svetikya Chapter 209 Central Plains Cultivator, Fairy Qingyue
Chapter 209 Central Plains Cultivator, Fairy Qingyue
Chapter 209 Central Plains Cultivator, Fairy Qingyue
After planting the lightning crystals, both of them, having exhausted their spiritual energy and magical power, decided to meditate and recover in the vine-covered wooden house before setting off again.
Ning Bu'er took this opportunity to solidify his technique for condensing lightning crystals. Holding a newly condensed pale blue lightning crystal in his hand, he occasionally asked Chen Yi for advice on the details of its manipulation.
For example, he focused intently on how to help the power of thunder spirits integrate into the acupoints more quickly, or how to guide the flow of spiritual energy when it becomes disordered.
Chen Yi then closed his eyes, sat cross-legged, and focused his attention on his internal body.
The Earth Thunder Spirit Fruit he had just consumed contained the essence of the spiritual energy of the Thunder Peak and the power of ancient thunder spirits. It would be too wasteful to directly convert it into ordinary thunder spirit power.
He attempted to enter the state of "body and heaven and earth in harmony" that he had previously comprehended, allowing the spiritual energy within the Thunder Spirit Fruit to flow through his meridians and sense the pulse of the Thunder-Guiding Peak's earth.
Gradually, Chen Yi felt as if he had transformed into a Thunder Spirit Fruit buried deep in the earth, feeling how the earth absorbed the power of heavenly thunder, and how it tempered the violent thunder spirit into gentle spiritual energy, which gradually merged into himself.
During meditation, Chen Yi gained a deeper understanding of the fusion between the spiritual essence of the land and lightning at Leifeng.
Regarding the spirituality of the earth, he had cultivated the "Thick Earth Technique" in his early years, but put it aside after forming his core. Although he had not delved into it deeply at the moment, he could still sense the profound power hidden in the earth's veins.
However, the fusion of thunder spirit power with the five elements brought him sudden enlightenment.
Previously, he had been pondering the method of fusing lightning crystal cores and gold crystal cores, and now, with the confirmation of the fusion laws of earth and lightning spirits,
This sudden addition of evidence suggests that the demand for white dragon chalcedony may decrease again during subsequent fusion processes.
What surprised him even more was the improvement in his ability to "merge with heaven and earth".
That feeling remained mysterious and indescribable, yet I could clearly sense that my perception of the energy of heaven and earth had become even more acute.
It's as if we were looking at the world through a thin veil before, but now that the veil has been lifted a little, we can more clearly capture the flow of spiritual energy in the wind and the subtle tremors of the earth's veins.
After completing his comprehension, Chen Yi absorbed the remaining thunder spirit power of the Earth Thunder Spirit Fruit and transformed it into thunder crystals to replenish the energy consumed when transforming Ning Bu'er into thunder crystals.
His current physical condition can accommodate three to four hundred lightning crystals. He consumed one hundred and fifty this time, so replenishing them now is nothing.
The real loss actually came from the two lightning crystal cores transferred to Ning Bu'er. The energy density of those two lightning crystal cores was far beyond that of ordinary lightning crystals.
Two hours later, Ning Bu'er slowly opened his eyes. Although his consciousness and magic power were still tired, his eyes shone with excitement.
Clearly, during this period, she successfully condensed several more lightning crystals on her own.
In this way, future cultivation will only require the self-condensation of lightning crystals, unless high-level spiritual objects such as lightning crystal cores are needed, but that is a matter for later.
"Let's go, I'll take you to chase after your friend."
Ning Bu'er stood up, the hem of his black robe sweeping across the rattan bed, his tone becoming lighter.
"Okay." Chen Yi nodded in agreement.
Ning Bu'er took out a black flying boat from his storage bag, beckoned Chen Yi to board, and then flicked a wisp of Nine Yin Demon Flame from his fingertip toward the vine-covered wooden house.
The demonic flames ignited upon contact with wood, instantly reducing the makeshift wooden hut to ashes, while also cleaning up the surrounding vine trails.
Chen Yi walked to the edge of the bamboo forest, his fingertips glowing with wood-elemental spiritual power. With a gentle tap, he disrupted the array patterns of the illusion, restoring the dense forest to its original state.
The two boarded the flying boat, which transformed into a black streak of light, circling Thunder-Attracting Peak for half a flight before speeding northward.
The flying boat swept over the Monster Mountain Range north of Thunder Peak. The terrain below gradually rose, transitioning from dense forests to sparse coniferous forests, and later even trees were scarce, leaving only bare gray-brown rocks.
The wind in the air grew increasingly fierce, and the temperature dropped accordingly. Soon, fine snowflakes began to fall, clinging to the outer shell of the flying boat, only to be instantly melted by the protective aura emanating from it.
The distant mountain peaks were covered with snow, which gleamed dazzlingly in the sunlight. The only sounds in the world were the wind and the soft whistling of a flying boat cutting through the air.
After the flying boat had traveled more than 20,000 li, Chen Yi suddenly opened his eyes.
