Chapter 156: Please, Elder, draw your sword!

[Spirit Eye Technique 1000/1000 — Grand Completion Spirit Eye Technique]

The change in the entry was but a fleeting moment.

Yet to Luo Chen, it felt as though his eyes had endured a thousand, nay, ten thousand years of change.

A kaleidoscope of colors flickered incessantly within his eyeballs.

Even with his eyes closed, a searing heat persisted, causing him extreme discomfort.

It was as if a mortal had opened their eyes wide to stare directly at the scorching sun.

Or as if sharp icicles were being driven, inch by inch, into his sockets.

Two trails of blood slowly trickled down from the corners of his eyes.

Suddenly!

His eyelids lifted, and a pair of eyes, brilliant as the stars, snapped open to gaze upon this vast world!

"This is... spiritual energy?"

Luo Chen instinctively reached out, wanting to touch the faint, ethereal substance in the air.

Yet, his grasp met only empty space.

"Too thin; it cannot take form."

Luo Chen pondered.

He could be certain that the transparent, ethereal gas he had just glimpsed was indeed spiritual energy.

The primary function of the Spirit Eye Technique was to allow a cultivator to see through objects imbued with spiritual power.

It was precisely because of this that beginners could often perceive spiritual fluctuations of those with lower cultivation bases than themselves, thereby judging the cultivation levels of others.

After reaching the Master level, Luo Chen had even been able to vaguely perceive the active spiritual fluctuations deep underground, which had led him to the spiritual vein cavern.

Now, having advanced further, he could even faintly detect the spiritual energy existing in the natural world.

"And that is not all!"

Luo Chen lowered his head; amidst the thick fallen leaves, tiny insects invisible to the naked eye were crawling slowly.

He raised his head and gazed into the distance.

At a glance, objects ten miles away were clearly visible.

And this was in the dead of night!

If it were daytime with high visibility, the distance would likely be even greater—perhaps fifty, or even a hundred miles away!

Upon reaching this conclusion, Luo Chen felt a surge of joy.

From this day forth, his title of "Little Thousand-Mile Eye" would be even more well-deserved.

"There is more!"

In an instant, Luo Chen’s gaze shifted further to the east.

There, an extremely striking spiritual fluctuation and a soaring baleful aura were present.

"Ice Wolf Canyon."

Indeed, what he saw was the habitat of the Frost Giant Wolves he had once explored.

Previously, he had only discovered it to be a cold pool of baleful aura.

But now, it appeared that a massive spiritual fluctuation accompanied it.

"It is just shy of a second-tier spiritual vein, but far exceeds an ordinary first-tier one."

"Judging by the vitality emanating from those spiritual fluctuations, there is even a faint sense that it might ascend to a higher level."

In other words, that canyon’s spiritual vein would very likely advance into a second-tier spiritual vein in the not-too-distant future.

Whether that "future" meant a year, two years, or a century, Luo Chen did not care. What he cared about was that his eyes could now perceive the vitality and death-intent of all things.

All things in heaven and earth eventually face life and death.

Even the world itself might head toward destruction after billions of years.

Natural spiritual vein sites were no exception to this law.

Luo Chen could now use this pair of spirit eyes to see through the vitality and death-intent of all things.

Overjoyed, Luo Chen’s gaze shifted, constantly observing nearby objects.

A dying giant tree.

A blade of grass growing vigorously.

A medicinal herb on the verge of advancing in grade.

Suddenly, he looked at his own clothes.

A top-grade magic robe, inscribed with three arrays: Cleansing, Dust-Repelling, and Azure Light Shield.

The latter was a defensive array; upon being attacked, it would, under the cultivator's control, instantly form a defensive spiritual energy shield.

This array’s defensive power was not particularly outstanding, but it excelled in its continuous resilience.

As long as there was a certain reaction time, its defensive effect far surpassed other magic robes.

And that "certain reaction time" was something Luo Chen could provide through his Four-Image Cauldron and agile movement techniques.

With just a single glance, Luo Chen saw the hidden array patterns upon it.

"So that is how they were inscribed."

"The material is also quite extraordinary; no wonder it can withstand the power of the array."

"The resilience of the Azure Light Array is constructed in this manner."

The price of magic robes had never been low.

They could not compare to specialized defensive magic treasures, but they were on par with ordinary offensive magic treasures.

Their value lay in the defensive arrays inscribed upon them.

Now it seemed that the cost of the material itself was also not insignificant.

"Can it pierce through secrets?"

No sooner had this thought emerged than a sharp pain shot through his eyes.

Luo Chen hurriedly closed them.

He took a deep breath and, following the operation method of the Spirit Eye Technique, deactivated it.

When he opened his eyes again, the world returned to normal.

Luo Chen walked back, summarizing his findings.

The Grand Completion Spirit Eye Technique provided an immense improvement.

