[Sounds like a plan. We didn't look through the Inner Sect Treasury thoroughly last time. Maybe we can find something there this time.]
Deciding to head towards the Inner Sect Treasury, Shen Yuan made his way back into his residence to prepare.
Before heading out, he paused at a window overlooking the sect grounds. Disciples moved about doing their things—some training, others engaging in Dao discussions.
The atmosphere was one of diligence and aspiration.
"I wonder how Qingyu is doing," he thought, recalling how she had invited him to train together. "Perhaps I can go meet with her after heading to the Sect Treasury."
With his decision made, he left his residence and headed towards the Inner Sect's treasury.
The journey was peaceful, the morning activities of the sect providing a harmonious backdrop as he felt the Spatial Intent of the portals.
Upon arriving at the treasury, he was greeted by two elder disciples guarding the entrance.
"Greetings, Senior Brother Shen Yuan," one of them said with a respectful bow. "How may we assist you?"
He presented the medallion given by Sect Leader Mei Hua. "Looks like everyone is practicing for the competition we have, so few people here. Anyways, I have been granted access to the treasury to select some resources for my cultivation."
The disciples examined the medallion and exchanged a glance of pure surprise before bowing again. "Of course, please proceed inside. If you require some help, do feel free to ask us for anything."
Entering the treasury, Shen Yuan was once again struck by the sheer magnitude of wealth contained within. Even if the techniques were not suitable for him, the other stuff was invaluable.
Shelves upon shelves of rare herbs, ores, scrolls, and artifacts filled the expansive space.
The air was thick with potent spiritual energy, each item emitting its own unique aura.
He walked slowly, looking around, allowing his senses to guide him.
Soon, he found the section dedicated to elemental essences.
"This is some good stuff. These are all things higher-level cultivators use for cultivation in the outside world, and here it is stored in the Inner Sect Treasury for all the disciples to use," he marveled while looking at the rows of shelves with different items.
[True, these things are on an even higher level than High Tier Spirit Stones.]
He browsed the shelves for a while before, among them, a particular item caught his attention—a crystalline orb pulsating with electric energy.
"This is... a Lightning Essence Orb," he observed.
[Take it, Shen Yuan!] Yue Lan said with excitement. [These guys are too wasteful leaving this treasure here; they might even use it for blacksmithing.]
"Huh? What's its use then?" he asked while looking at the pulsating thunder within the orb.
[This can grant you King Tier thunder affinity directly. This is some good stuff, I'm telling ya, Yuan'er!]
"...Stop talking like that first." He shook his head before carefully taking the orb. He continued to browse, selecting a few additional herbs and materials that could help him with his alchemy and blacksmithing.
Satisfied with his selections, he thanked the disciples at the entrance and made his way back to his residence.
Once there, he, for once, decided not to sit beneath the cherry blossom tree but headed inside to settle into a quiet chamber designed for cultivation in the mansion.
Placing the Lightning Essence Orb before him, he sat cross-legged.
"Now, how do I absorb it?" he asked while staring at the orb intently.
[Hmm, try to place that orb between your palms and see if something happens.]
"Like this?" He picked up the orb before placing one hand at the top and another at the bottom of it.
Yue Lan remained silent as they both waited for something to happen.
"Looks like no—" before Shen Yuan's words could finish, his bloodline stirred and released a devouring force directly outside of his hands.
He hurriedly closed his eyes and focused his mind. The orb started to emit brighter flashes of light.
Threads of electric energy extended from it, intertwining with his fingers and traveling up his arms. A tingling sensation spread throughout his body, growing in intensity.
He maintained calm breaths, letting the wild energy course through him as the bloodline continued devouring it and sending it within his body.
The lightning essence surged into his meridians, merging with his Qi.
Sparks danced across his skin, yet he remained calm.
Minutes passed, and the energy of the orb gradually settled.
Opening his eyes, they briefly flickered with thunder.
[Looks like you were able to do it just right,] Yue Lan said. [You have successfully managed to get Peak Rank King Grade Thunder Affinity.]
He clenched his fist, feeling the crackle of energy at his command. "I can't even kill a Body Refining Realm cultivator with this level of thunder."
[Of course you can't,] Yue Lan said as if stating the obvious. [You have merely gained the affinity, not cultivated it yet. Cultivate it in your fifth Dantian first before saying how good or bad it is.]
"Hmm... You are right; I should do that first." He closed his eyes as he began retrieving the technique from his Sea of Consciousness. He began to study it in depth.
The codex depicted advanced methods of harnessing lightning—techniques that could enhance his speed and offensive capabilities significantly.
Time flowed as he immersed himself in learning.
Hours turned into days as he practiced the initial forms and meditative exercises described in the codex.
Occasionally, arcs of lightning would flash around him, illuminating the room with brilliant light.
By the end of the third day, he had mastered the foundational aspects of the Thunder God Codex and reached the cultivation base of the Inner Sea Realm with it.
His movements were now imbued with lightning energy, allowing him to traverse short distances in the blink of an eye as if he himself transformed into thunder.
"Now, I need to make a breakthrough to the Origin Core Creation Realm with my Radiant Lotus Cultivation Art, Inferno Smithing Technique, and Thunder God Codex." He exhaled a long sigh as small thunder particles seemed to come out.
[You need to consolidate your fifth Dantian as well; it's still leaking a bit of your Thunder Qi.]
"Hmm... I might need a month to do all this." He rubbed his chin while thinking.
"Lan'er, what were the prices for the Dual Cultivation Chamber if I train alone inside with a time dilation of 1:30?" he asked.
[Give or take 10,000 Chaos Coins, and it will continue to increase as you raise your cultivation base further.]
"Oh? For the first time, you sound reasonable. Good, I will train for a day inside to get done with all of this." He smiled and nodded his head.
[Sure.]
Yue Lan said with a bored tone before teleporting him inside one of the rooms of the Dual Cultivation Chambers.
"By the way, show me how many Chaos Coins I have in total."
[Chaos Coins—1,570,000]
"Hmm, the recent reward was added as well." He nodded his head with a smile.
He glanced around the room, noting its simple yet elegant design.
In the center of the room was a comfortable bed with a red blanket neatly placed. On the bedside table, a delicate jade vial containing a swirling golden liquid seemed to be waiting for him.