Chapter Three: Yibao Inn
After withdrawing from the Ten-Thousand Mountains, Lin Feng made a direct journey to Qingyuan Town. Qingyuan Town was a small town under the jurisdiction of Xiyun County in Qingyun Prefecture of the True Martial Kingdom, yet it was the wealthiest town in the entire county.
Being the closest settlement to the Ten-Thousand Mountains and due to its unique geographical location, Qingyuan Town thrived with prosperity. It was home not only to over a million ordinary mortals but also a gathering place for cultivators. In order to prevent interference from fierce beasts residing in the nearby mountains, the town’s lord’s mansion, together with various cultivation sects, had jointly established formidable defensive barriers and formations at great expense. These were said to be strong enough to repel beasts at the True Essence stage—a level comparable to humans at the Foundation Establishment stage—and could even withstand beasts approaching the Golden Core stage for up to three days.
After half a month’s travel, Lin Feng finally arrived at Qingyuan Town. Outside the city, a patrol of cavalry clad in silver armor marched, each soldier wielding a shield and a long spear, exuding an imposing aura. Leading them was a burly man wearing a golden helmet. The entire troop radiated a fierce killing intent and appeared well-trained. Judging by their powerful physiques, Lin Feng knew their martial arts were formidable. Aside from the soldiers, the leader was likely a mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator. Lin Feng remained indifferent; many scattered cultivators unable to join sects sought refuge with local town lords to obtain necessary cultivation resources.
As the orderly queue entered the city, when it was Lin Feng’s turn, the leader greeted him with a smile. "Young hero of Qingyun Sect, you need not pay a fee; you may enter directly." Upon hearing this, those waiting in line showed expressions of envy, for Qingyun Sect was highly respected throughout the True Martial Kingdom.
Lin Feng inwardly sighed; social etiquette thrived not only on Earth but also in the cultivation world. Seizing the opportunity, he quickly slipped a low-grade spirit stone into the leader’s garment without changing his expression. The leader was initially surprised but then delighted and took it with a hearty laugh. "Brother, hurry and enter—the beast tide is about to arrive."
Lin Feng did not hesitate and stepped inside.
"Brother, what’s your name? I’m Zhang Yong. If you need anything, just ask your big brother."
"Lin Feng."
Feeling it was good to have a familiar face in a strange place, Lin Feng exchanged a few polite words with Zhang Yong before they swapped contact information and headed toward the Yibao Inn.
Located on the southern edge of town, Yibao Inn was not far, and Lin Feng quickly arrived. He was astonished by the building—it was far more than an inn; it was akin to a small city, sprawling widely. Its architectural style blended antiquity with luxury: flying eaves, dougong brackets, carved beams, and painted rafters. The grand entrance was crafted from precious spirit wood and metal, engraved with mysterious runes and patterns that radiated powerful spiritual energy, showcasing its extraordinary nature.
Inside, the main hall was spacious and bright, capable of accommodating hundreds. The floor was paved with precious jade stones, and the walls embedded with luminous treasures like night pearls, illuminating the hall as if it were daylight. At the center stood a massive service counter made of rare materials, upon which were magical artifacts and jade tubes for transactions and registrations. The inn catered to every need of cultivators, offering all manner of services.
A maid dressed in purple attire approached Lin Feng gracefully—both elegant and beautiful.
Recognizing Lin Feng instantly by his Qingyun Sect Daoist robe, she asked, “Are you Daoist Lin of Qingyun Sect?”
Lin Feng nodded. “Yes.”
“I didn’t expect Daoist Lin to be so young.” The purple-clad woman handed over a jade card resembling a room key. “This is the reserved room card for your sect, located in the Eighteenth Pavilion, Building A. This entire building has twenty rooms, all booked by your sect.”
“Thank you.” Lin Feng accepted the card, about to leave.
The woman quickly called out, “Please wait, Daoist.” She then drew two jade tubes from the counter and handed them to him.
“These two jade tubes: one allows you to contact the front desk anytime for assistance; the other is an entry pass and brief information for one of our affiliated trading markets, should you wish to explore.”
Lin Feng’s eyes brightened as he took them. “Thank you.”
