Chapter 475: Black Bead |
Xu Min looked at Chen Qing, saying softly, "You go check the lair. I need to regulate my breathing for a bit. Be careful, and if you encounter danger, don't take rash risks."
Chen Qing nodded. He knew well that Xu Min spoke truthfully.
This black flood dragon had occupied this place for three hundred years. Who knew what dangers lurked deep in its lair.
He was not a reckless person. He immediately raised the Jingzhe Spear and turned toward the even more gloomy depths of the abyss bottom.
The deeper he went, the dimmer the light became. The churning gray-black miasma around him gradually transformed into an eerie pale blue.
This blue miasma was completely different from the outer perimeter. It was more viscous like glue, and it would also corrode body-protecting True Origin.
Chen Qing stopped and looked down. Beneath his feet was shallow black water, and the water was likewise permeated with pale blue miasma.
His mind stirred. He circulated the Dragon-Elephant Prajna Vajra Body at full power. Pale golden qi and blood power emanated through his body, forming a tough membrane on his skin's surface.
Simultaneously, vast glazed True Origin flowed around his body, transforming into a second layer of shield.
Chen Qing's brows furrowed slightly. An endless stream of True Origin surged from his dantian to replenish the consumption.
But deep in this abyss bottom, heaven and earth elemental qi was blocked by heavy miasma and was extremely sparse. There was no way to draw replenishment from the outside world.
This kind of consumption, relying purely on his own reserves, was definitely not a long-term solution.
He slowly moved forward. The deeper he went, the denser the pale blue miasma became, almost condensing into substantial fog. His vision was obstructed, and his divine sense could only probe a few zhang before being dissolved by the miasma.
The consumption rate of True Origin sharply increased. After advancing just over ten zhang, the water level of the True Origin lake in his dantian had already noticeably dropped a fraction.
"This won't work. If I go deeper, forget about time, my True Origin will be exhausted sooner or later."
Chen Qing's thoughts raced. He was an extremely cautious person and immediately sensed something was wrong.
Right now Master Hua was fighting three great Grandmasters above. Every breath was crucial. If he exhausted his True Origin by going deep into the lair and encountered a sudden crisis, not only would he be unable to help, he would become a burden instead.
There might truly be rare treasures in the lair, but now was not the time to greedily take risks.
Chen Qing made an immediate decision and was about to withdraw and retreat.
Just as his footsteps were about to move but hadn't yet, a flash of inspiration struck his mind!
"Supreme Void Obliterating Divine Light!"
This secretly transmitted divine ability obtained from the Supreme Void True Scripture had tremendous power, specifically breaking through various malevolent qi, body-protecting essence, and even divine sense defenses.
Chen Qing had always kept it as a trump card and rarely used it.
He had used it once when surrounded and attacked at the Ghost Witch Sect. Wherever the light passed, Han Ku's body-protecting malevolent qi melted like ice and snow, and Mo Xing was also severely wounded.
Although this pale blue miasma was strange, in essence, it was perhaps also a kind of yin cold attribute aura or poisonous malevolence?
"Perhaps it can clear the surrounding miasma!"
Thinking of this, Chen Qing's eyes narrowed slightly, deciding to give it a try.
He hesitated no longer. The Supreme Void True Scripture within his body rapidly circulated. At the center of the True Origin lake in his dantian, that most pure and condensed thread of glazed True Origin was activated, flowing along specific meridians toward both eyes.
In an instant, deep within Chen Qing's eyes, a point of dim light quietly brightened, then rapidly spread.
"Hum—!"
A low trembling sound rang out from around his body. There was no dazzling brilliance, but ahead where his eyes gazed, the viscous pale blue miasma seemed torn apart by invisible force!
Hiss! Hiss! Hiss!
This was precisely the Supreme Void Obliterating Divine Light!
Wherever the divine light passed, that originally sticky pale blue miasma actually dissipated and annihilated at a visibly rapid rate!
In the area swept by the divine light, the miasma was cleared completely. Although the surrounding miasma was still slowly filling back in, its speed was far inferior to the annihilation rate.
"It really works!"
