Immortality begins with Becoming an Alchemy Grandmaster

Chapter 876: Chapter 358 Third Order Illusion Technique, Mirror Flower, Water Moon

With Gu Caiyi’s injuries healed, Luo Chen suddenly found himself with spare time.

The preparation of Jade Dew Pills and Blood Ignition Pills was not particularly taxing for him, now that his Pill Refinement Technique had reached an advanced stage.

Therefore, he dedicated the extra time to other matters.

One was to enhance his combat skills!

It wasn’t just about rehearsing techniques to gain proficiency.

He had transferred books on the Art of Tool Command, a specialty of the Duan Family, from the Book Collection Pavilion of the Luo Tian Creed’s Chuan Gong Hall.

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Day by day, he studied, trying to master this skill.

Another focus was researching the Ghost God Heart Asking Mirror.

Although the artifact was damaged, it still retained some of its power.

With the Lan Ke Black and White Chess in hand, Luo Chen’s exploration of this artifact was relatively safe.

But only relatively so!

Every few days, Luo Chen would find himself trapped in one illusion realm or another.

Some lasted but a moment; others went on for two or three days.

As a result, each time he woke up, Luo Chen seemed dazed, his face reflecting utter confusion.

This state of affairs truly frightened both Gu Caiyi and Bai Meiling.

“Are you sure you’re alright?”

One day at lunch, Gu Caiyi asked with concern.

Luo Chen froze for a moment, then waved his hand.

“Don’t worry, I’ve already found a shortcut to control this treasure.”

“Shortcut?” Gu Caiyi expressed her confusion, “Is there even a shortcut to controlling magic items?”

Luo Chen nodded and casually said, “The Heart Inquiry Mirror is the treasure of Ghost God Valley, combining the pinnacles of array and illusion techniques to guide cultivators’ divine souls into it, allowing for simulations to deduce logic.

“To control this treasure, one needs either masterful skills in the Path of Array or one must learn the corresponding compatible illusion technique.”

“The core of the illusion technique covered by this artifact is a Third Order Illusion Technique named ‘Mirror Flower, Water Moon’.”

Gu Caiyi’s interest piqued; she asked, “So, you know ‘Mirror Flower, Water Moon’?”

“I don’t, but I have the original technique and know how to cultivate it.”

The original of a Third Order Illusion Technique?

As Gu Caiyi looked surprised, Bai Meiling nearby said with a giggling smile:

“Sister Caiyi, I also have the methods to cultivate ‘Mirror Flower, Water Moon’!”

Luo Chen smiled and did not explain much.

Indeed, he possessed the cultivation method for this high-order illusion technique.

It came from “Mysteries of Gods and Ghosts”!

Yin Soul Fierce Ghosts are either fiends or delusions that bewitch the minds of the unaware, causing them to fall prey unconsciously.

As a core Third Order cultivation technique for Ghost Cultivators, “Mysteries of Gods and Ghosts” naturally contained enchanting and seductive techniques.

And that was exactly Mirror Flower, Water Moon!

However, as a Third Order Technique, it naturally has an extremely high difficulty in cultivation.

Foundation Establishment Cultivators who want to learn it must first master three Second Order Techniques.

“It’s similar to Mountain Collapse; both are amalgamations of techniques and, therefore, naturally more powerful!”

To practice “Mirror Flower, Water Moon,” one must first learn the Second Order Water Type Technique ‘Water Mirror Technique’, the Second Order Wood Type Technique ‘Flower Fairy’, and a Divine Soul Secret Art called ‘Divine Bewilderment Technique’.

Combining these three allows one to effortlessly cast ‘Mirror Flower, Water Moon,’ engulfing others in an illusion realm.

Of course!

Luo Chen’s goal is not to master a powerful illusion technique.

He merely wants to control the Ghost God Heart Asking Mirror through this technique.

Therefore, he does not require profound mastery; a basic understanding will suffice.

The cultivation of the three basic techniques was not very difficult.

‘Water Mirror Technique’ is a supportive technique that most Foundation Establishment Cultivators learn to a certain extent.

After Foundation Establishment, cultivators can release their Spirit Consciousness.

