Chapter 216 - Arc 13: Wild Beast Plains | Chapter 216: Shixiong is Here
Translator: Lynn
Sponsored chapter (3/4)
Upon hearing those words, Xu Ziqing was taken aback, but the other three vines were already entwined with several cultivators, voraciously drawing out their flesh and blood. When he looked back, he breathed a sigh of relief.
The man was clad in white with silver accents, appearing to be smiling without actually doing so. Despite his sarcastic tone, he made no attempt to intervene.
Xu Ziqing smiled faintly, saying, “So, it’s Brother Nan Zhengya. You really caught me off guard.”
Nan Zhengya approached slowly and spoke in a soft tone, “Now, you’ve truly earned my admiration. I wonder where you obtained the vine. Its power is quite impressive. However, the appearance is somewhat unsightly and could use some refinement.”
Xu Ziqing responded with a smile, “I chanced upon Rongjin, and it has been with me for many years.” He sighed, “Unfortunately, it has been with me for so long, yet there are few days when it can be fully satiated. In such a perilous situation just now, there was no time to keep it restrained. Who cares about what it eats?”
Raising an eyebrow, Nan Zhengya, instead of replying, observed Rongjin. One of its vines had pierced a late Golden Core Formation cultivator, with stems and leaves resembling rubies and blood flowing like thick red amber.
After careful observation, Nan Zhengya commented, “You’ve told me so much. Aren’t you afraid I’ll report you? Some might covet your abilities and might seek you out, finding a few companions to beat you and wipe you out in one go. They could take your demon vines and obliterate your soul.” His threats were delivered casually, as if discussing everyday matters.
Xu Ziqing laughed, “If Brother Nan Zhengya truly thought that, he wouldn’t have shared so much with me. Although I lack talent, I can discern that Brother Daoist harbors no ill intentions. Why the need for such defensiveness? Would it not make Brother Daoist look down on me? If Brother Daoist were angered by me and made those bluffs a reality, it would be my own fault.” Xu Ziqing felt an inexplicable closeness to Nan Zhengya upon their first meeting. He trusted him instinctively, and despite the sarcastic tone, he detected a subtle hint beneath the words, preventing any misunderstanding if one listened solely to the meaning.
Nan Zhengya’s lips curved slightly, “You have a way with words.”
Xu Ziqing laughed, “It comes from the heart.”
Their conversation, though not entirely harmonious, lightened the atmosphere.
In the meantime, Rongjin absorbed the blood and essence of the four late Golden Core Formation masters. The accumulated nourishment over the past few days triggered a peculiar transformation. The four vines expanded, splitting at the front end and separating to the sides like shedding skin. The division extended from top to bottom, reaching the roots in an instant and creating two vines from each original one.
In the blink of an eye, the four vines became eight, plump and glossy at the roots.
Nan Zheng’s eyes glittered, and he asked, “What’s the name of this creature?”
Xu Ziqing replied, “It’s called the Bloodthirsty Demon Vine, subdued and tamed. I acquired a seed by chance and let it recognize me after proper nurturing. It’s now under my control.”
Nan Zhengya sighed, “Obtaining such a rare species isn’t easy. Your aura is too serene, and having this creature helps balance it out.”
After considering for a moment, Xu Ziqing nodded, “If Brother Nan Zheng says so, it must be reasonable.”
Nan Zhengya glanced at him and chuckled, “I only have the cultivation of Golden Core Formation Qi. How can I claim to advise?”
Xu Ziqing shook his head, smiling, “That’s how Brother Nan Zheng phrased it. I won’t argue.”
He sensed that Nan Zhengya, despite being slightly stronger than him, held a mysterious quality that his current cultivation couldn’t decipher. However, he had a premonition that with an increase in his own cultivation, the intricacies with Brother Nan Zheng would gradually unveil themselves. Overall, it seemed beneficial and devoid of harm.
On the other side, Rongjin split once again, sprouting four more branches and increasing its strength. Though the vines weren’t thick, they exuded the aura of an ancient monster.
In this moment, if placed within a herd of wild beasts, it would be akin to a tiger amidst a flock of sheep, boundlessly fulfilled.
Rongjin shook its vines, shedding its outer layers, and swiftly retracted its body, entwining around Xu Ziqing. However, when Xu Ziqing attempted to communicate with it, he discovered that its consciousness hadn’t altered much; it still resembled a child.
This realization made him sigh, acknowledging the difficulty of true transformation and the development of genuine spiritual wisdom in ancient and powerful entities.
Nan Zhengya appeared quite fond of the demon vine, extending her finger as if to touch it.
However, Rongjin, possessing a fierce temperament, only allowed proximity to Xu Ziqing. Consequently, just as Nan Zhengya was about to touch it, a leaf bud jabbed at her, attempting to thwart her advance.
Nan Zhengya smiled subtly, and before the leaf could make contact, a flicker of flame shot from her fingertips.
The demon vine, forced back by the flames as if sensing danger, recoiled cautiously.
Nan Zhengya chuckled and remarked, “Fire can overcome wood. You’re quite fierce; if the flames around you were stronger, it would be a pity that your current ability falls short. Nonetheless, you can’t withstand me.”
