Chapter 99: Spiritual Sense Growth
Inside the cave abode.
Lin Changan sat cross-legged, and as he circulated his technique, a faint emerald green halo gradually emerged at his dantian.
The withered-leaf-shaped life-bound spirit plant slowly appeared, with only a single fine white root at its base.
With a thought, Lin Changan directed the jade bottle to slowly open, and drop by drop, the spiritual liquid began to fall. The withered leaf greedily absorbed the liquid.
The emerald green halo became denser, and this scene moved Lin Changan deeply.
"Absorb it while you can. This is your only feast. It won’t be easy to get this third-rank spiritual liquid again."
Third-rank spiritual liquid was of great benefit even to Foundation Establishment cultivators.
With Lin Changan’s aptitude of a low-grade spirit root, using external application to aid cultivation could temporarily raise it to the level of a mid-grade spirit root.
"This is!"
As the greedy life-bound spirit plant absorbed two and a half bottles of high-grade spiritual liquid in one go, Lin Changan’s pupils suddenly contracted, and a look of shock appeared on his face.
"My spiritual sense is actually increasing... or rather, this is the feedback from the life-bound spirit plant."
At this moment, the emerald green halo emitted by the life-bound spirit plant grew even more intense, and the withered yellow parts had begun to show fine green patterns.
It clearly bore signs of revival.
Lin Changan was overjoyed, unable to contain his excitement.
"The revival of the Withered Leaf of the Mysterious Sky Immortal Vine... can actually feed back and enhance spiritual sense!"
In the world of cultivation, techniques for cultivating spiritual sense were already rare, and having a powerful spiritual sense brought many advantages.
For instance: during combat, it allowed one to detect an enemy’s movements and weaknesses in advance, wield magical artifacts more smoothly, and even command far more talismans at once than cultivators of the same realm.
Additionally, for perception—and it was even rumored that when advancing to Nascent Soul, a strong spiritual sense provided a natural defense against inner demons.
"In Yue Kingdom, it’s said that only the Pavilion of Mystic Sound has secret techniques for cultivating spiritual sense. As for me, the most immediate benefit is that using the flying needle-type spirit artifact becomes much smoother. Even my usual alchemy and talisman crafting would improve significantly."
In short, a powerful spiritual sense had countless benefits. In the world of cultivation, most people were just born with strong spiritual sense, and few specialized in cultivating it.
If, previously, with his early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, he could simultaneously control five low-grade second-rank talismans, then now he vaguely felt—
It seemed even six talismans could barely be handled.
"The Mysterious Sky Immortal Vine, huh!"
As all three bottles of spiritual liquid were fully absorbed, the base of the withered life-bound spirit plant was already tinged with green, its life aura much more vibrant.
And this Mysterious Sky Immortal Vine, just barely starting to revive, was already brimming with spiritual energy. It even seemed to sense the remaining two bottles of high-grade spiritual liquid, giving off a greedy desire.
Although Lin Changan was somewhat tempted, he ultimately suppressed the greed in his heart. Rationality prevailed.
With a hand seal, he withdrew the life-bound spirit plant into his dantian.
"These two remaining bottles are still highly useful. At the very least, this one bottle alone could sustain a full year of cultivation."
Lin Changan calculated that with careful use, applying it externally on his dantian for cultivation could last a year without problem.
The other bottle, he intended to use for cultivating the Spirit Eye.
After all, the Spirit Eye had performed meritorious service for him on several occasions.
"Nurturing a life-bound spirit plant is never a short-term matter. And only by becoming stronger myself can I obtain more spiritual liquid."
A single feast did not mean every meal would be a feast—Lin Changan understood this well.
Moreover, even if the life-bound spirit plant absorbed both remaining bottles, the effect wouldn’t be that significant.
"This is good enough. At the very least, I can now clearly feel the life aura fed back from the revived spirit plant. It nourishes not only the Regenerative Body, but even the spiritual sense is being nurtured and growing slowly."
Spiritual sense, this kind of thing, usually grew so subtly one couldn’t even feel it. So to be able to clearly sense its growth now showed just how powerful the effect was.
"This time, I’ve truly profited."
Thinking back to the Beast Spirit Pill he had traded with Huang Shaohai, and now profiting so much from it, Lin Changan couldn’t help but smile.
He then controlled a bottle of spiritual liquid to release two drops of high-grade spiritual liquid into his eyes.
【Spirit Eye +20 (Proficiency 476/1000)】
High-grade spiritual liquid was indeed effective—just two drops increased proficiency by twenty points.
