C144 Condensation Spin Stage Level 8

Three days flew by in the blink of an eye.

Inside the main hall of the Essence Pill Pavilion, Lin Xuan and Sun Hee occupied the seats of honor. Sun Hee handed over a portion of the day's earnings to Lin Xuan. As their conversation wound down, Sun Hee let out a heavy sigh and said, "Elder Lin, it seems our partnership may have to come to an end."

"Why would that be?" Lin Xuan's expression shifted, a hint of concern in his tone.

"The pills you've been producing are of the Cloud Pattern variety, and their quality is exceptionally high. This has led to discontent among other major shops. The Wind Cloud Pill Pavilion, backed by the City Lord's Mansion, has started to put pressure on me. The Essence Pill Pavilion is just a regular shop; we're not in the same league as the Wind Cloud Pill Pavilion," Sun Hee explained, his mood somber.

"Is that so?" Lin Xuan's expression was one of bemusement. He hadn't anticipated that the issue would stem from the superior quality of his pills. The situation left him almost at a loss for words.

After a moment of reflection, Lin Xuan responded calmly, "Pavilion Master Sun, if that's the case, then it's best we suspend our collaboration for now."

Over the past three days, he had accumulated five hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones. Lin Xuan reckoned that this sum would suffice for his cultivation at the Condensation Spin Stage and might even see him through to the Spirit Opening Stage. His mission had been accomplished.

He had no intention of engaging in a confrontation with the Wind Cloud Pill Pavilion on behalf of the Essence Pill Pavilion. His alliance with the Essence Pill Pavilion had been a means to an end—to accrue spirit stones. Both parties had benefited, and there were no debts between them. Anything beyond that was of no concern to him. His priority was to bolster his strength without delay.

With his decision made, Lin Xuan departed Fengyun City. A few hours later, he arrived safely back at the Drifting Cloud Sect. He settled into the cultivation chamber, seated himself on a meditation cushion, and with a Low-Grade Spirit Stone in hand, he commenced his secluded cultivation.

The Drifting Cloud Sect was a sanctuary compared to Fengyun City—far safer and more conducive to his practices. Having fulfilled his objective, there was no reason for him to linger. And so, he made his way back to the sect's pavilion.

Of course, his timely return to the Drifting Cloud Sect was motivated by more than just the events that had transpired.

Another reason was the impending Inner Sect Strong List Ranking Competition.

Only a few days remained.

Given Lin Xuan's current prowess, clinching the top spot on the Strong List would be a breeze.

The competition presented a prime opportunity to amass a wealth of energy points, not to mention the cultivation resources awarded by the sect.

This was an opportunity he couldn't afford to miss.

As time steadily flowed by, Lin Xuan's aura grew more potent.

Unbeknownst to him, several days had slipped away.

In the cultivation chamber, a formidable presence emanated briefly before vanishing into thin air.

Lin Xuan opened his eyes, expelled a breath of stale air, and gazed into the Void before him.

"Divine Level Duplication System."

"Host: Lin Xuan."

"Realm: Condensation Spin Stage, Level 8."

"Talent: Profound Grade Cultivation Talent, Profound Grade Alchemy Talent, Superior Grade Talents (Speed, Strength, Blade Dao, Kendo), Superior Grade Attribute Talents (Sharp Gold, Green Wood, Heavy Water, Crimson Fire, Earth, Gale), Top Grade Attribute Talents (Ice, Lightning)."

"Martial Arts: Golden Scale Barbaric Elephant Arts (Unknown, Incomplete, Beginner Level), Mixed Essence Formula (Rank 8, Low-grade, Initial Perfect Level), Rising Sun Saber Technique (Rank 7, High-grade, Initial Perfect Level), Sky Quake Sword Art (Rank 7, High-grade, Initial Perfect Level)."

"Tyrant Fist (Rank 7, High-grade, Initial Perfect Level), Startling Waves Palm (Rank 7, High-grade, Initial Perfect Level), Split-Space Leg (Rank 7, High-grade, Initial Perfect Level), Shadow Pursuing Skill (Rank 7, High-grade, Initial Perfect Level), Flame Manipulation (Rank 7, High-grade, Initial Perfect Level)."

