Chapter 246 - 221: An Unfathomable Malice!
Chapter 246: Chapter 221: An Unfathomable Malice!
Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, a year has passed.
On Heart-breaking Island, Gu Yuan sat cross-legged, with the Dharma Pill shining brilliantly above his head, continuously refining the Sun and Moon Essence, absorbing the Spiritual Mechanism, converting it to Mana, and integrating it into his Dantian.
The Mana surged and slowly expanded bit by bit.
"Swish!"
Suddenly, Gu Yuan opened his eyes and exhaled a mouthful of turbid air.
Relaxing his heart and spirit, he withdrew from the state of cultivation.
"Boom!"
He flicked his hand, and a searing fireball fell into the small Golden Furnace beside him.
The Golden Furnace, the size of a palm, was inscribed with exquisite Dao Patterns, filled inside with clear Spiritual Spring water.
"Gurgle!"
As the flame descended beneath the Golden Furnace, the temperature rose, causing the water to boil, releasing white steam.
"Go!"
Seeing this, Gu Yuan waved his hand, tossing a thoroughly cleaned Red Flame Snowfish into the Small Golden Furnace.
With the entry of the Red Flame Snowfish, the Dao Patterns on the Golden Furnace suddenly brightened, and a mysterious power started to naturally control the flame beneath the furnace.
Additionally, amidst the flickering Dao Patterns, tiny snow-like crystalline objects seemed to descend into the furnace.
Soon enough, a rich fragrance wafted from the Golden Furnace.
The fish soup was thick like milk, the color tempting.
Moreover, a vigorous Spiritual Qi, gathered without dissipating, merged into the fish soup.
"Good!"
Instead of using his Mana, Gu Yuan gently blew the fish soup to warm it before taking a sip.
The savory taste slid down his throat, leaving him wanting more.
As the fish entered his stomach, his Dantian felt scorching, his entire body comfortable, as if floating immortal-like.
Initially, due to rapid cultivation, the somewhat stagnant Mana also became smooth and gentle under the adjustment of balanced Yin Yang Spiritual Qi.
"At this pace, it should take less than thirty years to break through to Late-stage Foundation Establishment..."
After consuming a whole pot of fish soup, Gu Yuan felt the Mana within him, contemplating slightly.
His current combat power was astonishing, ordinary Late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators no longer in his eyes.
Yet all this was because he practiced three techniques simultaneously and had countless opportunities, becoming so formidable.
Honestly, he was just a "newbie" who had recently broken through to Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment.
Mana accumulation takes one step at a time.
No rushing.
He had already achieved the utmost shortcuts.
Cannot hasten further.
Breaking through to Late-stage Foundation Establishment in just over twenty years would itself drop countless jaws.
With a wave of his sleeve, tidying up the Cave Mansion, Gu Yuan took out a crimson Jade Key, pondered briefly, then put it away again.
This Jade Key was offered by Ma Wu, a Secret Realm Token for the Red Mist Secret Realm.
This Jade Key can be used once every ten years to enter the Secret Realm.
Ten years ago, Gu Yuan was in the Western Sea Realm, naturally missing the opportunity.
This year marks the second decade.
Yet, after a moment’s thought, he decided to wait further.
The Red Mist Secret Realm was left behind by a Golden Core Sect, its risks unknown within.
And he was currently not lacking in resources at all.
Artifact Embryos and Ancient Seal Dao Materials were all being crafted methodically.
No need to take risks.
In just a few decades, his strength would naturally skyrocket.
The True Inheritance contest also didn’t have much time left, and getting trapped unexpectedly in a Secret Realm would be unfortunate.
Those with a bright future need not venture out daily.
Gu Yuan stowed away the Jade Key, closed his eyes, and prepared to continue cultivating.
Right at that moment, a Sound Transmission Commanding Sword suddenly rushed over, landing outside the Cave Mansion.
"Hmm?"
Seeing this, Gu Yuan raised his brow slightly, seemingly guessing something, and a trace of helplessness appeared on his face.
His Mana swept over, picking up the Commanding Sword, and a gentle soothing voice resonated at once:
"Dao Brother, I’ve just bought some new Zen Tea, which looks and smells superb. Care to come and taste it?"
"Again..."
Gu Yuan helplessly shook his head.
This was Cen Qingqing’s Commanding Sword.
This woman, for unknown reasons, suddenly changed her temperament, coming up with various excuses every few months to meet him.
