Arc 15: Heavenly Secret Realm | Chapter 299: Rou Baigu
Yun Lie nodded slightly and said, “Step back.”
Xu Ziqing naturally complied and took two steps to the side.
In an instant, a flash of black-gold light flickered in Yun Lie’s eyes, and a surge of sword intent was suddenly released, isolating the area within several zhang11 zhang is approx. 3.33 m.
If anyone were to accidentally touch the edge of the sword intent’s domain, they would instantly know it.
Xu Ziqing, seeing this, was slightly surprised.
This technique… felt somewhat familiar.
He remembered that when he first arrived at the Heavenly Demon Cave, his senior brother had carried him on his back. To protect him, his senior brother had created a sword domain around them, similar to what was happening now. However, he had witnessed many of his senior brother’s techniques and spells; among them, the most formidable were the Great Perfection of Sword Intent and the Primitive Form of the Small Universe. At this moment, this sword domain seemed to merge some characteristics of the Small Universe’s primitive form, making its power vastly superior to what it had been before.
As Xu Ziqing contemplated this, he quietly began to circulate his true essence. Soon, the Qingyun Needle broke through his body and began to gently hover in front of him. He furrowed his brow in thought and brushed his fingers over it. Then, the Qingyun Needle trembled suddenly, producing many green ripples. Xu Ziqing watched intently as the ripples grew larger.
Before long, the ripples ceased to undulate like waves and instead surged sharply, resembling a blue gauze garment opening up, forming a shield similar to the sword domain released by Yun Lie. He then took out a spirit herb from his storage ring and tossed it inside, only to find that the herb emitted no aura within the shield; it seemed as though it didn’t exist at all.
This technique was the result of Xu Ziqing combining the Wood Containing Breath Technique with some of his senior brother’s techniques, transforming the Qingyun Needle into this shield. If someone were to hide inside, they would no longer need to remain standing in place, performing hand seals as they did before—otherwise, a single mistake would lead to failure. Even if they were to use some spells, it would not hinder them, and they could also conceal the aura of the spells. When the time came to cast a spell, they would catch their enemies completely off guard!
A hint of joy appeared on Xu Ziqing’s face.
Although this shield was only three feet square, barely large enough for one person, once he cultivated further, it could serve as a decent defensive method.
Moreover, the Qingyun Needle itself was a primitive form of divine ability and was not perfect. It had various characteristics and powers. If those could also be integrated into this shield… it would transform this shield into an excellent means of both offense and defense.
However, Xu Ziqing only felt inspired by this thought and tried a few things but realized this was not the time for fine-tuning such techniques. Seeing that his senior brother had set up the sword domain, he put away the Qingyun Needle, stepped forward, placed his hands on the trunk above the location where he sensed vitality, and released wood energy again to probe carefully, hoping to resonate with the vitality and find its exact source.
This time, it went much more smoothly than before; he encountered no obstacles. Unconsciously, he followed the veins toward his target. Again, at a certain point, the wood energy was absorbed, but Xu Ziqing sensed that this time it was closer than the previous probing, and the wood energy was absorbed more quickly. After several repet.i.tions, the wood energy got progressively closer, until on one occasion, as soon as it was sent forth, it was instantly absorbed by something, leaving no trace!
Xu Ziqing suddenly breathed a sigh of relief, knowing for certain that it was there!
Yun Lie, noticing the change in Xu Ziqing’s expression, asked, “Can you retrieve it?”
Xu Ziqing pondered for a moment and replied, “Although the sword-shaped wood does not reject my wood energy, with my abilities, I fear I cannot damage it.” As he spoke, he could only smile wryly. The sword-shaped wood was indeed strange; due to its peculiar nature, ordinary sharp weapons couldn’t harm it. Only items imbued with sword energy could attempt to penetrate it, and only sword intent could damage its harder areas. Despite Xu Ziqing having practiced sword techniques for years, he had only mastered sword aura and had never cultivated sword energy. Therefore, even if he wanted to break the sword-shaped wood, he couldn’t.
Hearing this, Yun Lie stepped forward, preparing to take action himself.
Xu Ziqing stepped back again, clearing the s.p.a.ce.
He watched as Yun Lie formed his fingers into a sword shape, and black-gold light flickered at his fingertips.
Soon, the black-gold light transformed into formless energy, slicing cleanly toward the tree trunk.
Xu Ziqing couldn’t help but marvel inwardly.
Ever since his senior brother had cultivated the Immortal-Demon Body, both his sword intent and the true essence within him had turned to a black-gold color, symbolizing the fusion of power.
And now, in such a short time, his senior brother could switch between these forms at will, demonstrating remarkable skill.
Indeed, that formless sword intent flowed down the tree trunk, splitting open an extremely fine slit in its surface.
In an instant, a surging vitality burst forth, almost turning into a torrent, threatening to break free from the sword domain!
Xu Ziqing was startled and immediately called out, “Senior brother, don’t let it escape!”
Yun Lie didn’t need his reminder. He simply raised a hand, and it was as if an invisible cage appeared in the void, capturing whatever was bursting forth from the crack in the tree.
That ent.i.ty bounced about within the cage, almost like a living creature. It seemed aware of its predicament and struggled violently as if sensing the impending consequences.
Seeing this, Xu Ziqing’s heart trembled. Could it be that this creature was already sentient?
In the Heavenly Secret Realm, Xu Ziqing encountered several sentient beings, such as the twin lotus and the essence of Geng Metal, all of which had developed spiritual awareness and could be considered a form of life.
Unless absolutely necessary, he didn’t wish to take its life recklessly. However, they had already promised Prince Xuan Ze, and he couldn’t go back on that commitment.
