Longevity starts with choosing Hextech enhancement

Chapter 149: The first appearance of Hextech equipment
The moment of breakthrough, Xiao Chen used his spiritual sense to look inward at his dantian.

Sure enough, I saw that the spiritual flower representing the "Spirit Cultivation Technique" had bloomed.

There are seventy-two stamens wrapped between the five petals, which corresponds to the maximum seventy-two magical powers he can currently possess.

Xiao Chen didn't bother to familiarize himself with his cultivation level, and immediately looked at the three cards that appeared out of thin air in front of him.

Each of the three cards that appeared this time had a golden edge.

[Source Project Uplink II: As long as you carry any magical weapon, you can recover two mana points every quarter hour.]

[Balanced Budget II: For the next forty years, at the beginning of each year, you will receive 10,000 Spiritual Stones.]

[Not Today: Provides a Night's Edge. Its effect is: When the bearer's health drops below half for the first time, they immediately enter a 15-minute invisible state, making them untargetable and removing all negative statuses. This effect can only be triggered once per day.]

Xiao Chen read through the three Hextechs one by one.

The first is [Project Uplink II], a standard mana recovery hex.

It is the exact opposite of the [Meditation] I encountered before, and is relatively more practical.

In fact, if this option is used in a style that focuses on pulling and consuming, the effect should be very good.

However, Xiao Chen chose to expand his total mana through inner alchemy, so for him, this type of Hextech was a bit of a waste.

Basically, it can be ruled out directly.

The second is [Balanced Budget II]. As a golden Hex, the effect can be said to be quite powerful.

Taken alone, its value is no less than that of [Alchemist's Heart].

After all, the alchemist still needs to collect spiritual herbs himself, spend time to refine the pills, and finally consider the channels for selling them.

This is much easier, you can get the spirit stones directly.

Not bad as an alternative.

The last one is [Not Today], a Hextech equipment that appears for the first time.

The bad news is that the defensive Hextech he wanted did not appear this time.

Facts have proved that even the operations of experts ultimately depend on luck.

The good news is that the Night's Edge is very powerful in terms of its effect and can be used as a life-saving trump card.

"It's up to you!"

Xiao Chen made his choice without hesitation, and immediately felt a purple cloak in his storage bag.

Although it seems that this cloak has only one effect, according to Xiao Chen's understanding of Hextech, it can be divided into four different functions.

The first thing is to lock blood.

When Edge of Night is triggered, no matter how high the opponent's damage is, all excess damage will be directly exempted.

The key point - direct exemption!
In other words, as long as you have the Night's Edge, you can withstand the first blow of any powerful attack.

Even if a Mahayana cultivator came, he would have to chop him twice.

And the most important thing is that this effect is triggered passively, and you don’t even need to wear it on your body, just carry it with you.

Even if the monk does not react to the attack at all, it can still be effective.

It is very effective in restraining those sudden sneak attacks and those life-for-life tricks.

Xiao Chen could even imagine that in the future there might be some unlucky person who would hide a powerful trump card as a killer.

I wonder what expression the other person will have when he finds out that I am unharmed.

The second is the subsequent triggered invisibility effect, which is equivalent to an invisibility spell.

In fact, this effect itself has little effect on cultivators. After all, everyone has spiritual consciousness and can completely lock the enemy's position through spiritual consciousness.

Or some spells of confinement and immobilization, such as Green Thorn, can limit invisibility.

But if the latter one cannot be selected, the effect will be different.

Invisible, intangible, and not imprisoned.

At that time, you can take the opportunity to attack or run away quietly.

It can be said that you can advance to attack and retreat to defend.

The last effect is to remove all negative status.

"With the Blessed Veil here, this effect will definitely not be used."

Xiao Chen shook his head, but he was not greedy. After all, the effects of the previous three were already very powerful.

"With the Night's Edge Blade, I won't be afraid of encountering a Jindan Zhenren when I go to Hezhou this time."

"At worst, I'll just run away. I can get away anyway."

A quarter of an hour is neither long nor short.

