Chumming the Waters with Himself

"Given Master's current strength and capabilities, it is not advisable at this time."

The system responded with a sound.

Upon hearing this, Lu Changzhi wasn't too surprised, and instead said:

"Then what do you want...?"

Lu Changzhi paused halfway through his sentence, then continued:

"It's okay, I understand."

If you keep asking, the answer will almost certainly be a pie.

In fact, before coming here, he had already learned about the so-called Five Elements Sacred Physique inheritance.

It is also in a separate space.

Only when it is opened can everyone enter.

Compared to other secret realms, it is said that the power of the five elements is more concentrated there, making it an excellent place for enlightenment and cultivation.

However, seeing is believing.

Lu Changzhi can only confirm that there is no way to enter ahead of schedule at this time.

"Since we can't get in, let's get down to business."

With a soft voice, Lu Changzhi concealed his presence and walked forward.

According to the system, using Dao-Rank Aptitude will cause some fluctuations.

Of course, it was not a simple Heaven and Earth Phenomenon, but a more complex flow of power.

For powerful beings like the Saint Emperor, this flow of power is something they can easily detect.

In other words, this could cause a stir!

Now, the Five Elements Sacred Physique is about to appear in the world.

Coming here to use Dao-Rank Aptitude is not only easier than going back to Hidden Origin Peak, but it also allows me to gain some attention for the Five Elements Sacred Physique.

Of course, there is another purpose to doing this.

Attract people who might fit your apprenticeship goals.

Law Contemplation Gathering but did not find the other party; perhaps they were not particularly interested in the matter.

Thinking back a little, the scene that triggered the apprenticeship quest was precisely when a cemetery was inexplicably emptied.

In addition, Gu Chen received a Grave-Digging Shovel as a reward for signing in earlier.

All these factors combined gave him another direction for his speculation.

Perhaps the other party is interested in places like cemeteries.

Although the Five Elements Saint Emperor site is a legacy, it is perfectly acceptable to consider it a burial ground.

That's why he didn't just pick any place, but made a special trip here.

Use the volatility triggered by the breakout to create a buying opportunity.

Let the news spread, and then we'll see if the fish will take the bait.

Lu Changzhi quickly found a place.

After setting up concealment measures such as arrays and barriers, he sat cross-legged.

"System, use Peak Human Dao Rank qualifications."

Lu Changzhi's voice fell.

Then, a sound was heard.

"In use, please enjoy."

As the sound faded, Lu Changzhi felt as if his body had lost its weight, and his mind and body seemed to have floated into a soft and comfortable world.

It felt as if I had entered a pool of warm water, with countless soft little hands gently kneading and rubbing my body.

"This is really nice."

Lu Changzhi let out a soft breath.

The purpose of spiritual cultivation and advancement is precisely for this rare yet astonishing sense of improvement.

As the saying goes, time flies when you're enjoying yourself.

Lu Changzhi had no idea how much time had passed.

In short, he seems to be better now.

The feeling of improved qualifications began to recede like a receding tide.

"It's good, but it's only for such a short time each time, it's really..." Lu Changzhi muttered softly, his eyes closed, savoring the experience.

Before he could finish speaking, the system's notification interrupted Lu Changzhi's reflection.

"Due to your current luck, your aptitude will be further enhanced. Please be prepared."

"Um?"

Lu Changzhi raised an eyebrow, surprised.

This was somewhat unexpected; I was just talking about it when I realized there would actually be another wave.

I waited for about ten breaths.

A second upgrade followed immediately.

The initial bliss of the first boost was reduced to half, but then the second boost, with its even greater impact, completely surpassed the first.

Twice in a row, one stacked on top of the other.

Lu Changzhi found it difficult to describe what this experience was like.

Whether it's a hiss of gasping for air or a shout of "Ah, that's awesome!", it's always just not quite there.

And this was also a time when Lu Changzhi enjoyed himself.

Its location.

Although no unusual Heaven and Earth Phenomenon appeared.

