Cultivation is just so scientific!

Chapter 260: Chapter 176: Rebuild 2

At this moment, IBMz15 presented an analysis report, which was an evaluation of his use of the “Five Elements Qi Absorption Array” in his cultivation.

Based on all the knowledge of cultivation he had acquired, including the texts from the Wei’s Book Collection Room he had accessed this time, a report was formulated.

The “Five Elements Qi Absorption Array” would greatly assist him during the Foundation Establishment Stage, allowing his spiritual power to possess the attributes of the Five Elements, while maintaining it in the purest state possible at the same level.

These benefits would enable him to break through to the next realm as soon as he accumulated enough spiritual power within his body, without having to spend a large amount of time compressing and purifying spiritual power like other cultivators.

However, there were drawbacks as well; the current “Five Elements Qi Absorption Array,” with its second grade Five Elements Array energy, could only support his use during the Foundation Establishment Stage.

According to IBMz15’s analysis, if he wanted to advance to the Golden Core Stage, besides possessing the necessary spiritual power and sufficient resources for the breakthrough, he would also require a set of third grade Five Elements Array materials.

Li Shiming’s head began to ache at this point.

The second-grade Five Elements Array materials were already requested from the Sky Sea Sect, where Yu Sect Leader had almost been angered to death by him. If it hadn’t been for their desire to have him participate in the most perilous life-or-death battle, he would never have obtained the second-grade materials.

The difficulties involved in acquiring second-grade materials were already troublesome enough, and he dared not even dream of obtaining the third-grade Five Elements Array materials.

Third grade, that was a level that only Golden Core cultivators could touch.

If he had a Golden Core Stage elder, perhaps it would be possible!

“Wait, I actually do have one, but alas, Elder Yin probably can’t produce the third-grade Five Elements Array materials anymore!” Li Shiming thought of something and then helplessly shook his head as he talked to himself.

It seems his best option was to join a major sect as soon as possible, then leverage his status as a high-level Array Master to gain access to the array materials.

When the time came, whether by stealing, borrowing, or deceiving, he would have to obtain a set of third-grade Five Elements Array materials—as this matter pertained to his path to forming a Golden Core.

“No, that’s not right. Will I even need fourth-grade Five Elements Array materials in the future?” Li Shiming continued to consider another significant matter, his complexion growing even grimmer.

He felt like he had dug himself a massive pit and foolishly jumped into it.

“We’ll deal with that when we come to it!” He gave up thinking for now. Everything would have to wait until he reached that stage!

Li Shiming took out nine flying spirit swords. Now that he had become a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, he was finally able to use a Spiritual Artifact.

Though the spiritual power inside his body was minimal, he could still manage to refine a Spiritual Artifact.

Normally, newly Foundation Establishment Cultivators would prioritize refining a defensive Spiritual Artifact, provided they had the means.

Li Shiming, being a high-level Array Master, had long coveted the nine flying spirit swords, which were not only weapons but also functioned like array flags.

He no longer needed to use the “Dragon Drawing Technique” for refining the Spiritual Artifact; instead, he applied the refining method within the “Nine Heavens Thunder Strike Technique.”

The “Nine Heavens Thunder Strike Technique” wasn’t just for cultivating Thunder Spirit Power but also included various applications: attack, control, healing, refining, and more.

Additionally, as one’s cultivation level increased, more applications would become available.

He channeled the Golden Thunder Spiritual Power and pointed at the Spirit Sword marked with the Central Palace, the golden lightning covering the sword’s blade. Soon, he established a connection with the Spirit Sword.

The reason for choosing the Central Palace Sword was that it was the primary sword among the nine flying spirit swords.

Of course, this was his speculation, but after refining the Central Palace Sword, he not only established a spiritual connection with it but also felt a faint spiritual connection to the other eight swords.

This was the advantage of a set of Spiritual Artifacts; it was not necessary to refine each piece individually, as refining the main artifact enabled control over the entire set.

The “Nine Palace Sword Formation” was the name of this set of nine flying spirit swords, and even with the “Nine Heavens Thunder Strike Technique’s” strong refining efficacy, multiple refining sessions were necessary to achieve 100 percent refinement.

However, this time he accomplished ten percent refinement, and with nine more sessions, he would reach full refinement.

“`

Having refined one-tenth of it, Li Shiming was already able to use the Central Palace Sword as a flying sword, though its controllability and power couldn’t reach their maximum. Nevertheless, it was sufficient for practice.