Chen Qing was overjoyed in his heart. He hesitated no longer. Maintaining the output of the Supreme Void Obliterating Divine Light, his form shot forward like lightning along the temporary passage opened by the divine light, rapidly sweeping toward the depths of the lair.
With the Supreme Void Obliterating Divine Light clearing the path, resistance was greatly reduced. His speed was extremely fast. In just a few breaths, he had already penetrated the densest miasma zone. His vision suddenly opened up.
This was a natural rock cavern, with space more spacious than imagined, about several dozen zhang in circumference.
The cavern still permeated with pale blue miasma, but much thinner than at the passage.
Most eye-catching was a mountain of white bones piled like a hill on one side of the rock cavern!
Various beast bones, and even faintly visible human skeletons, were messily stacked, forming a heart-palpitating bone mountain.
Clearly, this black flood dragon had a hobby of collecting bones.
Chen Qing's gaze swept over but didn't linger much on the white bones. The next moment, his vision was firmly drawn to two points of faint light in the rock wall crevice beside the bone mountain.
Those were two oddly-shaped plants.
On the left, a vine wound like a dragon, tightly coiled around an exposed piece of exotic wood covered in dark golden patterns.
The vine body was deep azure, the leaves narrow and long with fine serrations on the edges. At the junction where the vines intersected, there was remarkably a fruit shaped like a dragon's gallbladder, its surface flowing with gold and azure dual-colored radiance!
The fruit emitted an invigorating exotic fragrance. Smelling it made one's spirit lift.
"The fruit of the Azure Dragon Heart-Entwining Vine!" Chen Qing recognized it at a glance. This was precisely the transaction item Bai Xi needed!
Judging by its color and radiance, it was at least a mature fruit of sixty years or more. Its medicinal efficacy would definitely be extraordinary.
On the right side, another plant grew in a pool of accumulated liquid seeping from the bone mountain's edge, emanating faint silver-colored cold qi.
It resembled an orchid grass but had only three leaves. The leaves were narrow and long like swords, presenting a deep, profound black color throughout, but the leaf veins were silver-white, like a galaxy flowing through the night sky.
At the center of the three leaves, it cradled a budding bell-shaped small flower. The bud was tightly closed, a deep blue color, its surface condensed with a thin layer of ice crystals. Wisps of profound yin cold qi emanated from it.
"This is... Profound Yin Soul-Congealing Grass?"
Chen Qing's mind rapidly flashed through descriptions he'd seen in the sect's ancient records.
This grass only grew where extreme yin cold malevolence converged. It took a hundred years to mature. When the bud bloomed, it released an intoxicating fragrance and had miraculous effects of nourishing and strengthening the divine soul and stabilizing the Will Sea. It could be called a priceless treasure!
Looking at this grass's condition, the leaf veins showed silver stars and the bud was condensed with frost, precisely the signs of a hundred-year maturity!
"I've struck it rich!" Even with Chen Qing's stable temperament, he couldn't help feeling wildly overjoyed in his heart at this moment.
One Azure Dragon Heart-Entwining Vine fruit was already a great harvest. Adding a nearly hundred-year-old Profound Yin Soul-Congealing Grass, this trip to Sunken Dragon Abyss, just these two items alone had far exceeded expectations.
He took out jade boxes he'd prepared earlier and carefully removed both precious medicines, sealing them in the boxes to ensure their medicinal power and spiritual energy didn't dissipate.
After collecting everything, Chen Qing was about to turn and leave when the corner of his eye caught sight of what seemed to be a faint blue light flickering in the depths of the accumulated liquid where the Profound Yin Soul-Congealing Grass grew at the bottom of the bone mountain.
"Hm!?"
His heart stirred. He walked closer and crouched down, pushing aside the cold liquid floating on the surface.
At the bottom of the accumulated liquid lay a black bead about the size of a pigeon egg.
The bead's surface wasn't smooth but covered with fine, strange natural patterns. Those patterns would occasionally flash with a trace of pale blue dim light.
The surrounding densely permeating pale blue miasma with strong corrosive properties seemed to originate precisely from this bead.
"What is this thing?"
Chen Qing could sense that the bead's interior contained a pure yet extremely yin cold aura, different from any heavenly materials or earthly treasures he'd previously encountered.
