Chapter 541: Spirit Tree

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

In the closed room, Chen Fei stood up, sensing subtle changes throughout his body. A small smile crept onto his face.

The Combined Aperture Tempering realm Third Tier brought about changes that exceeded the combined effects of the previous two expansions and then some.

As the Combined Aperture grew larger, the amount of elemental energy that could be utilized with each activation during the mid-level Combined Aperture far surpassed what was achievable in the initial stage of Combined Aperture. The same techniques, when infused with different amounts of elemental energy, yielded vastly different results.

The fundamental reason for the mid-Combined Aperture Tempering realm’s superiority over the initial stage was the disparity in the amount of elemental energy that could be harnessed on each side.

There were also changes in physique, though these changes were not readily apparent for Chen Fei, as he already possessed the physique of a late-stage Combined Aperture cultivator before his breakthrough.

However, for other cultivators in the mid-Combined Aperture Tempering realm, a breakthrough in cultivation naturally led to the refinement of their physical bodies, as well as a transformation of their mental state.

In every aspect, the mid-Combined Aperture Tempering realm surpassed the initial stage, leaving no room for the latter to exploit any weaknesses.

To overturn the mid-Combined Aperture Tempering realm, the initial stage would need various additional advantages; otherwise, achieving such a feat would be virtually impossible.

The elemental energy within his body fluctuated, and the Slaughter Spirit Technique was activated, causing the aura surrounding Chen Fei to regress to the initial stage of the Combined Aperture.

This suppression was only temporary, and if Chen Fei were to engage in a full-blown battle, his aura would immediately return to the mid-Combined Aperture Tempering realm.

Within the Thousand Feathers Alliance, there were numerous young talents, many of whom were concentrated in the top factions.

Within these elite factions, resources for these young talents were abundant, and as long as they showcased their innate talents, there was no need to worry about elemental stones or elixirs.

However, even in the Thousand Feathers Alliance, there were few instances in its many years where someone had managed to progress from the initial Combined Aperture stage to the mid-Combined Aperture Tempering realm within seven years.

Chen Fei’s extravagant rate of advancement, especially during this sensitive period of the lost spiritual treasure, could easily arouse suspicion if it became known to the outside world.

The peak Combined Aperture Tempering realm cultivators within those top factions would instantly focus their attention on Chen Fei. Even if they couldn’t discern anything unusual immediately, this scrutiny would not dissipate.

In such a situation, Chen Fei naturally couldn’t reveal his true cultivation level.

It was indeed possible to elevate the Primordial Sword Sect to a third-tier faction. However, Chen Fei had already looked into it, and there were no better regions within the Thousand Feathers Alliance where they could relocate.

Forcibly relocating was an option, but that would involve competing with other third-tier factions for resources. Most importantly, there was no mid-level third-grade secret realm currently vacant.

If the Primordial Sword Sect were to leave its current location, the third-grade lower-grade secret realm they had obtained a few years ago would be handed over to others without a fight.

Considering the current size of the Primordial Sword Sect, the Sea Peak City was actually the best place for them.

It was thanks to Chen Fei that the Primordial Sword Sect had been forcefully elevated to its current position. Otherwise, they wouldn’t even have cultivators at the peak Combined Aperture stage, let alone what a fourth-tier faction should possess in terms of strength.

The sect leader, Qu Qingsheng, and others, despite their efforts in cultivation, knew that advancing in cultivation wasn’t an overnight process and couldn’t be rushed, even with Chen Fei’s guidance on a regular basis.

With the Primordial Sword Sect’s current status and position in the Sea Peak City, a few more years would provide enough resources for the sect to produce cultivators at the peak Combined Aperture Tempering realm.

If luck favored them, they might even produce new mid-Combined Aperture Tempering realm cultivators.

In the Sea Peak City, under Chen Fei’s formidable presence, the disciples of the Primordial Sword Sect encountered nothing but friendly faces. Everyone welcomed them with smiles.

In regions crowded with third-tier factions, such favorable treatment was rare. Without alliances, those third-tier factions would often target newcomers.

Chen Fei’s rapid progress in cultivation determined that whether in the Sea Peak City or other domains, the resources available in the surroundings were simply too slow for him.

As the highest-ranked cultivator in the Primordial Sword Sect, relying on the sect for support was impossible for Chen Fei.

Unless Chen Fei was willing to cultivate slowly like other mid-Combined Aperture Tempering realm cultivators, he could gradually improve himself with the local resources.

Five days later, Chen Fei appeared within the third-grade secret realm.

Lately, there had been an increase in the number of sea beasts in the outer sea, making the location of the secret realm less safe.

According to the alliance’s rules, the protection of the secret realm was a joint effort involving five factions.

Normally, there were mid-Combined Aperture Tempering realm cultivators guarding the area, deterring most ordinary warriors from attempting to intrude.

While the secret realm contained abundant spiritual materials, and seizing them all would be priceless, you had to have both the luck to enter and the luck to exit alive.

Although relying on his high cultivation level might allow him to break through the obstacles posed by mid-Combined Aperture Tempering realm cultivators, once someone closed the exit of the secret realm, it would be like catching a turtle in a jar.

In a short period of time, even a mid-Combined Aperture Tempering realm powerhouse couldn’t forcibly tear apart the barrier of a third-grade secret realm. If that happened, they would be facing the collective efforts of five mid-Combined Aperture Tempering realm cultivators.

Anyone capable of withstanding the siege of five mid-Combined Aperture Tempering realm initiates would have no reason to enter the secret realm to steal spiritual materials.

