Half an hour later, Xu Guang advanced for the first time.

His Spiritual Power was already immensely large, and with the foundation laid by the Jade Cicada Molt Divine Technique, there was no problem in advancing two levels in the Wind-Driven Separating Fire Force.

However, Xu Guang still paused, took out the Spirit Crystal previously sent by Ou Nanyu, and began the Refinement process.

The Refinement process of the Spirit Crystal wasn't complicated. As long as one had a Visualization Image, holding the Spirit Crystal in hand allowed one to absorb the Spirit Charm within.

Half a day's time passed.

Xu Guang's body seemed to be on fire, but strangely, these flame-like Qi Forces did not harm the garments on his body in the slightest.

He opened his eyes and furrowed his brows.

The Level 3 Wind-Driven Separating Fire Force still hasn't reached the Seventh Grade Minor Cultivation level?

Does that mean it needs to be Level 4?

That would probably correspond to around Level 7, equating to the Sixth Grade Great Cultivation level.

Continue upgrading.

Xu Guang sat cross-legged, concentrating his Heart Spirit. The fire-cloud-like Visualization Image in his Sea of Knowledge was slowly moving, expanding and contracting with each breath.

After a round of closed-eye Qi regulation, Xu Guang opened the panel again and chose to upgrade.

Condensing the Visualization Image in the Sea of Knowledge, imagining the changes in the fire clouds, and understanding the power of flames.

The daylight gradually dimmed.

The Wind-Driven Separating Fire Force finally advanced to Level 4.

The Qi Force seemed to break through a shackle, suddenly stepping into a brand-new realm.

As the Fire Attribute Spirit Charm from Tu Biao'a Spirit Bone completely disappeared, Xu Guang slowly opened his eyes, exhaling a deep breath of turbid air.

He took a deep breath, clearly sensing the changes in his body at that moment. This Wind-Driven Separating Fire Force is not weak among the Innate Techniques.

Although it could not compare with the Purely Spiritual Jade Cicada Molt Divine Technique, in terms of combat strength without considering Spiritual Power, it should surpass the Jade Cicada Molt Divine Technique.

Looking at the additional Experience Points in the Martial Artist's Log due to the realm upgrade.

Over a thousand points, more than what one can get from killing an Innate being.

This panel, like him, sought peace.

The thrill of such rapid advancement is something no one can resist.

Yet, Xu Guang knew that for his current self, this step was already the limit; be it the physical strain or the scarcity of resources, forcing him to temporarily pause here.

Xu Guang's combat strength had indeed improved.

After all, although the Wood Attribute Qi of the Jade Cicada Molt Divine Technique couldn't be used, the Spiritual Power was unaffected.

To advance the "Wind-Driven Separating Fire Force" to the Sixth Grade Great Cultivation level would require a Snake Gallbladder from a Demon Beast called the Red Smoke Snake. Whether such a beast existed in Chuannan Prefecture remained uncertain, and Xu Guang wasn't inclined to spend too much effort seeking it. He planned to elevate this Cultivation Technique to Level 6, then directly employ the Scattering Technique, reckoning it should be enough for the Jade Cicada Molt Divine Technique's Spiritual Power to break through its barriers.

Making the plan, Xu Guang rose.

The several large trees behind him had been somewhat withered by the Fire Attribute Qi emitted during his Cultivation, with some parts showing blackened scorch marks.

…

December 23rd.

The heavy snow had stopped, leaving only a fine drizzle of snowflakes descending from the sky. The world was lightless, with only the light reflected off the snow offering some illumination.

By a raised tree root on the grassy ground behind the trees.

Two large, fluffy birds were pecking at a mangled human corpse.

The birds were of a considerable size, each having a body length of around a zhang, covered in gray feathers, with crimson claws.

Suddenly, they stopped their pecking, looking towards a distant path.

A behemoth, barely visible amidst the snow, appeared as if it were a startled bird. The two birds instantly took flight, soaring straight into the sky.

Surprised, Xu Guang observed through the Spiritual Power spread over several dozen meters, seeing the two birds clearly, noting their red-feathered heads and faces resembling human faces.

Human-faced Birds…

Xu Guang recently read in the Dao Scripture about various legendary Exotic Beasts, quickly recalling information about these birds.

A notoriously vicious bird, subsisting on carrion; however, unlike others, they do not consume the corpses of the naturally deceased, instead preying on the bodies of those slain by ghosts.

Encountering such birds meant there were Fierce Ghosts nearby.

Some considered capturing these birds to trace the whereabouts of Fierce Ghosts.

However, the birds' ferocious nature and minimal intelligence rendered any attempts to curb their yearning for freedom futile, irrespective of the severity of the methods employed.

Most crucially, these birds carried a peculiar venom on their bodies; prolonged exposure results in poisoning.

The effects of this venom were mysterious, presumably due to their habitation among ghosts for extensive periods, causing the afflicted to show no apparent symptoms, yet easily attracting the attention of Fierce Ghosts.

Furthermore, the venom seemingly acted as a pheromone for the ghosts, marking the strength of the poisoned individual, ensuring that the attacking ghost would always be stronger than the afflicted.

As a result, these birds were also dubbed birds of ill omen.

Allowing the two birds to leave, Xu Guang felt no fear towards them but rather a sense of curiosity, imagining that capturing them for study might attract some Fierce Ghosts.

From his and General Wei's perspective, against any Fierce Ghost below Fifth Grade, handling them should be quite effortless.

Nonetheless, he was not alone, and just because he wasn't afraid didn't mean others in his group weren't.

So he merely took note of this spot, planning to return when time allowed, to seek out these Human-faced Birds.

Indeed, Fierce Ghosts were present here, yet most were weak, to the extent that he needn't personally intervene. The treasure radiance on General Wei was sufficient to vanquish most peculiar ghosts.

Such a level of Fierce Ghost wouldn't nurture Spirit Crystals in their lair.

The remaining Ghost Treasures, Xu Guang estimated, totaled around a hundred points or so.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.