Free Web NovelChapter 155: Chapter 155: Strengthening Spiritual Power
Other methods included finding the array’s weak points, obtaining a specific way to dispel it, or simply waiting long enough for the array to fail on its own.
Given Elder Demon Su’s identity as an Array Master, Jiang Xu deduced that the method of breaking this array was either the second or the fourth he had considered.
With the second method, as long as Elder Demon Su found the Array Hub, he could simply destroy it directly and wouldn’t need any other measures.
Only the fourth method, breaking an array with another array, required laying out various Array Formation materials in advance. This was to set up a new array within the existing one, using this new internal array to destroy the larger Grand Array.
Clearly, the items those Demon Cultivators were placing on the ground were the Array Formation materials for this array-breaking array.
’In that case, if I can destroy all these Array Formation materials, won’t I be able to avert this disaster?!’
Jiang Xu was overjoyed.
’But I can’t even see them. I have no idea what those Array Formation materials are, let alone how to destroy them.’
Jiang Xu continued flipping through the Array Book in his hands, hoping to find a method for destroying Array Formation materials.
As he continued to flip through the pages, his expression grew increasingly grim.
The methods in the book all required one’s Spiritual Power to be sufficiently strong. In other words, one had to possess Divine Sense to even be able to identify the materials.
But Jiang Xu’s current Spiritual Power was only at the level of the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer. He was still some way off from Great Perfection, let alone reaching the stage where Divine Sense would manifest.
’For now, all I can do is continue to slowly raise my Spiritual Power. In fact, I need to raise it as quickly as possible. Otherwise, by the time Elder Demon Su activates the Array, it will be too late.’
...
"Do you have any Spirit Medicines or Spirit Pills that can enhance physical strength? Or Spiritual Power?" Jiang Xu asked upon arriving at the Duo Bao Pavilion.
At the Duo Bao Pavilion, perhaps only the steward knew about the Demon Array that had appeared outside the Marketplace.
The others, whether the female attendants or the customers, were clearly unaware of the situation, continuing to buy and sell as they normally would.
In his haste to raise his Spiritual Power to the point of manifesting Divine Sense, Jiang Xu had no choice but to come and purchase some supplemental Elixirs.
’If I don’t spend these Spirit Stones now, I might not get a chance to spend them later.’
"Of course, we at the Duo Bao Pavilion have such items. May I ask what specific grade you’re looking for, sir?"
"Something suitable for the Qi Cultivation Late Stage and Great Perfection."
After hearing his request, the attendant retreated to the back room. She returned a moment later, walking gracefully, and placed several Jade Boxes and Jade Bottles in front of Jiang Xu before beginning her introduction:
"This is the Profound Celestial Pill. It enhances the five senses, increases mental focus, and strengthens Spiritual Power. After taking it, it helps a Cultivator more quickly comprehend things like Magic, Arrays, or Talismans during their Cultivation."
"This is the Bone Marrow Cleansing and Spirit Condensing Pill. This Elixir purifies the soul, helping a Cultivator cleanse their mind of distracting thoughts and making their Spiritual Power purer and stronger."
"This is the Blood Jade Dragon Tendon Pill, refined from the rare Blood Jade Dragon Tendon Grass as its main ingredient. It greatly enhances the user’s Qi and Blood Power, making their tendons and bones much stronger."
After sensing the potency of these Elixirs, Jiang Xu waved his hand magnanimously.
"I’ll take three of each—no, five. On second thought, just give me a whole bottle of each!"
"Ah!"
The attendant lightly covered her lips, an involuntary gasp of surprise escaping her.
Even the cheapest of the bottles cost three hundred Spirit Stones each. The three bottles together would total more than a thousand Spirit Stones!
An ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivator couldn’t necessarily pull out a thousand Spirit Stones on a whim!
Her own sales for an entire year didn’t necessarily reach a thousand Spirit Stones.