It wasn’t a matter of one’s stature or reputation; when the potential gains were substantial enough, many things ceased to be problems.

The real issue was that the kind of power capable of easily slaying a third-grade initial-stage sea beast in the outer sea was worth far more than what one could obtain within the secret realm.

The spiritual materials inside the secret realm were valuable because of their continuous production; their true worth lay in being able to use them for a hundred years. Over a hundred years, they could create a staggering quantity of resources.

So, this particular secret realm had been peacefully divided among several factions for a long time. However, the recent increase in sea monster numbers had made transporting spiritual materials out of the realm unsafe.

For minor issues, the five factions cooperated to resolve them, but if an issue couldn’t be resolved, the guarding sect from that year would handle it. This year, it happened to be the responsibility of the Primordial Sword Sect.

Chen Fei floated in mid-air, gazing at the area where the Primordial Sword Sect was located, a hint of surprise in his eyes.

Compared to the other four factions, the spiritual materials within the Primordial Sword Sect’s territory surpassed them in both quantity and maturity.

The most conspicuous feature was a particular spiritual tree right in the center. It had lush branches and leaves, bearing fruit that swayed gently in the breeze. Even from a distance, Chen Fei could smell the delightful aroma of the fruit.

In the secret realms of the other four areas, there were also similar spiritual trees. Among them, one tree in another faction was slightly larger than the one in the Primordial Sword Sect, but only marginally so.

Upon closer inspection, one would notice that the number of fruit on the larger tree was even fewer than the one in the Primordial Sword Sect.

This particular tree was the same spiritual tree that the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect had transplanted from Immortal Cloud City when they first settled here. Later, when the third-grade secret realm was seized, the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect had gifted branches to the other four factions.

However, more than six years had passed, and the spiritual trees in the Break Soul Sect and the other two factions had yet to fully mature. Even the mother tree held by the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect hadn’t fully recovered its vitality due to the long-distance transplant.

On the contrary, the tree held by the Primordial Sword Sect had become the healthiest among the five, displaying the most robust vitality.

Chen Fei may not have been knowledgeable about planting spiritual materials, but with his Heavenly Eye, he could easily perceive the vibrant life force radiating from the spiritual tree.

“Senior Chen!”

As Chen Fei flew to the Primordial Sword Sect’s area, the disciples halted their activities upon seeing him and respectfully bowed, their eyes filled with admiration.

In the Primordial Sword Sect, Chen Fei was the true spiritual pillar.

In this world, strength was revered, and whether in the Primordial Sword Sect or the Sea Peak City, Chen Fei was undoubtedly the leader.

In the current secret realm, many of the Primordial Sword Sect’s disciples were newcomers from the past few years, and they had joined the sect primarily because of Chen Fei.

In terms of true sect strength, the other four factions actually surpassed the Primordial Sword Sect by a considerable margin.

Chen Fei nodded slightly in acknowledgment of these disciples and wore a faint smile on his face.

“Chen Fei, it’s been a long time since you visited!”

A somewhat hoarse voice echoed from a burrow beside the spiritual tree, and Baka’s head emerged. Upon seeing Chen Fei, his eyes lit up with delight. “Chirp!”

With a squeak, a dark shadow darted out from the burrow and perched on Baka’s shoulder. It was the black rat that Chen Fei had tamed during his earlier visit.

Considering Chen Fei’s current strength, this second-tier black rat couldn’t be of much assistance. Chen Fei had decided to let it stay in this secret realm as a companion for Baka.

Over the past few years, whether due to frequent consumption of third-tier spiritual materials or its natural talent, this black rat had reached the level of the mid-tier of the second tier.

However, in comparison to Baka, the black rat’s growth in power had been relatively slow.

Baka’s recovery was remarkable. When he had first arrived in the secret realm after being injured by the Mysterious City, he had only managed to regain his strength at the early stage of the second tier. However, after a few years of absence, he had unexpectedly reached the later stages of the second tier. This progress was indeed impressive.

“I happened to come here today because of some matters, so I thought I’d check on you both.”

Chen Fei looked at Baka with curiosity and noticed that Baka’s aura was connected to all the surrounding spiritual materials, including the spiritual tree. Naturally, this included the spiritual tree.

Under Baka’s influence, these spiritual materials and the spiritual tree had thrived, continuously absorbing the vitality within the secret realm. They matured much faster than normal.

Furthermore, the growth of these spiritual materials, in turn, promoted an increase in Baka’s demonic energy.

It was precisely because of this that Baka had managed to grow his strength to this extent in just a few years. Given the current trend, it was possible that within a few more years, Baka would reach the peak of the second tier.

By then, Baka’s strength could potentially make him the strongest member of the Primordial Sword Sect, second only to Chen Fei.

“Have a piece of fruit; they’re delicious!” Baka grinned and a spiritual fruit from the tree floated over to Chen Fei.

Chen Fei extended his hand to catch it, a smile forming on his face. Baka remained the same as ever, unchanged by the passage of time.

Previously, within the alliance, Chen Fei had occasionally heard Qin Haishan and others subtly inquire about Baka’s origins. Chen Fei had no reason to conceal Baka’s background.

At the time, Chen Fei had thought that Baka’s ability to ripen spiritual materials was impressive, which had sparked the idea of nurturing a similar creature in Qin Haishan and the others.

Now, looking at the effect of ripening spiritual materials, it was not merely “impressive”; it was incredibly effective.

With Baka’s current power at the later stages of the second tier, one could only imagine how potent his abilities would become if he broke through to the third tier in the future.

After half an hour, Chen Fei left the secret realm, prepared to scour the surrounding areas for any sea monsters that might appear..