"The Northern Sea is rife with beasts. In my youth, I also ventured out to sea with my clan elders to slay monsters, but this was truly the grandest battle I have witnessed in my life."
"Indeed. It is simply hard to believe that so many demon beasts would muster within the Taohai Ruined City. If not for the treacherous environment of the Liuyang sea territory and the barrier of the great formation, those beasts alone charging into our human hinterland would have wrought countless calamities."
"Who knows why those brutes are holding their forces in check within the Taohai Ruined City. They clearly broke through the Arctic Yama Heavens, yet they refuse to leave that area. Truly bizarre."
"I have no idea what they are up to. But Fellow Daoist Li's display of sword light differentiation back then was utterly magnificent!"
On the deck of the flying boat, over a dozen Foundation Establishment cultivators gathered in small clusters of two and three.
Sipping tea and wine while admiring the passing scenery, they chatted about the recent battles on the first defense line in the Liuyang sea territory.
This relaxed, leisurely atmosphere bore not the slightest resemblance to having just survived life-or-death slaughter.
Yet clearly, after undergoing battles of blood and fire, every seemingly relaxed face held an added touch of maturity.
Gathering together like this, they seemed to be exchanging mutual compliments on the surface, but in truth they were also sharing combat insights to patch up their own shortcomings.
Within the crowd, the young Wang An had received a round of lavish praise, yet he wore a bitter smile.
"You only saw the glory of my Qishan Technique suppressing three second-tier demon beasts, but you do not know that this single spell nearly drained all my spiritual power dry. Had my senior brother not been by my side shielding me, with my spiritual power utterly depleted, I would have been at the beasts' mercy."
Those around him were surprised. "Does the Qishan Technique consume that much spiritual power?"
Wang An said vexedly, "I never noticed it when practicing before. The Qishan Technique is one of Mount Langya's most famed third-tier spells, renowned for its extraordinary suppression power. I practiced it for years and treated it as my trump card, never imagining it would have such a glaring drawback in actual combat."
The same spell unleashed by different hands naturally yielded different degrees of power.
Likewise, under different circumstances, variations would arise during its casting.
When Wang An practiced normally, he stopped well short of excess so as not to disrupt his cultivation.
Yet in battle, demon beasts swarmed in such numbers that, in his haste to relieve the pressure on his senior brother, he mobilized far too much spiritual power at once.
By the time he realized it, it was already too late to halt; he felt the spiritual power within him pouring out like an unstoppable flood, nearly slipping beyond his control.
Before everyone present, Wang An demonstrated the Qishan Technique on the spot.
Above the deck, an ethereal peak condensed of spiritual power instantly manifested.
Though it carried the intent of suppression, it certainly could not suppress three demon beasts of the same tier at once.
Wang An said in distress, "This is the Qishan Technique under normal conditions. If I wish to achieve the power from the battlefield, it causes an irreversible leakage of spiritual power. That leaves me utterly defenseless. If I cannot resolve this issue, I truly won't dare use this trump card again."
Seeing this, though the others did not know the specific cultivation formula of the Qishan Technique, each offered their own speculations and insights in hopes of helping him.
After this battle, their relationships had grown much closer—after all, they were comrades who had fought side by side.
Perhaps through this bond, a century or so later when they each took charge of their own domains, these connections would serve as valuable external support.
Yet clearly, the others' suggestions only scratched the surface, completely unable to resolve Wang An's dilemma.
If only an elder from his sect who cultivated the Qishan Technique were here, they could have pointed the way for him.
Unfortunately, Mount Langya had already joined the Canghai Alliance and was deeply embroiled in the war between the righteous and demonic factions; there were no Core Formation elders available to dispel Wang An's doubts.
Just as a disappointed Wang An was about to drop the subject and join another discussion, a cool, stern voice drifted over from the doorway of the flying boat's largest central hall.
"Your technique is wrong."
Wang An froze, turning his head instinctively.
The others did the same, turning their eyes one after another toward the red-robed Daoist.
It was Demonic Lord Qingyang!
Watched by the crowd, Luo Chen stepped forward at an unhurried pace.
Glancing at Wang An, he spoke slowly.
"Though I know not the precise steps for cultivating this spell, its core essence clearly lies in deflecting a thousand catties with four ounces—using a fraction of your own magic power to exert a force several times greater than yourself for powerful suppression. Is that correct?"
Wang An was utterly stunned. "Senior, that is indeed the case."
