Chapter 14

Three days later, Su Chen's eyes shot out a gleam; at this moment, he had successfully cultivated the Azure Gang Thirteen Transformations to the first layer of Qi Condensation, but he had not yet comprehended the first-layer transformation.

In his dantian, two clusters of different-colored spiritual qi were circling each other; one was larger and purple, while the other was dozens of times smaller, milky white, yet more condensed, and its momentum even suppressed the purple cluster.

Su Chen had already realized; his earlier guess was basically correct. However, the difference is that the spiritual qi in his own world is of a higher grade than that in this world. No, it should probably be called Immortal Qi, Su Chen thought.

Moreover, Su Chen discovered that this was not all; the Immortal Qi of Blue Star can be used to cast various-attribute spells. And here, the spiritual qi Su Chen can release is related to the cultivation technique he practices.

For example, if Su Chen cultivated the True Fire Transformation, he would only be able to cast fire-attribute spells, unless he also cultivated other techniques, as he is doing now.

And since Su Chen possesses a Heavenly Spirit Root, he can choose any attribute of spiritual qi as his cultivation qi, but it seems that once chosen, it cannot be reversed.

After careful consideration, Su Chen chose the Lightning Attribute as his spiritual root to match his sword technique.

Su Chen's choice has pros and cons: the advantage is that his sword technique will gain lightning-attribute attacks, and the lightning attribute will greatly increase his sword-flying speed.

The disadvantage is that lightning-attribute spiritual qi in the world is less abundant than the other five elements' spiritual qi, requiring more time to cultivate.

After figuring this out, Su Chen stood up, picked up the remaining four manuals, and headed toward his master Ma Zhicheng's Cave Abode.

Ma Zhicheng's dwelling is a relatively simple stone cavern, crudely carved with a flying sword, and a simple formation was set up before the cave abode.

Su Chen stood before Ma Zhicheng's Cave Abode and shouted, "Master, disciple Su Chen requests an audience."

Su Chen had no choice; he didn't even have a transmission talisman or anything like that, because they were simply too poor.

There was no response from inside, but a transparent ripple spread outside the cave abode, and the stone gate behind it opened; Su Chen did not hesitate and walked straight in.

"How is it, have you decided?" Ma Zhicheng resumed his stern teacherly demeanor, sitting cross-legged and speaking calmly.

Su Chen immediately bowed, then nodded and said, "Yes, Master, I have chosen the Azure Gang Thirteen Transformations!"

While speaking, he handed over the remaining four manuals.

Upon hearing this, Ma Zhicheng fell into a long silence; he was happy that his friend's request had finally been fulfilled, but worried that it might affect Su Chen's cultivation progress.

Silence, a long silence; after a while he finally said, "You should know that this technique is only a fragment, usable only up to the Foundation Establishment stage, right?"

Su Chen nodded, indicating that he knew all of that.

Ma Zhicheng took the books, waved his hand, and said, "Hmm, since you've decided, then cultivate in peace; if there's anything in your cultivation… hmm?"

Ma Zhicheng's eyes widened; he hurriedly stood up, circled Su Chen a few times before stopping, and exclaimed in disbelief, "You, you, you've already reached the first layer of Qi Condensation? In just three days?"

Su Chen nodded, thinking to himself, "Actually, I only used a few hours."

Now Su Chen's Heaven-Piercing Sword Technique and Azure Gang Thirteen Transformations have both reached the first layer of Qi Condensation, but he does not feel an additive effect; this is also because the system concealed his cultivation for a month. However, this system seems to have only masked his previous cultivation.

Upon hearing Su Chen's confident reply, Ma Zhicheng's originally stern and serious expression instantly collapsed, and he burst into tears, exclaiming, "Heaven has eyes! It has given me, Ma Zhicheng, the opportunity to take a Foundation Establishment disciple—no, a Golden Core stage disciple! Thank you…"

At this moment, Ma Zhicheng was completely like a child who had just gotten something delicious,

There was nothing of the demeanor of a teacher or an elder.

Su Chen couldn't help but cover his face; he now regretted ever having taken such a master more and more.

After a moment, Ma Zhicheng finally realized what had happened; he hurriedly stood up, tidied his appearance, and seeing Su Chen standing expressionless to the side, his old face flushed red; he opened his mouth to say something, but Su Chen spoke first: "Master, if you have nothing else, I'll take my leave and return to cultivate."

Ma Zhicheng nodded immediately; after seeing Su Chen walk away, he then covered his face and said, "How embarrassing! How embarrassing…"

Just as Su Chen had reached the cave entrance, hearing that, his steps paused slightly, then he walked out of the cave abode as if nothing had happened.

……

Time flew by; in the blink of an eye, a month passed. Su Chen did nothing but eat and cultivate, and with his Qi Condensation cultivation he was still far from being able to abstain from grains.

During this period, his Azure Gang Thirteen Transformations cultivated to the third layer of Qi Condensation, enabling him to learn the first transformation of the Azure Gang Thirteen Transformations; although it was only superficial, it also made Su Chen extremely satisfied.

This first transformation manifests a sword light when the sword is drawn; it not only increases speed but also materializes a sword light, disrupting the enemy's vision and catching them off guard.

To Su Chen, the Azure Gang Thirteen Transformations are not particularly formidable, but its many variations satisfy him greatly and can compensate for the shortcomings of the Heaven-Piercing Sword Technique.

He has made no progress in the Heaven-Piercing Sword Technique whatsoever, apparently due to lacking Immortal Qi; nevertheless, he has been storing energy, and a sword qi slowly forms within his body—this is the Heaven-Piercing Sword Technique: one sword to break myriad methods.

"Junior apprentice brother, come out quickly, Second Senior Brother is back!"

A clear, delicate voice sounded from outside Su Chen's door.

Upon hearing this, Su Chen's heart gave a slight start; in the next instant he knew who she was referring to—the Second Senior Brother who had recently been out on sect missions.

He stood up, walked out of the room, and a graceful figure stood poised at his doorway—none other than Yun Xiaoxiao.

Seeing Su Chen come out, Yun Xiaoxiao's eyes brightened, instantly turning crescent-shaped, and she said, "Senior Brother Chen has already returned; he is currently meeting with the master, and the master has sent me to bring you along to meet him."

After getting along for this month, Su Chen naturally understood Yun Xiaoxiao's feelings; after all, he is not a clueless child.

Every time they ate, Yun Xiaoxiao would seize the opportunity to sit with him and chat casually; but Su Chen had no particular thoughts about a fourteen- or fifteen-year-old child. Moreover, he knows he is not of this world and might return at any time.

Of course, the most important reason is that Su Chen's mind is focused on how to become stronger and how to save Blue Star, with no other thoughts.

Therefore, he politely clasped his fists and said, "Many thanks, Senior Sister; I can go to the master's cave abode myself, no need to trouble you to accompany me."

Hearing this, Yun Xiaoxiao's eyes flashed with dimness, as if tears were glimmering; for she had also noticed that Su Chen seemed to be distancing himself from her, intentionally or not.

Su Chen turned his head away, pretending not to see; he knew that a girl like Yun Xiaoxiao, at that age, fundamentally does not yet know what love is. One can fall in love with someone because they are strong, or because of their appearance…

And he does not have the time to play house-like love games with such a child; he has only one thought: he must absolutely prevent the events that will occur ten years from now from happening again.