Chapter 1011 Grotto Heaven

Ji An still has a long way to go before reaching the Cave Heaven Realm. He can't use the benefits of the Yin-Yang Dao Seed that reduce the difficulty of Yin-Yang unity yet, but he needs to test the direct benefits brought by the improvement of the Dao Seed's grade.

Auspicious clouds rose beneath his feet, his robes billowed in the wind, and he ascended into the air, rapidly changing the hand seals in his hands as he unleashed the Yin-Yang Spirit Transformation Technique.

The five flags emitted a wondrous rhythm, elevating the quality of the magic to a new level.

The magical power flowed within the divine palaces, while wisps of the five elements' spiritual light flowed from the five divine palaces, instantly evolving into Yin and Yang energies with the power of the five elements.

The Dao seed emitted a spiritual light that was intertwined with black and white, which combined with the Yin and Yang energies that evolved from it.

The Tai Chi symbol appeared on the land in the central area and then spread out, sweeping across the entire gourd world.

As the yang energy rises, electricity is generated in the void, and lightning flashes, obscuring all other lights, turning the world into a pure white expanse.

The yin energy sank into the earth, and the tranquil and soothing atmosphere merged with the earth, its wondrous rhythm directly affecting the spiritual veins.

Raindrops fell from the sky, initially displaying a vibrant array of colors, but gradually turning into black and white as they fell, embodying both yin and yang.

Water droplets falling on the ground convey different meanings of the Five Elements depending on where they land.

Ji An lowered his altitude to sense the aura of the spell, and immediately beamed with joy as the spell's power increased by about 30%.

However, he also discovered an even more exciting piece of news: the spiritual veins were directly nourished by magic, something that had never happened before.

Previously, spells could only enhance the spiritual fields on the surface of the land, and then use those spiritual fields to nourish the spiritual veins.

A few months ago, the power of the Yin-Yang Spirit Transformation Technique could only penetrate to an area of ​​about two hundred feet underground, but now the aura of the spell can reach the deepest part of the earth.

Although the power of the spells is greatly diminished by the time they reach the ley lines, this signifies the arrival of a new era.

Using the spiritual field to nourish the spiritual veins is an extremely slow process, but the spell's effect of directly nourishing the spiritual veins means an immediate improvement without delay.

As Ji An's cultivation level increases, as well as the grade of his natal spiritual treasure and the Azure Lotus Banner improves, the power of his spells will further increase.

At that time, the spiritual veins will receive more nourishment and will improve at a faster rate.

Ji An pondered for a moment, then thawed the roc, extracted its essence blood, plucked off the most valuable feathers, and completely removed its skeleton.

The essence and blood are reserved for drawing talismans, while the feathers and bones are high-quality materials for refining weapons.

The Roc is a wind and thunder-attribute demon beast that can refine its feathers into flying magical treasures.

The main material for refining the weapon is a top-grade fifth-tier item. If we entrust it to the Recluse of the Crescent Moon to refine, there is a high probability that we will be able to refine a top-grade fifth-tier spiritual treasure.

It is highly likely that the speed of flying using a spiritual treasure will not be as fast as Ji An's Golden Light of Leaping Earth, but using a spiritual treasure can greatly save magic power, and the flying speed will not be much weaker.

He handed over the materials he had obtained, saying:

"Ah Yun, store the essence and blood in the warehouse, and clean the feathers and bones, making sure there is no odor left."

"Yes, ma'am," A-Yun used her spiritual energy to gather the items and descend.

Ji An sat cross-legged on the futon and began to burn the corpse of the roc with the Yin-Yang Spirit Fire.

Several hours later, he put the ashes he had obtained into an urn, flew to the blue spirit field, and landed next to the thickest and most lush lightning-struck Azure Dragon Tree, which was already a fifth-grade high-quality tree.

He filled eight urns with ashes, and buried one of them at the base of a sacred tree.

Use your divine sense to probe during burial to avoid damaging the spirit wood.

His previous plan was to prioritize upgrading the grade of the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root. Now that the grade of the Dao Seed has been upgraded and the power of the spell has increased, he feels that prioritizing the cultivation of a fifth-grade top-quality Azure Dragon Wood is more cost-effective.

