Dao Rhyme Points are rare and shouldn't be wasted frivolously.

Shen Xuan first ruled out the [Screaming Snake Demon Sound].

This talent skill has a wide attack range but isn't strong enough for individual attacks.

Moreover, it's not too difficult to enhance, just spending more time would suffice.

At the moment, what he needs to enhance most are [Absolute Thunder Dao Body], [Ice Soul Spirit Body], [Ice Soul Cold Water Technique], and [Immortal-Slaying Water Qi Technique]. Once these four talent skills and techniques reach minor achievement, they're limited by the cultivation realm, making it hard to enhance with Dao Rhyme Points.

Shen Xuan swept his gaze over all the talent skills displayed on the Mysterious Jade Talisman.

His gaze lingered on [Spirit-Burning Demon Flame].

[Talent: Proficient in Spirit-Burning Demon Flame (28/200)]

This was a talent skill he had plundered from the Three-legged Water Fox.

To quickly enhance the [Ice Soul Cold Water Technique], he neither added points nor practiced it.

Shen Xuan focused, forming a seal, and a small transparent demonic flame appeared before him.

Though called "fire," it was actually a few strands of his divine soul condensed and transformed, carrying some special effect of alienation that destroyed an opponent's divine soul, appearing as if it were burning.

The [Spirit-Burning Demon Flame] lasted for over a hundred breaths, and Shen Xuan felt mentally exhausted and his divine soul weak.

Looking again at the Mysterious Jade Talisman.

[Talent: Proficient in Spirit-Burning Demon Flame (29/200)]

Consuming nearly half of his divine soul, he only gained a single point of proficiency.

Shen Xuan pondered for a moment.

While hunting the Three-legged Water Fox, he almost fell into a trap himself.

As a divine soul attack skill, [Spirit-Burning Demon Flame] is perfect for sneak attacks and ambushes.

"You're the one!"

Added over four thousand points of Dao Rhyme Points.

[Talent: Minor Achievement in Spirit-Burning Demon Flame (8/800)]

Fortune was on his side.

Instantly enhancing [Spirit-Burning Demon Flame] to minor achievement.

Shen Xuan's mind filled with numerous techniques for condensing and using the divine soul's alien fire.

When casting [Spirit-Burning Demon Flame] again.

Not only was the speed faster.

The "flame" that was conjured, though small, had greater might and more pronounced effects.

Unfortunately, there was no subject for testing.

Shen Xuan estimated that it should have about thirty to forty percent of the power of that Three-legged Water Fox's [Spirit-Burning Demon Flame].

Enough to deal with ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Once it reaches great success, it can threaten both mid-stage and late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators.

...

Spring passed and autumn came.

Quickly, a year would soon pass.

Shen Xuan's age was nearing the threshold of a hundred years.

"I'm getting old!"

In the Rain Listening Pavilion, inside the practice room.

The sea of spiritual power within Shen Xuan's dantian expanded once more, the spiritual power becoming even more robust.

"In about another year's time, I'll be able to break through to the third level of the Foundation Establishment."

This was the final minor checkpoint of the early stage of the Foundation Establishment.

Every breakthrough at a small checkpoint could increase spiritual power and divine soul by about thirty percent.

The four stagnant talents and techniques could be further advanced again.

Though still stuck at minor achievement.

No small streams, no great sea.

As proficiency increases, the power of the techniques will correspondingly increase as well.

Shen Xuan estimated that after breaking through to the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, those four talents and techniques could continue to be elevated to great success.

The mid-stage of Foundation Establishment is a qualitative leap.

Both spiritual power and divine soul can double.

Shen Xuan focused his mind on the Mysterious Jade Talisman, feeling quite gratified.

"It's a pity that after the Celestial Spirit Root, enhancing the aptitude isn't so easy!"

Before, when he refined the Silver Shuttle Wolf Fish Essence Blood, the talent option displayed was only [Sharp Teeth and Fangs].

Even the [Water Control] talent that the Silver Shuttle Wolf Fish prided itself on didn't display.

This also meant that Shen Xuan's perfect-level [Water Control] would be hard-pressed to gain experience points from Water Demons.

In resignation, he could only continue to plunder [Sharp Teeth and Fangs], pushing it to great success.

The approximately three thousand Dao Rhyme Points accumulated were temporarily stored away.

What slightly surprised Shen Xuan was that after refining all the Silver Shuttle Wolf Fish Essence Blood, his Water Spirit Root remained at 80 points without the slightest increase.

"Tier Two Middle Grade Water Demon Essence Blood can no longer enhance spirit root aptitude."

