Chapter Thirty-Five: Nine-Star Primordial Core

The Star Spirit explained, “Among these treasures, all are most suited to your current stage. I advise you not to exchange for any weapons. After so many years, countless people have selected from them, and what remains is unlikely to be exceptional. Besides, you’ll have opportunities to acquire weapons in the outside world…”

“Your choices should be martial techniques and secret arts that can quickly improve your combat abilities. Many of the skills left behind by the Ancient Shang Dynasty are exquisitely refined!”

Above treasure-grade weapons lies the spirit-grade. For ordinary martial artists below the seventh rank, treasure-grade weapons are more than sufficient. Chen Fan’s defense was already bolstered by the silver leaf soft armor bestowed by his master, and his offense by the newly acquired black sword—he lacked nothing for his current stage.

With his auto-cultivation talent, his level would break through in a few months; pills and elixirs, though useful, were not the highest priority. Martial techniques were naturally the most suitable.

Yet even choosing only martial techniques left Chen Fan dazzled. There were simply too many!

“Lonely Star Sword Technique…”
“Overlord Fist…”
“Silk Entwining Method…”

Most were valued under three feathers, a rare few at four, and almost none at five. The feathers represented the rank of the martial technique.

The list was overwhelming; even reading only the brief descriptions left Chen Fan confused as to what he should choose.

The Star Spirit spoke again, “You must choose based on your own circumstances—which martial technique will grant you the greatest increase in strength? What do you lack most at this moment?”

Chen Fan fell into deep thought.

With only five feathers, his options were few. Reflecting, his fist and movement techniques had reached the subtle realm, their power remarkable. He’d also recently obtained the ‘Three-foot Sword’ technique, equally formidable—should his cultivation advance, these techniques would still be crucial.

“However refined a martial technique, its power depends on one’s level. With mastery, even the most ordinary skill can wield immense strength. Now, my two techniques are almost perfected; choosing a stronger skill would offer limited improvement. I should select a secret art that can instantly amplify my combat power!”

External world amplification secret arts often came with severe side effects, used only in desperate times. His own White Cloud Pavilion possessed several, such as the Blood-burning Method, but their drawbacks were extreme.

They sacrificed vitality for a mere twenty or thirty percent boost, with lasting damage to one’s foundation.

Yet among the secret arts from the Ancient Shang Dynasty, there were superior options.

Chen Fan pondered for a long time, finally choosing a secret art called ‘Nine Star Yuan Core.’

With five feathers, he could only exchange for an incomplete version, mastering just the first two stages.

This spoke to its exceptional quality.

Even so, those two stages would greatly enhance his power. The first stage instantly increased his strength and true essence by twenty percent; the second, by fifty percent.

“Unbelievable!”

The secret art involved refining true essence into a special organ within the body called the Yuan Core. When activated, it erupted to instantly amplify both true essence and strength.

‘Nine Star Yuan Core’ did have side effects—the eruption of true essence could cause internal harm—but compared to the external secret arts Chen Fan had seen, which often resulted in serious injury or death, its drawbacks were nearly negligible.

With his robust vitality, Chen Fan didn’t mind a few minor injuries from true essence eruptions.

His base strength was already formidable; a fifty percent increase was terrifying.

After exchanging for the secret art, Chen Fan chatted briefly with the Star Spirit, pacing through the hall. Confirming he could not access other areas, he asked, “Senior, how do I leave this place?”

The Star Spirit pointed to the side door of the hall. “With your token, pass through that ‘door’ and you’ll return to the outside world. But don’t rush—I have something else for you—”

She drifted forward, stopped before Chen Fan, and tapped the air.

A golden light floated to Chen Fan’s brow.

“You count as a successor of the Star Gate, and you’ve practiced the ‘Star Body Tempering Formula.’ I’ll impart the first three stages to you. This external body refining skill not only enhances your strength and physique, but slowly improves your talent and foundation. It’s the core skill of the Star Gate, reserved for inner disciples.”

Chen Fan immediately sensed a wealth of new information in his mind, and gazed at the Star Spirit in surprise.

She smiled gently.

“Don’t look at me—I am merely a spiritual remnant, with incomplete memory. I have no introductions to other martial techniques or secret arts. Otherwise, I’d have given you more. These three stages of the ‘Star Body Tempering Formula’ are enough for now. When you challenge again in the future, I’ll naturally impart the next stages…”

Chen Fan clasped his hands respectfully. “Thank you, Senior Star Spirit, for your guidance. If my strength permits, I will find a way to help you restore your body and leave this relic!”

Chen Fan didn’t believe she knew only the ‘Star Body Tempering Formula,’ and that she waited until his departure to give only the first three stages. Clearly, she was fishing for a bigger catch.

The Star Spirit smiled without reply.

…

In the ruins, torches flared.

Faint, mournful cries echoed through the night.

Chen Fan’s figure suddenly appeared in the darkness.

“I’m out…”

He lifted his hand, gazing at the black sword, and at the now unlocked ‘Three-foot Sword’ technique in front of him, his expression complex.

It felt like a lifetime ago.

He quickly frowned, turning toward the flickering firelight in the night, hearing the wails and screams.

A sinking feeling struck him. “This is indeed a bandit’s lair. Have the mountain brigands captured someone?”

There were martial artists among the bandits. Chen Fan, traveling alone, feared no ambush, but being trapped in their stronghold was another matter.

He didn’t know their strength, and wasn’t foolish enough to play hero. He swiftly shouldered his sword and dashed cautiously toward his hidden horse.

Having been gone so long, Chen Fan wasn’t sure if the horse remained. In the wild, without a mount, his return would be much more difficult.

He activated his movement technique, speeding rapidly. Within a few breaths, he returned to the spot where he’d tethered the horse.

But just as he arrived—

The sound of something slicing through the air rang out.

He quickly raised his sword.

With a metallic clang, he swept away the arrows shooting from above.

Sounds rustled all around, and soon flames blazed nearby.

A trap had already been laid.

A burly man emerged from the dense forest, followed by several others.

“Young brat? Are you here for that pretty girl? Forget it—she’ll be the lord’s bride!”

Chen Fan clasped his hands. “I see. Congratulations on your marriage, Lord. Forgive me, I’ll take my leave!”

He turned, stepping away, but had scarcely moved when—

Swish, swish, swish!

Another volley of arrows whistled from the woods.

Dense shafts bore down upon him.

Chen Fan leapt swiftly, sword flashing, knocking aside each arrow.

His movements slowed a fraction, and the bandits surged forward!

The burly man laughed, brandishing twin axes. “Did I say you could leave?!”

With the bandits attacking in close combat, there were no more arrows. Chen Fan gave the man a deep look, then tilted his head slightly.

“You won’t let me leave, so I—”

With a hiss, his sword became a streak of black light!

A fierce sweep.

In the blink of an eye, two approaching bandits were sliced into four pieces!

Blood sprayed wildly.

“I’ll have to fight my way out!”

He leapt, unleashing the ‘Three-foot Sword,’ though only just beginning its cultivation, its power surpassed even his ‘Flowing Light Sword.’

The ‘Flowing Light Sword’ was a defensive technique, and nowhere near as fierce as the ‘Three-foot Sword.’ Even among all the sword arts of White Cloud Pavilion, none matched its strength!

It was not merely an offensive skill—it was made purely for killing.

Chen Fan dashed forward, the ‘Three Thousand Thunder Movement’ unfolding. No ordinary second or third rank bandit could approach him.

His black sword spun, a whirling blade like a meat grinder.

Where the sword passed, lives ended. Not a single bandit could withstand Chen Fan’s deadly assault.