Parting Here, Until We Meet Again

When Xiao Chen first arrived in the Eastern Domain two years ago, he was trying to evade the pursuit of the Three Great Families of Nether Sky Sea.

He specifically purchased and practiced a secret technique called the "Profound Sect Harmonious Modulation Secret Art".

Its main function is to conceal the detection of Divine Sense.

Although this thing was basically of no use after he safely arrived at Hundred Herbs Island.

However, Xiao Chen did not slack off because of this, and would meditate on it whenever he had free time.

Now, I have progressed from Initial Glimpse to someone who has achieved Slight Accomplishment in my cultivation.

Now, not only can they conceal themselves, but they can also form a special layer of Divine Sense around themselves, like an umbrella or a screen, to interfere with and deceive the Spiritual Sense Probe of others.

Unless it's a particularly loud commotion, it can be completely concealed.

Of course, the original Secret Method had very limited effects and certainly couldn't conceal the obvious fluctuations in Spiritual Power.

Fortunately, Xiao Chen has Hextech Buff. Whether he can fool Fourth-Order Cultivator is uncertain, but it's not difficult for him to avoid being discovered by the patrolling Golden Body Arhat.

"Daoist Xiao, isn't it inappropriate for us to just walk over there like this?"

Zhang Shouquan hesitated for a moment. "They're watching right now, should we wait until they've gone a little further away?"

Xiao Chen gave him a reassuring look. "Don't worry, we're underwater now."

"Looking down from above, he could only see a dark abyss of seawater; he couldn't see the two of us at all."

"Uh..." Zhang Shouquan hesitated, then finally nodded. "Alright then."

Judging from his observation, the Secret Method Xiao Chen used didn't seem very sophisticated at all; it was at most around the Xuan level.

However, considering the other party's identity as Hidden Dao Heritage Successor...

Zhang Shouquan felt that he must have simply misread it due to poor eyesight.

Even though the two of them passed safely beneath the Patrolling Arhat, he was still filled with doubt and confusion.

Is this even allowed?

This seemingly unreliable secret technique actually helped them successfully bypass the patrols.

For a moment, Zhang Shouquan felt a mix of emotions.

This situation was completely contrary to his usual experience, yet it actually happened.

That's so strange!

"Daoist Xiao, this is the place."

There was no time to think about these things. Zhang Shouquan quickly whispered a reminder: "The area ahead is within the influence range of the Zhao Bo Ning Hua Powder. We can't get any closer."

He took a small step forward and took a deep breath.

He then took out a Compass- shaped Spirit Artifact: "Next, I'm going to start Break Formation."

After saying that, he turned to look at Xiao Chen.

The two stood there, staring at each other.

One breath, two breaths, three breaths...

Neither of them moved; they just stared at each other blankly.

"Uh... what's wrong?"

Xiao Chen felt uneasy being stared at like that, so he broke the silence. "Is there anything I can help you with?"

"Oh, I understand."

"You're using a unique method, and you don't want others to see how you do it, right?"

"You can just tell me directly. I'll turn away right now and promise not to steal anything."

Hmph, that same old clingy mentality again, a bunch of stingy people.

If you don't want to watch it, then don't.

Anyway, Xiao Chen didn't expect to steal other people's Secret Method through this method.

It has nothing to do with whether he can learn it or not; the main thing is that he disdains doing such sneaky things.

"No, no, no, Daoist Xiao, you've misunderstood."

Zhang Shouquan quickly waved his hand and explained, "I'm just a rogue cultivator, without a master or sect, so how could I possibly have those rules and regulations?"

He actually cares about his Secret Method, but he's not worried that someone will be able to learn it at a glance.

If you could learn a skill simply by watching, wouldn't everyone be Formation Master?

To put it another way, if we really encounter such a genius, then we'll accept it.

"What I mean is, we're about to start Break Formation. This process will inevitably generate some fluctuations in Spiritual Power."

Zhang Shouquan reminded him, "That's why I'm mentioning it in advance, so that Daoist Xiao can also make preparations."