Her commission from this sale alone would be over fifty Spirit Stones!
Jiang Xu didn’t care what she was thinking and urged her impatiently,
"Hurry up, I’m in a rush!"
"Right, right, of course! This way, please, sir!"
With that, the attendant led Jiang Xu to complete the transaction.
But after Jiang Xu had completed his purchase, the attendant took a few graceful, lotus-like steps to his side. With her clothes slightly disheveled to reveal a hint of skin and a blush on her cheeks, she said,
"Sir, I wonder if you would be willing to adjourn elsewhere with me for a private chat?"
???
Jiang Xu was dumbfounded.
’What is this?’
’I’ve never heard of them offering *this* kind of service...’
’Is this a gig on the side?’
’So forward?’
Jiang Xu had never encountered a situation like this before.
He had heard that there were pleasure houses in the Marketplace, akin to brothels, that specifically provided services for Cultivators.
Furthermore, they offered the authentic Yin Yang Dual Cultivation Dao of Joy, which was greatly beneficial to the Cultivation of both parties. Many Cultivators were fond of such places, justifying it with the fine-sounding excuse that "Elixirs are three parts poison," and claiming to use the natural way to advance their Cultivation instead.
Although Jiang Xu didn’t consider himself a paragon of virtue, and the attendant was indeed quite pretty and charming, he simply couldn’t bring himself to engage in such activities at a time of crisis like this.
So, Jiang Xu immediately refused.
"Please don’t joke, Fairy. I already have a partner and am not looking for anyone else."
After saying this, Jiang Xu quickly walked out of the Duo Bao Pavilion, as if fleeing from a flood or a ferocious beast.
The attendant was stunned for a moment. Hearing his rejection, she had been about to put on a pitiful expression to win his sympathy, but she found that Jiang Xu had bolted faster than a rabbit and vanished completely. She didn’t even have time to change her expression, left standing there utterly dumbfounded.
After her stupor passed, the attendant stomped her foot in anger, a wave of doubt about her own charms washing over her. Then, she sent out a Sound Transmission Talisman: "The fat sheep didn’t take the bait. Cancel the operation."
...
Back in his Talisman Shop, Jiang Xu was, of course, unaware that he had just narrowly avoided a honey trap.
But even if he had been caught in one, Jiang Xu wasn’t actually afraid.
He might have even been able to take the offered benefits while deflecting the danger, turning the tables and making their scheme backfire spectacularly.
But Jiang Xu had no time for such thoughts. He was now back in his Talisman Shop, with the three types of Elixirs laid out before him.
’The Profound Celestial Pill is said to enhance comprehension. Doesn’t that just mean it increases the rate at which I gain Skill Level? That’s not particularly meaningful for me, since my bottleneck is the rate at which I acquire Limit-Breaking Points.’
’In that case, I’ll take the Bone Marrow Cleansing and Spirit Condensing Pill and the Blood Jade Dragon Tendon Pill together.’
Jiang Xu took out the two Elixirs.
The Bone Marrow Cleansing and Spirit Condensing Pill was a crystalline, translucent azure blue, like a lone star in the deep night sky.
With just a single sniff of its medicinal fragrance, one could feel a freshness that reached deep into the soul, as if it could completely wash away all worldly distractions.
The Blood Jade Dragon Tendon Pill was crimson, glistening with the alluring luster of red jade. It contained abundant Life Essence Qi and a surging Qi and Blood Power.
After a moment of thought, Jiang Xu consumed the Blood Jade Dragon Tendon Pill first.
Instantly, the Qi and Blood in his body began to roil like a tempestuous sea, each heartbeat pounding with the force of a thunderclap.
At the same time, his tendons and bones began to be nourished and strengthened, as if the tendons of a flood dragon were being forged into his very skeleton, making them far tougher and more powerful.
Once he felt the immense abundance of Qi and Blood Power within him, Jiang Xu immediately began to practice the Divine Forging Technique.