With the help of the golden light that flew across the ground, Xiao Chen was able to escape from the range of the Jindan Zhenren's consciousness. Even after his invisibility ended, the other party had no way to continue chasing him.

Even if the other party chose a random direction to chase him, he would still have time to change direction.

All in all, with this Hex, his survivability was greatly enhanced.

"Now that the safety issue has been resolved, the next step is to go to Hezhou."

Xiao Chen took out the points redemption list again and fixed his eyes on the last two lines: "Zhen Yuan He Hui Dan and the Monster Inner Dan, these are all good things."

Since I have decided to go to Hezhou, I need to prepare some things early.

For example, go and communicate with Mei Yong to discuss matters concerning the Demon Exorcism Hall.

Of course, before that, I must first communicate with Elder Chen in advance.

Chen Family Courtyard.

Elder Chen was in the study at this time, discussing the specific candidates to go to Hezhou with Chen Tianyuan, Chen Tianfeng and many elders of the Chen family.

This scene actually also happened in several other major families.

At this point, reinforcing Hezhou to fight for the elixir of breakthrough has become a major event that can affect the future of the family.

For them, there is no option of going or not going.

Now all we have to consider is how many people will go and who should go.

After Xiao Chen came over, he chatted with Manager Chen outside for nearly half an hour before the conversation inside came to a temporary end.

Entering the study, he saw five old men in the late foundation building stage.

One of them didn't even attend the last Ascension Conference, but this time he appeared in the study.

His eyes were obviously a little cloudy, but his aura was still fierce.

He was clearly sitting there, but he looked like an upright spear.

Upon learning that Xiao Chen wanted to go to Hezhou, Chen Tianyuan and Chen Tianfeng frowned at the same time.

Elder Chen objected directly: "No, you can't go to Hezhou."

"Whether you want to concentrate on your cultivation in Cuiwei Valley or go to the Alchemy Hall to improve your alchemy skills, I will not interfere with you."

"But going to Hezhou is too dangerous. Given your current condition, there's absolutely no need to take the risk."

Xiao Chen was not in a hurry and explained softly: "Master, I have a reason that I can't tell you right now. Anyway, we must go to Hezhou this time."

"Must go?"

"I have to go."

"Have you figured it out?"

"I've figured it out."

Elder Chen was silent.

After a while, he said, "Today is only the second day. This time we have a full ten days to prepare."

"Wait three more days. If you still want to go, I won't stop you."
.
Xiao Chen was actually a little confused as to why he had to wait another three days, but he still nodded: "Okay."

Soon he knew the answer.

Because two days later, the body of a guest elder of Lihuomen was sent back.

Two important rumors followed.

One of the rumors is that Lingyuan Sect announced that it has developed a new defensive talisman that can effectively resist the attacks of the Soul-Chasing Shuttle.

It is said that it has passed the test of actual combat and is used to deal with the increasing number of Soul-Chasing Shuttles of the Divine Fire Cult.

This kind of talisman is only of the first level, and the production process is not complicated.

Given the huge number of talisman practitioners, it would not be difficult to popularize it to everyone as long as the production method was made public.

In fact, Lingyuan Sect also spread the production method as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, this guest elder happened to have his heart pierced by a soul-chasing shuttle on the same day.

Everyone was filled with regret: "These damned demon cultivators will get their comeuppance sooner or later."

"Old Zhao was also unlucky. If he had received the new talisman a day later, he would have survived."

"Well, who said it wasn't true? I originally said that I would go to Hezhou to have a drink with him."

Elder Chen took Xiao Chen to finish the memorial service.

On the way back, he gave a heartfelt advice: "Old Zhao also happens to be at the sixth level of Foundation Establishment. He has always been cautious and careful throughout his life."

"Such a grown man just disappeared like that."

"You don't have to answer me so quickly. Go back and think about it carefully. Come back and tell me your answer the day after tomorrow."

Before we parted ways at the fork in the road, he specifically mentioned, "It's best to go out and listen and see more in the next two days."