Xiao Chen nodded. "I see, that's easy to explain."

"Just tell me, how should I prepare?"

Zhang Shouquan was stunned. "Huh?"

How to prepare?

How did he know how to prepare to Block Spiritual Sense?

"Oh, I understand now, I really understand this time."

Seeing his puzzled expression, Xiao Chen immediately understood. "Daoist Zhang, don't worry, just start Break Formation."

"Don't worry, as long as the fluctuations in Spiritual Power can be controlled within one zhang (approximately 3.3 meters)."

"I promise not a word of it will get out."

Hearing his confident assurances, Zhang Shouquan's pupils widened slightly.

Perhaps for ordinary cultivators, only the effects of Law Technique matter.

But for him, all he felt right now was a complete blank in his mind.

You mean, simply unfolding a layer of Divine Sense like this can not only conceal one's aura but also mask fluctuations of Spiritual Power?

Zhang Shouquan was completely shocked. Was it true?

How exactly did they manage to do that?

To be honest, he also wanted to master such a powerful secret technique.

In the Cultivation World, where people are used to using their Spiritual Sense Probe their environment, the ability to evade the Spiritual Sense Probe would be incredibly useful.

Unfortunately, the two are not very familiar with each other right now.

So Zhang Shouquan considered it for a moment and ultimately didn't bring it up.

He's currently busy with his breakthrough and is short on funds, so he doesn't have any extra spiritual items to exchange for.

As for Spirit Stone, he didn't think that Xiao Chen, who spent money like water, would lack that.

After clearing up the misunderstanding, Zhang Shouquan no longer hesitated and immediately focused on Break Formation.

It must be said that he does have unique insights into array formations.

As tiny runes floated from his fingertips, they quickly formed a simple array on the spot.

Then came the second, the third... nested layer upon layer, forming an extremely intricate and precise array on the spot using true essence.

This left Xiao Chen, who was watching from the sidelines, speechless.

No wonder he's not afraid of being seen by others; very few people can learn his True Essence Transformation Array technique alone.

Not to mention simultaneously activating several thousand runes; even watching it a hundred times wouldn't be enough to learn that.

But it doesn't matter; the stronger Zhang Shouquan's skill in formations, the easier it will be for them to sneak in.

Everything went smoothly along the way.

Therefore, it only took a little over two quarters of an hour for Zhang Shouquan to voluntarily dispel the talisman array.

Then they immediately set to work and made two small Formation Flag on the spot.

"Here, Daoist Xiao, take this and we can go straight in."

Zhang Shouquan handed over one of the Formation Flag, a hint of smugness appearing in his eyes.

After all, this is his area of expertise.

The two carried the Formation Flag and crossed the vicinity of the buoy without any hindrance, without arousing the suspicion of the Arhat above.

They then continued along the seabed until they arrived at the bottom of a Desolate Island that was not marked on the map.

Xiao Chen found it increasingly strange as he walked. According to his memory, this was the Desolate Island where Zhi Yi Cave was located.

Even more outrageous is what happens after reaching the bottom.

Zhang Shouquan actually took out another Compass and then, feeling around on the seabed, found a depression.

Then, they placed the Compass into the depression, which surprisingly opened up an underwater passage leading directly into the interior of the island!

His movements were remarkably fluid, as if he were simply going home.

It wasn't until they entered the narrow passage, turned left and right, and finally emerged from it to reach a cave.

Zhang Shouquan stopped walking, as if he had suddenly remembered something important.

Turning back to Xiao Chen, he said, "Oh dear, Daoist Xiao, we can't go any further!"

"There's something very important that I completely forgot about before, but I suddenly remembered it after getting here."

"To prevent the spiritual object from being taken by others, Great Xuan Emperor specially set up a trap."

He pointed to the empty cave ahead. "Don't be fooled by the fact that there seems to be nothing there."

"In fact, the entire cave is filled with Sha Qi accumulated over hundreds of thousands of years."

"Oh, by the way. With Daoist Xiao's status, you should be quite familiar with Sha Qi, right?"

