Chapter 216: Taking Precautions, the Realm of the Divine Embryo

"There is no need for that for the time being."

Lu Yuan said slowly:

"I have studied the Sealing Heaven and Earth Array laid out by the Human Emperor of antiquity. Its array principles are indeed exquisitely extraordinary, but I have observed that activating this array requires a massive amount of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Machine and special timing, such as the Five Stars Alignment. The ancient ancestors succeeded seven thousand years ago because the Spiritual Machine in the ancient era was abundant, but now that the Spiritual Machine in the world has withered, even activating the array has become a problem."

"Of course, to sever the connection between the two realms, one does not necessarily have to activate this array. After all, the Heavenly Ladder has only just been repaired a little and has barely established a connection; destroying it is not difficult, and I have many ways to do so."

"However, the only problem is that for cultivators like us, although the situation in the Upper Realm is harsh, it also represents a broader world. The Spiritual Machine in this realm is thin; even if you have outstanding talent, you may not necessarily be able to cultivate to the perfection of Refining Essence into Qi in your entire life. But after arriving in the Upper Realm, there will be no such shackles. Let alone Refining Essence into Qi, even Refining Qi into Spirit may not be your limit. Are you not tempted?"

Chen Zhantang was stunned for a moment and smiled bitterly:

"With Master saying so, this disciple is indeed very tempted, but when I think of the various consequences that might be caused after the Upper Realm cultivators descend..."

"There is no need to worry so much."

Lu Yuan said indifferently:

"The fragile passage between the two realms cannot accommodate a large number of Upper Realm cultivators descending, and it costs a huge price for Upper Realm cultivators to descend. They have just sent people over and will not send anyone down again in a short time. At least for several years, there is no need to worry about the threat from the Upper Realm. As for several years later, I will personally go to the Upper Realm to solve this problem."

Chen Zhantang was slightly surprised and immediately bowed:

"Master, the Upper Realm is dangerous; how can I let you face it alone? Although this disciple's cultivation is low, I am willing to go with you!"

Lu Yuan smiled nonchalantly:

"We shall see when the time comes. Speaking of which, I have obtained some good things from this Upper Realm cultivator; come forward."

Chen Zhantang did not understand why, but he stepped forward respectfully, only to see a delicate jade disk suffused with spiritual light suddenly appear in Lu Yuan's hand, who then signaled for him to press his palm onto it.

After Chen Zhantang did as he was told, Lu Yuan infused his Dharma Power, and the scale on the jade disk suddenly lit up with a light mark of more than three inches, causing his gaze to shift:

"A spiritual light of three inches—this is the aptitude of a superior Spirit Root. You kid really has extraordinary talent."

Chen Zhantang was confused:

"What does Master mean?"

Lu Yuan explained:

"This is a Spirit Testing Disk used by Upper Realm cultivators to select Immortal Seeds. It can roughly determine a person's cultivation aptitude. If the spiritual light emitted upon touching it with your hand is less than one inch, it is inferior aptitude; about one inch is lower grade; about two inches is middle grade; and three inches is superior aptitude. Even in the Upper Realm, one can be called a genius."

Chen Zhantang said embarrassedly:

"Even if this disciple has extraordinary talent, it would be useless if Master had not led me onto the path of cultivation and taught me the Immortal Method."

Lu Yuan smiled:

"There are four elements to the cultivation of Upper Realm cultivators, called Law, Wealth, Companion, and Land. Law is indeed ranked first, but individual aptitude is also extremely important. After all, the level of Spirit Root aptitude also represents the efficiency of absorbing Spiritual Machine, which means the speed of cultivation is vastly different."

"You have such aptitude, so you must cultivate diligently and improve your cultivation as soon as possible, so that you can have some security when following me to the Upper Realm in the future."

Hearing that Lu Yuan seemed to have the intention of taking him to the Upper Realm in the future, Chen Zhantang was inexplicably excited:

"Yes, this disciple will keep Master's teachings in mind, work hard, and never slack off!"

