Hyper-Dimensional Player

Chapter 726 43: Three Corpses Emerge, the Great Dao Manifest! Failed Breakthrough

In the secluded valley.

Lu Shanjun marveled at the thousand-year-old withered vine before him, clicking his tongue in admiration. Although he possessed a robust physique, he dared not easily touch such a toxic object. But when he saw the Everlasting Youth Technique on the stone wall, his eyes immediately shone brightly; he had never learned profound cultivation Dharmas, and this strange skill was like a blessing in disguise for him. However, like Duncan, he could only practice the last eight illustrations.

Lady Jade Face had other secret techniques, but she evidently had a keen interest in immortality. She primarily cultivated Profound Yin Inner Power, which was perfectly suitable for practicing the first eight illustrations.

Inside the stone chamber, a familiar scene unfolded once more.

Only this time it was Lu Shanjun making a breakthrough. His efficiency in practicing the last eight illustrations was slightly inferior to Duncan's. The phenomena in practicing the subsequent illustrations also differed. As he practiced the third illustration, Lu Shanjun's figure appeared to show signs of petrification, eventually turning into a petrified statue sitting cross-legged.

"He's entered a trance!"

Miss Sun and the others looked shocked, utterly astonished. One person with exceptional talent was already rare enough, but two appearing at once brought a deep sense of powerlessness akin to that of mortals.

Resolute as gold and stone.

Lu Shanjun's entry into trance seemed to halt his breathing; however, he actually transitioned into internal breathing, using his body's pores to absorb external Spiritual Energy.

Fu Jianhan was greatly stimulated and practiced martial arts with even greater fervor.

Duncan, on the other hand, surveyed the entire valley's environment, organizing the spoils from killing the Corpse Dissolving Immortal.

——"The Glory of Withered Wood (Ancient Secret Technique): You can activate the secret technique of the Glory of Withered Wood once, allowing you or another person to experience a miraculous rejuvenation. The other party will dissolve all their power cultivation but will gradually regenerate over time, eventually restoring their physical age to sixteen and recovering their full lifespan. True Qi attributes will convert to wood."

(When this secret technique is applied to others, the rejuvenation effect will be slightly weakened.)

——"Heart of Wood (Curiosities): A treasure left by the Corpse Dissolving Immortal, possessing the mystical ability to change True Qi attributes, temporarily shielding one from emotions, desires, and external interference, greatly enhancing the probability of breakthrough in realms."

This was the entire harvest from slaying the Corpse Dissolving Immortal.

This old freak didn't possess anything else; his legacy was almost entirely within the stone chamber.

The night wind howled.

Duncan sat at the cliff's edge, holding a scroll of the Treatise on Stealing Days and Changing Sun. The drop rate for this secret manual was exceedingly low; he had already stopped holding much hope.

"The best way to collect all the martial arts under the heavens is to directly conquer other sects."

This Treatise on Stealing Days and Changing Sun is not easy to practice. Strictly speaking, it is called the Stealing Days Formula, a strange skill that burns lifespan to greatly enhance the refining of essence into Qi.

"This martial art seems like it can be paired with the Everlasting Youth Technique!"

Duncan pondered, resting his chin on his hand. If practiced together, the cultivator's Inner Strength would advance by leaps and bounds, but their lifespan would also be consumed significantly. Without timely breakthroughs, they would burn away their lifespan in just a few years.

This strange skill primarily cultivates the triple burner, essentially controlling the body's metabolism.

From a modern perspective, just by looking at the meridian routes of Inner Strength flow, one can discern the peculiarities of these mental techniques.

"But the entry level for Everlasting Youth Technique is the Innate Realm; unless I can come up with a low-tier version."

"Otherwise, there's no way to pair them together to mass-produce a batch of martial heroes."

The Everlasting Youth Technique, once minorly achieved, allows one to live for two cycles of the Jiazi. The Stealing Days Formula requires burning two decades of lifespan for the first realm breakthrough, and even the Three Immortals of the South Sea wouldn't bear burning away all their lifespans, so they might appear immortal in demeanor but are actually in their forties or fifties.

"There is room for maneuver, but it also poses a deadly risk."

Immortality is not so easily attained; in martial arts, many die from cultivation misfires.

Gentle footsteps approached.

Lady Jade Face had awakened from her trance; she had slightly achieved the first eight illustrations, but certainly not better than Duncan and Lu Shanjun. It could only be said that she nurtured her True Qi cultivation, ensuring that future martial arts practice—especially those involving liver wood meridian—would not cause True Qi chaos.

Taoist profound arts excel in this aspect, generally not requiring one to disperse cultivation and start anew.

Duncan slowly stood up and said, "How is it?"

Lady Jade Face gazed at the handsome young man before her, her eyes softly shimmering, and said warmly, "A slight harvest; indeed, it is a strange skill."

"Are you considering claiming this Grotto Heaven Blessed Land?"

Having spent days together, Lady Jade Face could somewhat guess the youth's intentions through his expressions.

Duncan slowly nodded, looking at the waterfall and cliff before him, saying, "Indeed, I have that intention."

Lady Jade Face pondered for a moment and said, "Taking this place wouldn't be difficult; just be cautious of Fan Huzi and his followers."

"With your collaboration with Lu Shanjun and our assistance, a confrontation with her is possible."

Duncan glanced at the Lady Jade Face beside him and calmly said, "If we truly engage her, you need not intervene; handle the others instead."

"Her thunder technique is somewhat unusual."

Fan Huzi is basically a cultivator, not someone regular martial arts heroes can contend with.

The Corpse Dissolving Immortal didn't fare well against her either; otherwise, he wouldn't have returned to the valley. Judging by its demeanor earlier, likely injured from combat with Fan Huzi, the immortal returned here to absorb the vine's sap for recovery.

Lady Jade Face appeared hesitant, gazing softly at the youth with her captivating peach blossom eyes.