5: Asking the question from different paths

Lin Feng's thoughts sank into the gray, exclusive Immortal Cave space.

Ten zhang in circumference, the Spiritual Qi within was about twice as dense as outside.

He sat down cross-legged, first taking out the Jade Slip that recorded the Da Yan Cultivation Method, and extended his Divine Sense into it.

A torrent of information surged into his mind; the Da Yan Cultivation Method was not only a technique to strengthen Divine Sense but also allowed for the Divided Soul method when Cultivated to a profound level.

"What a magnificent Da Yan Cultivation Method!" Lin Feng praised inwardly, it was far superior to common techniques like Evergreen Technique.

Next, he took out the [Talisman Insights (Advanced)].

Light merged into his glabella, and a vast amount of knowledge regarding the creation techniques of mid-to-Advanced Talismans, rune comprehension, and Materials ratios emerged.

"Vajra Talisman, Swiftness Talisman, Breath-Concealing Talisman..." Lin Feng silently digested the information, his eyes sparkling.

With these insights, his success rate and power when creating mid-to-Advanced Talismans would significantly increase.

He closed his eyes and began to try Cultivating the newly acquired Da Yan Cultivation Method within the Immortal Cave space, while simultaneously comprehending the Dao of Talismans.

...

At the same time, thousands of miles away, in the Seven Mysteries Sect, deep within the Secret Chamber of Divine Hand Valley.

Old Devil Han was experiencing his first true life-or-death crisis in his Cultivation career.

Ink Residence's Primordial Spirit, like a maggot attached to bone, was frantically assaulting his Sea of Consciousness.

"Good disciple, give up resisting! Although your Aptitude is poor, after this old man takes Possession, there will be plenty of ways to improve it!" Ink Residence's sinister voice echoed in Han Li's mind.

Han Li gritted his teeth, veins bulging all over his body, sweat pouring down like rain.

His Internal Skill had been pushed to its limit; with his hidden strength, his Qi Refining sixth-layer magical power barely resisted the erosion of Ink Residence's Primordial Spirit.

Within his Sea of Consciousness, his Divine Soul avatar sat with five hearts facing the sky, its protective golden light strenuously resisting a ferocious black Qi.

"Ah!" Han Li let out a painful groan, his Divine Soul feeling as if it would split apart.

Ink Residence, after all, had meticulously plotted for decades and possessed numerous methods.

"Stubborn resistance!" The black Qi that Ink Residence had transformed into suddenly swelled, turning into a ferocious ghostly claw, fiercely grabbing at Han Li's Divine Soul avatar.

Han Li's Divine Soul avatar was caught squarely by the ghostly claw, and its protective golden light instantly shattered.

Intense pain struck, and Han Li's vision went black.

Just at this critical moment, the inconspicuous small green bottle in his embrace suddenly trembled slightly, seeping out a trace of imperceptible cool Qi, which quietly merged into his Sea of Consciousness.

That cool Qi was like a timely rain after a long drought, invigorating Han Li's weakened Divine Soul.

"Hmm? What is this?" Ink Residence also sensed the anomaly.

Han Li seized this fleeting opportunity, gambling his remaining Divine Soul power in one desperate thrust, fiercely crashing into that black Qi!

An invisible roar exploded in the Sea of Consciousness.

Ink Residence's remnant soul let out a shrill scream, and the entire black Qi directly disintegrated.

Han Li was not well off either; his Divine Soul was shaken, and blood oozed from his seven orifices, but he ultimately resisted Ink Residence's Possession by relying on that ruthless determination and the unknown assistance.

He collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath.

This night, for Han Li, was long and perilous.

After cleaning up the mess, controlling Qing Hun, and burying Ink Residence, Han Li read the letter that made countless readers sigh, proving Ink Residence was indeed a generation's hero.

From the letter, Han Li learned that he had been poisoned with a cold toxin, and if he did not go to the Mo Estate in Jia Yuan City within two years to obtain the nuan yang treasure jade, he would die from the cold Qi penetrating his internal organs.

Han Li's expression was grim; after much thought, he chose to stay here first to observe the authenticity of the cold toxin.

And subsequently, as in the original work, he took over Ink Residence's position in the Seven Mysteries Sect, Cultivating in the valley, using the small green bottle to ripen spiritual plants for Alchemy.

...

Time flew by, and unknowingly, four months quietly passed.

In the elegant guest courtyard in the Mo Estate's backyard, Lin Feng sat cross-legged, surrounded by swirling Spiritual Qi.

With twice the Spiritual Qi density in his exclusive Immortal Cave space, coupled with the Medicinal Pills exchanged daily from the System's shop, his Cultivation speed was incredibly fast.

Not long ago, the newly exchanged top-tier Cultivation Technique, the Five Elements Swordplay, circulated within his body, surging endlessly, as torrents of magical power impacted the barriers within his Meridians.

"Pop!"

A soft sound, as if some kind of restraint had been broken.

Lin Feng's internal magical power suddenly surged by a significant margin, and his Aura also climbed accordingly.

Qi Refining third-layer!

He did not stop, merely consolidating slightly before sinking back into Cultivation.

