Chapter Seventeen: Treasures Galore

  In the following days, Ishikawa began to study the earth-based techniques of the martial arts. Within a short period of time, Ishikawa had basically mastered most of the basic earth-based techniques. After all, Ishikawa had already reached the fifth layer of the Qi training stage.

  Practicing these spells also gave Ishikawa a heavier aura. It also made the less-than-fourteen-year-old boy's mind more stable.

  After returning to Shuiling Gate, Ishikawa had been thinking about how to break through the calmness of the fifth layer of Qi training and truly step into the gate of refining truth. However, there was one thing that made him feel uneasy.

  That was Huang Shu-lang and Hua Xiong.

  These two must have known that Qingchuan had been here, and judging from their temperaments, they might come to the door at any time to ask Ishikawa for an explanation. Ishikawa would certainly not be afraid of these two people, but if they accidentally broke in when he was about to break through the bottleneck, it would have a huge impact on him.

  Moreover, if the two of them were to discover that they were breaking through the fifth layer of the Qi Refining stage, this information would instantly reach Yun Changlao's ears, and Shi Chuan's situation would be in danger.

  Ishikawa decided to wait a bit longer, and this period of time was just right for studying that strange bead and the alchemy manual.

  Having obtained so many refining techniques, Ishikawa's hands had long been itchy. He didn't know how many times he had refined the low-level refining techniques' artifacts. And now, the high-level refining technique he had obtained had a huge attraction to him.

  Especially the key called "True Shield Decision".

  After carefully reading the true method of refining the shield, Ishikawa was even more admiring of the person who invented this artifact.

  This shield is not just a defensive artifact, but also an offensive one.

  Its core requires a small formation to temporarily store the monk's spiritual energy, and when it is compared, it can be triggered to serve as defense or attack.

  According to Zhen Dun's description, that small-scale formation was enough to store all the spiritual power of a 10th-level Qi Refining cultivator. In other words, once this shield was refined, it could withstand multiple attacks from a 10th-level Qi Refining cultivator or even withstand a full-force attack from a 10th-level Qi Refining cultivator.

  Ishikawa's heart was increasingly excited, if he could refine this true shield, at least he could easily cope with cultivators below the seventh layer of the Qi Refining stage, and for cultivators above the tenth layer of the Qi Refining stage, Ishikawa also had a 30% chance of escaping.

  However, the truth is that it uses a crimson copper carving of the Spirit Gathering Array, and each time it's used, the array will be destroyed along with the consumption of the crimson copper. Therefore, this Spirit Shield not only consumes a lot but also has an exceptionally troublesome usage.

  Seeing this, Ishikawa smiled wryly and shook his head. The vermilion copper was nothing to speak of, the earth mother stone had enough for Ishikawa's use, but drawing the array was a very difficult thing, and every time he used it up, he had to draw it again, which made Ishikawa's head ache incessantly.

  While in distress, Ishikawa suddenly saw the mysterious bead. After months of nourishment, this bead had absorbed a large amount of spiritual energy. The bead also showed dense and fine cloud patterns.

  Ishikawa suddenly thought: "Since this bead can also absorb spiritual energy, can it be used as the core of the true shield?"

  Thinking of this, Ishikawa immediately began refining the True Shield.

  The most important part of this shield is the core. Now that Ishikawa has a substitute, refining it will be much easier.

  In less than two hours, the outline of the true shield outside had taken shape. Ishikawa made some slight modifications and left a hollow hole in the center of the shield, then carefully embedded the pearl into it, and the task was completed.

  The refining process was simple, and even Ishikawa himself felt a little surprised, but the truth was that it was already in his hands.

  This shield is about two palm sizes, looks like a copper mirror, with an ordinary-looking bead inlaid in the middle, looking very strange.

  Ishikawa couldn't care less about those things, quietly urging a thread of spiritual energy and injecting it into the true shield.

  It's no different from before, but it can still absorb spiritual energy, and the absorption speed is much faster than before.

  Ishikawa took a deep breath. If he could release his spiritual power, it would mean that the true shield had been successfully refined; otherwise, it would be a waste of one piece.

  Ishikawa's small wings fluttered as he urged on the True Shield, muttering the incantation of "True Shield Decision". With a soft cry, a gentle glow emanated from the surface of the True Shield, and in an instant, a massive light shield enveloped Ishikawa.

  "It's a success!" Ishikawa was overjoyed. To know that only foundation period cultivators could use spiritual power shields, and yet he, with his True Shield, could bring it out in the fifth layer of the Qi Refining stage - how could this not make him ecstatic?

  However, in just a moment, the cloud patterns on the beads had decreased by one-tenth. Ishikawa hastily stopped the spiritual shield to prevent wasting spiritual energy.

  As for the attack magic brought by Zhen Dang, Ishikawa was afraid of making too much noise and did not try.

  Looking at the true shield in his hand, Ishikawa couldn't help but feel delighted. If there was a drawback, it was that this true shield was a bit too ugly. Moreover, the bead in the middle was particularly eye-catching. So Ishikawa again used a layer of mysterious iron to wrap around it heavily, which not only protected the true shield but also made it look like a real shield.

  "Hey kiddo, quite a stroke of luck you've got there?" A familiar voice sounded in Ishikawa's ear.

