CHAPTER 396: CHAPTER 391 SECRET REALM TRIAL? TREASURE LIGHT BODY REFINING TECHNIQUE!_1

「Cultivation knows not the passing of years; a decade flashed by in an instant.」

The years were peaceful, life stable.

Apart from collecting corpses and practicing Body Refinement and Soul Refinement, Jia Ren spent all his other time cultivating.

His progress in cultivation was incredibly rapid, bordering on the abnormal; one day of his cultivation far surpassed a hundred days for ordinary cultivators.

The only flaw was the excessive speed of cultivation. Like a water pump, he drew Spiritual Energy from the Mountain and Sea Pearl, rapidly depleting the initially accumulated Spiritual Energy. Consequently, more than thirty Spirit Veins could not keep up with the demand.

Jia Ren invested millions of Spirit Stones, burying them in the Mountain and Sea Pearl, which finally eased the problem of insufficient Spiritual Power.

After ten years of cultivation, his progress was nearly two-thirds complete. In just over five more years, he would be able to reach the Late Nascent Soul Stage.

Jia Ren had just refined the nature’s spiritual energy absorbed by the Demon-Sealing Tower and was preparing to stew Holy Infant Carp Soup for Body Refinement.

At this very moment, the Xiao Mang Mountain Array was triggered, and a Handyman came rushing with new corpses.

Having consumed the Corpse-Eating Bizarre Pill, it was uncertain if the Insect External Incarnation’s emergence would attract the attention of High-Order Cultivators of the Lingbao Sect.

Out of caution, Jia Ren had never summoned the Insect External Incarnation within the Lingbao Sect, always keeping it concealed inside the Mountain and Sea Pearl.

The Mystical Beast Incarnation was not yet refined, so he had to handle matters personally.

"Two corpses?"

Jia Ren looked at the incomplete bodies, his expression strange.

Over twenty years at Xiao Mang Mountain, he had received the corpses of eleven Lingbao Sect Cultivators.

Only two had died from lifespan exhaustion; three had perished during failed Nascent Soul breakthroughs, their bodies and souls dissipating.

The remaining cultivators had died from various accidents.

Previously, only a single corpse was sent at a time; this was the first time he encountered two.

The two individuals had incomplete bodies, lacking beast bite marks or remnants of demonic qi; they had clearly died in a magical battle.

Jia Ren encoffined their bodies and buried them behind the mountain, stealthily taking a negligible ’hardship fee’.

A mere bit of flesh and blood was enough to satisfy the Corpse-Eating Fiend Pill, allowing him to learn the Cultivation Techniques, spells, and Divine Skills the deceased had mastered in life.

To date, he had encountered eleven Cultivation Techniques, seventy-four secret techniques, and twenty-five types of Divine Skills; the number of spells was too numerous to count.

Jia Ren recorded the useful Cultivation Techniques and Divine Skills to improve their Proficiency Levels in the future.

He planned to dedicate time to practicing Divine Skills only after reaching the Divinity Transformation Stage.

To enhance his Cultivation Level and reach the Divinity Transformation Stage as soon as possible, he had not yet cultivated the Xuan Beast Avatar, nor had he elevated any Magical Treasures to Spiritual Treasures, prioritizing his Dao cultivation first.

Once the Heavenly Treasure Primordial Spirit Technique reached the fifth layer, his Life-bound Magic Treasures could be self-refined, maximizing the benefits.

By then, cultivating Divine Skills and refining Magical Treasures would not impede his own cultivation progress.

Having finished collecting the corpses, Jia Ren was preparing to go into seclusion when a Sound Transmission Talisman flew into his Cave.

"Junior Brother Jia, the Sect has just discovered a new Secret Realm, rich in resources."

"The Elders plan to use it as a trial for the Inner Sect Disciples. All resources obtained from within the Secret Realm only require half to be submitted."

The Sound Transmission Talisman was from Jiang Wu, his talkative senior brother.

He was unpopular among the Inner Sect Disciples, and in that, he and Jia Ren ’shared a common plight’.

After ten years of not seeing Jia Ren, many Inner Sect Disciples had long forgotten him; only Jiang Wu still remembered such a person existed.

Will the trial be dangerous? Cultivation is so much more satisfying!

"Senior Brother, can I not go?"

"I’ve accepted the task of guarding Xiao Mang Mountain; I’m stretched too thin!"

