her mind, she almost never changed it.
Yet this time, she had truly misjudged.
Tao Yisheng gritted his teeth. "Sister, just trust me this once! Luo Chen's alchemy is truly extraordinary, or Senior Sister Tantai would never have taken the initiative to introduce him to you."
"Think about it—even Master Jueqing holds him in high regard. He must have exceptional qualities!"
Tao Wan frowned.
Over the past several decades, her younger brother had never opposed her wishes. Yet for the sake of an outsider, he was being this stubborn.
The corner of her mouth twitched.
"Fine. I'll give you a chance. Tell me everything you discovered in detail."
"I'd like to see what kind of prodigy could make you look at him with such utter reverence!"
Chapter 320