Chapter 262: Turtle Spirit Armor-Covering, Lies

Looking at the flickering entry, Luo Chen was stunned.

His physical strength realm had been recorded by the system?

However, what did this long string of ellipses mean?

Under his gaze, characters kept popping up behind 【Physical Refining Second Realm】.

【Tendon Tempering】, 【Marrow Cleansing】, 【Organ Refining】, 【Meridian Opening】...

Finally.

All the characters converged like rivers into the sea, turning into a number.

【3/100】

Luo Chen couldn't hold it together.

"After all that, it's still just a progress bar!"

He was completely speechless.

However, as his gaze fell on the number in the progress bar, that 【3】 kept flickering faintly, as if it could rise at any moment.

"Does it have to do with the slow transformation my physique is currently undergoing?"

Luo Chen pondered to himself.

He could feel that after reaching the Second Realm of Physical Refining, his body seemed to possess endless potential.

There were many areas that could be tapped into.

He just hadn't found the way in yet.

If there were an orthodox method, perhaps he could dig out those treasures within his body one by one.

And speaking of orthodox methods, he did indeed have a set on hand.

It was precisely the "Wang Family Secret Manual" that Wang Yuan had given him; besides the cultivation method for the First Realm of Physical Refining, it also contained a portion of the cultivation method for the early stage of the Second Realm.

Among them, it did indeed mention the specific terms 【Tendon Tempering】, 【Marrow Cleansing】, 【Organ Refining】, and 【Meridian Opening】.

Presumably, this was the reason the system kept hesitating in its classification of the physical strength entry.

It was just that.

Luo Chen's physical cultivation had never been systematic.

Therefore, the system couldn't easily judge it, and ended up giving him a progress bar just like the one for his immortal cultivation realm.

"If I had enough time to explore these human body treasures, that would be great."

"Unfortunately, there's absolutely not enough time!"

Shaking his head, Luo Chen stopped paying attention to this new entry.

He could discuss it slightly with Wang Yuan later and learn some common knowledge.

For the present moment, he would rather spend his energy on some spells that were effective and useful to him.

For instance, "Turtle Spirit Armor-Covering"!

The time had reached the hour of Mao (5:00-7:00 AM).

This was the reading time Luo Chen had set for himself.

Two hours a day wasn't much, but it could provide great help for his ventures in the cultivation world.

Without absolute strength, so-called power and realms were not that reliable.

A careless touch of a poisonous herb or accidentally entering a secret realm could lead to a cultivator's death and soul dissipation.

Therefore, reading more and learning more about the cultivation world was always good.

And this "Turtle Spirit Armor-Covering" was a marvelous spell that could potentially save his life under immense danger.

This technique originated from the Battle of Gaoling Plain, from the hands of an unknown Great River Gang rogue cultivator.

At that time, he had been feigning death on the battlefield.

Even Luo Chen's spiritual sense had been deceived by him.

The marvelous nature of it was evident!

And after truly browsing through this technique, Luo Chen's interest in it had never ceased.

This was actually a complete Second-Tier spell!

Moreover, it was a Second-Tier spell that could be learned in parts!

It was divided into four parts in total.

Turtle Breath, Armor-Covering, Death-Avoidance, and Life-Extension.

Turtle Breath, as the name suggests, is breathing like a turtle, masking one's own vital signs until they are nearly non-existent.

Armor-Covering is a spell biased towards defense. It uses spiritual energy to condense into armor, covering the entire body, including hidden places like the eyes and the anus. It can be called an all-encompassing close-fitting defensive spell.

Death-Avoidance is somewhat profound. A cultivator can sever a piece of flesh from their body to avoid a fatal injury, leaving themselves with only minor wounds.

Life-Extension is used when encountering a certain-death situation; one uses all their spiritual energy to transform into a single breath, forcibly lingering in the world. However, this technique can only be maintained for three days. If one cannot find a way to return from the dead after three days, one will still die.

Browsing through this entire set of spells, it was truly miraculous and profound.

It had truly kept Luo Chen thinking about it for the past three years, taking out the turtle shell containing the technique to study it from time to time.

It was just because his time had been too tight before that he hadn't started practicing it.

