Chapter 26 - Arc 2: The Linyuan Small Secret Realm | Chapter 26: Establish the Damaged Dantian
Translator: Lynn
Xu Ziqing gently caressed the fledgling’s head and chuckled, remarking, “You’re growing quickly.” The eagle promptly shook its body, leaped back to its nest, and curled up within seconds.
Kneeling down, Xu Ziqing closely examined the plant. Despite his belief that he had memorized numerous ancient texts on spiritual plants, he couldn’t identify this particular specimen. It was evident that nature was far too vast to be encompassed by mere books.
Uncertain of its properties, especially regarding potential toxicity, Xu Ziqing simply observed the plant without taking any action.
The plant had a pale green hue, with leaves as translucent as jade, each vein seemingly visible. The roots had been unearthed by the eagle, and the insects had been extracted. Now that the insects had been devoured, Xu Ziqing could see the root beard—a goose-yellow-colored structure resembling ginseng in length but lacking any noticeable bulges. He couldn’t determine whether it possessed any usefulness or medicinal properties.
After a single glance, Xu Ziqing reached out, picked up some soil near the plant, and covered its roots. It wouldn’t be right for the plant to perish needlessly just because Chonghua had dug up the soil in search of insects.
From that moment on, Xu Ziqing and the hatchling lived in the cave, a warm haven akin to spring. There was no need to construct a dwelling. Xu Ziqing relished the freedom of the open sky and the earth. During the day, he would accompany the eagle in search of insects to consume, while at night, he would venture to the lake’s bottom outside the cave to marvel at the water vortex.
Yet, every night, as Xu Ziqing drifted off to sleep, he found himself inevitably drawn to that dark and profound place. Each time he stumbled forward, he would invariably encounter the man in white.
The man in white never uttered a word to Xu Ziqing. Initially, Xu Ziqing sought his guidance, but eventually, the man merely brushed him away with a sweep of his robe.
Xu Ziqing desired to express his gratitude to the man in white, but their encounters remained devoid of conversation. He surmised that this aloof man simply had little inclination for lengthy discussions. Xu Ziqing stored this debt of gratitude within his heart, intending to repay it in the future.
Yet, despite everything, he remained clueless about the location and identity of the man in white. He had once speculated that it might be a corner of the road to the Yellow Springs, but he soon realized he was still alive, thus rendering his conjecture baseless.
On that particular day, Xu Ziqing was about to partake in his usual meal with the eagles when his stomach suddenly growled, reminding him of his hunger. He pressed his palm against his stomach, feeling the emptiness within.
Realizing that the effects of the Lower Foundation Establishment Pill had worn off, he understood that it was time to eat again.
Forgetting momentarily, Xu Ziqing smiled down at the hatchling and said, “Chonghua, why don’t you eat first and then join me?”
In response, the hatchling pecked his cheek and chirped, indicating its agreement.
With that settled, Xu Ziqing proceeded to search for a branch laden with fruits. After walking around a hundred steps, he came across a cluster of two-foot-tall trees on his left. The branches were so laden with fruit that they almost bent under their weight.
Curiosity was piqued, and Xu Ziqing approached the trees. He noticed that the fruits were round, about the size of longan, and came in various colors—green, red, or purple. They grew in bunches, concealed beneath palm-sized yellow leaves, emitting a delightful fragrance.
Carefully, Xu Ziqing wrapped his lapel around his hand, plucked a bunch of purple fruits, and placed them in front of him, taking a sniff. The fragrance was enticing, and he didn’t experience any dizziness. Yet, he remained uncertain.
Considering his extended stay in the cave, Xu Ziqing concluded that even if he had doubts, he couldn’t risk starving. After contemplating for a moment, he meticulously peeled one of the fruits, removed the outer shell, and tasted it with a cautious lick.
To his delight, the flavor was rich and satisfying. He waited a few moments to check for any discomfort before consuming the fruit. The sweetness of the flesh filled his mouth, and as it entered his belly, a warm sensation coursed through him, dispelling his hunger in an instant.
Thrilled by the fruit’s effectiveness, Xu Ziqing realized that it would save him a lot of trouble. Since the shells were tough, he plucked several more bunches, removed his coat, and used it to fashion a makeshift bag to hold the fruits.
Just as he was about to turn back, he noticed the eagles taking flight, soaring with outstretched wings and gliding away. Xu Ziqing was taken aback. How could Chonghua fly when it was still young?
Despite Xu Ziqing’s shouts, the eagle continued its stumbling flight without stopping, leaving him no choice but to chase after it.
Hastening his pace, Xu Ziqing worried that the dense forest ahead might cause Chonghua to become lost, leading to great sadness.
The eagle maneuvered around two bushes and passed through a curtain of vines, arriving at a tranquil spot. The aura within the area was vibrant, several times more abundant than its surroundings. It encompassed an area no larger than a few square meters, nurturing a bed of lush green vegetation.
The fragrant air filled their nostrils, creating a delightful ambiance. The fledgling eagle leaped onto the verdant bed, patting a spot and chirping.
Xu Ziqing assumed that the eagle had caught the scent of a new insect, so he chuckled and said, “Chonghua, have you found something good?”