It was far more sensitive to spiritual fluctuations, even allowing him to see the wisps of spiritual energy drifting through the world.

His visual range was also greatly extended; he could see ten miles away in the dead of night, and in the daytime, it would likely reach a hundred miles. It was not merely seeing outlines, but seeing things in minute detail, as if they were right beside him.

Additionally, he could perceive the vitality and death-intent of many things.

Finally, there was the ability to pierce through array patterns—the ability to see through secrets.

Most magic treasures, after having arrays inscribed upon them, appeared unremarkable when not actively imbued with spiritual energy; the details were invisible.

Even when imbued with spiritual energy, under the glare of spiritual light, ordinary people could not see the specific array patterns.

This design served to prevent others from stealing the array techniques of master craftsmen.

But Luo Chen, with his pair of spirit eyes, could see them clearly.

"Four functions, a near earth-shattering change!"

"This is something I never imagined."

"But because of this, the benefit to me is truly immense."

In his excitement, Luo Chen, clever as he was, could already envision how many things could be improved by utilizing these eyes.

First was cultivation; he could gain a more detailed understanding of his own body.

Second were his many skills.

In alchemy, he could better control the fusion of medicinal properties within the furnace, and when breaking down medicinal materials, he could be more precise.

If he were to study arrays with this, he would likely achieve twice the result with half the effort.

Even in other fields like talisman-making, medicine, and so on, there would undoubtedly be significant gains.

A good pair of eyes could truly influence many things.

Even sword cultivators, renowned for their combat power, often strengthened their eyes.

Moistening Pearl Liquid and Clarity Liquid were all tonics developed by the Jade Tripod Sword Sect for their disciples to nourish their eyes.

"I shall rest for today and begin familiarizing myself with these eyes tomorrow."

Luo Chen calmed his emotions, refusing to let himself remain so agitated.

He returned to the spiritual vein cavern to continue his cultivation.

The name "Slanting Moon Valley" was no longer entirely appropriate.

The valley remained, but the outer area had been expanded so much that it was several times the size of the valley itself.

The two were connected, with mountain rocks, flowing water, and lush trees, secretly conforming to the numbers of the Five Elements.

This was the headquarters of the Luo Tian Society!

At some point, the cultivators of the Luo Tian Society noticed that their President liked to sit on the mountaintop for no reason at all.

Facing the wind, his sharp eyes would gaze into the distance.

At first, they thought nothing of it.

Later, they began to feel uneasy, and their work became much more diligent.

Luo Chen had not realized that his habit of familiarizing himself with his eyes had created the illusion that he was monitoring others.

He was immersed in the joy of his spirit eyes, which could peer a hundred miles away.

"These eyes are marvelous!"

"Not only can I see clear scenes a hundred miles away, but in combat, I can more clearly perceive the reactions and movements of my enemies."

"I have many first-tier magic spells at Grand Completion, with the Fireball Technique having the greatest power, the Traction Technique being the most practical, and the Carefree Wind-Riding Technique being the most agile."

"However, by comparison, this Spirit Eye Technique is the most important."

The Grand Completion Spirit Eye Technique was simply too effective.

In the short term, it allowed him to anticipate the enemy's moves and observe from a hundred miles away.

In the long term, the benefits to his cultivation were beyond measure.

Over the past few days, Luo Chen had verified this from many aspects.

After the excitement subsided, Luo Chen intended to continue optimizing his Fireball Technique.

He believed that with these eyes, his optimization speed would increase several-fold.

Perhaps before long, he would truly complete the optimization and fuse it into a more powerful Blazing Sun Technique.

By then, he would possess a trump card capable of threatening Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Just as Luo Chen intended to descend the mountain, his eyelids twitched.

A streak of light, shaped like a sword, broke through the air from afar.

When it entered the hundred-mile range, he saw that familiar face with absolute clarity.

"Why did he come in person?"

Luo Chen frowned and descended into the valley, appearing unperturbed.

Not long after, in the Alchemy Hall.

Miao Wen strode in, wind and dust trailing behind him, his sharp black eyes looking at Luo Chen with curiosity.

"I hadn't noticed, but Junior Brother’s eyesight is truly exceptional."

"Hmm? Has something happened?" Luo Chen asked, puzzled.

"Come with me; the Elder has need of you."

The Elder!

Luo Chen employed the Carefree Wind-Riding Technique, following behind Miao Wen, his heart filled with trepidation.

There was only one person in Riverbank Market who could be addressed as "Elder" by a Foundation Establishment cultivator like Miao Wen.

The Golden Core Master—Pang Renxiong!

"What could he possibly need from me?"

"The 'Junior Brother' Miao Wen spoke of must be the Jade Tripod true disciple, Luo Tianhong."

"My only contact with him was a month ago, when I reattached Qin Liangchen’s severed limb."

