Reborn with infinite panels

Chapter 253 Cultivation World 42
Yunya's sleeves fluttered in the salty sea breeze as he gripped the railing of the spirit boat, gazing at the closing spatial rift in the distance.

The crack that stretched across the sky resembled the jaws of a ferocious beast. The remaining gales churned the seawater into whirlpools, and a few pieces of ice swirled around the edge of the whirlpools, refracting tiny silver lights.

"Master." Yun Ya's Adam's apple bobbed, his fingertips unconsciously digging into the defensive array patterns engraved on the railing. "Can we really get through that?"

Si Lingle lowered her eyes and wiped the Qingchu Sword, the blade reflecting her sharp face. "Scared?"

As the sword returned to its sheath, it emitted a clear, resonant dragon's roar, and she saw Yunya's back instantly straighten.

The spirit boat suddenly trembled violently. Yunya staggered and grabbed the mast, his pupils contracting sharply—a mountain-like shadow rose from beneath the dark sea, the sound of scales rubbing together like the crushing of a thousand iron swords. Two blood-red beams pierced the water, revealing the crimson eyes of a dragon whale.

The seawater blasted open a wall of waves hundreds of feet high. The dragon whale's tail fin, covered with bone spurs, swept across, and the resulting shockwave instantly obliterated three of the spirit ship's twenty-seven defensive array patterns.

Si Lingle's lips curled slightly, but at that moment the Qingchu Sword was drawn three-tenths of its length, and a powerful thunderous sword intent slashed towards the dragon whale.

Blood rained down, turning the sea a dark red.

The moment the spirit ship crashed into the spatial rift, countless stars exploded into a waterfall of light outside the porthole.

The light spots from the shattered star sea flickered outside the barrier, casting shadows on Si Lingle's profile.

The Shattered Star Sea is not actually seawater, but a chaotic basin formed by the condensation of broken star cores and space fragments.

The moment the spirit boat entered, the Reflection Pearl at the bow suddenly exploded—countless fine starlight streaked across the barrier, carving deep grooves into the gilded wood hull.

Yunya witnessed half a dragon skeleton rising from the sea three zhang away. The remains of that ancient cultivator had been shaved down by stardust, leaving only bare finger bones, yet it still maintained the gesture of making a hand seal.

At dawn on the seventh day, the sound of clashing weapons suddenly rang out from the thick, inky fog.

"Don't use your spiritual sense!" Si Lingle shattered the fog on the side of the ship with a palm strike, and hundreds of fragmented ancient sword phantoms appeared in the splashing water droplets—these were the lingering obsessions of powerful sword cultivators from ten thousand years ago, which would recreate their masters' most tragic battles in the fog.

As they passed through the core area, the entire sea suddenly turned upside down. The spirit boat's formation cracked under the strain, and Yunya clung tightly to the mast, watching as the Milky Way, which should have been beneath his feet, now surged overhead.

Three meteorites, trailing eerie blue flames, grazed the ship's side.

Just when Yunya thought the most dangerous moment had passed, the spirit ship formation suddenly broke.

Fortunately, Si Lingle acted quickly and set up a defensive array, allowing the spirit ship to successfully pass through the Shattered Star Sea.

After passing through the Shattered Star Sea, we arrived at a normal sea area, where we could not sense any spiritual energy, demonic energy, or monster energy.

Si Lingle released her divine sense, which saw land, and drove the spirit ship southward.

A few days later, they successfully reached the shore.

After landing, Si Lingle and Yun Ya disguised themselves and lowered their cultivation levels. Si Lingle's cultivation level was lowered to the Golden Core stage, and Yun Ya's cultivation level was lowered to the Foundation Establishment stage.

However, the place where they landed was the mortal realm.

Because this is a small fishing village, inhabited by ordinary people.

However, the village chief of this small fishing village was knowledgeable. He had met the immortal masters of this realm, and his own grandson, Li Hai, had been selected by Zhenlei Palace ten years ago.

Si Lingle and Yun Ya stayed at the village chief's house to inquire about some things.

Two days later, Si Lingle and Yun Ya prepared to leave the fishing village.

"Two immortal masters, I wonder if we could ask you for a favor?" Village Chief Li said.

"What is it?" Si Lingle asked.

"Ten years have passed, and our grandson has not returned. Our family has no idea whether he is doing well in the immortal realm, or whether he is dead or alive."

