I am grinding experience in another world-Chapter 675 - 663: Clamp Down

Inside Thousand Lanterns City, Meng Qingchan reclined in a distant chair, face adorned with a smile.

"The foundation of Outer Heaven Demons is inherently strong; with natural growth alone, they can obtain immense power and long lifespans."

"But humans are different. Human strength is limited."

So, don't be human anymore?

Chen Mu mused with a peculiar feeling.

"Therefore, one must reshape the foundation, enabling the Spirit God Essence to evolve to a higher level."

"Qi Cultivators build Daoist Foundations, while Heavenly Demons cultivate True Forms. Though the methods differ, the ultimate result is nearly the same," Meng Qingchan stated with an unhurried cadence.

"I possess the Jade Cicada Secret Scripture, which contains the Dao Foundation Atlas and can help you reshape your foundation." As she spoke, she extended her right hand, golden threads rising elegantly from her palm.

"I can impart this Secret Technique to you right now, and you need do nothing in return—simply act as if I don't exist, allowing me temporary refuge within your Grotto Heaven."

Chen Mu's heart jumped involuntarily as he stared at those golden threads in her palm.

He had spent a year and a half in the Hundred Illusion Sect, even signing a ten-year Soldier Contract, all for this very thing.

Grinding his teeth fiercely, Chen Mu declared, "Let's do it!"

"You truly know what's best for you." Meng Qingchan nodded her approval with a smile.

"To ensure mutual trust, I believe it's necessary for us to sign a contract." Chen Mu spoke solemnly.

"With Pure Yang Dao Ancestor as guarantor, I can safely cultivate the Secret Technique you've provided, and you don't need to worry about me employing sleight of hand to obstruct your journey to the Outer Heaven Star." His tone carried a mark of sincerity.

"Ha!"

"You cunning little rascal." Meng Qingchan burst into laughter.

"Senior finds it unnecessary to sign a contract?" Chen Mu frowned. "Your sincerity seems inadequate, forcing me to doubt whether the Secret Technique you're providing is truly flawless."

"Sincerity? Contract?"

"What you're really aiming for is to use the Dividing Tribulation Technique to avoid backlash, while unilaterally restricting me, correct?" Meng Qingchan's smile deepened further.

"Guess who devised the Nine-Life Tribulation Splitting Technique?"

Chen Mu: "…"

"I've endured being suppressed in Hai Province for three hundred years without death—thanks to that Dividing Tribulation Divine Skill." Meng Qingchan's laughter grew wild.

"And you dare propose signing a contract with me?"

"Haha!"

Damn it!

This is truly a case of a trickster provoking their own master!

…

Cliffside Cave Mansion.

Chen Mu held a small, arm-length, palm-wide Gold Threaded Jade Slip, leaning against a plush cushion, lost in thought by the wide windowsill.

"Reshaping the foundation essentially means reforming the Mud Pillar Jade Seed."

"Using Innate Primordial Qi as the material and the Dao Foundation Primordial Talisman as the design blueprint, the Jade Seed can be transformed into the Primordial Spirit Dao Seed, granting Qi Cultivators the opportunity for further advancement."

Chen Mu understood clearly.

The first step for Qi Cultivators in merging the Jade Seed involves combining the Three Treasures—Vital Energy, Spirit, and Essence—to create the Mud Pillar Jade Seed, thus embarking on the Qi Cultivation path.

As the Divine Orifice consolidates step by step, the Jade Seed expands in tandem. When the Divine Orifice undergoes purification with Primordial Energy and transforms into the River Chariot, the Jade Seed reaches its limit.

To go beyond this limit, one must overhaul the foundation of the Jade Seed, granting it enhanced growth potential.

The Jade Cicada Secret Scripture that Meng Qingchan provided contains the fully detailed Jade Cicada Dao Foundation Primordial Talisman. If Chen Mu wished, he could immediately use Primordial Qi to upgrade his Jade Seed and step into the fifth tier of Qi Cultivation.

However…

"I just worry there's something wrong with the Jade Cicada Secret Scripture," Chen Mu scratched his head.

He had never seen another Dao Foundation Secret Method before and couldn't ensure the scripture wasn't flawed.

