84: Chapter 84 Primordial Chaos Technique, Divine Thrust!

He integrated his newly acquired Cultivation Techniques and Martial Skills, making thorough preparations for the trip to the Hundred Herbs Secret Realm.

...

Following Pill Cauldron Peak Deacon Disciple's guidance, Ye Chen first went to the Internal Affairs Hall to handle the procedures for changing his Immortal Cave.

As expected, Elder Li had a lot of Face.

Deacon Fang of the Internal Affairs Hall, who had once neglected him,

was much more polite when he saw Ye Chen this time.

He quickly processed the residency permissions for Ziyun Peak's Cave Residence Bing-9.

He also restored the review status for his Elite Disciple promotion qualification.

Next, Ye Chen took another trip to the Contribution Hall and exchanged all of his six thousand-plus contribution points for cultivation resources.

This included five hundred Mid-Grade Spirit Stones and a batch of "sea condensing pills" and "Origin Cultivating Pills" to assist in Wheel Sea Realm cultivation.

A few life-saving "vajra talismans" and "Divine Speed Talismans."

As well as some Materials for drawing Talismans and simple Alchemy.

He spent his contribution points until they were almost completely gone.

But he felt it was worth it; these resources were enough to support him through a long period of bitter cultivation.

Carrying his newly obtained resources and the Immortal Cave Restriction token,

Ye Chen left the Contribution Hall and headed toward Ziyun Peak in the core area of the inner sect.

...

Ziyun Peak was located on the flank of the main Peak, Tianyun Peak; it was rich in Spiritual Qi and shrouded in mist.

Palaces and pavilions were faintly visible atop the mountain Peak.

Most of those living there were inner sect Elite Disciples or ordinary Disciples with backgrounds.

Cave Residence Bing-9 was located in the middle section of the Peak; the location wasn't the best.

But compared to that remote A-307 on Flowing Cloud Peak, it was a world of difference.

The stone door of the Immortal Cave was heavy; once opened, the internal space was spacious, featuring a living room, a quiet room, and an Alchemy room.

It even came with a small Spirit-Attracting Array that could more efficiently draw the mountain's Spiritual Qi into the cave.

The concentration of Spiritual Qi in the quiet room was at least three times that of Flowing Cloud Peak!

Cultivating here would surely increase efficiency significantly.

Ye Chen nodded with satisfaction, activated the Immortal Cave Restriction, and organized his newly exchanged supplies.

He didn't start cultivating immediately but decided to go to the second floor of the Scripture Pavilion first.

Cultivation Techniques and Martial Skills were the Foundation of increasing combat power and had to be selected as early as possible.

Arriving at the Scripture Pavilion again, the Old Man Guarding the Pavilion was still resting with his eyes closed.

Ye Chen handed over his identity token; the old man's Divine Sense swept over it, a flash of surprise appearing in his eyes before he nodded.

"You may go to the second floor. The time limit is one hour to choose one Cultivation Technique or Martial Skill. No copying, no sharing with others."

"Yes, Senior."

Ye Chen took the token and walked up the stairs leading to the second floor.

The second floor of the Scripture Pavilion was even quieter than the first, and the space was much smaller.

There were only a few rows of bookshelves, but the Jade Slips placed upon them

all emitted powerful spiritual energy fluctuations and profound auras.

The collection here was at minimum Profound Rank Medium Grade Cultivation Techniques and Martial Skills, with even a few Profound Rank High Grade ones!

Ye Chen took a deep breath, calmed his excited heart, and began to browse carefully.

"«Tianyun Sword Canon» Volume One, Profound Rank High Grade, one of the core sword styles of the Tianyun Sword Sect, requires Core Disciple permissions..."

"«Nine Revolutions Flame Dragon Art», Profound Rank High Grade, top-tier fire-attribute Cultivation Technique; upon reaching Major Achievement, one can condense the Nine Revolutions Flame Dragon to burn mountains and boil seas..."

"«Mystic Ice True Explanation», Profound Rank High Grade, top-tier ice-attribute Cultivation Technique, focuses on the purity and variation of cold qi..."

"«Wind Thunder Wings», Profound Rank Medium Grade, movement Martial Skill; upon reaching Major Achievement, one can briefly condense wings of wind and thunder for a surge in speed..."