The Seven Luminaries Golden Branch and the Azure Jade Tree must be upgraded to the fifth-tier top-grade to form a new Five Elements cycle. However, without the support of Daoist principles, it would take hundreds of years to successfully upgrade them.

This takes too long, and it will take even longer to see results.

Because of the different inherent qualities of the spirit wood, upgrading the Thunderstruck Azure Dragon Wood to the fifth-grade top quality requires fewer resources than cultivating the Heaven and Earth Spirit Root.

Once he cultivates a fifth-grade top-quality Azure Dragon Wood, he can commission the Recluse of the Crescent Moon to enhance the Azure Lotus Treasure Banner, which will further increase the power of various spells.

In addition, with four Tier 5 top-grade Five Directions Flags, the speed at which the grade of one's natal spiritual treasure is upgraded will be accelerated. As long as one's cultivation reaches a certain level, the Wuji Apricot Yellow Flag can be upgraded to Tier 5 top-grade naturally.

Ji An left the small world and walked out of the cave, flying to the cave of the Crescent Moon Hermit.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Ji An took out the roc's feathers and bones and handed them over:

"I wish to refine a fifth-grade top-quality flying spirit treasure. Are these materials sufficient as the main materials?"

Upon seeing the materials, the Recluse of the Crescent Moon's eyes lit up. "Let me examine them."

He stroked the white, jade-like bones that occasionally emitted electric light, as if stroking the smooth skin of a lover.

After a long while, he suppressed his envy and said:

"Fellow Daoist always manages to obtain exceptionally high-quality refining materials. I admire you greatly!"

These materials are more than enough to be the main materials for one top-grade fifth-tier spiritual treasure, with quite a bit left over. However, they would be slightly insufficient to refine two treasures.

Ji An smiled and said, "Then I'll trouble you, fellow Daoist, to refine it. Would it be enough to use the excess materials to offset other auxiliary materials?"

"Enough, enough!"

Crescent Moon Hermit hurriedly answered. He had refined similar spiritual treasures many times and already had a plan in mind. He didn't add many spiritual materials, and the extra materials were more than enough.

"Not only are the materials sufficient, but you don't even need to pay for the refining process."

Ji An, understanding the implied meaning behind the music, generously said:

"Then I'll trouble you, fellow Daoist, to refine it. Approximately how many years will it take?"

The other party's implication was that they wanted some materials, which he wouldn't find very useful to keep, so it would be good to do them a favor.

“Refining a brand-new fifth-grade top-quality spiritual treasure will take a long time; I estimate it will take about twenty years.”

Of course, this twenty years did not involve refining every day. Rather, it was because some processes, while not requiring constant supervision, still required a significant amount of time, and some processes needed to be left to stand for a period of time after completion.

"Very well, I await your good news, fellow Daoist."

Two years later, Ji An had completely consumed the ashes of the Great Roc in his hands. He extended his divine sense into the interior of the Azure Dragon Wood and nodded in satisfaction.

Since the Yin-Yang Dao Seed was upgraded to the highest grade, he can accurately judge the state of the newborn spirit body.

The Azure Dragon Wood is not far from being upgraded in grade. Even if we cannot continue to provide resources for its cultivation, it can begin its final transformation within ten years of natural growth.

Ji An focused his mind on his dantian and connected with the stone tortoise, then gave the command:

"Refine the Dao essence to enhance the grade of the spirit wood."

He was unwilling to wait any longer; the sooner he obtained the fifth-grade top-quality Azure Dragon Wood, the better.

The stone tortoise flew out of the dantian and appeared above the spirit tree. In a very short time, it wove a black and white cocoon of light, and the Tai Chi diagram shone on the ground below the spirit tree.

Half a day later, the cocoon of light shattered, and its radiant glow filled the sky.

This sacred tree was tragic; it was felled just as it completed its life transformation.

Ji An used his magic to seal off this space, and the mournful roar of the dragons as the trees fell was contained within it.

Ji An cut off the small branches of the spirit tree, leaving only the main trunk, and then excitedly left the small world and the cave to find the Recluse of the Crescent Moon.

