Chapter 292: Five Elements Escape Techniques
Five Dragon Island Marketplace.
With the imposing arrival of Bihai Palace, although the merchant ships had already departed, the deterrent effect had already been achieved.
Many foreign cultivators, even those who had come from the Fog Sea of Tongtian, began to restrain themselves.
After all, no matter what, Bihai Palace was still the unshakable overlord of the Beast Sea Abyss.
This time, Bihai Palace’s grand display of power also attracted many cultivators from nearby sea regions to come participate in the auction in the Five Dragon Island Sea Region.
Celestial Spring Peak.
“Bihai Palace’s grand mobilization this time—its merchant ships passed through Star Pole Island, the Chaotic Star Sea, the Demon Cultivation Sea, and several other sea regions. One auction after another was held along the route, attracting quite a number of cultivators…”
Today, Fairy of Rainbow Skirt and Lu Yushu of the Lu Clan had arrived. Since Lin Chang’an had invited them over, it was naturally to discuss the upcoming auction.
Fairy of Rainbow Skirt spoke first, slowly and calmly explaining Bihai Palace’s recent movements.
After listening, Lin Chang’an nodded secretly. If it had been him, he would have done the same.
After all, auctions were normally held anyway. But this time was different—this occasion happened to coincide with the opening of the Secret Realm of the Sinister Soul Sect.
Taking advantage of the opportunity to make a fortune was simply too easy.
Especially since spirit items that restrained sinister spirits usually had rather awkward market value.
After all, very few people were willing to hunt sinister spirits, since the profits were indeed far less than hunting demon beasts of the same rank.
And within the Beast Sea Abyss, demon beasts in the ocean were naturally the most numerous. This resulted in fire-attribute spirit items often being in an awkward position.
But this time was different.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, the prices of fire-attribute spirit items surged. Even Yang-attribute spirit items experienced price fluctuations.
“This auction organized by Bihai Palace in the marketplace is said to have numerous treasures. I heard there are more than a dozen magical artifacts alone, not to mention the other treasures.”
As a False Core cultivator, Lu Yushu clearly lacked status compared with the other two. The arrogance he once had had completely disappeared over the years.
What replaced it was steadiness. This time he spoke in a measured tone.
At the same time, both of them had their attention focused on Lin Chang’an. Since Lin Chang’an had invited them to discuss this matter, he clearly had something prepared.
“To be honest with the two fellow Daoists, I have already obtained some information about the treasures in this auction.”
In front of them, Lin Chang’an did not conceal anything and directly took out the treasure jade catalog Old Hu had given him some time ago.
“A jade catalog!”
Upon seeing this, Lu Yushu revealed a look of shock and then gazed at Lin Chang’an with even deeper respect.
Everyone knew Lin Chang’an had connections within Bihai Palace, but they had not expected the relationship to be so close that he could obtain this in advance.
Fairy of Rainbow Skirt, however, remained calm. Holding her spirit tea with both hands, she gently blew across the surface.
With a faint smile at the corner of her lips, she seemed quite satisfied with the spirit tea.
The difference in mental state between the two was immediately apparent.
Thinking about it, it made sense. Although Fairy of Rainbow Skirt possessed a Heavenly Spirit Root, since forming her Golden Core she had carried the rise and fall of her sect on her shoulders and experienced countless matters.
She was no longer the innocent sect prodigy she once had been.
Now she was the Sect Master of Xuanyin Pavilion.
“I believe the auction catalog will be publicly released soon. Lin merely relied on acquaintances to learn a bit in advance.”
Lin Chang’an explained with a smile. This was not an exaggeration.
After Old Hu gave him the jade catalog, he had specifically asked about the matter. After all, he could not cause trouble for Old Hu.
“Fellow Daoist Lin must have taken interest in a certain treasure and needs us to join forces, correct?”
The clever Fairy of Rainbow Skirt took a sip of spirit tea and smiled slightly as she looked at Lin Chang’an, immediately guessing his purpose.
Lin Chang’an nodded with a smile and did not conceal anything, directly explaining the matter.
“A Third-rank High-grade Spirit Item — Fire Spirit Liquid.”
When he heard the treasure Lin Chang’an was targeting, Lu Yushu was even more shocked.
Although relying on the connections of his master, Master Tan, the merchant guild had earned quite a lot of spirit stones over the years, for a False Core cultivator a Third-rank High-grade Spirit Item was still extremely expensive.
Fairy of Rainbow Skirt, however, showed no surprise. Her eyes flickered as she quietly speculated about what Lin Chang’an needed the item for.
Naturally, Lin Chang’an would not reveal his true purpose. With a solemn expression, he said in a serious tone:
“The Secret Realm of the Sinister Soul Sect has only just appeared, yet it has already caused such upheaval. As the restrictions gradually weaken, once Foundation Establishment cultivators and even Core Formation cultivators can enter—
Even greater turmoil will certainly follow.
Lin does not harbor grand ambitions, but in troubled times one must ensure one’s own safety. Whether to enhance a formation or restore the Blood Fiend Sword Magical Artifact, Fire Spirit Liquid would be extremely beneficial.”