But now was definitely not the time for research.
He took out a jade bottle and placed this strange black bead inside.
Having done all this, Chen Qing didn't linger. His form turned and the Supreme Void Obliterating Divine Light once again cleared the path ahead as he rapidly returned along the original route.
Before long, he had rushed out of the pale blue miasma zone and returned to beside the black flood dragon corpse.
He saw that Xu Min had finished regulating her breath and was standing beside the flood dragon's body.
She clearly hadn't been idle either. Using that sharp jade knife, she had already stripped off some relatively intact, higher-value parts from the black flood dragon's body.
Several of the hardest, most complete reverse scales, several thick jade-like flood dragon tendons, and some pure flood dragon flesh and blood had all been categorized and packed in specially made beast hide bags.
Seeing Chen Qing emerge, Xu Min raised her eyes, saying, "Let's go quickly."
Chen Qing nodded, knowing time was pressing.
The two exchanged glances and simultaneously leaped up. Stepping on protruding rocks on the rock wall, borrowing force from the protrusions repeatedly, they ascended several dozen zhang in an instant, rapidly heading toward the top of Sunken Dragon Abyss.
Soon, the gray-black miasma overhead thinned. They could already faintly hear the intense rumbling and explosive sounds of qi collision coming from above.
The two exerted force again, finally breaking through the last layer of miasma and returning to the air above the Sunken Dragon Abyss opening.
The scene before their eyes made Chen Qing's pupils contract slightly.
In midair, four figures were fighting to a white-hot intensity.
Hua Yunfeng, one man with one sword, his gray robe somewhat tattered.
The ancient long sword in his hand was wreathed in sword qi. Gray-white Desolate Cold Sword Intent condensed like substance, transforming into a grim sword domain covering nearly a hundred zhang!
Within the sword domain, the air seemed frozen. Countless tiny ice crystal sword qi surrounded the area.
Opposite him, the three great Grandmasters He Chong, Xie Mingyan, and Su Wenyi formed a triangular formation surrounding Hua Yunfeng at the center. Each deployed their methods in relentless fierce attacks.
He Chong's palms flew. Earth-yellow giant palm phantoms continuously struck, colliding with the sword domain and producing muffled thunder-like tremendous sounds. He was fighting with all his might, blood traces faintly visible at the corners of his mouth.
Xie Mingyan's sword light was like a waterfall. She deployed the Wave-Dividing Triple Cascade Sword to the extreme. Streams of dark blue sword shadows tried to tear through the sword domain, but were repeatedly ground to pieces or deflected by invisible sword qi. Sweat appeared at her temples and her aura was no longer as stable as initially.
Su Wenyi was the most slippery. His form was like wind, constantly circulating and seeking openings to flick out sinister, cunning Shadowless Wind Blades. But most were intercepted by the sword domain, and the occasional fish that slipped through the net and approached Hua Yunfeng were also casually deflected by a sword strike.
His expression was gloomy, his eyes flickering. Clearly having attacked for so long without success, thoughts of retreat had already grown in his heart.
Three great Grandmasters joining forces, intensely battling Hua Yunfeng alone, actually couldn't gain the slightest upper hand. Instead, each one's aura fluctuated, showing hidden signs of fatigue.
Looking back at Hua Yunfeng, although fighting one against three, under the sword domain's shroud, he actually seemed to still have strength in reserve!
Hua Yunfeng's divine sense was keen. The instant Chen Qing and Xu Min burst from the abyss opening, he had already sensed it.
A flash of brilliant light appeared in his eyes. Knowing the great matter was accomplished, his sword momentum suddenly changed. The ancient long sword in his hand emitted a long cry.
The sword domain contracted accordingly, the pressure multiplying!
The expressions of He Chong's trio changed drastically. They only felt the air around them congeal, their movements slowing by half, their hearts wildly alarmed.
Hua Yunfeng stood holding his sword, his gray-white long hair flying in the sword domain's cold wind. He slowly swept his gaze over the three whose expressions had turned ugly, "You three, do you still want to test Hua's sword again?"
As the words fell, the temperature within the sword domain seemed to drop several more degrees. That ancient long sword's tip pointed remotely toward the three. Although it didn't advance further, it was more intimidating than any fierce attack.
