Chapter 641: Against Heaven and Earth

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

The perception of the mind towards its surroundings continued to expand, not only externally, but also in its control over the internal elements and the physique, becoming increasingly refined.

In the Mountain Sea Realm, the cultivation of essence, energy, and spirit held equal importance, with none being dispensable while occupying the same position.

However, the mind, to some extent, resembled the human brain, controlling all the forces throughout the body.

Even during the Body Tempering realm, if one wished to break through to the realm of Aperture Tempering realm, the mind had to pass through the threshold; otherwise, one could not even touch the breakthrough.

From the Aperture Tempering realm to the Combined Aperture Tempering realm, the mind was the key factor determining how much power one’s martial arts could unleash.

The power one could control truly belonged to oneself, and whether one could control it depended crucially on the strength of the mind. At least, this was the case below the Mountain Sea Realm.

A sword element appeared at the tip of Chen Fei’s finger, the element splitting into threads. In the blink of an eye, hundreds of threads were formed from a single sword element.

These threads wove into a formation, stirring the surrounding elemental energies, and the power of the threads instantly surged.

The ability to harness several times the effect of a single unit of internal power was related to the level of comprehension of martial arts, which was naturally intertwined with the strength of the mind.

Previously, Chen Fei could also divide a sword element into hundreds of threads, but it was by no means as effortless.

!!..

Chen Fei moved his body, reaching the Eighth Transformation of Combined Aperture Tempering realm. The increase in elemental power was inevitable, and incidentally, Chen Fei’s physical strength also advanced.

Previously, he could already sense that barrier, but now this perception became even more apparent. There was even a faint feeling of almost touching it.

According to Chen Fei’s estimate, when he condensed the third flower and achieved the Ninth Transformation of Combined Aperture Tempering realm, his physique would reach the limit of Combined Aperture Tempering realm.

If he could break through that barrier, Chen Fei’s physique would officially enter the realm below the Mountain Sea Realm.

If not, he would have to wait until he truly broke through to the realm below the Mountain Sea Realm to elevate his physique.

“Could a physique from below the Mountain Sea Realm withstand the power of several forbidden techniques? Eight gates?”

A glint flashed in Chen Fei’s eyes before he closed them again.

It wasn’t about consolidation. With Chen Fei’s current foundation, he didn’t need to spend months or even years stabilizing his realm like other martial artists just after breaking through.

Chen Fei now focused more on the subtle changes within his body after the breakthrough. Only by truly understanding all the details of oneself could all the power be unleashed in battle.

While Chen Fei was in seclusion breaking through, several missions to slay elusive creatures emerged in the Task Hall of Thousand Feathers City.

Lately, such missions had been increasing, and the rewards offered by the Task Hall had become more abundant. Many Combined Aperture Tempering realm cultivators who came to Thousand Feathers City to study martial arts eagerly took on these missions.

Some enticed by the generous rewards while others sought to better comprehend the mysteries of new techniques in combat.

In martial arts cultivation, solitary meditation was one approach. For prodigies, even without guidance from others, relying on their own talents could lead to continuous progress.

However, for the majority of martial artists without such exceptional talents, seeking guidance from renowned masters or exchanging insights with peers could help them understand the path of martial arts.

But in truth, the most beneficial and efficient way for martial artists to gain enlightenment was through combat. Sometimes, the more perilous the battle, the clearer the feedback obtained afterward.

From its inception, martial arts had been about changing one’s destiny and challenging the heavens and earth.

Martial arts are earned through combat, not conceived through mere contemplation.

This was a well-known fact among many martial artists. In the high-pressure environment of Sea Dominion City, many martial artists had experienced rapid advancements in their cultivation.

Bottlenecks that had previously seemed insurmountable suddenly loosened, leading to breakthroughs.

During times of peace in the Thousand Feathers Alliance, many martial artists would intentionally hunt sea monsters, not only to acquire elemental stones more quickly but also with the intention of honing their martial prowess.

Three days later, Chen Fei emerged from his seclusion.

Upon seeing Chen Fei, Tong Linyun was about to approach, but her steps suddenly faltered.

Chen Fei appeared unchanged, and there was no discernible change in his aura. However, having spent so much time together, Tong Linyun still sensed a subtle difference in Chen Fei.

Yet, articulating this change proved difficult for Tong Linyun.

At the most basic level, Tong Linyun felt that Chen Fei’s overall demeanor had become even clearer.

“Have you made progress in your cultivation again?” Tong Linyun walked up to Chen Fei and asked softly.

For most people, there would be hardly any significant changes in their cultivation realm without a few years’ time, especially for Combined Aperture Tempering realm cultivators.

Tong Linyun knew that Chen Fei was already in the late stage of the Combined Aperture Tempering realm. According to common sense, achieving any progress at this realm typically required several years as the smallest unit.

But considering Chen Fei’s extraordinary talent, which defied conventional reasoning, and the fact that he was already in this realm at just over forty years old, with occasional improvements in strength, was it really that strange?

“I’ve gained some insights,” Chen Fei nodded.

Tong Linyun looked at Chen Fei’s smiling face, wondering just how much progress he had made.

Curiosity sparked in Tong Linyun’s mind, but she refrained from asking too many questions.

Tong Linyun suddenly recalled the incident when Chen Fei’s performance had faltered during their discussion on cultivation issues a while back. Although Chen Fei had bounced back strongly a few days later.