What Elder Chen was actually referring to was the second rumor.

There are rumors that the Divine Fire Cult possesses a special attack method that can penetrate defensive magic weapons.

Although Lingyuan Sect did not confirm it, many people claimed that they had seen it with their own eyes, causing a large number of independent cultivators to worry about it.

Moreover, this news spread strangely and rapidly over a large area in Lizhou, and it seemed that the Divine Fire Cult was behind it and fanning the flames.

It became a hot topic in an instant.

"If it can really penetrate the defensive magic weapon, wouldn't it be a huge loss for nothing?"

"It's said that demonic cultivators are not only extremely vicious, but also very cunning. The rumors are indeed true."

"This kind of news can't be true. How could a magical weapon be able to penetrate a magical weapon?"

Xiao Chen had some guesses in his mind. If nothing unexpected happened, this should be the result of the "Blood Sacrifice Secret Technique: Soul-Severing Needle".

He had experienced it once, and its power was just that to him.

However, if it were other cultivators, this would indeed be a very big threat, after all, not everyone has the conditions to refine their bodies.

"That's not right. This is supposed to be top secret information. How could it be exposed so easily?"

Xiao Chen was a little confused. Just like the Soul-Chasing Shuttle, once this kind of thing was leaked, people would conduct targeted research to find a way to control it.

Could it be that the Divine Fire Sect wants to scare away the monks from Lizhou with such news?

If this is true, they may have miscalculated.

Many casual cultivators look harmless, but they can actually become robbery cultivators by covering their faces.

They did not choose to join the evil path simply because they were afraid of being discovered and liquidated by the righteous path in the future, or because there was no trustworthy way.

This group of people will not be afraid because of this. On the contrary, if necessary, it is not impossible for them to turn to the magic path.

"Hiss, has the Divine Fire Cult been planning this from the beginning?"

"Screen out those who are particularly timid and attract those who are particularly bold." Xiao Chen felt that things suddenly became complicated.

Although he is not afraid of these things, he should still remind them for the sake of his fellow disciples.

“But how should I remind you?”

"Hey, I have it!"

In the sect's main hall.

Mei Yong stared at the copy of "The Secret Art of Blood Sacrifice: Soul-Severing Needle" in his hand, his eyes wide as copper bells.

He flipped through it in disbelief and was even more shocked.

Isn't this the rumor that has been making the rounds recently, about the Divine Fire Cult's special attack method that can penetrate defensive magic weapons?

How could such an important thing appear here?

He hurriedly looked at Xiao Chen beside him: "Let me sort it out."

"You mean, just now when you were on your way back from the market, there was a sudden flash of golden light, and then a secret book appeared on the ground?"

"Correct."

"He was very fast, so you couldn't see his face clearly?"

"Correct."

"Apart from this secret book, there's nothing else left, and no one is pursuing you?"

"No."

Xiao Chen's face was full of confusion: "The other party left this secret book for unknown reasons, and I don't know what it means."

"I opened it and saw that it seemed to be some kind of magical skill, so I came here to give it to my senior brother."

What he said was so sincere that it seemed like the truth.

Mei Yong was stunned: "Strange, who would do such a thing?"

"Let me think about it. To stand up and expose the evil power of the Divine Fire Cult at this point in time, he must have a feud with the Divine Fire Cult, and he must also be a righteous man of high moral character."

"The fact that he was able to obtain this secret manual shows that he must be a cultivator of superb strength, most likely reaching the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment."

"Plus, he is also good at the art of gold escape."

Mei Yong slapped his thigh and said, "I know, he's the Jin Guang San Ren from Quanzhou!"

"Wait a moment, Senior Brother Mei."

Now it was Xiao Chen's turn to be confused: "How come I didn't know that Jin Guang San Ren was from Quanzhou? Didn't he only appear once in Yellow Wind Valley?"

Mei Yong replied as a matter of course, "Junior brother, you don't know. I've asked around, and it's not just Lizhou that lacks foundation-building cultivators who practice the Golden Escape Technique."

"Even in Hezhou, we've never heard of such a thing."