"Exceptional eyesight?"

"Did he see something on me back then?"

Luo Chen was filled with suspicion. He recalled the situation at the time.

Luo Tianhong had not cared about low-level cultivators like them at all, not even sparing a glance for the beautiful Murong Qinglian.

Yet he had paused for a moment beside him and even said, "The spell was very successful."

At the time, Luo Chen had assumed the other party knew of his relationship with Miao Wen and was therefore showing special favor.

But now, it seemed he had overlooked something.

What could it be?

Luo Chen racked his brains, unable to fathom what he possessed that could catch Luo Tianhong’s attention, or even be of use to a Golden Core Master.

His heart sank deeper and deeper with every guess.

Miao Wen couldn't be bothered to explain, simply flying forward on his own.

Watching the other’s back, Luo Chen couldn't help but have an untimely thought.

"This Miao Wen’s cultivation base isn't very profound!"

He remembered that when they were ambushed in the Green Hemp Forest, Mi Shuhua had complained that his flight was too slow and had simply wrapped him in a beam of spiritual light to fly.

Miao Wen clearly felt his flight speed was slow too, but he hadn't done anything of the sort.

"Well, Mi Shuhua was a rogue cultivator, but he was a genuine mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator."

"And this Miao Wen is only at the early stage of Foundation Establishment!"

Amidst these slightly "resigned" idle thoughts, the two entered the Inner City and arrived at the Jade Tripod Sword Pavilion.

This was Luo Chen’s first time at the true "Sword Pavilion"!

It was not one of the ordinary, mundane buildings outside, but a towering structure shaped like a sharp sword.

Standing in the vast hall of the pavilion, Luo Chen kept his head bowed, not daring to look around.

He felt as if his body were being pointed at by countless sharp swords, icy and chilling.

Miao Wen and Luo Tianhong stood on either side, just as respectful as he was.

Their respect was not without reason.

Because at the very top, behind a curtain, sat a man who, even while seated, exerted immense pressure, looking down upon them.

He did not speak, merely scrutinizing Luo Chen.

Suddenly!

He extended his index and middle fingers.

Pointing like a sword, he aimed at Luo Chen.

Luo Chen’s heart leaped; he felt something sharp to the extreme pointing at him.

You can't be serious, Great One!

I am just a low-level rogue cultivator; what are you doing!

The next moment, Luo Chen felt as if he had been struck by a heavy blow, his face turning pale.

"Cough, cough!"

He stumbled back several steps, feeling as if something had been extracted from his body.

In his ears, a resonant voice echoed.

"Follow this soul seed and find that rat hiding in the dark."

"Go!"

"Obey the Elder’s command!"

"Obey the Elder’s command!"

Amidst the howling wind, Luo Chen coughed incessantly.

Beside him, Miao Wen frowned as he looked at him.

"When were you injured?"

Luo Chen managed a smile. "Ten days ago, injured by a talisman treasure."

"A talisman treasure?" Miao Wen snorted coldly. "I told you not to stir up trouble; you overestimate yourself."

Luo Chen twitched his lips, not refuting him.

If he hadn't stirred up that trouble, how could the Luo Tian Society have developed so smoothly?

Not only had they solved the problems of milk sources and jade washing, but two days ago, the Li family had even reached a cooperation agreement with them, agreeing to purchase a batch of Jade Marrow Elixirs regularly every month.

Even the deposit had been paid—a full five hundred spirit stones.

As long as this business was successful, there would be an income of over a thousand spirit stones every month, which would be a considerable sum if it continued.

Watching Luo Tianhong flying in front, with a greenish-black oil lamp hovering above his head, Luo Chen couldn't help but ask, "What did Elder Pang extract from my body just now?"

"Pfft..."

Miao Wen sneered, glancing at him.

"You naturally wouldn't know what kind of methods Mi Shuhua left on you."

Luo Chen was shocked. Other methods?

He had clearly used the Master-level Cleansing Technique to remove the trace of pure spiritual energy Mi Shuhua had left on him!

A chill rose involuntarily.

"That is a soul seed; you could also consider it a wisp of spiritual sense actively severed by a cultivator. It’s just that Mi Shuhua is already dead, so this wisp of spiritual sense became a rootless duckweed, living by relying on you."

"As everyone knows, all things are born with spirit; humans have souls. After Foundation Establishment, the soul and spirit combine to achieve external spiritual sense."

"Therefore, the spiritual sense inherently contains a portion of the cultivator’s soul origin."

"Elder Pang used great divine powers to peel back the layers and trace it back to the original soul origin of Mi Shuhua, combining it with this magic treasure, the Soul-Gathering Lamp, to form a soul seed."

Hearing these words, Luo Chen was filled with lingering fear.

