Chapter 40: Three New Spells

Han Yi reviewed the information on his Proficiency Panel, a satisfied expression on his face.

After advancing to the Sixth Layer of Qi Refining and failing to secure a spot on the Inner Peak, Han Yi refused to be discouraged. Instead, he redoubled his cultivation efforts while simultaneously expanding his repertoire of spells.

Among his original four skills, the Sword Control Technique received the most attention. This versatile spell excelled in both ranged and melee combat, boasting immense power and versatility, making it Han Yi's primary focus.

Moreover, his purchase of the Mid-Grade Sword Artifact, the Shadowless Sword, was specifically made to complement the Sword Control Technique.

The three daggers he had unexpectedly acquired years ago in Mengshan City were merely Low-Grade Magic Artifacts, and even among those, they were considered weak. While sufficient for facing cultivators in the mid-stage of Qi Refining, they proved woefully inadequate against stronger opponents at the Seventh Layer or higher. This deficiency prompted Han Yi to invest heavily in the Shadowless Sword as a powerful supplement.

"He who sees no distant peril invites immediate trouble," he thought, a mantra born from years of caution and deliberate efforts to bolster his strength. He understood the fundamental truth: "To forge strong iron, one must first have a strong hammer."

In addition to the Sword Control Technique, the Spirit Void Finger served as a supplementary offensive option. Capable of being activated more swiftly, and even instinctively, sometimes preceding the Sword Control Technique, it provided an extra layer of defense.

Finally, the Alchemy Technique remained one of his primary skills, primarily for generating income through the sale of pills. The resulting Spirit Stones fueled his cultivation efforts.

The Light Body Technique, a movement-based art, allows for swift escapes from disadvantageous positions and agile evasion in combat, making it an indispensable skill.

Over a year ago, Han Yi had already advanced four techniques—Alchemy Technique, Sword Control Technique, Spirit Void Finger, and Light Body Technique—to the Perfected Purity stage. While progress varied across these disciplines over the past year, their importance to Han Yi remained undeniable.

In addition to these four foundational techniques, Han Yi had also been expanding his repertoire of spells during this period.

The Fire Shield Technique, a Fire Attribute defensive spell, was a natural fit for Han Yi's Fire Spirit Root. He purchased it for over two hundred Spirit Stones, a sum he could now afford without strain. When activated, this spell conjures a fiery shield before the caster, capable of blocking enemy attacks.

The Turtle Breath Technique, like the Spirit Void Finger, is considered an entry-level spell. However, when mastered, its potential for concealing one's presence should not be underestimated.

While temporarily unnecessary within the Profound Pill Sect—where special masks in the market already conceal one's aura—Han Yi cultivated it nonetheless, anticipating scenarios where this breath-suppression technique might prove invaluable. Moreover, the technique's simplicity belied its effectiveness.

In practice, a Hall Entry-level Turtle Breath Technique had already enabled a Qi Refining Sixth Layer cultivator to remain completely unaware of Han Yi's presence, even when he was standing within arm's reach.

The third new spell Han Yi added to his repertoire was the Talisman Crafting Art.

Like the Alchemy Technique, it was one of the Hundred Arts of Immortal Cultivation, representing Han Yi's first foray into such a field beyond pill refinement.

The Talisman Crafting Art, much like alchemy, was a vast and profound discipline. Moreover, in some respects, talismans offered a more immediate and potent boost to combat prowess than medicinal pills.

Among the pills Han Yi had encountered, only the Breakthrough Pill provided temporary enhancements to combat strength. Talismans, however, allowed for instantaneous boosts during battle by unleashing pre-prepared scrolls.

Powerful talismans like the Golden Light Talisman, Thunder Talisman, Spirit Binding Talisman, and Sword Killing Talisman had Han Yi's eyes burning with longing.

Alas.

The Talisman Crafting Art proved even harder to master than alchemy. Despite the System's aid and his diligent proficiency grinding, progress remained frustratingly slow.

Most crucially, Han Yi had to dedicate the majority of his time to cultivation and other spells, leaving only scraps for talisman practice. As a result, progress remained meager. After over a year, his proficiency stood at: Initial Glimpse of the Dao 19/100.

