Chapter 33

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In the cave, everything was as it had been. The jade light flickering around still emitted a faint, cold glow.

At the base of the central stone pillar, a figure in green sat, no longer minding the cold beneath him, but tightly gripping the short sword. After a moment, he let out a long breath, and the dazed look in his eyes finally returned to normal.

Just now, danger had struck again. Fortunately, he had managed to grab the short sword in time, and the terrifying force finally let up. Otherwise, his fate would have been uncertain!

It was clear that the short sword was drawing and absorbing the power from the stone pillar, helping him avoid disaster once more! Precious thing, you always seem so ordinary and unremarkable, yet you always come through in the most critical moments!

Wujiao held the short sword tightly and remained in a daze. After a while, he tucked the sword into his chest, slowly let go, and stood up, feeling a bit more at ease.

The ground around the stone pillar was quite flat. Water dripping from the stalactites had formed a shallow pool about half a foot deep, like a clear jade spring. Occasionally, the sound of dripping water would break the silence, rippling out in a serene and unique way, far from the hustle and bustle of the world.

There were a few protruding jade stones in the water, of varying heights, corresponding to the stalactites above, each glowing with a white light, connected by drops of water, forming a natural landscape. The stone pillar behind him seemed to be made of piled jade waves, layer upon layer, like solidified fat, emitting a cold chill that was both astonishing and intimidating!

Wujiao looked around and quietly moved his feet. Although his body was still somewhat weak, at least he could move without hindrance.

So, can I leave this place now?

Wujiao looked up at the cave entrance about twenty feet away and took another slow step forward. He was still fine, but he felt a strange connection within him, something he couldn't shake off. He reached for the short sword at his waist and glanced back at the strange stone pillar.

Indeed, he was still bound. The force seemed to be flowing through his limbs and into the short sword.

Oh no, I must have been affected by it! I can't afford to get hurt or sick; I've already had enough troubles!

Wujiao figured out the situation, his face grim, and he pouted. Then he took a step, intending to walk back to the tunnel he had come from.

At that moment, a familiar figure appeared. The man was also in green, but his was a fine silk robe, different from Wujiao's rough cloth.

"Hmph! Wujiao, you're dead!"

Mushen, who had returned, stood at the cave entrance, spitting out his words with a sneer. His pale face was twisted with a cold smile: "This place is actually an abandoned spirit mine, hehe..." But his laughter faltered, and he looked suspicious.

Wujiao wasn't surprised to see Mushen. He shrugged his shoulders, indifferent. Though he didn't speak, his meaning was clear: I'm fine, are you blind?

That guy was devious and wouldn't let it go. Perhaps he had found out the reason from the overseers and returned with confidence, but he stayed at the entrance, not daring to come closer, probably out of caution. Was he here to keep me company or to block my way out?

Wujiao bent down to pick up the pearl he had discarded, wiped it clean, and put it in his bag. He glanced at Mushen, who was staring intently. He stood up and greeted him: "Overseer Mu, didn't you want to catch me? Come on..."

"Aren't you afraid of the spirit power?"

"Spirit power? I fear nothing from heaven or earth..."

"You... a mere mortal, ignorant and fearless!"

Wujiao, seeing Mushen's hesitation and the doubt in his words, felt more confident. He moved a few steps and sat on a nearby stalactite, shivering from the dripping water, but tried to look calm: "Hmph, let's hear it, and we'll see if it's true..."

Mushen observed Wujiao's every move, shook his head, and said: "The world is imbued with spirit, formed from the five elements, and these are the spirit stones! When we cultivate, we can absorb the power of these stones, greatly enhancing our abilities. The five elements are essential for alchemy, forging, magic, and understanding the realms. Beyond the five elements, there are essences that form stones and jade, divided by color into Yang Crystals or Yin Crystals, which are not easily absorbed or controlled by ordinary cultivators..."

He still found it hard to believe but continued patiently: "In short, the five-element spirit stones can be absorbed by cultivators to enhance their power and cultivation. But these Yin and Yang Crystals are terrifying, capable of devouring flesh and life. Only those with sufficient cultivation can use them..."

Wujiao, always humble when faced with something he didn't understand, listened and nodded.

Mushen continued: "The Jade Well was originally dug by the ancestors of Spirit Mist Mountain to extract spirit stones. They abandoned it after encountering a rare crystal. The residual power of the crystal remains, making it dangerous for anyone to enter, hence it became a forbidden area. I'm sure the overseers mentioned this to you when you first came down..."

Wujiao didn't say anything but was inwardly skeptical. The overseers weren't that kind, and he had only been warned by Zongbao!