He had only thought Mi Shuhua had left that trace of pure spiritual energy on him, and he had even thought he had countermeasures and could escape at any time.

He had even made fairly adequate preparations.

He hadn't expected that old fox to have left more than one method on him!

Actively severing one’s own spiritual sense—how ruthless!

This meant actively cutting off a part of one’s own soul.

If he had truly escaped back then, it wouldn't have been long before Mi Shuhua could have caught him.

By then, he could imagine his fate.

Being locked in a dark room to refine elixirs might have been the best treatment.

"I underestimated the methods of a Foundation Establishment true cultivator after all!"

"Foundation Establishment, Foundation Establishment—building the foundation of the Great Dao. Once Foundation Establishment is achieved, the cultivator undergoes earth-shattering changes in all aspects, far beyond the superficial combat power."

"In the future, I must be careful!"

Luo Chen took a deep breath; it was just a matter of knowing shame and then being brave!

Glancing at Miao Wen, Luo Chen noticed his expression was also not very good.

Recalling his unusual demeanor and tone today, Luo Chen had a sudden realization.

It seemed he wasn't having an easy time either!

That’s right, the method Mi Shuhua left on him had been there for a long time.

But Miao Wen had been with him several times and never noticed it.

Instead, Luo Tianhong, who had only seen him once, noticed something was wrong at a glance.

After Elder Pang came out of seclusion, he reported it immediately.

Whether Luo Tianhong would be rewarded was hard to say, but Miao Wen would definitely be reprimanded!

This old guy wasn't having an easy time either!

Harboring the dark psychology of "if I'm not doing well, no one else should either," Luo Chen felt a rare sense of satisfaction.

However, on the surface, he maintained sufficient respect.

"So now, what are we doing with this soul seed?"

"Are we tracing the roots to find Mi Shuhua?"

"But he’s already dead, isn't he!"

To Luo Chen’s question, Miao Wen showed unusual patience.

Although his tone was still unpleasant, at least he answered Luo Chen’s doubts.

However, this answer left Luo Chen somewhat shocked.

"Mi Shuhua is not that easy to die!"

"Don't look at the fact that five Foundation Establishment cultivators besieged him; in reality, all five were early-stage Foundation Establishment, and Wang Haichao, Nangong Jin, and Li Yixian had no magic treasures."

"Besides the Heavenly Moon Purple Gold Wheel, Mi Shuhua had the defensive magic treasure, the Rotten Ke Chess Pieces, and the suppression magic treasure, the Demon-Locking Tower."

"If he had fought to the death, those five would have had to sacrifice at least half, and the rest would have been severely injured."

"But in the end, except for Duan Qiankun and Li Yixian who suffered minor injuries, the others were all unscathed."

"And Mi Shuhua fell within his own clan grounds."

Saying this, Miao Wen took a deep breath.

A ferocious smile appeared on his face.

"That rat hiding in the dark couldn't resist the temptation after all!"

"Soon!"

"Soon we will catch him!"

Luo Chen was shocked by the depth of Mi Shuhua’s foundation.

Three magic treasures!

What kind of wealth was this?

Even some ordinary Golden Core cultivators wouldn't be this wealthy!

Not to mention whether Mi Shuhua could use three magic treasures at the same time, being able to accumulate them was enough to make one marvel.

And in such a situation, Mi Shuhua had still died.

Connecting this to the "rat" mentioned twice by Pang Renxiong and Miao Wen.

Luo Chen instantly realized something.

He was caught in a dispute between Golden Core cultivators!

Time passed, the sun rose and the moon set.

When the sky grew dark and the sunset glow spilled over the vast Riverbank, Luo Tianhong, who was in front, stopped.

He looked solemn, holding the Soul-Gathering Lamp.

He lowered his head, his sharp, clear eyes fixed on the depths of the river.

This place was far from Riverbank Market, the river surface was thousands of meters wide, almost no different from the sea.

At the same time, a terrifyingly powerful mana fluctuation spread from within the river.

The hostility was obvious, aimed directly at Luo Tianhong.

Facing this terrifying scene, Luo Tianhong did not hesitate, shouting loudly.

"Please, Elder, draw your sword!"

The next moment, a golden stream of light, like a falling star, roared from the depths of Riverbank Market.

The sword energy was like a tide, its momentum vast!

The stockpile I saved up is all gone!

Seven chapters today, totaling nearly forty thousand words.

A minimum of ten thousand words, two extra chapters for the Alliance Leader, and the rest are to reward the brothers who voted for the monthly tickets yesterday.

Thank you, and I hope everyone will continue to support Little Rain and this book.

The saved drafts are all gone!

Seven updates today, about forty thousand words.

At least ten thousand updates, two more updates for the alliance leader, and the extra updates are to give back to the brothers who voted for monthly tickets yesterday.

Thank you, I hope everyone will continue to support Xiaoyu and support this book