Within the secret realm, the worldly spiritual energy was far richer than that of the outside world.
Yet after wandering through it for over half a day, Gu Yanqing still hadn’t found what he was looking for.
Scarlet Flame Crystal Marrow was never an ordinary material to begin with; if one could stumble upon it just by casually strolling around, that would actually be strange.
Standing on a grassy slope overgrown with wild weeds, he looked down at the map jade slip in his hand.
“Looks like I can only look for other things first.”
He wasn’t disappointed.
Entering the secret realm in the first place had merely been to try his luck.
Since he hadn’t found it, gathering some relatively high-value spirit herbs and materials to exchange for spirit stones once outside would serve the same purpose.
Along the way, he had already gathered quite a few spirit herbs.
Among them were even several Rank 2 spirit herbs rarely seen in the outside world.
Though they couldn’t compare to Scarlet Flame Crystal Marrow, little by little adds up, amounting to a sizable income.
Just as he prepared to continue forward, his footsteps suddenly halted.
In the valley ahead, there was an unusual fluctuation of spiritual energy.
Gu Yanqing narrowed his eyes.
Reasonably speaking, although the distribution of spiritual energy in the secret realm was denser than outside, such a distinct variance shouldn’t normally appear.
After a slight hesitation, he walked in that direction.
Passing through a patch of low-lying woods, a hidden cave appeared before his eyes.
The entrance wasn’t large, concealed by hanging vines. If not for sensing the abnormal spiritual energy upon drawing near, one wouldn’t have noticed it at all.
Gu Yanqing stepped inside.
The deeper he went, the richer the spiritual energy grew.
Finally, at the deepest part of the cave, he discovered a cyan stone platform radiating a faint glow.
Around the stone platform, spiritual energy gathered slowly like flowing water.
“A spirit vein node?”
Gu Yanqing was somewhat surprised.
Such a place wasn’t some immense, heaven-defying opportunity, but for cultivation, it was indeed a rare and excellent spot.
He scanned his surroundings.
After confirming there were no traces left by other cultivators, he sat down cross-legged.
Since he was already here, spending a little time cultivating wouldn’t be a waste.
As he circulated his cultivation method, the surrounding spiritual energy surged into his body.
At the same time, the 《Black Iron Body》 began to operate on its own.
A subtle connection seemed to form between his physical body and spiritual energy.
The power of the Scarlet Flame Crystal Marrow flowed steadily within him, tempering his sinews and bones, while the rich spiritual energy from the spirit vein node constantly replenished what he consumed.
Gu Yanqing closed his eyes.
Time slipped by bit by bit.
...
He didn’t know how much time had passed before he slowly opened his eyes.
A flash of sharp light gleamed in the depths of his eyes.
He lowered his gaze to inspect his condition.
He was another step closer to Golden Core.
Though he hadn’t truly broken through yet, that barrier had become distinctly visible.
Gu Yanqing let out a soft breath.
“Looks like my luck wasn’t bad this time.”
He stood up.
He didn’t linger any longer.
Though this place was suitable for cultivation, it wasn’t his own territory after all.
What was more, his most important goal right now was still gathering materials.
After leaving the cave, he continued searching through the secret realm.
After some time passed...
“Help!”
A shout suddenly came from the distance.
Gu Yanqing paused in his tracks.
In the next moment, a figure burst out from the other side of the woods.
It was a young male cultivator.
His clothes were disheveled, his face pale, and right behind him pursued a colossal demon beast.
The demon beast had the build of an ox, its entire body covered in black scales, its eyes crimson, and its aura fierce and savage.
Late Rank 2.
Gu Yanqing gauged its strength at a single glance.
Seeing Gu Yanqing, the male cultivator’s eyes instantly lit up.
“Fellow Daoist! Help!”
Gu Yanqing didn’t respond. He hadn’t intended to meddle in someone else’s business.
Yet in the next moment, he looked at that demon beast.
A demon core and beast materials could presumably be sold for spirit stones.
He let out a light sigh.
“Whatever.”
“I might as well take care of it while I’m here.”
The demon beast charged right before him, swinging its massive claw down viciously.
Gu Yanqing didn’t draw his sword, merely raising his hand.