"Then your technique is indeed wrong," Luo Chen said with a confident smile. "Your spiritual power output is too fierce and direct, lacking deftness and subtlety. A method that deflects a thousand catties with four ounces demands the principle of overcoming hardness with softness. Why not try this: when casting, allow the spiritual power surging from your qi sea to circulate through your meridians for a few cycles first, before pouring it forth through your incantation gestures?"
Wang An was half-skeptical. Wouldn't doing that cause his meridians to be congested by excess spiritual power and suffer damage?
Moreover, if he truly did that, the casting time would be significantly delayed!
Yet under the expectant gazes of the crowd and Luo Chen's encouraging look, he tentatively formed the hand seals once more, mobilizing the spiritual power in his qi sea.
The process was somewhat slow—fully twice as slow as before—yet he followed Luo Chen's instruction to the letter.
The instant the spell took shape—
Boom!
Suddenly, an immense gravitational force descended from above, bearing down so heavily that it slowed even the flying boat as it sped through the sky.
"This...!"
Wang An's eyes widened in disbelief.
Beside him, his Mount Langya senior brother blurted out instinctively, "That's it! On the battlefield back then, Junior Brother, your Qishan Technique was just as powerful as this!"
Amid his amazement, he asked Wang An curiously, "Junior Brother, how much spiritual power did you mobilize this time?"
Wang An swallowed hard. "Less than a third of my total capacity."
At these words, an uproar swept through the crowd.
A spell that previously required his entire body's spiritual power could now be cast with merely a third.
While the ceiling of its power might not have increased, it clearly left Wang An with plenty of spiritual power, ensuring he would not be left helpless and drained of any means of self-defense after using it.
And this was all thanks to a few brief words of guidance from Demonic Lord Qingyang.
In his wild joy, Wang An immediately voiced the further questions that had occurred to him earlier.
To this, Luo Chen appeared completely unsurprised.
"A third-tier spell like this was never meant to be grasped by Foundation Establishment True Cultivators in the first place. If you wish to draw forth its corresponding power, you must pay a price. The strain caused by your meridians swelling under excess spiritual power is one such price.
"As for the casting time being too slow, that is not an issue with the method I taught, but merely a matter of your own lack of proficiency."
Wang An experienced a sudden epiphany.
This spell had indeed not been taught to him by an elder of his sect; he had secretly learned it after reaching Foundation Establishment.
He had only a half-baked understanding of its taboos and nuances.
Now, having received Luo Chen's pointer, clarity began to dawn upon him.
No wonder his internal spiritual power had spun out of control when casting the Qishan Technique before.
To deflect a thousand catties with four ounces—if the thousand-catty force he wielded completely overwhelmed his inner spiritual power, the relationship between host and guest would reverse.
At that point, it was no longer the cultivator wielding the spell, but the spell dragging the cultivator along.
Even as enlightenment dawned, Wang An felt a lingering pang of frustration.
It seemed this technique could not be used in solo combat in the future; he would need a companion holding the line in front of him to buy enough time to unleash it.
Suddenly, Luo Chen offered a faint smile.
"In truth, as this seat sees it, if this spell is slightly modified, it can still be viable in a suitable combat environment.
"Try spreading your spiritual power outward first, adhering it to nearby rocks and earth, and then combining it with the spiritual power in your body to cast the Qishan Technique once more. The result might be even better."
Wang An was half-doubting, half-convinced.
Just then, the flying boat decelerated as it passed over a cluster of islands, as if providing him with the perfect testing ground.
With plenty of spiritual power remaining within him, Wang An promptly executed the Qishan Technique according to Luo Chen's modified method.
Under everyone's gaze, the ethereal mountain peak of spiritual power manifested once more.
This time, however, countless rocks and clods of earth from the land below—infused with Wang An's spiritual power—surged upward to fill the phantasmal form.
The suppressive force steadily climbed beyond its previous limits, until eventually even a late Foundation Establishment cultivator present felt his movements grow sluggish and his body drag against his will.
Watching this unfold, Luo Chen wore an expression that said as expected.
Though he did not possess the specific cultivation method for the Qishan Technique, the path it followed was practically cut from the same cloth as the Earth Peak Technique and Landslide Technique he had learned in the past.
It was merely that the Earth Peak Technique placed greater emphasis on suppression, while the Landslide Technique was a fusion of earth, water, and fire, leaning heavily toward explosive fire power.
Under these circumstances, the Qishan Technique could naturally draw upon the virtues Luo Chen had discovered while cultivating those two spells back in the day—borrowing external matter to amplify the spell's might.
