Chapter 19

Zhuang Wudao’s frown slightly eased, and he asked hopefully, "I wonder what the essence of heaven and earth is? Where can it be obtained?"

Yun'er laughed at his words, "The essence of heaven and earth, as the name suggests, is naturally the root essence of this world. It’s not something too precious; cultivators can condense it themselves. However, one’s cultivation must at least reach the Immortal Lord level. After a thousand years of accumulation, it would only be slightly stronger than me. Another source is naturally formed spiritual objects, which may contain the essence. However, such objects are mostly of the Immortal Treasure grade. If you, the Sword Master, hear of any such spiritual objects in the future, please inform Yun'er."

Zhuang Wudao blushed, sensing the teasing in the sword spirit’s words.

Indeed, it wasn’t his fault. The essence of heaven and earth was simply too useful. In just three days, it had enabled him to quickly achieve the Bull Demon Yuan Body. If he could find more, wouldn’t he be able to ascend to the heavens in one step?

With enough essence, not only could he master the Bull Demon Yuan Body, but he could also easily practice the Piercing Armor Sharp Finger technique.

At that time, why would he need to join any sect? Even the prestigious Lichen Sect, known as the first major sect in the south, would not be a concern.

The reason he wanted to join Lichen was to have a master guide him and to gain access to more cultivation techniques and scriptures.

Speaking of masters, the spirit of the Qingyun Sword was likely superior to any cultivator in the Tianyi countries. As for techniques, Yun'er seemed to remember many ancient supreme arts.

Upon careful consideration, there was indeed no need to take such great risks to challenge the Daoist Heavenly Path.

Zhuang Wudao then shook his head slightly. The resources available to sect cultivators and independent cultivators were vastly different.

Just by becoming a初级练气境弟子 (初级 means "初级" and 练气境 means "Qi Practitioner Realm") of the Lichen Sect, he would receive ten Qi Nourishing Pills, thirty Bone Strengthening and Tendon Forging Pills, and fifty Essence-Storing Stones each month. The value of these regular pills alone was four hundred taels of silver, far exceeding what was available to outer sect disciples.

If he were an independent cultivator, even if he had money, he wouldn’t be able to buy such high-quality pills.

Moreover, everyone knew the saying, "It’s easier to rest under a big tree." In the cultivation world, the strong prey on the weak. But if he became an inner sect disciple of the Lichen Sect, even a world-renowned Golden Core cultivator would have to think twice before attacking him.

Therefore, the grand competition in three months was not something he could give up; he had to be even more dedicated. He didn’t need to risk his life, but if there was even the slightest chance, he had to give it his all.

He clenched his hands, feeling the surging power within him. For the first time, Zhuang Wudao felt that his future was not just a glimmer of hope.

The magnetic pit was forty-nine zhang deep. Jumping down was easy, but climbing up was troublesome. Following Yun'er’s instructions, he first used a medicine bottle to store the few drops of earth marrow. Then, holding the Qingyun Sword, he began to dig small holes in the cave walls.

The stone walls were not only smooth but also extremely hard. However, Zhuang Wudao’s strength was now a hundred times that of an ordinary person. Although the Qingyun Sword was not very sharp, it was not afraid of breaking.

He could usually dig a small hole with just a few strikes, enough for him to step on. In just half an hour, he climbed out of the cave.

He then saw Ma Yuan and Lin Han sitting nearby, munching on the dry rations they had brought.

Seeing him climb out of the deep pit, both of them looked relieved.

"Zhuang Wudao, what happened? Why did you howl like a wolf or a ghost for three whole days, as if you were about to die?"

"It was terrifying. We thought you probably wouldn’t come back up. Ma Yuan just said that if you didn’t come out in a day, we would go down to look for you. Brothers share both good and bad times. But it was really amusing to hear you cry out in pain for the first time. Too bad Qin Feng and the others weren’t here; it would have been a shame—"

Ma Yuan also gloated, "I remember you always boasted about being a tough guy. I wonder what you encountered down there that made you even call for your mother."

As he spoke, Ma Yuan walked to the edge of the pit and looked down, still curious about what Zhuang Wudao had experienced in the 'magnetic eye.' He also didn’t understand why Zhuang Wudao had come here.

Zhuang Wudao was taken aback. So, he had been howling in pain for three days and three nights after losing consciousness? How did he not know?

For a moment, Zhuang Wudao felt an urge to kill them to keep them quiet. With their gossipy nature, they would surely spread the news upon returning. His reputation would be ruined.

Sighing, Zhuang Wudao then looked at the medicine bottle in his hand. According to Yun'er, the earth marrow could only be condensed in a magnetic eye and required a special container to be preserved.

If he left it in an ordinary medicine bottle, the few drops of earth marrow would turn into jade in just an hour.

But should he give the earth marrow to Ma Yuan and Lin Han?