Now, he had finally figured out the knack for the first two parts.

He felt he could start practicing.

"If I can learn this spell, it can be a major trump card for saving my life in situations beyond my control!"

Luo Chen muttered to himself.

That rogue cultivator back then had only learned Turtle Breath and was able to deceive his spiritual sense across realms.

One could see how miraculous this technique was!

With Luo Chen's talent in spells, plus more abundant resources, learning this set of Second-Tier spells completely would definitely not be a problem.

He carefully read through the content again.

Two hours had passed unknowingly.

After eating something simple, Luo Chen tried to start practicing the technique.

First was Turtle Breath!

One exhalation, one inhalation; one exhalation and one inhalation make one breath.

And the duration of this one breath depends on the person.

Some people breathe rapidly, with one breath lasting only five or six seconds; others have long breaths, with one inhalation and exhalation lasting dozens of seconds.

Like those short-lived chickens and dogs, their breathing is only two or three seconds per cycle.

And this technique imitates the ancient Great Turtle "Xuan," which lived for thirty thousand years!

It is rumored that when it is active normally, it only breathes three times a day.

If it falls into a deep slumber, it only breathes once every three hundred years.

During those three hundred years, it remains motionless like a mountain, appearing like a dead object, without any signs of life. When it breathes once after three hundred years, it is a peculiar scene of swallowing the heaven and earth, which can be called terrifying to the extreme.

A mere Second-Tier technique naturally cannot reach the level of the Xuan Turtle.

But according to its method, if one reaches great success, a cultivator can barely manage to breathe only once in three years.

Even at the small success stage, one can manage to be like withered wood for three months.

No one would be able to tell if one is alive or dead!

"For practice, the initial breath duration should be controlled at about one minute. Seven times in a row, cycle back and forth, rest slightly, do seven full sets, until forty-nine times, and that's it!"

It sounds very simple.

But in reality, one must follow specific hand gestures and specific spiritual energy flow to practice it.

Lower the eyelids, eyes watch the nose, nose watches the mouth, mouth watches the heart, tongue touches the upper palate, heart, spirit, and intent guard the navel, ensuring the mind does not waver.

The thumb and middle finger of the left hand are placed together, forming a circle.

The thumb of the right hand is inserted into this circle.

The middle fingers are hooked together, and the other four fingers are crisscrossed.

The whole thing is shifted slightly horizontally, spiraling into a long, narrow oval shape.

When this posture was formed, Luo Chen opened his mouth and took a deep breath.

At this time, hold the breath for one minute.

After one minute, he slowly and lengthily exhaled lightly.

Like this, cycle back and forth.

Time flies, regardless of cold or heat.

Time passed, and five months went by in a flash.

On this day, a flying boat left Lanxiancheng in a swaggering manner, heading straight for Danxia Peak.

Outside the flying boat, white snow was falling.

On the flying boat stood two people.

They were precisely Elder Min Longyu, who had broken through the barrier and stabilized his realm, and Luo Chen, who had spent half a year of dull days at home.

"You know, this isn't the small, insignificant place of Dahefang anymore, so your Foundation Establishment ceremony naturally cannot be a grand affair."

Luo Chen looked at the other person and said casually.

Elder Min Longyu smiled knowingly, "No matter, I'm not someone who cares about those empty rituals."

"As long as you don't mind." Luo Chen interlaced his fingers, his large sleeves covering his palms, looking like an ordinary mortal. "This time for the internal Foundation Establishment ceremony, Hui Niang has summoned all the Qi Refining Ninth Layer cultivators who were outside. When the time comes, you must share your Foundation Establishment insights well with them."

Elder Min Longyu nodded heavily.

It had been three and a half years since he joined the Luo Tian Society.

Previously, because he had no real position, in order to exchange for Peiyuan Spirit Liquid and Tongyou Pills, he had truly done quite a few things for the Luo Tian Society.

It could be considered the period when he had been most dedicated in his many years of drifting in the cultivation world.

This period had gradually given him a sense of identification with the Luo Tian Society.

Especially after Luo Chen helped him establish his Foundation, this identification transformed into affection.

He knew deeply!

Relying on fighting alone, it is difficult to move an inch in this cultivation world.