However, what Spirit Consciousness can perceive is almost a sensation; the specifics are very blurry.

Therefore, the Water Mirror Technique displays the specifics as images for direct viewing.

Luo Chen had seen many Foundation Establishment and Golden Core Cultivators use this technique, observing scenes within the range of their Spirit Consciousness from afar.

He hadn’t learned it after his Foundation Establishment because his Spirit Vision was exceptional and he could already see great distances, making it unnecessary.

To practice it now wasn’t difficult.

After all, the technique was quite simple. Its categorization as a Second Order Technique was only because it required the preliminary condition of Spirit Consciousness Release.

As for Flower Fairy, being a Wood Type Technique, it wasn’t challenging for him either.

Lastly, the intriguing Divine Bewilderment Technique was also not difficult for Luo Chen as it was a special application of the Divine Soul.

The reason is that this technique and the Divine Intimidation Technique he had learned early on shared a similar essence.

However, Divine Intimidation Technique leans towards dominance, forcibly intimidating an opponent.

On the other hand, Divine Bewilderment Technique is gentle, focusing on confusion and inducement.

The core of the Ghost God Heart Asking Mirror is array and illusion.

Employing the power of the array, it maximizes the effectiveness of illusions to guide cultivators into deeply logical deductions and simulations within the illusion realm.

Mirror Flower, Water Moon is the core within the core.

Luo Chen may not be proficient in arrays, but he can grasp control of this treasure through mastering the core illusion technique.

Once mastered, this damaged item will not just be for his personal use, but can also be applied to others.

…

Learning this Third Order Illusion Technique did not take Luo Chen much time.

After just mastering the three prerequisite techniques, he was already able to cast this illusion technique, albeit extremely slowly.

Using it against enemies was certainly not feasible.

But when using it on allies, he had all the time he needed to perform the technique.

“My talent for techniques is truly terrifying—I can easily grasp Second Order Techniques now, and even Third Order Techniques seem feasible provided I have the correct methods of cultivation.”

Inside the quiet room.

Luo Chen’s hands fluidly executed Spiritual Secrets, as Spirit Power surged within him, tracing mystic trajectories.

Before him was the floating bronze mirror.

About the time it took an incense stick to burn!

The technique was complete!

From the bronze mirror emanated a dulled yellow glow that fell upon Luo Chen.

At the same time, a black glow emanated from his chest, enveloping his entire body.

The next moment.

Within the bronze mirror, Luo Chen’s figure appeared.

“Mirror Flower, Water Moon is successful, and now I have control of this treasure. Next, I will help Gu Caiyi with her Foundation Establishment!”

Luo Chen slightly smiled.

Half a year later, under his care, Gu Caiyi successfully established her foundation.

At the same time, the situation on the battlefield of Accumulated Thunder Ninth Mountain became increasingly urgent, as the major sects continuously sent core true disciples to join the fray.

Even the Peach Blossom Ancestor from Hundred Flowers Palace also appeared on the battlefield after several years.

Thus, the Seven Sects of Yu Ding fully joined the war!

This also meant that the war would cover the entire Yu Ding Realm, from top to bottom, and no one could remain uninvolved.

“Reporting to the President, our Luo Tian Creed garrison has suffered heavy losses and urgently needs support!”

“What about Ice Castle?”

“They are too busy with their own problems and unable to lend a hand.”

“Is that so?” Luo Chen, sitting in a high position in Luo Tian Grand Hall, narrowed his eyes slightly, “In that case, I shall personally take a trip to Accumulated Thunder Ninth Mountain!”

With those words, he leaped into the air.

Years had passed, and he had already stepped into the realm of Seventh Level Foundation Establishment, becoming a true late-stage Great Cultivator!

Strong Spirit Qi fluctuations surged with him as he fled, sweeping along the way.

Flying in the sky, Luo Chen pondered how to pull the Luo Tian Creed out of this quagmire of war.

While he was contemplating, he suddenly frowned.

The next moment, the corners of his mouth turned up.

“I almost fell for my own trap!”

With a hint of a smile, he casually swung out with his sword.

The sword light was crimson with a deep, enigmatic shade of black within it, and the shadow of a chess piece slowly descended within it.

