Xuantian 1: Ancient Xuandongtian

Chapter 292 Chaotic Divine Thunder!

"Lord Kuling Envoy, I have a question."

Han Xiao said to Mu Hanchan.

"what happened?"

"Tell me, what exactly is the principle behind lightning-attribute cultivation techniques and spiritual arts?"

Mu Hanchan thought for a moment and said, "I haven't practiced any cultivation techniques, so I don't know much about them, but spiritual arts are probably all about ionization effects."

(The process by which atoms or molecules lose or gain electrons to form charged ions)

Ionization is the "cause," and the effect of ionization is the "effect."

"Oh, so where did the electricity originally come from? What is the 'cause'?"

Han Xiao pressed for more information.

“It comes from within your body, which is what is known as the spiritual root and basic spiritual power.”

"Then I used my cultivation technique to transform it into a spiritual art, right?"

"Correct."

Mu Hanchan affirmed.

"But if you pour one glass of water into another glass, it's still the same amount, right?"

Why does it go through a cycle inside my body?
"So it becomes the powerful 'Narrow Thunder Finger Technique'?"

Mu Hanchan frowned, but was also surprised by Han Xiao's understanding and depth, and said: "What you are talking about is the conservation of energy (essence), while the increase or decrease of effects is not conserved (surface)."

Let me put it this way, it's like a great river or a mighty stream.
From its source, it was indeed a small river, and the spring might have been only the size of a bowl. As it flowed into the sea, other rivers kept joining it, which is why it eventually became a great river.

That's why it doesn't appear to be conserved.

However, the original amount of water that came out of the spring at the bowl's mouth is still the same; it is actually conserved.

Of course, if the route is too bumpy and congested,
It might stop flowing and dry up before it reaches the very end.

This is similar to absorbing spiritual energy during cultivation. Although you absorb a lot of spiritual energy, very little of it can stay in your body.

This is the reverse of the previous logic.

"Then why is it that when I release a spiritual technique, it seems like the spiritual energy explodes, but when I cultivate, I absorb very little spiritual energy?"
You still haven't told me what exactly happened.

Or why would this happen?

Han Xiao asked again.

“…？…？…”

Mu Hanchan felt uneasy as she was pressed for answers. Helpless, she hesitated for a while before finally saying, "What you're talking about is the combination of cultivation techniques, physical body, and spiritual arts."

Here's the specifics. Once I've told you, please don't easily pass it on to others.

"it is good!"

So Mu Hanchan spent nearly an incense stick's time explaining things to Han Xiao in detail.

1. A cultivator's physical body = a psionic water pump
The function of a water pump is to extract, transport, and pressurize water, corresponding to the cultivator:

The stronger the physical body, the greater the power and pressure resistance of the "spiritual pump," and the more "spiritual power (corresponding to electrons/ions)" it can draw from the world. If the pump stops, it will get stuck, or even the physical body will shatter.

2. Cultivation Techniques = Energy Leverage
Leverages do not create energy; they only amplify efficiency and reduce effort in leveraging energy. The corresponding exercise is:

Ordinary cultivation techniques are like short levers, only able to leverage small amounts of spiritual energy; advanced cultivation techniques are like long levers, using very little of one's own cultivation (the light end) to leverage massive amounts of spiritual energy from heaven and earth (the heavy end).
The classification of techniques into grades equals leverage efficiency.

Energy is always conserved.

3. Releasing a spiritual spell = spiritual avalanche (electronic avalanche)
A domino-like chain reaction, corresponding to the spiritual technique:
With just a wisp of one's own spiritual energy as a trigger point, a chain-like ionization avalanche of heaven and earth spiritual particles can be instantly triggered, transforming from a single-point trigger to an exponential burst, turning minor supernatural powers into large-scale spells such as lightning magic, fire magic, and shockwaves.

"Energy is always conserved; cultivators are merely 'transporters (cultivation techniques) + amplifiers (spiritual arts) + triggers (physical bodies)'"

Mu Hanchan breathed a sigh of relief and said.

The reason he hesitated was that what he told Han Xiao touched on the secrets of the Demon Altar, which theoretically could not be told to outsiders.

However, the thirst for knowledge in Han Xiao's eyes and his underlying intention to cultivate his own protégé moved him, and Mu Hanchan finally opened his mouth to teach him.

To everyone's surprise, even so, Han Xiao was still not satisfied.

