Invincible Starts From Dao Fruit
Chapter 116 - 93 Chen Shaohu’s Career! [2nd Update, Request for Monthly Pass!]

Chapter 116: Chapter 93 Chen Shaohu’s Career! [2nd Update, Request for Monthly Pass!]

This was also due to Chen Jichuan’s approach in the Dao Fruit World: greed for more, simultaneous cultivation of three paths, and practicing various Daoist Skills and Martial Arts—

There was no other option.

Even with this greed, it was difficult to keep up. If he specialized in only one path within the Dao Fruit World, he would have been left far behind.

Perhaps he could achieve higher levels in the Dao Fruit World.

But in reality, Chen Jichuan’s cultivation advancement still faced limits.

Vertical progress was restricted.

Thus, Chen Jichuan could only strive for comprehensiveness:

While ensuring upward cultivation progress, he expanded horizontally as much as possible, enriching himself with various means.

The combination of the two maintained relative balance, which was the most efficient approach.

Blindly increasing his cultivation level in the Dao Fruit World, gambling on the hope that higher realms would provide greater advantages in reality, would be too unrealistic.

Cultivation is the foundation.

Without cultivation, Divine Skills cannot be performed; Great Methods cannot be practiced.

It’s all nonsense.

Chen Jichuan preferred to tread steadily, taking one step at a time.

Currently, his Inner Strength had reached the Eighth Layer, placing him in the Innate Second Realm, also known as the True Qi Realm.

In truth.

According to the descriptions in the "Sword Map," the early stages of a cultivator’s journey start mostly from inner breath and Inner Strength, progressing to Innate Internal Power, Innate True Qi, and Innate True Essence.

Then, breaking into enlightenment to ascend to the Qi Refining Realm.

True Yuan transforms into Mana.

The so-called "Qi Refinement" is the process of gradually converting "True Yuan" into "Mana."

"Magical Treasures! Magical Treasures!"

"As the name suggests, they are artifacts powered by Mana."

"Refining them requires Mana as well."

"True Qi and True Yuan are a level inferior; whether it’s current refinement or future activation, the difficulty and consumption are incredibly high."

Chen Jichuan gripped the sword hilt, infusing True Qi into it before lightly swinging toward a distant hill.

Boom!

The sword surged as if going berserk, delivering an overwhelming force, uncontrollably wild, almost escaping Chen Jichuan’s grasp.

It was completely uncontrollable, let alone wielding swordsmanship.

Yet with one swing—

Trees in the distance fragmented, and a plume of dust rose from the hill.

"This power—"

Chen Jichuan shook his head.

Although the power was immense, its lack of control was like brute strength, hardly posing a significant threat to experts like them.

"I need to continue refining it further."

Holding the sword, Chen Jichuan returned to the mountain cave.

...

Time passed.

Seven days went by in the blink of an eye.

Qingkong Mountain, Biqing Cliff.

Tushan Ji stood among the ruins and rubble, facing an ice crystal that stood as high as two floors. Inside it, a violent ape covered in gray-brown fur was frozen.

Any creature that deviates significantly in size appears terrifying.

The violent ape, standing over ten feet tall, exerted immense pressure.

Tushan Ji activated his True Essence, shielding himself to barely stand. Placing both hands on the ice crystal, he subtly operated the Beast Taming Technique, attempting to control the ape.

The battle had yet to begin; preparations were still underway.

If he could tame this "violent ape" beforehand, subjugating the other six prefectures of Yongg State would become significantly easier.

Patient domestication.

Simultaneously, he had to resist the overwhelming pressure from the violent ape while concentrating on performing the Beast Taming Technique, leaving no room for distraction.

But at that very instant.

Tushan Ji suddenly felt an uncontrollable flame ignite from deep within, spreading throughout his body. His head turned feverish, his limbs ice-cold, as if plunged into a fiery abyss, causing disorientation and agitation.

"Hot! Hot! Hot!"

His focus instantly shattered.

Boom!

His True Essence dissipated, and he was flung away, landing heavily on the ground.

"Urgh!"