As the sword and the chess piece fell, space before him shattered like layers of glass.

A mysterious fluctuation rippled out like water, gradually spreading.

And Luo Chen’s figure gradually dissipated.

Within the Quiet Room.

Luo Chen’s body trembled, and he slowly opened his eyes.

He reached out, and the Ghost God Heart Asking Mirror fell into his hand.

Luo Chen looked bewildered.

“No matter how many times I experience this damaged magic item, it always astounds me!”

“Just now, I was the one who actively cast Mirror Flower, Water Moon to guide the Heart Inquiry Mirror, but I didn’t expect that it would drag me into it as well.”

“I was almost stuck simulating for dozens or hundreds of years again.”

Luo Chen shook his head, caressing the treasure with a reluctance to let go.

Such simulations, though the lengthy years passed in the blink of an eye.

From his several trials, he had actually reaped great benefits.

His Divine Soul endowment had grown almost more than from years of consistently taking Top Grade Tongyou Pills.

At present, his Sixth Level Foundation Establishment realm, but his Divine Soul endowment, had even surpassed most Eighth-Level Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

The gap between him and powerhouses like Tao Wen at the Ninth Level Foundation Establishment appeared to be only a step away.

Ghost God Heart Inquiry, after each forceful completion, naturally had corresponding rewards!

An increase in Divine Soul was indeed a blessing!

But soon!

Luo Chen put away the bronze mirror with a flip of his hand.

“Although this treasure is good, it’s clear that it cannot be used frequently.”

“If this continues, I will undoubtedly become deeply mired in it, to the point where I lose my sense of self and my soul disperses!”

Luo Chen took a deep breath, cutting off that trace of greed.

Recently, he had been acting in a daze, and Pill Refinement had been failing more than usual.

This was extremely rare in his cultivation life.

Especially Pill Refinement failure!

With the support of the system, his success rate was always very well controlled, and he should not have had those unexpected failures.

The repeated inducement of indulging in the Ghost God Heart Inquiry Mirror was to blame.

“Not only me, but the Cultivators under my command can also only use the Heart Inquiry Mirror once or twice at most, they are even less able to withstand the treasure.”

Luo Chen decided that the treasure must be used with caution.

After leaving the Quiet Room.

Luo Chen greeted Xiao Ling and left Tianlan Peak.

Heading straight for the Dao Debate Platform.

As he entered Yu Ding Sword Pavilion, Luo Chen hesitated for a moment.

Seeing those Sword Sect disciples still working as normal, he subconsciously furrowed his brows.

This war, which nearly covered the entire Yu Ding Realm, obviously involved the Sword Sect, but apart from the actions on the battlefield, they seemed as if nothing had happened off the battlefield.

Don’t they care at all about winning or losing?

No one answered his question.

All he got was a cheerful greeting from a Qi Refinement Stage disciple from the Sword Sect.

“Senior Dan Chenzi, Brother Chu has been waiting for a long time.”

Luo Chen nodded, rewarded the disciple with a few Spirit Stones, and went straight to the training field.

That’s right!

He had scheduled a sparring session!

It was Chu Kui, one sparring session cost ten thousand Spirit Stones.

Despite the high price, he hoped it was worth the cost.

When he saw Chu Kui, the other party was leisurely drinking and eating Immortal Beans.

“You’re here!”

“Thanks for the hassle.”

Chu Kui waved his hand magnanimously, “What’s troublesome about it? You’ve paid the money, big guy. Besides, since my advancement to Ninth Level Foundation Establishment, I’ve wanted to get familiar with the new way of fighting, so this deal is like a sleepy person finding a pillow.”

Luo Chen smiled slightly, “Then doesn’t that mean I’m your sparring partner too? If so, about the price…”

Chu Kui was taken aback.

“Haha!”

Luo Chen laughed heartily and stepped into the spacious training field.

“Let’s not waste time; everyone’s busy. Brother Chu, please enlighten me!”

Chu Kui, looking at Luo Chen ready for battle, his eyes lit up.

“Alright, I also want to see for myself the skills of Fire Spirit Lord, whose name has resounded along the banks of Qin Flower River!”