Cultivation: Start From Simplifying Martial Arts Techniques - Chapter 213

Chapter 213: Immortal Cloud Aura

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

On the mountain path, Chen Fei surveyed his surroundings.

Compared to the Primordial Sword Sect, there wasn’t much difference, but as time passed, a subtle change appeared in Chen Fei’s expression, and a hint of astonishment flickered in his eyes.

The spiritual energy, the density of spiritual energy around him, was gradually rising. Although the increase wasn’t yet significant, it was clear that the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect had established a formidable formation that was influencing the fluctuations of spiritual energy.

Only this way could such changes in spiritual energy density occur relative to the outside world.

Moreover, the deeper he ventured, the more apparent the rise in spiritual energy density became.

Within the Primordial Sword Sect, the places where ordinary inner disciples practiced and cultivated were no different from the outside world. Only at the True Transmission Peak did they employ formations to gather spiritual energy from all directions.

This formation sometimes wasn’t just about resources; it was about having sufficient channels and enough spiritual materials to set up such a formation.

The Primordial Sword Sect could only support one True Transmission Peak and a few other limited places; they couldn’t take care of the inner disciples everywhere. On the other hand, within the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect, the entire sect was included in the influence of the formation.

Of course, not the entire sect was within the formation, but the formation was potent enough that while absorbing spiritual energy, it also enhanced the spiritual energy density of the peripheral areas.

After a moment, an elder from the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect guided Chen Fei and the others to the Guest Peak. By now, many members from various other sects had gathered here.

Whenever the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect invited various sects for this event, aside from the four main sects, there were also smaller sects present.

However, these smaller sects were truly just there to observe. After the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect’s display, the challenge to their true transmission disciples, they wouldn’t have much to do. Their strengths were indeed quite lacking.

The top-ranked true transmission disciples from the Primordial Sword Sect and the other three major sects might be able to challenge the top ten disciples of the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect, but the true transmission disciples from those smaller sects might be defeated with just one move.

After arranging separate rooms, one for each person, Chen Fei attempted to cultivate for a bit. He noticed that the spiritual energy on the Guest Peak had become even more concentrated. While it still couldn’t compare to the True Transmission Peak in the Primordial Sword Sect or the last-ranked True Transmission courtyard, it was quite close.

“1 wonder if the places where the inner disciples of the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect cultivate have this level of spiritual energy density. Or did the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect elevate the spiritual energy here on the Guest Peak just for appearances?”

Chen Fei pondered silently. The concept of the strong becoming stronger was something he had always believed in. Now, being in the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect, this viewpoint was being reinforced.

The true transmission competition of the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect was scheduled for tomorrow. The elders had mentioned that today was for free activities, but most places were off-limits since they were the territories of other sects.

“The market of the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect has some interesting things. Would you like to explore it together?”

Yan Shijin found Chen Fei and extended an invitation. Having visited here before, Yan Shijin was familiar with the area.

“Sure!

Chen Fei nodded in agreement. The market of the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect was usually open to the public, but he had never been here before.

After all, many things he needed could be found in the Immortal Cloud City. It was unnecessary to visit the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect personally. Moreover, there had been some conflicts with certain individuals from the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect in the past.

Coming to someone else’s territory, if anything were to happen, he might end up stuck here and wouldn’t even have the chance to call for help.

Following Yan Shijin, Chen Fei walked along several mountain paths and could already hear some voices of vendors from a distance.

“This place can actually be considered a miniature Immortal Cloud City. Whatever Immortal Cloud City has, you’ll find it here.”

Yan Shijin led Chen Fei and pointed around, saying, “Rumor has it that even before Immortal Cloud City existed, this market was already here. As more people came, some eventually established the city, which then became Immortal Cloud City.”

Chen Fei nodded slightly. The words “Immortal Cloud City” itself straightforwardly conveyed certain meanings.

“This kind of event only happens once every few years, so the items in the market are usually more abundant than usual. Rare spiritual materials that are rarely seen on ordinary days can be found here, although they might not be common, they’re still quite numerous.”

Yan Shijin explained as he brought Chen Fei to a vendor’s stall. A group of people had gathered around the stall, all staring at the items on display.

“Either thirty thousand taels of silver or exchange it with Heavenly Frost Silk. I won’t discuss anything else.” The stall owner wore a hat and spoke in a somewhat stern tone.

“Exchanging Heavenly Frost Silk for this is quite a loss. How about this: twenty-five thousand taels of silver for the Withered Water in your hands. What do you think?” Qu Ruosi began negotiating.

“I’m not selling; the price is too low.” The stall owner shook his head, clearly dissatisfied with the offer.

Chen Fei stepped forward and carefully examined the items on the stall. The rest wasn’t particularly noteworthy, but that jar of Withered Water was the most valuable thing there.

Withered Water couldn’t be consumed or used in medicine, but it could be used to refine special half-spiritual artifacts.

When Chen Fei was refining the Qianyuan Sword, he had intentionally researched the characteristics of various spiritual materials. As a result, he had some understanding of this type of Withered Water.

