Free Web NovelChapter 10: Chapter 10: Cultivation in Seclusion in the Mine
SWOOSH!
At the critical moment, the Jade Pendant in Zhang Chi’s mind flashed with light again.
The various illusions suddenly scattered and disappeared.
Zhang Chi’s consciousness instantly cleared, and the Spiritual Power and Blood Flame within his body also calmed down.
Zhang Chi could still feel the tyrannical and restless aura contained within the Blood Flame, like a Fierce Beast that could devour its master at any moment.
But with the Jade Pendant present, all of this could be ignored.
Then, Zhang Chi finally had a moment to inspect the specific condition of his body and the Blood Flame. ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom
He discovered that his Meridians and Qi Sea had been transformed by the Blood Flame, becoming tougher and wider.
With the enhancement from the Blood Flame, the circulation speed of his Cultivation Technique had become faster.
A great deal of Spiritual Qi not of the Fire Element was also refined by the Blood Flame, all of it converted into Magical Power.
A normal Fire Element Cultivation Technique obviously wouldn’t have this function.
This was the main reason this Demon Technique could drastically increase one’s cultivation speed.
As the Blood Flame continuously refined and purified it, the quality of the Spiritual Power in his Qi Sea also improved, far surpassing that produced by a typical Low Grade Cultivation Technique. The resulting Spiritual Power was naturally more potent.
’The risk was worth it, after all!’
Zhang Chi nodded in satisfaction.
He roughly estimated that the Blood Flame accelerated his Cultivation by about thirty percent.
Furthermore, other Cultivators couldn’t possibly let this Blood Flame run wild; they would need to constantly appease and suppress it.
But he had the Jade Pendant and had no such need.
Therefore, for him, the Blood Flame’s actual effect should be even better—about thirty-five percent.
One shouldn’t underestimate that extra five percent. Over many years, it would make a huge difference.
In light of this, he decided not to change his Cultivation Technique during the Qi Cultivation Realm. Not unless a decent Middle Grade Cultivation Technique became available, or if he truly couldn’t find the subsequent parts of his current one.
’So I’m a Demon Cultivator now. Who would’ve thought? But it’s fine to cultivate a Demon Technique. I can still achieve long life and use Sword Control, as long as I don’t indiscriminately slaughter the innocent.’
’Being a Cultivator who walks the line between righteous and evil is much more interesting than following the rigid Righteous Dao,’ Zhang Chi thought.
Next, he "looked" at the Jade Pendant and immediately noticed it had turned orange—a very deep orange.
Evidently, the negative energy produced when he condensed the Blood Flame was unprecedentedly immense.
Before this, even when he reached Entry Level with the Cultivation Technique, the Jade Pendant had only turned a light red.
Fortunately, the Blood Flame was now formed. Although it still continuously generated negative energy, the amount was much less than before.
As long as he didn’t make any other big moves, it wouldn’t be long before the Jade Pendant recovered on its own.
With that settled, he began to practice his Magic.
—
"Manager, this disciple has something to report."
At the residence of the Cold Iron Mine’s manager, the Mine Guard Captain, who emanated a scorching aura, stood at the main gate, bowing his head and cupping his hands to request an audience.
"How many times have I told you? We’re all fellow disciples. It’s just that you’re a servant disciple and I’m an Outer Disciple, so you can just call me Senior Brother."
"Forget it, I can’t be bothered with you. Come in. Speak, what is it?"
The manager was a tall and upright Cultivator with a youthful appearance. Hearing this, he waved his hand, and the residence’s main door immediately opened under the force of an invisible power.
"Yes, Senior Brother. It’s like this: ten days ago, five Mining Slaves died. They were in the same cell and were all bitten to death by Four-legged Strange Snakes."
"But at the time, Senior Brother, you were in seclusion, so this junior brother took the liberty of completely clearing out those Four-legged Strange Snakes and recovering their leg irons and so on."
The Guard Captain nodded hastily, walked into the room, and began to report respectfully.
"I understand. You handled it fine. But for such trivial matters in the future, there’s no need to report to me specifically. Just keep a record," the Senior Brother Manager said impatiently.
"Your instruction is correct, Senior Brother. But among the Mining Slaves who died this time was that kid you asked me to keep an eye on," the Guard Captain continued.
"That kid? He’s finally dead? Tell me the details." The Senior Brother Manager’s eyes instantly lit up.
