Chapter 212: Chapter 152 Leaving the Pass_2
Without the Thunder Spirit Root, the Metal Spirit Root would be the second choice.
The words of Yun Xingyi made Li Shiming realize his own potential.
Li Shiming was no longer the novice who had entered the sect thinking about cost-effectiveness, taking advantage of the free opportunity to choose the most expensive Cultivation Technique, âSword Manipulation Technique.â
Although the âSword Manipulation Techniqueâ did indeed make his combat power extremely strong, this didnât mean a Sword Cultivator was suited to him.
In the absence of sufficient talent and potential, if he aimed to cultivate as a Sword Cultivator, he worried that his innate abilities wouldnât support his ambitions.
Of course, cultivating the âTen Directions Sword Cultivation Techniqueâ through his avatar was, to some extent, the same as if he were cultivating it himself.
The magic artifacts of his avatar were usable by him, and cultivating through the avatar was essentially using a part of his consciousness; on a spiritual level, they were one and the same.
Perhaps his body couldnât unleash the full power of the avatar using the âTen Directions Sword Cultivation Technique,â but this kind of shortfall could definitely be compensated for by the power of Thunder Cultivation.
Additionally, Li Shiming felt a peculiar affinity with the âNine Heavens Thunder Strike Technique,â as though he was born to fit this Cultivation Technique.
Therefore, he made a decision in his heart that after reaching the Foundation Establishment Stage, his main Cultivation Technique would be the âNine Heavens Thunder Strike Technique,â while the avatar would cultivate the âTen Directions Sword Cultivation Technique.â
It was hard to imagine that a cultivator with no background, upon entering the late-stage Qi Refining, had already set a direction for his cultivation after Foundation Establishmentâa privilege usually reserved for second-generation cultivators or those with amazing talents.
âI am going to attempt Foundation Establishment and will need to go into closed-door cultivation for three to six months!â Yin Shilan sent the message, and by the time Li Shiming replied, she had already entered the meditation chamber.
Li Shiming wished her success in his heart, hoping that when she emerged successful, she wouldnât be too saddened by Junior Master Zhugeâs death.
The avatar, in the state of Corpse Refining, rested for half a day within the Ghost Domain of the âNetherworld Ghost Realm Array,â and its injuries healed.
The avatar reverted to human form, and the injuries disappeared completely.
âFellow, you have worked hard!â Li Shiming bowed to the avatar and said.
âItâs not hard, just a strike from a mere Golden Core!â the avatar said, waving its hand nonchalantly.
After saying this, both the original body and the avatar laughed out loud.
Only when the avatar was unharmed did Li Shiming finally feel at ease; if the avatarâs injuries had persisted for a long time, it would have affected his cultivation plans.
He also checked the condition of his right thumb. It wasnât clear if it was his low level of cultivation or if the Sword Bone was of a high-end nature, but no matter how he examined it, using Spiritual Thought or an IBM z15, he found nothing special about his right thumb.
If there was any difference, it was that the hardness of his right thumb was extremely high, but since he couldnât measure the hardness, he could only come to this conclusion.
He had no intention of using magic artifacts to cut his right thumb; as long as it wasnât causing any problems, he chose to ignore it as if nothing had happened.
âFellow, I entrust this sword to you!â Li Shiming handed over Yun Xingyiâs Lifebound Flying Sword, the Guiyi Sword, to the avatar.
Besides helping the original body to cultivate the âFive Elements Qi Absorption Technique,â the avatar could no longer engage in regular cultivation, as a careless move might lead it to advance in level.
Therefore, he handed over the Guiyi Sword to the avatar, so it could carry the sword with it at all times.
Since the avatar wouldnât appear in front of other cultivators, there was no worry about exposing the Guiyi Sword.
Having decided to become a Magic Cultivation in the future, Li Shiming naturally gave the essential magic treasure of a Golden Core Sword Cultivator, like the Guiyi Sword, to the avatar.
With the same soul imprint as Li Shiming and also the aura of the original body, the Guiyi Sword accepted the avatar just as it had the original body.
Of course, this acceptance was only in terms of usage rights; there was still a long way to go to truly become the master of the Guiyi Sword.
The clumsy idea that Li Shiming came up with was to allow the avatar to spend a lot of time with the Guiyi Sword.
Especially after the avatar advanced to Foundation Establishment and began cultivating the âTen Directions Sword Cultivation Technique,â it could nourish the weapon using Sword Cultivator methods, deepening their bond.