He had already sensed the location of the Crimson Soul Sparrow through the connection of their souls, but then his brows furrowed slightly. He sensed a faint anxiety coming from the Crimson Soul Sparrow, as if it had encountered trouble.
Ning Bu'er noticed his unusual behavior and steered the flying boat to increase its speed.
After flying for another thousand miles, she suddenly stopped the flying boat behind a snow-capped peak, a look of solemnity flashing in her eyes:
"There's the aura of a cultivator ahead; your friend seems to be in real trouble."
She turned to look at Chen Yi and asked directly, "Do you want me to help you get rid of anyone who might expose our whereabouts?"
Chen Yi did not answer immediately, but first sensed Ning Bu'er's condition.
She was injured in the previous battle with the Thunder Armor Beast, and later underwent the process of planting and condensing Thunder Crystals on her own. She has not yet fully recovered, and her magic power and divine sense are at a low level. If she were to force herself to fight, it would probably worsen her injuries.
He immediately focused his mind and carefully sensed the situation ahead through his spiritual connection.
An elderly Core Formation cultivator was seen riding a two-headed lion-eagle demon beast, following far behind the Crimson Soul Sparrow.
The cultivator did not make a direct move, but instead continuously released the pressure of his Core Formation stage cultivation to interfere with the Crimson Soul Sparrow's flight. Clearly, he wanted to exhaust the Crimson Soul Sparrow's stamina and eventually capture it alive to keep it as a spirit pet.
Seeing that the other party did not immediately try to kill him, Chen Yi felt that it was not yet time to engage in direct combat.
"Alright, Fairy Ning, you should go back now."
Chen Yi looked at Ning Bu'er, his tone calm and steady.
"We are not confident that we can kill him, and judging from his aura, he is most likely a cultivator from Zhongzhou. It is not convenient for you to reveal your identity as a member of the Demonic Sect for the time being."
Ning Bu'er hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded in agreement:
"Alright."
She did not immediately sail away, but instead maneuvered the flying boat to hide behind the snow-capped peaks, keeping her divine sense firmly locked onto the movements ahead.
She would rush to Chen Yi's aid immediately should he encounter danger while fighting that cultivator.
At this moment, in the sky ahead, Old Hu was riding the Crimson Soul Sparrow and dealing with the cultivator.
The Crimson Soul Sparrow wasn't flying at full speed, but its trajectory carried an indescribable air of mystery, as if it could sense danger in advance.
Whenever the cultivator tried to speed up and outmaneuver the two-headed lion-eagle to block his path, or unleash ranged magic to interfere, the Crimson Soul Sparrow always managed to nimbly evade them.
Sometimes it weaves through the gaps between snow-capped peaks, sometimes it hovers above icy valleys, keeping the battlefield firmly under control within a thousand-mile radius of dangerous terrain, preventing the mid-stage third-tier lion eagles from getting close.
Seeing this, Chen Yi also gained some insight. This ordinary third-tier flying bird, under Lao Hu's tutelage, had actually developed a touch of intelligence. Lao Hu's secret was truly remarkable!
"You Foundation Establishment junior ahead, stop now!"
The old man riding on the griffin's back finally couldn't contain himself and shouted loudly at Old Hu.
"You simply cannot control a third-tier demonic beast. I am willing to pay a premium to buy it. Why struggle to maintain this position?"
He never expected that a Foundation Establishment cultivator could control a third-tier demon beast so skillfully. He had chased it for so long, yet he hadn't even touched a feather of the Crimson Soul Sparrow.
Old Hu did not respond until he sensed Chen Yi's escape light coming from the south, at which point he began to approach Chen Yi's direction, while loudly explaining to the old man:
"Senior, this spirit pet belongs to my master, not to me. It is not for sale!"
"I am but an old servant. My master will be here shortly. Please wait, senior!"
No sooner had he finished speaking than Chen Yi's Wind and Thunder Escape Technique appeared on the horizon.
Sensing Chen Yi's aura, the old man indeed slowed down his escape speed, and the pressure emanating from his body as a Core Formation cultivator also subsided considerably. Not knowing whether the newcomer was friend or foe, he decided to observe for the time being.
However, when he sensed that Chen Yi only had the cultivation level of the early stage of Core Formation, a hint of contempt flashed in his eyes, and a smile appeared on his lips.
After Chen Yi and the Crimson Soul Sparrow reunited, the old man slowly approached on his lion-eagle, looking down at them and asking:
"Young friend, you look unfamiliar. Which beast-taming sect are you a disciple of?"
His gaze was fixed on the Crimson Soul Sparrow, his eyes filled with greed.
"This Crimson Flame Sparrow is well-bred; its demonic soul even shows signs of mutation. I like it very much. Name your price; as long as it's not too outrageous, I can agree to it."
"Excuse me, senior."
Chen Yi's tone was neither humble nor arrogant.
"Little Sparrow is my spirit pet, and I'm not selling it. If you're interested in mutant demonic beasts, you can go to Thunder-Attracting Peak, which is 20,000 miles ahead. There are many mutant demonic beasts there, and you can capture them yourself."