But at that time, was it because there had been another breakthrough in his realm, leading to such an anomaly?

How much time had passed since then, and he had already made further progress?

Chen Fei began to intensify his efforts to gather the spiritual materials needed for the third flower, primarily through small-scale exchange gatherings.

He also visited the Task Hall to check for any missions that rewarded the required materials, but unfortunately, after several attempts, Chen Fei had yet to find what he needed.

Those spiritual materials might not be more precious than the Heavenly Lingzhi, but just like the issue with the Heavenly Lingzhi, their growth environment requirements were very strict, often appearing only once every few years.

In a tea garden.

“These spiritual materials you’re looking for are not easy to come by!” Chang Yuanyin looked at the information on the jade slip handed over by Chen Fei, his brows slightly furrowed.

“They are indeed hard to find, which is why I’m troubling you,” Chen Fei picked up the teacup on the table and took a sip.

Last time, it was through Chang Yuanyin’s introduction that Chen Fei had learned about the Heavenly Lingzhi. Therefore, when Chen Fei couldn’t find what he needed on his own, he naturally thought of Chang Yuanyin.

However, to avoid arousing suspicions about the Unfettered Matrix Technique, Chen Fei only mentioned the two most difficult-to-find spiritual materials in the jade slip. These materials could be used in many places and were not exclusive to the Unfettered Matrix Technique.

In fact, even if Chang Yuanyin did connect it to the Unfettered Matrix Technique, there wouldn’t be any issues. The Chen Fei currently appearing before Chang Yuanyin was just a false presence, completely unrelated to the true Chen Fei.

“The channels I have access to also make it difficult for me to gather all these materials for you,” Chang Yuanyin said with a wry smile.

If it were other spiritual materials, Chang Yuanyin would dare to guarantee their acquisition, but what Chen Fei needed was too specific, leaving Chang Yuanyin with few options.

“Take as much as you can.”

Chen Fei spoke, taking out a jade box from his sleeve and opening it. A refreshing fragrance instantly filled the air, completely masking the scent of the tea.

“Star Spirit Pill?”

Chang Yuanyin’s eyes widened slightly as he saw the pills in the jade box. These were extremely high-quality spiritual pills, not only beneficial for cultivation advancement but also incredibly effective even for those in the later stages of the Combined Aperture Tempering realm realm.

What was truly rare about the Star Spirit Pill was its ability to enhance martial arts enlightenment, such as sword intent. A strong martial arts enlightenment could directly suppress opponents during combat.

Chang Yuanyin hadn’t seen a Star Spirit Pill for many years. Even if they were available, many people would prefer to consume them themselves.

Looking at Chen Fei, Chang Yuanyin once again felt curious about Chen Fei’s background. Having so many rare spiritual pills while also searching for such rare spiritual materials.

Was he a top-level alchemist? Or was there another reason?

“Yes, Star Spirit Pill. I can use these pills to exchange for those spiritual materials.” Chen Fei closed the jade box and put it away in his Qiankun Bag.

“Alright, I’ll let you know as soon as I have any news!” Chang Yuanyin nodded.

Although the spiritual materials the other party requested were rare, compared to the pills, the Star Spirit Pills were undoubtedly even harder to find.

Five days later, Chen Fei left Thousand Feathers City and flew to the underground market city of Bianhu City.

Chen Fei exerted all his efforts in flight and arrived in Bianhu City before nightfall.

Compared to Chen Fei’s last visit, Bianhu City had become even more bustling, with a large number of people coming and going in the city.

Chen Fei visited several shops, inquiring about the spiritual materials.

“These spiritual materials you’re looking for are quite rare, sir,” the shopkeeper looked at Chen Fei.

“Is there a way to acquire them? Or do you have any information about these spiritual materials?” Chen Fei asked.

“Sir, you’ve come at the right time. While we don’t have any other spiritual materials, we happened to have someone recently selling Green Cane Dew and Purple Melody Saliva. However, the price might be a concern for you,” the shopkeeper said with a smile.

Chen Fei’s eyes brightened. He had come to Bianhu City just to try his luck.

After all, this city was the largest underground market in the entire Thousand Feathers Alliance, and there might be surprises in store.

As a result, he actually found the spiritual materials.

Before this shop, Chen Fei had already asked six others, but all of them had shaken their heads.

With only four types of spiritual materials left to gather for the condensation of the third flower, if Chen Fei could acquire the Green Cane Dew and Purple Melody Saliva, he would be close to reaching the Ninth Transformation of Combined Aperture Tempering realm.

“What’s the price? We can negotiate,” Chen Fei said.

“Alright, sir, please wait in the VIP room. I’ll go and fetch the seller,” the shopkeeper replied without hesitation. After ushering Chen Fei into the inner room, he immediately arranged for someone to fetch the person selling the items.

After waiting for a while, a woman entered the room alongside the shopkeeper.

Exuding an alluring charm with every step, the woman appeared as beautiful as a flower, radiating a unique aura as she moved.

“Are you interested in buying Green Cane Dew and Purple Melody Saliva?” Nie Xinru looked at Chen Fei, her voice as clear as a lark’s song.

“Yes, I’m interested. How do you intend to sell these two types of spiritual materials?” Chen Fei nodded.

“There are two ways. Would you like to hear both?” Nie Xinru’s somewhat pale complexion revealed a faint smile, evoking a sense of pity.

“I only want to know the price in elemental stones. I’m not interested in any other way,” Chen Fei waved his hand..