The eagle tilted its head, giving Xu Ziqing an adorable and innocent look. Indulging the fledgling, Xu Ziqing approached it, cupping the earth in his hands and digging into it.
The soil was moist, and as he twisted it in his palm, a reddish tinge appeared, indicating its freshness and a hint of sweetness, a rare find.
Despite digging for a while, Xu Ziqing couldn’t spot any insects. However, he did unearth a palm-sized, greenish rhizome. It exhibited a full color and a moist appearance, emanating a refreshing aura as if it could quench one’s thirst.
Wrapping the rhizome in cloth, Xu Ziqing examined it against the light. He noticed a red dot stuck to it amidst the clear green hue, prompting him to scrutinize it more carefully. Suddenly, the red dot flew towards his face, striking him directly on the brow. Xu Ziqing felt as if his head had been struck by a sledgehammer, causing him to fall backward with a loud thud.
The fledgling eagle chirped and flew around Xu Ziqing, but its efforts couldn’t rouse him. The green rhizome acted like grease in water, gradually permeating Xu Ziqing’s body. His face initially turned pale, then blue and white. His clothes tore, and his skin became red and swollen as if traces of green energy were moving beneath his skin before finally coming to a halt.
Xu Ziqing, however, found himself in an extremely perilous situation.
This green object was not a plant root but the essence of Ethereal Wood Qi, known as the “Essence of Ethereal Wood.” It originated from the most vibrant area of the Ethereal Wood Qi.
The cave, situated beneath the lake’s whirlpool, was opened by an unknown person in the midst of a secret realm that only appeared every five years, making it difficult for anyone to enter. The cave was teeming with trees, vines, and grasses, all composed of Ethereal Wood, resulting in a potent Ethereal Wood Qi. Over the years, the essence had gradually accumulated, forming a palm-sized manifestation, although its age remained indeterminable.
If Xu Ziqing had been fortunate, he could have naturally absorbed the Essence of Ethereal Wood, thereby repairing his dantian through the continuous infusion of Rich and Soft Qi, allowing him to resume cultivation. Unfortunately, luck was not on his side. The Essence of Ethereal Wood still retained a seed after all these years.
That seed was none other than the Bloodthirsty Demon Vine seed.
True to its name, the Bloodthirsty Demon Vine was the most ferocious and bloodthirsty vine in the vast Nine Thousand Worlds, incredibly rare in existence. When the vine grew, it consumed the flesh and blood of all races, whether they were mortals, cultivators, or immortals. Once it attached itself to a being with flesh and blood, no one could escape its clutches. It possessed unparalleled viciousness.
This particular seed, carried by an unknown individual, had accompanied the Essence of Ethereal Wood over the years. While its hostility had diminished, the seed remained dormant, unable to sprout. If Xu Ziqing had not absorbed the Essence of Ethereal Wood, familiarizing it with his presence, he would have been sucked dry, reduced to a withered husk by the demon vine seed.
However, being a bloodthirsty entity, the moment it entered Xu Ziqing’s body, he experienced excruciating pain. The demon vine seed desired to merge with his blood, while the Essence of Ethereal Wood rapidly transformed, repairing Xu Ziqing’s shattered dantian. A relentless battle ensued within him as the opposing forces clashed and merged, subjecting Xu Ziqing to alternating states of searing heat and bone-chilling cold, the agony nearly unbearable.
Ultimately, the regenerative power of the Essence of Ethereal Wood proved superior. All the accumulated essence of years flowed into Xu Ziqing, instantly restoring his dantian. In a daze, Xu Ziqing’s consciousness instinctively sought relief from the torment, causing him to activate the “Grass Transformation Technique” naturally. The wood spiritual qi surged frantically, from his spiritual roots downward, swiftly propelling him back to the first stage of Qi Refinement. With the combined power of these two forces, he continued to open up his acupuncture points, his breath circulating endlessly.
After a considerable period, several meridians opened effortlessly, without any obstruction, and Xu Ziqing’s cultivation level suddenly soared. Sensing the heightened activity of the Essence of Ethereal Wood, the demon vine seed gradually settled down, drawn closer due to their shared affinity.
Eventually, the “Grass Transformation Technique” slowed its pace, gradually coming to a halt, while the influx of aura persisted unabated.
Within Xu Ziqing’s dantian, a whirlpool of spiritual energy formed, fueled by the newfound technique. This energy coursed through every inch of his body, unhindered by the still unopened meridians. It flowed freely, accumulating and thickening within his dantian, surpassing any previous state.
The demon vine seed, previously nestled at Xu Ziqing’s brow, was suddenly pulled downwards by an irresistible gravitational force. Swept into the depths of his dantian, it became entangled in the swirling vortex, gradually grinding away the remnants of its hostility and merging harmoniously with the vortex.
At that moment, Xu Ziqing’s eyes snapped open, and a resounding “Ugh!” escaped his lips as he awakened.
Just as he regained consciousness, Xu Ziqing immediately sensed the changes in his surroundings. Glancing down, he noticed that the green root had vanished from his hand!
Upon inspecting his body, he was astonished.
He marveled at the fact that eight out of his twenty meridians had opened up… This was a clear indication that he had reached the fifth level of Qi Refinement!
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