New tea bought, new Spirit Pet acquired, cultivation techniques not understood; the reasons were many.
And even though Gu Yuan rarely paid attention to her, she remained persistent.
"Sending a Commanding Sword requires hundreds of Spirit Stones, truly frivolous..."
Gu Yuan shook his head, putting the Commanding Sword aside.
He vaguely guessed some of Cen Qingqing’s thoughts but had no time to consider much then.
Closing his eyes, Gu Yuan prepared to cultivate again.
"Dong!"
Right at that moment, another Commanding Sword swiftly came.
Not just that, this Commanding Sword also carried the sound of a ringing golden bell, enough to awaken a cultivator even in seclusion.
"Daoist School Golden Order?"
Gu Yuan frowned slightly.
This was a Commanding Sword issued by the Daoist School to summon Foundation Establishment cultivators, generally sent by the Human Resources Hall.
And he held a bit of a reputation in the Human Resources Hall.
Coupled with the fact that many knew of his close relation with the Sword Fox Immortal, ordinary matters wouldn’t trouble him.
The issuance of a Commanding Sword to him signified a big or small incident had occurred.
"Hurry to the Human Resources Hall!"
The Golden Sword contained only these few simple words.
Gu Yuan sighed helplessly, knowing this time’s cultivation would not be fruitful, rising immediately, picking up the Commanding Sword, and flying towards the Human Resources Hall.
...
...
Cyan Peak Mountain, Human Resources Hall.
The hall was majestic, grand and imposing, spacious enough to accommodate hundreds without feeling cramped.
When Gu Yuan arrived at the hall, over a dozen cultivators were already seated within.
Presiding was the Steward of the Human Resources Hall, an acquaintance of Gu Yuan, Daoist Yu Guang.
The master of Qiu Mingshan, Rune Mountain.
Late-Stage Foundation Establishment cultivation.
On his left and right futons sat a man and a woman, both of Late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation.
The man was tall with a broad forehead, donned in a gray Daoist Robe, embroidered with landscapes of mountains and rivers across the chest, a gray mist swirling within the conjunction of his eyes.
The woman on the other side was a gentle and elegant beauty, her green palace-style dress cuff embroidered with the word "Ruyi."
The Peak Master of Ruyi Peak, Shen Anyan, the master of Jiang Ningxue.
Upon seeing Gu Yuan’s arrival, both Rune Mountain and Shen Anyan nodded lightly, greeting him.
Gu Yuan also returned a slight bow, finding a futon in the hall and sitting down.
Not long after, the hall had gathered twenty Foundation Establishment cultivators, all mid-stage.
"Junior Brothers and Sisters, the reason for summoning you today is due to an important matter that requires your full support."
"Recently, in the domain of the Three Elements Water Marsh, one of our Daoist School’s Tier Two High-grade Spirit Ore mines was breached by the Demon Race, and the six million ore within was seized by the demons."
"I have received Master Yuan Zhen’s decree, to command the Flying Smoke Dharma Boat, mobilizing all mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators currently in the school, to head to the Three Elements Water Marsh, resolve to reclaim the Spirit Ore, and kill the demons as a warning!"
Rune Mountain’s gaze condensed, addressing everyone.
Everyone exchanged glances, sighing inwardly, but the Daoist School’s orders couldn’t be refused, leaving them no choice but to comply.
"The Daoist School orders, that a tenth of all reclaimed Spirit Ore can be kept for themselves."
Seeing the low morale, Rune Mountain immediately raised his voice.
"We adhere to the decree!"
Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall was instantly invigorated and shouted loudly.
"Junior Brother Gu, among the Spirit Ore, some Sky-reaching Crystal Stones were also lost."
Just at this moment, a gentle Divine Thought suddenly reached Gu Yuan’s ear.
Gu Yuan looked up, finding Shen Anyan casting a discreet glance his way.
Sky-reaching Crystal Stones?
He had heard of these before, sacred objects aiding the breakthrough to Late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation.
Judging by these words, it seemed that the lost items had some room for maneuver?
Yet at that moment, he could not ponder over these things.
His attention was fixed entirely on the unfamiliar man seated at the head.
Within his Dantian, the Divine Sense Heartless Seal quivered incessantly, emitting a chilling evil notion.
The source of this evil notion was the unfamiliar Late-stage Foundation Establishment male.