Versatile Sword Cultivator

Chapter 89 – Sadness welled up within him

[Player: Lin Jichen]

[Class: Sword Cultivator]

[Innate Talent: Heaven-defying Fate]

[Sect: Tianyan Sword Sect]

[Reputation: 100]

[Achievement Badge: Killing Intent (Damage to monsters +1%)]

[Innate Attributes: Maxed]

[Spirit Stones: 3990]

[Properties: 4 Shops in Fengqu City]

[Realm: Early Foundation Establishment]

[Cultivation: 0/5000]

[Acquired Talents: Tree of Vitality (Stagnant), Eye of Insight]

[Vitality: /]

[Mana: /]

[Strength: 170]

[Mental Power: 84]

[Defense: 137]

[Speed: 172]

[Critical Hit: 15]

[Heart Protection: 15]

[Fire Resistance: 5] [Wind Resistance: 4]

[Evasion: 16%] [Tenacity: +2%]

[Ghost Cultivator Skill Resistance: 4]

[Swordsmanship Aptitude: +45%]

[Alchemy Aptitude: +50%]

[Heart Sutra: Tianyan Heart Sutra (Minor Achievement 59%)]

[Movement Technique: Phantom Step (Minor Achievement 59%), Mist Piercing Charge (Minor Achievement 59%)]

[Martial Arts Technique: Frost Moon Slash (Minor Achievement 59%), Phoenix Feather (Minor Achievement 37%), Stun Sword Qi (Beginner 0%)]

[Equipment: Spirit·Sword Sect Attire, Spirit·Crimson Cloud Sword, Spirit·Gathering Spirit Jade Pendant, Spirit·Stone Sinking Ring, Spirit·Cloud Step Boots, Spirit·Rhinoceros Belt, Spirit·Hundred Refinement Ring, Spirit·Gentle Breeze Bracelet, Spirit·Night Cave Gauntlets]

Lin Jichen's entire attribute panel had undergone a dramatic transformation.

Aside from the doubled attributes from Foundation Establishment, three treasures had also significantly boosted his stats.

Now, Lin Jichen's strength and speed were at terrifying levels.

Within the same realm of Foundation Establishment, he was virtually invincible.

What excited Lin Jichen the most was his second acquired talent, the Eye of Insight.

Being able to learn an opponent's skill was incredibly useful.

It would perfectly compensate for his current lack of skills.

Each of Lin Jichen's skills had reached the Minor Achievement stage.

Skill proficiency was divided into five stages: Beginner, Minor Achievement, Proficient, Major Achievement, and Perfection.

With each stage advancement, the skill's damage, cooldown, and mana consumption would improve to some extent.

For example, Phantom Step at Minor Achievement: Speed +20, 15-meter range, Mana consumption: 80 points, Cooldown: 8 seconds.

Mist Piercing Charge at Minor Achievement: Speed increases by 25 points for 20 seconds, Mana consumption: 110 points, Cooldown: 50 seconds.

Frost Moon Slash at Minor Achievement: Deals 350 base damage within a 20-meter range, 22% chance to slow, Mana consumption: 180 points, Cooldown: 28 seconds.

Phoenix Feather at Minor Achievement: Deals 680 base damage within a 220-meter range, 33% chance to interrupt skills, Mana consumption: 700 points, Cooldown: 110 seconds.

Each skill had improved, and the further the improvement, the more significant the effects, especially at the Perfection stage, which would grant an additional special effect.

However, the higher the stage, the higher the skill proficiency required, making it increasingly difficult to advance.

After reviewing his attribute panel, Lin Jichen was very satisfied with his Foundation Establishment self.

In his previous life, he hadn't even reached half of this level during Foundation Establishment, as he had chosen the Human Dao Foundation.

Now he understood the vast difference between the Heavenly Dao and Human Dao.

Before he could revel in his joy, black clouds began to gather in the sky, with lightning flashing wildly.

Lin Jichen remained unfazed, knowing his master would protect him, making this tribulation insignificant.

"Come on, strike me if you dare!"

Boom!

Two bolts of heavenly lightning struck down.

As expected, nothing happened.

Lin Jichen safely passed this tribulation.

He happily walked out of the house and returned to the Sword Palace, where Leng Feiyan was still calmly seated.