Apart from being used to refine half-spiritual artifacts, Withered Water also had another purpose: it could be used to place finished half-spiritual artifacts inside, helping to refine and condense the spirituality within them.

The higher the spirituality of a half-spiritual artifact, the greater its potential power when activated.

Many failed half-spiritual artifacts, if treated properly, could potentially be upgraded to true spiritual artifacts. It was quite challenging, sometimes even more expensive than refining an entirely new spiritual artifact, but it could be done.

Moreover, the Withered Water had one more characteristic: its effects were immediate. Most of the time, it only took a day or two to completely absorb the spirituality within the Withered Water.

“The price is slightly high,” Yan Shijin commented.

Chen Fei nodded. Based on the normal market price, the quantity of Withered Water like this would be around twenty thousand taels at most. The stall owner had raised the price by half.

As for the Heavenly Frost Silk the stall owner mentioned, its value was higher than that of the Withered Water, and it was also more difficult to find.

“If it weren’t urgent, I wouldn’t buy it!” Qu Ruosi said through clenched teeth, took out a silver note, and left with the jar of Withered Water.

A slight smile appeared on the stall owner’s face as he accepted the silver note. Once Qu Ruosi was out of sight, he took out a small water jar from behind and opened the lid, revealing another portion of Withered Water.

Chen Fei raised an eyebrow. This stall owner actually had another batch of Withered Water. However, both parties had gotten what they wanted, so it didn’t matter much.

Chen Fei had more than thirty thousand taels on him, but he didn’t have a strong desire to buy the Withered Water.

The Qianyuan Sword had recently advanced, and its spirituality still had room for growth. Additionally, Chen Fei had mastered the Primordial Sword Sect’s Sword Essence to its fullest extent, which allowed him to greatly increase the spirituality of the Qianyuan Sword.

Buying the Withered Water wouldn’t really add much value; in fact, the price was quite high.

Yan Shijin also had no intention of making a purchase. The two of them wandered around the market. After half an hour, they arrived at a restaurant.

Chen Fei had been merely observing earlier and didn’t feel a strong desire to buy any of the spiritual materials in the market. On the other hand, Yan Shijin had purchased a few items.

In the restaurant, several people were discussing the upcoming true transmission competition of the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect.

Chen Fei listened for a while and gained some insights. He at least remembered the names of several well-known true transmission disciples from the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect.

Holding his cup of wine, Chen Fei gazed at the bustling street below, feeling somewhat relaxed.

In recent times, Chen Fei had been immersed in his cultivation for quite a while and hadn’t had a chance to relax like this, leaning against the window and letting his mind wander.

As Chen Fei’s thoughts drifted aimlessly, Yan Shijin lightly tapped the table. Chen Fei looked at him with some confusion, noticing that Yan Shijin had glanced to the right.

Turning his head to look, Chen Fei saw a few more people entering the restaurant. One of them was Qu Ruosi, who had bought the Withered Water earlier. Alongside her was someone he had seen a few times in the secret realm, Xiao Liling.

Xiao Liling had used a spirit artifact to directly withstand the mutated Dreamlike Lotus. The scene from back then was deeply ingrained in Chen Fei’s memory.

But anyone who had witnessed that scene would remember it vividly. It was mainly due to the incredible power of that spirit artifact. Even now, thinking about it stirred a sense of envy in Chen Fei.

“Junior Sister Xiao, today I saw a portion of Withered Water and bought it specially. Take a look and see if it’s helpful to you.” Qu Ruosi handed the Withered Water to Xiao Liling with a smile on her face.

“Thank you, Senior Sister. This Withered Water should enhance the spirituality of the Exquisite Pearl.”

Xiao Liling naturally accepted the Withered Water, expressing her gratitude verbally but with a calm expression. She accepted gifts from others quite naturally.

Seeing Xiao Liling accept the Withered Water, Qu Ruosi’s face broke into a smile. She said, “Junior Sister Xiao is bound to enhance the reputation of our Sunken Water Pavilion this time, showing everyone the brilliance of our disciples!”

Xiao Liling’s lips curved slightly as she nodded gently. She took a sip of tea and remained silent.

Chen Fei sat not far away, and even though Qu Ruosi and Xiao Liling were speaking quietly, he could hear them clearly.

Chen Fei furrowed his brow. In the true transmission challenge, if he remembered correctly, participants couldn’t use spirit artifacts; they were limited to using half-spiritual artifacts at most.

During the challenge on the stage, with numerous strong spectators, it would be obvious whether someone was using a spirit artifact or a half-spiritual artifact. Perhaps Xiao Liling had procured a powerful half-spiritual artifact for this true transmission challenge.

However, considering the fact that she had been using spirit artifacts so proficiently, a mere half-spiritual artifact wouldn’t be much of a challenge.

The clan had produced top-tier experts in the past who were inherently different from ordinary warriors. Their starting points were vastly different.

An hour later, Chen Fei and Yan Shijin returned to the Guest Peak. The place was even busier now. Almost all the invited sects had arrived, and the atmosphere on the peak was lively.

Chen Fei even witnessed a skirmish on the sparring stage of the Guest Peak as two warriors engaged in a brawl..