Xiao Chen was taken aback. A treasure map inscribed with tadpole-like characters was bound to be extraordinary. After a brief contemplation, he spoke calmly, "Indeed, I can decipher some of these characters. Are you proposing we venture together to explore this ancient cultivator's cave?"
"Exactly. My cultivation is insufficient to claim the treasures alone. If you join me, Senior, I only ask for a modest share of the rewards," Chu Kuang said, his pale face betraying his anxiety, but his determination remained firm.
Xiao Chen pondered for a moment before replying, "Give me some time to consider. If you agree, meet me here in five months. I'll give you an answer then."
"Of course. In five months, I will await your arrival here," Chu Kuang said, a trace of excitement flashing in his eyes.
Xiao Chen gave a slight nod before flying off into the distance.
As Xiao Chen's figure disappeared, Chu Kuang's expression shifted unpredictably. "This man wields divine sense attacks. He's likely at the Foundation Establishment stage. With him, alongside two Qi Refinement cultivators at the eighth level, it should be enough... Demon Lord…" His mutterings trailed off until they became inaudible.
After lingering for some time, Chu Kuang mounted his light beam and left.
After scanning his surroundings with his divine sense to ensure he wasn't being followed, Xiao Chen descended into a forest. He quickly removed his black robe, storing it in his spatial pouch, and flew toward the medicine garden.
With a series of hand seals, the mist surrounding the valley parted, revealing a path. Xiao Chen entered, and the mist closed behind him.
He carefully inspected the area and, seeing that the fallen leaves on the ground remained undisturbed, nodded in satisfaction. It appeared that no one had entered the valley during his absence.
Though tempted to set up defensive formations, Xiao Chen decided against it. As a mere registered disciple, drawing too much attention to his activities outside the valley would only invite suspicion.
Inside the medicine garden within the mountain, Xiao Chen retrieved a restorative Nourishing Spirit Pill from his pouch and swallowed it. He then sat cross-legged and began meditating.
Every hour, he opened his eyes to consume another pill before continuing his meditation.
After five hours and several doses of medicinal pills, Xiao Chen's depleted divine sense had fully recovered. This indulgence was only possible because of his abundant pill supply; others would require three to five days of meditation to achieve the same results.
"A treasure cave recorded in tadpole script… Heh, it's unlikely to be straightforward. In five months, I might already be at the Foundation Establishment stage. Whether I go or not will depend on the circumstances. For now, my priority is mastering the Great Nirvana Hand. It could become a vital life-saving technique."
The encounter earlier had highlighted Xiao Chen's weaknesses. If not for intimidating Chu Kuang with his aura, he might have faced a life-and-death struggle.
Taking out the incomplete Great Nirvana Hand scroll, Xiao Chen examined its texture. Neither silk nor paper, the material felt smooth yet indestructible under his grip, a testament to the miraculous techniques of ancient cultivators.
Unrolling the scroll, Xiao Chen immersed his mind in its contents. Two hours later, he lifted his head, a pleased expression on his face.
Though incomplete, the Great Nirvana Hand contained profound techniques. If fully mastered, Xiao Chen believed he could hold his own against an early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator and retreat from a mid-stage one. Against late-stage or perfected Foundation Establishment opponents, avoidance would be the only option.
After meticulously analyzing the techniques to ensure no errors, Xiao Chen began practicing the first form.
Days later, in a forest more than 300 miles from Falling Cloud Valley:
"Devouring Heaven Finger!"
Xiao Chen's expression was focused as he shouted. Spiritual energy surged through his body, flowing into his arm and circulating along several meridians. A dangerous aura emanated from him as his left hand extended a single finger skyward. Black energy erupted from his fingertip, sharp and domineering like a sword pointing to the heavens.
"Go!"
A beam of black light shot forth. The sheer destructive force distorted the surrounding air. With a muffled boom, a ten-foot boulder shattered into fragments, scattering debris and breaking several ancient trees nearby. The attack's might was terrifying.
Pale-faced, Xiao Chen retrieved a few Spirit Gathering Pills from his pouch and swallowed them. As the pill's effects took hold, his complexion improved.
"Devouring Heaven Finger depletes nearly half my spiritual energy. If faced with a life-or-death situation, I could unleash a double strike. The combined power might rival a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator's attack. However, doing so would leave me completely drained and vulnerable. I must reserve this move for critical moments."
Half a day later, a streak of green light shot out of the forest, heading rapidly toward Falling Cloud Valley.
Xiao Chen had achieved initial mastery of the Devouring Heaven Finger, the first stage of the Great Nirvana Hand. Advancing to the second stage, Cloud Covering Rain, would require cultivation at the Golden Core stage. As for the third stage, Rending Heaven and Earth, it remained incomplete. It seemed that the second stage marked the technique's peak.
Returning to Falling Cloud Valley, Xiao Chen devoted himself to meditation and pill consumption, aiming to reach Foundation Establishment.
In the cultivation world, most cultivators with spiritual roots of moderate quality could achieve Foundation Establishment at the eighth level of Qi Refinement by consuming Foundation Establishment Pills. Xiao Chen, however, was acutely aware of his limitations. Born without spiritual roots, he had advanced to the seventh level of Qi Refinement by consuming massive amounts of pills. Foundation Establishment would be far more challenging for him.
Thus, Xiao Chen resolved not to attempt Foundation Establishment at the eighth level. Instead, he aimed to reach the rare tenth level of Qi Refinement.
For most cultivators, reaching the ninth level was already exceptional, and the tenth level was considered mythical—unseen for over a millennium.
Xiao Chen's goal was precisely this: the legendary tenth level.
Pills, meditation, pills, meditation.
Xiao Chen's life became monotonous but intensely productive. Aside from occasionally pausing to refine more pills, he never left his meditation mat.
This relentless focus yielded astonishing results.
From the eighth to the ninth level: one month.
From the ninth to the tenth level: two months.
In just three and a half months, Xiao Chen advanced from the seventh to the tenth level of Qi Refinement. Such a rapid pace, if made public, would shock the entire cultivation world.