Lin Chang’an had made his intentions quite clear.
“A Third-rank formation… that is indeed good.”
Discussing business as business, Fairy of Rainbow Skirt could not help but smile after hearing this. If they obtained the item, the initiative would remain in their hands.
Clearly, she was satisfied.
“The Blood Fiend Scarlet Sun Formation. Although it lacks Baleful Spirit Stones, the Scarlet Sun Formation’s power is no weaker—especially against the current Secret Realm situation.”
Lin Chang’an and Fairy of Rainbow Skirt had clearly reached an understanding.
“Fellow Daoist Lin, our Lu Clan can at most produce ten thousand mid-grade spirit stones!”
Seeing Lin Chang’an and Fairy of Rainbow Skirt exchanging meaningful glances, Lu Yushu became anxious. Gritting his teeth, he directly brought out the majority of the Lu Clan’s assets.
He himself was only a False Core cultivator; his future was already limited.
But Lin Chang’an and this Fairy of Rainbow Skirt possessed enormous potential.
If he did not seize this chance to board their ship now, he might never have another opportunity.
Although the Lu Clan had developed well in recent years, there were many cultivators in the clan, and the annual resource consumption was significant.
Ten thousand mid-grade spirit stones was already a large amount.
Not everyone possessed wealth like Lin Chang’an.
This was only possible because the Lu Clan had connected with Master Tan in recent years and cooperated with Lin Chang’an and Xuanyin Pavilion to earn spirit stones.
For an ordinary clan with a False Core cultivator, producing ten thousand mid-grade spirit stones would normally require nearly a hundred years of accumulation.
This was also why many False Core cultivators did not even possess a decent magical artifact.
Their cultivation itself was only False Core. Without taking risks to hunt demon beasts and without outstanding skills—
There was only one word.
Poor!
Lu Yushu also had a small ulterior motive.
He glanced secretly at the Sect Master of Xuanyin Pavilion.
Xuanyin Pavilion still had a Third-rank Alchemist. If the Lu Clan wanted to pursue Core Formation spirit items in the future, they would likely need the help of Xuanyin Pavilion.
“Ten thousand mid-grade spirit stones!”
After hearing Lu Yushu’s offer, Lin Chang’an was slightly surprised. Seeing the determination in the other party’s eyes, he quickly understood something.
After all, not everyone was a drifting cultivator like him.
Lu Yushu had truly begun acting like a clan patriarch over the years.
For a moment, the three of them all smiled.
Friendship was friendship—but if it could be combined with mutual profit, that was naturally even better.
Soon afterward, the three discussed the division of benefits.
As for the treasures in the jade catalog, Lu Yushu could only sigh inwardly—he could only watch helplessly.
Fairy of Rainbow Skirt also pondered which treasures in the auction would suit Xuanyin Pavilion while ensuring the sect’s operations were not affected.
One had a clan, one had a sect.
Unlike Lin Chang’an, who was a lone drifting cultivator without burdens.
Naturally, they had to consider far more things.
At the same time, they both knew that although the jade catalog was not a major matter, it absolutely could not be leaked.
If it were exposed, the friendship among the three would disappear.
Sure enough, two days later Bihai Palace began selling the auction jade catalogs publicly.
Even Core Formation cultivators had to pay one hundred mid-grade spirit stones.
…
【Lifespan: 169 / 604】
【Realm: Early-stage Golden Core (34 / 100)】
Inside the cave abode, Lin Chang’an looked at the progress of his cultivation and revealed a satisfied expression.
“As expected of the cultivation speed of a top-grade spiritual root, along with the potential of a high-grade Golden Core. Cultivating almost has no bottlenecks.”
“But these Five Elements Escape Techniques are truly difficult!”
While cultivating mana inside the cave abode, Lin Chang’an frowned when he thought of the Five Elements Escape Techniques.
【Wood Escape Technique (Skilled 121 / 500)】
【Water Escape Technique (Skilled 36 / 500)】
【Earth Escape Technique (Skilled 24 / 500)】
【Fire Escape Technique (Beginner 97 / 100)】
【Metal Escape Technique (Beginner 52 / 100)】
The Five Elements Escape Techniques were advanced spells that could only be cultivated after reaching the Golden Core Realm.
Of course, certain special physiques in the cultivation world allowed cultivators to use them during the Foundation Establishment or even Qi Refinement stages. Those cases were almost equivalent to demon beasts’ innate divine abilities.
“Because of my main cultivation method, the Wood Escape Technique has progressed fairly well. Next are Earth Escape and Water Escape. Fire Escape comes after, while Metal Escape is at the bottom.”
Since completing the refinement of his Life-bound Magical Artifact, cultivating the Fire Escape Technique had become noticeably smoother, though it still could not compare with the other three.
This was mainly because he had not yet reached the stage of Wood Controlling Fire.
“The Five Elements Escape Techniques are useful not only for concealment and escape but are also extremely versatile in combat. Unfortunately, although they seem simple, they are easy to learn but difficult to master.”
Even with his exceptional talent, Lin Chang’an still felt the progress extremely slow after years of practice.
