Chapter 79

The Light Cloud Sword Spirit's mastery of martial arts can be described as reaching a divine level, making it difficult to gauge its true depth. However, even a skilled housewife cannot cook without rice. Given Zhuang Wudao's current cultivation, if Yun'er were to take control, defeating ordinary cultivators at the Eighth Level of the Qi Condensation Realm would not be a difficult task. Even cultivators at the Ninth Level of the Qi Condensation Realm might not be a match. However, for cultivators at the Tenth and Eleventh Levels of the Qi Condensation Realm, even Yun'er would be helpless. Moreover, the duration she can maintain this state is becoming shorter, lasting only about a moment.

Since Yun'er says she is helpless, this unnamed Daoist's strength must certainly not be limited to the Eighth Level of the Qi Condensation Realm.

Could it be that person?

Zhuang Wudao almost instinctively thought of the person that both the Lichen and Yishan Sects were frantically searching for. Although there are still many doubts, it is not entirely impossible.

Regardless, from this person's tone, it is undoubtedly someone from the Lichen Sect.

"This person is quite grateful. The Sword Master has gained a significant benefit this time. The Spirit Brightness Divine Dew is extremely rare at the Sword Master's level."

"Spirit Brightness Divine Dew? What is that?"

As Zhuang Wudao asked, he immediately recalled the cool sensation on his forehead during his daze.

"Close your eyes, Sword Master, and try to sense the surroundings with your divine consciousness."

At first, Zhuang Wudao did not take it seriously and closed his eyes indifferently. But the next moment, he opened his eyes again, his eyes full of shock.

Cultivating the "Tianxuan Zhaoshi Zhenjing" had indeed increased his divine consciousness, but it was only enough to perform some low-level, substandard spells and sense the surroundings for any danger.

However, just now, after closing his eyes, he could already sense the structure of buildings and the general shapes of flowers and trees within ten meters. Even the insignificant ants and mosquitoes could be vaguely detected.

It was as if he had gained another pair of eyes.

Yun'er continued to explain: "The Spirit Brightness Divine Dew is a high-grade, third-level spiritual item. Just one drop is worth a Foundation Establishment Pill. The person you saved gave you nine drops. Legend has it that by using this item to continuously refine your divine consciousness, with just ninety-nine drops, you can open a pseudo spirit acupoint and cultivate the Heavenly Eye Divine Power. This can break through all illusions below the Yuan Ying stage. It can also help you cleanse the fire toxins in your body, allowing you to gather the Stone Ming Essence Flame Seed without being affected by the fire toxins."

She added casually, "If it weren't for this item's special ability, he wouldn't have been able to detect your 'Superior Hidden Spirit Root.'"

Zhuang Wudao couldn't help but laugh, but then felt curious: "If he had anything on him, Qin Feng should have already taken it all! Where did he find the Spirit Brightness Divine Dew?"

Yun'er fell silent and said no more. Zhuang Wudao immediately became alert, his eyes flashing with a hint of surprise.

It is said that Golden Core cultivators have the ability to create their own void!

Golden Core? Is that unnamed cultivator really a Golden Core?

Zhuang Wudao's mind was a mess, and his thoughts were scattered. Even when practicing boxing in the spirit room, he couldn't concentrate. It wasn't until Qin Feng and Gu Yu arrived with Beiting Wan'er that he snapped out of it.

After observing for a moment in the spirit room, Beiting Wan'er frowned: "What's wrong with you today? Your boxing is soft and weak, like a woman. It's better not to practice at all!"

Zhuang Wudao sighed inwardly and decided to put away his boxing stance. Then, a thought struck him, and he asked curiously: "By the way, have you found the Lichen Sect's 'Hua Ying' Daoist? Hasn't there been any news for so long?"

"Hua Ying? We found him."

Mentioning this person, Beiting Wan'er immediately looked worried: "Ten days ago, we finally found this senior in the Song River, 120 miles away. However, he has been unconscious, with at least ten fatal wounds. The Lichen Sect is at a loss. My future master said that even if a Great Luo Golden Immortal were to descend, it would be difficult to save him. We can only use spiritual medicines to buy some time."

Zhuang Wudao was taken aback, thinking that the person wasn't Hua Ying. He then realized that the Lichen Sect had suffered a significant loss this time.

Exchanging one for three might seem like a good deal, but it's not that simple. The three Golden Core cultivators from the Yishan Sect had already reached the limits of their cultivation and would turn to dust in a hundred or two hundred years. On the other hand, Hua Ying was said to be the youngest Golden Core cultivator in the Lichen Sect and the most promising candidate to reach the Yuan Ying stage in recent years.

"Has any other Golden Core or Foundation Establishment cultivator in the Lichen Sect gone missing recently?"

"A few Qi Condensation Realm cultivators have died, and some Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators have been injured, but none have gone missing."

Beiting Wan'er looked puzzled and asked, "Why are you asking these questions? I remember you didn't care much about these things before."

Zhuang Wudao realized he had been abrupt and had to explain with a bitter smile: "The person Qin Feng saved disappeared this morning. I sensed red lightning in his heart meridian. He might have practiced the Upper Heavens Lightning Control True Method!"