He Chong's trio exchanged glances with each other, all seeing wariness in the others' eyes.
The three of them had fought for so long without success, instead consuming considerable energy.
More importantly, what they wanted had long been taken away by those two juniors...
Continuing to fight would not only fail to gain any advantage, but if they really pushed this old fellow Hua Yunfeng into desperation, no one would have a good time.
They had come following the wind, originally wanting to scoop up some advantage. Who would have thought that after all their busy work, they'd ended up making wedding clothes for Tianbao Upper Sect for nothing.
Su Wenyi's expression changed unpredictably. Finally, he took a deep breath and cupped his fists remotely toward Hua Yunfeng, his voice carrying a few parts calm,
"Brother Hua's sword Dao is divine. Fighting one against three yet still remaining composed, Su has learned much today. Since Brother Hua insists on monopolizing everything, Su will not disturb further."
"The green mountains remain unchanged, the clear waters flow long. We shall meet again!"
Having said this, his form flickered, transforming into an azure streak of light. Without looking back, he shot rapidly toward the eastern horizon, vanishing into the vast sea of clouds in the blink of an eye. He left decisively and cleanly.
With Su Wenyi gone, only He Chong and Xie Mingyan remained in the field.
The two exchanged glances, both seeing the gravity in each other's eyes.
If it were only Su Wenyi withdrawing, with the two of them joining forces, they believed that going all out, they weren't without a chance of victory.
Although Hua Yunfeng was strong, after all he'd been supporting alone for so long. Maintaining the sword domain also consumed enormous amounts.
If they really fought desperately, victory or defeat was still uncertain.
However, just as they'd thought before, this ultimately wasn't a life-and-death vendetta.
Competing for the flood dragon's treasures could at most be considered personal grievance, a struggle over benefits.
But if they really fought Hua Yunfeng, a figure of such caliber, to mutual destruction, regardless of the outcome, it would inevitably escalate to the sect level.
Cloudwater Upper Sect currently had the demonic path as an external threat and the Heavenly Star Alliance eyeing them covetously internally. Their situation wasn't easy. They really shouldn't completely tear off the mask of civility with an ally like Tianbao Upper Sect and establish a blood feud.
Moreover, those two juniors had long since gone down. By now they'd probably stripped the flood dragon corpse completely clean.
Fighting further, even if they luckily defeated Hua Yunfeng, it would mostly be drawing water with a bamboo basket, a complete waste, only increasing casualties and enmity.
He Chong's thoughts raced. Finally, he released a long sigh. The churning earth-yellow True Origin around his body gradually subsided.
He looked toward Hua Yunfeng standing with sword and said in a heavy voice, "If that's the case, this flood dragon's treasures shall all belong to Brother Hua and your esteemed sect. Today, consider He and Elder Xie as having eliminated a menace from the border of both our sects, contributing our meager strength."
Hearing this, Xie Mingyan's flexible sword also lowered a few degrees, tacitly accepting He Chong's statement.
She looked deeply at Hua Yunfeng, then glanced at the faintly visible abyss opening below. Ultimately, she said nothing more.
Hua Yunfeng's expression remained unchanged. The ancient long sword in his hand paused slightly. The grim sword domain covering a hundred zhang slowly retracted like a tide. That bone-chilling cold intent also dissipated by more than half.
He didn't relax his vigilance, only saying blandly, "Elder He, Elder Xie, take care."
He Chong said no more. He gave Xie Mingyan a look. The two simultaneously transformed into two streaks of light, racing toward Cloudwater Upper Sect's direction to the south, soon also disappearing into the horizon.
Only after the three's auras completely vanished from his perception range did Hua Yunfeng's body sway slightly. On his already somewhat worn gray robe, several more tears quietly appeared, faintly showing blood stains.
His complexion paled slightly for an instant, but immediately returned to normal.
"Hurry up!"
Hua Yunfeng turned his head, calling out in a low voice to Chen Qing and Xu Min who had just stabilized, "This place is not suitable to linger!"
Chen Qing's heart grew alert. He immediately understood Hua Yunfeng's concern.