"Concepts: 40% Saber Intent, 40% Sword Intent, 40% Artistic Conception of Wind, 30% Artistic Conception of Gold, 50% Artistic Conception of Fire, 30% Artistic Conception of Earth, 50% Artistic Conception of Wood, 20% Artistic Conception of Water."

"Energy Points: 678,000."

"Walkspace: 489."

Lin Xuan nodded slightly, his eyes twinkling with amusement as he surveyed the drastically altered attribute panel. "After expending 300 Low-Grade Spirit Stones, I've finally achieved a breakthrough to Level 8 of the Condensation Spin Stage in one fell swoop," he said with a smile.

Over the past few days, Lin Xuan had been in deep seclusion, cultivating with Low Grade Spirit Stones. His progress was remarkable, with his cultivation level advancing at a pace much quicker than before. Yet, he had underestimated the enormous demand for resources required by the Golden Scale Barbaric Elephant Arts. Moreover, once his talent had ascended to the Profound Grade, his need for cultivation resources surged once again.

Typically, a handful of Low Grade Spirit Stones would suffice for a warrior who had just broken through the Condensation Spin Stage to smoothly transition into the Spirit Opening Stage. However, Lin Xuan had only managed to advance from the third to the eighth level within the same stage. He could sense that the two hundred remaining stones would fall short of propelling him into the Spirit Opening Stage, a daunting realization indeed.

Nonetheless, the intense regimen bore fruit—his strength had multiplied several-fold. "One and a half million kilograms of force; I'm curious if someone in the middle phase of the Spirit Opening Stage could even withstand my strike," Lin Xuan mused, clenching his fist. The cultivation chamber was instantly swept by a roaring wind, a flash of light neutralizing most of the force. Although his mastery of the Golden Scale Barbaric Elephant Arts hadn't reached the beginner level, his power had climbed to an impressive 1.5 million kilograms. Even seasoned practitioners in the middle phase of the Spirit Opening Stage would balk at the prospect of facing his might.

Beyond that, Lin Xuan possessed an arsenal of martial arts techniques. The quantity and quality of the True Qi within his Dantian had exploded. Harnessing his full power, he was confident he could topple an average warrior in the Late Stage of the Spirit Opening Stage.

Pleased with his progress, Lin Xuan's gaze swept over his attribute panel from top to bottom. "My collection of treasures has seen significant upgrades," he reflected silently. These treasures, all replicated from Chen Annrann, were among the most coveted in the Drifting Cloud Sect and across the entirety of Cangyuan Country, empowering him to challenge adversaries beyond his level.

With a slight nod, Lin Xuan acknowledged his next challenge. "My energy points are running low. It's time to focus on earning more." Taking a deep breath, he stowed his attribute panel, rose to his feet, and stepped out of the cultivation chamber, ready for what lay ahead.

After glancing at the time, his face suddenly took on a look of alarm.

"It's so late already!"

He hadn't realized that he'd lost track of time during his seclusion.

The Ranking Competition had been underway for a while now.

While he was in deep cultivation, the pavilion's automatic defenses would have kicked in, insulating him from any external disturbances.

Not even the butler could have gotten through to remind him.

"Young Master Lin, you've emerged from seclusion. The Strong List Ranking Competition began over half an hour ago!

You must hurry, there might still be time to catch up!"

Zhou Yun entered, his face brightening at the sight of Lin Xuan, then quickly turning to urgency as he spoke.

"I'm on my way. Just keep the pavilion in order."

Lin Xuan gave a nod.

With those words, he vanished from sight.

Zhou Yun's eyes narrowed, a mix of astonishment and awe striking him.

He hadn't been able to track Lin Xuan's movements at all.

And to think, he himself was a warrior at the middle stage of the Condensation Spin Stage.

"Young Master Lin's strength seems to have greatly improved once more. I wonder what surprises the Strong List will hold this time."

Zhou Yun murmured, anticipation building within him.