Zhang Shouquan wasn't actually telling the truth; he deliberately waited until this point to mention the Sha Qi.

Now, he stands on the edge of Sha Qi.

If Xiao Chen wanted to turn hostile, he could simply hide inside and use this natural barrier to block the other party's pursuit.

But in order to avoid a complete breakdown in relations...

This was also to prevent Xiao Chen from being accidentally injured by the Sha Qi, which could lead to a direct enmity between the two.

So Zhang Shouquan lied and said he had forgotten about it, and kindly reminded him.

Therefore, if Xiao Chen didn't want to get hurt, he would have no choice but to stay outside.

More importantly, he left himself a way out by doing this.

If one were to directly use the Sha Qi to turn against someone.

Just in case, although the possibility is not very high, just in case Xiao Chen, as the Hidden Dao Heritage Successor, has some secret technique that can resist Sha Qi.

Wouldn't that mean he'd driven himself to a dead end?

But now that they're proactively reminding us, that's a different story.

If Xiao Chen is truly unafraid of Sha Qi, Zhang Shouquan simply has a bad memory, but he has already made amends in time.

Everyone can still go in together to search for treasure in a peaceful manner, as if nothing had happened.

Having appropriate strategies for both advancing and retreating is the way for independent cultivators to survive.

"Such a thing actually happened?"

Xiao Chen forced a surprised expression. "There's actually Sha Qi in this cave, that's really... quite unexpected."

"However, I do know a little about Sha Qi, I have some understanding of it."

He extended his index finger and thumb, leaving only a thin line between them, indicating that he didn't know much.

After all, one's Sha Qi is one of the more important secrets one possesses, so it's best not to flaunt it.

If this gets leaked, another manhunt similar to the one issued by the Nether Sky Sea might occur.

However, these words startled Zhang Shouquan.

He quickly confirmed, "Oh, I see. Then it seems I don't need to explain any further."

"However, the celestial treasures are hidden at the bottom of the cave. We need to go inside to find them, and we must pass through the Sha Qi."

"But I only have one Sars Repelling Item... I wonder if Daoist Xiao has any way to deal with this?"

"Or perhaps, fellow Daoist, please wait here a moment while I go down and fetch the items, and then we can divide them?"

However, under Zhang Shouquan's expectant gaze, Xiao Chen shook his head. "Hey, no need for that."

"It's quite a coincidence, actually. I happened to have learned a Sars Repelling Method before, which I can use to protect myself."

"Let's go down and take a look together."

Strictly speaking, he did indeed possess a book on Sars Repelling Method, the one he had just seized from the New Ruin.

In addition, Xiao Chen noticed that Zhang Shouquan mentioned the spiritual objects of the 'Immortal Dynasty'.

He immediately remembered that the other person had gone in another direction in the New Ruin.

It seems that the relevant clues about the spiritual object were most likely obtained from there.

Unexpectedly, the Great Xuan Immortal Dynasty, like the Moon Witch Tribe, likes to use Sha Qi as a natural trap to prevent outsiders from entering at will.

Or is this a common practice among High Antiquity powers?

In short, given this situation, the spiritual objects stored below must be extraordinary.

Otherwise, why would we go to such lengths?

Thinking of this, Xiao Chen couldn't help but feel a little anticipation for what good things were down there.

"Oh, great! That's wonderful! Let's go down and take a look together."

Zhang Shouquan wore a smile, seemingly very happy for Xiao Chen.

At the same time, I secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, he didn't try to use his Sha Qi to turn against them, otherwise he would have suffered a great loss.

It's pitiful that Zhang Shouquan, being a rogue cultivator, only just learned what Sha Qi was inside the New Ruin.

It turned out that Xiao Chen had already cultivated the relevant defensive techniques.

Alas, otherwise why would disciples of powerful factions often find it easier to survive in the Cultivation World?

The difference is truly enormous.

Zhang Shouquan finally truly understood the saying, "Comparing people is deadly, comparing goods is worth throwing away."

It's incomparable, completely incomparable.

Despite the overwhelming emotions within him, he remained outwardly calm and composed.

