Previously, Wu Yuan estimated that he had a 30% chance of killing Jin Quan in the Holy Capital, and that was after going all out. But now, the odds had significantly shifted in his favor.
If Jin Quan's strength hasn't improved significantly, I have a 70% chance of killing him.
This was not arrogance, but a recognition of his own power.
Even though I'm only at the second-stage Qi Sea phase, a third-degree immortal root is equivalent to a strong foundation. My mana already rivals common sixth and seventh-stage Qi Sea cultivators.
Mana was just one aspect of his newfound power. The real game-changer was his artifacts, the nine lifebound flying swords. When unleashed, their power was comparable to that of nine sword cultivators attacking at once in perfect synchronization.
Furthermore, in terms of qi refining, Wu Yuan’s soul was his most powerful weapon. The stronger his soul, the more powerful his flying swords, allowing him to effortlessly overpower weaker Golden Core cultivators.
I am able to refine nine flying swords thanks to my soul. Currently, in terms of power, my attack power in qi refining far surpasses that of body refining.
It wasn't because he had greater talent in qi refining, but purely because of the massive advantage brought by his soul.
However, Wan Xing and Dong Pan both believed that Jin Quan has gotten his hands on a powerful inheritance. Judging from his fights with Fang Xia, it seems he has inherited a complete set of teachings from a sword cultivator. I must not underestimate him.
On the path of immortal cultivation, it was essential to remain vigilant regardless of one's strength or confidence. Even a lion would exert its full force when pouncing on a rabbit.
Wu Yuan opened his eyes and saw that the large pile of metals in front of him was reduced to around 30% of its former size. He also noticed some scraps nearby.
Since the realm master has given this to me, the rest is mine as well. Wu Yuan’s lips curled into a faint smile.
With a wave of his hand, he gathered all the metals and minerals and stored them away.
Upgrading one’s lifebound flying sword was a challenging endeavor, requiring one to acquire and refine numerous treasures.
And that was for a single lifebound flying sword. Wu Yuan had nine of them. Just the thought of it gave him a throbbing headache. The road ahead wasn’t going to be an easy one.
“Realm Master!” Wu Yuan raised his head and called out.
Hum~ A barely noticeable ripple surrounded him. Wu Yuan made no effort to resist it. In an instant, his surroundings changed, and he found himself standing in the magnificent temple once more.
"Wu Yuan," the realm master's towering figure stood just a short distance away. "How did it go? What degree of immortal root did you establish?"
"Third degree,” Wu Yuan sighed and shook his head. “Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to establish a second-degree immortal root.”
"You little rascal, a third-degree immortal root?" the realm master's eyes sparkled with excitement as he burst into laughter. "Stop acting, I can tell you’re barely able to hide your happiness. A third-degree immortal root is a remarkable achievement."
Wu Yuan couldn't resist breaking into a smile.
"Moreover, this is just a supplementary cultivation path for you," sighed the realm master. "Though you had teachings to guide you, they weren’t top-tier teachings that could directly lead to the essence of Great Daos. Additionally, you lacked the guidance of powerful seniors."
“The fact that you could still establish a third-degree immortal root is truly impressive. If you continue down the eldritch universal cultivation path, your future will hold great promise.”
At first, Wu Yuan did not understand the significance of the heavenly endowed eldritch tattoos. However, as time went by, he began to grasp what kind of miraculous opportunity he had been given.
He was more than thrilled to have established a third-degree immortal root in the path of qi refining.
“As you ascend to the Amethyst Cradle phase or even higher, opportunities to upgrade your immortal root will naturally arise. With a third-degree immortal root, your path to becoming a true sword immortal will be unhindered by any obstacles."
Wu Yuan nodded. After reading the ‘Dark Earth Sword Path’, he naturally understood what becoming a sword immortal meant.
Being referred to as an ‘immortal’ by countless immortal cultivators was a clear indication of one’s unfathomable power, positioning them alongside the mighty Archeldritches.
“How many lifebound flying swords did you forge?” the realm master asked. “Six or seven?”
He had closely observed Wu Yuan's progress and roughly estimated the number of swords based on the amount of precious metals and ores consumed.
Wu Yuan's lips curved into a grin as he waved his hand. Instantly, nine streaks of earthy-yellow light flew out from his fingertips. Each steak of light was a sword pellet. These pellets swiftly transformed into nine flying swords that revolved around Wu Yuan, filling the temple with palpable sword intent.
The realm master's jaw dropped.
"Withdraw." With a gesture, the nine lifebound flying swords flew back into Wu Yuan's Qi Sea, where he would continue to nurture them.
"Nine lifebound flying swords?" the realm master exclaimed. The way he looked at Wu Yuan shifted, as if seeing him in a whole new light.
"Realm Master, what do you think?" Wu Yuan asked with a haughty smile.
The realm master could not find the words to reply.
A third-degree immortal root and nine lifebound flying swords? Such a level of talent couldn’t be described in words.
"Are these flying swords all seventh-grade spirit weapons?" the realm master asked.
Wu Yuan nodded and replied, "My foundation corresponds to an eighth-stage Qi Sea cultivator with a ninth-degree immortal root. Therefore, I can only refine seventh-grade spirit flying swords at most."
There was a limit to how much one’s lifebound flying swords could be refined. If they were too powerful, one’s qi sea might not be able to contain them.
Under normal circumstances, at the first-stage Qi Sea phase, the lifebound flying swords forged were ninth-grade spirit equipment.
At the fourth-stage Qi Sea phase, the lifebound flying swords could be upgraded to eighth-grade spirit equipment.
At the seventh-stage Qi Sea phase, the lifebound flying swords could be upgraded to seventh-grade spirit equipment.
At the first-stage Golden Core phase, the lifebound flying swords could be upgraded to sixth-grade spirit equipment.
At the fourth-stage Golden Core phase, the lifebound flying swords could be upgraded to fifth-grade spirit equipment.
At the seventh-stage Golden Core phase, the lifebound flying swords could be upgraded to fourth-grade spirit equipment.
"To upgrade the lifebound flying swords to sixth-grade spirit equipment, I have to cultivate to the ninth-stage Qi Sea phase," Wu Yuan shook his head. "And, I also need to gather sufficient suitable treasures."
Lifebound flying swords varied in attribute, hence upgrading them required treasures with matching attributes.
"The ninth-stage Qi Sea phase? There’s no rush," the realm master smiled. "Your lifebound flying swords may only appear to be seventh-grade spirit weapons. But in your hands, their power is almost comparable to fifth-grade spirit weapons."
"A combined attack with nine fifth-grade spirit flying swords? Among Qi Sea cultivators, you’ll be practically invincible. Even those with first-degree immortal roots might not be as strong as you," the realm master said emotionally.
Why were sword cultivators called the class with the highest attack power? A lifebound flying sword was able to match the strength of an artifact two grades higher than itself.
While most Qi Sea cultivators wielded eighth or seventh-grade spirit weapons, even the weakest sword cultivators possessed a lifebound flying sword at the first-stage Qi Sea phase, matching the might of a seventh-grade spirit weapon. In terms of attack power, who could trump them?
However, each class naturally came with its own set of advantages and drawbacks. Artifact cultivators were skilled at manipulating a diverse range of artifacts for various situations. Alchemy cultivators could refine pills that were used for transformations, detoxification, poisoning, and mana boosts.
Array cultivators excelled at setting up powerful arrays, while talisman cultivators could unleash unimaginable power through their talismans.
There were countless paths, and all paths converged at the end. There was no absolute stronger or weaker class, it all depended on the application by the user.