Cultivation: I can solidify equipment attributes

Chapter 522 Secret Realm Assessment

On the morning of the third day, all the spiritual patterns on the central stone platform of Yaoguang Island lit up.

A soft white light rose from the surface of the stone platform, converging into a pillar of light about two zhang high. Dense spiritual patterns circulated within the pillar, and spatial fluctuations spread outwards from its center. All the Golden Core cultivators on the island simultaneously sensed this fluctuation.

The secret realm has opened.

More than forty cultivators walked toward the stone platform one after another.

Three cultivators stood before the pillar of light—two men and one woman—all exuding spiritual energy at the late Golden Core stage. They wore matching dark silver robes, each embroidered with a tiny pavilion-shaped emblem on the chest.

Dragon Abyss Pavilion. The administrator of the secret realm.

The middle-aged male cultivator at the head of the group had a calm expression. He looked around at the cultivators present and then spoke.

"Entering the secret realm requires two payments. First, spirit stones, one mid-grade spirit stone per person, which you should give to us. Second, knowledge, which you should give to the secret realm itself."

He pointed to the pillar of light.

"Probe your divine sense into the pillar of light. You can choose one or more knowledge to contribute to the secret realm. The secret realm will assess the value of the knowledge, and once certain requirements are met, it will provide corresponding enhancements. The more you contribute, the more efficient your cultivation will be in the secret realm."

"There's a rule: knowledge already existing in the instance cannot be duplicated. If what you contribute is already in the instance, it will be returned."

After the middle-aged monk finished speaking, he stepped aside.

The cultivators lined up to pay the spirit stones, and then each of them probed the pillar of light with their divine sense.

Li Yuan was in the middle of the line.

After paying the spirit stones, it was time to contribute knowledge.

Li Yuan probed the pillar of light with his divine sense.

The spiritual runes inside the pillar of light reacted immediately, and a gentle force enveloped the divine sense.

Let's try the Tidal Sound Technique first. It's a low-grade, third-tier sonic spell that I've mastered and found to be quite practical.

The divine sense pushed the complete information of the Tide Sound Technique into the pillar of light.

The spirit rune circuit operated for a moment, and the information was returned.

The complete record of the Tidal Sound Technique already exists in the secret realm. Duplicate entries are not accepted.

Li Yuan switched to another subject.

Demonic Spirit Fusion Technique.

The divine sense pushed the complete framework of the demon spirit fusion technique into the pillar of light.

The reaction from the spirit rune circuit was much stronger than before.

The brightness of the entire pillar of light suddenly increased by a level, and the speed of the spiritual runes flowing increased several times. The scan lasted for a much longer time than the Tide Sound Technique, as if the interior of the pillar of light was repeatedly verifying every detail of this technique.

After a few breaths, the verification is complete.

A message returned to the divine consciousness: the knowledge contribution limit has been reached.

Li Yuan withdrew his divine sense.

The upper limit of knowledge contribution means that the cultivation bonus given by the secret realm has reached the highest level.

However, the reason why the Demon Spirit Fusion Technique can reach its limit in one technique is mainly due to its originality.

Although the cultivation process itself is difficult and not perfect.

However, there are no similar records in the secret realm. A completely new system of cultivation techniques carries far more weight in knowledge assessment than variations or improvements of existing techniques.

After all payments were completed, an entrance opened in the center of the pillar of light.

The monks entered one by one.

The moment Li Yuan stepped into the pillar of light, his vision changed abruptly.

Beneath their feet lay a wide stone path, flanked by towering white jade walls densely covered with spiritual runes. The runes emitted a soft, even glow, illuminating the entire path.

The first thing I felt was spiritual energy.

The spiritual energy concentration inside the secret realm far exceeds that of the outside world, several times denser than the area covered by the spirit-gathering array in Misty Forest Market. This spiritual energy contains a unique, inexplicable component; it's not that the spiritual energy itself is of higher quality, but rather that there's a natural resonance between the frequency of the spiritual energy and divine consciousness.