The next instant.
Fist and claw collided.
Boom!
A dull, heavy sound rang out.
The demon beast’s colossal frame was actually sent flying straight back, skidding several zhang across the ground.
Gu Yanqing glanced at his fist, somewhat surprised himself. Its effect was even stronger than he had anticipated.
The 《Black Iron Body》 combined with the technique he had practiced before was truly more than a simple one plus one.
The demon beast struggled, trying to get back up.
Yet Gu Yanqing had already arrived in front of it.
Moments later, the battle was over.
Standing to the side, the young male cultivator watched, utterly dumbfounded.
“Fellow Daoist, you...”
He seemed to want to say something.
Gu Yanqing had already collected the demon beast materials.
“Is there something else?”
The male cultivator snapped back to his senses and said hastily, “Thank you for saving my life, Fellow Daoist! I am—”
“No need,” Gu Yanqing interrupted him. “I have things to do.”
With that, he directly rode his flying sword away.
Leaving the male cultivator standing in place with a blank look on his face.
...
Half a day later.
Gu Yanqing glanced at the gains inside his storage bag.
It was about enough. Selling these items should fetch him enough spirit stones to purchase the auxiliary materials he needed, perhaps even leaving a little extra. There was no need to waste any more time here.
He located the secret realm’s exit, returned his token, and departed.
...
“Fang Shouyi!”
“Are you sure we can get out this way?”
Amidst the wind and snow, Shen Wanwan gritted her teeth and asked.
Riding his flying sword, Fang Shouyi replied earnestly:
“Miss, I previously suggested backtracking along our original route.”
“But you said it was rare for us to get out...”
“Shut up!”
Shen Wanwan’s expression turned ugly.
“Is now the time to bring that up?”
Behind the two of them, a colossal demon beast was in hot pursuit: a Rank 3 snow-patterned giant ape.
Its build was like a small mountain, each step shaking the ground.
Shen Wanwan glanced back, her face darkening completely.
“Fang Shouyi!”
“Did you do this on purpose?!”
“No.”
Fang Shouyi merely shook his head.
“I only thought there might be better opportunities in this direction.”
“...”
Shen Wanwan almost laughed in frustration.
“You think you’re quite reasonable, don’t you?”
“Thank you for the compliment, Miss.”
“I wasn’t complimenting you!”
The two fled for a long time.
Finally, taking advantage of the terrain, they managed to shake off the demon beast.
Shen Wanwan crawled out of a snowdrift.
Her hair was a mess, and her clothes were covered in snow.
She fell silent for a moment.
“I’ve had enough.”
“I’m going back to the sect.”
Fang Shouyi nodded. “Understood, Miss.”
With that, he pulled out a map and stared at it for a long while in silence.
Shen Wanwan slowly turned her head.
“What is it?”
He still didn’t say anything.
“Fang Shouyi.”
“Don’t tell me you don’t know where we are?”
Fang Shouyi looked down at the map and nodded honestly.
“Most likely... I do not.”
“You...”
Shen Wanwan took a deep breath.
In the end, she gave up on scolding him.
Because she knew it wouldn’t do any good anyway.
Just then, two figures appeared in the distance.
Shen Wanwan’s eyes lit up. “Someone’s there.”
She strode straight over.
“Fellow Daoists, might I ask what place this is?”
The two individuals paused and turned around.
Seeing the Chixiao Sect attire on Shen Wanwan, they exchanged a glance.
In the next moment, both grinned.
Their smiles were faintly eerie.
“A disciple of the Chixiao Sect?”
“Our luck isn’t bad at all.”
Shen Wanwan frowned. “What do you mean?”
Answering her was a beam of pitch-black spiritual light.
Boom!
Spiritual energy erupted.
Before Shen Wanwan could even react, a thick, heavy shield shadow already barred the way before her.
Fang Shouyi’s expression was grave.
“Miss, stand back.”
Shen Wanwan had yet to realize what was happening.
This was the first time she had ever seen Fang Shouyi make such an expression.
Meanwhile, the two cultivators stared at Fang Shouyi shielding her, their eyes growing progressively chilled.
“Turns out there’s another one.”
“All the better. We’ll take both of them.”
Rate on N.U.