Village Chief Li took out the prepared letter, along with some clothes and food, and said, "Could you please ask the immortal master to help me deliver this to my grandson, Li Hai?"

“Okay.” Si Lingle nodded and took the things.

In just two days, the Heavenly Eye has successfully located the barrier between the cultivation world and the mortal world.

The two passed through the barrier and entered the cultivation world.

The spiritual energy in this realm is much richer than that in the lower realm of Qingxuan.

A few days later, the two encountered a rogue cultivator who was collecting spiritual plants when he ran into a Foundation Establishment stage demon beast.

He was saved by Yunya.

"Thank you for saving me, senior," Hu Li said, bowing with his hands clasped in gratitude.

Yunya asked with an aloof expression, "What realm is this? What land is this?"

Hu Li: "Reporting to senior, this is Yanshan in the lower realm of Jiuli, under the jurisdiction of Wushuang Valley."

“Take us to the nearest prefectural city, and I’ll give you a bottle of Qi Gathering Pills then,” Si Ling said happily.

"Yes, senior." Hu Li nodded.

Two hours later, they arrived at Huangyang Prefecture, the most prosperous prefecture under the jurisdiction of Wushuang Valley.

As for the disciples of Wushuang Valley, sixty percent of them are alchemists.

There are many stalls and shops selling elixirs in Huangyang Prefecture.

Hu Li took Si Lingle and Yun Ya to Wanzhenlou, which is the largest treasure tower in Huangyang Prefecture!

The subtle fragrance of star-patterned sandalwood inside the building mingled with the tinkling of the Qingxin Jade Bell, while the seven-colored glass pendant suspended in the crystal dome shimmered with rosy light.

As soon as Si Lingle and Yun Ya stood still, the golden-robed steward stepped out from behind the dazzling array of spiritual treasures. His gaze swept over the jade pendant with cloud patterns engraved on Si Lingle's waist like needles, and he suddenly clapped his hands and chuckled: "It is an honor to have such distinguished guests visit our humble abode. However, the climate and environment of the Jiuli lower realm may not be able to nurture such clear and pure spiritual energy in you two."

As a high-level cultivator, the steward was well-versed in the method of "observing the spirit with soul energy".

Because the Jiuli cultivators are constantly tainted by the evil energy of the earth's veins, their soul energy is mostly a turbid gray mist; while the soul light floating around Si Lingle and Yun Ya is like "water droplets overflowing and rolling", pure as moonlight, completely different from the local cultivation methods.

The Jiuli people mainly use animal bones and cloud iron for weapon forging, while the cloud-patterned jade pendant worn by Si Lingle is carved from "star marrow jade". Therefore, the steward could tell at a glance that the two were not cultivators from the Jiuli people.

"The steward has a good eye," Si Ling said with a smile. "My master and I come from the Realm of Returning Dreams. I wonder if your establishment has a map of the Lower Realm of Jiuli?"

"So, our distinguished guest comes from the Realm of Returning Dreams."

The reason Si Lingle didn't say it was from the Qingxuan Realm was because the Qingxuan Sect had established Qingxuan Pavilions in other realms.

If they say they're from the Azure Profound Realm, they might be hunted down by the Azure Profound Sect cultivators of the Azure Profound Pavilion.

Although she wasn't afraid, it was still troublesome!

Moreover, the apprentice is with them, so it's best to be cautious.

Si Lingle bought a map, some pills, and other goodies before leaving Wanzhenlou.

Yunya took out a bottle of pills and gave it to Hu Li, thanking him for leading the way.

After that, Si Lingle and Yunya rented a small courtyard to live in.

Yunya went into seclusion to cultivate, while Si Lingle went to learn about some things in this world.

After learning more, Si Lingle understood why the manager of Wanzhenlou was able to recognize them at a glance as cultivators from this realm.

Because the Nine Li Realm is constantly tainted by the evil energy of the earth's veins, the soul energy is mostly in the form of a turbid gray mist.

The Nine Li Realm also performs purification of the earth's evil energy.

Earth Vein Dredging and Diversion: At points where evil energy accumulates (such as fissures or mine abysses), dig channels to divert it, and lay red copper conduits (copper belongs to metal and can dissipate earth-related evil energy), directing the evil energy to barren land. Constructing a Five Elements Sha-Locking Array: Using Wood Spirit Crystal (East), Fire Molten Stone (South), Metal Gang Sand (West), Dark Nether Water (North), and Breath Soil (Center) as the array base, form a cyclical transformation system to decompose evil energy into spiritual energy.