If not for their practicality in concealment, escape, spell amplification, and combat—even remaining useful at the Nascent Soul Realm—he would not have persisted so patiently.
From the name, most people believed they were merely basic escape spells.
In reality, besides increasing affinity with elemental spells, the Five Elements Escape Techniques were extremely helpful in combat.
For example, when facing powerful attacks, using Earth Escape Technique to burrow dozens of feet underground could avoid or weaken devastating attacks.
Or when facing fire-element spells and unable to evade, using Fire Escape Technique could reduce the damage. Those highly proficient could even move through flames to evade harm.
“And the deeper one’s mastery of the Five Elements Escape Techniques, the greater the enhancement to elemental spells.”
For example, applying the Metal Escape Technique to a sword could increase its sharpness and attack power.
Lin Chang’an slowly stood up and formed hand seals, casting the Earth Escape Technique.
Apart from an additional faint layer of earth-attribute spiritual energy surrounding his Protective Spiritual Light, nothing seemed to happen.
Ordinary cultivators would not even notice unless they looked closely.
This spell was extremely simple to use, yet it was known as the foundation of countless techniques.
“Earth Escape Technique at the Skilled stage.”
Calmly forming hand seals, Lin Chang’an walked directly toward the wall of the cultivation chamber.
In the next moment, his body strangely passed into the wall, like a drop of water merging slowly into a body of water.
Endless darkness surrounded him.
However, through his Spiritual Eye and divine sense, Lin Chang’an could clearly perceive everything around him.
“So this is the inside of the stone wall. After entering, mana consumption increases. In soil I can go two or three zhang deep, but in stone walls only about one zhang.”
In the next moment, he encountered a solid barrier.
Helpless, he had no choice but to return the way he came.
The Five Elements Escape Techniques were not omnipotent.
If they encountered formation barriers, they would still be blocked unless the formation was broken.
After returning to the chamber, Lin Chang’an took a deep breath.
Upon careful consideration, once accustomed to the Five Elements Escape Techniques, they truly could produce great effects in combat.
The feeling was rather mysterious.
But the vast majority of cultivators found it difficult to cultivate this divine ability to its highest level.
There were even legends in the cultivation world.
One Nascent Soul expert with an Earth Spiritual Body once relied on extraordinary Earth Escape mastery to escape from a late Nascent Soul cultivator despite being only at the early stage.
Another was a legendary Corpse King who possessed natural affinity with Earth Escape. Surrounded by several cultivators of the same rank, it still managed to escape.
Such legends were countless throughout cultivation history.
“The Five Elements Escape Techniques cannot be rushed. They can only be accumulated and tempered gradually.”
Taking a deep breath, Lin Chang’an dismissed the spell.
Even many Nascent Soul experts had not mastered it.
At the very least, he could see the direction.
Sooner or later he would cultivate the Five Elements Escape Techniques to the highest level.
…
Outside the cave abode, the Sword Attendant breathed slightly heavily while holding a long sword, releasing streaks of sword gleams.
Meanwhile, the Azure-Horned Ox acting as a sparring partner snorted happily, as if playing.
Its hard horns directly withstood the sword gleams, yet not even a single mark appeared.
Its body relied on its powerful defense. The sword gleams left only faint white marks and did not even break its Protective Spiritual Light.
Besides the mana shield a cultivator actively releases, a faint layer of Protective Spiritual Light also naturally forms over the body.
This was the cultivator’s final defensive line.
This was why, in many situations, when body cultivators got close to spell cultivators, the latter were often heavily injured before quickly retreating.
Only those whose Protective Spiritual Light had been shattered would be directly crushed.
“Moo!”
As soon as Lin Chang’an stepped out of the cave abode, the Azure-Horned Ox—now having broken through to the Third Rank—immediately noticed its master and excitedly wagged its tail as it approached.
Lin Chang’an also keenly noticed that the Sword Attendant had sensed his appearance almost at the same moment.
“Master!”
Seeing Lin Chang’an emerge, the Sword Attendant cast the Clear Wind Technique to erase the traces of battle and respectfully came to his side.
“Not bad. You haven’t been slacking during this period.”
Looking at the dependable Sword Attendant, Lin Chang’an nodded with satisfaction.
Obedient, quiet, and most importantly cherishing the rare opportunity to cultivate—she used nearly every moment to practice.
“Rest and recover your mana. Later we will go to the marketplace to attend the auction.”
After years together, Lin Chang’an had gradually stopped treating the Sword Attendant as an outsider. He habitually sat down in the pavilion.
The Sword Attendant skillfully brewed a pot of spirit tea, then stood behind him and began gently massaging his shoulders.
“Moo moo!”
Seeing this scene, the Azure-Horned Ox widened its eyes.
What did this mean? Was it being abandoned?
Looking at the anxious ox, Lin Chang’an shook his head helplessly.
If he had not raised it personally, he would have kicked the greedy beast a few times.
“Alright.”
Lin Chang’an sighed and tapped his Storage Pouch, tossing out two spirit fruits.
The Azure-Horned Ox happily began eating them.