Aksai was sure the caretaker had seen many Spirit Refiners dying in their caves while trying to achieve a breakthrough into the coveted 2nd Spirit cultivation realm.
He must have seen many young talents of their generation injuring themselves and giving up on their dream of becoming Foundation Building Experts.
So, it was only natural that the caretaker would treat Aksai like he didn’t matter when he was a Spirit Refining Perfectionist. However, he immediately started treating Aksai like minor royalty the moment he achieved his breakthrough.
Power earns respect, after all.
“Hm. I was lucky and managed to establish my foundation.”
Aksai nodded, acknowledging the caretaker’s respect.
Despite the old man’s advanced age, Aksai’s higher cultivation base granted him seniority in the eyes of the cultivator’s society. It was a world where strength dictated respect, and Aksai was completely fine with it.
“Thank you,” Aksai replied, his voice calm and steady. “Your assistance in maintaining these caves is appreciated.”
The caretaker straightened up, still keeping a respectful distance. “If there is anything you need, please do not hesitate to ask. The city administration will be informed of your successful breakthrough. I am certain they will take note of your impressive accomplishment.”
Aksai smiled faintly. “I appreciate your offer. For now, I need some time to stabilize my new cultivation base.”
“Of course, sir,” the caretaker said, bowing again before scurrying away.
“I wonder how many organizations will approach me. It would be great if someone can offer me a suitable cultivation technique at the right price”
Aksai watched him go and thought to himself, feeling a sense of satisfaction. The breakthrough had not only elevated his power but also his standing within the White Mountain City. Soon, he was bound to receive many invitations from a lot of small and big organizations active within the city, asking him to join them. Even the White Mountain’s city administration seemed interested.
Of course, Aksai had no plans to join any organization. Why should he when he had the support of Emerald Cover as well as the Everwood farm?
However, Aksai still wanted people to approach him after his breakthrough. He wanted to see if any of these organizations were willing to give him a better cultivation technique than Stellar Greenwood Tantra.
Aksai had managed to achieve a breakthrough using a relatively ordinary technique because he had started off with Basic Greenwood Tantra. Doing some big changes in one’s cultivation technique while they were in the process of advancing through their current realm would pose many risks. It was bound to hurt the practitioner’s foundations in some way.
However, Aksai could change his cultivation technique after entering the new realm without any repercussions. He had decided that he would choose the most optimal technique suitable for his current needs.
In exchange, Aksai was ready to offer a business cooperation treaty between the Emerald Cove and the respective organization that offered him the cultivation technique.
***
After savoring the newfound respect and reverence from everyone wherever he went, Aksai decided it was time to leave the White Mountain City and venture into the wilderness.
Aksai departed from the city discreetly, blending into the bustling crowds and making his way towards the outer gates.
Once beyond the city’s protective array formations, he sped up his pace, using his enhanced druidic abilities to move swiftly and stealthily through the forested landscape.
After traveling for several hours, Aksai found a remote and secure location nestled between two towering cliffs. This spot, surrounded by dense foliage and far from any known trails, was perfect for his needs.
[ Earth Control Spell : Spirit Refining realm variant ]
Aksai began to cast a series of Spirit spells, manipulating the earth and stone to carve out a spacious cave within the mountain. The process was easy because of his enhanced Spirit essence and elemental affinities.
Once the cave was complete, Aksai reinforced its structure with intricate Array Formations, ensuring it was well-hidden and secure. He then sealed the entrance with a massive boulder, using earth spells to meld it seamlessly with the surrounding rock face. Satisfied with his work, he retreated deep into the cave.
Aksai sat down in the lotus position and closed his eyes, focusing his Spirit sense on his natal treasure, the Myriad Worlds Painting. He could feel the connection pulsating with energy, more vibrant than ever before. He sent his Spirit sense into the painting, allowing it to envelop him completely.
In an instant, Aksai disappeared from the Cultivation World Dadangar and appeared within the serene and lush environment of the Everwood farm. The familiar sights and sounds greeted him.
“Just like I thought. The isolated dimension has leveled up with me,” Aksai murmured, a smile spreading across his face.
The changes were immediately apparent. The trees were taller and more robust, their leaves a deeper shade of green. The streams flowed with crystal-clear water, teeming with vitality. Even the soil seemed richer, pulsating with life and energy.
However, the changes within the Everwood farm were not limited to just that. Aksai discovered a new tunnel that had appeared to the right of the farmhouse. This tunnel, located at the isolation barrier, led to another part of the Everwood farm, accessible only after Aksai became a Foundation Building Expert.
It was as if someone had used a Barrier-bypass talisman on the isolation barrier, creating a bridge between the existing land and the newly unlocked territory.
Aksai walked straight to the tunnel and proceeded through it. After about half a minute, he emerged on the other side, where another farmland awaited him.
“This feeling… This farmland is based on a 2nd-order Spirit vein,” Aksai thought excitedly. He could clearly sense that the concentration of Spirit essence in this newly unlocked land was significantly greater and more potent. Moreover, the newly unlocked space was twice as large as the previously accessible farmland.
Aksai decided to explore the newly unlocked portion of the Everwood farm for later. He decided to prioritize something else at this moment.
He approached the isolation barrier of the newly opened space, feeling the wall of grayish-white smoke with his hands. His expression turned stoic as he retrieved the only 2nd-order Barrier-bypass talisman he had.
He was eager to see which world he would gain access to after becoming a Foundation Building Expert. A mix of trepidation and excitement filled his thoughts as he activated the talisman with bated breath.