C5 The Middle Period of the Soul Nurturing

Without realizing it, Ye Chen had already spent three years at the Polaris Holy Land. During that time, he diligently swept the floors of the Imperial Ancestral Temple. Since a skirmish some time ago, he seldom ventured out, except for his monthly trip to the Pill Hall to collect Body Tempering Pills.

Chen Hen, who had vowed to seek revenge, tried to ambush Ye Chen several times but never succeeded and eventually gave up. Moreover, as a mere tomb watcher at the temple, Ye Chen avoided stirring up trouble. He was cautious, unassuming, and since he didn't seek attention, he was left undisturbed.

His life over these three years was uneventful and tranquil. Yet, Ye Chen was aware that the world beyond was far from calm. Fellbeasts were growing increasingly bold, with beast tides erupting now and then, wreaking havoc. Many Polaris disciples had perished at the claws of these creatures while training outside.

Aware of the perils beyond, Ye Chen had no desire to leave the mountain, nor did he aspire to showcase his talents and become a direct or Chosen Disciple. In his eyes, the role of a tomb watcher was the most enviable position. His daily tasks were simple: sweep, dust off the tombs, refill the lamps, and sign in. In return, he gained access to a variety of sacred texts and panaceas, which rapidly enhanced his strength.

He enjoyed his solitude, free from disturbances and complications. Such a cushy job and peaceful existence were hard to come by.

Throughout these years, thanks to running errands for Zi Yuan and being allowed to roam freely, Ye Chen had explored nearly every corner of the land. He had visited every significant place with a hint of rhythm, signing in at each location without needing to enter the rhythm-filled sites. Right outside the Scripture Library, Ye Chen had acquired the Primordial Scripture, Heavenly Five Thunders, and other profound sacred texts.

Outside the Spirit Hall, Ye Chen checked in to receive techniques such as the soul fragment escape method and the Soul Chasing Seal, among others.

At the Rune Hall entrance, Ye Chen checked in to receive the Five Elements Rune.

In the Pill Hall, Ye Chen checked in for the Vitality Restoration Pill, the Pill of Harmony, and more.

Outside the Alchemy Hall, Ye Chen checked in for the Cleansing Spirit Pill, Barrier Breaking Pill, and additional pills.

At the Tower of Binding, Ye Chen checked in to acquire the Demon Body Forging Art, the Animus Blade, and other divine techniques and spiritual weapons.

Over three years of checking in, Ye Chen noticed that the frequency of check-ins varied by location.

For instance, after Ye Chen checked in for the Yin-Yang Holy Body at the Imperial Ancestral Temple, he was unable to check in again, as it seemed he had completely depleted the rhythm there. Thankfully, he could still check in at the mausoleum.

Similarly, after checking in for the Demon Body Forging Art and the Animus Blade, he could no longer check in at the Tower of Binding.

However, there were still many places within the Polaris Holy Land where he could repeatedly check in, such as the Imperial Mausoleum, Scripture Library, Alchemy Hall, Pill Hall, Spirit Hall, and Rune Hall.

Through multiple check-ins at these locations, Ye Chen obtained a variety of sacred texts, secret methods, combat skills, and an array of panaceas, including the Soulcatch Pill, Transcendence Pill, Pill of Harmony, Vitality Restoration Pill, Barrier Breaking Pill, and countless others.

These pills served various purposes: some for cultivation, some for healing injuries, and others for breaking through realms. There was a pill for every need.

Eventually, Ye Chen amassed a variety of pills and, noticing a lack of novelty in the new offerings, he grew disinterested in checking in.

Ye Chen realized that the rhythm of this place likely only produced pills of the current level, and that daily check-ins would not yield much better rewards.

Instead, he decided it was more worthwhile to use his check-in opportunities at the Imperial Mausoleum, accessing the legacies left by his predecessors.

In just three short years, not only did Ye Chen reap an abundance of check-in rewards, but his cultivation also advanced to the middle period of the Soul Nurturing Realm.

At eighteen, reaching the middle period of the Soul Nurturing realm on the Lunaria Continent is considered a significant achievement, placing one among the upper echelons of the cultivation world. Most core disciples within the Polaris Holy Land are at this stage.

The Soul Nurturing realm is the backbone of the Polaris Holy Land's strength.

Those who have cultivated to the Soul Nurturing realm possess exceptional talent. In smaller sects, they would already qualify to become core disciples.

Even within Polaris, such individuals are rare prodigies.

For Ye Chen to have broken through to the Soul Nurturing realm in just three years is no small feat.

Even in a grand sect like Polaris, there are only a handful of core and Chosen Disciples who can match his prowess.

As for the God-Man realm, that is the domain of the Holy Land's elders.

An ordinary cultivator, no matter how astonishing their talent or even if they possess a top-tier spirited body, would normally need fifty years to cultivate to the God-Man level, and that's with a continuous supply of cultivation resources.

Zi Yuan, the temple attendant Ye Chen was with at the Imperial Ancestral Temple, is over four hundred years old and is in the middle period of the God-Man realm.

The talent of the Yin-Yang Holy Body is extraordinary, allowing him to cultivate without hitting any bottlenecks!

When it was time for Ye Chen to break through to the Soul Nurturing stage, he used a Barrier Breaking Pill, which is typically reserved for those advancing to the God-Man stage. This pill allowed him a smooth transition during his Soul Transformation.

While others struggle to integrate spiritual energy into their bodies and evolve the rhythm of Soulcatch into a godhead, Ye Chen easily tore through the condensed energy with the Barrier Breaking Pill, evolving his godhead and stepping into the Soul Nurturing realm.

With such an inexhaustible supply of resources, Ye Chen's cultivation progressed rapidly, as he faced no bottlenecks.

Had he not entered the Soul Nurturing realm in three years, Ye Chen would have considered it too swift a progression and would have focused on solidifying his foundation. Believing that a towering building must start from the ground up, he would have ensured that every step taken was on solid footing. Otherwise, he might have already advanced to the God-Man realm with the aid of numerous pills.

Typically, after reaching the Soul Nurturing realm, the next phase involves refining one's will, grasping various concepts, and forging a more robust godhead. This preparation is crucial for when one eventually transforms into a God-Man, enabling the emergence of an even more formidable being.

Typically, once disciples of the Holy Land reach the Soul Nurturing Realm, they embark on a journey beyond their sacred grounds. They venture into the world to spar with peers from other Holy Lands, witnessing life's myriad forms and understanding the suffering of humanity. They battle Fellbeasts and refine their Dao hearts, all in preparation for the eventual ascension to the God-Man state.

However, Ye Chen was well aware of the perils that lay outside and had no desire to seek out such trials. It was common knowledge that a significant number of Polaris disciples had perished in recent years while training abroad.

Ye Chen had no such aspirations.

He intended to cultivate at his own pace, taking time to meticulously hone his abilities. He planned to use the pills he possessed to aid in his breakthroughs.

Moreover, Ye Chen believed that to truly temper his Dao heart, spending ten days to a fortnight sitting in the mausoleum, absorbing its eerie and malevolent atmosphere, would suffice.

"Now, where should I check in today? I've yet to claim this month's Body Tempering Pill. Perhaps a visit to the Pill Hall is in order," Ye Chen mused after tidying up the Imperial Ancestral Temple. He then set out towards the Pill Hall.

En route, as he passed the Polaris Training Hall, Ye Chen observed groups of Polaris disciples huddled together, whispering amongst themselves about something that had clearly piqued their interest.