Chapter 143: Seclusion

Chapter 143: Chapter 143: Seclusion

Inside the room, a Fire Lotus slowly bloomed, its petals engulfed in rising crimson flames. The Fire Lotus Technique was originally an offensive Magic.

For Liu Chen to use it to make Spiritual Cuisine, he would have to wait until the Fire Lotus Technique reached Perfection. Only after fully understanding its Magic Veins could he guide its transformation into a Unique Skill, reducing its attack power in exchange for a longer duration.

After returning from a trip to the Marketplace, Liu Chen circulated his Cultivation Technique. He then had only an hour and a half left to practice the Fire Lotus Technique. Although he managed to raise the Magic to the Great Success Realm, transforming it into a Unique Skill would still require a great deal of effort.

September 23rd passed quickly. On September 24th, as the pillar of light representing Qingxu Hall rose into the sky, Liu Chen felt a cool sensation wash over his mind. He felt clear-headed and refreshed. The previous day’s fatigue was completely gone, and his mind felt sharper than ever.

[Concentration Technique: Unique]

’Now that the Concentration Technique has become Unique, it’s a perfect substitute for sleep. I can also use it to break free from Illusion Techniques. Quite practical.’

Liu Chen exhaled a breath of turbid air in his room, feeling invigorated. He then resumed his practice of the Fire Lotus Technique. The Concentration Technique provided him with another layer of security for his survival, especially in trials like the one in Fire Dragon Valley.

Liu Chen spent September 24th practicing the Fire Lotus Technique. At the Perfection Realm, the Magic could nearly fill half the room. However, after it transformed into a Unique Skill, it shrank severalfold, becoming a single, thirty-six-petaled, crimson Fire Lotus.

It took up less than a tenth of the space it had at the Perfection Realm and looked more like a blazing, strangely shaped furnace.

[Fire Lotus Technique: Unique]

’One Magic, two uses. I’ll use the oversized Fire Lotus for combat and this version for making Spiritual Cuisine. It only has a third of the original’s power but can last for several hours.’

As Liu Chen muttered to himself in his room, another volcanic pillar of light rose slowly into the sky. 「September 25th had arrived.」

With the Fire Lotus Technique now Unique, Liu Chen turned his attention to the Mystic Cauldron Technique. While he still considered the Fire Lotus Technique useful for combat, he had no such intentions for the Mystic Cauldron Technique.

He didn’t know which predecessor had created the Mystic Cauldron Technique, but the Magic was ill-suited for combat. The Spiritual Power it required was more than enough for other, more effective spells. The Mystic Cauldron was better for smashing things, but any Cultivator of the same Realm would flee the moment they saw it coming.

Liu Chen spent another two fulfilling days practicing the Mystic Cauldron Technique. On the afternoon of September 26th, the ancient, bronze Profound Cauldron before him suddenly shrank and landed right in his palm.

[Mystic Cauldron Technique: Unique]

’It can change size. In that case, the Mystic Cauldron Technique might just have some combat applications after all, especially when paired with the Escape Shadow Technique.’

Liu Chen narrowed his eyes, his mind racing. ’Hide in an enemy’s shadow with the Escape Shadow Technique, then emerge and slam them with the Profound Cauldron. The effect should be quite good.’

’There are only four pillars of light left, so there’s no need to search for more Magic. I’ll practice the Spirit Arrow Technique next. From now on, I can use the Spirit Arrow Technique and the Spirit Wheel Skill openly. However, to maintain a distinction from the Black Feather Dynasty Guard persona I might need to use later, it’s best not to reveal their full power during normal use.’

Lost in thought, Liu Chen walked out of the room.

Liu Chen wouldn’t normally be out in the courtyard at this time. But now that he had officially purchased the Spirit Wheel Skill and the Spirit Arrow Technique, he could find a place to practice the latter openly.

"Going out for a stroll again, Junior Brother?"

Yang Haichen glanced over at him. It was the final days of the trial, and the disciples from various families who hadn’t yet achieved their goals were camping out in the areas where the Three Immortal Sects were gathered, making a real nuisance of themselves.

If Liu Chen went out, he was bound to be swarmed by those disciples trying to flatter him. That was why most disciples from the Three Immortal Sects had been staying within their own designated areas lately.

"I’m looking for a place to practice Magic."

Liu Chen yawned. ’Since I can practice the Spirit Arrow Technique openly now, it should be easy to find an empty spot nearby,’ he thought.

"Follow me, Junior Brother."

Yang Haichen nodded. If that was all, there was no need to go far.

The two left the courtyard, one following the other, and entered a somewhat dilapidated courtyard at the end of an alley.

Yang Haichen pushed open the door to one of the rooms, revealing a set of stairs leading underground.

"It’s a warehouse down there, I think. It’s about the size of four courtyards, so it should be plenty of space for you to practice. I’ll stay up here."

Yang Haichen said, gesturing toward the stairs. He wasn’t at all concerned about safety; all potential dangers in this area had been cleared out long ago.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Yang."

Liu Chen nodded and headed down the stairs.

Yang Haichen waved, then turned and left the room. He picked up a broken wooden plank, used his Spiritual Power to carve a symbol onto it, and hung it in a prominent spot in the courtyard.

The staircase wasn’t long, and Liu Chen soon found himself in a pitch-black warehouse. A sweep of his Spiritual Sense revealed several unlit torches within.

Liu Chen used the Lamp Burning Technique to light all the torches, then formed a Spirit Bow and began practicing the Spirit Arrow Technique.

An hour later, Liu Chen emerged from the warehouse. The Spirit Arrow Technique he had previously used had successfully reached the Great Success Realm. ’It should become a Unique Skill before the trial ends,’ he mused.

With this private training area, Liu Chen spent all his time practicing there, breaking only for meals. The only difference in his routine was how he arrived: at night, he used the Escape Shadow Technique, while during the day, he simply walked over.

「At 3:00 AM on September 28th,」 inside the warehouse, the Spirit Bow in Liu Chen’s hands solidified from its previously ethereal state, now looking like a genuine, tangible weapon.

[Spirit Arrow Technique: Unique]

’This is probably my strongest long-range attack now. I can also imbue my Spirit Arrows with the effects of the Soul Crossing Technique. I won’t have to personally face the risks when dealing with Ghost Cultivators anymore.’

Liu Chen dissipated the Spirit Bow, rested for a moment, and then took out the Secret Manual for the Dragon Locking Skill. It was the last Basic Magic Technique he possessed. By the time he mastered it, the trial should be nearly over.

Though called the Dragon Locking Skill, it was, in fact, just a spell that used Spiritual Power to form chains and bind a person. It couldn’t restrict an opponent’s Spiritual Power, making it quite useful against Cultivators of a lower Realm. However, against an opponent of the same or a higher Realm, it was best not to use it at all.

The progression of the Dragon Locking Skill was: one chain at the Beginner Realm, three at Minor Success, five at Great Success, and nine at Perfection. As the Magic Realm advanced, the chains’ binding force grew stronger. They could even link together, making it possible to restrain Demon Beasts much larger than a member of the Human Race.

「On the afternoon of September 29th,」 nine phantom dragons swirled around Liu Chen. This was his Dragon Locking Skill, now transformed into a Unique Skill. Not only were there nine chains, but they had also taken on the appearance of roaming dragons.

[Dragon Locking Skill: Unique]