He asked, "Then why do I suffer so much every time I practice spiritual arts? Why are spiritual arts of other attributes so much easier to practice?"
In terms of power alone, it's indeed quite good.
But the overall cost is still too high; I feel it's unbalanced and unfair.

"That's because you haven't reached the Primordial Chaos Realm yet. If you ever reach the fifth-order Primordial Chaos Realm, which is the fourth level of the Primordial Chaos Realm or later, your lightning-attribute spiritual techniques will undergo a qualitative change."

Previously, it was launched like a small fireball, gathering spiritual energy into the boat, so it didn't feel like there was much of a fundamental difference.

Because air is both a resistance and a carrier.

It falls under the category of resistance > load capacity.

Small fireballs and lightning spells both first use spiritual magic to create a spiritual ecosystem, allowing the main spiritual energy inside to be carried on this ecosystem as a carrier, and then this carrier to circulate rapidly on the air as a carrier.

However, the overall resistance of the carrier remains unchanged.

(Air resistance) (excluding wind properties)
That's why it seems like the effort and reward are unequal, with no real difference in essence.

"And what happens after reaching the fourth level of the Primordial Chaos Realm?"

Han Xiao continued to press for answers.

"When you reach the fourth level of the Primordial Chaos Realm and beyond, the spiritual power in your dantian undergoes a qualitative change. The quality and abundance of your spiritual power increase significantly. The pressure generated, if you release your spiritual power in advance and lay down the density of your spiritual power, is enough to briefly break through the air."

At this point, the dual carriers (spiritual ecology and air resistance) are used.
By directly merging the two into one, efficiency, speed, and power naturally increase exponentially.

"Oh, so that means that after reaching the fourth level of the Primordial Chaos Realm, I can briefly pierce through the air, but other spiritual techniques can only obediently fly through the air step by step, right?"

Han Xiao asked.

"That's right, the only one who can catch up with you is a wind-attribute cultivator. He increases his speed by reducing air resistance and utilizing his own characteristics."

(Aerodynamics)

Essentially, it's inferior to yours, but it saves spiritual energy.

"But even if there is a release of spiritual energy to increase the spiritual energy in the air as a prelude, the strong pressure still causes a huge loss of spiritual energy when it breaks through the air."

Wouldn't that be like injuring the enemy a thousand while losing eight hundred of your own?

"You asked a good question. It is indeed used in special circumstances. That's why there are spiritual treasures as carriers for ordinary combat."

Mu Hanchan replied.

"Will the spiritual energy be lost within the spiritual treasure? If so, how can this loss be avoided?"

Mu Hanchan looked at Han Xiao, his expression becoming somewhat solemn. This child had already unearthed the underlying code-level rules of magical artifacts, cultivation techniques, and spiritual arts, which greatly surprised him.

There was a moment of silence.

"Yes, lowering the temperature will reduce energy loss. It will also allow spiritual energy to circulate faster within the spiritual treasure."

Unexpectedly, this time Han Xiao didn't ask why, but suddenly asked, "What would happen if we combined high-pressure strong conduction with low-temperature superconductivity?"

“…??…!!”

After a long pause, Mu Hanchan finally replied: "Based on its original level, it is infinitely close to: 100% accuracy, 100% power, and 100% speed."

Mu Hanchan then added, "But this situation is almost impossible. High pressure easily generates high temperature, while low temperature superconductivity cannot tolerate this situation. The two are inherently mutually exclusive."

"What if there were a way to forcibly confine them both without causing them to reject each other?"

The thing Han Xiao was talking about was called: Chaos Divine Thunder.

The thing that contains and stabilizes the chaotic divine lightning is called: chaotic constant entropy.

(In layman's terms: Above temperature, the absolute control of entropy.)
What operates within this framework is not ordinary spiritual power or energy; it has a specific name.
It is called: Chaotic Entropy Element.

This three-in-one set is firmly above the peak of the 14th rank, falling between the middle and peak of the 15th rank, the Light Universe Realm. It is slightly below the ceiling of the Light Universe Realm, but it is definitely a near-rule-level power of the 15th rank.

"What's wrong, Lord Kulingshi?"

Han Xiao watched as Mu Hanchan stared at him silently for a long time, her eyes like deep ancient pools or boundless starry skies, devoid of emotion, even inhumanity.

That look in his eyes instantly filled him with extreme fear, sending a chill down his spine.

Mu Hanchan did not answer again and withdrew her gaze.

He found it hard to believe that a child who had never received systematic learning and training could dig up something that was almost rule-based.

He touched upon the super-star-level "origin" of the cultivation level for immortal cultivators.