“No need to be polite, Daoist Lin. I am Jiang Yan, the front desk manager. Feel free to contact me anytime.”
“Alright.”
“Then I won’t disturb you further. Please, make yourself at home.” She smiled warmly.
Lin Feng could not help but think to himself: this level of service rivals even six-star standards in Dragon Kingdom.
This mission was led by senior apprentice sister Li Xiaoxia, with a total of ten people. Aside from Li Xiaoxia, who was in the late Qi Refining stage at the ninth level, the others were all mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators.
(The Qi Refining stage is divided into ten levels: levels one to three are the early stage, where one guides Qi into the body to form the Qi Sea and Dantian, and completes small and great cycles to reach this stage. Lin Feng was currently at level one, capable only of circulating a small cycle. Levels four to seven are the mid-stage, where one not only circulates the great cycle but also breaks through thirty-six acupuncture points, broadening tendons and veins and forming an automatic circulation with the Dantian. This level allows the use of many low-level spells, attacks, healing, and traveling a thousand miles a day without fatigue. Levels eight to nine belong to the late stage, breaking through seventy-two acupuncture points, with powerful and thick spiritual energy, and Dantian Qi Sea becoming broader. True Qi gradually becomes semi-liquid, with astonishing energy. The tenth level is Qi Refining Grand Perfection, where all 108 acupuncture points are opened, and the body can automatically connect yin and yang, with Dantian Qi fully liquidized, making spells tremendously powerful and earth-shaking.)
After entering his room, Lin Feng drank a cup of tea and found some pastries and spiritual fruits on the table. Since he was only at level one and had not reached the stage of fasting (which generally requires late-stage Qi Refining), he sampled some before sitting cross-legged on his mat to practice the “Qi Guidance Technique,” circulating a small cycle. Due to his Five Elements spiritual root, his cultivation progressed extremely slowly; the required spirit stones were ten to even a hundred times more than ordinary cultivators.
After completing a small cycle, Lin Feng began to carefully examine his body. Compared to ordinary mortals, it was only slightly stronger, but among cultivators, it was almost at the bottom. He thought that strengthening his physical functions was a priority. Now that he was not lacking spirit stones—indeed, his storage ring contained enough to rival a sect’s treasury—he could cultivate to higher levels.
Glancing at the “Flowing Cloud Ring” on his left middle finger, Lin Feng thought it might be too conspicuous to wear openly; he understood the danger of attracting unwanted attention.
Smiling faintly, he bit his right index finger and let a drop of blood fall onto the ring. Suddenly, a “ding” sound echoed in his mind, and the Flowing Cloud Ring disappeared from his finger, reappearing in his “Purple Mansion” at his brow. With a thought, it returned to his finger.
“So it is,” Lin Feng thought, relieved to have figured it out. With a surge of spiritual power, he examined the storage ring. Besides the pile of spirit stones, ancient books, and the Flowing Cloud Sword, there was also the corpse of a female cultivator at the Golden Core Grand Perfection stage.
What surprised Lin Feng was that the corpse was surrounded by a faint purple aura. Her delicate, beautiful face remained pale and smooth despite the lifelessness, lips tinged with a faint pallor that made her appear even more pitiful. Her brows and eyes still held a lively and serene charm of her former self.
Previously, the female cultivator had been wrapped in a black cloak, so Lin Feng hadn’t noticed the details. He sighed; such a beautiful woman was rare in the world—what a pity.
Using his mind, Lin Feng removed the black cloak. Not out of any improper intent, but because even in death, he presumed she would cherish her unparalleled beauty. Beneath the cloak was an exquisitely crafted purple robe. Without the black cloak’s concealment, the woman’s beauty was breathtaking, like a long-sleeping Nine Immortals Mysterious Maiden. At the collar, golden embroidery read “Qingqiu.”
“This must be her sect,” Lin Feng murmured, vowing that if fate allowed, he would help her return to her roots.
Beside the corpse lay a black-gold ring, emitting a dark halo. It was clearly no ordinary item, certainly no lower in rank than the Flowing Cloud Ring.