Although those three had withdrawn on the surface, there was no guarantee they wouldn't return, or spy from a distance, or even secretly summon more manpower in the shadows.
Right now Master Hua had clearly consumed enormous amounts. This was definitely not the time for prolonged battle.
The three didn't hesitate. Their forms flashed as they rapidly retreated to the edge of Sunken Dragon Abyss.
Chen Qing and Hua Yunfeng each blew whistle sounds. Moments later, two Golden Feather Eagles pierced through the thin miasma and dove down.
Xu Min's blue bird also cried clearly, landing beside her.
The three leaped onto the eagle backs. The Golden Feather Eagles and blue bird simultaneously spread their wings, transforming into three streaks of light racing toward Tianbao Upper Sect, their speed elevated to the extreme.
Hua Yunfeng sat cross-legged on the eagle's back, eyes slightly closed. In reality, his divine sense like an invisible spider web constantly sensed movements behind and around them.
After flying for about half an hour, crossing several mountain ranges and completely leaving the dangerous zone where Sunken Dragon Abyss was located, he still hadn't detected any tracking or ambush auras.
Only then did he slowly open his eyes, releasing a long turbid breath. That turbid breath actually carried a trace of extremely faint gray-white, which was some alien True Origin that had invaded his body during the intense battle being expelled.
"Did you get the items?" Hua Yunfeng looked toward Chen Qing on the adjacent eagle back and asked.
Chen Qing quickly nodded, replying through voice transmission, "Master, rest assured. The black flood dragon's inner core and three drops of heart's blood essence have all been obtained. Additionally, in the depths of its lair, I found two precious medicines—one Azure Dragon Heart-Entwining Vine fruit, one Profound Yin Soul-Congealing Grass, and also..."
He paused, recalling that strange black bead, just about to describe it in detail.
But Hua Yunfeng waved his hand and closed his eyes again, his brows slightly furrowed, seemingly doing his utmost to calm the somewhat turbulent True Origin within his body.
Fighting three great Grandmasters alone, among them He Chong and Xie Mingyan were both seasoned Grandmasters at six refinements or above, and Su Wenyi was no weakling either.
Although he appeared composed, in reality maintaining the sword domain and forcibly contending with their combined attacks had consumed vast amounts of mental energy and True Origin.
"Master Hua, how are you?" Seeing this, Chen Qing felt worried in his heart and couldn't help asking aloud.
"It's nothing. Just my aura has fluctuated slightly. I'll be fine after regulating my breath for a moment."
Hua Yunfeng didn't open his eyes. His voice was steady, "It's good that you obtained the items. This trip's objective has been accomplished."
He pondered briefly before continuing, "Return to the sect first."
Chen Qing acknowledged and said no more. Together with Xu Min, he rode the spirit birds, guarding Hua Yunfeng's flanks as they sped at full speed toward Tianbao Upper Sect.
After another half day, the familiar outline of the Tianbao Mountain Range finally appeared in their vision.
The three spirit birds passed through the light screen and landed on the sect's Reception Terrace.
Xu Min cupped her fists in salute to both Hua Yunfeng and Chen Qing, "Peak Master Hua, Junior Brother Chen, this cooperation went smoothly. I've obtained what I needed, so I'll take my leave first."
Chen Qing nodded, "Alright, Senior Sister, take care."
The blue bird cried clearly once and headed toward Hidden Peak.
Hua Yunfeng watched the direction Xu Min left, a trace of difficult-to-fathom complex emotion flashing in his eyes.
"Master, what's wrong?" Chen Qing noticed Hua Yunfeng's unusual state and stepped forward to ask.
Hua Yunfeng withdrew his gaze, looked at Chen Qing, and slowly said, "This woman's temperament... is quite strange."
Hearing this, Chen Qing was stunned, then nodded with deep agreement.
He had interacted with Xu Min several times and indeed had this feeling.
Sometimes she was gentle and soft like spring breeze turning to rain. Sometimes she was clear and cold as ice, keeping people at a thousand li distance. Her actions were decisive and efficient, without the slightest trace of mortal concerns, as if two completely different people.