Planting plants that purify negative energy:
Yin Sha Zone: Plant Netherworld Cane (its roots absorb earth evil, and its flower stamens release pure spiritual mist).

Turbid Zone: Cultivating Seven-Leaf Pure Lotus (the lotus heart transforms turbid air into moonlight dew).

Introduce the Devouring Spirit Beasts: Tame the "Earth Vein Turtle" (whose shell absorbs evil crystals) and the "Wind-Singing Sparrow" (whose song disperses gray mist) to build an ecological purification chain.

Large-scale purification array deployment: Set up the Nine Heavens Star Radiance Array in the place where souls gather (such as the Ancestral Spirit Altar or Soul Well): Place "Starfall Core Crystal" at the array eye to draw on the power of stars to dilute the turbid air; inlay "Soul Purification Jade" in the array pattern to filter the gray mist impurities in the soul energy.

Auxiliary Yin-Yang Rotating Instrument: Powered by Yin and Yang energies, it compresses evil energy into "turbid evil crystals" (which can be used as refining materials), realizing resource utilization.

Individuals can wear the Jiuli Soul-Suppressing Pendant. The outer layer of the Jiuli Soul-Suppressing Pendant is carved with witchcraft inscriptions on wood struck by lightning (to isolate evil spirits); the inner layer is filled with moon dew on a Void Stone (to cleanse the soul of impurities).

Cultivating the "Purification and Turbidity Guidance Technique": When a cultivator circulates the technique, they guide their soul energy through the "Dragon Pillar Aperture" of the spine, causing the turbid ash to settle into the "Earthly Fiend Root" on the soles of their feet, thus maintaining the purity of their soul.

Constructing a Pure Spirit Barrier: Based on the Mountain and River Map (a replica), a "no evil zone" is delineated, and the barrier is filled with primordial pure energy (purified from spiritual veins) for newborn souls to inhabit.

Plant dragon bone thorns at the edge of the barrier (the thorns release golden light to ward off evil) to form a physical barrier.

Adjust the layout of settlements: follow the principle of "three avoidances and one acceptance", avoid evil mouths (the gushing points of earth veins), avoid yin abysses (low-lying areas where evil energy accumulates), and avoid corpse mounds; accept sunny slopes (high ground with ample sunlight) to reduce the exposure of the soul to the evil energy environment.

Regular purification rituals are held, including the Spring Fire Festival held every season: burning Yangyan Grass and Golden Crow Feathers to drive the power of fire to burn away wandering evil energy. A required Soul Cleansing Incantation for Soul Cultivators: using witchcraft to resonate with the soul's frequency, expelling accumulated ash mist (requires the use of a Soul Cleansing Jade).

A geomantic compass tower is set up: the "Evil-viewing mirror" at the top of the tower monitors the concentration of evil energy in real time; the "Evil-suppressing stele" at the bottom of the tower automatically triggers purification runes.

The major sects jointly promulgated the "Nine Li Soul Codex," which prohibits the cultivation of devouring techniques in the Fiend Vein Zone.

Training Spirit Purification Shamans: Specializing in the maintenance of purification facilities and passing on secret techniques for transforming malevolent energy (such as the "Turbid Energy Forging Method").

Si Lingle felt that the governance of the Jiuli Realm was quite effective.

Si Lingle and Yun Ya also practiced the "Clear and Turbid Guiding Technique" and wore the Nine Li Soul-Suppressing Pendant.

After learning the details, Si Lingle and Yun Ya left Huangyang Prefecture.

Four years later, Yunya's cultivation advanced to the Nascent Soul stage. After Yunya's breakthrough, Si Lingle and Yunya parted ways.

The two went their separate ways to gain experience.

Si Lingle found a fire vein and prepared to add something to the Qingchu Sword to change its color.

The reason for the change was that she went to Qingxuan Pavilion and saw her wanted poster there.

Si Lingle guessed that the Heavenly Dao Sect must have a spy from the Azure Profound Sect who knew she was still alive through her soul fire.

Therefore, there are arrest warrants for her in various sectors.