However, there was a hint of worry in her eyes.

"Master, your disciple has broken through to Foundation Establishment. Thank you for helping me withstand the lightning tribulation and saving my life," Lin Jichen said with a grin, bowing.

But Leng Feiyan couldn't smile. Instead, she said worriedly, "Disciple, did you feel anything during the lightning tribulation?"

"Feel? Besides an extra bolt, it didn't seem much different. Oh, right, these two bolts felt more violent and seemed more powerful," Lin Jichen replied.

Leng Feiyan sighed softly and said, "That's it. I'm afraid you can't rely on others to withstand tribulations anymore."

"Huh?" Lin Jichen was stunned.

His joy vanished in an instant.

What? No more protection talisman?

"It's not that I don't want to protect you, but those two bolts were unusually violent and exceeded my expectations. This is the Heavenly Dao's law of cause and effect. If I continue to shield you, future tribulations will become increasingly terrifying, to the point where even I might not be able to protect you."

Leng Feiyan paused for a moment and continued, "Moreover, a cultivator who hasn't experienced the baptism of tribulation has a body and soul as fragile as paper. In the future, your inner demons will grow stronger, severely hindering your path to immortality."

Lin Jichen understood after hearing this.

Heaven-defying Fate had given him a dream start but also brought significant side effects.

It wouldn't let Lin Jichen easily avoid these side effects if he kept seeking his master's protection.

When the time came for him to face a tribulation, the lightning's power would be enough to instantly kill him.

Even Leng Feiyan might not be able to protect him.

If he failed the tribulation, he would die, disappearing in both the game and reality.

He had been too naive, thinking he could always find someone to help him avoid the rules.

Now it seemed he was too simple-minded. The Heavenly Dao's laws couldn't be so easily circumvented.

It appeared he was still in great danger. The next tribulation might be his life-and-death ordeal!

Thinking of this, Lin Jichen's expression became serious, and a sense of pressure weighed on his heart.

Leng Feiyan comforted him, "But you don't need to worry too much. Currently, you are still a mortal body, unable to withstand the lightning tribulation. But now that you've entered Foundation Establishment, you're no longer an ordinary person. As long as you lay a solid foundation and improve yourself during Foundation Establishment, the tribulation might not be able to harm you."

"Really, Master?" Lin Jichen felt much more at ease upon hearing this.

Leng Feiyan nodded slightly and said, "There's also another way to increase your chances of surviving the tribulation."

"Please tell me, Master," Lin Jichen asked eagerly, as this was a matter of life and death.

"When your cultivation reaches the later stage of Foundation Establishment, go to the Thunder Marsh in the Western Region to train. It's known as the land of minor tribulations, a paradise for lightning attribute cultivators and beasts. There's a powerful exotic beast called the Thunder Dragon. If you can kill it and obtain the Thunder Spirit Heart, you can refine a Thunder Spirit Body."

"The Thunder Spirit Body is not only powerful but also significantly suppresses heavenly lightning. The lightning's power will be reduced by at least thirty percent, greatly increasing your chances of surviving the Crystal Realm tribulation."

After Leng Feiyan finished speaking, Lin Jichen's eyes lit up. How could he have forgotten about the Thunder Marsh?

He had been there before and had killed the Thunder Dragon.

Although the Thunder Dragon was powerful, it shouldn't be a big problem.

Thinking of this, Lin Jichen regained his confidence.

"I will remember! As soon as I reach the later stage of Foundation Establishment, I'll head to the Thunder Marsh."

Leng Feiyan warned, "Remember, the Thunder Marsh is not only a land of minor tribulations but also a lawless place. It's full of people who kill and rob, bully the weak, and commit all sorts of evil. You could encounter unexpected dangers at any time."

Lin Jichen grinned and said nonchalantly, "Isn't that why I have the Soul Talisman you gave me, Master? I'm not afraid!"

Leng Feiyan looked at Lin Jichen apologetically and said, "This tribulation has also reminded me. As your master, I've spoiled you too much, making you fearless of life and death, which is not right."

"Huh?"

Lin Jichen suddenly sensed what his master was about to say.

No more tribulation protection...

And the Soul Talisman... might be gone too...

Sadness welled up within him...