Chapter 447

Chapter 447: Testing

[Sky Thunder Technique · Experience +1]

[Sky Thunder (Advanced Level): 315/400]

In the meditation cave, Wang Chen gazed at the data displayed on the panel, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.

In his hand, he held a grayish-white crystal.

This crystal, refined from four thousand pounds of Thunder Stones, had been instrumental in his recent cultivation of the Sky Thunder technique. Over the past few days, it had helped him accumulate nearly 300 experience points.

An average of 10 points per day!

This was a significant improvement compared to his previous progress.

After breaking through to the advanced level, the difficulty of cultivating the Sky Thunder technique had skyrocketed. No matter how diligently Wang Chen trained, earning even a single experience point in a day was considered a remarkable achievement.

At this rate, it would take him over a year to achieve another breakthrough in this lightning technique.

However, the Life Creation Cauldron had brought Wang Chen an unexpected boon.

This precious cauldron could refine Thunder Stones into high-quality thunder crystals. By continuously absorbing the power of thunder contained within the crystal during his cultivation, Wang Chen could steadily accumulate experience points.

Moreover, this method of cultivation had another benefit: it enhanced Wang Chen’s body’s adaptability to the power of thunder.

In other words, his resistance to lightning techniques had also improved.

A double win!

Crack!

Just then, the thunder crystal in Wang Chen’s hand suddenly shattered into countless fragments, disintegrating into fine powder.

Its last trace of power had been fully drained by Wang Chen, fulfilling its purpose.

Unfazed, Wang Chen retrieved another thunder crystal from his Xumi Ring.

This new crystal, refined from over ten thousand pounds of Thunder Stones using the Life Creation Cauldron, was similar in size but contained two to three times more power of thunder.

Wang Chen intended to seize this opportunity to push the Sky Thunder technique to the Master level.

But as he was about to begin, he hesitated and put the crystal away.

He had just remembered that today was the day of the monthly exchange event.

During the last exchange event, Wang Chen had discovered the remarkable capabilities of the Life Creation Cauldron and had subsequently purchased a batch of high-quality Thunder Stones, though the quantity was limited.

Anticipating that the difficulty of cultivating the Sky Thunder technique might increase exponentially after reaching the Master level, he decided it was prudent to stock up on a few more thunder crystals in advance.

With this in mind, Wang Chen rose and left the meditation cave, making his way to the Yuan Nourishing Cave.

Today, the Yuan Nourishing Cave was unusually lively, filled with cultivators both selling and browsing for treasures. Among them were many Outer Sect Disciples.

Thunder Isle imposed no restrictions on disciples’ identities; as long as they paid the required contribution points, they were free to cultivate on the island.

However, the meditation caves of the Angry Thunder, Frenzied Thunder, and Storm Thunder peaks were reserved exclusively for inner sect disciples. Those unable to secure a rental had to find their own secluded spots on the island for hidden cultivating.

The Yuan Nourishing Cave, on the other hand, was open to all.

Even the quiet rooms on the lowest level were accessible without restrictions.

Wang Chen’s purpose for visiting the Yuan Nourishing Cave was clear. He quickly found an empty spot in a corner and hung up a sign announcing his intent to purchase high-quality Thunder Stones.

The price remained one pound per spirit fragment.

In just half the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, a crowd of Outer Sect Disciples had gathered in front of Wang Chen’s stall.

Among them, a delicate-looking female cultivator timidly inquired, "Senior Brother, I have thirty pounds of Thunder Stones. Will you take them?"

Thunder Stones were a common sight on Thunder Isle; they were a renewable resource and a low-cost consumable. Many Outer Sect Disciples who ventured to the island would dig some up, either for their own practice of lightning techniques or to trade for items like spiritual rice.

Few, however, set up stalls like Wang Chen to purchase them in large quantities.

Wang Chen nodded, "I’ll take them."

The delicate female cultivator promptly produced a large chunk of Thunder Stone and gleefully accepted thirty spirit fragments in return.

The Yuan Nourishing Cave, while not vast, was sizable enough that news of Wang Chen’s successful transactions spread quickly.

Soon, more cultivators arrived.

They had all mined Thunder Stones themselves and carried some with them. Some came out of curiosity to see what was happening with Wang Chen’s purchases, while others hoped to earn some spirit stones.

Wang Chen’s business suddenly surged!

The sect’s "wealth gap" was stark; scions from noble families spent extravagantly, bidding high prices for thunder cores without a second thought.

In contrast, disciples from modest backgrounds or loose cultivators were extremely frugal, saving wherever possible.

Wealthy disciples would never risk a lightning strike to gather Thunder Stones.

But the less affluent Outer Sect Disciples were different.

The Thunder Stones Wang Chen bought mainly came from their storage bags.

With many eager to sell, Wang Chen only accepted high-quality stones, turning away the mid-tier ones.

Some Outer Sect Disciples, having emptied their reserves, still sought more, asking, "Senior Brother, will you buy again in the future? I can go dig more."

What was a little lightning compared to the chance to earn spiritual stones?

Wang Chen pondered for a moment before replying, "For now, I’m only buying today; we’ll see about the future."

He had already amassed fifty to sixty thousand pounds of high-quality Thunder Stones, more than enough to cultivate the Sky Thunder technique to perfect mastery.

Indeed, Wang Chen could have bought an unlimited number of Thunder Stones, refined them, and sold super high-quality thunder crystals for a profit.

However, the origin of these thunder crystals would be hard to explain, potentially leading to unforeseen complications.

Moreover, since he wasn’t short on spirit stones at the moment, he quickly dismissed the idea.

As for today, he would buy as much as he could.

Although Wang Chen was open to purchasing, the Outer Sect Disciples didn’t have an endless supply of Thunder Stones. After collecting about one hundred thousand pounds, few remained at his stall.

Wang Chen estimated he was nearing his limit, and just as he prepared to close up, a short, stout cultivator suddenly approached and asked, "Do you buy thunder crystals?"

Thunder crystals?

Wang Chen hesitated and asked, "What quality?"

The short, stout cultivator pulled out a large piece of blue-purple crystal: "It’s of mid-to-high quality."

Wang Chen asked, "What price?"

The inner sect disciple replied with a smile, "Ten intermediate spirits per pound."

Thunder crystals, just like Thunder Stones, were priced by the pound, and the asking price was equivalent to a thousand times that of a Thunder Stone.

Wang Chen instantly lost interest, "Never mind."

Thunder crystals were certainly better than Thunder Stones, but Wang Chen could refine super high-quality thunder crystals from cheap Thunder Stones. Why spend high prices buying mid-to-high-quality thunder crystals?

If the seller had offered a lower price, he wouldn’t mind trying to see if he could refine them further.

Hearing Wang Chen’s refusal, the short, stout cultivator frowned, "Junior Brother, using thunder crystals to practice lightning techniques is much better than using Thunder Stones; high-quality Thunder Stones are just worthless!"

Wang Chen shook his head, "I can’t afford it."

Can’t afford it?

The short, stout cultivator found that hard to believe, as he had just seen Wang Chen purchase tens of thousands of pounds of Thunder Stones.

He cautiously asked, "Do you have a way to practice lightning techniques with Thunder Stones?"

Wang Chen smiled, "Just stack them up in the meditation cave."

The short, stout cultivator looked deeply at Wang Chen, his expression unreadable.

Without saying a word, he turned and left.