At this level, crafting basic talismans like Cleansing Talismans, Luminescent Talismans, and Explosive Talismans was manageable, but producing more potent ones remained beyond his capabilities.

For the time being, that was enough.

Finally, his cultivation technique, the Fire Pill Profound Art, had advanced from the Proficient level to the Minor Mastery level.

This improvement allowed Han Yi to absorb Spirit Qi at an accelerated rate, correspondingly speeding up his cultivation progress.

Previously, it would have taken six to eight years to break through to the seventh layer of Qi Refining. Now, he estimated he could advance in just three or four years.

This was undoubtedly one of his greatest achievements in the past year and a half.

Han Yi's eyes flashed as he dismissed the semi-transparent Proficiency Panel with a thought.

He fastened his sword to his waist and stepped out of the courtyard.

The moment he emerged, he saw a dark-faced young man approaching. After a moment of surprise, Han Yi couldn't help but grin.

The young man was, of course, Zheng Hai.

Han Yi hadn't seen Zheng Hai in over a year and a half.

He later learned that Zheng Hai had applied for an outpost assignment shortly before the Inner Peak disciple selection process began. Han Yi only found out about it by asking around.

Han Yi couldn't understand why Zheng Hai would voluntarily choose such an assignment. Had the guy lost his mind?

By the time Han Yi found out, Zheng Hai had already left the mountain and registered his assignment at the Management Hall. There was no turning back, so Han Yi had to let it go.

"Zheng Hai, you finally deigned to return," Han Yi said, a playful smirk on his lips, making no attempt to hide his amusement.

Zheng Hai's face fell instantly, his already dark complexion turning an even deeper shade of purple.

"Don't even mention it," he groaned. "It's cursed, utterly cursed."

"This damn outpost assignment turned out to be a hellhole. It nearly killed me!"

"What a waste of time, such a waste of time."

"It's all your fault, you bastard! Come on, you're buying me a drink today."

Zheng Hai's face was twisted with resentment, his teeth grinding in frustration.

Han Yi was utterly bewildered. How could this possibly be his fault?

Then it struck him. Connecting the dots—Zheng Hai's secret application for the outpost assignment and his recent complaints—Han Yi suddenly understood Zheng Hai's motives. He couldn't help but chuckle.

Trying to emulate me? Isn't that just asking for trouble?

"Let's go," Han Yi said magnanimously, waving his hand with a flourish. "I'm treating you to a drink at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion."

"Let's do it!" Zheng Hai retorted fiercely. "Watch me drink you broke this time!"

Moments later, they arrived at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion on Little Golden Crow Peak, the premier establishment on the Outer Peak.

Han Yi spared no expense, splashing out a whopping forty-eight Spirit Stones on a lavish spread of Spirit Food and Spirit Wine—a feast fit even for Inner Peak disciples.

Han Yi now felt confident facing cultivators below the Qi Refining Seventh Layer. Even against those at the Seventh Layer, he believed he could hold his own. Naturally, his former caution had waned.

Over seven years ago, when he returned to the Sect after his Outpost Assignment, he had only reached the Qi Refining Third Layer. He had initially considered treating Zheng Hai to a lavish feast at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, but ultimately decided against it, opting for discretion instead.

Back then, his weakness had made him fear attracting unwanted attention from other disciples.

But now, on the Outer Peak, he feared no one except the Peak Lords and Stewards at the Qi Refining Eighth Layer or higher.

If, after all these years of relentless cultivation, having reached the Qi Refining Sixth Layer and possessing combat prowess far exceeding that of the Sixth Layer, Han Yi still hesitated to even enter the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, then all his efforts would have been wasted.

What was the point of toiling tirelessly, relentlessly grinding Proficiency, if not to gain greater strength, security, and immunity to others' prying eyes?

Zheng Hai's initial resentment vanished as his eyes widened at the sight of the dazzling array of spirit food and wine. This was the first time Han Yi had openly flaunted his wealth before him.

"Han Yi, you sly bastard, you've really struck it rich, haven't you?" Zheng Hai exclaimed after a long moment of stunned silence.

Comparison is the thief of joy.