Things like chaotic constant entropy, chaotic entropy element, and silent constant order are among the most closely guarded secrets of the Demonic Altar.

It belongs to the top tier of all cultivation knowledge.

He couldn't possibly tell Han Xiao this level of knowledge.

That's why Mu Hanchan looked at him with that deep-space gaze, which directly and passively triggered Han Xiao's soul-level fear.

In fact, when we got to the deeper parts of the conversation, it was already close to being a top secret.

That information is classified as top secret.

When he proposed combining the two, it was already top secret, but after thinking about it for a long time, Mu Hanchan still told him.

"Then, sir, I'll head back now."

Han Xiao's forehead was covered in sweat, and he quickly went back.

For several days afterward, he had nightmares in which he was in the endless deep space where he could not see anything, there was no space, no objects, and then his consciousness would suddenly be pulled up and he would see Mu Hanchan's eyes, which were expressionless and extremely empty.

Mu Hanchan's gaze this time gave him a long-term phobia of deep space.

"Is the Soul Reaper here?"

Outside the Kuling Courtyard, Sheng Sheng asked.

"Yes, what's wrong?"

"Two cultivators are requesting an audience with you. Their names are Ling Yanzhou and Fu Jing."

"where are you now?"

"main hall."

"You go and entertain them first, I'll be there shortly."

After saying that, Mu Hanchan stopped cultivating, gathered her energy, and completed the final steps.

The main hall of the mine.

"Is the person we're looking for the person in charge of this mine?"

Ling Yanzhou said.

Sheng Sheng shook his head and said, "He's not the overall person in charge. He's a disciple of the upper sect, a representative of the sect, and is the highest-ranking person in charge."

Is there a difference between the two?

Ling Yanzhou was somewhat puzzled.

Sheng Sheng sized him up but didn't answer.

Fu Jing whispered to him, "There is a difference. One is in charge of affairs, and the other is in charge of decision-making and direction."

"He's actually a disciple of a high-ranking sect. He lied to us back then, saying he was a rogue cultivator who was forced to escort us to earn some spirit stones to make a living."

“We weren’t familiar with them before, so was it necessary to tell them everything? Not only was it unnecessary before, but it’s also unnecessary now. Don’t forget why we’re here.”

Fu Jing transmitted his voice.

"Please take your seats, both of you. I'll serve you some spiritual tea."

Sheng Sheng said that when outsiders visit the mine, he takes time out of his busy schedule to verify their identities before entertaining them.

Wow! Grade Two Spirit Tea?

Fu Jing was also surprised.

"Guests are guests! Lord Kuling will be here shortly. Please wait a moment, I have other matters to attend to, please excuse me."

After settling in, Sheng Sheng went about his own business.

"What kind of tea is this?"

Ling Yanzhou took a sip and asked Fu Jing.

Fu Jing also took a sip, savored it for a while, and said, "I don't know the name, but judging from the color, leaves, tea soup, taste, and texture, it's definitely a second-grade spiritual tea."

The tea that Sheng Sheng served to the two of them
It is made from the tender buds and leaves of the middle section of the spiritual tea tree, which are picked from second-grade spiritual plants. The single leaves are slender and long, with a translucent green color and very faint white misty patterns on the edges, which are signs of spiritual energy condensed in the veins of the leaves.

The first scent is a cool, refreshing fragrance of mountain wood, without any trace of smoke or grime, delicate and lingering.
The moment boiling water is poured over the tea, a mist rises from the tea soup, and the aroma unfolds, mixed with a faint and not cloying orchid fragrance. The spiritual energy, along with the tea aroma, surrounds you, and the smell instantly calms your mind. It is not pungent or strong, but a gentle and mellow fragrance that you will never tire of, and can even slightly dispel the restlessness in your heart.

The tea soup is a light bluish-green color, clear and bright, with a smooth and mellow taste, completely free of the bitterness of ordinary tea. The initial taste is a sweet and refreshing herbal flavor. As it slides down the throat, one can feel a gentle spiritual energy slowly flowing into the dantian, neither domineering nor scorching, making it suitable for cultivators to concentrate and regulate their breathing daily.

After swallowing, a lingering sweetness rises from the back of the tongue, and a faint fragrance like a bluish mist lingers between the lips and teeth. The aftertaste is gentle, and a cool sensation arises in the mouth after drinking. The weariness of the mundane world is quietly soothed. It is a fine product among the second-grade spiritual teas that combines both taste and spiritual effects.