Especially after Foundation Establishment, the demand for resources reached a level unimaginable to Qi Refining cultivators.

Only as the Luo Tian Society became stronger could he walk further on this path!

Sharing Foundation Establishment insights to let the Luo Tian Society produce a few more Foundation Establishment True Persons.

This was undoubtedly the fastest way to help the Luo Tian Society increase its strength.

Moreover!

This kind of thing wasn't something only he had done.

Whether it was Luo Chen, Duan Feng, or even Wang Yuan who established his Foundation a year ago, all had personally done these things.

When sharing Foundation Establishment insights, they had almost held nothing back.

He didn't know if other small sects in Lanxiancheng were like this?

But at least, the high-level members of the Luo Tian Society truly hadn't hidden anything in this regard.

They truly achieved working together with one heart and unity.

"And all of this is because of the man beside me!"

Elder Min Longyu quietly looked at Luo Chen's side profile, but discovered a strange phenomenon.

The other person seemed to have no breathing?

"What's wrong?"

Luo Chen suddenly spoke, slowly exhaling a long, continuous breath from his mouth.

In this winter season with snow falling, it was as if he had exhaled a white breath dragon.

Seeing this peculiar scene.

Elder Min Longyu was extremely surprised, "President, are you practicing some kind of spell?"

"Yes!" Luo Chen smiled slightly, "Why, want to learn? I can teach you!"

Elder Min Longyu waved his hand hurriedly, "Forget it, the way of arrays is broad and profound, I haven't even truly entered the door, how could I be distracted by other things."

"You're being too humble!"

Elder Min Longyu had a family heritage, and his foundation in array cultivation had been solid since he was young.

During the Qi Refining stage, he was already a famous array expert.

Now that he had ascended to Foundation Establishment, he could use his spiritual sense to set up arrays and had begun researching incomplete array disks; calling him an array master was definitely not an exaggeration.

If this wasn't considered truly entering the door, then other array masters would have to die of shame!

"But thinking this way is a good thing."

Luo Chen sighed, "People of our generation seem to have a skyrocketing lifespan. But on the long path of immortality, where is there enough time? Being able to have one or two skilled crafts is already truly remarkable."

Elder Min Longyu was also extremely moved.

If you don't enter the mountain, you don't know the height of the mountain.

If you don't tread the path, you don't know the difficulty of the path.

Qi Refining cultivators envy the long lifespan of Foundation Establishment True Persons, but how could they not feel that life is short?

In simple conversation, the Langqi flying boat crossed a distance of three hundred miles and arrived at Danxia Peak.

The matter of the Foundation Establishment ceremony had been mentioned long ago.

Therefore, when they arrived, all kinds of things had already been prepared.

A grand gathering of high-level cultivators within the Luo Tian Society unfolded.

Luo Chen sat at the head.

But the true protagonist was Elder Min Longyu, this newly established Foundation Establishment cultivator.

The other person spoke eloquently and fluently, telling everyone about the difficulties that might be encountered during Foundation Establishment and his own insights on how he overcame these difficulties.

Luo Chen echoed from time to time and gave his own understanding.

His gaze, however, was wandering in the Luo Tian Hall.

Over these years, everyone had been very busy.

Busy taking root, busy developing, busy strengthening the Luo Tian Society.

In this process, everyone had their own gains.

Sima Hui Niang was the busiest person, but her realm hadn't stagnated; she was probably only a year or two away from the Great Perfection of Qi Refining.

She had a Foundation Establishment Pill bestowed by Luo Chen in her hand.

According to her aptitude, temperament, various usual preparations, listening to Luo Chen's teachings at all times, and the simulation results in the Ghost God Questioning Heart Mirror.

The probability of her successful Foundation Establishment was perhaps the greatest.

Luo Chen wasn't very worried about her.

What he was worried about now were the other two people.

After Elder Min Longyu's Foundation Establishment ceremony ended, everyone dispersed.

Duan Feng sought out Elder Min Longyu and began chatting enthusiastically about magic treasures.

And Luo Chen, however, kept the two of them behind.

"President."

"Sister-in-law, don't! There's no one else here, no need to be so formal."

Luo Chen walked down the stairs and came before the two.

