The Royal Spirit Boat was entirely purple-gold, shimmering with a cold luster under the sunlight, giving off an impression of invincibility.
Li Xun bit his fingertip, forcing out a drop of blood that he dripped onto the Royal Spirit Boat.
With a buzz, the Royal Spirit Boat absorbed the blood, and a mysterious wave spread out. Instantly, the previously palm-sized boat expanded in the wind, growing into a large ship nearly 35.8 meters long.
A flag fluttered at the bow, flapping vigorously in the breeze.
"Wow, it's this big?" Li Xun looked up at the Royal Spirit Boat floating above his courtyard, utterly stunned.
This was more of a warship than a boat.
He focused on the blank flag, and soon, it was adorned with the word "Li" in an elegant, powerful script.
"This is just right," Li Xun said with satisfaction.
With the Royal Spirit Boat, he wouldn't have to worry about exhausting himself while traveling.
This vessel was far more convenient than riding on a sword; a few spirit stones were enough to keep it going for a long time.
While others might fly with their swords, Li Xun could sit comfortably on his boat, meditating and cultivating without interruption.
'Even if I run into formidable enemies, I might not win the fight, but escaping won't be an issue.' Li Xun thought.
As a flying treasure, the Royal Spirit Boat's primary strength lay in its incredible speed; even the elders of Profound Sun Sect might struggle to catch up if he pushed it to its limits.
With a wave, Li Xun retracted the Royal Spirit Boat, returned to his room, and sat cross-legged on his mat.
He took out his identity token and pressed it to his forehead, quickly memorizing the contents of the Purple Sun Heaven technique.
Afterward, he retrieved a Spirit Opening Pill and swallowed it in one gulp.
He had been at the peak of the Qi Condensation Realm for two days, and it was time to make his breakthrough.
As the elixir dissolved in his stomach, it turned into a dense surge of spiritual energy that rushed up into his mind instead of spreading through his limbs.
"The Spirit Meridian Realm requires opening the Sea of Consciousness and awakening one's spiritual sense; it's one of the most critical steps on the path of cultivation..."
Li Xun closed his eyes, focusing intently.
According to the Purple Sun Heaven technique, he began to cultivate.
Booming sounds echoed, deafening yet only audible within his mind.
Li Xun felt as though an endless fog churned in his brain, a clouded, chaotic space. However, as the booming intensified, the fog rapidly dispersed, revealing a vast, clear expanse before him—his Sea of Consciousness.
He couldn't tell if only a moment had passed or if it had been much longer.
Li Xun felt his five senses sharpen to their peak, becoming incredibly keen.
Even with his eyes closed, he could perceive everything within a thousand-meter radius as if it were right before him.
His spiritual sense had finally been awakened—an essential trait of the Spirit Meridian Realm.
Li Xun knew he had succeeded in his breakthrough, but he didn't open his eyes yet; he continued to immerse himself in his cultivation.
Time flew by, and before he knew it, over twenty days had passed.
In his secluded courtyard, Li Xun, with black hair cascading like a waterfall, wielded his spear with practiced precision.
Each thrust seemed to pierce through the void, emitting an ear-piercing hum that would make even the bravest shudder.
After a long while, Li Xun stopped, standing tall with his spear in hand.
His eyes were deep, and his body radiated a golden glow, making him appear as a divine figure brimming with awe-inspiring power.
"In twenty-three days, after converting my True Essence to the Purple Sun Heaven technique, I've managed to cultivate the Golden Body Technique and Star Crushing Halberd Technique to minor completion."
Li Xun wasn't sure if his progress was fast or slow since he had no point of comparison.
Nonetheless, he reckoned that even if he wasn't the fastest among the other disciples of Profound Sun Sect, he certainly wasn't lagging behind.
"The Golden Body Technique truly lives up to its reputation as a high-grade Xuan level martial technique. It wasn't until yesterday that I finally reached minor completion. As for the Star Crushing Halberd Technique, give it some more time, and it should reach major completion. It's just a pity that I haven't grasped the legendary Spear Intent."
He glanced at the spear in his hand and shook his head slightly.
Although he was training in the Star Crushing Halberd Technique, he was using the Cloud Piercing Spear.
Even if he did comprehend an intent, he wasn't sure whether it would be Spear Intent or Halberd Intent.
Despite their similar appearances, the two weapons were vastly different in practice.
The spear was nimble but lacked raw power, whereas the halberd was the opposite—strong but less agile.
"Anyway, I've been training for almost a month; it's about time I completed a sect task."
The Profound Sun Sect required that each inner disciple complete at least one sect mission per month, totaling twelve annually.
Disciples could choose to complete these tasks all at once or spread them throughout the year, but skipping a task was not allowed.
Failing to meet the requirement led to punishment, though there were no rewards for exceeding it.
"Let's head to the Azure Cloud Hall and see if there's a suitable task. If there is, I'll take on a few; if not, I'll wait a while longer."
Li Xun put away his Cloud Piercing Spear, left his courtyard, and made his way swiftly toward the Azure Cloud Hall.
The hall was some distance away, and it took him more than an hour to arrive.
The hall was crowded with many disciples examining the tasks posted on the surrounding walls, each wall adorned with jade plaques displaying various mission details.
"Collect ten Lan Zhi Herbs. Requirements: minimum age of one hundred years. Time: ten days. Reward: three mid-grade spirit stones."
"Collect twenty Red Crystal Stones. Requirements: top-grade quality. Time: twenty days. Reward: twenty mid-grade spirit stones."
Li Xun inspected the plaques one by one, scanning through each task.
Unfortunately, none of them particularly caught his eye.
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