CHAPTER 378: CHAPTER 319: SEVEN TREASURES POND! EIGHT FIXED WATERS! [REQUESTING MONTHLY TICKETS!]

The two had just stepped ashore.

Boom!

The world spun—

The mountain disappeared.

The sea vanished.

In the boundless world, two beams of light, like meteors, plummeted straight into the Great Thousand Red Dust.

Consciousness blurred, spiritual light dimmed.

"Memory obfuscation?"

"Red dust trial?"

Chen Jichuan used Insight to discern the essence of the formation, seeing through it instantly.

He and Xiao Lan had stepped onto Sumeru Mountain, reactivating the ’Small Sumeru Right and Left Nine Palace Immortal Formation.’ The Great Thousand descended, throwing the two into the red dust.

Red dust surged.

Feelings overwhelmed, deeply rooted.

With memory obscured, one undergoes a trial. It not only tests the true nature of the successors but also fosters their attachment to the Sumeru Immortal Sect.

If they pass, they inherit a portion of the Sumeru Immortal Sect’s teachings and legacy, reaping benefits.

If they fail, they will be trapped in the Great Thousand Red Dust, reincarnating endlessly until their divine soul perishes.

"With my disposition, I probably won’t pass."

"With Xiao Lan’s temperament, her chances are slim as well."

As Chen Jichuan’s thoughts raced, he watched Xiao Lan fall into the red dust ahead of him.

Bang!

But he himself sprouted Wind Thunder Wings on his back. With a flap of his wings, wind and thunder roared, and guided by a flaw discerned via Insight, he shattered the void in an instant.

The scene before him opened up completely.

Looking again—

He had returned to the foot of Sumeru Mountain.

...

"Red dust trials have their merits too."

"I shouldn’t disrupt her opportunity."

Chen Jichuan emerged alone, leaving Xiao Lan behind.

The red dust trial within the ’Small Sumeru Right and Left Nine Palace Immortal Formation’ was both a test and a concealed opportunity.

Experiencing a few lifetimes in the red dust greatly benefits the cultivation of one’s temperament.

This was Xiao Lan’s chance.

Chen Jichuan wouldn’t destroy it—doing so would be highly unethical.

"Once she’s been through the trial for a while, if she still can’t pass, I’ll rescue her later."

Kindness filled Chen Jichuan’s heart.

Keeping Xiao Lan’s safety in mind, he used Insight to monitor her actions within the red dust at all times. Should any danger arise, he could intervene immediately.

Meanwhile—

He had some free time, so he began ascending Sumeru Mountain.

"This mountain appears lush and beautiful."

Chen Jichuan climbed while observing his surroundings.

The mountain featured upper, middle, and lower ’Seven Treasures Stairs,’ flanked by Seven-layered Treasure Walls, Seven-layered Railings, Seven-layered Nets, and Seven-layered Trees. Gates, walls, windows, railings, and trees along the path were all crafted from gold, silver, crystal, and glaze. Flowers and fruits flourished, fragrant breezes wafted, and countless exotic birds harmoniously chirped.

Truly a scene of prosperity.

Unfortunately—

"All a mirage!"

Chen Jichuan’s eyes pierced through the illusion, finding the same lifeless and desolate wreckage within Sumeru Mountain.

The foot of the mountain.

The midsection.

Nothing noteworthy at all.

Chen Jichuan ascended straight to the summit, and his eyes finally lit up.

Before him suddenly appeared a pool of water, its waves rippling—

[Magical Treasure: Seven Treasures Pond]

[Grade: Fourth-order]

[Description: This treasure is the supreme treasure of the Sumeru Immortal Sect, also the core formation treasure of the ’Small Sumeru Right and Left Nine Palace Immortal Formation.’ It nurtures lotus flowers and conceals countless Magic Skills and riches of the Sumeru Immortal Sect. It can accumulate spiritual energy, transform it into spirit water, and sustain the formation’s operation. It can produce ’Eight Dharma Water’ with limitless uses. Within it, seven artifacts can be nurtured, enhancing their power and elevating their grade.]

...

"Seven Treasures Pond!"

"This is the inheritance treasure left by the Sumeru Immortal Sect in its mountain gate."

Looking at the Lotus Pond ahead, Chen Jichuan’s face lit with joy.

The Seven Treasures Pond encompassed all the treasures of the Sumeru Immortal Sect—

Magical treasures.

Pills.

Magic Skills.

All hidden within the blooming lotus flowers.

The pond was filled with lotuses.

A single lotus, a single world.

No one knew how many treasures were concealed within.

"Let’s see!"

Chen Jichuan eagerly approached for a closer look.

Unfortunately, without refining the treasure, he couldn’t clearly perceive the treasures within the pond.