"«Army Breaker Spear Art», Profound Rank Medium Grade, spear style, peerlessly fierce, suitable for battlefield slaughter..."

The various Cultivation Techniques and Martial Skills left Ye Chen dazzled, his heart racing.

These were the true Foundations of the Tianyun Sword Sect!

But he did not forget his own roots.

He practiced both ice and fire; what he needed was something that could harmonize with these two attributes.

Or a Cultivation Technique or Martial Skill that could improve his overall combat power and compensate for his weaknesses.

Ye Chen first went to the Cultivation Technique section.

While the top-tier ice and fire attribute techniques were good, they were all single-attribute and did not fit his path.

What he needed was a technique from which he could draw inspiration, or one that could improve the quality of his True Essence and broaden his cultivation path.

After searching for a long time, his gaze fell upon a greyish, inconspicuous Jade Slip.

The introduction card under the Jade Slip read:

"«Hunyuan One-Qi Art» (Incomplete), rank unknown (suspected Profound Rank High Grade or higher). A non-attribute Cultivation Technique that focuses on absorbing Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi to transform it into Primal Chaos One Energy, nourishing all things; it can encompass and convert various attributes of True Essence."

"Unfortunately, it is an Incomplete Manual, containing only the cultivation methods from the Wheel Sea Realm to the Early Stage of the Dao Palace Realm. Moreover, cultivation is difficult and progress is slow, with extremely high requirements for Aptitude; it is not to be practiced by those without great perseverance and great Opportunity. Choose with caution."

Primal Chaos One Energy?

Encompassing and converting multiple attributes.

Ye Chen's heart stirred.

This technique description seemed to faintly align with certain theories in the «ice fire same origin speculation record»,

as well as his own state of coexisting Ice Fire True Essence.

If he could use this technique as a Foundation to harmonize and improve the quality of his Ice Fire True Essence,

and perhaps accommodate even more attributes in the future, it might be a grand path to the heavens!

Although it was just an Incomplete Manual and difficult to Cultivate, for him, it might actually be the most suitable.

Ye Chen picked up the Jade Slip and sank a bit of his Divine Sense into it.

A vast, ancient, upright, and peaceful yet all-encompassing Concept washed over him, making his spirit surge.

This was the one!

Having selected a Cultivation Technique, he then went to the Martial Skills section.

For offense, he now had his self-created ice and fire sword moves.

For movement, he had "Mist Transformation Steps" and the preliminary "Phantom Step"; for defense, he had the black tortoise armor.

What he lacked, perhaps, was a powerful long-range attack or control-type method.

Or a secret technique capable of instant bursts of power.

Ultimately, Ye Chen chose a Divine Soul attack secret technique called "Soul-Shocking Spike."

This method was not a Martial Skill, but specifically for cultivating and using Divine Sense to condense it into invisible spikes.

It attacked the opponent's Divine Soul, making it impossible to guard against.

Its rank was Profound Rank Medium Grade.

The cultivation difficulty was extremely high, and it had harsh requirements for the caster's Divine Soul strength.

But once mastered, it could often produce miraculous effects in battles against those of the same rank.

Ye Chen relied on the fact that he had the Ice Lotus Imprint and the jade booklet's nourishment, making his Divine Soul far exceed those of the same rank; cultivating this method was just right.

Having selected the «Hunyuan One-Qi Art» (Incomplete) and "Soul-Shocking Spike," Ye Chen went downstairs to register.

The Old Man Guarding the Pavilion saw the two records he had chosen.

Especially that «Hunyuan One-Qi Art» Incomplete Manual; his brow furrowed slightly as he cautioned him.

"Kid, this «Hunyuan One-Qi Art» is incomplete and difficult to Cultivate; no one has taken an interest in it for decades. This 'Soul-Shocking Spike' also places a huge burden on the Divine Soul and is very prone to backlash. Have you thought this through?"

"I have thought it through, thank you for the reminder, Senior."

Ye Chen said firmly.

The old man said no more and deducted the contribution points.

"The loan period is three months. Return it when it's due. Take care of yourself."

"Yes."

Carrying the two burning-hot Jade Slips, Ye Chen returned to his Ziyun Peak Immortal Cave.