Moreover, Meng Qingchan was an imprisoned convict suppressed by the Thousand Mechanisms Sect. Cultivating the technique she provided might simply invite trouble.

"Better wait and see." Chen Mu deliberated for a long time before finally suppressing the growing urge in his heart.

…

A few days later.

South of Qingqiu Mountain.

The collapsed breach in the mountain, initially struck by the First Rank Demon Suppressing Needle, had been expanding steadily. The basin-shaped Qingqiu Mountain had turned into a valley facing south.

Three elders from the Thousand Mechanisms Sect, clad in white jade-colored Escape Light, floated leisurely in the air.

Silver spells gleamed brightly, continuously descending onto various parts of Qingqiu Mountain.

Standing atop a Flying Kite, with an Inheriting Heaven Gourd in hand, Chen Mu appeared diligently focused on breaking rocks and digging through the mountain. Meanwhile, his Truth Listening Divine Power centered on observing the three high-rank cultivators in the sky.

At the same time, Meng Qingchan remained in Thousand Lanterns City. Despite being aware that the Thousand Mechanisms Sect's White Jade Plate couldn't spy into the Grotto Heaven, Chen Mu couldn't help but feel uneasy.

These few days under the watchful eyes of the Thousand Mechanisms Sect's experts had made his breathing involuntarily quieter, fearing that a small mistake would expose the Inheriting Heaven Gourd to them.

"Fortunately, days of such constant dread are almost over," Chen Mu thought, relieved.

According to some rumors overheard recently, the law restrictions for Qingqiu Mountain were nearing completion.

Moreover, after exhaustive probing using the White Jade Plate, the Thousand Mechanisms Sect seemed to have abandoned their search for the Inheriting Heaven Gourd.

"Why couldn't you have come to search for the Inheriting Heaven Gourd earlier?" Chen Mu grumbled.

If they had located the gourd sooner, Meng Qingchan wouldn't have had the chance to enter Thousand Lanterns City. Then, he wouldn't be stuck in his current predicament.

Oh well, looking on the bright side, he was only giving Meng Qingchan a lift. With no substantial effort, he could still gain access to the long-coveted Dao Foundation Atlas.

Ultimately, this deal was incredibly favorable.

"No turning back now—I'll just have to accept it." Chen Mu sighed and shook his head.

…

Five days later.

The elders from the Thousand Mechanisms Sect departed, traveling to other sects in Hai Province to lay down their law restrictions.

Yet Chen Mu and the other Dao Soldiers remained in Qingqiu Mountain.

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The Thousand Mechanisms Sect had only completed the core of the law restrictions; the surrounding terrain still required their attention.

Additionally, Hai Province had just suffered upheaval from demon and monster chaos, leaving the province in ruins.

Rather than rushing their new Dao Soldiers to Beyond Heaven, the sect chose to keep them in Hai Province temporarily to clean up the aftermath of the chaos.

Busy all day, Chen Mu returned to his cliffside cave mansion, immediately noticing unusual activity within the Shadow Pupil of Thousand Lanterns City.

Without hesitation, he frowned and entered Thousand Lanterns City.

"Senior Meng, you'd better realize I'm taking great risks in helping you sneak into the Outer Heaven Star."

"Carelessly activating the Shadow Pupil of the Grotto Heaven may risk leaking its aura."

"There's no telling whether the elders of Thousand Lanterns City have truly left or are lying in ambush, waiting for you to show yourself."

"For my safety and to ensure your smooth journey to the Heavenly Star, you'd best remain quiet while inside Thousand Lanterns City!" Chen Mu scolded sharply, his face dark with a hint of menace.

Meng Qingchan was momentarily stunned by the tirade.

"Little thief! Such thick skin!" Meng Qingchan's eyes gleamed with anger. "How dare you reverse the blame onto me?!"

"Speak—did you secretly employ some kind of Evil Secret Technique?!" As she spoke, she raised her hands.

On the wide black-and-gold sleeves of her robe, a patch of gray-white spots had inexplicably appeared.

The spots seemed alive, writhing and morphing. As they spread, faint black smoke continuously rose from their edges.

They resembled invisible flames burning her robes, causing the black sleeves to fade relentlessly.