Just as he was thinking, the ent.i.ty in the cage struggled for a long time, as if it had given up. Although it no longer collided with the cage, it nonetheless appeared dejected.
At that moment, both Xu Ziqing and his senior brother could finally see its appearance clearly.
It was a small green “beast” resembling a tiger, its entire body exuding a wooden fragrance. Beneath its green skin, a luminous glow seemed to pulse with liquid flowing within.
Its face was handsome, yet there was a hint of sorrow in its tiger-like expression, as if it felt some self-pity and sorrow.
Xu Ziqing felt a pang of compa.s.sion upon seeing it.
This creature had survived within the sword-shaped wood for many years. If it weren’t for its outstanding physical qualifications holding it back, it might have already transformed into a human. Unfortunately, it seemed that would not come to pa.s.s now.
However, since Xuan Ze had expended so much effort, it must surely be of great use. He and his senior brother had received Xuan Ze’s care for many years; how could they bear to let his years of hard work go to waste? Furthermore, the weight of a cultivator’s promise was such that even if the heavens were to crumble, it could not be altered. Otherwise, one would be plagued by inner demons, and the path to enlightenment would become increasingly difficult.
With these thoughts in mind, although Xu Ziqing felt sympathy, he still made a firm decision.
Seeing his resolve, Yun Lie said, “You can leave its spirit behind.”
Xu Ziqing was taken aback; he had originally intended to do just that, but he hadn’t expected his senior brother to have the same idea.
However, the spirit of gra.s.s and wood cannot stray too far from its original body; otherwise, it is easy to dissipate, and if the body is damaged, the spirit will also suffer harm. Therefore, if they were to proceed with this plan, they would need to give it a seed to conceal its spirit within; otherwise, there would be no other way. Since his senior brother had already agreed, Xu Ziqing intended to negotiate with the creature. He didn’t recognize it, but he approached and conveyed his goodwill, seeking to communicate.
Perhaps sensing the aura of the Yimu essence, the creature held some resentment toward the two brothers but was willing to listen to Xu Ziqing.
However, Xu Ziqing felt a bit guilty and decided to release Yue Hua to negotiate on his behalf.
Before long, Yue Hua returned, conveying the creature’s words.
It turned out that the creature was indeed a strange gra.s.s planted in the sword-shaped wood by a powerful being during ancient times, known as “Rou Baigu.” It had the ability to extend life and revive the dead, as well as regenerate limbs. Just as Xuan Ze had thought, if one’s life was in danger or its physical body damaged—even if it’s one’s meridians or dantian were destroyed—it could heal without harming one’s realm or cultivation. However, because of this, the creature had long since disappeared in ancient times; had it not been for the powerful being who planted it and the countless years of confinement within the Heavenly Secret Realm, it wouldn’t have been able to cultivate to such a degree. It was a pity that it had just become sentient, yet the Heavenly Secret Realm happened to open at this moment, and Xu Ziqing, being one with the Yimu essence, found its trace.
…This was perhaps its fate.
Yue Hua said that the Rou Baigu already knew its physical form was about to be destroyed, but as long as its spirit could be preserved, it wouldn’t harbor any resentment.
As for the seeds, it had left behind three over the years, all concentrated with its essence, which could preserve its spirit.
Xu Ziqing felt relieved upon hearing this.
Xuan Ze’s efforts could not be wasted, especially since he had already sacrificed several lives for this. He could not go back on his word, but this Rou Baigu was so innocent. If it had not yet gained sentience, it would be one thing, but since it had developed sentience, it was also a life—how could one take it away easily?
Now that there was a way to accommodate both parties, it couldn’t be better.
There was no time to lose; they shouldn’t delay any further. Xu Ziqing quickly said, “If you trust me, just let the seed not resist. I will collect it and allow you to reside within it.”
The Rou Baigu initially did not trust human cultivators, but with Yue Hua’s precedent, it gradually trusted Xu Ziqing. After a moment’s hesitation, it opened its mouth and spat out a ball of green light, rushing straight toward Xu Ziqing’s dantian.
Yun Lie stood aside, his expression unchanged. However, his aura was extremely strong, and with the Rou Baigu’s physical and spiritual form under his control, it dared not act recklessly.
Originally, the spirit of gra.s.s and wood was far purer than that of human cultivators. The Rou Baigu had lived for many years without causing trouble.
Xu Ziqing only felt a warmth in his dantian as the Rou Baigu seed was absorbed. With several rotations of his cultivation method, he successfully collected it. Such smooth progress was indeed rare.
Since this seed had such functions, he could keep it as the next step and securely place it away.
Seeing that it had succeeded, the Rou Baigu felt somewhat anxious.
It had a total of three seeds, and now that one had been used, if the human cultivator went back on his word, it would have suffered a great loss.
Fortunately, after Xu Ziqing collected the next seed, he quickly chanted a spell and said, “You should detach your essence and come to me.”
The Rou Baigu emitted a low whimper, shook its head, and leaped out from its original body.
In an instant, a ball of green light wrapped around two green points, shooting rapidly toward Xu Ziqing.
Xu Ziqing spread his palm open, and a tender sprout emerged from his hand, instantly absorbing the green light!
The Rou Baigu was indeed extraordinary; even the mere stimulation of a tender sprout consumed ninety percent of Xu Ziqing’s true essence, causing his complexion to turn pale.
Just then, Yun Lie spoke up, “Xi Lin is here.”
Xu Ziqing panicked and quickly closed his palm.
This action consumed most of the remaining ten percent of his true essence, and his legs immediately softened, nearly causing him to fall.
At that moment, a white shadow flashed, and Yun Lie caught him in his embrace.
Meanwhile, the sword domain immediately collapsed.
Translator: Lynn
Translations are not 100% correct. Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.
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- 11 zhang is approx. 3.33 m