"For the past few months, I’ve been following your orders to secretly monitor him. I discovered that about a month ago, the kid almost died, but then he suddenly became much healthier," the Guard Captain said quickly.
"And then?" the Senior Brother Manager asked curiously.
"And then, before I had a chance to check on him more closely, he died. I suspect his cellmates had previously helped him catch Four-legged Strange Snakes for nourishment. Unfortunately, they must have misjudged the situation, and it cost them all their lives," the Guard Captain continued.
"I see. You did a good job; this surveillance task can be considered complete. This bottle of Spirit-Storage Pills is your reward. Take it."
Realization dawned on the Senior Brother Manager. He casually took out a small Jade Bottle and tossed it to the Guard Captain.
"Many thanks, Senior Brother."
Overjoyed, the Guard Captain quickly caught it and carefully put it away.
"Speaking of that kid, it’s actually a pity. He had a Middle Grade Spirit Root and originally had a chance to enter the Outer Sect," the Senior Brother Manager remarked with a sigh.
"His Spirit Root was that good? Then how did he end up in such a state?" the Guard Captain asked in surprise.
"You know the Sect’s Nascent Soul Seed? The kid had some sort of grudge with him. As for the specifics, I’m not qualified to know," the Senior Brother Manager said with a slight smile.
"The one with the Celestial Spirit Root, who was taken as a disciple by the Supreme Elder and advanced to the Qi Cultivation Middle Stage within three months of joining the Sect?" the Guard Captain exclaimed.
"That’s the one. It’s said that he was only holding back to build a solid foundation; otherwise, he would have reached the Qi Cultivation Late Stage long ago. Everyone in the Sect says he will definitely become a Foundation Establishment Powerhouse before he turns twenty."
The Senior Brother Manager nodded, his face full of envy and admiration.
"Heavens, that fast?"
The Guard Captain was dumbfounded.
"Alright, these are all just rumors, and it’s hard to know what’s true. Don’t go spreading them around. Otherwise, even I will be in trouble, you understand?" the Senior Brother Manager said sternly.
"I understand. If you’re not reassured, Senior Brother, I can swear an oath."
The Guard Captain shuddered and patted his chest in assurance.
"Forget it. You may go. I’m going into seclusion again in a few days, and there are only six months left until the triennial mine cleaning. When the time comes, just take your men and do it. No need to look for me," the Senior Brother Manager said, waving his hand dismissively.
"Yes, Senior Brother."
The Guard Captain nodded and respectfully took his leave.
’Heh heh, if I report this up the chain, I’ll definitely get another reward!’
After he left, the Senior Brother Manager’s deep and steady demeanor vanished. He laughed heartily and sent out a Communication Talisman.
—
Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, a month had passed. Zhang Chi had finally reached the Entry Level for all four of his magical arts.
At the same time, Zhang Chi’s Cultivation had taken a great step closer to the Qi Cultivation Second Layer.
After mastering the Fire Bomb Technique, his life improved significantly. He could finally eat cooked food.
He also discovered the best food in the mines: a type of rodent the Mining Slaves called a Rock Rat.
These things were the size of small cats. Although they were just ordinary rodents and nowhere near as nourishing as the Four-legged Strange Snakes, they were much tastier when roasted.
It was also worth mentioning that the Four-legged Snakes he had left behind had already begun to multiply.
A few of them, likely because they had been nourished by eating Old Xu and the others, had grown stronger than average and were even showing signs of breaking through their limits.
For him, the only drawback now was that his Meridians, Qi Sea, and Divine Soul all had a limit to what they could endure.
Even the Jade Pendant was powerless to solve this problem, so he couldn’t just sit and cultivate Qi indefinitely.
Otherwise, his Cultivation would have broken through long ago.
Fortunately, besides Qi Cultivation, the remaining time spent cultivating Magic wasn’t wasted either.
However, with no one to guide him, his progress in Magic was lackluster despite his hard work.
Magic was divided into Entry Level, Minor Success, Great Success, and Perfection. The higher the attainment, the better the effect.
But for him to even reach Minor Success might take a year or two, let alone Great Success or Perfection.
’It’s time for the next step—to get my hands on some other Cultivation Techniques and Magic.’
Thus, after finishing his Cultivation for the day, Zhang Chi once again turned his attention to the Mining Slaves.
