Chapter 42

After an unknown period of time, perhaps several days and nights, or perhaps just a brief moment, Wei Shizheng slowly awoke from his deep sleep. The human-faced dove was a fire elemental creature, and its demon core contained a lifetime of essence. Wei Shizheng had taken a calming pill and exhausted the earth qi in his acupoints, which allowed him to save his life.

Recalling that lightning-fast strike, Wei Shizheng felt a lingering fear. He had a new understanding of the dangers of the Ghost Gate Abyss. The human-faced dove was the most common creature in the Ghost Gate Abyss, but even the most common was not something he could easily handle. If it weren't for the advantage of the terrain and a bit of luck, he would have long since become a wisp of soul under the talons of the demon bird.

Wei Shizheng rested for a moment, glanced at the cave entrance, and saw that the human-faced dove, having lost its demon core, was barely alive and no longer struggling or screaming. He was not in a hurry, leaning against the stone wall and sitting cross-legged, patiently waiting for the next episode of the pill's toxicity to occur.

Whether dealing with a dying human-faced dove or a dying Huang Longzi, one could not be careless. He needed to eliminate any concerns first before considering other matters.

The pill's toxicity was more intense than before, lasting for the duration of two incense sticks. Wei Shizheng swallowed the flesh and blood of the beauty python, arched his back, and slammed into the rock, which had a similar effect to slamming into a tree, except the rock had sharp edges that pierced his back, causing it to bleed profusely. Fortunately, his body was well-trained, and the wounds healed quickly, leaving only a few white scars.

The earth qi once again filled the six acupoints, forming a complete cycle of primordial energy that repeatedly washed over his meridians. The Jinsuo acupoint, located below the Zhizhong acupoint, twitched repeatedly, just one step away from being fully opened.

Wei Shizheng exhaled a white breath, feeling full of energy and a sharpness in his mind. He vaguely felt that the breakthrough of the Dazhui acupoint was the key. Once the cycle of primordial energy was formed, the subsequent cultivation would be smooth sailing.

He picked up a few sharp stones and, from a distance, threw them at the human-faced dove like skipping stones on water. They struck its chest and abdomen heavily. The human-faced dove, in pain, writhed and cried out a few times before becoming still again.

Wei Shizheng thought for a moment and then turned back to the stone room. Huang Longzi had been calling him for a long time, his eyes filled with anticipation. Seeing him return empty-handed, he was greatly disappointed, his expression lazy, and he didn't even want to speak.

"Senior Huang Longzi, I managed to subdue a human-faced dove by chance, but I don't have a suitable weapon, so I can't deal with it right away."

Huang Longzi's spirit was immediately lifted, and he called out repeatedly, "Good, good! Go to the stone cave behind me and take a flying sword. Cut off the human-faced dove and bring me its heart's blood, and I will reward you generously!"

The words "flying sword" struck a chord in Wei Shizheng's heart. He responded but did not move.

"Little boy, what's wrong? Why are you hesitating?" Huang Longzi was impatient.

"I have a question, Senior. Could you please clarify?"

Huang Longzi was taken aback and said, "Just ask."

"How long have you been cultivating the Ice Heart Technique?"

Huang Longzi replied casually, "About ten or twenty years, I can't remember clearly."

"The cold qi from the Ice Heart Technique is extraordinary. To create a small realm in the Ghost Gate Abyss, where the fire qi is so dense, it must be an extraordinary technique."

Huang Longzi laughed softly, "You're a smart boy! Yes, the Ice Heart Technique of the Xuantong Sect is passed down from the Kunlun lineage, far superior to the 'Taiyi Foundation Building Scripture.'"

Wei Shizheng slowed his speech, "Senior, you have been cultivating the Kunlun lineage technique for ten or twenty years and have not yet broken through the Dao Tais stage. You came to the Ghost Gate Abyss to seek opportunities, descended into the Snow Cave with a flying sword, and three years ago, you suffered a mental breakdown, with your lifespan nearly exhausted—"

"Little boy, heh heh, what can I say... To be honest, I have already broken through the sword control stage and am a well-known figure in the Xuantong Sect. I came to the Ghost Gate Abyss for a reason, which you don't need to ask about. Just bring me the heart's blood of the human-faced dove, and I will give you a flying sword!"

Wei Shizheng took a step back.

Huang Longzi became frightened and called out, "Little boy, where are you going? I really have suffered a mental breakdown and have little time left. If you bring me the heart's blood of the human-faced dove, I will pass on my lineage to you..."

Wei Shizheng was determined. He couldn't tell which of Huang Longzi's words were true and which were false, so he didn't believe any of them. Huang Longzi's desperate need for the human-faced dove's blood, whether to alleviate his pain or for some other purpose, was best ignored to avoid any future troubles.

You don't betray me, and I won't betray you. If you deceive me, I don't care what happens to you!

Wei Shizheng retreated to the cave entrance, threw a few stones to test if the human-faced dove was dead. The human-faced dove twitched weakly a few times and then fell silent.

He pulled out the iron rod, activated the Penglai Bag, and put the human-faced dove into the bag. In an instant, the human-faced dove's soul was lost, turning it into a lifeless corpse.

Wei Shizheng keenly sensed that the Penglai Bag trembled slightly, as if it had grown a bit. He felt a sense of anticipation. If he continuously absorbed the souls of demons, what changes would the Penglai Bag undergo?

He sat cross-legged at the cave entrance, deep in thought, patiently waiting.

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