C28 First Level of the Spirit Mastery

The Holy Water Rune is one of the world's most formidable Spirit Mark Runes. Even in its incomplete state, it possesses enough power to endow its host with tremendous energy.

Liu Xingchang's current task was to execute his cultivation technique and absorb the energy granted by the Holy Water Rune. While normal cultivation involves refining the Spiritual Energy from the environment, which is a slow process requiring many steps, refining one's inherent Spiritual Energy can greatly accelerate the process.

The energy from the Holy Water Rune, much like that from Spirit Stones and Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, could be directly refined and absorbed by Liu Xingchang. This direct access to powerful resources is precisely why scions of noble families often advance more rapidly in their cultivation.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Within Liu Xingchang, the energy surged, clashing with his innate Spiritual Energy at an incredible rate.

Energy, similar to a liquid, can experience a forceful rebound when it collides with another substance, yet some of it will also blend. As the Spiritual Energy and the newly refined energy continued to clash, the amount of merged energy increased steadily.

Since Spiritual Energy was already inherent to Liu Xingchang, any additional energy that fused with it would become a controllable resource for him.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Liu Xingchang had believed that even an incomplete Holy Water Rune could elevate his cultivation to around the Spirit Mastery Fifth or Sixth Layer. However, he soon realized he had underestimated the challenge of advancing the Three-Spirit Sacred Body. As more energy from the Holy Water Rune was refined, his realm naturally progressed to the ninth grade, and after another hour, he achieved the first level of Spirit Mastery.

Yet, upon reaching the first level of Spirit Mastery, he hit a significant bottleneck. The energy from the Holy Water Rune filled one Spirit Sea, but he still had a second and third Spirit Sea to saturate. The second Spirit Sea eventually brimmed with energy after much effort, but the remaining energy struggled to fill the third Spirit Sea.

The third Spirit Sea swelled with increasing concentrations of Spiritual Energy: thirty percent, fifty percent, sixty percent, eighty percent, and finally, ninety percent. When the Holy Water Rune's energy arrived, the Spirit Sea was already brimming with ninety percent Spiritual Energy. It was thoroughly refined, leaving no trace of energy to be further processed.

"Oh my god..." Despite having weathered many storms, Liu Xingchang couldn't help but widen his eyes in disbelief. "This is the Holy Water Rune we're talking about! Even in its damaged state, it's one of the Nine Great Runes, as renowned as the Holy Gold Rune I wielded in my past life... And it only allowed me to advance by two levels? How can the Three-Spirit Sacred Body squander resources to such an extent!" Liu Xingchang was so frustrated he felt like he could spit blood.

Consider that in his past life, his realm had reached lofty heights, where advancing a single level was dozens of times harder than it is now. Yet, with the Holy Gold Rune, he had managed to break through six minor realms... The profligacy of the Three-Spirit Sacred Body was starkly apparent by comparison.

"The Three-Spirit Sacred Body is indeed superior, but the journey to avenge my past life is daunting... When will I be able to break through the Life and Death Realm and ascend to the Northern Polar Heaven Domain? I truly miss my old comrades..." he mused. Just then, a knock at the door interrupted his thoughts.

"Young Master Liu, our lord has returned. Our young lady requests your presence in the main hall," a voice called from outside.

"Alright, I understand. I'll be there shortly," Liu Xingchang responded loudly. He ceased his cultivation practice, stood up to smooth out the wrinkles in his clothes, and stepped out the door.

Guided by a servant, Liu Xingchang arrived at the bustling main hall of the Linghu Clan. The hall was packed with people eager to lay eyes on the man who could best Liu Changqing and rescue two young misses, a young master, an elder, and a guard of the Linghu Clan.

The Linghu Clan's patriarch was a middle-aged man with a seemingly gentle demeanor. But beneath that amiable exterior lurked a thunderous potential for fury. Anyone mistaking his kindness for weakness was bound to pay dearly.

Hu Gewan, Hu Geqing, and Hu Sanlang stood obediently behind him, resembling three well-behaved children.

Flanking Patriarch Hu were the senior members and elders of the Linghu Clan. Aside from the Second Elder, there was a white-robed elder exuding an aura of hidden depth, seated even closer to the front than the Second Elder, clearly indicating his status as the Great Elder of the Linghu Clan.

Upon Liu Xingchang's arrival, Patriarch Hu promptly approached him, grasping his hand with a warm and grateful expression, "Mr. Liu, I cannot thank you enough for saving my son and daughter. To me, that is more precious than anything else!"

The Second Elder chimed in from the side, "Defeating a cultivator of the Second Layer of Spirit Mastery Realm with an Eighth Grade cultivation is no mean feat. Young Mr. Liu, with your exceptional talent at such a young age, you are indeed a prodigy and a hero among men!"

Liu Xingchang modestly replied, "Second Elder flatters me too much. I hardly deserve such high praise."

Patriarch Hu gestured dismissively and said, "Mr. Liu, there's no need for excessive modesty. The fact that you saved Wannge and the others is undeniable, and I must express my gratitude properly! Tell me, what can our Linghu Clan offer you? Just name it, and if it's within our power, we will not hesitate! Our Linghu Clan does not take lightly to ingratitude or failing to repay debts."

Liu Xingchang believed in the Linghu Clan's sincerity, yet he still offered a smile and responded, "I saved Miss Hu because she once saved my life. We are even, and there's no need for Patriarch Hu to dwell on it."

Patriarch Hu insisted, "Mr. Liu, regardless, we are indebted to you. If you refuse this favor, it could tarnish our Linghu Clan's reputation for honor and gratitude. We cannot allow that."

Liu Xingchang gave a wry smile, but after a moment's thought, he suggested, "If I were to ask for one thing... during my drift down the Great Swallow River, my sword was swept away. Currently, I possess a piece of condensed iron. Perhaps, Patriarch Hu, you might know a skilled Weapon Refiner who could forge this condensed iron into a weapon for me?"

"Concentrated iron?"

A chorus of gasps echoed around upon hearing these words.

Patriarch Hu also expressed his astonishment, "Young Master Liu, Concentrated Iron is an exceptionally rare and durable material for weapons. Artifact Refiners capable of forging weapons from Concentrated Iron wouldn't settle for a minor place like Cloud Ascending City... To find an Artifact Refiner of such caliber, one must venture to the Azure Sky Realm!"

Liu Xingchang was taken aback and asked, "The Azure Sky Realm?"

Patriarch Hu replied, "Yes, indeed. Have you not been to the Azure Sky Realm? It's where the competition among the major powers is most intense and where the mightiest Cultivators gather!"

Linghu Sanlang chimed in with enthusiasm, "They say the Azure Sky Realm is strewn with treasures and beauties. Every day, a formidable power falls, and new ones rise in its place... What excites me the most is the rumor that the brothels there are home not only to human beauties but also to elven ones, and even powerful demonesses who have taken human form. They even have exotic women from the Great Western Region!"

Linghu Sanlang rattled off his excitement like he was listing treasures, but before he could finish, Hu Gewan smacked him on the head, prompting roars of laughter from everyone.

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