The effects of this resonance are extremely intuitive: the mind becomes clearer, the speed of understanding the principles of magic is significantly faster, and the precision of perception when spiritual energy is circulating is greatly improved.

The secret realm itself provides an environment that enhances enlightenment.

The stone path extended forward for several dozen feet before forking. Several large characters were carved on the stone wall at the fork, indicating the different categories of assessments for each direction: magic, formations, alchemy, weapon crafting, and talismans.

At the entrance to each branch path is a guiding jade tablet; by probing with one's divine sense, one can view the specific rules of the assessment for that direction.

Li Yuan didn't rush to choose a path. He stood at the crossroads for a moment to feel the enhancement effect of the secret realm environment on himself.

The learning speed bonus from "Mastering All Laws" combined with the enlightenment environment of the Secret Realm creates a remarkably effective effect. Individually, "Mastering All Laws" accelerates the increase in spell proficiency, while the Secret Realm environment accelerates the understanding of spell principles. Their focuses differ, and their combined effect is complementary rather than simply a numerical addition.

The additional bonus from reaching the knowledge contribution cap is also in effect. Perceptually, the amplification effect of the secret realm environment is greater for oneself than for other cultivators.

Li Yuan chose the formation test and went inside.

The training platform was transformed into a fragmented diagram of an array formation. The task was to complete the missing array nodes within a limited time and restore the array to full operation.

The instinctive perception of the faint light of the array was even more acute in the secret realm environment, and the compatibility between the array patterns could be judged almost without thinking. Li Yuan completed the completion in half of the time limit.

After completing the formation assessment, Li Yuan felt that his formation skills had improved significantly.

The Alchemy Assessment. Given virtual materials and the Heavenly Origin Pill formula, participants must complete a batch of pills within a time limit. The enhancements from refining the alchemical fire and gaining a thorough understanding of alchemical principles make the entire process smooth and effortless.

After the second test was completed, a new passage entrance appeared on the wall at the end of the stone chamber.

The entrance was wider than the previous passage, and the light from the spiritual runes was much stronger. Several fluctuations of spiritual energy emanated from within the passage, indicating the presence of other cultivators.

Li Yuan ignored it and continued with the assessment.

Spell Test. A fragmented model of magical energy appeared in the center of the stone chamber. The task was to complete the energy circuit and release it fully within a limited time.

This spell doesn't have a fixed attribute; rather, it tests a cultivator's control over the structure and rhythm of spiritual energy, as well as the spell's formation process. Ordinary Golden Core cultivators, when faced with this test, often can only rely on their familiar spell system to forcibly deduce its nature.

But this is precisely where Li Yuan's advantage lies.

After several dozen breaths, the incomplete model was completely restored.

The spiritual light in the stone chamber trembled slightly, and a comprehension about the dismantling of spell structures and the reorganization of spiritual energy circulation was injected into the divine sense. Several previously obscure operational nodes in the Blazing Sun Flame Technique also became much clearer.

1

The weapon crafting assessment. Repairing the artifact's runes on a damaged magical artifact. The profound understanding of the artifact's material properties allows for a repair precision far exceeding ordinary levels.

Talisman Assessment. Create a third-tier talisman on special talisman paper. The Ink Spirit's newly permanent control over its instinctive brushstrokes allowed it to write without hesitation, producing precise and fluid ink lines.

Approved one by one.

Upon completion of each assessment, the secret realm grants a corresponding insight. While the depth of this insight is limited, its broad coverage encompasses five areas: formations, alchemy, weapon crafting, and talismans. The realm's conducive environment for enlightenment, coupled with the accelerated practice of all techniques, rapidly translates these insights into a surge in proficiency across various areas.

[Third-Tier Weapon Forging Technique: Proficient/Masterful]

His weapon-forging skills have reached a high level of expertise.

Looking towards the passageway he had been walking through, Li Yuan went inside.

At the end of the passage was a huge circular plaza. In the center of the plaza was a circular training platform, about ten zhang in diameter, surrounded by dozens of stone seats.

