Free Web NovelChapter 301: Chapter 301: Sword Burial Abyss
"Don’t bother with such pleasantries," Cyan Simurgh interrupted him as a Golden Needle slid out from her sleeve. "After Taking the Pill, I must immediately apply the needle to lock in the Thunder Spirit Qi."
The Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi was now gradually recovering. Although it had only been a few decades, it was enough to make many previously useless, exquisite techniques effective again.
She turned her head and instructed a Warrior, "Place the Medicine Cauldron in the courtyard and prepare a bucket of Cold Jade Ice Spring Water."
Chi Shao had already opened the medicine box on her own. She picked up the Purple Gold Bone Forging Pill with two fingers and dangled it in front of Xu Yunfan. "Junior Brother, open your mouth..."
Xu Yunfan swallowed the Elixir without hesitation. In an instant, its medicinal power felt like a raging fire consuming his body. He let out a muffled grunt but used the momentum to activate his Cultivation Technique, forcing the medicinal power into his limbs and bones.
At this moment, Cyan Simurgh tapped the Bronze Medicine Cauldron with her fair hand. The medicinal soup inside surged and, on its own, began to shimmer with a hazy glow.
"Junior Brother, this is the Taoist Sect’s secret ’Eight Treasures Celestial Cleansing Soup.’ Get in immediately after you swallow the Elixir. Remember, no clothes."
Hearing this, Xu Yunfan didn’t hesitate. He stripped off his robes, and with a thought, the Dragon Scale Armor on his body receded layer by layer, revealing his naked form.
With Cyan Simurgh’s cheeks slightly flushed and Peony staring without blinking, he forcefully suppressed the heat surging through him and stepped into the Bronze Cauldron, his expression unchanged.
"Guard your Heart and Spirit, and circulate your Blood Qi to digest the medicinal power. Leave the rest to us."
As Cyan Simurgh spoke, she lightly tapped Xu Yunfan’s Jianjing acupoint. The medicinal power seeped into his flesh and blood along with her Nine Revolutions Palace-Advancing Hand.
Xu Yunfan felt a stinging pain all over his body, as if ten thousand ants were gnawing on him, yet amidst the agony, he could feel his muscles and bones transforming once more.
Chi Shao’s palm strikes were like fluttering butterflies as she forced the medicinal qi into his Dantian. She whispered, "The Sect Leader has ordered that after this medicinal bath, you must use the Dragon and Tiger Hibernation Skill to seal your aura, so that no outsiders can perceive your true foundation."
Amidst the steam rising from the Medicine Cauldron, Xu Yunfan’s skin and bones began to glow. The disparate Cultivation Techniques within his body, under the harmonizing effect of the Secret Medicine, gradually started to merge into a cohesive whole.
He clenched his fists, thinking, ’Washing Marrow Perfection is just around the corner...’
Before the morning dew had dried and while mist still clung to the summit of Qingwei Mountain, Xu Yunfan had already climbed the bluestone steps to the front of Qingwei Hall.
On either side of the hall’s entrance stood two Bronze Qilin statues. A Spiritual Light seemed to flow within their beastly eyes, as if they were scrutinizing any who approached.
He took a deep breath and straightened his robes, making sure to conceal the Dragon Scale Armor underneath. Today, he was meeting not only his master, Bi Yuan, but also many high-ranking members of the Taoist Sect. He could not afford the slightest breach of etiquette.
Pushing open the hall doors, he was greeted by the rich scent of sandalwood. The hall’s interior was dimly lit, with thirty-six Everlasting Lamps hanging from the high ceiling, illuminating Bi Yuan, who sat upon the main seat.
This Nine Realms Qi Cultivation Grandmaster was not in his usual attire today. Instead, he wore a black Taoist robe with gold patterns and a Seven-Star Crown on his head, his majestic air even greater than usual.
The Punishment Hall’s Peak Leader, Cui Yu, stood beside him like an iron tower. A Longsword exuding a biting chill hung at his waist, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the hall like a bolt of lightning.
Xu Yunfan’s gaze shifted slightly. He saw more than ten Elders with profound auras standing on either side of the hall. Each one of them was a figure who could shake the entire Taoist Sect with a stomp of their foot.
At the head of the left side was Li Zhi, the Peak Leader of Dragon and Tiger Peak. He had a ruddy face and a long beard. Although he deliberately restrained his sharp Sword Intent, it still made the skin of those who drew near tingle.
An unsheathed Ancient Sword hung at his waist. Faint patterns of a dragon and a tiger were visible on its blade. This was none other than the famous "Dragon Tiger Golden Core Sword" of Qingzhou.
Beside Li Zhi was Zhou Xuanqing, the Peak Leader of Jade Balance Peak. He appeared otherworldly and saintly, holding a White Jade Duster. But when he turned slightly, his loose Taoist robes revealed muscles as gnarled as old tree roots.