"Let’s refine it first."

Chen Jichuan wasted no time, sitting cross-legged beside the Seven Treasures Pond, mana surging as he began refining.

An hour later.

Chen Jichuan opened his eyes, halting his refining—

"Impossible!"

"The ’Seven Treasures Pond’ is the core of the ’Small Sumeru Right and Left Nine Palace Immortal Formation.’ Unless the entire formation system is dismantled or comprehended, refining this treasure is utterly impossible!"

Chen Jichuan frowned, scrutinizing the ’Seven Treasures Pond.’

In his attempt to refine it, the entire ’Small Sumeru Right and Left Nine Palace Immortal Formation’ reacted, ready to retaliate at any moment.

With Insight, Chen Jichuan could easily decipher the Small Sumeru Realm and the Great Thousand Red Dust, but he was still far from comprehending the entire formation.

"After all, it’s a Fifth-order Formation; it’s not something that can be understood quickly."

"I’ll have to find another way to draw treasures without refining the ’Seven Treasures Pond.’"

Chen Jichuan stood up, his eyes glowing with spiritual light, fully channeling Insight to examine the ’Seven Treasures Pond.’

As he observed—

Chen Jichuan’s face suddenly lit up with joy. He leaped into the pond, submerging his entire body.

Within the pond, he felt utterly at ease.

"Eight Dharma Water."

"So the pond water itself is the true treasure!"

Soaking in the water, Chen Jichuan’s eyes gleamed with excitement. Now, looking at the pond water, an unmistakable hunger shone in his eyes.

Pure, cool, sweet, light, supple, soothing, hunger-quenching, and nurturing to the senses.

Such was the ’Eight Dharma.’

"It purifies and cleanses, free from filth—this water washes the soul."

"Cool and refreshing, without any heat—this water tempers the body."

"Delicious and exquisite, providing the utmost taste—this water activates wisdom."

"Light yet supple, spreading evenly—this water harmonizes mana."

"Moist and nourishing, free from dryness—this water nurtures the primordial spirit."

"Calm and stable, completely serene—this water fosters firm resolve."

"Quelling hunger and thirst, it dispels distractions—this water centers the heart."

"Developing the six senses, prolonging life—this water grounds and stabilizes one’s foundation."

...

"Indeed, its uses are endless!"

Fully understanding the depths, Chen found boundless comfort as he soaked in the pond. Cultivating here far surpassed any other place. Liquid spiritual energy filled the water—a richness akin to milk, smooth and delightful, offering an unparalleled experience.

Mind clear, wisdom overflowing.

Where once cultivation felt murky, here everything flowed effortlessly, as smooth as silk.

"Seven Treasures Pond."

"Eight Dharma Water."

"This is a treasure trove for cultivation!"

Chen Jichuan couldn’t contain his joy.

Feeling the various enhancements from the pond, immersed in spiritual energy condensed into liquid form, his happiness knew no bounds.

"Such a rare opportunity."

"I’ve refined my Dao Fruit many times before reaching the Divinity Transformation Realm and thought myself thorough."

"Yet, even in the Heavenly Human Realm’s first three layers, I still lack understanding in many aspects."

"Today is the perfect chance to make up for that."

"And while I’m at it, I might as well push the ’Vermilion Bird Glaze Scripture’ to the True Sect Level!"

Not long ago, Chen Jichuan had been lamenting the difficulty of strengthening his Magic Skills. This time, he aimed to focus solely on cultivation, putting aside plans for enhancement.

Unexpectedly—

Opportunity had come knocking.

"With the support of the Eight Dharma Water, if I concentrate on cultivating, I might even break through to the Fourth Layer, perhaps even to the Fifth Layer."

"Though achieving that in a short time is unlikely."

"Better to solidify the foundation first and then enhance my Cultivation Techniques."

Having made up his mind, Chen Jichuan began channeling his cultivation into refining the ’Vermilion Bird Glaze Scripture.’

Divinity Transformation · Heavenly Human Realm Third Layer.

Divinity Transformation · Heavenly Human Realm Second Layer.

Divinity Transformation · Heavenly Human Realm First Layer.

Quickly, Chen Jichuan’s cultivation fell back to the Initial God Transformation stage.

At the same time—

The raising of the ’Vermilion Bird Glaze Scripture’ had begun.

[Vermilion Bird Glaze Scripture refinement in progress—]

[Refinement complete.]

[Current grade: Side Door Level, progress toward True Sect Level: 1/10]

...

[Vermilion Bird Glaze Scripture refinement in progress—]

[Refinement complete.]

[Current grade: Side Door Level, progress toward True Sect Level: 2/10]

...

[Vermilion Bird Glaze Scripture refinement in progress—]

[Refinement complete.]

