130: Chapter 130 Returning to the Inn for Secluded Cultivation, Comprehending the Transformation of Changqing Cave Heaven

When he returned to the private courtyard of the Yuelai Inn, the sky was already beginning to brighten.

Ye Qing set up a sound-insulation Restriction and carefully inspected the perimeter of the courtyard wall, confirming that no tracking marks or prying Spells had been left behind, before finally letting out a sigh of relief.

He sat cross-legged on the bed, not immediately beginning to Cultivate, but instead carefully taking stock of his gains from this trip to the Black Miasma Swamp.

There were various Spirit Stones; the Mid-Grade Spirit Stones totaled tens of thousands, and there were even more Low-Grade Spirit Stones. Too lazy to count them, he dumped them all into the "Spirit Stone Pool" of his Cave Heaven World, letting the Cave Heaven World decompose and absorb them on its own.

Regarding Materials, the waste area of the Cave Heaven World was filled with various ingredients from poisonous insects and herbs, Ores, and spirit wood. The most valuable among them were undoubtedly the demon core of the Green-Scaled Venomous Python, that mutated ancient tree, and that piece of wood spirit jade.

As for Magical Artifacts, besides the jet-black iron ruler obtained from the ancient Immortal Cave, there were also odds and ends stripped from the bodies of those Yao Race generals. Their quality was uneven, so he could not be bothered to examine them one by one and tossed them all to the Cave Heaven World for decomposition.

In terms of Cultivation Techniques, there was the highly valuable "Myriad Poison Evergreen Art."

"This trip was truly a huge profit. Just this 'Myriad Poison Evergreen Art' alone made the trip worthwhile."

Ye Qing once again probed his Divine Sense into the jade-green Jade Slip, carefully studying the "Myriad Poison Evergreen Art" from beginning to end three times, until every word was firmly imprinted in his mind, only then withdrawing his Divine Sense with a sense of lingering satisfaction.

"This Senior 'Greenwood Poison Emperor' was truly a genius. Using the myriad poisons as a catalyst to temper his own body, he ultimately achieved a Realm of immunity to all poisons and eternal evergreen life. Although this path is filled with danger and uncertainty, if one can walk it to the end, it is indeed a path that leads to the heavens."

He closed his eyes and began to deduce and simulate the cultivation methods of the "Myriad Poison Evergreen Art" in his mind, cross-referencing it with the "Hunxu Yandao Scripture" he was currently cultivating.

The "Hunxu Yandao Scripture" emphasizes inclusivity, the evolution of Chaos, and ultimately achieving the Great Dao of Hunyuan.

The "Myriad Poison Evergreen Art," on the other hand, focuses on the way of poison, seeking to enter the Dao through poison, and ultimately reaching a Realm where poison is exhausted but life remains, an immortal and indestructible state.

The two appear completely different, but in certain underlying logic, they share a marvelous similarity.

"The core of the 'Hunxu Yandao Scripture' lies in 'evolution'—in evolving, encompassing, and Fusion. While the core of the 'Myriad Poison Evergreen Art' lies in 'tempering'—in tempering, purifying, and sublimation. If these two can be combined, using the 'Hunxu Yandao Scripture' as the Foundation and the 'Myriad Poison Evergreen Art' as an aid, perhaps I can pioneer a brand new, more suitable path of cultivation for myself."

The more he thought about it, the more feasible it seemed, and a vague plan gradually formed in his heart.

"However, this cannot be rushed. It requires a great deal of practice and exploration to find the optimal point of Fusion. The most pressing matter is still to improve my cultivation base. Being at the Peak of the Early Stage Nascent Soul is still too weak. I must at least break through to the Mid-Nascent Soul Stage to have the capital to protect myself in these chaotic times."

He suppressed the excitement and anticipation in his heart and began to prepare for the Breakthrough.

He did not take any Medicinal Pill, nor did he absorb the Spiritual Qi from the outside world.

He simply sat cross-legged, circulating the "Hunxu Yandao Scripture," and sank his consciousness completely into the Cave Heaven World.

The 38,000-zhang Cave Heaven World, under his mental guidance, began to slowly operate.

Deep within the earth, the "ancestral earth vein," which had fused the essence of the yin vein and the Spirit Stone mineral vein, let out a low rumble like a sleeping dragon.

In the sea of stars, countless stars flickered on and off, casting endless starlight.

On the Floating Landmass, the moonlight jade tree swayed with silver radiance, scattering specks of silver light.

