The outer district did have spirit energy.

Whether it was naturally in the air, spilled over from the Great Million Mountains in the Eastern Wilderness or the dispersal from the inner city, there was definitely some spirit energy present.

Otherwise, rogue cultivators wouldn’t have gathered here from all over.

However, the concentration of spirit energy was just barely sufficient for cultivation. Truly just barely. Luo Chen had once cultivated diligently for half a month, only to see his progress bar move a fraction.

In other words, it would have taken him four or five years to fill the one hundred-point progress bar of the third stage Qi-Refining Realm. And that was assuming he didn’t waste any spirit power and made the most of every cultivation session.

In fact, the original Luo Chen had struggled for more than three years without making any noticeable progress.

Of course, due to the burdens of surviving, he had insufficient time for cultivation. It was only after Luo Chen transmigrated and used his status panel to grind the Long Spring Art to the proficiency stage, which gradually improved the situation.

Even so, his progress bar had remained stuck in the seventies for a long time.

Finally, with the help of a qi-nourishing pill and the Perfection level of Long Spring Art, he had managed to break through to the fourth stage.

But if he had been cultivating in the inner district at the time… That time could have been reduced by at least one-third!

"This is the charm of a spirit vein! And this is just a first-tier spirit vein! I can’t even imagine how fast disciples in sects with second- or third-tier spirit veins cultivate!"

Luo Chen sighed three times in quick succession, a clear sign of his unsettled mood.

If he were in such a place, could he fully cultivate the nine stages of the Qi-Refining Realm before the end of his lifespan?

Luo Chen didn’t know, but he was certain that his life was already much better than before.

From now on, he had to strive to live in the inner city for as long as possible. This was the real place for cultivation. This was not like the outer district, a murky place filled with dirt, filth, and the occasional stench of blood.

However, this sense of awe was abruptly interrupted at midnight when Luo Chen found himself freezing.

"Why is it so cold? Even my fourth stage Qi-Refining physique can barely handle it. I have to buy a blanket tomorrow!"

Luo Chen couldn’t sleep at all because of the chill, so he climbed out of bed and decided to find something to do.

Handling medicinal ingredients wasn’t an option since he lacked the tools and a few ingredients.

Luo Chen took out the jade blade set and tried channeling his spirit power into it.

A hum...

A crisp humming sound resonated, but the seven flying daggers remained motionless.

Is something wrong?

He thought for a moment and channeled spirit power into each one until he infused the largest wooden blade. Only then did the seven daggers light up with a jade-green glow.

"So, the subordinate blades are controlled by the main blade."

Realizing this principle, Luo Chen grew even more engrossed in playing with them.

Under his control, the seven flying daggers hovered around him like floating cannons.

"Go!" Luo Chen pointed to the corner of the room, and one of the subordinate blades shot out.

Like an arrow, the blade emitted a sharp hum and pierced the ground with a whistle.

The speed was swift, and the power was decent.

The green-brick floor was punctured as easily as if it were tofu.

And this was just one blade—what if all seven were unleashed?

What if the seven formed a formation that could attack and defend?

Luo Chen was intrigued but then awkwardly ran to the corner to retrieve the small wooden blade.

"I definitely need to buy a manual for Traction. This isn’t a cost I can skimp on!"

Indeed, he hadn’t learned the traction technique yet, so his enchanting power could only manage straightforward actions.

In other words, it's that kind of 'I provide the brute force, you make the miracle happen' approach."

The Soul-Breaking Nail was fine since it was designed to be a one-way tool.

But this jade blade set was all about flexible offense and defense, creating a forest of blades in motion.

Without the Traction to guide them, it would be a waste of such an enchanted artifact.

After playing with the jade blade for a while longer, Luo Chen reluctantly stored it back in his pouch.

Technically, the Traction was just a flexible application of his enchanting power. If one were familiar enough with it, they could control enchanted artifacts effortlessly without the technique.

But clearly, Luo Chen lacked both the skill and the aptitude. Or rather, most low-tier cultivators couldn’t achieve that level of control. With limited spirit power to begin with, where would they find the opportunity to practice?

That was why high-level cultivators had created the Traction as a groundbreaking tool for low-tier practitioners.

When Luo Chen was done playing with the jade blade, he turned to other activities to pass the time.

Lightness techniques and reading!

The room was still unfurnished, providing plenty of space.

Carefree Wander wasn’t merely a lightness skill focused on speed; at higher levels, it emphasized freedom, ease, and composure.

Luo Chen maneuvered around the room, sometimes leaping to the roof, other times landing on the ground, always controlling his strength.

He had to admit, compared to his previously bold and unrestrained movements, this approach offered a different perspective.

In his hand was the book

Scenes of the Six Domains

, and Luo Chen had only read halfway through it. He had learned the most about the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect and the Hehuan Sect.

After all, one was the leading sect in the region, while the other was notorious for its tales of romance and intrigue.

"Mu Qingcheng, one of the six killers of Tianfan City, was a rare female Golden Core cultivator. With her pair of Yuan Yang Battle-Ax, she wielded the power to invert the heavens and sever the balance of yin and yang."

Luo Chen clicked his tongue in amazement as he read.

Among the six major sects of the Far East Six Domains, one was renowned for forging weapons—Tianfan City.

The Treasure Pavilion in Dahe Market was part of Tianfan City’s enterprise.

This sect excelled in crafting weapons, not only common enchanted artifacts but also unique and unconventional weapons.

Over the years, they had forged six powerful and extraordinary enchanted treasures.

Tianfan City bestowed these treasures upon six Golden Core cultivators, who earned great renown over the years.

Take Mu Qingcheng, the wielder of the Yuan Yang Battle-Ax and the one he was reading about, as an example. She reached Foundation Establishment in ten years and formed her Golden Core in a century. Though she hadn’t participated in war, she had become renowned among Golden Core cultivators.

With her Yuan Yang Battle-Ax, she single-handedly expanded Tianfan City’s presence in territories beyond the Far East Six Domains.

After reading this female cultivator’s story, Luo Chen was amazed at her strength but came to one conclusion.

"So even Golden Core cultivators have to work hard to earn spirit stones!"

What he was doing now wasn’t all that different from them.

In other words, I’m basically on par with a Golden Core cultivator!

***

Creak!

This SiHeYuan courtyard layout was very traditional, it had a main gate and backroom adjacent to each other. So when Luo Chen got up early to head out for supplies, he happened to run into Caiyi, returning from work.

"Good morning!"

"Good morning, ugh..." Caiyi yawned, her slender waist catching his attention.

"Back so late?"

Caiyi sighed helplessly as she responded, "Business at Tianxiang Tower has been ridiculously good lately, so those of us who sing and dance have to bear the burden."

Ridiculously good? Wasn’t Tianxiang Tower’s business always thriving?

Glancing at Luo Chen, who was ready to leave, Caiyi curiously asked, "Heading out? Oh, by the way, what do you do? At the fourth stage of Qi-Refining, you’ve already earned enough spirit stones to live in the inner city."

"Alchemy. I usually set up a stall in the southern rogue cultivator market. If there’s anything you need, I can bring it back for you," Luo Chen replied.

"An alchemist!"

Caiyi’s drowsiness vanished instantly.

Her neighbor was actually this impressive.

"Let’s talk later; I’ve got a busy day ahead."

Luo Chen waved and hurriedly left.

Leaning against the doorframe, Caiyi watched Luo Chen’s departing figure, lost in thought.