"Only in Quanzhou have there been rumors of the Golden Escape Technique. There's simply no corresponding method to be found elsewhere."

Xiao Chen thought about it and realized that he had bought this book "Golden Light on the Earth" at a black market held by monks in Quanzhou.

And in other places, I have indeed not seen any other golden escape techniques.

Mei Yong continued to reason, "Think about it, where did that Golden Light Wanderer first appear? It was in the Quanzhou Mutual Aid Association in the Yellow Wind Valley."

"He was forced to flee by the Divine Fire Cult, and he must have been holding a grudge against them. That's why he wanted to reveal the secret manual to retaliate against them."

"And it only makes sense."

"Why else would he do something like this, which is thankless, without seeking fame or profit?"

"I am very confident that this secret manual was given to us by Jin Guang San Ren."

What he said was well-reasoned and if Xiao Chen hadn't been involved in the case, he would have almost believed it.

But he still nodded: "Uh, brother, I think you are right."
.
As the news of Jin Guang San Ren spreading the Divine Fire Sect's skills spread, two days passed in a flash.

Xiao Chen came to the Chen family compound again and said that he had made up his mind to go to Hezhou.

Elder Chen seemed to have anticipated this outcome and did not continue to persuade him.

Instead, he pulled him to sit down and talked about Hezhou.

"I remember that you haven't left the sect much. In all these years, you've only been to the Gravel Valley once before, and the rest of the time you've been staying within the sect."

"You want to go out and see the world, which is actually a good thing. Young people, more experience will also help your future practice."

"But let me ask you, how much do you know about Hezhou now?"

Xiao Chen spoke frankly: "I've seen the information about Hezhou from the Demon Slayer Hall before."

That information is considered public information, and other elders in the sect can naturally also view it.

After he said this, Elder Chen understood: "Don't be fooled by the fact that Hezhou and Lizhou seem to be similar on the surface. They are just a little bigger and both have three sects."

"In fact, in many aspects, Hezhou is completely different from our Lizhou."

"There are many good things from the Central Region and the Eastern Region, but due to the long distance and the barrenness of the state, those things rarely come over."

Xiao Chen actually knew this point a long time ago.

Looking through Scar's diary at that time, it took them more than a month, nearly two months, to get from Hezhou to Lizhou with the strength of their Qi training.

He later checked the map and found that there was a large Gobi desert between Lizhou and Hezhou that was extremely lacking in spiritual energy.

When he saw it for the first time, Xiao Chen was quite surprised.

The east-west width of that Gobi Desert is almost the same as that of Lizhou, and in the north-south direction, it is even much larger, basically on par with Hezhou.

It is hard to imagine that in such a large area, there is not even a single spiritual vein.

As a result, no cultivator was willing to settle there, and as a result, no one helped to drive out the stray monsters, and mortals could not survive there, and it completely became a wasteland.

But then again, this distance is not particularly far for a cultivator who is building a foundation.

So the focus of this sentence should be "Lizhou is barren."

Xiao Chen asked directly: "Is Hezhou much richer than us?"

Elder Chen answered seriously, "Yes, there is a big difference."

"There are more monks there, and their inheritance is more complex and sophisticated."

Chen Tianfeng, who was standing by, testified: "The Lingyuan Sect's weapon refining techniques are indeed more diverse. After all, there are more spiritual materials there."

Chen Tianyun also said: "I went to Hezhou twice in the past. The level of alchemy there is indeed better, and the types of elixirs are more diverse."

"If you have the chance, you can learn his alchemy skills."

"If you can learn even a little bit of the true skills, you will benefit from it for many years to come."

Xiao Chen nodded after hearing this and kept this information in mind: "I understand. If I have the chance, I will go to Hezhou to exchange ideas on alchemy with my fellow practitioners."

In fact, he was not learning alchemy. After all, he had the heart to be an alchemist. He was now second among the second-level alchemists, and no one dared to claim to be the first.

But this did not prevent him from learning the recipes for the elixirs there.