Inside the cave, the Recluse of the Crescent Moon looked at the still very damp spiritual materials and felt only regret:

"Fellow Daoist, you are willing to cut down such a fine spirit tree. Perhaps it has the potential to be upgraded to the sixth level!"

In the small world he has refined, so far no spirit wood has reached the fifth-order top-grade level.

The other party's actions proved one thing: they could definitely continue to cultivate more fifth-tier top-grade spirit trees.

Ji An smiled reservedly, took out the Azure Lotus Banner, and said:

"I am also very reluctant, but in order to improve the grade of the spiritual treasure, I have no choice but to give it up."

The forging of the flying magic weapon can be put on hold; prioritize upgrading this magic weapon.

"Okay, you decide."

How much does it cost to refine?

"Fellow Daoist, you don't need to pay any extra fees. Just leave the remaining materials to me."

The thought of obtaining a batch of top-grade fifth-tier spiritual materials fueled the excitement within Queyue Sanren.

"But how long will it take to get it?"

The Crescent Moon Hermit stretched out his palm, "Upgrading the Azure Lotus Treasure Banner is relatively easy; five years should be enough."

Ji An clapped his hands and laughed, "Excellent!"

Five years later, Ji An obtained the fifth-grade top-quality Azure Lotus Treasure Banner as he wished. He did not stay long in the cave of the Crescent Moon Hermit. After chatting for a while, he took his leave.

Upon returning to his cave and entering the gourd world, he immediately activated the Yin-Yang Spirit Transformation Technique.

After carefully observing the effects of the spell, I discovered that its power had increased by about 15%.

What delighted him even more was that the spiritual veins received more than twice as much direct nourishment as before! This was extremely good news.

Time flies, and the years flow like a great river, a thousand years pass in the blink of an eye like a dream.

Yuheng Sanren arrived outside Ji An's cave, followed by a very young-looking cultivator.

This person's eyes were like abysses, seemingly containing a galaxy. Just looking into their eyes seemed to have a special attraction, drawing people into their deep gaze.

"Master, this is the cave dwelling of the Xuanqing Hermit that I mentioned."

"Please wait a moment, this disciple is calling for him to open the barrier."

He began to perform hand seals, constantly vibrating the magic array.

Star Lord Xingyue nodded gently, looking with great interest at the laurel trees planted outside the cave.

After a long exploration, he returned to his secret home planet and found that his youngest disciple happened to be there. He also heard news from his homeland, which made him feel deeply moved.

He happened to be visiting a friend on Ziwei Star recently, so he took the opportunity to visit this junior who came from the same planet and had a connection with him.

Sensing the unusual change in the magic array, the Five Mountains Hermit emerged from his cave and, upon sensing the other party's presence, respectfully bowed.

"May I ask what brings you here, my friend?"

Yuheng Sanren was slightly surprised and asked:

"Has the Xuanqing Hermit who was cultivating here left?"

Wuyue Sanren shook his head. “Do you know my lord, fellow Daoist? My lord is still cultivating here, but he has some business to attend to and will be away for a while. He is expected to return in a few months.”

"Who are you, fellow Daoist? Is there anything you wish to convey to me?"

Yuheng Sanren looked behind him. Before coming, he had wanted to scout ahead and check the situation here, so that his master wouldn't have made a wasted trip if there were any problems. However, when they flew over and landed, they happened to be closer to Haixing City, so they came along the way.

Star Lord Xingyue waved his hand, "Let's go to Blazing Sun Immortal City first."

Yuheng Sanren nodded and transmitted his voice:

"When Fellow Daoist Xuanqing returns, inform him that Yuheng Sanren and his master have come today. Please come to Lieyang Immortal City, where you can find out about us in Lieyang Palace."

“Alright,” Wuyue Sanren readily agreed.

When Yuheng Sanren arrived in Haixing City, Ji An was wandering in a starry sky far away from Ziwei Star.

At this time, his cultivation had reached the perfect level of the Three Flowers Realm, and his natal spiritual treasure had reached the fifth-grade top quality.

In the gourd world, all the spiritual roots of heaven and earth have reached the fifth-order top grade, and the spiritual veins have also been upgraded to the fifth-order top grade.

