Although he was already at the eighth layer of the Qi Cultivation Stage, Zhang Ze still felt that his cultivation was a bit slow.
Of course, this was just Zhang Ze being ungrateful; in others' eyes, Zhang Ze's cultivation speed was already considered extraordinary.
But then again, extraordinary talents were never lacking in the Four Continents.
Yet, Zhang Ze's train of thought, in the eyes of his many elders, was indeed as unfettered as a wild horse, rarely seen in the world.
After many days, Sword Spirit Senior appeared beside Zhang Ze once again.
"What are you thinking, kid?"
The Sword Spirit, having already obtained permission, was freed from the constraints of the Heart Refining Cave, with his Sword Core now embedded in a Thousand Mechanism Disc, floating behind him.
"This, of course, is not my achievement alone, it's thanks to the guidance and help from Junior Sister and Lily."
At that moment, Zhang Ze held a Compass in his hand, with black iron sand on it undulating and gradually forming the shapes of mountains and rivers.
Sometimes, one reaches their limits.
For certain spells, even Zhang Ze couldn't manage despite having assistance.
The Spirit Recognition Technique was used incorrectly, the Transformation Technique targeted the wrong object, but some spells were genuinely problematic.
For example, the Earth Listening Technique produced by a certain Taoist on Dragon Tiger Mountain.
Using this spell during the Qi Cultivation Stage was brain-burning.
The principle of the Earth Listening Technique is straightforward and usable during the Qi Cultivation Stage.
Using a secret technique to release Divine Sense, listening to earth vein changes, then casting back Spiritual Power to draw a map of mountains and rivers in the mind.
The old Taoist's original intention was to provide a treasure-seeking and path-finding Dharma Method for the sect's Qi Cultivation disciples.
But he forgot one thing: the difference between the Divine Soul at the Foundation Establishment Stage and at the Divinity Transformation Stage.
At the Divinity Transformation Stage, a Divine Soul can achieve strength equivalent to the physical body even after an out-of-body experience, easily using the Earth Listening Technique to explore hundreds of meters around.
However, the Divine Soul at the Qi Cultivation Stage is only slightly stronger than a mortal, not capable of withstanding the information returned from Divine Sense.
In a testing space, Zhang Ze repeatedly tried combinations, but at the most, with Qi Cultivation Stage cultivation, he could only explore a meter underground and two meters around him.
Any further, and his head would feel like exploding.
This range was practically useless.
But a few days ago, while watching two Elders duel, he saw his master's iron rod being electrified, watching the iron rod lengthen, which gave him some inspiration instead.
Zhang Ze conspired with Chen Qin and Liu Lili for a day.
Using Chen Qin's knowledge, Liu Lili's thriftiness, and Zhang Ze's imagination.
The Earth Listening Disc was born.
Similarly releasing Divine Sense with a secret technique, but upon return, directly guiding it into the Earth Listening Disc, a part of the Thousand Mechanism Tools, causing the refined magnetic iron sand to oscillate and create the terrain map of nearly a hundred meters ahead.
Despite its many shortcomings, the Earth Listening Disc was very cheap.
A magical artifact capable of exploring about a hundred meters was not cheap at all; one could buy a cartload of Earth Listening Discs with the price of magical artifacts.
The impact on the Artifact Refiner market was secondary.
Zhang Ze made this mainly to map out Celestial Driver Valley for its full rewards and to find a suitable location for establishing a new Trial Cave there.
Sword Spirit's Heart Refining Cave was good at everything, except it was too straight, too straightforward to accommodate Zhang Ze's mischievous designs.
According to maps from the Library Pavilion, there were indeed some naturally winding caves in Celestial Driver Valley, but that map was drawn a thousand years ago.
Now, with the world changing, re-exploration was needed.
Just when Zhang Ze was holding the Compass, posing as if seeking dragons and pointing acupoints, his Jade Pendant suddenly lit up.
It was the Sound Transmission Jade Pendant gifted by Lin Feng earlier. As for where Lin Feng procured it, Zhang Ze didn't bother to inquire.
Mist formed on the pendant, revealing a line of small text.