This sort of thing was expected.

Celestial Spirit Roots are one in a million among cultivators, already a high-grade root.

Beyond that is the Immortal Spirit Root of 90 points.

Though it seems only a ten-point increase in Spiritual Qi sensitivity.

Cultivation with an Immortal Spirit Root is thirty percent faster than with a Celestial Spirit Root!

Over the years and months, the advantage is enormous.

The chance of forming a core also greatly increases.

Shen Xuan estimated that at least Tier Two Top Grade Water Demon Essence Blood would be needed to further enhance spirit root aptitude.

Now he is quite wealthy.

Just Spirit Stones amount to over 500,000 pieces.

Hundreds of Thunder Talismans and Poison Talismans.

Yet, Tier Two Top Grade Water Demons, equivalent to the late stage of Foundation Establishment for the Human Race, aren't so easy to deal with.

Shen Xuan temporarily set aside the notion of enhancing spirit root aptitude and focused on cultivation.

The three Divine Thunder Treasure Talismans he nurtured had been four years in the making.

Inside the storage pouch, there were also materials for seven backup treasure talismans.

As long as enough time passes, once the three Divine Thunder Treasure Talismans are formed.

Not just Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Even Fake Pill Masters could have their lives threatened.

The cost of nurturing Divine Thunder Treasure Talismans is great, as it drains the cultivator's Dao Foundation Origin Spiritual Power.

It not only affects the quality and speed of cultivation.

Over time, it can also harm the Dao Foundation.

Thus, very few Talisman Masters are willing to nurture treasure talismans.

Yet these aren't issues for Shen Fengxuan.

He calculated.

The three Divine Thunder Treasure Talismans drained thirty percent of his Dao Foundation Origin Spiritual Power.

It seems a lot.

But with his perfect-level [Self-Healing] talent skill, it quickly replenishes, causing no damage at all.

The longer the time, the greater the power.

With just these three Divine Thunder Treasure Talismans, Shen Xuan had the confidence to confront any Foundation Establishment cultivator.

That's why he dared to challenge Hou Lao, who is in the late stage of Demon Foundation.

...

Several days later, Shen Xuan finished his seclusion.

Upon emerging, Su Xue'Er rode on the Silver-Horned Celestial Horse, waving to him.

The Silver-Horned Celestial Horse had grown accustomed to the life at the Rain Listening Pavilion.

This place is rich in Spiritual Qi, abundant with Spirit Grass.

Shen Xuan especially instructed Su Xue'Er to purchase some low-tier Spirit Grass and transplant them by the Spirit Pool.

The Jade Spirit Clam in the Spirit Pool could also improve the water quality.

"Husband, Chasing Wind has grown taller!"

Chasing Wind is the name Su Xue'Er gave to the Silver-Horned Celestial Horse.

As it ran, four clouds of demon power formed beneath its hooves, keeping it from touching the ground.

This is quite similar to Shen Xuan's .

In just one year, the Silver-Horned Celestial Horse had grown two to three inches taller.

Upon seeing Shen Xuan, it joyfully galloped over, affectionately rubbing against him.

Every seven days, Shen Xuan would infuse a trace of spiritual power into its demon core.

This accelerated the growth of the Silver-Horned Celestial Horse.

It had initially developed partial intelligence.

It was very affectionate towards Shen Xuan.

"Alright, I get it! Stop rubbing, your saliva is getting on my clothes."

Shen Xuan gently stroked the neck of the Silver-Horned Celestial Horse, transferring a strand of spiritual power from the Divine Hidden Sea Technique, and then sent it away.

The Silver-Horned Celestial Horse neighed in satisfaction, galloping back to the grass by the Spirit Pool with Su Xue'er giggling.

In fact, Shen Xuan could provide more spiritual power, so the growth rate of the Silver-Horned Celestial Horse could still increase.

Shen Xuan did not do so.

Haste makes waste.

Growing too quickly could cause unnecessary harm to the Silver-Horned Celestial Horse.

There's no need to do so.

The adult time for a Silver-Horned Celestial Horse, like the Immortal Bai Lian, is twenty to thirty years.

This is without calculating the spiritual power he infused from the Divine Hidden Sea Technique.

Shen Xuan estimated that in a dozen years, the Silver-Horned Celestial Horse would reach adulthood and break through to Tier Two.

By then, efforts would be needed to search for heavenly and earthly treasures for its breakthrough.

Just like human Foundation Establishment.

Demon beast breakthroughs are best supported by heavenly and earthly treasures.

Among these, the most well-known is the Emperor's Liquid.

Ancient texts record the Emperor's Liquid.