Fortunately, she was cautious. When she arrived in the lower realm of Jiuli, she and her disciple always disguised themselves.

It took Si Lingle five years to reforge the Qingchu Sword. The Qingchu Sword was originally blue, but now it has turned blackish-purple.

After forging the Qingchu Sword, Si Lingle planned to forge another natal magic weapon.

She only uses swordsmanship as a last resort.

Si Lingle thought about it for several days and finally figured out what kind of magic weapon she wanted to refine.

To forge an umbrella-shaped magical artifact, which can be used for defense and also as a weapon for attack.

After drawing the blueprints, Si Lingle searched for the refining materials in her storage ring. Once she found them, Si Lingle began the refining process.

Various materials were laid out in front of Si Lingle. She took a deep breath, quickly formed hand seals, and chanted incantations.

Instantly, a raging black flame erupted inside the furnace, flickering as if it were alive.

She carefully placed the rare celestial materials into the furnace, where they slowly melted under the high temperature. Then she added other materials.

As time went on, the materials inside the furnace gradually fused together, forming a strange liquid.

Fine beads of sweat appeared on Si Lingle's forehead. She clapped her hands together, and a powerful spiritual force was injected into the furnace. The liquid inside the furnace began to rotate rapidly and slowly take shape.

After three years of arduous crafting, an umbrella-shaped magical artifact was finally born.

The umbrella canopy is made of a rare celestial material, its surface shimmering with a faint light. A dazzling gem is inlaid in the center of the canopy; this gem is the core of the magical artifact, capable of absorbing and releasing various forms of energy. The handle is made of an incredibly hard divine wood, its surface engraved with intricate runes that emit a dazzling light when used.

Defense features:

The umbrella can unfold to form a huge protective shield, capable of withstanding various attacks, including magical, physical, and magical artifact attacks. The material of the umbrella is extremely tough, able to absorb and disperse the force of attacks, protecting the wielder from harm.

Attack capabilities:

The umbrella head can transform into a sharp spear, its tip made of a rare divine iron capable of penetrating all defenses. When transformed, the umbrella head unleashes a powerful energy wave, inflicting massive damage on enemies. The runes on the umbrella handle activate during attacks, enhancing the power and range of the attack.

After refining it, Si Lingle stored the Qiankun Umbrella in his dantian and nurtured it.

Two years later, Si Lingle went to Linxia Prefecture, which was under the jurisdiction of the Taixu Sect, the strongest sect in the Jiuli Realm.

Linxia Prefecture is holding a grand competition of the Four Arts, so all cultivators are welcome to register and participate.

After Si Lingle arrived, she went to register. Each registration required a fee of twenty low-grade spirit stones. Si Lingle registered for all four, so she paid a registration fee of eighty low-grade spirit stones.

After registering, Si Lingle received a wooden plaque, and she handed over a copy of what she had refined.

Those cultivators below the Golden Core stage who register will participate in an on-site competition, with materials provided by Taixu.

Cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage and above should submit a copy of what they have refined. During the Four Arts Competition, the Supreme Elders of the Taixu Sect will serve as judges and score the submissions.

The person with the highest score will receive a reward from the Taixu Sect.

As for the items handed in, they will be returned after the competition.

Si Lingle handed over the items, but of course, she didn't take out her most powerful spiritual energy runner and lightning magnetic cannon.

She was afraid that the Qingxuan Pavilion would recognize her and find out who she was.

She didn't dare reveal the puppets, because her clone had brought quite a few puppets with it to kill the Qingxuan Sect cultivators.

After handing it over, Si Lingle rented a place to live.

Two months later, the Four Arts Competition began.

The first event was a competition of the four arts at the Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, and Golden Core stages.

Si Lingle went to watch these competitions and found that the cultivators of the Nine Li Realm were all quite skilled in the four arts.

Moreover, perhaps due to the influence of the earth's evil energy, the alchemy and weapon-refining techniques of cultivators in the Nine Li Realm are all very unique.

This brought Si Lingle a lot of gains.

Next came the evaluation of cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage and above.

Si Lingle submitted the items for the competition, and won eighth place in alchemy, second place in weapon crafting, fourth place in formation, and fifth place in talisman crafting.

They all achieved good results and received rewards in their previous lives.

Si Lingle went to collect her reward.

The magical artifacts and treasures she handed over were bought by the Taixu Sect for 300,000 mid-grade spirit stones.