Upon hearing this, Qin Feng and Gu Yu's expressions changed. Especially Gu Yu, who was responsible for Zhuang Wudao's safety, had never relaxed his vigilance in the courtyard.

The unnamed cultivator had disappeared right under his nose without a trace, and he hadn't even noticed anything unusual, which was alarming.

"Do you suspect he is a disciple of the Lichen Sect? This person is indeed a bit strange. A full Stone Ming Essence Flame is too much even for a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator."

Beiting Wan'er immediately understood and thought for a moment before shaking her head: "It shouldn't be! A cultivator at the Eighth Level of the Qi Condensation Realm is at least an inner disciple. If he had been missing for two months, the Lichen Sect would have noticed. Speaking of which, did you really save him? Could it be that you exaggerated and secretly sold him?"

This was, of course, a joke. Over the past few days, Beiting Wan'er had seen Zhuang Wudao drive out the residual Stone Ming Essence Flame from the unnamed cultivator's body.

Mentioning the Stone Ming Essence Flame, Beiting Wan'er's eyes filled with worry: "This person's origin is mysterious. If he's gone, let him go. What matters more is that you, Brother Wudao, have been nurturing the residual Stone Ming Essence Flame for nine days. By tonight, you should be able to condense the fire seed. How confident are you?"

Zhuang Wudao couldn't help but smile. He had used the power of the Stone Ming Essence Flame to cultivate the "Tianxuan Zhaoshi Zhenjing" and reach the Fifth Level of the Qi Condensation Realm. This couldn't be hidden from Gu Yu. His rapid increase in cultivation couldn't be concealed, so he decided to be open about it.

However, to dispel the doubts of Beiting Wan'er and Gu Yu, he had put a lot of effort into his sudden medical skills.

Over the past two months, whenever the members of the Sword Robe Hall had any illnesses, he treated them. Some were cured immediately, while others worsened.

He successfully created the impression that he was well-versed in medical books, knew the meridians and acupoints, had a natural talent for acupuncture, and was skilled in treating injuries, but lacked experience. Although he wasn't good at treating ordinary illnesses, his medical skills had improved significantly after mastering the use of true essence to probe acupoints. Driving out the residual Stone Ming Essence Flame from the unnamed cultivator could be attributed to his creativity.

Combining this with his unconventional background and his photographic memory, even Qin Feng, who knew him well, had gone from being skeptical to half-believing. He thought Zhuang Wudao had been forced to take a desperate measure by Gu Yueming.

However, the process of condensing the fire seed was indeed dangerous. With Yun'er's help, he had at least a 70% chance of success. The Spirit Brightness Divine Dew had cleansed the unrefined fire toxins in his body, making the condensation of the fire seed almost certain.

However, in front of Beiting Wan'er and Gu Yu, he didn't want to be too confident and said with a half-smile, "Confidence? Fifty-fifty. There are too many variables, and I can't know all the dangers beforehand."

Beiting Wan'er's eyebrows furrowed. In her view, Zhuang Wudao, who was already at the Fourth Level of the Qi Condensation Realm, was a pleasant surprise. He had a good chance of defeating Gu Yueming and Fei Xiushen. It was best not to take risks and to be cautious.

However, she knew that Zhuang Wudao had no choice but to absorb the residual Stone Ming Essence Flame. It was a matter of life or death. Either he would successfully condense the fire seed and fully control the Stone Ming Essence Flame, or the flame would go out of control and burn him to ashes. There was no other possibility.

Zhuang Wudao noticed Beiting Wan'er's expression and felt a warmth in his heart. He nodded solemnly, "Don't worry, I won't play with my life."

His perception of the young lady of the Beiting family had changed significantly since their first meeting. She had advised him to quit two months ago and was now concerned about his safety.

Perhaps she was too young, or perhaps she was not the kind of person who treated others' lives as grass and was truly cold and ruthless.

Beiting Wan'er looked at him seriously and nodded, "I'll trust you this time! Don't let me down. I can protect the Sword Robe Hall for a while, but ultimately, you need to protect your brothers yourself."

"Of course."

Zhuang Wudao nodded gratefully. Sensing the increasingly tense atmosphere, he quickly changed the subject and smiled, "Didn't we agree to go to the Lichen Academy to draw lots today? It's already the hour of Chen. If we don't leave soon, it will be too late."

Today was the day of the Lichen Academy's grand competition, where names were recorded and lots were drawn. This was also the reason Beiting Wan'er had come amidst her busy schedule.

Beiting Wan'er glared at him angrily and then took out two books from her sleeve: "The Xuan Yuan Pavilion has found the 'Tianxuan Zhaoshi Zhenjing' you wanted and asked me to deliver it to you—"

Before she finished, Zhuang Wudao's eyes flashed with surprise. He reached out and snatched the two books from Beiting Wan'er's hand.

Beiting Wan'er was taken aback and then her eyes lit up: "The Dragon Seizing Power! You've reached this level? The drawing of lots isn't urgent. As the chief disciple, you can go a bit later. Why don't we test our skills first?"

Zhuang Wudao was speechless, feeling Beiting Wan'er's aura rising rapidly.