"Hurry to fifty miles north of the Yangguan Road fair; a matter concerning the Demon Path."
Having put away the Jade Pendant without having said anything, Zhang Ze saw Chen Qin blinking big eyes, staring directly at him.
Her eyes only held four words.
Take me along.
Zhang Ze had recounted the story of blowing up the Spiritual Snake Helm to Chen Qin countless times, causing this young lady to yearn every time she heard it.
Now seeing another opportunity, Chen Qin naturally planned to participate.
"It's just..." Zhang Ze was a bit worried.
If something went wrong, he feared the Sect Leader would skin him.
Seeing Zhang Ze's expression, Chen Qin understood her senior brother's thoughts.
She didn't make a fuss and instead started pulling out treasures from her bosom.
Various Protective Talismans and Magical Artifacts, all engraved with a resplendent 'Chen' character.
"This one can summon my dad."
"This one can summon my mom."
"Senior brother, take me along this time."
Looking at the two Protective Talismans in Chen Qin's hands, Zhang Ze rubbed his chin.
It seemed taking the young lady for a spin wasn't impossible. If opportunity presented itself, another Demon Helm might even be blown up.
"I'll go see as well."
The speaker wasn't Liu Lili, but the Sword Spirit.
"After sitting in the sect for five hundred years, I also want to go out and have a look."
Although the Sword Spirit said this, Zhang Ze saw through some of his intentions and glanced at Chen Qin again without saying more.
"Do you want to come along?" Zhang Ze turned to ask Liu Lili.
Lili's head shook like a rattle drum.
"No."
"As the saying goes, 'Lily doesn't stand under dangerous walls.'"
"I'll stay here and play with the Compass; it's safer."
West of Cyan Thorn Land, Yangguan Road.
Yangguan Road is the must-pass trade road in Cyan Thorn Land, lined with countless towns and cities, making it both the safest and most corrupt place in Cyan Thorn Land.
Lin Feng, using the Transformation Technique taught by Zhang Ze to conceal his identity as a Sword Pavilion disciple, had recently made some waves on this road.
But the Blood Lion Helm was too tightly concealed; even the various outposts, let alone the Main Helm, were extremely difficult to penetrate.
Even though Lin Feng had already gathered information on a small outpost and had even established contacts with a few members of the Demon Path there, and even uncovered some secrets.
But how to join the outpost and subsequently find the Blood Lion Helm was a big challenge. Although he had some determination in his heart, he still felt unsure, always feeling the need to discuss it with Zhang Ze.
But now, seeing Zhang Ze, he didn't know how to start the conversation.
There were a few too many people.
Chen Qin sat hugging her knees by the campfire, her face showing an expression of listening to a story.
Zhang Ze was gnawing on a rabbit, indicating for Lin Feng to continue speaking.
A Sword Spirit glowing in the night was expressionlessly floating around them.
"Brother Lin, go on." Zhang Ze threw the gnawed rabbit leg into the fire, gesturing for Lin Feng to continue.
"The Blood Lion Helm is currently recruiting new disciples, but the requirements have become very strict."
"I've also investigated the identity of the leader of that Blood Lion Helm outpost, but haven't yet reported to the sect.
"His name is Song Qingpao, and he's a very cautious person."
"So I want to perform a scene in front of him."
"My plan is this: I want to ask Senior Brother to..."
Lin Feng's plan was detailed, so detailed that every potential issue and loophole was covered with excuses and reasons.
He also adjusted the plan due to the presence of Chen Qin and Sword Spirit, assigning them suitable identities.
Chen Qin listened to Lin Feng's plan as if it was a story, finding the causality quite logical.
Even Sword Spirit nodded silently, finding this young man's mind intricate, believing the plan to be foolproof.
Only Zhang Ze, as he listened, furrowed his eyebrows tighter and tighter.
Finally, when Lin Feng finished speaking, Zhang Ze stood up, walked a few circles with his hands behind his back, and then spoke.
"No, it's entirely not feasible; you're just seeking death!"
Lin Feng furrowed his brow, confused, not understanding what was wrong with his plan.