The two of them joined hands and descended through the cave to the very bottom of the island.

Now that things had come to this, Zhang Shouquan gave up on any tricks and directly took out a seal, activating it with his true essence and casting it into the air.

"Rumble rumble rumble~!"

Immediately, a scraping sound rang out, followed by the ground churning and churning to both sides.

A square platform rose up in the middle.

On the high platform, there was a long table with a huge square box on it.

"Go!"

Zhang Shouquan pointed, and the seal in mid-air landed directly on the box.

"Click! Click!"

Immediately, a mechanism clicked, and then the box opened directly from the center, spreading out in all directions.

Each side has a different item on it.

Interestingly, the number of items placed on all four sides follows a pattern.

They consist of a Inheritance Jade Slip, two Ink Black Iron Token, three Five-Colored Strange Stone, and four pieces of Lucid Treasure Jade.

"The map is indeed real!"

When Zhang Shouquan saw that the magical object had actually appeared, he was overjoyed.

His gaze immediately fell on the only Inheritance Jade Slip.

However, Xiao Chen was immediately drawn to the Lucid Treasure Jade on the other side.

The four precious jade pieces were as transparent as crystal, almost pure and without any Impurities.

However, upon closer inspection, one can vaguely see that there are nine places that appear to be slightly lit, arranged in a manner Gou Chen Nine Stars of the night sky.

It is the legendary, extremely rare Nine Aperture Lucid Jade!

This was also the last thing Xiao Chen was missing when he wanted to set up the Infant Nurturing Altar.

It wasn't found in the New Ruin before, nor in my Storage Ring.

He simply didn't know where to start looking now.

Unexpectedly, this trip, which was originally intended to search for Sha Qi, turned out to lead to the encounter with such a spiritual object.

It's truly a case of "searching high and low without finding it, only to have it come to you effortlessly."

"Daoist Xiao, since the spiritual item is real, how about we split it in half?"

Zhang Shouquan refocused his attention and began discussing the allocation plan.

He was actually a little worried that Xiao Chen might try to take it by force.

After all, in the Cultivation World, even the closest friends can turn against each other for the sake of possessing precious spiritual items.

"Okay, since we came together, let's split it equally."

However, Xiao Chen did not do that. Instead, he took the initiative to pick up two pieces of Nine Aperture Lucid Jade: "Then let's start by dividing the pairs. These two are for me, and the remaining two are for Daoist Zhang."

Then he picked up a Ink Black Iron Token: "This one is the same."

Seeing this, Zhang Shouquan also put away his share.

The two then looked at the remaining four items and fell silent for a moment.

Those three Five-Colored Strange Stone looked full of Spiritual Power and must be some kind of rare Strange Stone.

If considered on its own, it could be considered a rare spiritual object.

However, compared to the Inheritance Jade Slip, it seems difficult to assess their value.

"Daoist Xiao!"

After thinking for Zhang Shouquan decided to be frank and say, "This Inheritance Jade Slip is extremely important to me."

"I'll take the Jade Slip here, and you can have the Strange Stone stone over there. How about we each take one?"

Xiao Chen now understands that there are no Yellow-grade Technique in similar Inheritance Jade Slip, not even a Mysterious-grade techniques.

So he readily took the Strange Stone and nodded in agreement. "No problem, it's settled then."

Zhang Shouquan immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

Great, he finally got what was most important to him.

You should know that all independent cultivators face the same problem.

That means there are no systematic Cultivation Method, let alone Heaven-Grade Technique.

Under normal circumstances, one would have to sell oneself to those powerful forces and work hard for decades or even centuries to gain their recognition and be allowed to cultivate the most core Heaven-Grade Inheritance.

Now that he has directly obtained the Inheritance Jade Slip, he can cultivate all the way to the Nascent Soul Great Perfection without worrying about having no way forward.

He made a killing on this trade.

Xiao Chen was also very pleased, as this was a suggestion made by the other party on their own initiative.

They traded useless Cultivation Method for useful spiritual items.

He made a killing on this trade.

For a moment, both of them were very happy.