This giant, nearly two and a half meters tall, cultivated the "Giant Spirit Divine Gang." He was a practitioner of ’one force to overcome ten techniques’ and had once torn apart a colossal elephant of the Mosenan Dao wastelands with his bare hands. At this moment, he was squinting at Xu Yunfan, the tip of his duster moving without any wind.
Further back was Lu Jiuxiao, the Peak Leader of Cyan Nether Peak. His face was stern and cold, and a faint chill circulated around his body. It was rumored that he had already cultivated the "Profound Nether Jade Scroll" to the Great Success stage. He was only one step away from transforming the Powerful Qi in his body into True Qi.
Yet, he had been stuck at this step for thirty years, still unable to make any progress.
The faction on the right was led by Vice Sect Leader Shen Wuya.
This titan, who had been locked in both open and hidden struggles with Bi Yuan for many years, had specifically changed into an ink-black Taoist robe today. Wu Ming, the Peak Leader of Cold Crow Peak, was as thin as a bamboo pole, his ten fingernails gleaming with a black light. It was said that his "Nine Nether Poison Fiend" could corrode metal. Although he hadn’t reached the Ninth Realm, the resurgence of the Heaven and Earth Primordial Spirit had allowed him to refine a strand of his Poison Fiend, making him exceptionally formidable.
As Xu Yunfan quickly scanned the hall, his heart tightened. Any one of these people, if they were to leave the Taoist Sect for the Mortal World, was a top-tier master capable of shaking the entire realm with a single stomp.
He strode forward steadily, stopping three zhang from the main seat. He performed the grand ritual of three kneelings and nine kowtows. "Disciple Xu Yunfan pays his respects to Master."
His voice was clear and bright, echoing through the silent hall.
Bi Yuan smiled and raised his hand. A gentle Qi Force lifted Xu Yunfan to his feet. "Rise."
This simple action, however, caused the pupils of several Elders to shrink. The Sect Leader’s display of True Qi, both soft and yielding, undoubtedly demonstrated that his cultivation in the Ninth Realm had reached an extremely profound level.
Xu Yunfan then turned to Cui Yu and the other Elders, greeting each of them with the courtesy of a disciple.
When facing Li Zhi, he deliberately performed an extra half-bow. Before Bai Wuchen, he intentionally slowed his movements, making his posture impeccable.
These details did not go unnoticed, and everyone present had their own thoughts.
When the formalities were over, Bi Yuan stroked his beard and said with a smile, "I have summoned you today for a happy occasion. At Noon today, the tide of Evil Qi will be at its lowest, making it the perfect opportunity to enter the abyss and retrieve a weapon."
As he spoke, his gaze turned to Shen Wuya, his tone tinged with amusement. "Junior Brother Shen has been generous, gifting his spot for the Sword Burial Abyss to you. According to the rules, the token holder may retrieve two Divine Weapons."
The air in the hall suddenly froze.
The smile on Shen Wuya’s face didn’t falter. As he rose and cupped his hands, the faint sound of knuckles cracking could be heard from within his sleeves. "Nephew Xu broke through thirty-six arenas in a row. This one is naturally happy to see him succeed."
But Wu Ming, who was standing nearby, clearly saw the Vice Sect Leader’s lowered left hand twitching slightly. After so many years together, he naturally knew that such a physical reaction meant Shen Wuya was forcefully suppressing his rage.
Xu Yunfan keenly sensed that when Bi Yuan mentioned "two Divine Weapons," at least five incredibly sharp gazes swept over him.
He impassively activated the "Dragon and Tiger Hibernation Skill," doing his best to disguise himself as an ordinary cultivator at the Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm. ’Some things are more intriguing when they are only partially revealed. It makes others speculate and guess, and they won’t dare to overstep their bounds.’
At the same time, he gave Shen Wuya a deep bow. "This disciple thanks the Vice Sect Leader for his generous gift. I will not fail to live up to this opportunity." freēwēbηovel.c૦m
Bi Yuan’s gaze swept over the slight fluctuation in Xu Yunfan’s aura as he secretly activated the "Dragon and Tiger Hibernation Skill." A knowing smile appeared on his lips, but he didn’t expose him.
He turned to face the Peak Leaders and Elders in the hall. With a light flick of his sleeve, he cupped his hands in a salute. "Fellow martial brothers, senior and junior uncles, this young man is Xu Yunfan, who will enter the Sword Burial Abyss today."
As soon as his voice fell, the atmosphere in the hall suddenly turned subtle.
Li Zhi, the Peak Leader of Dragon and Tiger Peak, was the first to nod, his long beard trembling slightly.
Zhou Xuanqing of Jade Balance Peak leaned his giant-like body forward slightly, the tip of his duster stirring without any wind. Cui Yu of the Punishment Hall clapped his hands and chuckled, nodding with a smile. With these three showing their support, more than half of the Elders immediately followed suit.