With the demise of the owner of the Guiyi Sword, even though the transition from usage to ownership for the avatar was difficult, time was on his side.
âFellow, donât worry, the Guiyi Sword will recognize us as its master!â the avatar spoke as it tucked the Guiyi Sword at its waist.
Li Shiming was getting used to this dual-minded conversation, finding a hint of vitality in the lonely practice.
Following the guidance of Elder Yin, Li Shiming began to take on a large number of formation tasks.
He didnât visit the Spirit Mechanism Pavilion anymore, ever since Zhuge Xuan had fallen, and a female Foundation Establishment Cultivator with the surname Song replaced him as the senior Array Master there.
The loss of Zhuge Xuan, coupled with Yin Shilan entering closed-door cultivation, resulted in a substantial increase in the sectâs formation tasks.
Li Shiming almost took on one or two sect formation tasks every day, which to some extent, lessened the impact of losing a high-level Array Master on the sect.
His Spiritual Energy Vortex also visibly improved at a speed faster than those with a Heavenly Spirit Root, allowing him to advance to the Late Stage Qi Refining Seventh Level in just a month.
And in the following three months, he broke through to the Qi Refining Eighth Layer.
âUncle Yin!â Li Shiming received a message from Elder Yin and came to the closed-door cultivation chambers at Central Peak, where he saw Elder Yin as well.
Based on the aura inside the chamber, he deduced that Yin Shilan would be coming out today.
âShiming, Qi Refining Eighth Layer already, it seems youâve been cultivating diligently!â Elder Yin sensed Li Shimingâs realm and was slightly surprised, offering rare praise.
He didnât want to call Li Shiming over, but this was something his daughter had requested before her seclusion.
Recently, he had inquired about Li Shiming and knew that he had completed a considerable number of formation tasks.
Taking his instructions to heart had elevated Li Shimingâs standing in his eyes.
âHas Lanâer succeeded in her breakthrough?â Li Shiming asked, looking at the door of the closed-room, the question slipping out.
He was worried out of concern, for with Yin Shilanâs talent, plus Elder Yinâs preparation, the small hurdle of the Foundation Establishment Stage wasnât too difficult to overcome.
âI donât know!â Elder Yin replied with displeasure in his cold voice.
Since when had this young man started calling his daughter by her nickname, Lanâer? It was the exclusive right of he and his wife to use that name.
Li Shiming was taken aback, looking at Elder Yinâs suddenly changed face, he worried that there might have been trouble with Yin Shilanâs breakthrough, which intensified his anxieties.
His eyes fixed on the door of the cultivation chamber, he imagined how despondently Yin Shilan might emerge, whether she might be hurt, whether she might cry.
Neither Elder Yin nor Li Shiming spoke again; Elder Yin was angry while Li Shiming was anxious.
After an indeterminate amount of time, the heavy atmosphere shifted with the opening of the chamberâs door.
âLanâer!â The voices of Li Shiming and Elder Yin sounded simultaneously.
Yin Shilan stepped out of the door, seeing the worry-filled Li Shiming and her proud father.
âShiming!â Feeling the overwhelming care, Yin Shilan softly responded.
Li Shiming sensed the aura of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator on Yin Shilan, a unique pressure that came with the territory.
He inexplicably turned his head towards Elder Yin, not understanding the meaning behind his earlier words. Was he intentionally trying to frighten him?
âFather!â Unaware of the awkwardness between the two men, Yin Shilan also looked towards Elder Yin.
âNow that youâve left seclusion, focus on consolidating your realm. I will go and share this good news with your mother!â Elder Yin was inwardly annoyed that his daughter had called for Li Shiming before him, but he wouldnât vent this frustration on her and instead blamed Li Shiming.
He had no desire to stay here any longer; Li Shimingâs presence made him feel uncomfortable.
After giving this piece of advice, he flew up and quickly disappeared from view.
âShiming, I have good news for you, look at this, what do you think it is?â Yin Shilan, slightly puzzled by her fatherâs departure, remembered something important and, with a hint of pride, pulled out a porcelain bottle.
Li Shiming immediately recognized it as a bottle for Foundation Establishment Pills, a standardized design used by the sect.
âYou broke through without using a Foundation Establishment Pill?â Li Shiming felt he had underestimated Yin Shilanâs talent.
âAn extra month of closed-door cultivation saved me this Foundation Establishment Pill. You need it more than I do!â Yin Shilan handed the porcelain bottle to Li Shiming, her face beaming with a happy smile.