Wang An's face was flushed red, utterly overcome with excitement.
He wished to ask more, but the others had already elbowed him aside.
Everyone could see that Demonic Lord Qingyang was not as domineering and bloodthirsty as rumors claimed, and today he was in good spirits, willing to offer them guidance.
With such a golden opportunity, why not seek answers to their own dilemmas?
"Senior Qingyangzi, I wish to know why my flying sword always deviates when fighting demon beasts, even though my spiritual sense clearly has the target locked down."
"Show me."
At his words, the cultivator immediately maneuvered his flying sword to give a demonstration.
After watching, Luo Chen first nodded, then shook his head.
"Your foundation is solid indeed, with pure and profound spiritual power. However, your fundamental Traction Art has drifted off course—it remains stuck at the stage of manipulating spiritual power. For cultivators of our kind, once reaching Foundation Establishment, spiritual sense is the primary means of controlling external objects. It is clear you are a diligent ascetic, but your dao-protecting methods still require careful study."
"So that's how it is! Thank you, Senior, for dispelling my confusion."
"My turn, my turn! Senior Qingyangzi, I encountered a demon beast before, but beneath its attacks, even when I burst forth with peak speed, I still couldn't evade it. Had it not been for a defensive measure bestowed by a sect elder, I fear I would have fallen. Could there be a flaw in my movement art?"
"What kind of beast was it?"
"Three eyes and four legs, part beast and part fish. Ah, right—its feet had broad, thick webbing."
"Then the fault does not lie with you. That is a Three-Eyed Jade-Eyed Beast. Born with an innate mastery over seawater, it becomes a third-tier demon king upon adulthood. Even we Core Formation cultivators would avoid it if possible when encountering one at sea. You were fortunate; what you ran into was likely an immature one, or else not even a defensive treasure bestowed by your elders could have withstood its assault."
...
In a corner, Sang Jiugong watched this scene with a faint smile.
Yet as he watched, his expression gradually turned solemn.
The questions posed by these Foundation Establishment cultivators were not overly difficult, but the areas they spanned were exceedingly diverse.
There were questions on spells, cultivation, combat techniques, demon beast attack patterns, and even movement arts, magical tools, and magic treasures.
Covering so much ground, even someone like Sang Jiugong, who had lived for over four hundred years, would not necessarily have been able to answer each and every one.
Yet Qingyangzi answered all of them with utter ease.
Even when faced with matters that were evidently obscure and not within his area of expertise, after asking a few careful questions, he could still offer incisive, overarching advice.
Every cultivator who received his guidance gained something upon trying it out; virtually none came away disappointed.
'Previously, I only thought Qingyangzi possessed superb cultivation and formidable combat prowess. Later, after interacting with him, I realized he was exceptionally shrewd and articulate as well. I never expected that his breadth of knowledge and experience would also be so vast.
'If he hadn't stated before that he was still relatively young, I would have taken him for one of those old monsters who have cultivated for four or five centuries.'
Cultivation attainments, combat methods, shrewdness, and conversational tact could all be honed over time, varying from person to person.
Breadth of knowledge, however, uniquely required vast accumulation; there was no shortcut to be taken.
The erudition Luo Chen displayed now proved that he was no cloistered ascetic who only knew solitary cultivation behind closed doors.
A person like this rarely encountered difficulties under normal circumstances; yet once he did, it would undoubtedly be a thorny matter.
In currying favor by deliberately offering him a debt of gratitude, had he done the right thing or made a mistake?
For a fleeting moment, a hint of regret crept into Sang Jiugong's heart.
A light cough sounded from ahead.
"We are only half a day's journey from Longyuan Immortal City. Upon our return, this seat intends to enter secluded cultivation, so there is no need for any of you to come calling.
"However, if you have any needs regarding cultivation resources, you might consider visiting Qingyang Firm in Longyuan City. It is a modest business under this seat's name. On occasion, I place little curios I craft in my spare time there. If any catch your fancy, feel free to purchase one or two to play with."
Having spoken, Luo Chen brought this sermon on the sea to an end and walked toward Sang Jiugong.
Sang Jiugong squeezed out a smile and called out to the group, "Everyone, there is no need to rush off once we reach Longyuan Immortal City. A Longyuan Auction will be held before long, so you may go and broaden your horizons. While the Longyuan Auction may not compare to Shenyuan City's, top-quality resources often emerge from among the rogue cultivators. It is always good to expand your perspective and gain experience."