Afterwards, the three of them took turns telling about some of their experiences in Hezhou.

Xiao Chen also listened patiently for two hours, writing down all the information that might be useful.

While they were talking, there was a sudden noise outside.

Immediately afterwards, Manager Chen knocked on the door of the study. It turned out that two monks from the first batch of reinforcements to Hezhou had asked for leave and returned to the sect.

One of them was from the Song family, and the other was Elder Chai from Liehuo Peak.

The two of them have now gone to the sect's main hall. At the same time, Mei Yong also sent someone to invite others to come over and listen to their own people's true feelings about Hezhou.

Xiao Chen followed the Chen family to the sect hall.

As soon as I came in, I saw Elder Chai smiling, looking radiant and particularly energetic.

At the same time, he was holding a seven-foot-long red cherry spear in his hand. Spiritual fire was burning on the tip, emitting waves of heat.

Judging from the pressure emanating from the spiritual fire, even if it is not a top-grade magic weapon, it is not much different.

This was naturally what Elder Chai gained in Hezhou.

Later, everyone learned that Elder Chai had killed three demon cultivators in the middle stage of foundation building in a row in a previous battle.

This red cherry spear was a special reward given to him by Lingyuan Sect and did not consume his points.

It is a top-grade magic weapon in itself, but in the hands of a cultivator with fire spiritual roots, it is no weaker than an ordinary top-grade magic weapon.

Everyone was envious when they heard this.

"It seems that Lingyuan Sect is really generous and even has extra rewards."

"Fellow Daoist Chai, congratulations! This magical weapon is perfect for your cultivation method. Even if you spend ten thousand spirit stones, you may not be able to pick out such a handy magical weapon."

"To think there are such unpopular weapons, Hezhou is indeed rich."

Afterwards, Elder Chai also helped introduce the situation of the other monks.

When he came back this time, he also brought some letters and items from other monks, and took this opportunity to deliver them together.

"This is the Foundation Establishment Pill that Fellow Daoist Qi Ningyan asked me to bring back. Fellow Daoist Feng, please help give it to her disciple Shen Siyue."

Qi Ningyan is Elder Qi.

After she went to Hezhou, Bishui Peak was temporarily taken care of by another guest official named Feng.

I didn't expect that when she went to Hezhou this time, she was still thinking about her eldest disciple Shen Siyue.

"This is the Gu Yuan Dan that Daoist Huang Haoran asked me to bring back. He said that he borrowed Daoist Qian's elixir before he left, and now he has paid it back."

It sounds like Huang Haoran is fine, and it seems that he has made some small gains.

……

Overall, despite a few isolated casualties, most of the monks who came to reinforce Hezhou achieved considerable results in just a few months.

Especially the things that were brought back, which stimulated the hearts of everyone present.

It's one thing to see the good stuff on the redemption list.
Seeing these goodies in person is another matter entirely.

Afterwards, for some unknown reason, the news spread throughout Lizhou within just two days.

So, in the next few days, Xiao Chen noticed that there were large-scale personnel transfers within the sect.

Almost all the elders of the five major families stood up and prepared to go to Hezhou to fight for a future for their families.

The foundation-building cultivators from various small families in the outside world have also become extremely active.

Even many top foundation-building monks who had long since retired and gone into seclusion reappeared.

Some of them originally did not trust Lingyuan Sect to actually give out so many spiritual objects, and some only recently received news from their friends.

But now, everyone is ready to go to Hezhou.

Even some of those who are quicker have already set off early.

Xiao Chen heard that some casual cultivators saw the young chess master Heibaizi from Lizhou heading eastwards into the Gobi Desert.

In the next few days, various news came out one after another.

"Have you heard? The Red Maple Swords also went to Hezhou."

"Someone saw Tie Xin Weng in Gravel Valley. It is said that he bought twenty bottles of fasting pills and a pot of volcanic ant wine."

"The Lone Swordsman Liu Feng has also emerged from seclusion."

"The latest news is that all the ten outstanding people from Lizhou have already set off."

……

(End of this chapter)