Spirit Root Upgrade

The main cultivation technique he practiced, the [Divine Treasure Canghai Technique], was no common fare but a rare superior-grade technique from the sect.

A water-attribute cultivation method.

Divine Treasure refers to the five viscera of the human body: heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys.

It transforms the spiritual power within the body into a vast ocean, using the dantian as the source. The five elements cycle, starting from the kidney water, ending at the lung metal, then returning to kidney water, converting into pure spiritual power that is absorbed into the dantian.

When cultivated to a profound level, the five viscera generate Endless Vitality, spiritual power flows without end, the rotation of power is like a vast ocean, and the dantian is vast and deep like an abyss.

It was said that cultivators who mastered the [Divine Treasure Canghai Technique] possessed spiritual power far exceeding those of the same rank, surging and roaring like a boundless ocean, allowing them to overwhelm opponents across levels.

This was a gift Master Yan gave him when they parted ways back then.

A superior-grade technique rarely leaked from Qingyun Sect.

Although it only contained the Qi Refining Chapter, it was still enough for him to cultivate.

However, limited by his spirit root aptitude, Qi Refining Level 3 was already the peak of his cultivation.

Today, Shen Xuan felt a faint stirring.

In the training room.

The Mysterious Jade Talisman emitted a golden light, enveloping the juvenile Mysterious Water Turtle within it.

After the golden light receded, Shen Xuan's body trembled slightly.

Countless tiny golden characters formed insights into various techniques, surging into his Sea of Consciousness.

In an instant.

Shen Xuan felt as if he had returned to the primordial chaos when heaven and earth first parted.

He transformed into a nameless giant turtle, concealing its aura, immersed in the vast ocean, rising and falling with the waves.

He could perceive the rhythm of every drop of seawater, standing unmoving, silent as a mountain.

As if with just a slight movement of his Divine Sense, he could merge into the ocean, leaving no trace or form.

It seemed like a single moment.

Yet also like an eternity of ages.

Shen Xuan closed his eyes, his brows slightly furrowed, his consciousness rising and falling with the nameless giant turtle amidst the waves in that primordial chaos.

Yet insights continuously arose in his heart.

"It's said that the Mysterious Water Turtle carries a trace of the bloodline of the Xuanwu Divine Beast. Many low-grade Monster Beasts possess Divine Beast bloodlines. If they cultivate successfully and awaken that bloodline, they can gain all sorts of incredible innate talents."

"I have the Mysterious Jade Talisman, which can plunder the bloodline talents of Monster Beasts. The [Breath Concealment Technique] is a legacy hidden within the bloodline of the Mysterious Water Turtle."

Shen Xuan's heart was wild with joy.

The [Breath Concealment Technique] legacy he had plundered originated from the Mysterious Water Turtle's Divine Beast bloodline, profound and mysterious.

Shen Xuan slowly opened his eyes.

His Divine Sense stirred slightly.

His entire aura converged, as if he had transformed into a calm lake, with not a trace of energy leaking out.

Unless someone approached closely, they would be completely unable to detect his presence.

This effect was far stronger than his High-grade Breath Concealing Talisman.

He looked again at the Mysterious Jade Talisman.

[Talent: Breath Concealment Beginner (2/100)]

[Dao Rhyme: 40]

[Breath Concealment Technique: Minor Success (8/800)]

As he had expected, not only had the experience for the [Breath Concealment Technique] broken through, but he had also gained a [Breath Concealment] talent derived from the Mysterious Water Turtle.

However, an even more unexpected surprise lay ahead.

[Spirit Root: Water 9/100]

His Water Spirit Root Aptitude had increased by one point!

This nearly moved him to tears of old age!

It hadn't been easy!

Sixty years—he had waited a full sixty years!

He had finally found a way to break through the deadlock of his Inferior Spirit Root.

For over forty years, he had suffered several nightmares every year.

"Shen Xuan, Inferior Spirit Root!"

That cold voice had relentlessly hammered at his Dao heart.

Just as his Dao heart was about to shatter, and he resigned himself to marrying at sixty, his Golden Finger had finally arrived!

The [Breath Concealment] talent was certainly important, but improving his spirit root aptitude was the greatest effect of the Mysterious Jade Talisman!

Shen Xuan's heart surged with countless expectations!

As long as he plundered one more talent and raised his Water Spirit Root to 10 points, he could break through to the Mid Qi Refining Stage!

The future was bright!

That night.

Shen Xuan suppressed his excitement and repeatedly tested his cultivation results in the training room.

Sure enough, the [Divine Treasure Canghai Technique] ran somewhat smoother than before.

The spiritual power within his body seemed a bit purer.

Shen Xuan tried crafting a dozen [Breath Concealing Talismans].