With a mental command, the black ring appeared in Lin Feng’s palm, but still, he could not penetrate its interior space. Seeing the black aura, he bit his finger again and let a drop of blood fall on it.
“Hmm, that works,” Lin Feng muttered.
The black ring also vanished into his Purple Mansion but remained inaccessible.
Lin Feng guessed the ring was extraordinary, but perhaps his current cultivation was insufficient to open it. He would try again once stronger. His gaze then shifted to the two ancient books: “Changchun Technique” and “Qingyuan Sword Manual.”
Unable to contain his excitement, Lin Feng mentally summoned the “Changchun Technique.” A green light shimmered around the book’s cover. Although ancient, it could not be flipped through manually. He placed it on his forehead, and instantly spiritual light erupted, and the text appeared in his Purple Mansion’s awareness sea. Many advanced immortal techniques only reveal themselves to worthy individuals, refusing to teach outsiders—this was the spiritual nature of immortal arts. As the information flooded in, Lin Feng gained a general understanding of the technique.
Changchun Technique
II. Cultivation Grade
Heaven-level technique (In the cultivation world, techniques are ranked mortal, spirit, earthly, heavenly, divine, etc. Heaven-level techniques are extremely rare, coveted by top-tier forces.) It supports cultivation up to the Great Perfection stage, divided into eight volumes: Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Divine Transformation, Tribulation, and Great Perfection.
III. Features
1. Infinite Vitality: Cultivating this technique greatly stimulates the practitioner’s internal vitality, regardless of their spiritual root quality, granting powerful self-healing abilities. No matter the injury, unless death is instantaneous, recovery is gradual through the technique’s power.
2. Delayed Aging: One of the most notable traits is its ability to slow aging. As the practitioner’s realm rises, their appearance and bodily functions remain youthful for extended periods.
3. Aura Affinity: The technique allows the cultivator to establish a special affinity with surrounding spiritual energy, making absorption smoother and more efficient, accelerating cultivation beyond ordinary methods.
4. Resistance to Heat and Cold: After reaching a certain level, the cultivator gains high resistance to extreme cold and heat, unaffected by harsh climates.
IV. Cultivation Stages
1. Initial Changchun: The practitioner just begins feeling the stirrings of vitality inside, with slightly enhanced recovery and heightened spiritual energy perception.
2. Changchun Spring: A spring of vitality seems to form within, continuously emitting lively energy. Self-healing greatly improves, allowing quick recovery from minor wounds.
3. Changchun Body: The flesh is transformed by the technique’s power into the Changchun Body. Aging slows, physical strength and toughness increase markedly, able to resist ordinary magical weapons without severe injury.
4. Changchun Divine Realm: At this stage, the cultivator is nearly immortal unless struck by catastrophic damage. Mastery over spiritual energy is profound, allowing free use of ambient energy.
V. Supporting Spells
1. Changchun Rejuvenation: Instantly heals certain injuries on oneself or others, invaluable in battle or aid.
2. Changchun Shield: A shield formed from vitality energy with strong defense and self-repair abilities, capable of withstanding powerful attacks.
3. Changchun Entanglement: Releases vitality-filled vines that bind enemies, restricting movement. These vines are incredibly tough and difficult to break.
4. Changchun Spiritual Rain: Summons a rain of vitality that alleviates injuries and restores stamina and spiritual power within its range.
VI. Cultivation Requirements
1. Aptitude: Practitioners require wood or Five Elements spiritual roots with high affinity to vitality to better comprehend and cultivate the Changchun Technique.
2. Temperament: Cultivation demands a calm and resilient mindset due to its slow progress, requiring patience and perseverance. Practitioners must remain kind-hearted, avoiding misuse of the technique to harm innocents.
...
Lin Feng was overjoyed; this technique seemed tailor-made for his Five Elements spiritual root. Only wood and Five Elements roots could cultivate it, and it could be cultivated straight to the Great Perfection stage. What an incredible concept! In Qingyun Prefecture, Golden Core cultivators were the top fighters. The Great Xia Dynasty might have Nascent Soul masters, but that was still far beyond his reach. At least in the True Martial Kingdom, Golden Core was the pinnacle.
Lin Feng restrained his excitement, finally feeling confident to survive in this world.
