Chapter 48: Strange Matter

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

Enduring the excruciating pain coursing through his body, Cheng Xu mustered every ounce of strength to stand upright, gingerly collecting the shattered formation plate fragments scattered across the ground. A profound sense of disappointment washed over him, like a heavy cloud casting a shadow over his hopes.

Both sets of array disks he had painstakingly acquired were now riddled with unsightly cracks, their intricate patterns marred by the devastating impact. To make matters worse, the majority of array needles lay broken, their delicate structures irreparably damaged. In their current state, they were rendered utterly useless.

Thankfully, the two flying swords he had invested in remained unscathed, resilient to the chaos that unfolded around them. It was a testament to the adage that quality comes at a price, for these flying swords, procured at considerable expense, indeed possessed exceptional durability.

Taking solace in their intact condition, Cheng Xu carefully secured the flying swords, ensuring their protection as he prepared himself to venture further into the depths of Yuntai Spiritual Master’s secret treasure chamber, the spoils of his hard-fought battle awaiting his claim.

Amidst the charred remnants of the Demonic Neonate, an object laying on the ground caught his attention—a small ball of peculiar black mucus, its size no larger than a palm, emanating an enigmatic energy fluctuation. His eyes widened with intrigue.

“This… Could it be the elusive black sticky substance that caused such strife among the demonic cultivators of the Black Water Mystic Palace?”

No, that’s not right. This mass of mucus before me is distinctively different from the one snatched by the demonic cultivators earlier. It appears to be even more refined.”

A moment of reflection dismissed that assumption. The mass of mucus before him was distinctively different from the one fervently fought over by the demonic cultivators. Its composition appeared even more refined, possessing an air of mystery that piqued Cheng Xu’s curiosity.

Driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge, he cautiously approached the enigmatic mucus, intent on closer inspection. As he drew near, a surge of irresistible yearning surged forth from his very being, as if every cell within his body craved the touch of the black mucus, beckoning him closer. Its allure proved impossible to resist.

Before Cheng Xu could fully comprehend the situation, his hand, seemingly guided by an unseen force, made contact with the enigmatic mucus. In an instant, the peculiar black substance flowed seamlessly through his fingertips, penetrating his body with an otherworldly grace.

“?!”

The sensation that followed was nothing short of astounding. An intense surge of power coursed through his veins at an alarming pace, permeating every fiber of his being. A profound sense of comfort enveloped him, accompanied by a rapid healing of his injuries and fractured ribs. It was as if the mucus possessed an innate ability to rejuvenate and restore.

“What kind of sacred artifact does the Black Water Mystic Palace possess?” Cheng Xu muttered in awe, his gaze fixed upon his revitalized body. “How can it bestow such mystical power?”

Staring at himself in disbelief, Cheng Xu slowly realized that the mucus had not brought harm but had gifted him with immeasurable strength instead. A wave of relief washed over him, replacing his initial apprehension with a newfound sense of empowerment.

Buoyed by this unexpected turn of events, Cheng Xu strode forward into the treasure vault, his eyes widening in awe as they beheld the sheer abundance of riches laid out before him. Excitement coursed through his veins, for he had become living proof that the age-old adage held true: Wealth truly reveals itself in times of danger.

As a seasoned cultivator at the late-stage Jindan Stage, having commanded a prominent position in the market for countless years, Yuntai Zhenren’s unparalleled wealth now seemed within Cheng Xu’s reach, fueling his ambitions and propelling him further on his path of prosperity.

Regrettably, this treasure vault represented merely the core portion of Yuntai Zhenren’s familial possessions, as the family estate of the Immortal Mansion had been utterly stripped bare by thieves.

Within the treasury, an abundance of rare treasures and precious materials awaited discovery.

Furthermore, there lay a plethora of priceless books.

“I never anticipated that old man Yuntai would be such a devoted scholar. He possesses a vast array of formations, talismans, and profoundly insightful texts.”

“All, incredible! There are even ancient tomes on the theories of martial arts and spells. What a tremendous windfall!”

The more Cheng Xu delved into the collection, the greater his excitement swelled. Without pause, he diligently read and integrated these manuals of secret techniques, causing the cultivation computer’s database to undergo a substantial augmentation.

[Medicine Refining (104 megabytes)]

[Equipment Refining (537.5 megabytes)]

[Enchanted Talisman (91.3 megabytes)]

[Formation (102.9 megabytes)]

[Miscellaneous Studies Encyclopedia (88.5 megabytes)]

However, this was not the crux of the matter. The true essence lay in the fact that upon integrating a few volumes on martial arts theory, the [Martial Arts] data expanded exponentially:

[Martial Arts (281.8 megabytes)]

[Martial Arts Theory: Advanced]

[Spell Theory: Intermediate]

The most significant transformation manifested in the availability of the [optimization] option for certain martial arts techniques.

Alas, only a handful of lower-level martial arts techniques were presently eligible for optimization: Tiger Subduing Fist, Setting Sun Finger, Protective Dipper Energy, and Flowing Cloud Steps.