Lu Yuan nodded:

"In this Lower Realm, the Spiritual Machine has not yet recovered. To improve your cultivation, you must rely on external objects. Today, I will pass on to you the method of refining the Bait Stone Pill, so that you can refine it yourself in the future to supply your cultivation."

After saying that, he flicked his finger, and a message of divine sense sank into the center of the other's brow.

In an instant, a pill formula and information on refining techniques and insights surged into his mind. Chen Zhantang was stunned on the spot, struggling to digest it for a long time before finally realizing that Lu Yuan had actually passed on to him the refining of the cultivation pill he had always been using!

While he was still in a daze, Lu Yuan waved his sleeve, and the Bronze Alchemy Furnace used in the past appeared on the ground, along with a dusty bag:

"This alchemy furnace is what I used to refine the Bait Stone Pill. Today, I will pass it on to you as well. Refining the Bait Stone Pill is not too difficult, and the materials used are all common things in this realm, so I suppose it will not stump you."

"This cloth bag contains a space of several feet; it is a Storage Bag used by Upper Realm cultivators. You can use it by infusing it with Dharma Power. I will give it to you too."

Besides his main Storage Bag, Bai Qianfeng also had a smaller spare Storage Bag for storing sundries. Lu Yuan had no great use for it, so he gave it away as well.

As for the Cloud Pattern Gold Cauldron he kept, he held onto it.

After all, that was a third-tier alchemy furnace from the Upper Realm; even an ordinary Golden Core Real Person might not necessarily possess one. Handing it to Chen Zhantang, a Qi Refining novice, would be a complete waste of a heavenly treasure. It could exert some effect if kept in his own hands.

Naturally unaware of this, an indescribable emotion and excitement echoed in his heart, and Chen Zhantang knelt down with a thud:

"This disciple thanks Master for passing on the alchemy method and Dharma Treasure. For such kindness, this disciple will never be able to repay it in this lifetime!"

Lu Yuan did not care:

"There is no need for this. You should cultivate diligently. Being able to stand on your own and protect this world as soon as possible is the best reward for me. Go."

"Also, that Upper Realm cultivator Qin Ruoning has already abandoned darkness for light and become one of our people. She will also reside on Xiantai Mountain for a period of time; do not neglect her."

Chen Zhantang did not ask further and said with extreme solemnity:

"Yes, this disciple will keep it in mind."

After saying that, he performed a grand salute again and then respectfully retreated.

After his figure disappeared, Lu Yuan sighed faintly:

"It is a pity that time is still too tight..."

Now that he has reached the pinnacle of this world, he will inevitably go to the Upper Realm after preparing in the future.

And regarding the situation in the Upper Realm, whether it is to deal with the catastrophe or to seize Qi Luck, it is necessary to establish his own foundation.

At this time, it is very necessary to cultivate a trusted confidant disciple who can stand on their own. This is also the reason why Lu Yuan has increased his efforts to cultivate Chen Zhantang again.

The only pity is that time is indeed a bit tight. In a few years, Chen Zhantang can at most only enter the middle stage of Refining Essence into Qi, which is far from enough.

Lu Yuan shook his head and stopped thinking about it. He looked down at the Spirit Testing Disk in his hand and thought for a moment, then pressed one hand onto it.

After infusing Dharma Power, a faint light two inches long soon lit up on the jade disk, making his gaze shift involuntarily:

"Oh? I actually have a middle-grade Spirit Root?"

In the Upper Realm, a middle-grade Spirit Root is actually already considered a cultivation talent, and in those top sects and aristocratic families, it is considered a mainstay; the aptitude is definitely not bad.

Of course, Lu Yuan has now lit up the Nine Breaths Serving Qi. Under such a supreme Qi Refining Supernatural Power, he ignores Spirit Root aptitude entirely. Let alone superior grade, even the rare Earth Spiritual Root or Heavenly Spirit Root are far from comparable to it.

After testing, he put away the Spirit Testing Disk and continued to inventory Bai Qianfeng's legacy, especially checking the Jade Slips and books.