Near the Poison Source Land, the mutated ancient tree, having absorbed the essence of the Green-Scaled Venomous Python's demon core, had completely adapted to the environment of the Cave Heaven World, and more tender buds sprouted from its branches, exuding vigorous vitality.

These energies from the different Origins of the Cave Heaven World, under Ye Qing's guidance, gathered together like a hundred rivers returning to the sea. After being filtered and purified by the rules of the Cave Heaven World, they transformed into the purest and most vast "Chaos Infant Essence," surging into his Dantian like a mighty river.

Within his Dantian, the three-inch-tall Chaos Nascent Soul, with a solemn and majestic appearance, pinched a seal with both hands, inhaling and exhaling this vast, pure energy.

The body of the Nascent Soul became more solid and transparent at a visible rate, as if carved from the purest chaotic crystal.

The Dao patterns of stars, Void Realm, Five Elements, and moonlight on the surface of the Nascent Soul also became clearer and deeper, exuding an unfathomable aura.

Ye Qing's cultivation base began to steadily rise under the propulsion of this vast energy.

The Bottleneck of the Early Stage Nascent Soul began to loosen, as if being struck and washed away by invisible waves, time and time again.

At the same time, he divided a portion of his consciousness and began to attempt to integrate some basic techniques from the "Myriad Poison Evergreen Art" into the evolution of the Cave Heaven World.

He guided the poison Origin of the Poison Source Land to fuse more deeply with the wood-attribute life force of the mutated ancient tree.

He attempted to simulate several prototypes of "Poison Domains" recorded in the "Myriad Poison Evergreen Art" in some corners of the Cave Heaven World.

He also improved the "Hundred Poison Body Tempering Method" recorded in the "Myriad Poison Evergreen Art," using Chaos Infant Essence instead of poison to temper his Physical Body and Meridians over and over again.

Cultivation knows no time.

When Ye Qing opened his eyes again, it was already seven days later.

He let out a long breath of turbid air; that breath was like a sharp sword, remaining condensed in the air without dissipating, faintly carrying a hint of dark green luster, and only slowly dissipated after a long time.

"Mid-Nascent Soul Stage, done."

He felt the surging Chaos Infant Essence within his body, which was several times stronger than it had been seven days ago, and a satisfied smile appeared on his face.

After breaking through to the Mid-Nascent Soul Stage, his strength had undergone a qualitative leap.

It was not just that his magic power had become more profound and pure; more importantly, his insights into the Laws of the Void Realm, stars, Five Elements, and even poison had become much deeper.

He could even clearly sense that his connection with the Cave Heaven World had become tighter. It was as if the Cave Heaven World had become a part of his body, a true "inner world" that he could control as he pleased.

"The power of the Mid-Nascent Soul Stage... is indeed much stronger than the Early Stage. Now, if I encounter that Three-Headed Poison Flood Dragon again, I am confident I can kill it within three moves."

He clenched his fists, feeling the surging power within his body, and was filled with confidence.

He stood up and stretched his limbs, and his entire body's bones let out a series of crisp cracking sounds.

"I've been in seclusion for seven days, it's time to go out and get some air. By the way, I'll see what the situation in Zhenbei City is now."

He pushed open the door and walked out of the private courtyard.

As soon as he arrived at the inn lobby, he felt an unusual atmosphere.

There were far fewer Cultivators in the lobby than usual, and everyone was hurrying about with solemn or anxious expressions on their faces.

He walked to the counter and asked the innkeeper, "Innkeeper, has anything happened in the city these past few days?"

The innkeeper sighed and said in a low voice, "Fellow Daoist, you don't know yet? The night before last, the Yao Race army had already reached the city gates! Ancestor Jiang personally took action and had a great battle with that 'Iron-Winged Eagle King,' fighting until the sky went dark and the earth turned dim. It is said that even a section of the city wall was shaken until it collapsed! Although Ancestor Jiang eventually repelled the 'Iron-Winged Eagle King,' he himself was also seriously injured. Now, the city is filled with panic, and everyone is saying that it is only a matter of time before the city falls."

Upon hearing this, Ye Qing's eyebrows twitched imperceptibly.

"Oh? Already reached the city gates? It seems that the 'Iron-Winged Eagle King''s movements were even faster than I imagined. Even Ancestor Jiang is injured... I'm afraid this Zhenbei City truly cannot be held."

He quickly calculated in his heart, but his face remained calm as he nodded to the innkeeper, "Thank you for letting me know, Innkeeper."

He turned and left the inn, heading towards the city gates.

He wanted to go and see for himself just how much the situation outside the city had deteriorated.