Chapter 8 – Soul Crystal Fragments, Innate Divine Ability

[Soul Crystal Shard (White)]

[Effect: Can be used to activate one’s own Innate Divine Ability, or enhance the Rank of a first-stage Innate Divine Ability]

Activate one’s own Innate Divine Ability, or enhance the Rank of an Innate Divine Ability???

Lu Chen looked at the description of the Soul Crystal Shard, his heart immediately surging like turbulent waves.

The so-called Innate Divine Ability refers to a special capability that can be used without cultivation training.

Take Mu Xiaoye as an example. The reason she held such high status at Luocheng High School wasn’t just due to her exceptional fire Spirit Root Aptitude, but also thanks to the Innate Divine Ability she Awakened at age eight—Crimson Phoenix Calamity.

Crimson Phoenix Calamity not only enhanced her control over fire-attribute Spiritual Power, but also allowed her fire Spiritual Power to carry a special ‘Phoenix Calamity Force’.

This resulted in fire-attribute Spells having completely different power in Mu Xiaoye’s hands compared to others.

This Innate Divine Ability wasn’t just notable in Luocheng—even throughout the entire Nine Provinces Immortal Alliance, it ranked among the top-tier Innate Divine Abilities.

If Mu Xiaoye hadn’t been unwilling, she could have long been exceptionally admitted to any of the Four Great Academies within the Nine Provinces Immortal Alliance.

Skipping the high school process entirely.

While outsiders didn’t understand why Mu Xiaoye made this choice, Lu Chen knew exactly why she insisted on staying in Luocheng.

He had actually tried to persuade Mu Xiaoye several years ago, telling her she didn’t need to take past events so seriously.

After all, Lu Chen felt that even if it hadn’t been him back then, anyone with a conscience would have made the same decision.

But Mu Xiaoye simply wouldn’t listen to these words, stubbornly insisting on staying in Luocheng to continue her studies.

Claiming it was because she was nostalgic!

Whether that was the real reason, only she truly knew.

The fact that the Four Top Academies were willing to make exceptional admissions demonstrated the potential of Innate Divine Abilities.

While Innate Divine Abilities are undoubtedly powerful, Awakening one’s own Innate Divine Ability is no easy matter.

Generally speaking, the Awakening of Innate Divine Abilities is divided into two types: Xiantian and Houtian.

The condition for Xiantian Awakening requires that at least one parent has Awakened an Innate Divine Ability, giving their offspring a high probability of Awakening an Innate Divine Ability.

If neither parent has Awakened an Innate Divine Ability, their offspring only has a small chance of Awakening their own talent at birth.

Therefore, whether one can Awaken their innate talent at birth is largely determined by their parents’ generation.

The conditions for Houtian Awakening are much more stringent and follow no clear logic.

Some people might suddenly Awaken after waking from sleep, while others Accidentally Awaken after experiencing certain special events.

Mu Xiaoye was a typical example of the latter.

It’s worth noting that before age eight, Mu Xiaoye’s performance differed little from ordinary young girls, showing no particularly special qualities.

But after experiencing that major upheaval, Mu Xiaoye completed her Houtian Awakening under intense stimulation.

Most Houtian Awakenings within the Immortal Alliance follow Mu Xiaoye’s pattern.

But Houtian Awakening isn’t absolute.

Some people live their entire lives without Awakening their innate talent.

Others Awaken immediately after experiencing just one major change.

Yet now, Lu Chen had obtained an item that could allow him to stably Awaken his talent—how could this not astonish him?After all, an Innate Divine Ability is a tremendous Opportunity capable of allowing one to defy heaven and change fate.

With a touch of excitement, Lu Chen directly used the ‘Soul Crystal Shard (White)’ in his hand.

As the soul crystal transformed into specks of light and flowed into his body, Lu Chen immediately began to anticipate the changes within himself.

But after waiting a full ten minutes, nothing happened at all.

Left with no choice, Lu Chen turned his attention to his game panel.

【Name: Lu Chen (Azure Cloud Sect Laborer)】

【Aptitude: High Grade Mixed Spirit Root (Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth)】

【Cultivation: Qi Condensation Stage Second Layer (2300/15000)】

【Innate Divine Ability (1/100): Not Awakened】

“Does it really take a hundred shards to meet the awakening condition…”

Looking at the information displayed on the panel, Lu Chen’s previously surging emotions quickly calmed down.

Upon careful reflection, it made sense. If an ordinary soul crystal shard dropped by a mere spell corpse could easily allow him to awaken an Innate Divine Ability, then such a so-called Innate Divine Ability would be far too cheap.

However, compared to others who rely purely on luck to awaken, his current method—where gathering enough shards guarantees awakening—was undoubtedly much better.

Awakening was merely a matter of time.

“Although a hundred soul crystal shards is a lot, judging by the scale of this tomb, the number of spell corpses here certainly isn’t small.”If I completely clear this instance, I might just gather enough shards for the talent awakening.””

“Moreover, the Ancient Cultivator Tomb instance refreshes every three months. Even if I don’t collect enough soul crystal shards this time, a few more runs should suffice.With this in mind, Lu Chen became less urgent about awakening his talent.

As the saying goes, haste makes waste. Besides awakening his talent, he had more important matters to attend to right now.

For instance, advancing the Purple Haze Nourishing Art to Major Achievement and beyond, then completing the second novice mission to elevate his Spirit Root Aptitude by one level.

For him at present, this was undoubtedly the most crucial task.

Everything else could be postponed slightly until this was accomplished.

Besides, if he could clear this instance now, improving the Purple Haze Nourishing Art and awakening his talent might just be achieved simultaneously, so there was even less need to rush.

Having reasoned this through, Lu Chen refocused his attention on the tomb before him.

Experience points, soul crystal shards, skill fragments—this tomb had already brought him so many pleasant surprises.

Recalling the changes over the past half month, Lu Chen couldn’t help but sigh, “Two years of arduous cultivation pale in comparison to half a month of playing this game. It truly echoes that old adage: effort is important, but the direction of that effort is equally vital.”

“If I had merely cultivated diligently without seriously playing this game, I would never have achieved such tremendous progress.”

“True Immortal Cultivation… just who created this miraculous game?”

With these words, Lu Chen stepped into the deep passage, heading toward the heart of the underground palace.

Fearless and pressing forward relentlessly!

The unknown may represent danger, but it often also represents opportunity.

And when freed from concerns of life and death, the unknown signifies… only opportunity!

In Lu Chen’s eyes, this unknown Ancient Cultivator Tomb was precisely such a treasure trove—full of opportunities and devoid of danger.

Ancient Cultivator Spell Corpses?Just a bunch of walking experience packs and Soul Crystal Shards—hardly worth mentioning!

Just you wait. This Dao Agent will soon help you escape your suffering and return you to where you truly belong.

I, Lu Chen, am truly both diligent… and merciful.

(End of Chapter)