Undeveloped Secret Realms offered numerous benefits but were invariably dangerous. As long as he didn’t go, he wouldn’t face trouble.

Jia Ren would rather spend time in secluded cultivation to increase his Cultivation Level as quickly as possible than pursue so-called opportunities.

There was no reply to the Sound Transmission Talisman for a long while. After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, a new talisman arrived.

"I have just consulted the Elders. All Sect disciples must participate; Junior Brother Jia is no exception."

"Junior Brother Jia, don’t be disheartened. The newly developed Secret Realm is full of countless treasures, a veritable treasure trove. Finding Spiritual Materials will also be much easier."

The task of a Corpse Guardian is truly garbage! I thought it could serve as a shield, but it turns out it’s utterly useless.

Jia Ren could only leave Xiao Mang Mountain and head towards Stone Cottage No. 372.

The stone cottage was still there. He hadn’t returned for over a decade, and in that time, some twenty new residences had been added; these belonged to Inner Sect Disciples promoted in the intervening years.

Jia Ren activated a Cleaning Talisman to clear the dust accumulated within the stone cottage.

He never wasted time. He took out a large pot and started boiling the Holy Infant Carp meat.

This meat was highly nourishing, a true sacred medicine for Body Refinement, and it also seemed to enhance one’s Spiritual Root.

He hadn’t tested his Spiritual Root in a long time and was unsure if it had continued to improve. Regardless, at least the Body Refinement effect was still potent.

He cooked thirty pounds of Holy Infant Carp meat, all of which went into his stomach.

The Black Dragon Vajra Body activated, rapidly absorbing the medicinal potency and strengthening his physique.

His Body Refinement progress was slow daily, but it was consistent and stable.

"Brother Jia, I have some good news for you."

"The newly discovered Secret Realm is filled with treasures; you mustn’t miss out!"

Jia Ren received Ma Zhongyuan’s message and couldn’t help but curl his lip.

Your news is too outdated!

"I’ve already returned to my residence in the inner sect."

The Sound Transmission Talisman had barely been sent when there was a knock at the stone door.

Ma Zhongyuan came running in a hurry, his face slightly flushed, "In addition to half of the rewards from this trial, there are also placement rewards."

"The rewards obtained from the Secret Realm trial can be converted into Sect contribution points, and the highest scorer will receive a custom-made Spiritual Treasure."

"Second place is a Body Refining Technique: the Treasure Light Body Refining Technique."

"Third place is the opportunity to select a Spiritual Treasure from the treasury."

"..."

Jia Ren listened quietly. A custom-made Spiritual Treasure? This would be... a Spiritual Treasure truly belonging to me, custom-made at that. It’s on a different level than the Spiritual Treasures obtained from passing the Tongtian Tower.

No one would complain about having too many Spiritual Treasures. Jia Ren couldn’t help but be moved.

The second prize is a Body Refining Technique? The third is entry into the treasury to choose a Spiritual Treasure?

What kind of Body Refining Technique is the Treasure Light Body Refining Technique, that it’s ranked even higher than choosing a Spiritual Treasure from the treasury?

Although Spiritual Treasures couldn’t be traded freely, they could be used for a long time—until one’s death or expulsion from the Sect. Barring accidents, a Spiritual Treasure could be used until death. The only drawback was that they couldn’t be freely traded.

For the Treasure Light Body Refining Technique to be ranked above choosing a Spiritual Treasure, its value must be extraordinary.

Without Jia Ren needing to ask, Ma Zhongyuan preemptively clarified, "This is a special technique that absorbs the spiritual light from Magical Treasures and Spiritual Treasures for Body Refinement."

"Depending on the Magical Treasures and Spiritual Treasures absorbed, the effects of the Treasure Light Body Refining Technique will vary."

"Absorbing the spiritual light from a Thunder Attribute flying sword Magical Treasure increases one’s Escape Speed and explosive power, and also imbues one with Thunder Attribute might."

"Absorbing the spiritual light from a defensive Magical Treasure enhances one’s own defensive capabilities, as well as imbuing one with the characteristics of that defensive treasure."

"This is Elder Jin Guang’s unique skill. If his lifespan weren’t nearing its end, he would never have brought it out."

No wonder the Treasure Light Body Refining Technique could be valued more highly than a Spiritual Treasure—its effects were indeed powerful.