He activated the Restriction and sat cross-legged amidst the dense Spiritual Qi of the quiet room.

Ye Chen first set the "Soul-Shocking Spike" Jade Slip aside.

He picked up the copied Jade Slip of the «Hunyuan One-Qi Art» and sank his entire mind into it.

A vast amount of information flooded into his brain.

Unlike any Cultivation Technique he had encountered before,

the «Hunyuan One-Qi Art» had no specific attribute inclination; its core lay in "absorbing Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi to transform it into Primal Chaos One Energy."

The so-called Primal Chaos One Energy was not a specific True Essence attribute.

Rather, it was a more foundational, more all-encompassing "Qi" that could nourish the Physical Body and Divine Soul.

It could evolve into ten thousand methods and could harmonize, convert, and refine various attributes of True Essence.

The cultivation circulation path was extremely complex and profound, and the requirements for Meridian strength and True Essence control reached an insane level.

The opening chapter was about guiding the Cultivator to sense and capture the most primitive and foundational "Primal Chaos Energy" in the world and take it into oneself.

To combine it with one's own True Essence and gradually transform it.

Ye Chen tried to follow the method, calming his mind and sensing his surroundings.

At first, he could only sense dense but clearly attributed Spiritual Qi such as Ice, Fire, Gold, Wood, and Earth.

As well as the faint toxicity mixed within.

That so-called "Primal Chaos Energy" was ethereal and hard to grasp.

But he was not discouraged.

Ye Chen recalled the theories in the «ice fire same origin speculation record».

He felt the Chaos-colored Ice Fire True Essence in his own Wheel Sea.

Especially that dark red spark at the center and the aura emitted by the Ice Lotus Imprint that transcended ordinary attributes.

Gradually, under his powerful Divine Sense and special Physique sensing,

the dense surrounding Spiritual Qi seemed to shed its attribute cloak,

revealing a more essential "Origin" beneath—one that was colorless and formless, yet contained infinite vitality and possibility.

"Is this... Primal Chaos Energy?"

Ye Chen had a moment of realization.

This was not an independent Spiritual Qi, but the lowest-level, most common "substrate" of all attributed Spiritual Qi.

He cautiously tried to use the «Hunyuan One-Qi Art» method

to guide this sliver of "Primal Chaos Energy" that was so fine it almost didn't exist.

He brought it into his Meridians and let it contact his own Ice Fire True Essence.

Something miraculous happened. That sliver of Primal Chaos Energy was like the gentlest solvent.

It easily merged into the Ice Fire True Essence.

Under the harmonization of this Primal Chaos Energy, the ice and fire True Essences—which were originally distinct and occasionally in conflict—

It surprisingly became more docile and harmonious, blending more closely together, and its quality seemed to have improved slightly.

Although it was almost imperceptible, it definitely happened!

"It works!"

Ye

Chen was ecstatic. This Hunyuan One-Qi Art was practically tailor-made for him!

Although it was incomplete and difficult, it was absolutely the Cultivation Technique most suited for his current path!

Not only could it improve the quality of his True Essence and harmonize the ice and fire,

But it also pointed out the direction for his future cultivation.

Absorb the Primal Chaos One Energy and evolve all methods!

Ye Chen no longer hesitated and began to fully comprehend and Cultivate this ancient Cultivation Technique.

At the same time, he also began to divide his attention to study the "Soul-Shocking Spike," attempting to condense his Divine Sense.

Inside the Immortal Cave, Spiritual Qi was dense and misty.

Ye Chen was completely immersed in the ocean of cultivation, forgetting the passage of time.

In three months, he had to undergo a complete transformation and carve out a place for himself in the Hundred Herbs Secret Realm!

...

Ziyun Peak, Cave Residence Bing-9.

Within the quiet room, Spiritual Qi was dense, almost condensing into a faint white mist.

The Spirit-Attracting Array that came with the Immortal Cave, combined with the abundant Spiritual Qi of Ziyun Peak itself,

Made the cultivation environment here far exceed any place Ye Chen had been before.

Ye Chen sat cross-legged, his eyes slightly closed, his breathing long and deep.

He had maintained this posture for ten whole days.

