Chapter 165 - 162: Zhou Chuan Regrets, Huang He Master Appears

This breakthrough was exceptionally smooth.

It was a natural progression.

This was because Li Chang’an never forced a breakthrough. He only ever advanced when he could no longer suppress his power.

’My path has been quite steady. I haven’t taken any Elixir Pills to assist with Tier Breakthroughs, so my own potential hasn’t been diminished.’

Li Chang’an slowly rose, carefully sensing the changes in his body.

His Magical Power was dense and enduring.

For a Cultivator of the same level, it was quite impressive.

However, as good as the Cyan Wood Technique was, it was ultimately just a Middle Grade Technique.

’Before I reach Foundation Establishment, I need to find a Top Grade Technique to make my Magical Power even more robust and strengthen the foundation for my Magic Power Barrier.’

Li Chang’an mused.

He planned to go ask at the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower.

With his current status as a special guest, buying a Top Grade wood element cultivation method shouldn’t be too difficult.

If he really couldn’t buy one, he would have to swallow his pride and ask Zheng Qingqing for help.

After all, she was an Honored Guest Elder of the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower, and a highly respected Alchemy Guest Elder at that. Her authority within the tower shouldn’t be too low.

Thinking of this, Li Chang’an touched the Jade Pendant hanging on his chest.

It was the Communication Jade Pendant Zheng Qingqing had given him so they could stay in touch, but he had never used it once.

’Enough. I shouldn’t overthink it. First, I’ll consolidate my Cultivation.’

Li Chang’an sat cross-legged and began to slowly regulate his breathing.

...

「Three days later.」

He officially came out of seclusion, his power fully stabilized at the Qi Refining Eighth Layer!

"Xiaohai, let’s try combining!"

Li Chang’an said with a smile as he summoned the Profound Water Turtle.

The Profound Water Turtle rolled its eyes, waddled over on its short legs, and initiated the Borrowing Technique.

Soon.

Li Chang’an’s aura began to surge.

Once again, he broke past the limits of the Qi Refining Ninth Layer, but he still hadn’t reached true Foundation Establishment Power. He was still in that state of Fake Foundation Establishment.

This time, however.

Li Chang’an was much more adept at wielding his power in this state.

"Sword Array, activate!"

With a single thought, nine Talismans flew out from his Storage Pouch.

They weren’t Blood Sword Talismans.

They were the more powerful, High-quality Jade Sword Talismans!

All nine Jade Sword Talismans ignited at once. A terrifying Sword Intent instantly filled the entire courtyard, and in a flash, they transformed into nine streams of Sword Qi hovering beside Li Chang’an.

In his Fake Foundation Establishment state,

Li Chang’an could now perfectly control the Sword Array formed by the nine Tier Two Talismans.

"Go!"

He pointed a finger.

The Jade Sword Array shot out in an instant, like a bolt of white jade silk, carrying astonishing power as it crashed toward the nineteen-layer Ring Array.

Just as the two were about to collide,

Li Chang’an had a thought.

"Disperse!"

The Sword Array instantly scattered, and the nine streams of Sword Qi vanished without a trace.

If he hadn’t dispersed it, Li Chang’an had a feeling the collision would have been earth-shattering.

A single Jade Sword Talisman could unleash Sword Qi potent enough to threaten someone at the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment.

But when nine Jade Sword Talismans formed an array, their power reached the level of the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment.

Li Chang’an called over the Profound Water Turtle and asked it.

He soon learned that,

even with its defensive capabilities, the Profound Water Turtle had smelled the scent of death when facing the Jade Sword Talisman Formation.

One had to remember that Turtle Species Spirit Beasts were exceptionally skilled at self-preservation.

’This Jade Sword Talisman Formation is the strongest Slaughter Technique I have. Unfortunately, I can only use the Nine Swords Array while in the Borrowed State.’

Li Chang’an sighed with emotion.

With his own Cultivation, he could only barely manage to use the Three Swords Array.

Still, that was enough.

After all, the Three Swords Array was still astonishingly powerful; few Qi Refining Cultivators could withstand it.

’Time to visit the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower.’

Li Chang’an exited the Borrowed State, and his power returned to the Qi Refining Eighth Layer.

However, he quickly used several treasures and magic techniques to conceal his aura, suppressing his power to the Qi Refining Seventh Layer, and making it seem somewhat unstable.

It made him look as if he had just broken through to the Late Stage of Qi Refining.

...

Before long,

Li Chang’an arrived at the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower and found Manager Jin Yue with a smile.

The moment they met, Jin Yue was taken aback.

"Daoist Li, you’ve broken through to the Qi Refining Seventh Layer?"

"Yes, it was a lucky breakthrough."

"Congratulations!"

Jin Yue was all smiles, congratulating him repeatedly, but inwardly he was quite surprised.

At this rate, Li Chang’an would definitely reach the Qi Refining Ninth Layer before he turned sixty.

’Don’t tell me... with a Low Grade Spirit Root, he actually wants to attempt Foundation Establishment? It really pays to have someone backing you!’

Jin Yue thought to himself.

Although he felt Li Chang’an’s chances of successfully reaching Foundation Establishment were slim,

he would at least be able to make an attempt, no matter the outcome.

For someone with his Low Grade Spirit Root aptitude to have come this far, he must have had the help of a benefactor.

At this thought, the smile on Jin Yue’s face grew even wider.

"Daoist Li, what are you looking to buy today?"

"Manager Jin, I’d like to buy a High Tier Wood Element Technique."

Li Chang’an got straight to the point.

He didn’t specify a Top Grade Technique, just in case the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower had something even better.

Like an Earth Grade or even a Celestial Grade Technique.

"A Wood Element Technique?"

Jin Yue thought for a moment.

He didn’t answer directly, instead sizing up Li Chang’an for a few moments.

"Daoist Li, could you perhaps cast a spell so I can feel your Magical Power?"

"Of course."

Li Chang’an immediately cast a Middle Grade Technique.

Cyan Vine Entwined!

Green vines rose from the ground, carrying no malicious intent or killing intent, and slowly wrapped around Jin Yue’s body.

Jin Yue felt them for a moment before making his assessment.

"Daoist Li, your Magical Power is dense and calm. Your previous Cultivation Technique must have been one that focuses on self-cultivation and nurturing one’s health."

"That’s right."

"As it happens, the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower has a Cultivation Technique that would suit you perfectly!"

"Oh? And what might that be?"

"Daoist Li, please follow me..."

With a slight tremor, Jin Yue shattered the vines around his body.

He once again led Li Chang’an to the second floor of the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower, beginning his explanation as they walked.