Every sixty years, on the second day after the Mid-Autumn Festival, the moon's essence transforms into ten thousand golden threads, resembling countless olives, falling to the earth.

This is the Emperor's Liquid, formed from the moon's essence, capable of nourishing all things on earth.

Plants and trees on earth absorb its essence, can awaken intelligence and become demon creatures.

If demon beasts or specters consume it, they can awaken their bloodline talents, or even divine powers.

Thus, there is a saying.

Plants possess nature but not life, the Emperor's Liquid has nature, which can compensate for life.

Demon beasts and specters inherently have life, so consuming it is of great benefit.

The Emperor's Liquid appears once every sixty years, more abundant in places rich with Spiritual Qi.

Extremely precious.

A bottle of Emperor's Liquid contains about ten droplets, not cheaper than a Foundation Establishment Pill.

Shen Xuan thought to himself.

The Beast Taming Zhou Family must have Emperor's Liquid.

Under normal circumstances, the Zhou Family would not trade it.

However, the advancement of the Silver-Horned Celestial Horse is still distant.

No need to rush this matter.

Time is long.

Shen Xuan did not intend to find a Dao companion or have any real offspring.

In the future, the one accompanying him the longest might very well be this Silver-Horned Celestial Horse.

Thus, he did not forcibly restrain the natural instincts of the Silver-Horned Celestial Horse.

Nor did he sign any Master-Servant Soul Contract.

Simply raising it as a pet first.

Not expecting it to help with magical combat.

With so many cards up his sleeve, Shen Xuan was fearless within the Foundation Establishment Realm.

Watching the still graceful figure of Su Xue'er, riding on the Silver-Horned Celestial Horse, her laughter clear like silver bells.

The Silver-Horned Celestial Horse was fed by Su Xue'er.

A tight bond between person and horse.

Although not yet adult, Su Xue'er, being petite, could bear riding on the Silver-Horned Celestial Horse.

"At thirty years old, still like a child!"

Shen Xuan shook his head.

Ever since the company of the Silver-Horned Celestial Horse, Su Xue'er has been noticeably happier.

She originally had an inferior spirit root.

Consuming the Creation Pill Shen Xuan gifted, barely raised it to a lower-grade spirit root.

At thirty-two, her cultivation realm was only at the Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer.

Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer is her limit.

Shen Xuan never publicly gave her status.

Su Xue'er also came to terms with it.

Being able to accompany Shen Xuan for thirty years, her life has been worth it.

Her younger sister married well.

Her younger brother at Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer, a middle-grade talisman master, lives worry-free.

She herself holds a transcendent position within the Su Family.

The internal and external affairs of the Rain Listening Pavilion are handled by her.

Shen Xuan is generous, never stingy with spirit stones.

All of this is like a dream.

Exactly the beautiful life she imagined.

If only that Zhou Bailian wouldn't visit the Rain Listening Pavilion, it would be even better.

At this time, the formation bell of the Rain Listening Pavilion rang.

A letter was delivered by a member of the Su Clan.

Shen Xuan took it and opened it.

The letter was sent by Qin Yuehan.

Inquiring if he had reached his centenary birthday, and when he planned to hold a centenary celebration.

As Shen Xuan looked at the elegant handwriting on the letter, he was slightly lost in thought.

Over the years, the only ones still keeping in touch with him were Qin Yuehan and Lv Zhengying.

Lv Zhengying's letters mostly contained sect intelligence and procurement of items.

Whereas Qin Yuehan seemed to treat him as a pen pal from a past life.

The letters sent frequently.

The content often mundane.

Insights from cultivation, daily affairs with her fellow sisters.

Unintentionally, Qin Yuehan described the other five direct disciples of Master Gu Feng.

The eldest sister is traveling and has not returned.

The second sister is in seclusion, diligently cultivating.

The third sister is well, usually indifferent, managing the affairs of the peak.

She is the fourth.

Then there are a pair of twin sisters, seemingly cute and charming, actually a pair of cunning sisters.

Not yet Foundation Establishment.

Often using their twin status to swindle spirit stones, magical artifacts, etc., from sect cultivators.

Their master appointed her to discipline them.

But how could she discipline them!

The twin sisters hail from a prominent cultivation family, with solid foundations, even their master is reluctant to interfere.

Shen Xuan understood.

This was Qin Yuehan introducing the situation in Little Gu Peak.

So that upon his return to the sect, he wouldn't be groping in the dark, unaware of the circumstances.

"Centenary Celebration?"

After pondering for a while, Shen Xuan, going with the flow, decided to hold it within a small circle.

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