Walking through the workshop.
Inside and out, cultivators came and went, either alone or accompanied by small groups of three or five, chatting among themselves.
Chen Jichuan casually listened in.
The topic most frequently discussed was the ’Immortal Ascension Conference.’
The Fire Cloud Sect, Divine Banner Sect, and Seven Mysterious Sect, the three major sects, jointly presided over the Fire Cloud Cave. Centered around the workshop of Fire Cloud Cave, these three sects exerted influence over an area three thousand miles in radius.
Within this domain, most of the secret realms and spirit lands, large and small, were occupied by the three sects.
Among the secret realms, one called ’Tainan Valley’ was the most renowned within the Fire Cloud Cave’s territory.
Growing within it were rare spiritual medicines such as Yellow Dragon Grass, Immortal Clear Spirit Flower, Charming Fruit, and Thousand-Year Yellow Essence—all key ingredients for crafting the ’Immortal Ascension Pill.’
The Immortal Ascension Pill.
As the name implies, it grants a step toward immortality.
It is a Spirit Pill that assists Innate cultivators in advancing to the Qi Refining stage—precious beyond words for those who long for Qi Refining.
Chen Jichuan himself had endured the hardships of the Innate stage, so he understood the Innate cultivators’ yearning for the Qi Refining realm, as well as the difficulties of the advancement.
"A single Immortal Ascension Pill."
"Only offers a twenty-percent chance of advancing to Qi Refining, but for Innate cultivators, that is already a rare opportunity."
If supplemented with a ’Primordial Seed,’ the chance would rise to nearly fifty percent.
it is not only Innate cultivators who hunger for the Immortal Ascension Pill, but also the Qi Refining cultivators whose lifespan is nearing an end. They crave these pills to nurture new Qi Refining cultivators after their eventual demise, extending protection to their bloodlines, clans, and sects.
The materials for crafting the Immortal Ascension Pill are exceedingly rare.
Tainan Valley has many of them, and naturally becomes the object of covetous desire for numerous Loose Cultivators.
In the past, every opening of Tainan Valley sparked bloody feuds and battles. Additionally, extensive damage was done to the spiritual medicines within the valley, making them increasingly scarce.
Over a thousand years ago,
the three sects decided that it was better to channel and regulate than to block outright. Simultaneously, they sought to win over Loose Cultivators and hence agreed to open Tainan Valley every ten years. At such times, each sect would send ten Innate cultivators inside.
Moreover, they allocated thirty spots to Loose Cultivators, allowing them to enter Tainan Valley together.
Thirty slots for Loose Cultivators.
Half were auctioned off to Loose Cultivators in the Fire Dragon Cave territory.
The other half were determined through arena battles.
"You either need wealth beyond measure,"
"or fists strong enough,"
"otherwise there’s no chance at all."
Chen Jichuan shook his head.
Amid the thousands, perhaps tens of thousands of Loose Cultivators—some of whom had the backing of Qi Refining cultivators—achieving success through financial competition was, in truth, an incredibly difficult feat.
Furthermore, flaunting wealth easily attracts danger and may lead to one’s death.
Thankfully, combat in the arena remains an option.
Under rules prohibiting the use of Magical Treasures, talismans, and pills, it levels the playing field somewhat and can be considered fair.
But to stand out from the crowd is no less daunting—it’s akin to crossing a single-log bridge amidst an army of thousands.
Even thinking about it, Chen Jichuan found it challenging.
Yet, hearing the lively discussions all around the workshop stirred his curiosity.
During the arena battles for Tainan Valley’s slots, exceptional talents often emerged, drawing attention from many Qi Refining cultivators and even the three major sects. They would select disciples, pass on their legacies, or strengthen their sects.
Besides Tainan Valley and the Immortal Ascension Pill, this was another vital reason for Loose Cultivators to be devoted to the arena battles.
With a relaxed attitude, Chen Jichuan spent several days watching arena matches, studying how Innate cultivators fought and killed each other on the stage. It turned out to be quite interesting.
Without entering the Dao Fruit World, Chen Jichuan became entirely unoccupied.
His daily routine consisted of cultivation.
Each of them advanced rapidly.
In almost three years at Panlong Mountain, Chen Jichuan had maintained a balanced progression across all three paths.
His Qi Refining cultivation soared like bamboo shoots after the rain, reaching the Third Layer.
Life Dao, initially lagging behind, later caught up—its realm elevation in the Dao Fruit World pushed it further, now attaining Core Formation Third Layer, with progress so solid that it neared the Fourth Layer.
Xing Dao cultivation, however, remained steady without significant highs or lows.
By collecting various spiritual pills for nourishing the Divine Soul, coupled with his profoundly elevated realm, his Divine Soul grew exceptionally strong, surpassing ordinary standards.
The pace of his progress was by no means slow.
Yet, with a relatively short timeline, it remained in the Night Travel Second Layer—unable to catch up with the progress of Qi Refining and Life Dao.
When compared to the Dao Fruit World, his real-world progress in these three paths fell short of expectations.
"The gap between reality and Dao Fruit World grows ever wider."
Chen Jichuan found this to be fortunate.
The more advanced his cultivation in the Dao Fruit World, the higher his perspective, making his cultivation in reality smoother and less error-prone.
Moreover, as his cultivation level enhanced, his prowess in Magic, Alchemy, and Artifact Refining grew accordingly.
his high standards in Alchemy and Artifact Refining enabled him to earn substantial Spirit Stones, which he exchanged for various cultivation resources.
His deeper understanding of Magic techniques heightened his combat skills and secured advantages over cultivators of the same level, enhancing his ability to protect himself. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ novel•fire.net
Cultivation cannot be rushed.
With Life Dao already perfected to the Second-order in the Dao Fruit World, Chen Jichuan felt assured and more composed.
Watching the arena matches became a source of insights.
These Innate cultivators fought desperately for mere eligibility to enter Tainan Valley.
Victory in the arena.
Entry into Tainan Valley.
Discovery of spiritual medicines.
Creation of the Immortal Ascension Pill.
Consuming the Immortal Ascension Pill.
Only after enduring all these struggles could they grasp a twenty-percent chance of advancing to Qi Refining.
When compared to them,
Chen Jichuan had already secured the chance to enter the Second-order. Or rather, the gateway to the Second-order was already within his home. All he needed was to safely mature to the appropriate age to step through this gate and ascend to the Second-order.