Zhuang Wudao hesitated for a long time, unable to decide. In the end, he decided not to think about it. Whether to consume the earth marrow would be up to Ma Yuan and Lin Han to decide.

However, the most pressing matter was to fill his stomach. After being unconscious in the pit for three days, he was really hungry.

※※※※

They spent another half a day in the valley. It wasn’t until the next morning that the three of them emerged from the magnetic eye.

The reason was that Ma Yuan and Lin Han ultimately chose to consume the earth marrow.

"I, Ma Yuan, practice martial arts just to earn a living. I have no grand ambitions. I only want to eat well and drink well in this life. How could I miss such an opportunity? Besides, our Green Robe Hall is just starting, and with only you and Qin Feng at the Bone Forging stage, it’s hard to maintain the scene. In the future, I, Ma Yuan, will surely be famous in the northern city—"

"Reaching the Essence Spirit stage? It’s too far from us. I’ve never even heard of the Essence Spirit stage. The strongest cultivators in the Tianyi realms are only at the Golden Core stage. My and Ma Yuan’s martial arts and cultivation talents are far inferior to yours, and it will be hard to catch up in the future. If we don’t use the earth marrow, we might never reach the Qi Practitioner stage in our lives. Actually, I would be satisfied if I could reach the Foundation Establishment stage and live to be over two hundred years old, with a large family."

The two were open-minded and didn’t care about the potential risks of consuming the earth marrow. Zhuang Wudao could only let them do as they pleased.

Actually, the sword spirit’s words made sense. The earth marrow might be a deadly poison to him, but for Ma Yuan and Lin Han, it was a great opportunity.

The two were much luckier than Zhuang Wudao. After consuming the earth marrow, they felt neither pain nor discomfort. They practiced boxing for half a day, dispersing the spiritual energy in the earth marrow throughout their bodies, breaking out in a heavy sweat, and passing through the process smoothly.

Their cultivation didn’t immediately reach the Bone Forging stage, but both Ma Yuan and Lin Han excitedly told him that they could already feel their blood flow like lead during boxing. This was a sign that they were just a step away from condensing their blood.

The next step was for these two not to be lazy. In at most ten days, they could enter the Bone Forging stage. Their cultivation would advance rapidly within three years after consuming the earth marrow.

After leaving the ancient site, Zhuang Wudao left several obvious marks along the way. Magnetic veins were rare in the entire Dongwu country, and magnetic eyes were even rarer, something he had never heard of before.

Once he had mastered the Bull Demon Yuan Body, he no longer needed the power of the magnetic vein, making this place useless to him. However, if he sold the specific location to the powerful families in Yuecheng, he could make a fortune, at least a thousand taels of silver!

They left the valley at dawn and returned to Yuecheng at the fourth watch. Entering the city through the south gate, the three of them sighed in relief. Ma Yuan laughed happily, "It’s a good thing we made it back. Otherwise, we would have to call Zhuang Tong the chief senior disciple, and that would be very humiliating."

Three days ago, when they entered the magnetic eye, it took them a whole half day. They originally thought they would miss the small competition, but it turned out to be much easier to leave, taking only a few dozen steps to exit the magnetic distortion area and return to the city early.

Lin Han also looked confident, gripping the fine steel longsword at his waist and sneering, "In this small competition, we must at least get into the top ten. Zhuang Tong’s dozen or so followers have always been arrogant in the academy. This time, I will crush a few of them and make them regret their arrogance!"

After consuming the earth marrow, their cultivation had significantly improved, and they were now full of confidence. Both had extensive experience fighting on the streets and were not afraid of ordinary Bone Forging cultivators.

However, Zhuang Wudao felt extremely awkward. His muscles and limbs were not coordinating well. This had started when he climbed out of the magnetic pit. While running through the forest, he almost collided with trees several times.

The 'Dragon Walk Tiger Step' technique, which he had once mastered, was now worse than when he first learned it. His strength and speed had increased, but he couldn’t control them.

However, defeating Zhuang Tong shouldn’t be too difficult.

He had originally planned to give up the position of chief disciple this month to avoid trouble.

But after learning from Yan Jun that there were Lichen Sect cultivators inspecting the area, he changed his mind. He might as well keep the position for a while.

The Lichen Academy’s small competition was held every odd month. He could observe the situation first. If things went wrong in two months, he could still give up the position then.

Zhuang Wudao also thought about the red-clothed girl he had seen that day. He wondered if she would participate today.

Although he had cultivated the Bull Demon Yuan Body, a top martial art, he was certainly no match for that girl.

One had achieved it in a single night and couldn’t even control his own strength, while the other had practiced for over a decade. The gap between them was unimaginable. He might have a chance in a few years.

Just then, Zhuang Wudao heard Ma Yuan whistle lightly, "What a beautiful girl! If I could spend a night with such a woman, I would die a happy man."