Cultivation Starts from Farming Chapter 922 - 405: Inheritance of Fourth Rank Upper Grade Talisman Scripts; Duan Shuang Breaks Through to Mid-Stage Nascent Soul

With a flicker of his mind, Xu Ping summoned his customary proficiency interface just like before:

[Lifespan: 4321 / 4241 years]

[Realm: Nascent Soul Stage: 18/100]

[Cultivation Technique: Ten Thousand Woods Evergreen Scripture (Nascent Soul Chapter) Major Achievement: 1320/1600]

....

"Over twenty years after breaking into mid-stage Nascent Soul... and the realm has advanced a mere seventeen points..."

Helplessly shaking his head, Xu Ping stared at the sluggish advancement shown in the realm section.

A massive buildup of Mana is demanded for each step forward in the Nascent Soul Stage, with demands skyrocketing in the later phases.

"Going on like this, absent any special fortunes, reaching the pinnacle of mid-stage Nascent Soul would demand no less than a century of relentless toil."

"The hurdle from mid-stage to late-stage... its challenge likely eclipses even the leap from Golden Core to Nascent Soul."

His eyes shifted downward to the cultivation technique entry.

"Yet the Ten Thousand Woods Evergreen Scripture's mastery nears completion."

A spark of eagerness gleamed in Xu Ping's eyes as he eyed the [1320/1600] progress.

Should this cultivation technique achieve perfection, it would yield all-around gains.

Extended lifespan, quicker Mana replenishment, boosted cultivation speed...

The pace toward mid-stage peak would surely surge, and it might even lend aid for the late-stage breakthrough.

"Moreover..."

A sudden sensation hit Xu Ping, prompting him to sense the thick Spiritual Qi enveloping him keenly, "Since the Spirit Vein's first breakthrough, the Spiritual Qi density in this cavern has risen considerably?"

Carefully scanning the whole cave with his Divine Sense, surprise flickered across his features: "This level of density... it must be nearing the top tier of Fourth Rank Middle Grade Spirit Vein!"

"Such swift development?"

Normally, Spiritual Qi density crept up gradually too, but Xu Ping, occupied with cultivation and outside matters, hadn't focused on it much.

Just today, he truly sensed the striking advancement.

A mental command later, Xu Ping linked his Divine Sense to the Spirit Worm guarding the underground Spirit Vein's heart.

Soon after, the earth quivered faintly, and out came the Fourth Rank Spirit Worm, beaming obsequiously, "Master, you called for me."

"Hmm."

Nodding faintly, Xu Ping cut straight to it, "What's the status of the Spirit Vein? When will it hit the peak of Fourth Rank Middle Grade?"

"To Master: The Spirit Vein's upgrade progresses steadily," the Spirit Worm replied swiftly.

"At this rate, it'll smoothly climb to Fourth Rank Middle Grade peak in roughly sixty to seventy years.

"However..."

After a short pause, it went on, "Breaking past that wall to Fourth Rank Upper Grade... demands prolonged, painstaking work; I can't pinpoint the timeframe."

"Sixty to seventy years for Middle Grade peak, and a tough climb to Upper Grade still?" Xu Ping's brows knit tightly at the news.

For typical cultivators or sects, this speed would be beyond dreams.

Yet to him, it felt a touch sluggish!

Mid-stage Nascent Soul already marked his cultivation, pushing toward late-stage.

When mid-stage peak arrives and late-stage attempts begin, the Spirit Vein demands will soar immensely.

A Fourth Rank Middle Grade peak Spirit Vein's aid might fall short by then, hampering his breakthrough.

On top of that, with the Water Lake Mouse gearing up for Fourth Rank Upper Grade, upgrading the Spirit Vein turns vital.

"Any means to hasten the Spirit Vein's quality upgrade?" Xu Ping inquired gravely.

The Spirit Worm pondered momentarily before bowing, "Yes, there are ways."

"Locating rare 'Spirit Vein Treasures' and fusing them into the earth vein core would dramatically speed up the Spirit Vein's evolution and growth."

"Oh? Like what treasures?" Xu Ping's gaze sharpened as he pressed eagerly.

"The 'Spirit Vein Pearl' stands as the most widespread and potent choice."

"It forms from eons of Spirit Vein essence condensing, holding heaven and earth's purest core," explained the Spirit Worm.

"Moreover, segments or remnants of superior Spirit Veins, once obtained and employed as nourishing sources, can also greatly accelerate the Spirit Vein’s progress."

"Spirit Vein Pearl? Segments or remnants of high-quality Spirit Veins?" Xu Ping contemplated.

Naturally formed, the Spirit Vein Pearl relies heavily on luck, something impossible to chase deliberately.

Regarding those high-quality Spirit Vein segments... maybe I can come up with a scheme.

Vast expanses of the outer sea hold numerous Spirit Veins, particularly amid the ongoing demon catastrophe, where untouched superior ones might be claimable.

"Perhaps this task can be handed over to the great forces of the outer sea." Xu Ping thought to himself.

Through the years, he had cut down innumerable ancient demons, accumulating merits and fame that surpassed those of typical cultivators by leaps and bounds.

For such a small request, the outer sea’s major powers should gladly lend their aid.

....

Just a blink in time passed for the outer sea, now roiling with even greater turmoil, over the span of one year.

Beyond Blood Bone Island, a streak of azure Escape Light sliced through the clouds before softly landing, unveiling Liang Ming’s figure tinged with faint nostalgia.

A nearer look confirmed it was truly Liang Ming.

Before he had a chance to transmit a message, a passage parted in the island’s protective barrier, and Xu Ping emerged at the shore, a mild smile gracing his features:

"Fellow Daoist Liang, long time no see."

"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Xu."

Liang Ming quickly advanced, hands clasped in salute, though his voice unwittingly held a strand of deference, along with a subtle undercurrent of unease.

Far from simple politeness, this stemmed from Xu Ping’s skyrocketing renown lately, as tales of his prowess echoed throughout the outer sea.

Surpassing even their forebears;

Confronting such a formidable figure, old friends or not, Liang Ming struggled to keep an entirely peer-level attitude.

Noticing this, Xu Ping offered a light smile, "Fellow Daoist Liang, we’ve been acquainted for ages—no call for such stiffness."

Xu Ping’s persistently amiable tone warmed Liang Ming’s heart, easing some of his wariness, and drew a grin from him: "Fellow Daoist Xu speaks truly."