Chapter Fifty-Three: Indulging Your Game

“Boss, are you sure it won’t hurt?”
“As long as it doesn’t hurt, I have no problem with it.”
“I don’t mean to doubt you, boss, it’s just that I’m worried pain might interfere with your actions and affect the extraction of the life cluster.”
At that moment, Xiao Hongzhuan’s voice carried a tone of timidity mixed with stubborn bravado.
When Lan Yi finished modifying the four martial artists, the [Azure Blossom] he withdrew from their bodies—manifesting as a snake-like living creature—immediately surrounded Xiao Hongzhuan. He was terrified, truly frightened, and filled with dread toward these three thousand strands of blue hair.
Xiao Hongzhuan, possessing far more knowledge than people of this era, understood well.
Lan Yi’s life cluster [Azure Blossom] was undoubtedly akin to nano filaments.
Having such a thing pierce your body was one thing.
But if Lan Yi’s hand slipped and the [Azure Blossom] twitched, a person could instantly be shredded into minuscule pieces. Anyone imagining such a grisly death would instinctively feel fear.
Xiao Hongzhuan was already envious in his heart.
It was fortunate the people of this era hadn’t read that science fiction novel; otherwise, they’d be just as anxious as he was.
“Don’t worry…”
Lan Yi hadn’t finished speaking when a strand of blue hair stabbed into Xiao Hongzhuan’s neck. The terrified man’s eyes rolled back, and he lost consciousness entirely.
Even unconscious,
He remained standing, his bodily functions uninterrupted by the loss of awareness. Instead, the [Azure Blossom] that had invaded his body had taken over the control of his limbs. Lan Yi’s [Azure Blossom] couldn’t manipulate others yet, but simple physical reactions were well within its capabilities.
A few coils of [Azure Blossom] then lifted Xiao Hongzhuan up, exposing the soles of his feet.
Life cluster [Earth Fiend].
Location: Sole of the foot. Function: Absorbs and expels the earth’s magnetic force, alters the gravity acting upon oneself.
Used alone, this life cluster could make a person as light as a swallow, able to walk on snow without leaving a trace; even a martial artist of the energy refining stage could leap dozens of meters with ease. When combined according to the life diagram [Nine Heavens Treasure Codex], [Earth Fiend]’s power would multiply, becoming one of the crucial pathways for connecting the Heaven's Thunder Prison to the golden bridge between heaven and earth.
Most importantly—
The earth’s magnetic force from [Earth Fiend] could be activated without any energy consumption, consistent with gravity’s nature as a long-range force; universal gravitation should require no energy expenditure.
With [Earth Fiend],
Lan Yi’s speed soaring through the sky would be fundamentally enhanced.

And now, this life cluster belonged to Lan Yi.
Sharp strands of hair precisely sliced open a gap, deftly avoiding blood vessels and nerves, revealing the faintly pulsing flesh inside. Then, the life cluster, not yet activated or cultivated, was excised by Lan Yi and stored in the conquest space for preservation.
Lan Yi then skillfully connected to the conquest space.
A standard unit of spiritual energy was delivered.
Life cluster [Earth Fiend], now being preserved, came into contact with the spiritual energy, and all sorts of biological responses triggered by the stimulation were transmitted to Lan Yi’s mind.
This was a crude method of detection.
Normally, it was used to check whether a life cluster had been activated, any adverse reactions, and its affinity with one's own spiritual energy. As for matching degree, cross-reaction, rejection, and other data, those required specialized spiritual energy equipment for analysis.
The feedback showed everything was normal.
It should be normal.
Freshly harvested, Xiao Hongzhuan had only sensed the presence of his life cluster but hadn’t activated it for cultivation—it was trustworthy, original stock. Lan Yi wanted to test it only on a whim; though it was a coincidence, there was nothing wrong with the [Earth Fiend] life cluster.
As for other matters…
Everyone harbors a few secrets.
Xiao Hongzhuan hadn’t said where his life cluster came from, and Lan Yi didn’t bother to ask.
It was like a millionaire who wouldn’t care how much money a fellow villager had hidden away in some corner.
Jinling and Pu Hai had already completed their martial arts promotion and established the Thunder Lotus, their population soaring into the millions. With twelve golden guardians left for inspection, the resources Lan Yi enjoyed in his domain were unimaginable to those paupers. This was the enormous benefit brought by direct control of a nation, or even an artificial divine realm.
Such benefits
Could help any spiritual cultivator, in the early stage, be ready to advance or retreat, with resources for cultivation and manpower for tasks. Even the main world would be forced to treat them with utmost respect.
‘Transplant.’
Lan Yi moved his mind and submitted a transplant request to the conquest space.
The moment the request was submitted,
The preserved [Earth Fiend] vanished in an instant. Lan Yi frowned slightly, feeling his left sole change. Within the strong magnetic field constructed by [Azure Blossom], a new source of continuous disturbance emerged, disrupting the original layout. This meant Lan Yi temporarily lost some abilities.
Such as electromagnetic propulsion, bodily calculation, precise control, and metal refining.
These miraculous powers were originally built upon stable magnetic fields, abilities attached through knowledge of Daoist arts.

‘Reconstructing dynamic magnetic field model will take twelve hours.’
‘No signs of life cluster rejection yet.’
‘Physical adaptation is excellent; unified model application can be expedited.’
Lan Yi landed on the ground, but his action drew little attention.
Because, at this moment, all the martial artists in the arena had their intense focus fixed on the four newcomers, fierce as beasts descending upon them. Their gazes were full of longing and reverence, as devout believers witnessing a miracle; the living miracle was right beside them, within reach!
Roar!
A tangible roar exploded in the hearts of the martial artists.
It wasn’t the cry of a wild beast, but the resonant scream of a spear tearing through and whipping the air, the mindscape echoing as thunder in reality.
Spirit Refining!
Not just one, but four spirit refining martial artists! Their presence oppressed the entire arena, squeezing the air, forcing energy-refining martial artists to retreat and avoid the mindscape.
Four shots, all landing true.
As expected, and well within reason—Lan Yi was not surprised.
Advancing in one step to energy refinement mastery, these four martial arts masters, with a spirit refining expert present, naturally completed their own spirit refining. Now, their mindscapes surged, about to take shape, their intuition at its sharpest.
A combative instinct drove them to gaze at Lan Yi, the strongest being in this place, the immortal master none of them dared to challenge, even together.
“Looks like you want to play.”
Lan Yi smiled faintly.
“Then let me help you get acquainted with the world of spirit refining.”
The next moment, Lan Yi raised his hand, and as he did, the violent winds suddenly stilled, the sky inexplicably darkened.
Shriek!!!
A raptor with scaled feathers and giant talons crashed down from the heavens! As if tearing open the clouds, it brought thunder and lightning!