Immortality and Cultivation: Starting with Improved Spirit Rice

Chapter 47 The Purpose of the Demonic Cultivator

Zhao Cheng'an did not hide anything about this matter and briefly explained his previous thoughts.

"It's actually quite simple. It involves finding similarities between different spells and combining the runes. This way, you can use fewer runes to instantly cast a second or even a third spell."

At this point, Zhao Cheng'an showed a hint of regret on his face.

"However, this idea is only in its early stages, so for now it can only instantly cast the Grass Sword Technique and the Vine Armor Technique. If we have more time to further refine it, we should be able to instantly cast the third spell, and today's situation wouldn't be as embarrassing as it was just now."

Upon hearing Zhao Cheng'an's words, Chen Heng felt a headache coming on after just a moment's thought.

Finding the right spells is no easy task.

The runes need to be rearranged; is that something a human can do?

"Where's the simplicity?" Chen Heng pouted, picked up the sword-leaf grass in her hand, and casually chopped at the bushes beside her.

Shen Yanshan felt as if he were in a dream.

Although his previous submission to the Daoist Canon had already proven Zhao Cheng'an to be an undisputed genius, it was clearly just a good start and far from his true potential.

Shen Yanshan couldn't help but sigh.

"I've truly lived a foolish life for over a hundred years, blindly believing everything in books is worse than having no books at all. I never imagined that talismans could be used in this way."

Zhao Cheng'an didn't show much pride on his face, but a thought suddenly flashed through his mind.

He guessed that the "Dao soldiers" mentioned by Li Chenzi might have some similarities with the system of techniques he had researched, or even be a further improvement and development based on it.

From this perspective, I am far from being the first person in the cultivation world of the East Sea to think of this.

This is normal, after all, there are countless talented people in the East China Sea. I am just a frog in a well right now, so I must not be too arrogant.

Zhao Cheng'an silently warned himself.

After a brief conversation, the group prepared to leave.

Zhao Cheng'an returned to the original spot, carefully dug out the spiritual plant, and used the power of the Qiankun Cauldron to identify it.

【Nine-lobed Blue Leaf: Split, Cut, Resilient】

Zhao Chengan's eyes lit up immediately.

Like the sword-leaf grass, the nine-cornered green leaf is a herbaceous plant. I wonder if it can be further synthesized and strengthened using the Qiankun Cauldron to enhance the power of the Grass Sword Technique.

If the Grass Sword Technique, which is currently his main means of attack, could be integrated with the "split" characteristic, the benefits would undoubtedly be enormous.

Moreover, there are more than just this one strange beast in Black Wind Valley; perhaps other spiritual plants will be discovered in the future.

On the way back, Zhao Cheng'an and Chen Heng walked side by side, and Zhao Cheng'an casually asked, "Miss Chen, are there any other powerful beasts in Black Wind Valley?"

Chen Heng nodded and introduced from the side.

"Of course there are. However, the most powerful beast in Black Wind Valley is a mountain demon. According to local legend, that creature may have lived for over a hundred years."

"This mandrill's cultivation level is equivalent to the fourth level of Qi Refining, and it also possesses innate magical abilities. I fought this monster once before, but I didn't gain the upper hand. I originally planned to try again after I broke through to the fourth level of Qi Refining, but now..."

Chen Heng hesitated for a moment, then turned to look at Zhao Cheng'an.

"If you, Zhao, are also interested in this monster, I can wait a while. After you break through to the fourth level of Qi Refining, we can go and deal with it together, which will give you some practical experience."

Zhao Cheng'an thought about it and then agreed.

"Alright, it's a deal then."

On one hand, his combat skills are indeed relatively weak, and he needs to make up for this shortcoming. On the other hand, the mandrill has reigned supreme in Black Wind Valley for over a century, and who knows what good things might be found in its caves.

……

……

The two returned to the Imperial Academy without incident.

Because demonic cultivators from the Hunyuan Cave have appeared here, Shen Yanshan needs to report this matter to his superiors.

"You two should stay at the academy for the next few days and not go out unnecessarily."

Shen Yanshan exchanged a few words with the two men and then left in a hurry.

