Chapter 154: Comprehensive Development of Essence, Qi, and Spirit

Chen Shicheng's Attribute, after a single Golden Core entered his dantian, completely exceeded the Golden Core Stage's requirements, so he no longer needs to search for spirit items that can increase Attribute.

His current Attribute can even barely succeed when advancing to Zifu Realm.

So. "Level up!"

As Chen Shicheng's thought moved, the stored Experience Points instantly decreased by 100 points, and his Level jumped from Level 15 Qi Refining peak directly to Golden Core Stage.

True Essence throughout his body automatically began to gather into his dantian, then under an inexplicable force, began to compress to the extreme into a galaxy‑like vortex.

In the process of forming the Golden Core, native cultivators undergo a long seclusion, and it is possible to fail; repeated attempts may take several years to successfully advance.

However, under the great power of the game system, before Chen Shicheng could even admire the galaxy vortex in his dantian, the originally colorless True Essence instantly flashed with a golden hue.

Then in the blink of an eye, at the vortex's core it condensed into a perfectly pure, flawless sphere, embodying a round bright True Spirit nature; at a glance it gives the illusion of being indestructible and eternal.

Indeed, it is just an illusion.

Otherwise, how could a Blood Killing Pearl appear in his dantian, how could Hui Siye lie dead underground, and how could Tiger Demon and Hui Kong die at his hands.

As Chen Shicheng strained to shield the illusion the Golden Core gave him, an extremely strong suction burst from the Golden Core, instantly drawing all his True Essence into it.

When the True Essence overflowed again through his meridians, it had turned a faint gold; the amount hadn't decreased, but its quality was greatly enhanced.

【True Essence Blessing: All damage dealt +40%.】

【True Essence Protection: All damage received -40%.】

【Level: 16】

【Experience: 181/100】

In less than ten seconds, the realm barrier that has wasted countless lives was effortlessly broken through by Chen Shicheng.

Feeling the "core stone" in his dantian, Chen Shicheng adapted to his newly refreshed body, immediately used the remaining Experience Points, raising his Level directly to Level 17, and his Attribute surged.

【Cultivation Method: Refining Divine Technique (Golden Core) (each Level up, Essence +2, Qi +2, Spirit +6)】

【Essence: 70.3】

【Qi: 70】

【Spirit: 88.2】

"Who else!"

Chen Shicheng looked at his panel, wanting to howl to the heavens so everyone would know his strength.

Unfortunately the nearby area is desolate, even the wild beasts have already been driven away by the still lingering Palm‑held Buddha Nation, only a pile of shredded meat on the ground knows there's a guy who wants to show off like a child.

Not surprising that Chen Shicheng wants to show off; although he is only Level 17, his Essence Attribute equals that of a Level 21 Body Refinement player, his Qi Attribute equals that of a Level 21 Qi Refining player, and his specialized Spirit Attribute matches that of a Level 24 Divine Refinement player.

Other players can only specialize in one Attribute, but for him, all are fully developed; any single Attribute can reach top‑tier player level. Of course, the power increase is merely a side effect—since ancient times, Chinese cultivation has sought only immortality, and everything else is merely to safeguard the path to longevity.

After he advanced to Golden Core Stage, his Lifespan directly reached 500 years; after another Level up, his Lifespan increased by 50 years to 550 years.

What does that mean? 550 years is enough for a person to live from the Ming Chenghua era to the present! Even if he never advances further, if he now turns back to the real world, he can sit watching clouds and the rise and fall of fortunes, retaining his current youthful appearance to witness humanity breaking out of Blue Star!

But can he do that? No.

Putting aside hollow patriotism, just the prospect of obtaining massive Merit Points by resolving the game's invasion of reality makes him unable to give up.

After all, when battling Hui Kong, that seemingly endless Merit Points stash was already depleted, leaving him momentarily restless.

And living over five hundred years is only a start; he will not stop here, he wants to move forward and see the sky's scenery!

Thinking of this, Chen Shicheng's spirit jolted, and he had no mind to linger, instantly determined the direction and sped northward.

Because the Chasing Ghosts were dealt with by Hui Kong, and Hui Siye heroically sacrificed himself, at first he was battered by ambushing snow‑bound wild beasts, wasting a lot of time.

However, after he casually dispatched the first wasteland wolf, the road ahead smoothed; countless wild beasts that tried to devour him became his subordinate Chasing Ghosts, and even the Frost One‑Eyed Giant that once required great effort was easily taken under his command.

For the remaining journey, all combat was left to the increasingly full ranks of Chasing Ghosts, while he pursued the main force.

The fight with Hui Kong didn't delay him long, nor did the wild beast interceptions, but all the assorted setbacks together left him far behind.

Fortunately, at full‑speed pursuit, after only a dozen minutes, he soon spotted the support troops.

However, the original team of nearly sixty now had fewer than thirty left; the rest were either scattered, returned early to Blue Star, or perhaps fate decided their lives and fortunes.

Since they chose to take the Task, they are prepared to sacrifice themselves for the nation; moreover, now is not a time to worry about casualties.

This sub‑thirty team is being besieged by thousands of Icefield wild beasts.

The swarming wild beasts tightly encircled the people, cutting off virtually all retreat routes, with even aerial wild beasts circling overhead.

The support troops were lucky to find a narrow gap formed by two giant stones, allowing them to cling to the terrain for now, but it seems they won't hold much longer; several have already fallen inside, leaving only a breath of life, with no one to tend them.

As for why even with advantageous terrain this happens, one must note that among the beast horde there are over a dozen clearly human silhouettes, and it's unclear how they managed to blend in without being attacked.

Compared to mindless beasts, humans are far harder to deal with; these people's Levels aren't high— the strongest is only Level 15, the weakest merely Level 10.

Yet because they can think, they can hold a gap with two or three people; under their occasional raids, chaos ensues, and the beasts seize the chance to strike, causing damage.

One or two attacks are bearable, but their relentless harassment has caused heavy losses to the support troops.

Chen Shicheng estimates these people are peripheral members of the Silent Council and likely foreigners, most probably from the old Russian side.

He didn't act immediately, instead first wanted to discover why these people could blend among the beasts without being attacked; this matter always concerned him greatly.

(End of Chapter)