"Can you tell me, what is going on with you two now?"

Under his spiritual eyes' observation.

The two people in front of him were both at the Great Perfection of the Qi Refining stage.

This progress wasn't much different from Luo Chen's judgment from a few years ago.

The only discrepancy was that Qin Liangchen had also reached the Great Perfection of Qi Refining so quickly and hadn't been surpassed by Murong Qinglian.

This discrepancy arose because half a year ago at the auction, they had spent a large sum of money to buy precious First-Tier Spirit Elixir.

This allowed Qin Liangchen to bridge the gap and finally reach the Great Perfection of Qi Refining.

Logically speaking, at this realm, one should try to impact Foundation Establishment.

As for the Foundation Establishment Pill needed to break through the realm?

They also had one in their hands.

If they were afraid one wasn't enough for two people to share, they could also let one person establish the Foundation first!

Now, however, both were stuck here.

Murong Qinglian looked at the silent Qin Liangchen beside her, her gaze shifted back, revealing a bitter smile.

"Little Luo, help me persuade your Brother Qin!"

"If he doesn't break through again, he will truly lose the best timing for Foundation Establishment."

Qin Liangchen moved his lips and shook his head.

"No need to persuade me, that Foundation Establishment Pill is best used by you."

Murong Qinglian pleaded almost begging, "But you are already sixty-one years old, if you don't establish your Foundation again, it will only become more difficult in the future."

"You aren't many years younger than me, you are the one who should hurry."

"Then what about you!"

"Me? This arm has been broken twice, and it's not as good as before after being reattached. What if I establish my Foundation? Could I still peek at the Core Formation stage?"

"Then if you don't establish your Foundation, I will go. If I succeed, my lifespan will double. Do you want me to be alone and helpless after a hundred years, waiting for you to pass away?"

"How could you be alone and helpless, isn't there still Qin Xiaohu! We've already made contact, he is now valued by the Luoyun Sect, and he will have great hope of establishing his Foundation in the future."

"You know that's not what I mean."

The couple's argument suddenly erupted.

This scene truly caught Luo Chen off guard.

Over so many years, he had never seen Qin Liangchen and his wife argue.

Looking at their familiar way, it was feared that such an argument had erupted more than once during this period.

What exactly has marriage brought to men/women!

He shivered and hurriedly raised his hand.

"Stop, stop, I said stop!"

Looking at the two who had quieted down, Luo Chen said helplessly: "Foundation Establishment isn't that simple, and it's not certain to succeed. Instead of pushing each other like this, why not let one person try first. Regardless of success or failure, arrangements can be made later!"

Qin Liangchen nodded and said: "Indeed, so I also intend to let your sister-in-law try first."

Hearing this, Murong Qinglian was both angry and amused, and even wanted to cry.

"Clearly you are the one who needs Foundation Establishment the most!"

"But Luo Chen also said, Foundation Establishment isn't that simple, with my state, the failure probability will undoubtedly be particularly high. Why waste that Foundation Establishment Pill, better you..."

Seeing that they were about to argue again.

Luo Chen was a bit speechless.

Is this the "even an honest official can't settle family affairs" situation?

He, a Foundation Establishment True Person, couldn't persuade two Qi Refining cultivator partners.

This won't do!

Regardless of whether it's for Murong Qinglian or Qin Liangchen.

The longer it drags on, the greater the loss.

He, Luo Chen, established his Foundation at thirty-two, and now he feels there isn't enough time.

These two are both fifty or sixty years old, how can they afford to delay.

Thinking about it, Luo Chen made a decision.

"Sister-in-law, you go out first, let me talk to Brother Qin privately!"

The root of the problem was clearly still with Qin Liangchen.

Murong Qinglian looked at him eagerly, and only went outside the hall after Qin Liangchen urged her.

After she left, Qin Liangchen suddenly sighed.

With this breath exhaled, his whole person seemed to have aged dozens of years, without any of the momentum a Great Perfection Qi Refining cultivator should have.

Is his usual strength and indifference just a man's disguise?

Luo Chen couldn't help but speak, "Brother Qin, you..."

"Little Luo, I won't call you President, nor will I call you Luo Chen, let's address each other as peers like we did back in Dahefang."