The sharp pain surged directly into her mind, making Meng Qingchan's eyes flash with murderous intent.

"What kind of Evil Secret Technique is this, capable of harming Senior Meng?" Chen Mu's expression grew serious.

"The Thousand Mechanisms Sect previously used the Plague Immortal Flag to disperse the Green Worm Poison. This might be an offshoot of that technique."

"Could it be—you've been exposed?" Chen Mu's face turned pale with fright.

"Nonsense!"

"I crafted that Plague Immortal Flag myself; how could I not know its capabilities?" Meng Qingchan laughed angrily.

"Clearly, this is a Heavenly Demon Secret Technique. The Thousand Mechanisms Sect practices Pure Yang Dao methods—they couldn't possibly cultivate such techniques!"

All she wanted was to hitch a ride, even paying her price in advance—and yet, this scoundrel had secretly plotted against her!

Shameless! Cunning!

The revelation that the Plague Immortal Flag was her creation?

This…

This completely ruined any chance to pin the blame elsewhere.

Chen Mu looked visibly disappointed.

"This Nightmare Victory Spell isn't easy to endure, is it," he said, smiling slyly at Meng Qingchan.

Despite being imprisoned by the Inheriting Heaven Gourd and shielded by its law restrictions from the Delusion Seven Emotions Flame, the Nightmare Victory Spell could pierce through subtler channels to strike directly at her Spirit God.

Thus, Chen Mu had the perfect opportunity to deliver the flames to Meng Qingchan.

Sure enough, it was this little thief.

Meng Qingchan's gaze grew icy as she fixed her eyes on Chen Mu.

The years of suppression had severely diminished her Primordial Energy. Coupled with the binding of the Inheriting Heaven Gourd, many of her techniques could no longer be used.

Otherwise…

She took a deep breath, her expression gradually returning to calm.

"You can't kill me."

"Each Inheriting Heaven Gourd is a part of me. As long as even one of them survives, I will always regenerate."

"Of course, of course…" Chen Mu's smile remained unshaken.

"But after being suppressed for over three hundred years, how many times can you regenerate?"

"A hundred times? A thousand? If I were determined to exhaust you completely, then…" He chuckled menacingly.

"Speak—what is it you want?" Meng Qingchan asked calmly.

"I merely want you to behave," Chen Mu replied, his smile vanishing as his countenance turned serious.

He didn't mind aiding Meng Qingchan in her journey to the Outer Heaven.

However, if she acted recklessly upon departure, alerting the Thousand Mechanisms Sect to their association, Chen Mu's fate would assuredly be dire.

The Nightmare Victory Spell had already absorbed her aura. No matter where she fled, Chen Mu could torment her Spirit God with the Delusion Seven Emotions Flame.

It wouldn't kill her, but the daily burning of her Spirit God would inevitably chip away at her Primordial Energy, complicating her recovery.

"I have more reason than you to avoid detection by the Thousand Mechanisms Sect," Meng Qingchan vowed earnestly. "Lv Yue is relentless in seeking my destruction. Until I am fully freed and restored, I will not undertake any action that might reveal my movements."

Chen Mu let out a long exhale upon hearing her words.

"I've spent over ten years cultivating, every step a precarious balancing act."

"Having finally arrived here, I refuse to see my Dao undone in one reckless moment."

"Though my methods seem unscrupulous, I ask that Senior Meng empathize with my plight." He solemnly bowed.

"The pursuit of Dao is arduous, harder than ascending to the heavens. A single misstep could lead to irreversible consequences. I am a living example—I understand." Meng Qingchan sighed admiringly.

"It's good that you understand." Chen Mu's face broke into a grin.

"Now that everything is out in the open, it would be remiss of me not to lend a hand." Meng Qingchan opened her palm toward Chen Mu.

What now?

Chen Mu's eyes betrayed his confusion.

"You have the Jade Cicada Secret Scripture with you, right? Give it here so I can make some refinements," Meng Qingchan said sweetly, her smile serene. "Age dulls memory. Last time, I may have left out a few small details."

Chen Mu: "…"

Good thing I haven't cultivated it yet!

I knew something was off when she handed me the technique so easily.

Damn it, she really did tamper with it!