Free Web NovelChapter 203: Chapter 203: Jiujiang Security Zone
Ning Xuan had noticed this back in Spiritual Spring Valley. The energy there was incredibly abundant and highly beneficial for Cultivation.
The external energy there was also exceptionally pure. Even when it seeped into her meridians, it only aided her Cultivation, bringing no harm, so Ning Xuan hadn’t paid it much attention.
Today, however, as the special energy seeped into her meridians, she felt the energy within them was no longer as tranquil as before.
This new energy, which faintly contained Wind and Thunder Power, clashed with the Fire Element Energy that had previously held absolute dominance within her meridians.
Cold sweat beaded on Ning Xuan’s forehead as her fingertips dug deeply into her palms. The energy surging through her meridians was like two warring armies. The crimson Flame Energy tried to expel the azure-purple Wind and Thunder Power. However, whenever the Flame Energy coalesced into the form of the Little Red Bird, it was suppressed by the plane’s laws and forcefully dispersed. As a result, even though the crimson Flame Energy was stronger, it couldn’t drive out the Wind and Thunder Power.
Each collision sent a violent tremor through her body. The dressing mirror reflected the space between her eyebrows turning a faint shade of blue. Three clusters of fire-like marks flickered beneath her skin, and a fiery red shadow shimmered indistinctly behind her.
’This won’t do...’ Ning Xuan’s thoughts raced as she watched the once-docile energy rampage through her Dantian.
Ning Xuan had stopped her Cultivation, but the conflict between the two types of energy inside her didn’t cease.
Ning Xuan circulated the Guiding Spirit Scripture, attempting to diffuse the newly formed energy—the one imbued with Wind and Thunder Power—outward. She let it permeate the surface of her smaller meridians. ’If I can just guide this new energy out,’ she thought, ’I can resolve the conflict between the two energies.’
However, the abundant Fire Element Energy also began to seep from her body, through her skin, and out of her pores, creating a burning, stinging sensation. The pain gradually intensified and spread, becoming a continuous sheet of agony. Her skin swelled as if it were about to tear apart.
The pain reminded her of her past Body Refinement—that feeling of being broken down and rebuilt. ’To neutralize the two energy systems... or maybe... I can try using a Body Refining Potion to see if I can get the two energies to occupy their own territories and achieve a balance within my body.’
At this thought, Ning Xuan’s eyes snapped open. She had to concoct a High-Level Body Refining Potion. She knew the formula, but she wasn’t sure if the government-issued supplies contained the necessary medicinal herbs.
The thought made Ning Xuan antsy. She decided to go to the trading center. A glance at the time told her two hours had passed; the effects of the medicine she’d given Yun Han should be wearing off by now.
Ning Xuan walked into the bedroom and retracted the vines with a wave of her hand. Yun Han’s vacant eyes gave him a look of utter brokenness, but his ragged breaths and flushed complexion lent him a certain alluring vibrance.
"Yun Han, I have to go out. Don’t put on any clothes or get out of bed before I return. The defense Level of this residence is very high. If some fool comes looking for trouble, try not to let them die inside the house."
"Yes, Contractor. Don’t worry," Yun Han answered weakly.
Ning Xuan left for the trading hall with Di Youlin, leaving Yun Han alone in the room.
After Ning Xuan left, two people appeared silently in the room. They were of similar height, wore matching uniforms, and had unremarkable faces. Both bowed respectfully to Yun Han, who sat upright on the bed.
Yun Han waved his hand, dismissing the formality.
The two subordinates kept their heads bowed, not daring to meet his gaze. They had accidentally glimpsed the marks on Marshal Yun’s body. It was hard to imagine that a figure as powerful as Marshal Yun could be tormented into such a state.
"Marshal Yun, our Heavenly Might Corps is helping defend the Jiujiang Security Zone. It’s not far from here and is also the closest security zone to the Red Sand Sea."
"Commander Qiao asked us to bring you this. After binding it with a drop of blood, this bracelet can be used for storage. It is from this planet’s primitive civilization; we have already discovered two Primitive Civilization Ruins, and their initial development was completed half a month ago." One of the men, head bowed, presented a silver, patterned bracelet to Yun Han with both hands.
Yun Han took the bracelet, probing it with his energy. It was indeed similar to the Space Ring they had found before. Biting his finger, Yun Han dripped a drop of blood onto the bracelet. He soon felt a connection form.
"You’ve already discovered Primitive Civilization Ruins? That’s excellent. Continue expanding outward as long as the regional environment remains stable. Tell Qiao Yu to dispatch a team to gather intel on the Red Sand Sea in advance," Yun Han ordered.
"Yes, sir." The two subordinates kept their heads bowed, still not daring to look at Yun Han.
In truth, no one from the Heavenly Might Corps wanted to see their Marshal in this state. And yet, Marshal Yun’s mental state seemed perfectly normal; he appeared to have no complaints about his current circumstances.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK! A series of knocks echoed from the door.
"Yun Han, open up! I know they’re all out and you’re home alone. I have people watching Ning Xuan; she won’t be back anytime soon. Open the door and let me in. We need to talk." It was Hua Guguang. She had actually come.
Yun Han’s expression immediately darkened. He ordered the two men before him, "Call the security patrol. Keep them blocked outside the door."
Yun Han had expected Hua Guguang to send her people to cause trouble, but he never imagined she would come herself.
Yun Han acted decisively, having them call the security patrol immediately, giving Hua Guguang no opportunity to act.
In his current state... These two subordinates were his trusted confidants, so it was one thing for them to see him. But he absolutely could not be exposed like this to an outsider.
At the trading center, Ning Xuan found all the materials she needed for the Body Refining Potion. Chen Nan, Lan Xin, and the others also made some significant finds in the private markets.
「Two days later.」
With their business mostly concluded, Ning Xuan and her group decided to return to Spiritual Spring Valley.
The journey there had been fraught with difficulties due to the unfamiliar terrain, but the return trip was much faster.
The mossy swamp that had troubled them for so long had dried up and hardened. The mutated moss had turned into flakes that could be used as tinder or burned as fuel.
The toxic, corrosive slime secreted by the mutated moss had also dried out. Ning Xuan took out a specialized container and collected a large amount of the dried slime. The substance was toxic and could be refined into a poison.
By evening, Ning Xuan and her party had arrived back at Spiritual Spring Valley. Along the way, they had also managed to hunt a great deal of prey, though it was all of known, pre-existing species.
Fortunately, in addition to the Space Ring on Ning Xuan’s hand, Yun Han now had his storage bracelet. With these two great Space Artifacts, they no longer had to worry about having a place to store their hunted prey.