After playing off each other in harmony, the two returned together to the inner hall, shutting out all clamor from the outside.
The moment they stepped inside, Sang Jiugong sighed with profound emotion.
"Your display earlier almost made me think I was looking at an Elder of Transmission from some Nascent Soul grand sect! A casual remark brings sudden enlightenment, and a slight pointer unravels someone's deepest confusion. You are truly... profoundly learned!"
He had racked his brains for that final praise, only managing to come up with "profoundly learned."
At this, Luo Chen pressed his lips into a knowing smile, offering no reply.
Truth be told, he had done such things quite often in the past. Whether for friends and family by his side or low-tier cultivators of the Luotian Sect, he had never been stingy with his guidance.
In fact, on the day he successfully formed his Core back then, he had even bequeathed a poem concealing the method of Core Formation to the countless rogue cultivators of Tianlan Immortal City.
In that regard, Luo Chen had never been a petty man.
Seeing Luo Chen remain silent, Sang Jiugong gritted his teeth and said, "Qingyangzi, if you find time, you might visit my Tusang Sect and give a few pointers to my useless disciples as well!"
He felt that the favor he had owed earlier was too small; if he had to exert tremendous effort to repay it later, it would be too poor a deal.
He might as well throw caution to the wind and incur more small favors—letting them accumulate so that repaying them in the future wouldn't feel like a loss.
Luo Chen, however, shook his head. "Better not. I truly must enter seclusion for a while upon returning, so I won't have time to go out."
Sang Jiugong started. "I thought your words earlier were just an excuse. It's actually true?"
Luo Chen gave an affirming hum.
Now that he had discovered the wonderful utility of the Hunyuan Cauldron, he could not possibly leave it idle.
In particular, the Demon Emperor's remnant remains in his possession had sat unused for far too long.
It was time for him to pick up the pace and bring the crafting of his defensive magic treasure to the top of his agenda as soon as possible.
...
Half a day later, the flying boat touched down within Longyuan Immortal City.
While the Foundation Establishment cultivators dispersed to roam freely, Luo Chen and Sang Jiugong first headed to the Demon Hunting Department to submit their missions.
After bidding each other farewell, Luo Chen lingered not a moment, rushing like lightning back to the Eight-Hundred-Li Penghu.
Upon returning, he summoned Tianxuan and Zhang Jiadi.
"Four matters!
"First, take this defensive magic treasure I crafted and enter it into the Longyuan Auction under the name of Qingyangzi!
"Second, these are talismans personally drawn by Lord Lushan. Place them all for sale at Qingyang Firm, and inform the rogue cultivators that talismans of varying ranks will be available every year going forward.
"Third, discreetly issue tasks to the rogue cultivators who trade with you, seeking two medicinal herbs for me: the Purple Monkey Flower and the Five Elements Lotus Platform. If they cannot procure the herbs themselves, information on their whereabouts will suffice!
"Lastly, take this list of mineral materials and procure them with everything you have. Tianxuan, come collect the required spirit stones from me. If your network is insufficient, go find the Old Angler at the Demon Hunting Department; he will open wide the doors of convenience for my sake."
Tianxuan and Zhang Jiadi memorized these four instructions with utmost care, not daring to miss a single detail.
Their master had been away for a whole year, and the moment he returned, he urgently assigned these tasks; clearly, every single one was of paramount importance to him, brooking not the slightest delay.
After the two took their leave,
Luo Chen stepped into the Constellation Palace, which he had not set foot in for a long time, and retrieved an iron slip from his storage ring.
His gaze landed upon the most essential formation recorded within.
The Two Instruments Six Jia Formation.
This was a fourth-tier composite formation, assembled from a third-tier Two Instruments Formation and six sets of third-tier defensive armor formations:
the Deep Blue Profound Armor Formation, the Bright Yellow Rock Armor Formation, the Yimu Light Armor Formation, the Gengjin Heavy Armor Formation, the Flaming Sun Prison Armor Formation, and the Spirit-Channeling Cloud Armor Formation.
Next, he needed to gain thorough mastery over these six armor formations and craft a low-grade third-tier defensive magic treasure centered on each.
Finally, by fusing the six armor formations with the Two Instruments Formation, he would refine the Demon Emperor's remnant remains.
Advancing steadily step by solid step, the day would naturally arrive when he forged a supreme dao-protecting treasure uniquely his own!
"A bit tedious, but hopefully it will prove worthwhile in the end."
Luo Chen murmured softly, his gaze as resolute as ever.
Chapter 616