[Current grade: Side Door Level, progress toward True Sect Level: 3/10]

...

[Vermilion Bird Glaze Scripture refinement in progress—]

[Current progress: 30%]

...

Enhancing a Side Door Level Cultivation Technique to True Sect Level required ten stages of refinement, each stage demanding exponentially increasing cultivation.

During his time in the Central Continent World, Chen Jichuan had only achieved Second-order cultivation.

Enhancing his techniques had been a grueling task.

Even dedicating his lifetime efforts, he had only managed to refine two techniques: ’Sword Map’ and the ’White Tiger Sword Prison Scripture’ derived from it.

This time—

With a cultivation base spanning the first three layers of the Heavenly Human Realm, including progress halfway through the Third Layer, he managed to strengthen the ’Vermilion Bird Glaze Scripture’ three times.

The fourth enhancement progress had reached thirty percent.

The disparity between Third-order and Second-order was plain to see.

"Still, there are seven and a half enhancements left to complete."

"Which means—"

Chen Jichuan calculated for a moment and was slightly startled: "I need one hundred and eight ’two-and-a-half layers’ worth of cultivation to finish all ten stages of refinement and push the ’Vermilion Bird Glaze Scripture’ to the True Sect Level!"

Rebuilding one hundred and eight times!

Chen Jichuan raised an eyebrow, suppressing his concerns, and began cultivating.

A thousand-mile journey begins with a single step.

From the Initial God Transformation stage to the Heavenly Human Realm Third Layer may seem arduous, but with the Eight Dharma Water from the Seven Treasures Pond aiding him, it was by no means impossible.

The only intimidating factor was the ’108’ number.

But it was far from unattainable.

Chen Jichuan refrained from dwelling too much on the matter, focusing fully on cultivation within the pond—from the onset of the Heavenly Human Realm, gradually rebuilding his magical power while rediscovering the intricacies, secrets, and wonders of the first three layers.

Divinity Transformation · Heavenly Human Realm First Layer.

Divinity Transformation · Heavenly Human Realm Second Layer.

Divinity Transformation · Heavenly Human Realm Third Layer.

...

Previously, Chen Jichuan had taken one hundred eighty-five years, consuming countless pills, to progress from Initial God Transformation to the Third Layer.

This time, rebuilding took merely seven months.

"Seven months per cycle."

"For one hundred eight cycles, that’s only sixty-three years."

Without hesitation, Chen Jichuan entered another round of refinement—

Divinity Transformation · Heavenly Human Realm Third Layer.

Divinity Transformation · Heavenly Human Realm Second Layer.

Divinity Transformation · Heavenly Human Realm First Layer.

...

[Vermilion Bird Glaze Scripture refinement in progress—]

[Refinement complete.]

[Current grade: Side Door Level, progress toward True Sect Level: 4/10]

...

[Vermilion Bird Glaze Scripture refinement in progress—]

[Current progress: 25%]

...

Chen Jichuan cultivated tirelessly and refined continuously.

Waves churned within the pond.

Lotus flowers swayed.

Chen Jichuan explored the many treasures hidden within the Seven Treasures Pond.

Occasionally, he discerned something and plucked a lotus flower.

Mostly, the contents turned out to be Magic Skills.

Chen Jichuan wasn’t interested.

Still, those were better than pills and talismans sometimes stored in the pond, which were unable to endure over time. Pills and their bottles had disintegrated into dust, talismans had lost their spiritual energy, leaving degraded talisman paper.

Over the long span of time, even magical treasures found it hard to retain their original brilliance, let alone fragile artifacts.

Plucking lotus after lotus yielded mostly empty blooms.

Damaged Magic Skills were a frequent result.

Next were Primordial Stones and artifacts.

Ten thousand Primordial Stones at a time.

Magical treasures of various grades.

The highest-grade artifacts found were only at the Third Level, with limited value. Most discoveries tended to be First-order or Second-order treasures.

Ironically, Chen Jichuan grew most delighted upon finding Primordial Stones.

Any lotus flower containing Primordial Stones invariably held a solid ten thousand, genuine and trustworthy.

Pills.

Talismans.

Magical treasures.

Magic Skills.

Primordial Stones.

These items stored within the Seven Treasures Pond represented the Sumeru Immortal Sect’s accumulation over untold years.

However, time had changed everything.

Pills turned to ash.

Talismans disintegrated.

Magical treasures degraded in rank.

Magic Skills became fragmented.

Only the Primordial Stones remained intact.

The first three kinds had been forged by cultivators, whereas Primordial Stones formed naturally, making them eternal.

Much like the enduring stones scattered throughout the universe.

As for the various Magic Skills—

"That’s the last thing I need."

...