Zhao Cheng'an encountered Xiang Yunyuan, Sun Fuli, and others at the school gate, clearly having been waiting there.

Seeing the two return safely, Xiang Yunyuan stepped forward and said, "When we saw the Chancellor leave in a hurry in class, we guessed that you might have encountered some trouble, so we waited here. Now that we see that you are alright, we can finally relax."

Zhao Cheng'an smiled and said, "Thank you for your concern, Brother Xiang. It was just a minor accident, but it has been resolved."

Xiang Yunyuan's gaze, however, fell on Chen Heng.

The transition from the third to the fourth level of Qi Refining is a significant transformation, a leap from the initial to the intermediate stage.

Moreover, having just experienced a fierce battle, Chen Heng was now displaying her sharp edge. Even when the two locked eyes, Xiang Yunyuan felt a faint sting in his gaze.

Xiang Yunyuan was immediately stunned. "You...you've already broken through to the fourth level of Qi Refining?"

Chen Heng nodded slightly. "Just lucky."

Xiang Yunyuan's face immediately showed an envious expression, while Xu Baiheng and Sun Fuli beside him also looked surprised.

Even with the spirit rice provided by Zhao Cheng'an.

In barren lands like the Seven Kingdoms, it's barely enough to allow a few people to reach the normal cultivation speed of the outside world.

There are now less than two years left until the big exam.

Zhao Cheng'an had been at the third level of Qi Refining for some time, and his realm had stabilized. He then began to strive for the fourth level of Qi Refining.

Xiang Yunyuan is still at the second level of Qi Refining.

Sun Fuli and Xu Baiheng were in an even worse situation, still hovering around the first level of Qi Refining.

They asked themselves if they had been slacking off in the slightest, but they still couldn't break through in their cultivation. It was truly a case of limited talent and difficulty in cultivation.

Seeing the different expressions on their faces, Zhao Cheng'an didn't know what to say.

However, he secretly thought to himself that although Chen Heng was the most talented among them, he was also one of the most diligent in his cultivation, and he was willing to risk his life to hone himself in Black Wind Valley.

It seems that to succeed on the path of spiritual cultivation, hard work alone is not enough; one also needs to make sacrifices that surpass those of ordinary people.

……

……

After saying goodbye to the group, Zhao Chengan returned to his small courtyard.

Sitting down in the study, Zhao Cheng'an flipped through thick ancient books while reviewing the events of the day.

Why would this demonic cultivator target me?

"The other party said that he was blocking his way, which should refer to the conflict that occurred among the seven kingdoms."

"Therefore, the true purpose of the demonic cultivators is not themselves, but the Great Yin Dynasty."

But the Great Yin Dynasty was just a mortal dynasty. Why would it make a demonic cultivator pay such a price, even risking his own destruction, to assassinate him in the Imperial Academy?

Could there be some secret hidden within the Dayin royal family that we are unaware of?

However, being targeted by a demonic cultivator like this doesn't necessarily mean they're a good person.

"It seems I need to find some time to write a letter to my father to inquire whether the royal family knows anything about the inside story," Zhao Cheng'an thought to himself. "However, the most crucial thing right now is the big exam in two years. I must seize the time to break through to the mid-stage of Qi Refining."

Thinking of this, Zhao Cheng'an closed the book in his hand.

He sat cross-legged on a prayer mat, his eyes half-open and half-closed.

With a slight thought, the three defensive and offensive runes engraved by the true spirit in the dantian slowly dissipated, replaced by three new auxiliary cultivation runes.

These three runes are the Zhou Tian Qing Hua Rune, the Chao Yang Hui Huo Rune, and the Gui Yuan Yang Zhen Rune.

These are the essence of the upper, middle, and lower parts of the "Yi Mu Chao Yang Jing".

As the three True Spirit Runes were inscribed, the surrounding free spiritual energy seemed to be drawn in, converging from all directions.

A hazy white mist rose from Zhao Cheng'an's body, causing his wide robes and sleeves to flutter wildly.

For a moment, he seemed like an immortal descended to earth, appearing ethereal and otherworldly.