"Not just her temperament," Hua Yunfeng continued, his tone carrying a trace of inquiry, "Her strength also seems... fluctuating high and low, difficult to measure. Today, the 'Crimson Rosy Binding Spirit Net' she deployed was a mysterious divine ability with extremely strong binding force. Even that black flood dragon couldn't break free for a time. This is definitely not something an ordinary True Origin realm cultivator could master. Yet I observe her foundation and True Origin fluctuations—she's definitely in True Origin realm without doubt. And moreover..."
He paused, "She seems to be deliberately suppressing something, or rather, that divine ability isn't completely under her control. The consumption far exceeds her appearance. This woman's background is quite mysterious."
Chen Qing listened quietly, his heart also full of doubts.
Xu Min was indeed shrouded in a layer of mist. Her imperial identity was perhaps only the tip of the iceberg.
"However,"
Hua Yunfeng changed the subject, a faint flash of brilliant light in his eyes, "She seems to harbor no ill will toward you. This cooperation was also trustworthy. Such a figure with deep background and unfathomable strength—if you can maintain a good relationship, it may benefit your future. She's worth... getting close to."
Those final words "getting close to" were spoken by Hua Yunfeng with profound meaning. His gaze lingered on Chen Qing's face for an instant, as if implying something yet not stating it clearly, leaving it entirely to Chen Qing's own comprehension.
Chen Qing nodded, "This disciple understands."
Hua Yunfeng nodded slightly and said no more on this matter.
Chen Qing recalled their harvest and quickly took out the Profound Yin Soul-Congealing Grass from his bosom, "Master, in slaying this black flood dragon, it was all thanks to you single-handedly blocking three great Grandmasters that this disciple could smoothly obtain the treasures. Please accept this Profound Yin Soul-Congealing Grass, Master."
His heart was full of gratitude toward Hua Yunfeng. If not for this master fully engaging them, he fundamentally couldn't have dealt with that flood dragon.
Hua Yunfeng glanced at the jade box but waved his hand, "You keep it. Although this is a hundred-year precious medicine, it's no longer of great use to me. You're at the time of vigorous advancement. These resources are what truly aid you."
Having reached his realm, improving cultivation no longer depended purely on piling up resources. More important was comprehension, the tempering of mental state and sword domain.
Although hundred-year precious medicines were valuable, their effect on breaking through his bottleneck to an even higher realm was indeed limited.
Seeing that Hua Yunfeng wasn't being polite, Chen Qing no longer acted falsely modest. He bowed, "Then this disciple will humbly accept. Many thanks for Master's generosity!"
He knew Hua Yunfeng spoke the truth. Moreover, he himself bore the Supreme Void True Scripture's thirteen refinement method and had the Heaven Rewards Diligence, Success Guaranteed fate pattern. He precisely needed vast resources to advance his cultivation. This precious medicine was indeed extremely important to him.
"Mm." Hua Yunfeng nodded, then instructed, "That black flood dragon's inner core contains the essence of three hundred years of cultivation. The energy is tremendous and mixed with its fierce malevolent qi. You must not hastily absorb it. With your current realm, forcibly refining it would be harmful rather than beneficial. At best your True Origin would become agitated, at worst malevolent qi would invade your body, damaging your foundation."
"Store it carefully first. Wait until your cultivation is higher in the future, or find a pill-refining grandmaster to refine it into pills, then gradually work on it. As for the blood essence, the Wind Snow Hidden Dragon Roar you cultivate precisely needs this. You can refine and absorb it as soon as possible to increase your divine ability's power and strengthen your qi and blood."
"This disciple respectfully remembers Master's teachings." Chen Qing solemnly replied.
He had originally planned to leave the inner core for Old Man Li to handle.
The blood essence was what he urgently needed at present.
"Alright, I also need to return to Prison Peak to cultivate quietly for a few days and stabilize this consumption."
Hua Yunfeng's aura had stabilized considerably, "You also return and properly regulate your breath. Process the blood essence as soon as possible to improve your strength. The northern border is unsettled, dark currents surge within and outside the sect. Being stronger by one part means one more part of self-preservation capability."
"Yes! Master, take care." Chen Qing bowed to see him off.
Hua Yunfeng said no more. Riding the Golden Feather Eagle, he headed toward Prison Peak.