Given the concentration of spiritual energy in third-rank spiritual liquid, he felt confident he could raise his Spirit Eye by another level.
……
"Fellow Daoist Lin."
At this moment, a voice came from outside the cave abode—it was Fellow Daoist Chen from next door. Lin Changan composed his breath before stepping outside.
"Fellow Daoist Chen, what’s this?"
It was Chen Qing next door, holding a premium-grade magical artifact in his hand, his storage pouch bulging, appearing fully prepared to depart.
Seeing Lin Changan’s puzzled expression, Chen Qing looked somewhat solemn, yet also a bit eager, and couldn’t help saying:
"Fellow Daoist Lin, don’t you know?"
"Master Lu personally issued an order. Before the Third Auction begins, all guest cultivators and worshipped elders in Tianxuan City must accept a mission to maintain the stability of a designated region."
"Even foreign Foundation Establishment cultivators may participate, but they must first register their identity. After completing the task, Tianxuan City will open access to various cultivation resources—there are even precious techniques and secret arts..."
As Chen Qing explained, Lin Changan finally understood what was going on.
It turned out that this Master Lu of Tianxuan City had made a decisive move, striking at the heart of the matter.
Tianxuan City would open up all kinds of precious cultivation resources—not only techniques and pills, but even inheritances.
And the task was simple: to guard a region and maintain order. It didn’t require risking one’s life.
If anyone caused trouble, they were to kill them if possible—if not, they only needed to signal for help.
Of course, anyone who tried to steal while guarding, or impersonated bandit cultivators, had better weigh whether they could endure retaliation from the number one rogue cultivator in Yue Kingdom.
"All Foundation Establishment cultivators taking the mission must leave a spiritual imprint on the Technique Plate of the Puppet Control Art."
As he said this, Chen Qing even showed a gloating smile.
Lin Changan also quietly let out a breath of relief. This Master Lu was truly extraordinary.
With a simple mission, he resolved the underlying unrest in people’s hearts.
The Technique Plate of the Puppet Control Art allowed cultivators who left a spiritual imprint on it to be sensed within a thousand-mile radius via their spiritual aura.
Of course, that aura wouldn’t last forever—only about a year or so.
But what Foundation Establishment cultivator would dare claim they could escape?
Forget about Master Lu’s wrath—by then, those who had committed crimes would become fat meat in the eyes of every rogue cultivator in Tianxuan City.
"A brilliant move."
Upon hearing of this arrangement, Lin Changan couldn’t help but praise it. With this single action, whether Master Lu’s disciple advanced to Golden Core or not was a matter for higher-ups.
But Tianxuan City would definitely stabilize and not fall into chaos.
"Who wouldn’t agree? With this move, Master Lu revitalized every Foundation Establishment cultivator in Tianxuan City. Even rogue cultivators from outside wouldn’t dare act recklessly."
Chen Qing’s face was full of excitement—after all, he was now completely tied to Tianxuan City.
The more stable Tianxuan City became, the happier he was.
Lin Changan could understand Chen Qing’s sentiments too—he was also hoping for a stable Tianxuan City.
"Brother Lin, they even have insights from second-rank talisman masters. If you make great contributions, you might even exchange for mid-grade second-rank talisman inheritance."
"Insights from a talisman master, and second-rank inheritance!"
Even Lin Changan couldn’t help but be tempted. His skill in second-rank talismans had been progressing slowly, and with some talisman master insights, he could naturally improve faster.
【Second-rank Talisman Master (Proficiency 36/500)】
Looking at his own talisman experience, Lin Changan nodded inwardly. Alchemy was important, but he couldn’t neglect talismans either. Raising proficiency was the key.
At this moment, Chen Qing chuckled and cupped his hands.
"Fellow Daoist Lin, we’re neighbors. When the time comes, let’s choose adjoining areas. We can look out for each other."
Chen Qing wasn’t foolish. As a fellow Foundation Establishment cultivator, it was clear that one with second-rank craftsmanship wasn’t someone of his level could compare to in wealth.
And it was always better to have a familiar companion than a stranger.
To this, Lin Changan also smiled and cupped his hands. "In that case, let’s go together."
Aside from the identity of a guest cultivator, what mattered more was that this task didn’t ask you to risk your life. If the situation turned bad, you could even flee.
There was only one rule—you couldn’t be a bandit cultivator, nor cause chaos.
For cultivators who simply wanted a peaceful life, this arrangement was nothing short of friendly.
Even staying in seclusion inside the cave abode couldn’t guarantee safety. But once one donned the mantle of this mission, they had to consider whether they could withstand the fury of Tianxuan City.