Chapter 475

【One day in the cauldron equals ten years in the mortal world.】

【Today's reincarnation cycle has ended. Please return tomorrow.】

The surface of the great cauldron was etched with intricate patterns, like Cengcengdiedie fish scales rippling across the deep sea.

Yu Ke pondered deeply.

This life as "Xie Guan" offered far more options than the ten years of his first simulation as "Lu Chen."

Lu Chen had both parents alive from childhood, as the eldest legitimate son, so he never faced the prospect of dying at age ten.

After his mother's death in this life as Xie Guan, he moved with extreme caution through the Xie Fu, treading as if on thin ice.

Now ten years old, he had still not begun studying or cultivating martial arts.

And yet!

The cultivation level displayed on this life's interface was clearly higher than in the first life.

I wonder what realm the strongest mortal in the world—the Master—is in?

Yu Ke did not dwell on it; he could resume the simulation tonight anyway.

The horizon had begun to lighten with the first pale glow of dawn, though night had not yet fully faded.

Then let me cultivate a little longer!

Yu Ke sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and focused his spirit to continue his practice.

The sky had fully brightened.

The inner and outer heavenly cycles completed forty-nine full rounds.

After slowly exhaling and inhaling, the final wisp of spiritual energy silently merged into his body.

Instantly, a faint halo of spiritual light rippled around him, shimmering like dewdrops in the morning sun.

Yu Ke ended his cultivation.

All his acupoints were now open; the Shentian acupoint had been fully breached.

But.

His internal spiritual energy had transformed several times—from spiritual energy to spiritual qi, then to spiritual fluid—yet still failed to form true yuan, also called spiritual yuan.

Only true yuan could activate the mysterious and unfathomable Dao arts, and all of this required Foundation Establishment to come naturally.

The two were mutually reinforcing.

It seemed that without Foundation Establishment, his cultivation could not break through—it was urgently needed.

Yu Ke sank his spirit into his lower dantian.

There, a jade talisman of dark yellow hue floated silently, inscribed with an impossibly complex character: "Jin."

He had never truly used this "Jin Character Technique" before.

Yesterday he had been busy preparing the Foundation Establishment cave, leaving no time to test the technique.

Today was perfect.

Yu Ke stepped outside; the morning chill brushed his face, and a gauzy mist curled through the courtyard.

A strange bird fluttered into his view, hopping lightly among the pear tree's branches, pecking at fruit, its call light and clear.

As if sensing Yu Ke open the door, the bird glanced curiously his way, then ignored him, spreading its wings to soar high and land atop the tallest branch of the pear tree.

Yu Ke's heart stirred—wasn't this the legendary magical bird belonging to Cai Yingzhao?

Why not use it to test the Jin Character Technique?

It was said this bird was the reincarnated form of a True Spirit, sent solely to guard Cai Yingzhao's Dao path.

A True Spirit—that was a being capable of rivaling True Person cultivators. Yu Ke weighed this silently: with his current strength, provoking such a being would be like an egg striking a stone.

Thinking of this,

Yu Ke abandoned the idea of testing it, instead entering the courtyard and scanning the four rooms; besides his own quarters,

he noticed Chen Jingqiu's room was open—this new neighbor seemed an early riser.

He paid it no further mind.

His thoughts returned to the Jin Character Technique.

"No hand seals or incantations needed—just use your spiritual sense to select a nearby target."

"Within a certain range, it can seal a target, preventing them from using spiritual energy, casting any Dao art, or activating bloodline talents."

"It also briefly immobilizes them."

These were the full effects of the Jin character.

In Yu Ke's understanding, Dao arts were like a hero's "skills" in a game.

At the third tier, you could only master two Dao arts—just as a hero could only learn two skills after leveling up.

Yu Ke, still unestablished, already possessed one Dao art.

It was like spawning at the "spawn point" with a skill already unlocked.

Yu Ke's gaze fell on a pear blossom drifting gently through the courtyard; his mind stirred.

He gathered his spiritual sense, selected the slowly falling blossom, and activated the Jin Character Technique.

The jade talisman above his lower dantian glowed.

Yu Ke felt the blossom pause slightly—then fall as if nothing had happened.

"That's it…?"

Yu Ke felt slightly embarrassed; it seemed the Jin Character Technique had no effect on inanimate objects.

He'd need to test it on an outer disciple or a spiritual beast—this kind of trial was meaningless.

Surprisingly!

After using it, he felt no depletion of his stored spiritual energy.

This Jin Character Technique didn't seem to consume spiritual energy at all—so perhaps it wouldn't consume true yuan either.

That was good news.

It was like gaining a Dao art that cost no mana and had zero cast time.

Yet when he probed carefully with his spiritual sense, he found the jade talisman above his lower dantian had dimmed by half, slowly drawing spiritual energy rising from his dantian.