Out of twelve talisman papers, the completion rate reached sixty percent, and among the seven talismans, three were actually High-grade!

His skill in crafting [Breath Concealing Talismans] had clearly improved.

As for the [Breath Concealment] talent.

Using the [Breath Concealment Technique] once consumed very little spiritual power and could be maintained for half an hour, with effects surpassing a High-grade [Breath Concealing Talisman].

Each time he used it, the experience for [Breath Concealment Technique] increased by one point.

"Not bad. Low spiritual power consumption, strong practicality, and fast advancement."

Shen Xuan's original intention in choosing to plunder the Breath Concealment talent was to enhance his insights into crafting [Breath Concealing Talismans] and earn Spirit Stones as quickly as possible.

Now it seemed this talent was still very worth cultivating.

Once cultivated to a high level, it could not only conceal his own cultivation but also evade the Spiritual Sense of other cultivators and the sense of smell of various Monster Beasts, greatly improving his survival ability in the wild.

Ten days later, Shen Xuan habitually sold sixty [Breath Concealing Talismans] and exchanged them for high-quality talisman paper and cinnabar. On the way back, he also bought a juvenile Mysterious Water Turtle.

That day, in the training room, Shen Xuan once again released the golden light of the Mysterious Jade Talisman to plunder the juvenile Mysterious Water Turtle.

However, an unexpected event occurred.

The talent plunder failed.

The juvenile Mysterious Water Turtle looked at the human before it with a face full of curiosity, as if asking, "What do you want?"

"The Mysterious Jade Talisman isn't omnipotent. Only one Bloodline Talent can be plundered from each type of Monster Beast."

Shen Xuan wasn't discouraged either.

He cast a spell to behead the juvenile Mysterious Water Turtle and gave it to Ding Yuyao.

"Make soup. We'll have a good tonic tomorrow."

Having bought over twenty juvenile Mysterious Water Turtles, this was the first time he actually got to eat Mysterious Water Turtle meat.

It truly was a great tonic.

As soon as he finished eating, his whole body grew hot, as if he had boundless energy.

That night, his spear thrust like a dragon, his momentum magnificent!

Mounting his warhorse, he cracked the whip and charged into battle, drenched in sweat, utterly exhilarating!

Afterward, Shen Xuan couldn't help but sigh.

No wonder it was such a potent tonic beast—the fire was truly strong!

After this, Shen Xuan used the [Breath Concealment Technique] to disguise his appearance and sold off the nearly two hundred ordinary [Breath Concealing Talismans] in his possession in batches at low prices to street vendors.

He only earned forty Spirit Stones.

The remaining dozen or so High-grade [Breath Concealing Talismans] were hot-selling goods that didn't worry about sales, so he kept them in reserve.

"The cinnabar for [Breath Concealing Talismans] uses Mysterious Water Turtle blood as its main ingredient, while the cinnabar for [Invisibility Talismans] uses Silver Jade Fish blood as its main ingredient. If I want to improve my Spirit Root Aptitude, I need to regularly purchase some Silver Jade Fish."

Qinglong Bay Market was built by a great river, so there was no shortage of spirit fish and Demon Shrimp.

However, Silver Jade Fish were relatively rare.

They lived in the deep waters of the river, and their bodies could blend into the surrounding environment, turning transparent and invisible, making them difficult to catch, and their price wasn't cheap.

As low-grade spirit fish, one Spirit Stone could only buy three catties, more than three times the price of Savage Beef.

With a net worth of over a hundred Spirit Stones, Shen Xuan could afford it.

Moreover, he could also plunder the Invisibility talent to improve his [Invisibility Talisman] crafting skill.

The next morning.

Shen Xuan used the [Breath Concealment Technique] to disguise his appearance and arrived at the marketplace.

At a stall selling spirit fish, he stopped.

"How much for the Silver Jade Fish?"

"Four Spirit Pearls per catty!"

Seeing a customer, the vendor greeted him warmly.

"If you buy a lot, fellow Daoist, I can give you a discount."

"I like Silver Jade Fish, live ones, at least half a jin each. If the price is reasonable, I'll buy regularly."

A big customer!

The vendor lowered his voice.

"Fellow cultivator, three Spirit Pearls per jin—that's the lowest I can go."

"I'll take a look at the other stalls first."

After making a round, Shen Xuan returned to this stall.

The vendor hadn't lied; three Spirit Pearls per jin was indeed the lowest price in the Marketplace.

"Three jin to start!"

"Coming right up!"

The vendor grabbed six Silver Jade Fish, the tail of the scale rising high.

"Three jin and one tael—no less. Consider that extra tael a gift from me."

Shen Xuan produced one Spirit Stone, received one Spirit Pearl in change, carried the Silver Jade Fish, circled outside a few times, then turned down an alley and returned home.