If I absorbed the spiritual light of the Xuan Gui Shield, wouldn’t I possess astounding defensive power and the ability to reflect damage? And what if I absorbed the spiritual light of the Supreme Demon-sealing Tower? Could I suppress Bizarre Demons with my physical body?! Its importance might even exceed that of a custom-made Spiritual Treasure.

Jia Ren, who had initially been uninterested in the trial and just wanted to find a place to hide and cultivate in peace, completely changed his mind at this moment.

The first prize is out of reach. I should aim for second.

"What’s that smell? It’s so fragrant."

"Brother Jia, keeping good food all to yourself isn’t a good habit."

Ma Zhongyuan peered into the pot, seeing only milky white broth.

"You’re a step too late; the meat’s already gone."

The Holy Infant Carp was related to the Ancestral Fish Sage Pill, which was too significant; Jia Ren didn’t want to reveal this and invite trouble.

"Even if there’s no meat, I don’t mind the broth."

Ma Zhongyuan grabbed the soup pot and gulped down the fish fragments and liquid, not leaving a single scrap.

After drinking, he looked as if he still wanted more.

As a Nascent Soul Cultivator, Ma Zhongyuan had tasted many delicacies, but few could compare to this.

"If you get such good stuff again, don’t forget me!"

After finishing the Holy Infant Carp Soup, Ma Zhongyuan’s eyes gleamed slightly. His face and skin gradually reddened, and two streams of blood trickled from his nose.

Even just a sip of the soup and the meat scraps had an incredibly nourishing effect on the body.

Ma Zhongyuan had never practiced any Body Refining Techniques. His physique was too weak to handle the potent nourishment of the Holy Infant Carp; he was utterly overwhelmed.

"I have some business to attend to, so I’ll take my leave."

Ma Zhongyuan felt a certain power, recently over-expended and gradually becoming dormant, now reviving. He decisively sprinted off into the distance.

A little Holy Infant Carp soup shouldn’t be a big issue. If I run into trouble, I can use the ordinary Infant Carp to explain it away.

Infant Carp were rare; one could only produce a single one, and obtaining a second would be difficult. Even if word of this accidentally leaked, it wouldn’t cause too much trouble.

Jia Ren thought this, his mind settling, and he continued his cultivation in peace.

「Time flew, and three days passed in the blink of an eye.」

The Identity Token vibrated slightly, as if a voice was emanating from it, "The trial has begun. Assemble in the Northern District."

Jia Ren slowly opened his eyes, the faint image of a thirty-three-layered pagoda momentarily reflected in his pupils before gradually fading.

He left the stone cottage and hurried towards the north. Stone cottage doors opened one after another, and Inner Sect Disciples emerged from their Cave residences, all flying in the same direction.

With his rapid speed, Jia Ren soon reached the Northern District plaza. Over five hundred Lingbao Sect disciples had gathered there, the weakest among them at the Golden Core Stage.

Aside from Jia Ren and a few others, each disciple had a Grey-robed Protector by their side.

Soldiers are raised for a thousand days to be used for a single moment. When Lingbao Sect disciples entered a Secret Realm, it was the Protectors’ time to be of use.

"Eh, even the True Disciples have come?!"

Several flashes of purple light touched down in the distance, revealing figures in purple Taoist Robes.

These were the Taoist Robes worn only by the Lingbao Sect’s True Disciples and its upper echelons.

Jia Ren’s gaze swept over the crowd, spotting the cultivator surnamed Zhuo and the cultivator surnamed Ye, against whom he had once competed.

Fortunately, the True Disciples who had arrived were only at the Nascent Soul Stage; there were no Divinity Transformation Stage cultivators among them.

If the gap in Realms was too great, Inner Sect Disciples wouldn’t even have the qualification to compete and would merely be tagging along.

However, with an additional thirteen True Disciples present, securing a spot among the top thirteen would be no easy task.

Although there was no gap in their Cultivation Realms, the difference between possessing a Spiritual Treasure and not was immense.

Every True Disciple possessed a Spiritual Treasure. Furthermore, with personal guidance from a Refining Void Ancestor and their Unique Divine Skills, their combat strength was on an entirely different level.

The Inner Sect Disciples aspiring for the first and second ranks looked ashen-faced. They had thought the Sect intended to bestow benefits upon the Inner Sect Disciples, only to realize these treasures were actually prepared for the True Disciples...