However, on a level that ordinary cultivators cannot perceive, a unique aura of power is converging towards its location.

Dao-Rank Aptitude connects one to the heavens and earth far more deeply than Saint Rank aptitude; the higher the level, the stronger the influence.

On its very first use, it elevated Lu Changzhi to the Peak Human Dao Rank.

The second upgrade, influenced by his own luck, did not reach the Peak Earthly Dao Rank, but it did reach the Middle-Grade Earthly Dao Rank.

From Peak Saint Rank to Middle-Grade Earthly Dao Rank.

That's quite a leap.

The Heaven-Piercing Sect.

Beneath the ancestral tomb.

The long coffin flew out with a whoosh.

Lin Tongtian's voice rang out from within the long coffin, carrying a hint of solemnity and disbelief.

"This change... could it be that something has happened or changed again?"

After the long coffin flew out, it disappeared.

A nameless place.

Inside the thatched hut.

The skinny old man sat down abruptly from the straw mat, and with a wave of his arm, the surrounding scenery changed rapidly.

The old man closed his eyes, muttered incantations, and moved his hands in a series of gestures.

A short while later, he frowned and let out a surprised sound.

"Can't you push it?"

After a brief pause, he tried again.

Soon, its movements stopped.

Brush.

With another flick of his hand, the surrounding scenery returned to its original state, and his figure returned to the straw mat.

"When things get difficult, they turn against you; that tells us who it is."

If we can't deduce it, then it's enough to know who can't be deduced.

But coincidentally, he knew who couldn't figure it out.

"The younger generation is getting scarier with each generation."

He shook his head, flicked his finger, and a message flew out, disappearing into the void.

"It's nothing serious, you don't need to live."

Xiang Clan.

Xiang Ge, who had just finished his work, was about to rest.

Suddenly, a flash of light appeared, and a figure entered the room.

Xiang Ge looked over, then exclaimed in surprise:

"Father, why did you personally come out of seclusion?"

The newcomer, though somewhat old, was still full of energy and possessed an astonishing aura. Xiang Ge, the dignified patriarch of the Xiang Clan, appeared before him as if he were a junior king before a senior king.

"It's been so long, how come you're still at this level?" The newcomer glanced at Xiang Ge and asked.

"It gets harder as you go on, and with so many things on your plate, breaking through becomes increasingly difficult." Xiang Ge shook his head, then said:

"However, the outside world is currently unaware of my true level of cultivation, so it will not affect the reputation of the Xiang Clan."

Upon hearing this, his father gently shook his head:

"The name of the Xiang Clan is not important; the real strength in your hands is what matters most. A hollow reputation can be used, but do not take it as fact."

"I understand," Xiang Ge nodded.

His father didn't say anything more about this topic, but instead said:

"Lisun's Five Elements Sacred Physique inheritance shouldn't be too long, right?"

Xiang Ge nodded:

It should be within the next few days.

No wonder.

"No wonder what?" Xiang Ge asked.

His father looked in one direction outside and said:

"Just now, there was a very strong change in the energy at the location of the Five Elements inheritance site, which must have indicated that some major changes have occurred."

"Qi mechanism?" Xiang Ge thought for a moment.

He didn't sense anything.

But he couldn't sense it, while his Saint Emperor father could...

At that moment, Xiang Ge's expression shifted, and he said:

"Father, Li'er was cultivating just now; perhaps this was caused by it!"

PS: I haven't abandoned the project or quit. I've just been incredibly busy lately – the national civil service exam, provincial civil service exams, revisions to my short paper, and mid-term review of my major thesis – all piled up, leaving me with limited energy. That's why I've temporarily reduced the update frequency. The national civil service exam a couple of days ago was like a small boat hitting a huge iceberg – the impact was quite severe, and I had to temporarily slack off. Next month, I'll have the provincial civil service exam in early October, the mid-term report in the middle of the month, and things will be relatively less hectic in the latter half, after which I'll gradually resume updates.