  "Who!" Ishikawa was taken aback for a moment, but when he saw the person in front of him, he relaxed.

  This man was none other than the old beggar who had disappeared for several months.

  "Has the senior woken up?" Ishikawa asked respectfully. Having already reached the fifth layer of Qi training, Ishikawa was no longer a country bumpkin who didn't understand anything.

  "This child is indeed teachable. In such a short period of time, he has already reached the fifth layer of Qi Refining, and his mastery of equipment refining techniques is also extremely impressive. The opportunity is even more unimaginable, and the precious Lingzhu that can gather spirits has actually fallen into your hands." The old beggar said all this in one breath, without hiding his envy.

  "It's all thanks to our seniors." Ishikawa bowed deeply. Although he said so, his heart was filled with doubts.

  "You don't have to be polite to me anymore, since you've already set foot on the path of cultivation. I no longer have anything to hide from you." The old beggar let out a light sigh and said: "I am Lin Laoshi, the elder of the Five Spirits Sect. Two hundred years ago, I fought with another Golden Elixir cultivator over the Earth Mother Stone, and in the end, although I destroyed his soul, my physical body was also destroyed, and I could only barely survive by inhabiting this Earth Mother Stone. It wasn't until you came to the Mountain God Temple that I was able to return to the sect with you."

  "I now need a Jindan period cultivator to help me find a spiritual body and seize the opportunity for rebirth. If you can help me with this, I naturally won't treat you unfairly."

  "What kind of conditions does Lin Lao's spiritual body require?" asked Ishikawa thoughtfully.

  Ishikawa is one of the five pure earthly spirits, a rare talent in the world. If you want to seize the house, Ishikawa is naturally the best choice. So when Ishikawa heard that Old Lin wanted to seize the house, he couldn't help but be on guard.

  "You little scamp, you're quite cunning." Lin Lao burst out laughing and said: "I'm a natural-born water spirit root, even if I were to snatch your body, it would be of no use to me, so you can rest assured. Alright, let's not mention this matter for now, and talk about what's going on with you instead. You're currently relying on the concealment effect of the Earth Mother Stone to secretly cultivate here, are you planning on doing this for the rest of your life?"

  "As long as I reach the foundation period, I naturally won't stay here." Ishikawa said calmly.

  "Building the foundation?" Lin Old laughed loudly: "Do you think building the foundation is that easy? Even if you have a good spiritual root and talent, without the Foundation Building Pill, your chances of building the foundation are less than one in ten. Even if all the materials in the Earth Mother Stone were exchanged for spirit stones, even with ten times more, it's not guaranteed to get one Foundation Building Pill."

  Ishikawa's expression changed, Lin Lao indeed considered the long-term, but this way of speaking really made Ishikawa unhappy. He said coldly: "Lin Lao, if you have something to say, just say it, what's the point of saying these sarcastic things about your juniors?"

  "Why don't we make a deal? I can let you successfully enter the inner door of Shuilingmen and become an inner disciple, so that you will have more opportunities to go out and gain experience, or sell refining materials to buy elixirs. And your task is to provide me with enough spirit stones to support my primordial spirit without damage."

  " Become an inner disciple of the Water Spirit Sect?" This was something that Shikawa had never thought of. In the Water Spirit Sect, Shikawa's usual approach was to keep a low profile, letting Yun Elder forget about him, and then secretly cultivating his skills until he reached the foundation stage.

  But Lin's words made Shi Chuan's heart waver, and over the past few months, Shi Chuan had also discovered that cultivating the truth was an extremely spirit-stone-consuming thing. Without sufficient elixirs and spirit stones to support it, it was simply impossible. Moreover, without exchanges between cultivators of the truth and going out for experience, the improvement in mental state was far from enough.

  All of this can be resolved after Ishikawa becomes an inner disciple. However, at the same time, Ishikawa also has to bear a great risk, that is the threat from the Water Spirit Gate's Council of Elders.

  Once Ishikawa demonstrates his earth-style Kung Fu, Ishikawa will definitely be put under house arrest for life, even if he is not dead.

  But if he continues to hide here like this, Ishikawa's cultivation progress will be extremely slow, let alone successfully building his foundation.

  Risk and benefit coexist, Ishikawa hesitated for a moment.

  After a moment of contemplation, Ishikawa spoke up: "As long as the senior can help me become an inner disciple, the matter of the spiritual stone will naturally be easy to discuss. However, I am a genuine earth spiritual root, and what's more, a pure earth spiritual root with five lines - wanting to become an inner disciple of the water spiritual door is not very possible, right?"

  "As long as you agree, that's all." Lin Lao was overjoyed. "The five elements are born together and overcome each other. Water is earth, and earth is water. I will pass on to you the Five Spirits Sect's Town School technique, 'Five Spirits Conversion Technique'. No matter what spiritual root your cultivation is based on, as long as you use the Five Spirits Conversion Technique, you can freely use various system techniques. However, the effect will be discounted. For example, if you are currently at the fifth layer of Qi Refining, using a water-based technique would only have the power of the second layer. This way, who would know that your cultivation is actually based on earth?"

  Seeing Ishikawa still hesitating, Lin Lao said: "When you go to see Yun Changlao, if there's any flaw, I'll rely on my Golden Elixir stage's primordial spirit to destroy him, so don't worry."