Chapter 29: The Hope of Shackles Unbound

Night fell.

Luo Chen leaped from the rooftop, landing as lightly as a feather despite the weight of a thousand-pound stone.

Carrying the last basket inside, he checked the herbs that had been drying in the afternoon sun and nodded in satisfaction.

"The herbs from Bai Cao Tang are indeed of guaranteed quality!"

In the past, the herbs he bought from independent cultivators were often only half-processed.

Some would deliberately leave useless parts to increase the weight.

Others would not dry them sufficiently, leading to excessive moisture and insufficient potency.

In any case, there were always various shortcomings.

As a result, Luo Chen had to reprocess the ordinary materials himself after each purchase, in addition to special treatments.

But this time, the herbs from Bai Cao Tang had none of these issues.

After a simple processing, they met the standards for refinement.

Indeed, there's a reason for the high price!

After putting everything away, Luo Chen took out the spellbook he had bought from Wang Yuan during the day.

"Five Essential Spells for Qi Condensation Cultivators."

Fireball Spell, Traction Spell, Wind Control Spell, Spirit Eye Spell, Healing Spell.

This set of spells would cost 500 low-grade spirit stones at Ling Yuan Hall, and one had to swear not to resell them.

As for teaching others, there were no restrictions.

However, few people would spend money to learn such basic spells.

Luo Chen bought it from Wang Yuan for just 200 spirit stones, saving a significant amount!

Of course, the downside was that he had to frown while reading it.

"The cultivator who copied this book writes like a dog!"

"And this page is covered in bloodstains, barely legible."

Sighing, Luo Chen had to pinch his nose and continue reading, as Wang Yuan had warned him beforehand.

One willing to hit, the other willing to take it!

"I already know the Fireball Spell and am about to reach Master level, so I lost 40 spirit stones on that."

"Unfortunately, I can't buy just a few pages!"

Flipping to the page on the Traction Spell, Luo Chen became interested.

The content read, "Such and such, this and that."

"I see!"

After reading the entire section on the Traction Spell, Luo Chen had an epiphany.

Rather than a spell, it was more of a method to train the control of spiritual energy.

Humans are born with souls, and when cultivators begin to refine spiritual energy, a spiritual sense is born within the soul.

However, the spiritual sense is limited by the cultivator's realm and can only be used for internal observation during the Qi Condensation stage, not external projection.

This restriction is only lifted when the cultivator advances to the Foundation Establishment stage.

During the Qi Condensation stage, the spiritual sense cannot be projected externally, making it difficult to control the spiritual energy released outside the body.

How can one control the external release of spiritual energy?

A great cultivator proposed a series of methods to gradually strengthen the control of spiritual energy.

From small to large, from beginner to expert, over time, one can easily control the external release of spiritual energy.

"I'll give it a try!"

Luo Chen found a small pebble and held it in his hand.

Up!

Down!

Up and down, the pebble flew in his hand.

Go!

With a swoosh, the pebble landed on the ground.

Return!

Extending his spiritual energy from his body to envelop the pebble, he slowly retracted it according to the reverse method of the Traction Spell.

It did return, but very slowly, and maintaining the spiritual energy connection was quite draining.

If it were a magical artifact with an array inscribed, it wouldn't have been pulled back.

But Luo Chen was not discouraged. Being able to pull the pebble back proved that this training method was effective.

Next, he just needed to follow the steps, gradually increasing the training of his spiritual energy control. Soon, he would be able to control the set of jade knives.

After practicing dozens of times, until he felt that one-tenth of his spiritual energy had been consumed, Luo Chen stopped.

He opened his attribute panel.

[Name: Luo Chen]

[Lifespan: 27/75]

[Spiritual Roots: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth]

[Realm: Qi Condensation Level 4: 1/100]

[Cultivation Technique: Eternal Spring Technique Perfect: 340/500]

[Spells: Fireball Spell Perfect 432/500, Free Roaming Proficient 275/300, Binding Spell Skilled 180/200, Cleaning Spell Novice 52/100, Traction Spell Novice 5/100]

[Skills: First-Class Alchemist: Abstinence Powder Master 590/1000, Wondrous Pill Novice 70/100]

[Achievement Points: 2]

"Indeed, this spell is not difficult. I can easily master it on my own."

Seeing the new entry for the Traction Spell in the spell section, Luo Chen was satisfied.

Apart from a small spiritual energy reversal incantation, the rest of the Traction Spell was very basic training.

Its difficulty for beginners was much lower than spells like the Fireball Spell, which required at least three incantations.

In fact, this was to be expected.

Even without learning the Traction Spell, one could control magical artifacts during the Qi Condensation stage with sufficient proficiency in spiritual energy control.

The existence of this spell was the result of a great cultivator's reverse engineering and subsequent development.

After reviewing the entry for the Traction Spell, Luo Chen also checked the other items on his attribute panel.

"My lifespan hasn't changed at all?"

He was a bit frustrated.

Logically, after breaking through to Qi Condensation Level 4, his body should have improved, giving him a few more years than in his previous life.

Could it be that he was really only going to live to 75? Or perhaps his lifespan would only increase after breaking through a major realm?

He couldn't figure it out!

His frustration dissipated somewhat when he saw the proficiency levels of several spells.

The Fireball Spell was about to break through to Master level, making his persistent practice worthwhile.

The Free Roaming light spell was progressing the fastest, and it should soon break through to the Perfect level from Novice to Proficient.

With his focused practice, the proficiency of the Binding Spell, which had been stagnant for a long time, also began to rise.

The advancement in these spell proficiency levels not only boosted his combat power but also provided him with achievement points!

The previous advancement of the Eternal Spring Technique to the Perfect level had provided one point.

If he accumulated ten achievement points again, he could learn a new type of pill.

Although, he didn't even have the formula yet.

However, what Luo Chen was most concerned about was the skill section.

[Wondrous Pill Novice 70/100]

Only 30 more points to upgrade!

At that time, the success rate of the Wondrous Pill should increase, and he would have a true skill to sustain his long-term life in the inner city.

After reviewing his attribute panel, Luo Chen let out a deep breath.

For a long time, the shortage of spirit stones had been a shackle on his cultivation.

To solve this problem, he had been increasing the production of the Wondrous Pill to boost his proficiency and generate real profits.

Now, he finally saw hope of breaking free from this shackle!

"It's time to celebrate!"

Luo Chen walked outside, unaware that it was already late at night.

He glanced in the direction of Tian Xiang Tower and immediately shook his head.

No, no, I really can't afford it.

"Fine, I'll set off some fireworks for myself!"

He cast the Fireball Spell four times into the sky.

Watching the fireballs explode in the night sky, with sparks crackling and blooming, he grinned.

Then he heard a roar from the next room.

"What the hell is going on in the middle of the night!"

It was a woman's voice, full of energy.

Luo Chen shrank his neck, made sure there was no fire, and quickly fled back inside.

I was too hasty!

(End of Chapter)