Inside his body, the Hunyuan One-Qi Art was circulating at an extremely slow but steady speed.

At first, sensing and capturing that ethereal "Primal Chaos Energy" was extremely difficult, like looking for a needle in a haystack.

But as his mind and spirit became completely immersed,

Combined with the special nature of his own Ice Fire True Essence and his superficial understanding of the "Chaos" Concept,

He was gradually able to capture traces of extremely fine, colorless, and formless "Origin" Qi that contained infinite vitality.

Ye Chen carefully guided these strands of Primal Chaos Energy into his Meridians.

Following the complex and profound route of the Hunyuan One-Qi Art, he slowly circulated it.

With every full cycle, this strand of Primal Chaos Energy would fuse a bit more with his own Ice Fire True Essence,

Making the Ice Fire True Essence more pure and condensed.

Their mutual Fusion also became more harmonious and unobstructed, with much less of the previous awkwardness and potential conflict.

Within his Dantian, the Chaos-colored Wheel Sea vortex seemed to rotate slightly faster.

The Chaos color at the center became even deeper.

However, the process of cultivating the Hunyuan One-Qi Art was also extremely painful.

This Cultivation Technique had extremely high requirements for the strength and resilience of the Meridians; the Primal Chaos Energy seemed gentle,

But it was actually domineering. When circulating, it was like a dull knife scraping bone, constantly widening and tempering the Meridians.

Bringing bouts of tearing pain.

At the same time, the consumption of his mind and spirit was also immense.

He had to maintain a constant sense and guidance of that subtle "Primal Chaos Energy" at all times.

Any slight mistake would result in all previous efforts being wasted, or even a disorder of his True Essence.

Ye Chen gritted his teeth, fine beads of sweat breaking out on his forehead.

But he remained motionless, using his powerful willpower to endure the pain and maintain the clarity of his mind.

The Ice Lotus Imprint emitted a cool sensation, protecting his Divine Soul.

The clear light of the jade booklet silently nourished his spirit, allowing him to maintain focus for long periods.

After ten days of hard cultivation, the Ice Fire True Essence in his body

Had its quality improved by a small margin, becoming more solid and harmonious; when circulating, it was as natural as using his own limbs.

His cultivation also progressed steadily. Although there was still some distance to breaking through to the Second Level of the Wheel Sea Realm,

His Foundation had been polished more firmly.

On the eleventh day, Ye Chen temporarily stopped cultivating the Hunyuan One-Qi Art.

Haste makes waste, and too much is as bad as too little. He began to comprehend and Cultivate the "Soul-Shocking Spike."

The "Soul-Shocking Spike" is a secret technique for Divine Soul attacks, not a Martial Skill.

It does not involve the circulation of True Essence; the focus is on the methods of condensing, compressing, and utilizing Divine Sense.

The Jade Slip recorded in detail how to treat one's own Divine Sense like forging fine iron,

Tempering it a thousand times to condense it into an invisible and formless, yet incomparably sharp "Spirit Stab."

It also included several application techniques, such as "Straight Stab," "Differentiation," and "Concealment."

The primary conditions for cultivating the "Soul-Shocking Spike" were a powerful Divine Soul Origin and a resilient will.

Ye Chen believed he lacked neither. He first followed the method to attempt the simplest "Divine Sense Condensation."

He concentrated his mind and slowly guided his Divine Sense out of his Sea of Consciousness.

Instead of releasing it for detection, it was like kneading dough.

In the void about a foot in front of his brow, he attempted to compress and condense it.

At first, the Divine Sense was loose and formless, difficult to restrain.

He patiently tried again and again, using his powerful willpower to forcibly constrain it.

A day passed with no progress.

The Divine Sense remained scattered.

Two days, three days... until the fifth day.

Under Ye Chen's reckless consumption of mind and spirit and the assistance of the Ice Lotus Imprint,

Finally, an extremely fine but noticeably more solid strand of Divine Sense, like a cow's hair,

Formed in front of his brow.

It emitted a faint sense of sharpness that only he himself could sense.

"It's done!"

Ye Chen was delighted.

Although it was only the most Elementary level of Divine Sense Condensation, far from forming a true "Soul-Shocking Spike,"

He had finally entered the threshold.