Each of these martial arts and spells had been acquired by Cheng Xu prior to his entry into the Medicine Celestial Valley. Strictly speaking, they did not belong to the realm of immortal cultivation techniques but rather resembled unrivaled martial arts at the level of secular world warriors.

The Tiger Subduing Fist and Sunlight Finger had become rarely utilized by Cheng Xu, while his reliance on Protective Upstanding Qi and Flowing Cloud Steps had grown stronger.

To start, he decided to enhance the Tiger Subduing Fist and Setting Sun Finger.

The progress bar for optimization remained within an acceptable range, taking no more than two hours.

“It seems 1 need to amass more profound martial arts knowledge in the future.”

In his estimation, it was not that the other skills were incapable of optimization but rather that his current understanding of martial arts and spell theories fell short.

As he awaited the completion of the optimization process, he continued his search.

“Hiss… What is this? A method for refining and nurturing a demonic infant?”

Examining the malevolent refining technique in his grasp, Cheng Xu couldn’t help but furrow his brow.

Upon the rough and ancient scroll made of demon beast skin, a plethora of peculiar diagrams and inscriptions adorned its surface. Reading through them filled Cheng Xu with a profound sense of revulsion.

Four prominent words were inscribed on the scroll: Outrageous to the extreme.

“Old man, you didn’t perish in vain.”

Silently, Cheng Xu stowed away the leather scroll, realizing that it might prove useful in the future.

He then continued to scour the treasure vault, his smile growing wider and wider.

“Haha! I had been wracking my brain over where to procure Dragon Bone Grass, and here it is, right before my eyes.”

With great delight, he carefully stowed away the jade box containing the three precious stalks of Dragon Bone Grass, and then his gaze fell upon the other box.

As he opened the box, Cheng Xu’s breath hitched in anticipation.

Within the box lay a heap of dark golden sand—none other than the coveted Gilded Sand, a requisite for expanding internal storage by three liters!

Without a second thought, Cheng Xu promptly upgraded his memory to level four. In an instant, the original 512MB of operating memory skyrocketed to 1MB. His cognitive abilities soared to unimaginable heights.

Throughout his youth, Cheng Xu had been an average student, but now, for the first time, he realized the immense value of his own brain.

Eagerly, he continued to unlock the treasure box. One after another, he unearthed several rare materials, prompting yet another exclamation to escape his lips.

“By the heavens, this old codger even possessed Earth Core Spiritual Milk!”

The Earth Core Spiritual Milk, originally intended for nurturing the Demonic Neonate, was now at Cheng Xu’s disposal. Since he had no intentions of cultivating the demonic entity, he promptly utilized the Earth Core Spiritual Milk to upgrade his CPU to level four, resulting in a significant enhancement of his divine sense.

The previous dual-core 1.6GB transformed into a powerful dual-core 3.2GB, visibly amplifying the overall performance of his cultivation system.

Next, Cheng Xu stumbled upon a piece of supple, dark red wood nestled in the adjacent box.

“Could this be… Bloodsoul Wood?” Cheng Xu was simultaneously astonished and elated. “Truly befitting of an esteemed Golden Core cultivator! To possess such a rare and extinct treasure!”

Indeed, the Bloodsoul Wood served as the vital ingredient for refining the coveted [Substitute Xiaobao].

Ever since Cheng Xu had discovered the method to refine the Substitute Xiaobao within the Scorching Sun Sect’s library, he had been plagued by the predicament of acquiring Bloodsoul Wood. But now, with this remarkable find, he could commence preparations to forge the substitute for Xiao Bao.

“With such a sizable piece of Bloodsoul Wood, crafting two substitutes should be well within reach.”

The more Cheng Xu pondered, the more elation coursed through his veins. Today’s expedition had undeniably yielded an abundant harvest.

“Dark Steel Stone and Frost Jade Dew… tsk tsk. These won’t be easy to obtain!”

Gazing upon the materials required for upgrading his CPU and memory from level four to level five, Cheng Xu couldn’t help but feel the onset of a throbbing headache.

Although the configuration upgrade proved beneficial, it also incurred a hefty expense.

The spirit stones required for the upgrade, along with the other materials needed to refine the substitute Xiao Bao, demanded a significant amount of money.

While they had obtained numerous priceless materials during their expedition, each one was too valuable to part with easily.

In summary, if Cheng Xu desired to accumulate wealth, he knew he had to toil diligently!

“I must devise a plan to earn money once 1 return!”

Undeterred, he continued scouring the treasure vault. After confirming the absence of hidden compartments or missing items, Cheng Xu made his exit.

Little did he expect that as soon as he emerged from the secret passage, an icy and palpable aura of imminent danger assailed him from the side. Hastily, Cheng Xu brandished his +5 flying sword to fend off the attack.

Clang!

With ease, the +5 flying sword repelled the surprise assault. As his gaze sharpened, the familiar invisibility veil vanished, revealing an unfamiliar female cultivator staring at him in astonishment.