So the Jin Character Technique didn't consume nothing—it simply consumed differently: it directly siphoned Yu Ke's internal spiritual energy as its cost, though it could be pre-stored.

He could still activate the Jin Character Technique once more.

After two uses, at this rate of energy absorption, he'd need a full day to replenish before using it again.

In other words, the Jin Character Technique had a one-day cooldown.

Having grasped the general mechanics of the Jin Character Technique, Yu Ke entered the house.

He prepared to gather the necessary supplies—he would head to the cave today to prepare for Foundation Establishment.

At that moment,

the strange bird perched atop the pear tree, previously idle, now trembled in panic, feathers flared like a startled fowl, utterly frozen in place.

The five-colored bird, nestled deep among the thick foliage, cautiously hid itself behind a single leaf.

Its voice, soft as a woman's, spoke in human tongue:

"The lost-for-ten-thousand-years… Heavenly Gang Technique!"

At the door of the northern room of the small courtyard,

a figure as elegant as a jade tree stood there, seemingly having arrived without notice.

The man was tall and slender, a red cord cinching his waist, bearing a black jade seal carved with a dragon's head.

His features were exquisitely handsome; a vertical slit split open at his brow, revealing an eye with a black pupil and white sclera.

It spun swiftly.

This eye swept once across the courtyard, then fixed on a spot beneath the pear tree, spun for a moment, and slowly closed.

Chen Jingqiu lowered his head, lost in thought, eyes filled with faint surprise.

～

Yu Ke stood inside the room, glancing around; he found he needed nothing to pack except his "storage bag" magic sword.

He smiled wryly—his predecessor had sold off every magic treasure; now he was utterly "clean and pure."

He picked up the sect's communication jade tablet, wondering whether he should notify the "Merchant Guild" before heading to the cave today.

Yu Ke activated his spiritual power; the jade tablet lit up.

Three messages appeared.

He felt disappointed—none were from Zhou Liang.

He also felt regret—he hadn't added "Li Qingshui" or the three teammates as contact friends; now he couldn't even reach them to learn anything.

Besides, this matter concerned the Hidden Immortal Realm trial—he couldn't inform his seniors.

After all, this concerned a trial in the Hidden Immortal Realm—the fewer who knew, the better.

Since opening the Shentian acupoint, Yu Ke's control over his body had grown increasingly acute, as if he could sense countless subtle changes.

Now, a sense of unease stirred in his mind.

This kind of intuition, known to cultivators as "Heavenly-Mortal Resonance," could not be ignored.

This Hidden Immortal Realm trial did not seem as simple as he'd imagined.

The three messages on the jade tablet

were all sent yesterday by the female cultivator who handled the cave purchase at Hongyun Merchant Guild.

【Yu Senior Brother, I'm Mi Die, honored to meet you.】

【This message has been recalled!】

【This message has been recalled!】

Yu Ke found it strange—why did everyone love to recall messages?

He couldn't shake the feeling that this recall feature was familiar, as if he'd seen it somewhere before.

Yu Ke sent a message to Mi Die.

【Are you there, Sister Mi?】

【I'm here, Brother Yu.】

The message jade trembled lightly—her reply came instantly.

Yu Ke had worried the message might vanish like Zhou Liang's had—into silence.

【Sister Mi, can I move into the cave dwelling today?】

【Of course.】

【Good. I'll come after noon. Is there anything I should watch out for?】

【No special precautions. Are you planning to establish your Foundation in the cave dwelling?】

Yu Ke knew that, aside from a small number of outer-disciple students who rented cave dwellings to bring in several female cultivators for amusement—emerging later with no cultivation progress, only dark circles and sallow complexions—

Kaiying Sect, right?

Aside from such cases, most outer-disciples used their cave dwellings solely for Foundation Establishment, all seeking "progress."

Yu Ke replied.

【Yes. Are there any precautions for establishing Foundation in a cave dwelling?】

【Our guild can provide Foundation Establishment guardianship. Do you require it, Brother Yu?】

【No thank you, Sister Mi. I'll arrive later.】

After sending his final message, Yu Ke closed the sect's message jade.

He carried the Kunxu Cauldron. If someone were nearby and discovered it, such a priceless treasure demanded caution.

Yu Ke had already completed today's cultivation exercises. Overexertion would only harm his body.

Cultivation lies in persistence, not haste or greed.

So!

He took out the Yu family's "Jun Tian Sword Art" and studied it carefully.

With his cultivation advancement and the enhanced aptitude from the "Woxuan Sweet Dew," he found many previously baffling passages in the Sword Art now resolved effortlessly.

Every character, every phrase in the manual seemed to gain new life—he grew increasingly absorbed.

Before he knew it, hours had passed.