Just as the two were immersed in the aroma of the spiritual tea, a voice came from the side passage.

"Gentlemen, how is the taste of this Green Mist Fragrance Tea? Are you satisfied?"

The two turned around and immediately stood up.

"Senior Mu, I apologize for my previous offenses."

Lin Yanzhou bowed and said.

"What offense? You haven't forgotten yet? It was just that I said a few words when we first met!"
I didn't take it to heart.

Besides, you still gave me fifty first-grade spirit stones as a reward!
"We're even, it's okay."

"Thank you, senior."

Fu Jing quickly replied.

"By the way, how was the taste of your spirit tea? Did I just read your message and reply randomly?"

Mu Hanchan smiled but frowned as she asked.

"It tastes great!"

"Satisfied, satisfied."

After sitting for a while, seeing that Mu Hanchan remained silent, Fu Jing had no choice but to ask, "What brings you here, Senior?"

"You see this mine? Although the daily mining output is not large, there are still several hundred miners. A few days ago, one of my subordinates had some health problems, and there were also losses the year before last, so we don't have enough manpower."

Mu Hanchan explained.

"Does the senior mean we should work here?"

Ling Yanzhou asked.

"Indeed, what do you think?"

"We traveled 100,000 li (approximately 50,000 kilometers) over three months to get here, and we're completely out of ammunition and food, barely able to eat..."

"Here are two mid-grade spirit stones. Take them to replenish your spiritual energy first. Come back to me and tell me your decision once your cultivation has stabilized."

Mu Hanchan took out two mid-grade spirit stones rich in spiritual energy and said.

The two happily accepted the gift and went to resume their cultivation.

Fortunately, both of them had already reached the Spirit Origin Realm, so their recovery wasn't too slow.

A month later.

"We two are willing to serve you, senior!"

"Alright, I won't treat you unfairly. Also, do you have masters, families, friends, or Daoist partners?"

Mu Hanchan inquired.

"Our parents died young, and my brother and I depended on each other for survival. It was only through the brief guidance of a senior that we were able to embark on the path of immortality."

As for friends, we don't really trust others.

"And as for a Daoist partner, forget about it, they can't even settle down on their own..."

Mu Hanchan was somewhat surprised and said, "With just a little guidance, you were able to reach the Spirit Realm cultivation level. It seems that senior was also a master."

"Yes, that senior is at least at the Great Perfection of the Spirit Pill realm. We begged him to take us as disciples, but he refused. He only helped us because he saw that our spiritual roots were good."

Ling Yanzhou said.

"However, the difference between our cultivation level and yours is indeed vast."

Fu Jing compared and said.

"Haha... It just goes to show that different people have different fates. If you enter a sect, with your master and the sect backing you up, and with your legitimate identity as a guarantee, you might be able to get a little closer to me."

Mu Hanchan smiled and said.

"You flatter me, senior."

Thus, Ling Yanzhou and Fu Jing became two new members of the mine management team.

Neither of them were stupid. Over the next six months to a year, through the mine's management structure, power distribution, and the roles of the personnel, they gradually figured out Mu Hanchan's purpose in recruiting them.

And he began to intentionally or unintentionally help the trio of Li Nan, Han Xiao, and Lan Tong.

Fourth year at the mine.

Mu Hanchan appointed Jin Guili as the mine's deputy, second only to the general manager Song Zhong.

Jin Gui was saved by Mu Hanchan, and was naturally very grateful to her.

However, it's hard to say about Sheng Sheng and Liu Hu. Sheng Sheng is completely neutral, Liu Hu is a fence-sitter, and Song Zhong and his nephew Song Hui are definitely tied together.

This made the situation at the mine quite delicate.

The mine is in its fourth and a half years.

Mu Hanchan first summoned Li Nan, Lan Tong, and Han Xiao.

They were each given 300 mid-grade spirit stones, and a new courtyard was opened, replacing the original plaque of Moon Crow Courtyard.

Mu Hanchan personally built a Moonstone refining formation for Li Nan, entrusted it to her management, and gave her father one hundred mid-grade spirit stones as a last resort.

At this point, the three smaller mines were evenly matched, but Li Nan had a slight advantage.

As for the medium-grade rough stones produced in Mine 325, she would unfailingly throw them into the dry well every month.

After settling things at the back of the mountain, Mu Hanchan then focused on dealing with the front of the mountain.

He first convened all the management personnel except for Ling Yanzhou and Fu Jing.

