After binding with a genius, I became an immortal by exploiting loopholes.

Shen Yao nodded: "That's part of the reason, and another part is that these spiritual plants have high requirements for the environment. The array can regulate the temperature and humidity, allowing them to grow better."

Lu Qingchen nodded, his gaze falling on the faint light screen, and a thought suddenly popped into his mind.

The array can regulate temperature and humidity, and also isolate external detection.

If he could also set up a formation to surround a spiritual field, wouldn't he be able to set up an array around the earth vein spirit embryo and hide it?

At that time, he can say that he is cultivating a special spiritual plant that needs the protection of an array, and no one can say anything about it.

The more he thought about it, the more feasible it seemed.

But to set up an array, there must first be a reason—he must first cultivate a "special spiritual plant" in order to legitimately apply for setting up an array.

Where do he get the seeds of special spiritual plants?

It's not actually that difficult, because he has some spiritual abilities.

After ordinary Jade Rice is imbued with spiritual energy, it can grow rice ears with spiritual light, which can barely be considered a special spiritual plant.

If he can use the Spirit Pointing Technique to cultivate something, it will probably be even more eye-catching than hybrid varieties like Shen Yao.

When the time comes, applying for a spirit field protected by an array will be perfectly legitimate, and no one will be able to find fault with it.

But there's no rush.

Lu Qingchen suppressed the thought, looked at the spiritual plants for a while, chatted with Shen Yao about cultivation tips, and then took his leave.

......

After descending from Cuiping Peak, Lu Qingchen did not exit the mountain gate directly, but instead turned and went to the small market at the foot of Mingfa Peak.

When he came to buy talismans and pills last time, the stall owner mentioned that there were talismans for breaking restrictions at the market, which were specifically used to break the restrictions on objects.

He didn't pay attention at the time, but now that he's remembered, he might as well buy a few to try.

The iron box in the stone chamber was protected by a seal, so he couldn't open it.

Using a barrier-breaking talisman might work.

He wandered around the market and found a stall that specialized in selling talismans. The stall owner was an old cultivator in his fifties, who appeared to be in the late stage of Qi Refining. His face was full of wrinkles, but his eyes were very bright.

"Do you have a barrier-breaking talisman?" Lu Qingchen asked.

The old monk glanced at him, then pulled out a yellowed talisman from under the stall. It was covered with intricate patterns and faintly glowed with spiritual energy.

"Yes, ten spirit stones per sheet."

Lu Qingchen gasped.

Ten spirit stones? Last time he bought five Bright Light Talismans for only four spirit stones, and one Vajra Talisman was also only four.

This one barrier-breaking talisman is worth two and a half Vajra talismans.

"Can you make it cheaper?" he asked.

The old cultivator shook his head: "Breaking the seal talisman is difficult to draw, with a low success rate and expensive materials. Ten spirit stones, no bargaining."

Lu Qingchen gritted his teeth, counted out ten spirit stones from his sleeve pocket, and handed them over.

The old cultivator took the spirit stone, folded the talisman, and handed it to him.

"To use, simply stick it onto the barrier and infuse it with spiritual power. Each talisman can only be used once, regardless of whether it succeeds or not."

Lu Qingchen carefully put away the barrier-breaking talisman and turned to leave.

After taking a few steps, the old cultivator called out from behind, "Young friend, the barrier-breaking talisman is useless against high-level restrictions. Don't have too high hopes."

"understood."

Lu Qingchen waved his hand without turning his head.

As he left Xiaoji and passed by Mingfafeng's martial arts arena, he heard cheers.

On the training ground, several inner disciples were sparring, their swords flashing and spiritual energy scattering, while the disciples watching surrounded them in layers.

Lu Qingchen hadn't planned to look, but when someone in the crowd mentioned "Chu Yunfeng," he slowed down.

He squeezed into the crowd and stood on the outside looking into the field.

Chu Yunfeng, dressed in white and wielding a long sword, was fighting against a tall disciple.

His swordsmanship was fierce, each thrust accompanied by a sharp whistling sound. The advantage of his dual metal and fire spiritual roots was fully demonstrated in him—abundant spiritual power, decisive attacks, and every move was menacing.

In just a few moves, the tall disciple was forced back by his sword and had to admit defeat.

The crowd erupted in cheers.

"Brother Chu, your swordsmanship is superb!"

"This swordsmanship is so good that even a senior brother in the mid-stage of Qi Refining could probably fight him!"

Chu Yunfeng sheathed his sword, his expression calm. He cupped his hands in greeting to the surroundings, then turned and stepped aside.

His aura was stronger than when Lu Qingchen last saw him. Although he hadn't reached the third level of Qi Refining, he wasn't far off.

Just then, the whispers of two disciples nearby drifted into my ears.

"Senior Brother Chu's swordsmanship is getting more and more formidable. He's sure to get a good ranking in this rookie assessment."

"It's not just a good ranking. I heard from my senior brother that his goal is to be number one. The rewards from the sect this time are quite substantial. The first place winner will receive a Qi Cultivation Pill, a Barrier Breaking Pill, and a set of mid-grade magic artifacts."

"Breakthrough Pill? That thing can help you break through to the seventh level of Qi Refining. The sect is being quite generous this time."

"That's right, they've invested a lot to motivate their disciples."

Lu Qingchen listened, and his heart stirred slightly.

Nourishing Essence Pills, Barrier-Breaking Pills, and mid-grade magic artifacts—it would be a lie to say you're not tempted by these rewards.

The Breakthrough Pill can help break through to the seventh level of Qi Refining, which is the key threshold from the middle to the late stage of Qi Refining. Many people are stuck at this step for several years.

But he quickly suppressed the thought.

The New Talent Assessment is a place where disciples in the Qi Refining stage compete. Those who go are all geniuses from various peaks and halls, such as Chu Yunfeng and Su Qingxue, who have good spiritual roots, high cultivation, and strong spells.

He's just a spiritual plant cultivator who doesn't even know any decent attack spells. If he goes there, he'll just be a scapegoat and embarrass himself for nothing.

However, it would be beneficial for Chu Yunfeng if he could get first place.

The Nourishing Essence Pill can help him accelerate his cultivation, and the Barrier-Breaking Pill can help him break through to the seventh level of Qi Refining, so his cultivation speed will naturally increase.

The stronger Chu Yunfeng became, the more cultivation he transferred each day.

Standing in the crowd, Lu Qingchen watched Chu Yunfeng's departing figure and silently cheered him on.

Practice hard, win more matches, and strive to take first place.

He didn't linger and turned to leave the training ground.

After leaving the training ground, Lu Qingchen couldn't help but touch the porcelain bottle in his arms, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously curled up slightly.

Inside are six Qi-Nourishing Pills!

Others fight tooth and nail to be number one just to get one, but he now has six—although much of the medicinal properties have been lost, the six together are almost as effective as a single whole one.

If Li Si and Wang Ming found out about this, their eyes would probably pop out of their sockets.

......

After leaving the training ground, Lu Qingchen stood on the stone steps of Mingfa Peak and hesitated for a moment.

Now that we've finally come back, should we go and see Old Master Sun?

Old Sun had been kind to him, helping him ever since Panlong Peak, so he should go and visit him out of both gratitude and reason.

As for that cheap master Zhou Yuandao... let's just forget about him.

When we met last time, he made it very clear that I shouldn't contact him unless necessary, and he's currently busy trying to break through to the Spiritual Mansion, so he probably doesn't have time to bother with me.

Going there would only make people dislike you.

He turned and walked towards Panlong Peak.