As the countdown reset, Lin Chen's vision shifted.
The surrounding scene instantly changed, returning from the Martial Arts Palace back to Changchun Sect's Pill Peak.
Time returned to the moment Lin Chen traveled through.
He glanced at the countdown on his arm.
——167 hours, 59 minutes, 59 seconds.
"Back again, I'll be in the Cultivation Realm for the next seven days."
Without hesitation, Lin Chen returned to the Cultivation Realm and immediately began organizing the supplies and equipment brought from Blue Star.
Various weapons, including the Celestial Demon Battle Armor, were packed into Lin Chen's Storage Bag.
In moments, the Storage Bag was filled to capacity.
Lin Chen frowned slightly and said:
"A three-foot Storage Bag, the space is still too small; if I bring any more, it won't fit."
"I'll see if there's a way to obtain a higher-level Storage Bag later..."
After organizing his supplies, Lin Chen glanced at the sky.
At this moment, the sky was just brightening, and the dawn's glow penetrated the window, casting light on Lin Chen.
"I should also consider the development over the next week..."
Lin Chen pondered for a moment; he had come on this journey with important missions.
Although he had already proven the existence of the Cultivation Realm to Great Xia, relying on it to change Blue Star was a long path.
"Artifact Refining, Alchemy, and finding Spiritual Energy should also be prioritized..."
"The Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill and Qi Blood Pill are of great significance to the Martial Path; I must quickly master their refining methods."
Lin Chen thought for a moment, then shook his head and said:
"But before that, I must strengthen myself first..."
"Concealing Breath Skill and Artifact Manipulation Skill must be learned quickly."
Even without using techniques, Qi Refining Cultivation wouldn't be easily discovered.
However, if a cultivator of high realm intentionally probes, it might directly expose me.
"I remember, Changchun Sect has a Cultivation Technique Pavilion, it seems to be on Sword Peak... I'll check it out after daybreak!"
Lin Chen didn't rush to go out, instead, he sat cross-legged and continued cultivating for a two-hour.
Until the daylight was bright, Han Jihai's knock on the door was heard again.
He brought Spiritual Food to Lin Chen.
After consuming the Spiritual Food, Lin Chen cultivated the Breathing Technique in his room for another two hours.
His Qi and Blood were further replenished, approaching 27 Qi and Blood Value.
"Close to noon, I'll go take a look at the Cultivation Technique Pavilion first..."
After bidding farewell to his mentor, Lin Chen left Pill Peak.
...
Changchun Sect's five main peaks each stand two or three thousand zhang high, connected by iron chain and wooden bridges.
Crossing the narrow iron chain bridge, Lin Chen looked down, feeling a sense of heart palpitations at the thousands of meters high view, with thin mist.
"Whew... Once at the late stage of Qi Refining, I'll be able to briefly fly with artifacts. But until then, these hazardous suspension bridges are unavoidable..."
Lin Chen quickened his pace and soon arrived at Sword Peak.
Passing through the serene path, Lin Chen quickly arrived at the front of the Cultivation Technique Pavilion.
The Cultivation Technique Pavilion has six floors, standing ten zhang high, is an important structure of Changchun Sect, second only to the Sect Hall.
Outside was the Disciple Plaza, and near noon, many Inner Sect disciples were trading supplies and taking on sect missions.
Lin Chen passed through the crowd, catching the attention of several disciples.
"Look quickly, that's Lin Chen... the first newly recruited disciple to break into the Qi Refining Stage!"
"It's heard he took only five days to introduce Qi into the body, successfully entering the First Layer of Qi Refining!"
A few Inner Sect disciples from the same intake as Lin Chen gathered together, discussing quietly.
"Only a Top Grade Dual Spirit Roots, how did he enter the First Layer of Qi Refining faster than Li Zhenqian?"
"Who knows! He apprenticed under Pill Peak; maybe the Pill Peak Master gave him some pills to help introduce Qi into the body!" an informed disciple speculated.
Lin Chen frowned slightly and quickened his steps to cross the plaza; he disliked being talked about.
The sounds of the disciples still came behind him.
"Tsk tsk, joining Pill Peak is really good! There are pills to eat... if I'd known earlier, I would have joined Pill Peak too!"
"What are you thinking? Haven't you heard? The Pill Peak Master doesn't have long to live... what future is there in joining Pill Peak now?"
"Precisely, I heard there are few disciples under Pill Peak, not even any elders... sect resources are also minimal; it's still not as good as our Array Peak!"