Three footsteps startled Yu Ke.

The sect had meticulously constructed this outer-disciple courtyard, surrounding each dwelling with barriers that blocked spiritual sense—even a cultivator who had climbed to the fourth Heavenly Ladder could not peer inside.

As for the outer-disciples themselves, most remained below Foundation Establishment; their spiritual sense couldn't even extend beyond their bodies.

They relied solely on their five senses to detect subtle changes around them.

Voices had already reached the door.

【Brother Yu, are you there?】

It was Xie Wanwan's voice.

Yu Ke's heart stirred slightly; he stepped out.

Three figures stood outside: Xie Wanwan, Wang Yunxi, and Chen Jingqiu.

Chen Jingqiu greeted with a smile: "Brother Yu."

Wang Yunxi gave a reluctant greeting: "Brother Yu."

Yu Ke couldn't help but wonder—why had all three come together?

Xie Wanwan quickly explained: "Brother Chen was heading to the Eastern Courtyard anyway, so we decided to go together."

Hearing this, Chen Jingqiu's smile widened:

"I just heard Sister Xie wanted to buy battle talismans and spirit artifacts. I happened to have some unused treasures lying around, so we exchanged a few items."

Xie Wanwan's gratitude was plain: "You've done me a great favor, Brother Chen."

Chen Jingqiu waved it off with a laugh: "No trouble at all. Those treasures were just gathering dust. If they can serve a purpose now, that's their fortune."

Wang Yunxi's expression darkened slightly.

She had dressed specially today to visit her cousin.

Her cousin barely acknowledged her.

Yet he'd given Xie Wanwan so many precious spirit artifacts—as good as giving them away.

And now he was inviting Yu Ke to join them for the Eastern Courtyard.

Wang Yunxi seethed inwardly: "Why him?"

Yu Ke knew Xie Wanwan was about to enter the Hidden Immortal Grounds.

The trial in the Hidden Immortal Grounds was perilous—she needed battle talismans, spirit artifacts, even some divine treasures.

These were key to survival and victory.

Today, Xie Wanwan planned to buy them at the outer-disciple Eastern Courtyard.

From her expression, Chen Jingqiu's treasures were clearly exceptional—she'd gotten a tremendous deal.

Since she couldn't refuse his invitation to accompany him, she'd come to fetch Yu Ke as well.

Yu Ke didn't mind—he could hitch a ride.

"Then I'm in your debt, Brother Chen."

Chen Jingqiu beamed:

"Brother Yu, you're too kind."

Yu Ke locked his door—he'd be gone for a while.

Chen Jingqiu's carriage was drawn by a magnificent Lei Ze White Tiger, imposing and rare even among outer-disciples.

Xie Wanwan's eyes gleamed with longing—she wanted to reach out and touch the majestic white beast.

But it was a spirit beast, so close—her heart trembled with caution.

Seeing this, Chen Jingqiu stepped closer; the Lei Ze White Tiger nuzzled him affectionately.

He smiled at Xie Wanwan: "Sister Xie, Ah Hu is gentle. He won't hurt you."

Xie Wanwan reached out and rubbed the White Tiger's neck; the "big cat" tilted its head contentedly, licking its lips.

Yu Ke half-feared it would suddenly meow.

Wang Yunxi sniffed beside them, also stroking the other side of the White Tiger.

Yu Ke silently mused: this daughter of the Langya Wang clan clearly harbored feelings for her cousin.

Yet strangely!

After the two girls petted it, the Lei Ze White Tiger stretched its furry head forward and nudged Yu Ke.

Yu Ke stroked the "big cat"—its entire face radiated bliss.

Xie Wanwan laughed: "Looks like Ah Hu prefers Brother Yu."

Yu Ke found it amusing and stroked it a few more times.

Chen Jingqiu added: "Ah Hu? He likes young, handsome male cultivators."

Yu Ke froze, blurted out:

"She's a she?"

Chen Jingqiu chuckled: "He's a he!"

Xie Wanwan burst into giggles.

Yu Ke sighed and climbed aboard.

Inside the carriage sat a woman with white gauze over her eyes, cradling an ancient zither.

Her features were dignified, her posture graceful; her long white robe draped over her legs like willow branches swaying in the wind.

It was Ming Zhu, the princess of the Jiao Ren Kingdom, from yesterday.

She seemed unable to speak.

Ming Zhu bowed gracefully to Chen Jingqiu, radiating gentle poise.

Chen Jingqiu returned the bow: "Ming Zhu, thank you."

Ming Zhu took her place at the front of the carriage to drive, while Yu Ke and the other three settled comfortably inside.

The carriage headed toward the Eastern Courtyard.

Along the way, the spirit-beast-drawn carriage drew stares and murmurs from countless disciples—curious eyes followed them.

(End of Chapter)