Mushen returned to the main point: "The residual power of the crystal is called spirit power. A cultivator at the Foundation Establishment stage can resist it, but a Qi Practitioner cannot handle it..." He paused and asked: "You, a mere mortal, should have no chance of survival. How did you manage it? Can you reveal the secret?"

Wujiao didn't rush to answer but raised his head and opened his mouth. A drop of water from the stalactite fell into his mouth. He savored it, looking pleased: "Hmm, quite refreshing..."

Mushen's face darkened.

Wujiao looked down, crossed one leg, and his leather boots, now soaked, made him uncomfortable. He sat steadily and said leisurely: "Overseer Mu, your knowledge is vast and your insight profound. I've learned a lot from you. But your flaws..." He shook the water off his boots, regretfully: "You follow a dead master, deceive women for money, oppress the good, and have a wicked heart. I can only say..." He smirked: "You're a terrible person!"

Mushen, expecting an explanation, received only harsh criticism. His pale face turned slightly green, and he gritted his teeth, suppressing his anger: "Words are meaningless. Answer me!"

Wujiao nodded and grinned: "I have transcended the three realms and am not bound by the five elements. What can a mere spirit power do to me? Hehe, hahaha... Ouch..." He saw Mushen's eyes widen with anger and laughed even more, but slipped on the wet ground, splashing into the water. He scrambled up, still grinning.

Mushen stood up, eyes blazing with fury, and pulled out a talisman, growling: "Boy, don't be so cocky..." With a flick of his finger, flames burst forth, and in an instant, the cave was engulfed in a fiery rain.

Wujiao, who had been depressed for so long, finally had a moment of relief. He turned and ran, using the stone pillar for cover, and peeked out cautiously.

The fiery rain covered half the cave, the jade walls glowing red, the water boiling into steam, the flames fierce and relentless, threatening to consume everything!

Mushen, seeing the talisman's power, looked triumphant.

Wujiao, on the other hand, was secretly alarmed and at a loss.

At that moment, the fiery rain suddenly halted, and a visible wave of power emanated from the stone pillar, pushing the flames back and scattering them. The murderous intent slowly dissipated, and Mushen, at the entrance, was nowhere to be seen.

After a moment, the cave was quiet.

Wujiao looked around, gasping in relief.

Close call, almost turned to ashes!

After the shock, he felt a surge of joy and patted the stone pillar: "Using the enemy's own method against them, a brilliant strategy! I hope it burns that guy to a crisp!" Clearly, the stone pillar contained residual Yin and Yang Crystals. He examined it closely, his eyes gleaming.

What a treasure, if only it weren't so large. Otherwise, I could cut it off and carry it as a protective charm!

"Hmph, if you have the guts, come over..."

With a cold snort, a figure appeared at the entrance, none other than Mushen, who had returned, but now looked disheveled and singed.

Wujiao feigned curiosity: "Eh, what happened to you? Did you get what you deserved?" He chuckled: "Hehe, I'm not going over, what are you going to do about it?"

Mushen gritted his teeth, slowly left the entrance, paced for a moment, and then returned.

The cave was narrow, with the stone pillar about ten feet from the walls. If he tried to go around the edges, he could barely make it, but he couldn't get close to the pillar, leaving no opportunity.

He sat cross-legged at the entrance, his eyes flashing with determination: "You're just using the terrain to your advantage, but you can't hide forever. I'll starve you to death here!" Perhaps still angry, he added with a sneer: "A lowly mortal, what can you do against me?"

Wujiao watched Mushen's movements, feeling relieved when he stopped. But hearing his words, he raised an eyebrow and stepped out from behind the pillar, baring his teeth: "Mushen, you've insulted me many times. I'll let it slide for now, but you're pushing it too far, you're no good!"

Mushen had never been insulted to his face, and his expression froze.

Wujiao continued without pause: "Aren't you a human, born to a mother and father? Are your parents immortals? By your logic, you're just as lowly! Remember, after meeting me, you either lose your master or your treasures. I'm your nemesis! Don't believe me? We'll see, I'll make you beg for mercy!"

Mushen's face turned from white to green and back again, barely holding back his anger.

Wujiao turned and walked away, muttering to himself: "That guy, though evil, did say something true. Relying on heaven and earth is not as good as relying on oneself! I'm just a weak scholar, what can I do, what can I do, what can I do..."

Mushen's face was terrifying, his lips trembling. He forced himself to calm down, took a deep breath, and stared at Wujiao's figure in the water, then closed his eyes.

Boy, we'll see...

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