There were already three cultivators in the square, sitting on stone seats and waiting. After Li Yuan entered, three more cultivators entered from different directions.

The sphere of light in the center of the circular training platform was magnified several times, emitting a soft but bright light.

The information flow was injected into the consciousness of everyone present.

Competitive assessment.

The rules are simple: all participants enter the training platform simultaneously, and the secret realm will release assessment questions in turn, covering five areas: spells, formations, alchemy, weapon crafting, and talismans. Everyone answers each question at the same time, and the secret realm will judge the performance and score it. The final ranking is based on the total score; the higher the ranking, the richer the reward.

The entire process does not involve any form of attack or fighting.

Seven cultivators stepped onto the training platform.

First challenge: Deploy a defensive array within a designated area on the training platform to withstand a fixed amount of impact released by the secret realm. The greater the impact the array withstands, the higher the score.

Li Yuan crouched down, his fingers tracing array patterns on the surface of the training platform. The three permanent entries—Array Rhythm, Array Principle Glimmer, and Array Network Overview—operated simultaneously, and the layout and direction of the array patterns were completed almost intuitively.

As the quantitative impact from the secret realm descended, the array patterns set up by Li Yuan withstood the maximum amount of impact before cracks appeared, far exceeding those of others.

The second challenge was in alchemy, requiring participants to complete key steps in making a specific elixir within a time limit. The third challenge was talisman making, requiring participants to create and activate a talisman within a very short time. The fourth challenge was a spell accuracy test, testing the hit rate against a moving target. The fifth challenge was weapon crafting, requiring participants to repair an extremely complex weapon pattern circuit.

Complete the five questions in sequence.

Each assessment result was evaluated in real-time within the secret realm, and the score was directly added to the overall ranking. Li Yuan's performance in the three areas of formation, alchemy, and talismanic arts showed a significant gap, and he also ranked highly in the areas of magic and weapon crafting.

The assessment is over.

The final rankings were revealed from the sphere of light.

First place: Li Yuan.

The moment the rankings were finalized, an additional flow of information entered Li Yuan's consciousness.

His perception of the secret realm had changed; some previously closed areas had become vaguely accessible to him.

The first place winner receives additional privileges.

Rewards followed.

The sphere of light split into two orbs, which slowly drifted down in front of Li Yuan.

The first burst of light contained a message: the right to choose three classic texts.

The Secret Realm Library is now open to you, from which you can choose three cultivation techniques or spells.

The second burst of light contained a physical object. When the light dissipated, a palm-sized cloth bag appeared in the palm of the hand. The bag was made of an ancient material, with very faint spiritual patterns flowing across its surface.

Open the cloth bag.

Inside were several packets of dried tea leaves, the leaves a deep green with fine, hair-like golden veins. The surface of the tea leaves emanated an extremely serene spiritual energy, carrying the unique resonance frequency of enlightenment characteristic of the secret realm environment.

Enlightenment Tree Tea.

Li Yuan took out a packet and placed a tea leaf on his fingertip.

Blue light appeared.

[Equipable item detected: Enlightenment Tree Tea Leaf (Complete)]

[Equipment Attribute Preview: Enlightenment Tea (Blue)]

[Effect: Increases cultivation comprehension speed by 50%; increases the probability of breaking through bottlenecks in mastery of cultivation techniques and spells by 30%]

[Preview of Permanentization Conditions: Successfully break through the proficiency level of a third-tier or higher spell or technique during the duration of the Enlightenment Tea effect]

Blue text. Each tea leaf is an independent equipable item and cannot be equipped repeatedly.

The effect is excellent. The 50% increase in cultivation and comprehension speed is a direct bonus, and the 30% increase in the probability of breaking through proficiency bottlenecks is even more remarkable.

Keep it safe for now, don't rush to equip it. Decide when to use it after leaving the secret realm, based on your training plan.

Li Yuan put the cloth bag into his personal space and stepped off the training platform.