"Fire Path Orthodox Method", "Black Evil Body Refining Art", "Green Wood Longevity Skill", "Xizhou Customs and Geography", "Spirit Puppet Technique", "Alchemical Dao Brief Explanation", "Yuanling Heaven Spiritual Plant Catalog", "Era Theory"...

There were more than twenty Jade Slips and books, including miscellaneous books, health-preserving techniques, quick-success Secret Techniques, and records of alchemy and puppet-making, which were obviously accumulated by Bai Qianfeng over a long period of time.

What Lu Yuan paid more attention to were the Upper Realm cultivation methods and Secret Techniques; although these few volumes did not seem to contain the cultivation method practiced by Bai Qianfeng himself, they still possessed significant reference value, and he immediately began to read them with great interest.

And with this reading, a full day and night passed.

Among these cultivation methods and Secret Techniques, most were merely novelties to Lu Yuan; things like fire-element Dharma Techniques or alchemy techniques simply could not be mentioned in the same breath as the Earthly Fiend Arts.

If one were to speak of what left a deep impression on him, it was undoubtedly the "Green Wood Longevity Skill" and the "Black Evil Body Refining Art."

Both of these were primary cultivation methods; the former was a wood-element method, focusing on being upright and peaceful, and besides being able to absorb the spiritual energy of Heaven and Earth, it could also absorb the essence of plants and trees for cultivation; although it was not adept at combat, it had the effect of increasing lifespan, which was quite miraculous.

Of course, although this method was extraordinary, it only contained cultivation content up to the Golden Core level and could not be compared to the 【Guidance】 which could allow one to cultivate to the realm of an Earth Immortal.

As for the other book, the "Black Evil Body Refining Art," it was a fast-track cultivation method close to the heterodox paths of the outer sects.

In the world of immortal cultivation, the mainstream was Qi Refining and truth-seeking, while this method belonged to the rather rare path of fast-track body refining; cultivation required drawing the Yin evil energy from underground caverns into the body, thereby condensing the body's apertures and tempering it into a formidable physique comparable to a demonic beast.

The advantage of this method was that it had relatively low requirements for Spirit Root aptitude and medicinal bath resources, and the cultivation efficiency was fast; in a few years' time, one could form a certain level of combat power.

The corresponding price was that the cultivation process was dangerous and cruel; when refining the body, not only would one suffer the pain of evil energy washing the body, like ten thousand ants gnawing at one's flesh, but it would also imperceptibly damage the practitioner's lifespan.

For mainstream Qi Refiners, the maximum lifespan in the Qi Refining stage could reach one hundred thirty or forty years.

Those who practiced this method, because their lifespan was severely damaged, for the most part could only live to forty or fifty years old, not even as long as an ordinary mortal.

Casually crushing the Jade Slip that recorded this method into powder, Lu Yuan could not help but sneer:

"Cultivating cannon fodder in batches; these cultivators from the Upper Realm really do not treat people as human beings."

The Black Evil Body Refining Art had a high reputation in the Upper Realm, and many sects and clans used this method to cultivate War Soldiers.

Without a doubt, Bai Qianfeng carrying this method was surely also prepared for the people of the lower realm; once the passage between the two realms was completely connected, he would likely recruit people on a large scale to send to the Upper Realm as cannon fodder.

This world was currently equivalent to Lu Yuan's base; not only was it peaceful and prosperous with the masses living and working in contentment, but it also brought him a considerable accumulation of Qi Luck every year, so he naturally would not allow Upper Realm cultivators to come and destroy all of this.

As the thought flashed by, he put all the other book slips back into his Storage Bag and finally took out a few items glowing with spiritual light to play with in his hands.

This object was diamond-shaped, looking like stone yet not stone, like jade yet not jade, and it was engraved with lines, occasionally flashing with flowing spiritual light.

This was the currency of the Upper Realm, Spirit Stones, or what could be called Spirit Money.