Of course, with his current Spiritual Power, fully controlling nine flying swords was still very strenuous. He needed to accumulate more Spiritual Power to achieve this.

However, his Spiritual Thought met the requirements; under the drive of the Sword Manipulation Technique, the Central Palace Sword danced through his cave dwelling.

At the Foundation Establishment Stage, his Sword Manipulation Technique was somewhat lagging. Without a Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivation Technique for Sword Manipulation Technique, it seemed he needed to find a new Sword Control Skill.

The understanding of Sword Intent, which hadn’t progressed much before, now had nearly doubled during sword control practice.

He guessed that this was due to the level of his cultivation; after all, Sword Intent was too advanced, and the Qi Refinement Realm was far from sufficient to master it.

He estimated that once the Nine Palace Sword Formation was fully refined, with his current Sword Intent, he could definitely scatter the spirit imprint inside the Spiritual Artifact of an early-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator within five strikes.

What was more critical was that he felt the Sword Intent he grasped could likely be used by his clone as well.

Contemplating this, he diverted half of his consciousness back into his clone’s body.

Instantly, he felt weak as if drained of all strength.

Both his body and the soul that bore his consciousness felt an indescribable sense of weakness.

This contrast was especially stark: the main body was already at the Foundation Establishment Stage, yet despite the clone’s robust physique and possession of Spiritual Thought, compared to the main body’s equally strong or even stronger Body Refinement and enhanced Spiritual Thought, the clone felt weak.

Li Shiming’s consciousness first got accustomed to the sensation, and then he controlled the clone to flick out the Golden Strike Sword.

As the Golden Strike Sword flew out, he transferred his insight into Sword Intent into the Sword Control, resulting in a ray of sword light that contained a hint of Sword Intent. Although it was not as strong as that of his main body, he expected that after Foundation Establishment and some practice, the Sword Intent would develop further.

“Fellow, it’s all on you now!” The main body stood up, took out seven Foundation Establishment Pills, and handed them over, saying.

“Fellow, there shouldn’t be a need for so many!” The clone replied with a smile, taking the seven Foundation Establishment Pills.

Li Shiming did not intend for the clone to use the Five Elements Qi Absorption Array; on one hand, he couldn’t find a set of Second Grade Five Elements Array Materials in Beishu in a short period. The Top-grade Spirit Veins he had in this place were forcefully seized by him.

On the other hand, he didn’t know if the Five Elements Qi Absorption Array in the main body’s Spirit Lake was a trap; trapping just one was enough, there was no need to drag the clone into it as well.

It was best for the clone to advance to the Foundation Establishment Stage through the most standard progression.

The clone sat on the outlet of the Top-grade Spirit Veins in the hall and started operating the Five Elements Qi Absorption Technique, absorbing the Spiritual Energy into his body and then forcibly injecting it into the Spiritual Energy Vortex.

The clone had reached the peak of the Qi Refining Stage a long time ago; if not for assisting the main body, it could have broken through to the Foundation Establishment Stage much earlier.

There probably aren’t many with Heavenly Spirit Root who, after reaching the limit in Spiritual Power, Spiritual Thought, and Body Refinement, would still delay the attempt to advance for so long.

A surge of Spiritual Power was invested into the Spiritual Energy Vortex. Given the Vortex had previously reached its limit, this new surge of Spiritual Power immediately initiated a chain reaction.

The Spiritual Energy Vortex abruptly shuddered. Without any overly violent reactions, the vortex shrank into a Spirit Lake.

An energy surged through the process of the vortex transforming into a Spirit Lake, flowing towards every part of the clone’s body, enhancing both the physique and soul, completely transforming into a Foundation Establishment Stage body and soul.

Li Shiming, observing from the side, checked the time. IBMz15 provided the precise timing: thirty-one seconds was all it took for the clone to break through successfully.

Perhaps it was because the pressure had been too great; the clone’s Spiritual Energy Vortex took in a surge of Spiritual Power and advanced.

No Foundation Establishment Pills were used, and no lengthy wait was needed.

Li Shiming couldn’t help but shake his head, acknowledging the disparity in spirit root talent.

Even without using Foundation Establishment Pills, the main body had spent a full three months to break through, leaving himself with a trouble that he did not know was a curse or a blessing.

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