The other cultivators successively received their rewards corresponding to their rankings. Several cultivators looked at Li Yuan with obvious surprise in their eyes; his overall performance in all five aspects was among the best, a level of all-around excellence that is extremely rare among Golden Core cultivators.

After the competitive assessment concluded, a new passageway was opened on the side wall of the square.

Li Yuan walked in through the passage.

At the end of the passage was a domed stone chamber, the walls of which were densely inlaid with hundreds of jade slips. Next to each jade slip was a line of small characters indicating its name and grade.

The Secret Realm Library.

Li Yuan scanned the wall one by one.

The majority of the texts are on cultivation techniques, ranging from Tier 1 to Tier 3, and even Tier 4, with varying grades. There are also many spells, covering attack, defense, and support. Texts on formations, alchemy, weapon crafting, and talismans are fewer in number, but their grades are generally Tier 2 or higher.

Li Yuan carefully reviewed all the annotations in the classic texts but found no content that directly assisted in forming the Nascent Soul stage. There were no formulas for forming the Nascent Soul stage, no specific cultivation methods for breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage, and no systematic discussion of the Nascent Soul formation process.

The scriptures of the Yao Guang Secret Realm focus on techniques and do not provide specific guidance on breaking through realms.

Li Yuan adjusted his approach and selected three categories from existing classic texts based on current needs.

First Path: Basic Techniques for Nascent Soul Cultivation.

On the upper right side of the wall is a jade slip labeled as a Nascent Soul Stage Initial Cultivation Method. Although it's not a specific guide to Nascent Soul formation, as a foundational cultivation method for the Nascent Soul realm, it must contain the basic structure and spiritual energy circulation patterns of the Nascent Soul stage. From this information, some basic procedures and prerequisites for Nascent Soul formation can be deduced.

This is sufficient as a reference.

The second technique: Third-tier Divine Soul Cultivation Technique.

Soul cultivation is one of my most obvious weaknesses. The Soul Condensation Technique is a first-tier technique, and the Spirit Condensation and Soul Guiding Technique is second-tier; I haven't yet acquired a third-tier soul cultivation technique. While fusion attributes like Soul Essence Return to Truth and Soul Iron Wall significantly enhance soul strength, the lack of advanced techniques limits the potential of my soul cultivation. Even the permanent enhancement of the "Sensitive Communication" skill in my equipment slots requires mastering a third-tier soul cultivation technique.

The library contains a technique called Soul Condensation and Consciousness Control, a mid-grade third-tier soul cultivation method that focuses on soul condensation and consciousness manipulation.

I chose it.

The third gate: Spatial shaping spell.

In a corner deep within the wall, an inconspicuous jade slip was labeled "Space Fixation Spell, Third Tier, Mid-Grade." The spell description was only a single line: "Use spiritual power to fix a spatial area in the void, which can be used to store items or opened and accessed at any time."

A spatial shaping spell. It corresponds perfectly to the hidden information obtained when the remnant of the Netherworld was made permanent. The Xuan You Sect Master was demonstrating this type of spell in the scene.

Select three doors.

The sphere of spiritual light in the center of the stone chamber sensed Li Yuan's choice, and the three jade slips in the corresponding positions lit up simultaneously.

The information flow is directly injected into the divine consciousness.

Li Yuan did not stop it, allowing the information to flood in.

It wasn't the text on the jade slip that was read, but rather the complete contents of the three cultivation techniques and spells that were poured into his mind as a stream of information. The amount of information was enormous, with the three streams of information flooding in almost simultaneously, putting immense pressure on his divine sense in an instant.

The permanent entry for multi-purpose mental focus automatically operates, distributing the three information streams to different mental lines for parallel processing.

Li Yuan stood with his eyes closed for a moment, waiting for the onslaught of information to subside.

The complete contents of the three cultivation techniques and spells have been stored in my divine consciousness, but I have not yet digested them. The amount of information is too large, and I need to spend time studying them one by one after leaving the secret realm before I can truly master them.

The selection of classic texts has been completed.

The exit passage sign reappeared on the wall of the stone chamber.