Song Zhong was given 100 mid-grade spirit stones.

He gave Jin Gui 80 mid-grade spirit stones.

He gave Sheng Sheng 50 mid-grade spirit stones.

Liu Hu was given 30 mid-grade spirit stones.

As for Song Zhong's nephew, Song Hui, Mu Hanchan only gave him 5 mid-grade spirit stones, because he knew that giving more would be useless, as Song Hui would definitely still listen to Song Zhong.

"Mr. Song, after I leave, the mine is not allowed to hire anyone for ten years. Can you keep that promise?"

In front of the five people, Mu Hanchan asked.

"Of course, please rest assured, Soul Reaper."

Song Zhong smiled, but deep in his eyes was a sense of awe.

"If we really need to hire people in ten years, then the maximum number of hires within those ten years cannot exceed two, understand?"

"Understood, please rest assured, Soul Reaper."

"Please repeat that, Mr. Song."

Mu Hanchan said seriously.

"After the departure of the withered spirit, the mine shall not recruit new employees for ten years. If it is necessary to recruit new employees after ten years, the ten-year period shall be a phase, and the number of new employees recruited in a phase shall not exceed two.

I have noted it all down.

Everyone present can attest to this, so please rest assured.

Song Zhong calmly and earnestly uttered the words slowly.

"That's good."

"You've given me so many spirit stones; it's only right and wrong that I shouldn't go against your will. I've lived for eighty years; I know how to do things, so please rest assured."

Later, he found Ling Yanzhou and Fu Jing.

He said, "I'm sure you two have figured out why I've called you here. I'm giving you an advance of 50 years' worth of wages. You need to ensure that the children in the back mountain develop normally to adulthood and reach the required cultivation level."

After saying that, he took out two sets of fifty mid-grade spirit stones and gave them to the two people respectively.

The two were completely dumbfounded. They had seen mid-grade spirit stones before, but they had never seen so many at once, especially given to them.

"Yes! Thank you, senior."

Fu Jing knelt down on one knee and accepted the offer with both hands.

Upon seeing this, Ling Yanzhou also quickly knelt down and accepted the offer with both hands.

"Senior, aren't you coming back?"

"I will return, but the journey is long, so I certainly won't be able to come back often. I should be able to return within ten or twenty years."

But what if something unexpected happens?
Or perhaps they simply couldn't get away?

So I'll just give you more.

Ling Yanzhou and Fu Jing exchanged a glance, surprised by Mu Hanchan's profound consideration.

Finally, Mu Hanchan sought out Jin Gui, whose face was withered but whose spirit was abundant.

"senior…"

"After I leave, you must guard the courtyard obediently, the one where the Moon Crow Courtyard sign has been removed. No one is allowed to approach except for Li Nan and his daughter Li Xi."

"Yes…"

Then, Jin Gui hesitated for a moment before asking, "Senior... um..."

What are you trying to say?

"nothing."

After speaking with Jin Gui, Mu Hanchan had completed the four-layer deployment of the mine and could leave with peace of mind for the time being.

The mine lasted four years and seven months.

On the night before he was to leave, he asked Qin Xi, "I'm going back to Zong to report for duty soon. Do you want to come with me?"

"I…?"

"Correct."

Qin Xi hesitated for a moment, then asked uncertainly, "Is there any other meaning?"

"What do you think?"

"..."

"Don't you want to know what kind of person I met before? Maybe you'll be able to meet her."

"me……"

Qin Xi felt a little flustered and said, "Let me think about it."

So, I didn't sleep a wink all night.

noon the next day.

Mu Hanchan was already preparing to leave from the back mountain when a third-tier flying beast stood in front of the cliff.

"Senior, when will we meet again after this parting?"

Song Zhong bowed politely and said.

"It could take anywhere from ten or twenty years to an unknown period."

Mu Hanchan replied.

Han Xiao, Li Nan, and Lan Tong were also there, as were Fu Jing and Ling Yanzhou, Song Zhong and his nephew Song Hui, Jin Gui, Sheng Sheng, and Liu Hu.

However, apart from Song Zhong, the other original staff members from the mine remained silent.

Only Fu Jing said, "Senior, you can leave in peace. Brother Ling and I will remember you and take good care of the mine."

"Ah."

Mu Hanchan agreed, then turned to Qin Xi and asked, "Shall we go?"

"Um…"

This time, Qin Xi did not hesitate.

So Mu Hanchan took her hand and prepared to board the flying beast.

Suddenly a voice came from afar: "Wait!"