Cultivation is just so scientific! Chapter 1438 - 765: Wondrous Item (2)

As Li Yuanba's reputation grows, even the Great Cultivators from external sects offer their heartfelt congratulations upon hearing that Lou Wu has been accepted as his disciple.

In truth, Li Yuanba’s mastery of alchemy is a secret guarded within the Sword Intent Chongxiao Pavilion. Had the outside world discovered his talent in pill-making, Lou Wu’s apprenticeship would have sparked intense envy and jealousy rather than mere well-wishes.

"Understood, Master!" Lou Wu replied. With a grin, he probed further, "Master, is the rumor true? Did you really hold the line alone against two Great Cultivators and a hundred Nascent Soul Middle Stage Practitioners?"

"Who fed you such nonsense?" Li Yuanba asked, caught off guard. He couldn't help but react with a mixture of exasperation and amusement.

"We heard it from the exiled cultivators as soon as we arrived!" Lou Wu admitted candidly.

These exiled cultivators, often referred to as criminal cultivators, frequently originate from the great superpowers of the world.

Despite their banishment, many maintain connections with the arriving reinforcements, allowing news of the conflict to spread rapidly through word of mouth.

Li Yuanba, however, had not anticipated that these exiles would embellish the facts so dramatically.

If his strength truly reached such heights, he would have stormed the Hell Cave Heaven solo to claim the 'Hell Disgust Crystal Essences' long ago, instead of waiting for backup.

"Don't believe every tall tale you hear. Two Great Cultivators were standing guard with me, supported by a hundred exiled cultivators. It just so happens that my five Mid-stage Golden Corpses excel at defense, allowing me to play a part in the battle," Li Yuanba explained with a dismissive wave of his hand.

"Master, would it be possible for me to practice corpse cultivation as well?" Lou Wu asked eagerly.

"No!" both Li Yuanba and Great Cultivator Lou shouted in unison.

The two men exchanged looks and shared a laugh. Great Cultivator Lou then signaled for Li Yuanba to provide Lou Wu with a proper explanation.

"My five Mid-stage Golden Corpses were created using unique materials and the assistance of a friend with specialized refining techniques. Furthermore, a Sword Cultivator must dedicate their full focus to their Lifebound Flying Sword. Distractions only hinder one's progression in the Dao of the sword. Typical Mid-stage Golden Corpses are easily destroyed by a single strike when facing a peer cultivator. Rather than wasting wealth on refining corpses, you should devote yourself to the sword!" Li Yuanba lectured.

"I only brought it up because several cultivators who arrived recently started considering corpse cultivation after hearing about your exploits, Master," Lou Wu admitted. Realizing both his father and master were firmly against it, he accepted that a Sword Cultivator should not stray from his path.

"Just a moment ago, a cultivator from the Beidou Sect lost eight Mid-stage Golden Corpses instantly to Hell monsters. Hundreds of years of effort were wiped out in a breath," Li Yuanba added, citing the recent tragedy.

"Do not try to measure yourself against your Master," Great Cultivator Lou said, his words slightly deflating Lou Wu’s ego. "Even without those Golden Corpses, your Master is the peerless leader among Nascent Soul Middle Stage Practitioners. For him, those corpses are just tools. Moreover, reaching the Nascent Soul Middle Stage at only a hundred years old means he has ample time to pursue higher realms, even with minor distractions."

Lou Wu possessed respectable talent and was considered young for a Nascent Soul Early Stage Practitioner.

However, that status vanished when compared to Li Yuanba; the gap between them was simply too vast for comparison.

"Yuanba, the Sword Elder requested that I deliver this to you. It is a token of the Pavilion's appreciation, and they hope you will continue to make a significant impact," Great Cultivator Lou said, handing over a jade box.

"What might this be?" Li Yuanba inquired as he took the gift.

"See for yourself. Just be certain to cast an isolation spell before opening it so the aura doesn't leak out," Great Cultivator Lou suggested with a smirk.

Before Li Yuanba could act, Great Cultivator Lou performed several Spiritual Power Patterns, manifesting a barrier around them.

Li Yuanba opened the box with anticipation, finding a heart-shaped piece of wood resting inside.

The moment the lid was lifted, a powerful surge of life force washed over him, creating a profound sense of familiarity.

"That is the Innate Jianmu Tree Heart. It only manifests within the Grotto Heaven of a wood-element Great Cultivator. When combined with your 'Innate Wood' divine skills, it can amplify their power manifold and serve as a constant source of energy," Great Cultivator Lou explained.

Li Yuanba immediately recognized that the 'Innate Jianmu Tree Heart' was no mere tool, but a rare and precious treasure. He felt a magnetic pull toward it.

While he wasn't sure how the Sword Elder had acquired such a prize, he knew exactly how much it benefited him.

He began the Master Recognition Technique, guiding his essence to merge with the artifact.

As the process unfolded, the 'Innate Jianmu Tree Heart' suddenly shifted into a beam of emerald light and surged into his chest.

Startled, Li Yuanba immediately turned his consciousness inward to inspect his condition.

He soon located a beating heart settled within the 'Innate Wood' divine skill rune inside his Nascent Soul, positioned right where the rune short sword resided.

The heart pulsed rhythmically. With every throb, it pumped green energy into the 'Innate Wood' rune, while energy from the rune cycled back into the heart.

The 'Innate Wood' divine skill rune appeared to have gained vitality, with the green energy flowing through it like lifeblood driven by the heart's pulse.

He realized the 'Innate Wood' divine skill no longer felt clumsy. Even though he shared the insights of the skill with his original body, Li Shiming, he had always felt a disconnect.

Because Li Yuanba lacked a natural wood-element talent, the divine skill had always felt like an external tool he couldn't fully master.

That barrier had now vanished. He felt as though the 'Innate Wood' divine skill was an extension of his own body, ready to be used at a whim.

Great Cultivator Lou watched Li Yuanba closely, a look of astonishment passing over his face.

He clearly hadn't expected the 'Innate Jianmu Tree Heart' to trigger such a dramatic transformation, though the Sword Elder likely knew exactly what would happen when he sent the gift.

"It seems the Innate Jianmu Tree Heart is a perfect match for you!" Great Cultivator Lou remarked happily.

"I believe my 'Innate Wood' divine skill has surpassed its previous limitations," Li Yuanba said, still observing the rune with a hint of uncertainty.

"Try using it on me," Great Cultivator Lou suggested, his curiosity piqued.

Li Yuanba nodded after a brief pause and began to channel the energy within the 'Innate Wood' rune.

In an instant, a spectral projection of the rune formed in his palm. Within a single breath, it turned into a flash of green light and struck Great Cultivator Lou.

Enveloped in the emerald glow, Great Cultivator Lou closed his eyes, looking as if he had drifted into a state of pure bliss.

"Ah!" he exhaled deeply after a few moments.

"Yuanba, your 'Innate Wood' divine skill actually affects a Great Cultivator! I have no wounds to heal, yet the sensation was incredibly soothing. I can even feel some of my old, lingering injuries beginning to fade!" Great Cultivator Lou shouted in surprise.

While Li Yuanba might not have fully grasped the weight of this development, Great Cultivator Lou knew that Li Yuanba’s value to the sect had just skyrocketed.

Nearly every Great Cultivator suffers from hidden internal damage.

These injuries are the result of countless life-and-death struggles or the accumulation of toxins from spirit pills.

To gain power, Great Cultivators must consume pills, but most available are only of Intermediate quality. These are riddled with impurities that, over centuries of use, leave stubborn residues in the body.

These residues gradually erode a Great Cultivator’s foundation, and standard methods are often unable to purge the most deep-seated toxins.