Former Interstellar Mercenary In Urban Cultivation World
Chapter 888: The Elder’s Advice and New Resolve

Chapter 888: The Elder’s Advice and New Resolve

The elder nodded. "Next time, don’t come back. The Spiritual Cave is only useful the first time. After that, it’s hard to improve further. Staying in there just wastes the spiritual liquid."

This was indeed Amalia’s first time cultivating in a Spiritual Cave, which was why her cultivation had advanced so quickly, from the early to the mid-stage in just a month—faster than a rocket.

Amalia had been thinking that since the Spiritual Cave was so useful, she could come back a few more times. But now she realized it was only effective the first time.

"Thank you for the advice, Elder. I won’t come back next time."

"If you want to improve, focus on real combat. It’s more effective than sitting around and meditating. Even the sword of Master Lian was forged through countless battles. If you don’t understand this, ask your master," the elder added.

Amalia hesitated, feeling like this stranger was giving her valuable guidance. She bowed respectfully and said, "Thank you, Elder, for your advice. I will remember it."

The elder waved his hand and walked away.

After leaving the cave, Amalia met up with Arasen Xiao, who had come to find her. She asked him about the unfamiliar elder.

"You’re probably talking about Elder Pugong. He’s the guardian of that top-tier Spiritual Cave and a bit of an eccentric. He doesn’t take disciples and rarely teaches anyone. If he’s not in the mood, you can beg him and he still won’t help. You’re lucky he gave you some pointers," Arasen Xiao said, looking at her curiously. "But... has your cultivation improved again?"

"Yes, I’ve broken through to Nascent Soul and am now at the peak of the early stage. I’m just a step away from advancing. If I could stay a few more days, I’d probably break through," Amalia nodded.

"Oh, so you’re at the peak of the early Nascent Soul..." Arasen Xiao turned sharply to look at her. From peak Golden Core stage to the peak of early Nascent Soul stage in one month, and she’s saying a few more days would mean another breakthrough?

Arasen Xiao suddenly felt amazed. "So it’s true, what Senior Brother Chang said."

Amalia calmly replied, "It’s all thanks to that top-tier Spiritual Cave, though Elder Pugong said it’s most effective the first time."

Arasen Xiao was stunned.

Amalia glanced at him. "What’s wrong?"

Arasen Xiao cleared his throat. "I think... you might have been tricked. A Spiritual Cave is always valuable for cultivators, no matter when. It’s just that after reaching the Deity Transformation stage, its effects lessen."

Amalia remained composed. "I know. Elder Pugong probably said that to stop me from using it too much."

Arasen Xiao facepalmed, unsure how to respond. One person was using their status to bluff, while the other knew they were being lied to but still took it seriously. Was there anyone normal left in Green Lotus Sect?

Amalia chuckled. She didn’t mind. She hadn’t planned to cultivate in the Spiritual Cave forever. Elder Pugong had said one thing right: the best way to improve was through battle, and Amalia had always believed that. It was just that time was short, which was why she used the Spiritual Cave this time.

"Here’s the formation formula you wanted." Amalia took out the notes from Sect Leader Qing and tossed them over.

Arasen Xiao caught them quickly. Even without opening them, he could tell they were the Sect Leader’s handwritten notes. For someone at his level of cultivation, this was incredibly valuable.

"I already told my master about it. While you were in seclusion, my master went to speak with his father, and apparently, he agreed right away."

Amalia raised an eyebrow. "I heard that every time the array is activated, even the simplified version, it costs a lot of spirit stones."

Last time she had given Baolin Jia 100,000 high-grade spirit stones, and whatever she had left was handed to Kenny Lin to take with him to the Wild West continent.

She was practically broke now.

"That’s true, but my master said that Elder Tan agreed to cover the spirit stone cost for you," Arasen Xiao said, nodding.

"Why would he do that?" Amalia frowned. Although they had saved Ding Huiqing and Vincent Tan, and given them the Eight Stars Of Heavenly Jade Flower, their rescue at Silent Echo Valley had already balanced that debt.

"I’m not sure. They said it was to thank you," Arasen Xiao replied. Not many people knew about the Eight Stars Of Heavenly Jade Flower, so it was hard to say.

Amalia nodded. "Please let Elder Bomen know that I’ll use this opportunity after I return from my training."

Arasen Xiao was puzzled. "You just broke through. You’re going out for more training already?"

Amalia smiled. "Being in the middle stage of Nascent Soul isn’t enough. Before the Path of All Immortals opens, I need to raise my cultivation further. Ideally, I want to break through to the Peak Nascent Soul stage before then."

Arasen Xiao didn’t know what to say. He had thought he was working hard, but apparently, true geniuses worked even harder.

He remembered that there were less than six months left until the opening of the Path of All Immortals. Was it even possible to reach the peak Nascent Soul stage in such a short time? The chances seemed slim.

"Well, in any case, I wish you success," Arasen Xiao finally said.

"Thank you." After bidding farewell to Arasen Xiao, who was returning to his retreat with the array notes, Amalia also returned to the Nameless Peak. But she didn’t go to her small house to cultivate. This past month, thanks to the rush of spiritual energy, she had solidified her foundation.

Walking along the winding stone path in the gentle rain, she made her way to her master room and knocked on the door.

The door to the small house creaked open, but no one was standing behind it.

Amalia walked in, not seeing her master Tian Wuya in front of her master’s wife’s portrait. She found him in the backyard, watering a few potted flowers.