He could feel that this condensed strand of Divine Sense,

Whether in strength, penetration, or precision of control, far exceeded his previously loose Divine Sense.

In the following days, Ye Chen began a regular and monotonous period of hard cultivation.

During the day, he cultivated the Hunyuan One-Qi Art to temper his True Essence,

Polish his Foundation, and endure the pain of his Meridians widening.

At night, he cultivated the "Soul-Shocking Spike" to condense his Divine Sense and temper his will.

He often suffered from splitting headaches due to excessive consumption of his mind and spirit.

Every three to five days, Ye Chen would stop his cultivation to take Medicinal Pills, temper his Physical Body, and practice his sword techniques.

He further integrated the changes of reality and illusion from the Two Extremes Separating Light Sword and the stacking sword momentum of the Surging Waves Sword Art

With his own Ice Fire Sword Intent and Nirvana.

He created several new sword moves, with even greater power and more unpredictable changes.

The ice scar sword seemed to come alive in his hands.

Icy blue and golden-red light intertwined and flowed, sometimes turning into continuous waves of swords, sometimes dividing into real and illusory sword light,

And sometimes erupting with a terrifying Sword Intent that could extinguish everything.

Supported by the dense Spiritual Qi of Ziyun Peak and a large amount of Medicinal Pill resources,

His cultivation was also constantly improving at a steady pace.

One month later, Ye Chen successfully cultivated the "Soul-Shocking Spike" to the Minor Achievement stage.

He was now barely able to condense a strand of Divine Sense into a needle to perform the most basic Straight Stab attack.

Although its power was limited and it wasn't a great threat to the Divine Soul of Cultivators of the same level,

Used at a critical moment to interfere with an opponent's mind, it might have a miraculous effect.

More importantly, through cultivating the "Soul-Shocking Spike,"

Both his total amount and the condensation of his Divine Sense had been significantly improved.

His perception range and control precision far exceeded those of ordinary Wheel Sea Realm Cultivators.

His cultivation of the Hunyuan One-Qi Art also gradually entered a better state; although it was still slow and painful,

Every day, he could feel his True Essence becoming more pure and primal.

His cultivation at the Late Stage of the first level of the Wheel Sea Realm was completely stabilized, and he was steadily moving towards the Peak.

...

On this day, Ye Chen was circulating the Hunyuan One-Qi Art in the quiet room.

Suddenly, he had a premonition, and the Chaos-colored Wheel Sea vortex in his body abruptly increased its rotation speed.

The speck of dark red fire at the center also flickered slightly.

The surrounding Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, as if drawn by some force, frantically surged toward him.

It was refined by the Hunyuan One-Qi Art and integrated into his Wheel Sea.

"Am I about to break through?"

Ye Chen's spirits rose. Not daring to be careless, he immediately took out a "sea condensing pill" and swallowed it.

At the same time, he held a Mid-Grade Spirit Stone in each hand and fully operated the Cultivation Technique.

Within his Dantian, his True Essence was like a boiling river, constantly crashing against that invisible barrier.

The Wheel Sea was expanding, becoming more solid and deep. The Primal Chaos Energy constantly fused in,

Harmonizing the ice and fire and improving the essence of his True Essence.

This process lasted for a whole day and night.

"Crack..."

A slight sound, like an eggshell breaking, echoed deep within his Soul.

The volume of the Wheel Sea suddenly expanded by a circle, and the Chaos color became even denser.

As it rotated, the suction it naturally generated was stronger, and the speed of absorbing and refining Spiritual Qi also increased by a notch.

A surge of True Essence, far more abundant and condensed than before, carrying the characteristics of ice and fire along with the inclusive nature of Primal Chaos, flowed through his entire body.

It nourished every inch of his flesh, Meridians, and bones.

Second Level of the Wheel Sea Realm!

Ye Chen opened his eyes.

Icy blue and golden-red light flashed through his pupils, and deeper within, there seemed to be a hint of chaotic gray light.

Ye Chen exhaled a long breath of turbid air; his breath was long, and his eyes were even deeper and brighter.

Breaking through to the Second Level of the Wheel Sea Realm was not just an increase in the total amount of True Essence.

It was another subtle leap in his level of life, and his perception and control of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi had also become stronger.