Blood spurted from his mouth.

Tushan Ji somersaulted upright, his eyes filled with uncertainty, scanning his surroundings as he roared, "Who?!"

Remaining vigilant.

He silently invoked a spell to summon the Golden Crowned Divine Eagle.

Whoosh!

Rising like a mighty roc with the wind.

The Golden Crowned Divine Eagle, perched nearby, flapped its wings and soared over Tushan Ji’s head, stirring strong gusts to survey the vicinity.

"Let’s go!"

Tushan Ji leapt onto the eagle’s back.

Commanding the eagle, he quickly left the area, returning to Biqing Cliff.

"I need seclusion."

"Stay airborne and protect this area. Do not let anyone come near."

Tushan Ji instructed the Golden Crowned Divine Eagle before retreating to the main hall.

In his haste, he failed to notice the once majestic Golden Crowned Divine Eagle now had a faint veil of black mist shrouding its face and seemed somewhat listless.

...

Enacting spells and curses to entangle Tushan Ji and the Golden Crowned Divine Eagle.

Biqing Cliff continued mobilizing forces.

But Chen Jichuan was well aware that until the "Boil Food and Meat Curse" was broken, Biqing Cliff wouldn’t dare make a move.

Even if Tushan Ji managed to survive, as long as the Golden Crowned Divine Eagle perished, Biqing Cliff would remain immobilized.

The Martial Alliance could at least enjoy a few months of peace.

If Tushan Ji remained helpless, this period would be indefinitely extended!

Time flowed onward.

Chen Jichuan cultivated his Dao Fruit, honed his Sword Qi, and refined the Yuanchen Sword, all while wishing he had more time.

Meanwhile.

Having acquired treasures in the Black Prison, he tasted success.

Thus, he commanded Wang Quan and Xue Zhong to thoroughly inspect Water Mansion and Hidden Peach Valley for treasures akin to the "Yuanchen Sword" or Immortal cultivation techniques like the "Sword Map."

However, Water Mansion was largely composed of aquatic zones and swamps. Even for seasoned swimmers, it was nearly impossible to comb through every nook and cranny, with an estimated majority likely overlooked.

Even if treasures were hidden there, finding them would be no easy feat.

Hidden Peach Valley, on the other hand, was much easier to search.

This area boasted fertile black soil, vast flatlands, and intersecting fields. If any treasure lay above ground, it would be easily discovered.

If buried underground, it wouldn’t be worth the effort to search—that would be like finding a needle in a haystack.

As days passed.

Neither Water Mansion nor Hidden Peach Valley yielded findings.

Chen Jichuan remained patient, keeping a hopeful mindset.

He focused intensely on cultivation.

While keeping an eye on Biqing Cliff, Tushan Ji, and the Golden Crowned Divine Eagle.

The "Boil Food and Meat Curse" proved extraordinary, tormenting Tushan Ji to the point of misery.

But by the twenty-fourth day of the curse, Chen Jichuan sensed the stove’s flame extinguish, forming an abrupt realization: "It’s been broken."

Tushan Ji indeed received an Immortal’s legacy; it was unsurprising he had the means to ride the Divine Eagle and break curses.

"What a pity."

Chen Jichuan shook his head in regret.

Failing to curse the unruly Tushan Ji to death was surely disappointing. With the counter-spell successful, even though Chen Jichuan wasn’t injured or suffered backlash, the disrupted flow of Qi meant no further curses could target Tushan Ji for the time being.

It would have to wait.

Fortunately, burning him for twenty-four days had severely drained his Essence Qi and Primordial Qi. In the near future, Tushan Ji would likely shrink into a defensive shell for focused recovery, incapable of stirring trouble.

This aligned with Chen Jichuan’s expectations.

With Biqing Cliff’s threat temporarily neutralized, Chen Jichuan felt considerably relieved.

Time sped by.

It was February.

That afternoon, snow fell heavily.

Mingtang Mountain.

Chen Jichuan sat indoors, watching Chen Shaohu in the courtyard braving the snowstorm to tend to the medicine garden. After squatting for so long, a layer of snow had accumulated on his shoulders, even turning his hair white.

