This is the greatest conditional restriction of the five-hundred-year grand competition!
As for Luo Chen’s speculation about entering the state of Nascent Soul and the affinity with the inherent nature of the world, these are merely minor considerations.
"No wonder in legends and storybooks, Great Sects often let their disciples and sect members explore when encountering unknown Secret Realms. If by chance they encounter such a realm with uncertain time flow, high-order cultivators, who naturally have limited lifespan, might instantly age and die upon exiting, which is truly terrifying."
"However, this makes Fu Chaosheng’s actions exceedingly excessive!"
Luo Chen felt furious in his heart for Fu Chaosheng not disclosing the secrets of the Cave Heaven in advance.
Or rather, when Fu Qinglan disclosed the discovery of different time flows, he lost his composure, which was rare. The sudden eruption of terrifying aura rendered the other speechless with fear. It was partly for this reason he didn’t join the hunt for illusion beasts this time.
How many hundreds of years does one have in a lifetime!
In his entire life, Luo Chen had cultivated for merely two hundred years. If he had known a hundred years would be spent in the Mirage Dragon Cave Heaven, no matter the conditions Fu Chaosheng offered, he would never have agreed to this cooperation.
"I wonder if the other protectors are aware of this information, or if they knowingly proceed despite the dangers."
"But from my perspective, it now seems that the various benefits Fu Chaosheng provided before actually marked the cost early on, which is these hundred years of lifespan!"
"In my carelessness, I’ve suffered a huge silent loss!"
Luo Chen took a deep breath and found a stone to sit on.
First, he activated the "Dust Origin Technique" to calm himself down.
Then he began pondering carefully.
Initially, the potential loss of a hundred years of lifespan, although infuriating, was something Luo Chen could bear.
His lifespan already far exceeded his peers. When he advanced to Nascent Soul, he reached a lifespan of fifteen hundred years in one go!
Though it no longer increases with minor realm upgrades, capped strictly at fifteen hundred years.
But fifteen hundred years far exceeded the typical Nascent Soul’s lifespan limit of a thousand years.
a few centuries were still bearable for him.
Moreover, it didn’t necessarily mean he would lose that much, as long as he could acquire enough illusion cores to help Fu Qinglan comprehend the laws early, he could exit sooner...
Thinking about it, Luo Chen’s calm demeanor turned violent again!
Fu Chaosheng didn’t disclose it before, so why should he exhaust himself for Fu Qinglan’s matter?
This anger was not just because of Fu Chaosheng’s concealment, but also because of his own "arrogance."
Ever since he embarked on the path of cultivation.
He initially respected sect cultivators for their powerful backing and formidable strength.
But as his strength increased, he no longer feared these things.
In contrast, he began to scorn these sect cultivators nurtured in a greenhouse.
Especially the inferior temperament of the younger generation of the Tianyuan Daoist Sect, which intensified his contempt.
But now, reality dealt him a heavy blow.
The younger generation may not be deeply scheming, but the older generation of sect cultivators are shrewd; how could he gain significant advantage over them?
"In the future, dealing with these old fellows requires careful consideration, weighing the pros and cons."
After calming down, Luo Chen analyzed what he had given and compared it to what Fu Chaosheng had offered, finding that the latter had indeed calculated everything to perfection.
If he put in enough effort to help Fu Qinglan comprehend the laws early and leave the Mirage Dragon Cave Heaven, he would at most lose several decades of lifespan.
The abundant soul essence, Dried Origin Fire Marrow, elixirs, the prestigious position of External Affairs Guest Elder at Heaven and Earth Peak, alongside the manpower and resources provided by the Tianyuan Business Alliance... these benefits collectively were roughly equivalent to hiring a Nascent Soul True Master for decades of work. Googlᴇ search ɴovᴇl_Firᴇ.ɴet
If Luo Chen were to do those things himself, collecting those resources would take about the same amount of time, perhaps even more effort, or encountering additional unexpected issues.
"Forget it, I’ll argue with that old thing after I get out!"
Luo Chen exhaled a mouthful of turbid Qi, continuing his previous train of thought.
Since you’re here, you might as well adapt!
He could not let several decades of prime years go to waste without good reason.
This land had scattered Spirit Qi, unsuitable for Qi Refinement cultivation.
Furthermore, needing to guard Fu Qinglan prevented him from releasing his Nascent Soul main self as freely as the other, lacking Divine Fusion with the World to attempt comprehending the laws.
The thought of having to protect that naive and pure woman made Luo Chen feel a distasteful frustration akin to swallowing a fly yet being unable to spit it out.
He shook his head violently, forcefully repressing his inner repulsion.
"While greatly advancing in realms is challenging, minor adjustments are feasible, and reaching Nascent Soul Second Layer is just around the corner."
"During the remaining time, I shall focus more on myself."
"The fourth-order techniques Fire Phoenix Scorches the Plain and Descending Flame Dragon should also have their proficiency improved."
The Mirage Dragon Cave Heaven spanned an immense area, making it exceedingly convenient to cultivate here.
And not just with techniques!
The transformation of Prosperity and Decline True Fire, with the availability of the Tianji Pill, Luo Chen could take the final step anytime he wished.
Furthermore, refining the White Tiger Puppet, and the prohibition refinements of the Penglai Octagon Pavilion...
Concluding his thoughts, Luo Chen even turned his attention to the "Soul Cleaving Technique"!
His main soul had reached its current realm’s limit, making it fully possible to form another divided soul.
Years ago, Han Zhan had started cultivating the "Soul Cleaving Technique" at the Foundation Establishment Stage, reinforced his Divine Soul endowment during the Golden Core period, and in just a hundred years after forming his Nascent Soul, possessed nine great divided souls.
Luo Chen, with the assistance of a wondrous divine soul pill like the Great Soul Pill, had a chance to achieve that as well!
Under unavoidable circumstances, Luo Chen mapped out his upcoming action plan.
Life is such that you inevitably suffer some losses inadvertently, but living must go on.
Not just move on, but live even better, to make those who deceived him take notice, regret, and even pay the price!
"Here, this is the third illusion core."
A fourth-order illusion core was thrown before him, hurriedly caught by Fu Qinglan.
Wanting to say something, the person assumed a demeanor of unfriendliness, activating a protective array.
Blocked outside the array, Fu Qinglan opened her mouth, revealing a wry smile.
As expected, after disclosing the greatest secret of differing time flows, this outcome should have been anticipated.
But what could she do?
The Fu Family had been in decline for a long time, unable to cultivate a dedicated servant of appropriate realm. Hiring a Nascent Soul True Master externally presented challenges not just in conditions but also in capability, which totally couldn’t match Luo Chen.
Her grandfather hiding this from Luo Chen and luring him in was also an act of desperation.
Currently, him still willing to hunt illusion cores for her was an act of great integrity.
One could only say her grandfather did not misjudge the person.
The only consequence was the familiarity between her and him, built with difficulty previously, now became strained again.
"Fine, I can only strive to comprehend the true intent of the laws early and let him leave this cage as soon as possible."
Fu Qinglan grasped the illusion core with a wry smile and entered the simple Cave Mansion.