Qingyuan Sword Manual
Similarly placed on his forehead, it vanished instantly, and all information about the manual appeared in his Purple Mansion’s sea of consciousness.
Qingyuan Sword Manual
II. Cultivation Grade
Heaven-rank technique, belonging to top-tier cultivation arts renowned for immense power and extreme difficulty.
III. Features
1. Power of Green Wood: Harnesses the green wood elemental spiritual energy of heaven and earth, blending it into the cultivator’s spiritual power to grant strong vitality and regenerative abilities. In battle, the power heals wounds and enhances endurance.
2. Sharp Sword Qi: Using the sword as a medium, the cultivator can condense fierce sword qi capable of cutting through various magical artifacts and defenses, possessing formidable offensive strength.
3. Agile and Versatile: The manual’s moves are flexible and varied, adjustable to different combat situations. Practitioners can perform single-target, area, and ranged sword techniques, adapting to various battlefields.
4. Realm Advancement: As the cultivator’s realm rises, the power of the sword manual increases. From the initial formation of sword qi to late-stage mastery of sword domains, each stage brings qualitative leaps.
IV. Cultivation Stages
1. Sword Qi Formation: The practitioner begins to grasp green wood power, condensing faint sword qi. While limited in power, it can still harm enemies and gradually strengthens the body.
2. Sword Qi Shaping: The sword qi becomes more solid and can form various shapes, such as blades and sword rains. Attack power significantly increases, and healing abilities improve through refined green wood control.
3. Sword Domain Emergence: The cultivator comprehends the mysteries of the sword domain, forming a nascent sword domain within a range. Sword qi power surges, and enemy movements are restricted. At this stage, the cultivator is a formidable expert.
4. Sword Domain Mastery: The domain fully forms, granting the cultivator absolute control over everything within. The cultivator becomes the master, and enemies can hardly escape. Those who reach this realm stand at the pinnacle, legendary beings.
V. Supporting Spells
1. Green Wood Sword Shield: A sword shield condensed from green wood power, offering strong defense and the ability to reflect part of the attack back to enemies.
2. Sword Rain Meteor: Releases a torrent of sword qi like meteors, dealing massive area damage. This powerful spell consumes much spiritual power and must be used prudently.
3. Qingyuan Teleportation: Uses green wood power for instantaneous movement, enabling swift dodges and battlefield flexibility. It can also pass through certain obstacles.
4. Sword Domain Lockdown: Within the sword domain, the cultivator can seal enemy movements, preventing escape. This spell consumes considerable spiritual power but can be decisive in critical moments.
VI. Cultivation Requirements
1. Aptitude: Cultivating the Qingyuan Sword Manual requires exceptional sword talent and a green wood elemental spiritual root. The practitioner must have a special affinity for swords to master sword qi effectively, and the green wood root aids absorption and cultivation speed.
2. Temperament: The cultivation demands firm belief and strong willpower, as the path is arduous and filled with challenges. The practitioner must constantly push limits while maintaining calm and rationality to avoid being overwhelmed by the power of sword qi.
Though Lin Feng was a transmigrant, he was astounded by these immense techniques and sword manual. On Earth, he had studied neutrinos—cutting-edge science in technological civilization. He once suspected humanity was both confined and protected within the Milky Way. Neutrinos were discovered on Earth at the century’s end, with Dragon Kingdom leading research in this field...
Reflecting on the past, Lin Feng mused on the profound mysteries of the universe and the unfathomable civilizations in different galaxies. At times, he even wondered if he was in a parallel timeline of Earth.
“First, I must increase my strength. Let my name, Lin Feng, resound across the cosmos.” At that moment, an almost imperceptible beam of light shot from the distant horizon, striking above his head. Yet Lin Feng was unaware of this.
After settling his emotions, and since senior apprentice sister Li Xiaoxia had not yet arrived—likely a few days away—he only needed to wait here. During these days, he could cultivate the Changchun Technique to raise his power. In this world, every bit of strength was a safeguard. Relying on oneself was better than relying on others. Now he lacked nothing: technique, resources, sword manual. What he needed was time.
Lin Feng was eager beyond measure...