Qin Liangchen interrupted him, his words seeming to return to the past.

Luo Chen closed his mouth and let him continue.

"Little Luo, tell me from the bottom of your heart, in my current state, can I establish my Foundation?"

Facing those eyes that no longer had their former sharpness, Luo Chen tried to say words like "maybe," "perhaps," or "it's hard to say," but in the end, he was speechless.

Someone who can establish a Foundation is definitely not in Qin Liangchen's current state.

It has nothing to do with realm perfection, nor is it about sufficient preparation.

Mindset is the most critical!

Without that indomitable determination, the breakthrough opportunity, which already had a low success probability, would be futile even with the best spirit elixirs.

He couldn't say those insincere words!

Looking at Luo Chen's true reaction, Qin Liangchen smiled dejectedly.

"See, you also know that my current state is not suitable for Foundation Establishment, so why force me?"

He walked to a desk and poured a cup of wine.

"Do you know why I'm clearly at the Great Perfection of Qi Refining and have the Foundation Establishment Pill you gave me back then, but I don't try to establish my Foundation?"

"Afraid of failure? Afraid of wasting it?"

"No!"

"I have feared many things in my life, but not these."

"I fear that after failure, I will be seriously injured and have no more good years to live. I won't have time to accompany your sister-in-law, to wait for Qin Xiaohu to finish his studies and come down from the mountain."

"With my current physical condition, combined with the insights of you four Foundation Establishment True Persons. Once I fail, at best I'll be seriously injured and have my lifespan reduced, at worst I'll die on the spot."

"Instead of taking these risks, it's better to enjoy the remaining decades of life."

"This way, even if I die, I won't have any regrets."

Cup after cup of wine went down.

The words spoken were frank and open-minded.

As if he were that atmospheric and heroic man again.

Luo Chen pursed his lips and said with difficulty, "What about sister-in-law?"

Qin Liangchen smiled lightly, "Her heart for Foundation Establishment is definitely firmer than mine!"

"As her partner, I know her best."

"She loves me, she can't let go of Qin Xiaohu, and she can't bear to part with the Luo Tian Society that we built brick by brick."

"If there is a chance, she, who seems weak, will walk more firmly than anyone else!"

Luo Chen was silent.

It was also because of love.

One chose to retreat, one chose to advance.

He understood, but it was hard to personally feel the true meaning of it.

If it were him, even if he were covered in serious injuries and only had one day of lifespan left, he would take the risk!

"So, don't persuade me anymore."

"Persuade your sister-in-law more!"

"Later we will lie to her together, saying you found a Foundation Establishment spirit medicine more suitable for my physique, and I will go to establish my Foundation in a few years."

"Don't worry, I won't let her resent you. When the time comes, I'll pretend to be in seclusion for a month or so, and finally pretend that the Foundation Establishment failed, and come out alive and unharmed."

"Compared to being seriously injured, she will definitely be able to accept me being unharmed after failure."

Luo Chen was between laughter and tears.

What kind of thing is this!

You really know your partner well!

"Little Luo, you must promise me!" Qin Liangchen put down the wine glass heavily and stared at Luo Chen earnestly, "This time, consider it your big brother begging you!"

Luo Chen opened his mouth.

In the end, he still didn't say the words of refusal.

When the door opened and Murong Qinglian walked in anxiously, Qin Liangchen revealed a long-lost, relaxed smile.

"Wife, it's all resolved, we can both establish our Foundations later!"

"Little Luo knows of a Foundation Establishment spirit medicine more suitable for my physique, it just needs time to gather. So, don't push that Foundation Establishment Pill back and forth with me."

Murong Qinglian was stunned and subconsciously looked at Luo Chen, who had his back to her.

"Luo Chen, is it true?"

Qin Liangchen bit his lip, nervously watching Luo Chen's back.

Finally, in his anticipation.

Luo Chen turned around, revealing a natural smile comparable to a century-old movie star.

"It's true."

This was the first time he had told a lie concerning someone else to a friend.

At this moment, he felt somewhat uncomfortable.

But seeing the "sincere" smiles of the couple, he felt that such a lie didn't seem wrong?

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(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 263 =====