So they politely returned to the cave entrance and said their goodbyes.

"Take care, Fellow Daoist Xiao. Farewell."

"Take care, Fellow Daoist Zhang. Until we meet again."

After exchanging greetings with clasped hands, the two parted ways, one going east and the other west.

Of course, Zhang Shouquan meant goodbye.

If possible, he hopes the two of them will never meet again.

Xiao Chen said, "We'll meet again someday."

He still looks forward to meeting Zhang Shouquan again if given the chance in the future.

However, he did not actually leave. After pretending to walk west, he circled around and returned to the island.

After all, there's still Sha Qi to collect; we can't just leave like this.

We returned to the cave along the passage.

This time, Xiao Chen had no more scruples and directly activated the <Profound Heaven Ingestion Secret Method> to begin devouring the Earth Sars within the cave.

The only thing that disappointed him was that the cave was quite deep and not narrow.

Even the bottom is relatively wide.

Therefore, the Sha Qi inside the cave was not dense, and it was almost evenly distributed throughout the entire cave.

This was almost the sparsest Sha Qi Xiao Chen had ever encountered, aside from the first time he saw the Heavenly Flame Fiend.

Therefore, his absorption efficiency was naturally greatly affected.

"Hiss~, I'm still pressed against the wall, that's so tiring!"

During the absorption process, Xiao Chen discovered that a lot of the Sha Qi was right next to the cave Rock Wall.

It almost blends into the rock and soil.

Only after he has absorbed Sha Qi outside will it slowly drift out to fill the void.

Therefore, in order to improve absorption efficiency, Xiao Chen had to run back and forth from top to bottom.

It absorbs the Sha Qi Sha Qi emanating from above one moment and from below the next.

This cycle repeated itself every three days, and after a total of ten rounds, a brand new Yang Earth Seal was finally successfully condensed in the dantian.

Just like before, at the moment the Yang Earth Seal successfully condensed.

It overlaps with the Yin Earth Seal, together forming a complete and mysterious mark.

It seems to possess both the abundance of the earth and the weight of the mountains, yet also faintly reveals endless shifting sands.

"Phew~, another half- Nascent Soul Formation success rate."

Xiao Chen used his Divine Sense Scan and couldn't help but smile upon seeing the result, "Now we've gathered four pairs, accumulating a total of 20% success rate in Nascent Soul Formation."

In other words, it's almost equivalent to him having learned an extra breakthrough technique.

"It's a pity we're still missing the last type of Yang Water Sars, otherwise we could have gathered Five Elements Sars and condensed the Yang Five Elements Seal."

Seeing that only the Yin Water Seal remained alone in his dantian, Xiao Chen couldn't help but sigh.

You should know that when he first came to the Eastern Domain, he was full of confidence.

They believed that the Eastern Domain had no shortage of water, therefore, the Yang Water Sars should be the easiest type of Sha Qi to collect.

To my utter surprise, it turned out to be the most difficult one.

Now that the other nine types of Sha Qi are all present, the only one missing is the Yang Water Sars.

"Hey, where have you been hiding? Stop hiding!"

Xiao Chen muttered something under his breath, then got up and took out the Xin Metal Treasure Gourd to continue collecting the remaining Sha Qi.

Don't be fooled by the sparse presence of Sha Qi here; in fact, most of it is hidden within the Rock Wall.

Even though it has absorbed a lot, it is still constantly drilling out.

Since that's the case, Xiao Chen naturally wouldn't waste it.

Firstly, although he doesn't need it now, he can keep it for future use.

It might come in very handy in the future.

Secondly, he didn't want to leave the remaining Sha Qi here for the Sea Race to use.

It should be noted that Xiao Chen was able to get here because of intelligence from the Sea Race.

If he doesn't take the remaining Sha Qi with him, it might end up being taken by another traitor or even by the Sea Race in the future.

That could very well lead to another disaster.

Perhaps Xiao Chen should stay here a few more days and eliminate this potential threat.

Perhaps because of his actions, he could save the lives of many ordinary cultivators in the future.