Now, the small world is filled with turbulent energy, and the spiritual energy is surging again, which is a sign of the spiritual vein's grade being upgraded.

After his cultivation improved and all five flags reached the fifth-tier top grade, Ji An's power in releasing the Yin-Yang Spirit Transformation Technique was greatly enhanced.

After hundreds of years of high-quality nourishment, the spiritual vein is finally about to take this step.

Having pondered the mysteries over the years, Ji An has come to understand that the moment the spiritual veins of his small world are upgraded to the sixth level is the best opportunity for him to enter the Cave Heaven level.

As the spiritual energy within the spiritual vein continued to increase, Ji An sat cross-legged in the void, channeling his own magical power into the small world, and awaited the arrival of that moment.

The five flags emitted wisps of spiritual light, which combined to form Yin and Yang energies. The Yin-Yang Dao Seed also emitted Yin and Yang energies and merged into them. After these energies were combined into one, they were injected into the small world.

The stone tortoise appeared under the Gathering Yuan Tree and began to absorb spiritual energy to refine it into Yin-Yang energy. The Yin-Yang energy in the small world became increasingly concentrated, and the speed at which the spiritual veins improved began to accelerate.

A few days later, lightning flashed and tore through the void in the sky, followed by a shower of flowers and golden lotuses blooming from the ground, and the aura of the gourd world exploded.

When the Calabash World was upgraded to the sixth level, the Yin and Yang energies flowed back into Ji An's body like a torrent, and the surging power almost made him unable to control it.

He immediately activated the incantation, guiding the power into his limbs and bones, and into his blood and qi, and into his upper and lower dantian.

The blood boiled, becoming even more brilliant and spiritual; lightning patterns flickered on the bones, and the blackness slowly faded, returning to the color of white jade.

In the lower dantian, the yang energy permeated the air, and the primordial fire emitted a light several times more intense than usual. The stone tortoise continuously spewed forth pure spiritual energy, further enhancing the brightness of the primordial fire.

The Guanghan Palace in the upper dantian is dominated by yin energy. The nascent soul sits upright with a solemn and dignified appearance, and his appearance is exactly the same as that of Ji An himself.

His hand seals changed rapidly, each seal transforming into runes that scattered into the interior of the temple, merging with the structure that had appeared out of nowhere.

The white yang spiritual energy in the lower dantian and the black yin spiritual energy in the upper dantian were activated and flowed towards the middle dantian.

The Qi and blood in the middle Dantian are tinged with Yin and Yang Qi, and coated with a layer of black and white light film.

The Yin and Yang energies accumulate continuously in the middle dantian. When they can no longer withstand the pressure, they will explode, at which point the cultivator will inevitably suffer severe damage.

What Ji An needs to do is to achieve yin and yang unity before his energy can no longer withstand it, and that will be considered stepping into the realm of the cave heaven.

He quietly sensed the changes in Yin and Yang energies, feeling their profound mysteries, blocking out everything else.

After an unknown amount of time, he and his nascent soul simultaneously formed an extremely complex hand seal. The yin and yang energies accumulated in his middle dantian quickly merged together, forming a layer of colorful spiritual light, which finally transformed into vibrant purple energy.

As the Yin and Yang energies merged perfectly, his spiritual pressure spread outwards like a nuclear explosion.

If someone happened to be nearby at this moment, they could feel the immense aura emanating from him, like the stars, indicating that he had achieved the Cave Heaven Realm!

The yin-yang symbol on the stone turtle's shell faded rapidly, until only a purple circle remained.

The intricate patterns inside the circle seem to represent the birth and death of all things, with cycles of reincarnation appearing within them.

Ji An slowly gained control of the new power and quietly felt the changes within his body for a while.

It's like the beginning of the universe, with everything inside undergoing a complete reconstruction.

He stood up and burst into laughter, his voice echoing through the starry sky.

After laughing, he stretched out his arm:

"All things return to one, but where does one return to?"

At this moment, he understood that as long as he could unravel the final profound truth, he could truly transcend the Three Realms and become an individual independent of any universe, because at that time he himself would be a new universe.

(End of this chapter)