Through his memories, Lu Yuan knew that the Upper Realm's Yuanling Heaven had abundant Spiritual Machine, and over endless years, the vast land was also nourished by the Spiritual Machine, gradually condensing into strips of Spirit Pulses, and these Spirit Pulses would produce some associated ores with a high concentration of spiritual energy, which were called Spirit Stones by cultivators.

Spirit Stones contained spiritual energy; although mixed, they were stable, and cultivators could use them for cultivation, artifact refining, Array Formation, and so on; their uses were extremely extensive.

Therefore, apart from the ancient era of bartering, cultivators soon began to mine Spirit Stones in large quantities and cut them, engraving array patterns on them, thus forming a hard currency for trade like Spirit Money.

Although the size and shape of Spirit Money were not uniform across the five continents and four seas, it did not hinder the circulation of Spirit Money at all; for instance, in this Storage Bag of Bai Qianfeng's, there were a full twenty thousand pieces of Spirit Money, enough to purchase one or two high-quality third-tier Dharma Artifacts, which was considered quite wealthy.

"Very good, when I go to the Upper Realm in the future, this sum of Spirit Money will be my starting capital."

Lu Yuan's gaze was distant, his thoughts drifting:

"In this Absolute Spirit World, I merely changed the world and rebuilt the landscape, and in total, I harvested over two hundred thousand units of Qi Luck."

"And the Upper Realm's Yuanling Heaven is vast and boundless, and it is experiencing a great catastrophe that is destroying all life; if I could turn the tide and resolve the catastrophe, how much immense Qi Luck could I obtain?"

"It really makes one curious."

The snow disaster that covered the entire Tianjing and lasted for half a month was completely resolved, and the vast majority of the common people and even the high-level officials only knew to sing the praises of the Supreme Heavenly Master, but they were completely unaware that the true crisis of this world had not been eliminated.

Lu Yuan also did not let Chen Zhantang reveal the news to the Council to create panic for no reason; he only had him use the Spirit Testing Disk to recruit thirty young disciples of appropriate age across the country and send them to the Dao Palace for advanced study.

Ascending to the Upper Realm was imperative, and establishing a foundation in the Upper Realm in the future would require a team; although the time seemed a bit rushed, it was not too late to take precautions now.

And among these thirty-plus newly selected disciples, the vast majority had Spirit Roots that reached over two inches, which was the level of a medium-grade Spirit Root.

Among them, there was even one whose Spirit Root exceeded three inches; their aptitude was the same as Chen Zhantang's, an upper-grade Spirit Root!

Needless to say, this disciple was also focused on for cultivation, and even had the 【Guidance】 technique personally passed down by Lu Yuan.

Of course, the subsequent cultivation was still taught by Chen Zhantang and other senior disciples; after all, Lu Yuan cultivated every day and did not have that much time and energy.

As for personal cultivation.

The cultivation of the realm of Refining Qi into Spirit was completely different from Refining Essence into Qi.

This realm was about the light returning to the source, concentrating the spirit in the cinnabar cavity, regulating the true breath, circulating through the six voids until sound ceased and intent merged; it was when the Qi was even and the pulse stopped, and the Pill Embryo began to condense; waiting for the Holy Embryo to have sufficient Qi, shedding the mortal body and transforming into spirit, this was the Spirit Embryo.

Waiting until the realm of perfection where the sun and moon merged and the Qi returned to the origin, the Spirit Embryo would shed its shell and emerge, giving birth to the Primordial Spirit.

In short, it was the merging of spirit and intent, nourishing the Pill Embryo to make it grow into a Spirit Embryo, and then transforming it into a Primordial Spirit, which could achieve the perfection of the realm of Refining Qi into Spirit.

Pill Embryo, Spirit Embryo, and Primordial Spirit were equivalent to the early, middle, and late stages of the realm of Refining Qi into Spirit.

Lu Yuan estimated that the middle stage, the Spirit Embryo realm, was actually equivalent to the Nascent Soul Great Cultivator of the Upper Realm's new methods; he should only need to advance to this realm to be able to fear nothing!