A month later, Qi Refining fourth-layer!

Another month later, Qi Refining fifth-layer!

When the morning sun first rose on the fourth month, Lin Feng slowly opened his eyes, a sharp gleam flashing and disappearing.

Qi Refining seventh-layer!

In just four short months, he had leaped from newly entering Qi Refining first-layer to becoming a Qi Refining seventh-layer Cultivator!

"Hoo..." Lin Feng let out a long breath, feeling an unprecedented power.

His magical power was several times thicker than before. The Da Yan Cultivation Method was also very proficient, and his Divine Sense was now comparable to a Foundation Establishment Early Stage Cultivator.

As for the [Talisman Insights (Advanced)], it had benefited him immensely. He could now not only easily create low-tier and mid-to-Advanced Talismans but also draw various mid-tier Talismans such as the [Vajra Talisman], [Swiftness Talisman], and [Breath-Concealing Talisman].

He exited the exclusive Immortal Cave space and returned to his room in the guest courtyard.

Pushing open the door, the morning sunlight fell upon him.

"Young Master Lin, you've come out of seclusion?"

A surprised female voice came, Mo Fengwu, holding a food box, stood gracefully at the courtyard entrance. Seeing Lin Feng, her beautiful eyes were filled with joy.

Today she wore a light pink dress, which further highlighted her snow-white skin.

"Phoenix Dance, miss." Lin Feng smiled slightly.

"Why are you being so polite, Young Master Lin?" Mo Fengwu's cheeks flushed slightly as she carried the food box inside, "I estimated you'd be coming out of seclusion today, so I specifically had the kitchen make some of your favorite pastries."

She placed the food box on the stone table.

"Young Master Lin, your... your Cultivation?" Mo Fengwu suddenly noticed the change in Lin Feng's Aura; that faint, ethereal pressure was much stronger than before.

"Just a slight improvement," Lin Feng said lightly.

Mo Fengwu's eyes shone with even greater brilliance.

After these months of interaction, Mo Fengwu had long been deeply infatuated with the man before her. However, because Lin Feng had been in secluded Cultivation, Mo Fengwu could only bury these feelings in her heart.

The night was like water, and moonlight poured down.

In the Mo Estate's backyard, Lin Feng walked slowly by himself.

"Young Master Lin."

A slightly shy voice came from behind him. Lin Feng turned around and saw Mo Fengwu standing gracefully under the moonlight, seemingly holding something in her hand.

"Phoenix Dance, miss, it's so late, is something the matter?"

Mo Fengwu lowered her head, walked in front of Lin Feng, and handed him a brocade box she held.

"Young Master Lin... I... I have something I want to give you. Mother said that only in Young Master Lin's hands would this item not be wasted."

Lin Feng took the brocade box, opened it, and inside lay a beautifully carved jade pendant, subtly radiating Spiritual Qi. He couldn't even tell what grade of treasure it was.

"This is the Mo Estate's supreme treasure, the nuan yang treasure jade, left by father... but only those of the Mo Estate can use it." Mo Fengwu looked up, her bright eyes fixed on Lin Feng, filled with anticipation and trepidation, "Young Master Lin, will... will you accept it?"

Lin Feng looked at the jade pendant in his hand, then at the young girl's clear eyes, and sighed softly in his heart.

"Phoenix Dance, miss, this is too valuable." Lin Feng closed the brocade box and handed it back to her.

The color instantly drained from Mo Fengwu's face, and her eyes immediately reddened: "Young Master Lin... are you disdaining Phoenix Dance?"

"That's not it." Lin Feng shook his head, his tone gentle, "Phoenix Dance, miss, you are a good girl. But I have already embarked on the path of Cultivation; my future path is uncertain, and life and death are unpredictable..."

Mo Fengwu's delicate body trembled slightly, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Young Master Lin, I..." She took a deep breath, "I'm not afraid! As long as I can stay by Young Master Lin's side, I'm not afraid of any danger, no matter how great!"

The young girl's gaze was fervent and resolute.

"Phoenix Dance, do you know that Immortals and Mortals are different?" Lin Feng's voice was calm, "Cultivators' Lifespan far exceeds that of Mortals; what they pursue is the Grand Dao of longevity. A hundred years from now, you will slowly grow old and turn into a mound of yellow earth, while my appearance may remain unchanged."

Lin Feng didn't mean to hurt Mo Fengwu; it was just that he hadn't yet found a way for Mortals to Cultivate.

Mo Fengwu's face grew even paler, her lips trembling.

"Moreover, the Immortal Realm is a place where the strong prey on the weak, far more cruel than the Mortal world. If one day I encounter a powerful enemy and cannot even protect myself, how can I protect you?"

Mo Fengwu's tears finally could not be held back and streamed down.

She knew that what Young Master Lin said was the truth.

"Young Master, could it be..." She choked, her voice tinged with despair and unwillingness, "Is it true that without a Spiritual Root, one truly cannot Cultivate?"

Under the moonlight, the young girl's face was tear-streaked like a pear blossom in the rain, and her eyes, which had always been full of brilliance, were now dim, filled with confusion and helplessness.