It’s you?” The female cultivator regarded Cheng Xu and his flying sword with disbelief. “In just a few days, you’ve already mastered the Heavenly Treasure Refining Technique to this extent?”

Cheng Xu was taken aback. Only after scanning the other party’s data did he confirm her identity—Yue Wanting.

It was evident that Yue Wanting had also come in search of Yuntai Zhenren’s legacy, but she hadn’t anticipated stumbling upon this secret treasure vault.

“My apologies, Fairy,” Cheng Xu courteously addressed her, a hint of teasing lacing his words. “This place has already been claimed by me.”

Yue Wanling’s expression wavered. Had it been any other cultivator, she would have swiftly dispatched them and seized their spoils. However, facing Cheng Xu, an enigmatic figure, she felt an unmistakable lack of confidence. “You haven’t answered my question,” she pressed, her tone insistent.

“You’re referring to the Heavenly Treasure Refining Technique?” Cheng Xu replied in a regal manner, a touch of amusement coloring his voice. “Is it truly as arduous as you suggest?”

“…” Yue Wanling found herself at a loss for words.

Could it truly be that such a heaven-defying individual existed, capable of comprehending everything in a single attempt?

“By the way, how did Fairy stumble upon this treasure vault?” Cheng Xu inquired curiously.

Yue Wanling responded with indifference, “I simply detected faint fluctuations of spiritual energy emanating from a battle in the vicinity. I didn’t anticipate that you would be engaged in combat inside.”

“I see,” Cheng Xu acknowledged, a hint of understanding in his eyes. “Speaking of which, if Fairy is unsatisfied, you can go in and collect the remaining spoils.”

I’m not accustomed to feasting on scraps left by others,” Yue Wanling retorted, rolling her eyes before swiftly departing on her flying sword.

Cheng Xu observed Yue Wanling’s departure and decided not to linger any longer. He made his way back to the Medicine Celestial Valley.

During the journey, notifications of the successful optimization of the Tiger Subduing Fist and the Setting Sun Finger materialized before his eyes. The information pertaining to these techniques in his mind had evidently undergone changes, and the file size had increased slightly.

Moreover, even the name of the Tiger Subduing Fist had been altered:

Dragon Subduing Tiger Fist (19MB)

Setting Sun Finger (14.8MB)

Eager to test the results, Cheng Xu executed a Setting Sun Finger.

Whoosh!

The force behind the finger strike had become several times more condensed than before, with its power undiminished even when unleashed at a distance of three hundred meters.

As for the Dragon Subduing Tiger Fist, its overall power and technique had significantly enhanced, making it more than capable of excelling in close combat against opponents of the same level.

“Flowing Cloud Steps, Protective Shield, and Stellar Guard, prepare yourselves!” Cheng Xu urged.

Two days later, Cheng Xu descended gracefully on his flying sword.

Transforming into a fleeting afterimage akin to drifting clouds, he materialized instantly in front of his cave dwelling.

The optimized Flowing Cloud Steps had grown from 6MB to 13.5MB, doubling its speed and agility.

As for his Protective Dipper Energy, the transformation was even more remarkable.

The optimized file size of the defense technique surged from a mere 8.8MB to an impressive 21MB, imbuing Cheng Xu with a level of defensive prowess comparable to the renowned Canglan Formation.

Such an upgrade proved to be a transformative boon, a testament to the remarkable progress he had made during his eventful journey to Grand Cloud Mountain. His strength had undeniably more than doubled, leaving him in a position where he could confidently confront a cultivator in the middle stage of Foundation Building without relying on any computer cheats.

As fate would have it, upon his return to the Medicine Immortal Valley, Cheng Xu encountered his fellow disciple Miao Changsheng, who had just emerged from the library cave. The surprise and delight in Miao Changsheng’s eyes were palpable as he greeted Cheng Xu.

“Air, Senior Brother, I thought you were still out hunting demonic beasts. You’ve returned so soon!” Miao Changsheng exclaimed, unable to contain his curiosity.

“I was fortunate enough to accomplish my mission swiftly,” Cheng Xu replied nonchalantly, his gaze fixed on Miao Changsheng with an intrigued expression. “However, I can’t help but notice that you appear different from before. Have you undergone some sort of transformation in such a short span of time?”

A mischievous smile danced upon Miao Changsheng’s lips as he gleefully responded, “Hehe, Shixiong’s discernment is truly remarkable! You might find it hard to believe, but I managed to comprehend the elusive Qi Mantra in a mere four days!”

Cheng Xu’s pupils widened ever so slightly, his astonishment evident. “Is that so? Four days to unravel the mysteries of the Qi Mantra… Impressive.”

The implication of Miao Changsheng’s achievement was not lost on Cheng Xu, his thoughts swirling with anticipation and intrigue. The mere mention of Senior Brother Tang’s expression at the time spoke volumes, hinting at the profound impact of Miao Changsheng’s newfound understanding..