...
Lin Chen arrived at the front of the Cultivation Technique Pavilion, presenting his Inner Sect Disciple Token.
The elder guarding the pavilion verified the token, nodded, and said:
"Qi Refining Stage Inner Sect disciples can look for cultivation techniques on the first and second floors, taking out up to three cultivation techniques each month; remember to return them promptly after reading..."
Lin Chen bowed and said:
"Thank you for the guidance, senior."
Upon entering the pavilion within, Lin Chen was amazed by the number of cultivation techniques possessed by Changchun Sect.
The first floor of the Cultivation Technique Pavilion, two zhang high, spans several dozen zhang square, with rows of bookshelves.
At a glance, Lin Chen estimated there were tens of thousands of cultivation techniques.
"No wonder it's the largest Cultivation Sect within a thousand li radius; this foundation is truly remarkable..."
Lin Chen whispered lightly and looked upward; the higher floors of the Cultivation Technique Pavilion store the techniques that signify the sect's foundation.
Especially the fifth and sixth floors—perhaps storing Core Formation Stage techniques...
"Unfortunately, my realm is not enough for now; perhaps I'll be able to inspect the higher levels after reaching the late stage of Qi Refining or even Core Formation Stage..."
Lin Chen gently shook his head and began searching for suitable cultivation techniques.
Although the number of techniques on the first floor was many, most were rather elementary, even some mundane martial arts were included.
Those searching for techniques on the first floor were also mostly Changchun Sect's Outer Sect disciples.
Lin Chen stayed only for about half an hour and then proceeded to the second floor of the Cultivation Technique Pavilion.
Crossing an invisible light screen, verifying his Inner Sect disciple identity, he smoothly reached the second floor.
Indeed, compared to the first floor, the number of techniques on the second floor was notably fewer.
"The first floor of the Cultivation Technique Pavilion must be used for display, showcasing the sect's foundation."
"The second floor should have the techniques I need..."
Lin Chen thought to himself and then searched within the second floor of the Cultivation Technique Pavilion.
On the second floor of the pavilion, there were only a few dozen disciples, mostly newly promoted Inner Sect disciples.
On shelves marked with various sorts of techniques.
Technique category, cultivation category, Hundred Skills of Cultivation…
"Artifact Manipulation techniques are quite common, let's look for them first..."
After some thinking, Lin Chen approached the shelves marked under the techniques category.
Shortly after, he had a technique named "Spiritual Defense Technique" in his hand.
"The name is not uncommon, yet it's merely an ordinary spirit-controlling skill..."
Lin Chen laughed lightly after browsing it twice in haste.
"However, ordinary doesn't mean bad... the Spiritual Defense Technique is quite a practical spirit-controlling skill, even Foundation Establishment cultivators frequently use it."
Actually, a cultivator at the First Layer of Qi Refining can release True Essence to control objects from a distance, except it's highly consumptive.
While the Spiritual Defense Technique aids cultivators in controlling objects farther and more accurately while reducing True Essence depletion.
"For the Artifact Manipulation Skill, I'll choose this Spiritual Defense Technique... next, I should search for a Concealing Breath Technique."
Lin Chen continued searching within the Cultivation Technique Pavilion; compared to the Artifact Manipulation Skill, the Concealing Breath Skill was much rarer.
It took him about an hour to find a suitable one.
"Wood Concealment Technique... best suited for those with Wood Spirit Root, it can conceal one's cultivation and aura..."
Lin Chen nodded and said:
"Not bad, a Qi Refining Stage cultivator reaching perfection can remain undetected by even Foundation Establishment cultivators; coupled with my Wood Spirit Root, this technique suits me well!"
Having found the two needed techniques, Lin Chen decided not to linger further and prepared to leave the second floor of the Cultivation Technique Pavilion.
Unexpectedly, just as he was about to leave, a voice came from behind.
"Lin Chen!"
Upon hearing, Lin Chen turned back, seeing a cultivator who looked somewhat familiar.
Judging by his Taoist robe, he seemed to be an Inner Sect disciple from Array Peak.
So Lin Chen asked in confusion:
"This fellow Daoist, who might you be?"
The person trembled upon hearing, his face filled with disbelief.
"You... you actually don't know me?"
Lin Chen examined him closely, eventually shook his head, and responded:
"You do look a bit familiar, but I truly can't recall your name..."
(Dear readers, in these days, I humbly request follow-up reading, crucial for new book recommendations...)