Rongjin, appearing confused, then seemed to grasp something, immediately leaning towards Xu Ziqing and rubbing against him, as if expressing great distress.
Xu Ziqing smiled and reassured, “Don’t be disheartened. You spent a long time on the Wild Beast Plain, just eating and drinking. One day, I’ll bring you back to compete with Brother Nan Zheng’s flames.”
Rongjin seemed to understand this time and perked up immediately.
Observing this, Nan Zhengya snorted softly, “Forget it. Since I appreciate your temperament, I’ll do as you wish. If you want to spar anytime, I’m ready whenever.”
Xu Ziqing also chuckled upon hearing this, “Then, I’ll express gratitude on behalf of Rongjin to Brother Nan Zheng.”
Nan Zhengya, possessing a somewhat unpredictable demeanor, sometimes straightforward and other times devious, ceased speaking after the conversation with Rongjin. He flicked his fingers, releasing a blazing fire.
The fire raced with incredible speed, reaching the four bone-skin corpses in an instant, surging upward in a powerful display.
Although Xu Ziqing believed this fire wasn’t one of the three real fires, it surpassed them in terms of strength.
Consequently, despite the corpse’s reinforced structure resembling iron, it quickly succumbed to the flames, disintegrating and turning into a pool of ashes. The strong wind on the plain carried away the remnants.
Nan Zhengya’s unexpected action proved to be a significant assistance to Xu Ziqing.
Without a single body remaining, even if someone were to discover the incident, who could genuinely implicate him? Lack of proof of death and no physical evidence left made conviction challenging.
Feeling a sense of gratitude, Xu Ziqing intended to express his thanks. However, before he could speak, he noticed Nan Zhengya looking in another direction. Simultaneously, he also discerned a familiar aura.
Approximately a hundred miles away, the figure of a white-clothed swordsman became vivid in his consciousness, riding the wind on a sword. It was his Shixiong, whom he hadn’t seen in half a year!
Xu Ziqing’s heart stirred. For days, he had immersed himself in rigorous cultivation, suppressing the emotions within. Now, as those feelings surged back, he couldn’t help but reveal a trace of joy on his face, “Shixiong is here.” Glancing at Nan Zhengya, his expression suddenly became somewhat complex.
Yun Lie’s cultivation level allowed him to approach rapidly. Though he had been a hundred miles away just moments ago, he now stood before them. As the sword intent faded, the stern and motionless figure of this formidable sword cultivator emanated boundless killing intent.
Approaching him, Xu Ziqing greeted with a smile, “Shixiong, are you attacked too?” Earlier, he had been worried, but now, as he examined his brother and confirmed his safety, a sense of relief washed over him.
Unperturbed, Yun Lie cast a glance at him and replied, “You’ve made considerable progress.”
Xu Ziqing smiled gently, “Thank you for the compliment, Shixiong, but I still have a long way to go compared to you.”
With the assurance of each other’s safety, the two brothers dismissed their surroundings.
Yun Lie remained vigilant and had noticed Nan Zhengya earlier. Seeing nothing amiss, he chose not to engage. Now, upon seeing Xu Ziqing, he spared a glance at Nan Zhengya.
Considering their recent acquaintance, Xu Ziqing decided to introduce them. Glancing at Nan Zhengya, his eyes brimming with joy, he said, “Brother Nan Zhengya, this is my Shixiong Yun Lie, from the same master as me.”
Nan Zhengya gave Yun Lie a cursory look. Xu Ziqing, oblivious to any oddities, then turned to Yun Lie, “Shixiong, I encountered Brother Nan Zhengya here, and we hit it off.”
Yun Lie nodded slightly, keeping his words minimal.
Suddenly, Nan Zhengya smiled, “It’s been a while since you siblings reunited. I won’t disturb you further. Brother Xu, Master Yun, if our paths cross again, I’ll catch up with you both.” With that, he shook his body and swiftly departed, much like his initial arrival.
He came and went like the wind, leaving little trace. Watching him disappear into the distance, Xu Ziqing felt an unusual sensation in his heart. Turning to his Shixiong, he suppressed his thoughts.
After a brief pause, Xu Ziqing smiled and asked, “Shixiong, what are your plans for the future?” He knew his Shixiong had come out of concern for his safety.
Yun Lie pondered for a moment, “Things should be fine going forward. I’ll observe your cultivation progress.”
Upon hearing this, Xu Ziqing realized there was no need for separation from his Shixiong, and his smile grew warmer, “Yes, Shixiong.”
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Within the Jile Residence, the effeminate man, previously reveling in pleasure, abruptly stood up with a drastic change in expression.
Swiftly moving, he reached the depths of the cave in an instant.
In the secret room, dozens of soul lamps were arranged in two rows, filled with fireflies, emitting faint whispers.
The left side had no more than eleven or twelve lamps initially, and now eight of them were extinguished. Similarly, the twenty or thirty lamps on the right side had vanished.
The effeminate man’s gaze turned fierce. “My capable subordinates, how is it that most of them have perished!”
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