He seemed entirely oblivious.

Since joining the Martial Alliance, Chen Shaohu had devoted himself wholly to cultivating Spiritual Medicine apart from his own practice.

Leading the Drug Department with a dozen individuals, he transformed Hidden Peach Valley by establishing a medicine garden and relocating the entire office there.

Even on his monthly rest days, instead of relaxing at home, he immersed himself in nurturing herbs.

Indeed, he was focused.

This was agreeable; cultivation isn’t just about fighting and killing. Meticulously researching Spiritual Medicine and supporting cultivation is also a valuable path.

Of course.

Whether Chen Shaohu could grow mythical Spiritual Medicine from scratch remained a huge question mark.

Chen Jichuan gazed outside.

Watching Chen Shaohu.

In that moment.

He felt transported back to the previous year.

Back then, they were still in Haitang Mountain, and Chen Shaohu similarly squatted in the courtyard—not for tending herbs but to build two snowmen, crude and ugly.

Acting like a child.

Now, a year later, he had matured into an adult, wholeheartedly devoted to his work—a thought stirred deep emotions.

"How time flies."

Chen Jichuan couldn’t help but sigh.

"What flies quickly?" Chen Shaohu asked as he entered from outside, not hearing his elder brother’s words clearly, jogging over to inquire.

"The growth of the herbs."

Chen Jichuan pointed to the medicine garden in the courtyard and smiled.

"Haha."

Chen Shaohu loved hearing praise about his thriving herbs. Upon hearing his elder brother’s compliment, he couldn’t conceal his delight, opening up immediately: "This is nothing. The herbs we planted in Hidden Peach Valley are growing at an astonishing rate. There’s one medicine garden where Xie Tao and I cast ’Plant Growth’ seven or eight times every day. In just over a month, some herbs are already ready for use."

Xie Tao, nicknamed "Hundred Victories General," was also a member of White Jade City.

The "Plant Growth" spell Chen Shaohu mentioned was one that Chen Jichuan had learned from Xie Tao.

After Chen Shaohu solidified his position in the Drug Department, Chen Jichuan had transferred Xie Tao under his leadership. Now, he served as Chen Shaohu’s most capable subordinate.

Zhou Xie Tao had often praised him.

"What about the Spirit Stones?"

"Do Spirit Stones promote herb growth in any way?"

Chen Jichuan asked.

His support for Chen Shaohu’s cultivation of herbs was not only for his brother’s career but also because he genuinely believed this field had immense potential.

Common folk rely heavily on medicine for healing, and Martial Artists require herbs for cultivation.

Even cultivators are human; they likely aren’t an exception.

If the cultivation of common herbs into mythical Spiritual Medicine was far-fetched, then what about the chance of a breakthrough?

"No."

Chen Shaohu shook his head but remained enthusiastic, explaining to his elder brother: "Martial Artists need specific secret techniques to harness Spirit Stones for cultivation. I suspect that even if Spirit Stones benefit plant growth, there must be some intricate mechanism at play. I’m still investigating—time is too short to uncover anything conclusive yet."

He demonstrated admirable scientific rigor, neither boastful nor impatient, facing obstacles with steadiness and determination.

He exuded an indomitable spirit.

"Excellent."

"Excellent."

Chen Jichuan watched his brother with heartfelt joy, feeling a surge of pride: This was the brother he had nurtured!

"Walking a single path won’t work."

"I’ve submitted a request recently, transferring rare spiritual plants like Haitang Mountain’s ’Spiritual Jujube Tree,’ previously under Wusheng Sect and Lishui Gang, to Hidden Peach Valley."

"I plan to thoroughly study their inner workings....."

Chen Shaohu had no idea what his elder brother was thinking.

He elaborated endlessly, sharing the myriad challenges of cultivating herbs and Spiritual Medicine while presenting his theories and strategies.

Chen Jichuan, well-versed in herbology, could engage in the discussion effortlessly.

The two brothers became so absorbed in their lively conversation.

Unknowingly.

Night fell.

...