The old man narrowed his eyes, and his inner energy surged suddenly, causing the air to freeze instantly.
"Boy, don't be ungrateful! This is the Monster Beast Mountain Range, not a lawless place like Zhongzhou. Today, you have to sell this Crimson Flame Sparrow, whether you like it or not!"
Before he finished speaking, a pale golden magical power had already condensed at his fingertips, clearly indicating that he was preparing to make a forceful move.
Chen Yi's expression remained calm, but his mind was racing.
The opponent is at the mid-stage of Core Formation and is also riding a mid-stage third-tier lion-eagle. Although he is confident of winning by fighting head-on, he will inevitably expose his trump cards. Moreover, without knowing the opponent's trump cards, Chen Yi is not confident that he can capture him.
As he pondered how to defeat the enemy in one strike and eliminate future troubles, a beam of cold moonlight suddenly shone from the northern horizon.
It was a streak of light at the late Core Formation stage, its entire body shimmering with silver-white light, and its speed was astonishing, far exceeding the escape speed of an ordinary late Core Formation cultivator.
Upon seeing this, the old man riding on the griffin's expression changed drastically. He instantly withdrew his magical power, which was about to be unleashed, and his eyes were filled with apprehension.
"Old Man Red Eagle is at it again, robbing cultivators in the Demon Beast Mountain Range?!"
A clear and melodious female voice came from within the moonlight, carrying a hint of righteous indignation.
"If you dare to kill and steal treasure in front of me, I will definitely bring you to the upper sect to receive your punishment!"
Chen Yi followed the trail of light and saw that the silver-white light had instantly traversed hundreds of miles and stopped in the air between the two of them.
As the light faded, the figure of a young girl was revealed.
She wore a moon-white long dress, the hem of which was embroidered with delicate silver patterns, and it fluttered gently in the wind.
With an exquisitely beautiful face, skin as white as snow, eyebrows like crescent moons, and eyes like cold stars, she was surrounded by a faint moonlight aura. Her aloof and otherworldly temperament was in no way inferior to Qin Chengcheng, Ning Bu'er, Qiu Li, and others, and she could definitely be included in the ranks of the top beauties in the cultivation world.
The newcomer was none other than Yue Qingqiu, the chief disciple of the Moon Technique of the Star Moon Sect in Zhongzhou.
Seeing that it was her,
The old man's face instantly turned unnatural, then he forced a sheepish smile, and his tone softened:
"Hehe, Fairy Qingyue has misunderstood."
"I merely noticed that this young friend's Crimson Flame Sparrow is of exceptional quality and wished to purchase it amicably. I have absolutely no intention of doing anything outrageous, so please do not worry, Fairy."
"Hmph, you know exactly what kind of person you are."
Yue Qingqiu's voice remained cold and stern, a faint moonlight aura emanating from her, carrying an undeniable air of authority.
"My Star Moon Sect is temporarily acting as the superior sect to inspect the Moon Lake area. Your Eagle Mountain Ridge had better keep a low profile and not break the rules, or don't blame me for being impolite."
The smile on Old Man Red Eagle's face faded slightly, and he completely abandoned his intention to take action.
For nearly a thousand years, Eagle Mountain Ridge has been at odds with the Star Moon Sect. However, in the last hundred years, the Star Moon Sect has produced a pair of Star Boy and Moon Girl, both with Heavenly Spiritual Root talents. At the Core Formation stage, they have swept through the territories of the upper sects.
As an old man in the mid-stage of Core Formation, he could only temporarily avoid the limelight.
"How we, Eagle Mountain Ridge, conduct ourselves is none of Fairy Qingyue's concern. Wait until someone from your Star Moon Sect advances to the mid-Nascent Soul stage before you interfere with us."
Besides, why did you come to this Monster Mountain Range instead of following your senior brother south to exorcise demons, fairy?
"Could it be that this place, more than 200,000 miles deep into the Demon Beast Mountain Range, is also within the patrol range of your Star Moon Sect?"
"My senior brother has gone to the State of Qi to eliminate demons, and we cultivators also have the responsibility to suppress demons."
Yue Qingqiu responded calmly, deflecting the old man Hongying's probing with a single sentence.
"My purpose in venturing deep into the Demon Beast Mountain Range this time is to wipe out those demonic cultivators who are lurking here and causing harm to cultivators."
"What, Fellow Daoist Red Eagle, you've also come to exorcise demons? If so, why not join me on our journey to the demon's lair ahead and contribute to the peace of Central Continent?"
These words clearly put the old man Red Eagle in a difficult position. His purpose in coming to the Monster Beast Mountain Range was only to capture a monster with a mutated bloodline.
When they passed by and discovered the Crimson Soul Sparrow, they wanted to seize it. They had no intention of fighting against the demonic forces whatsoever.
He quickly shook his head and made up a reason: "No, no, I have important matters to attend to, so I will not accompany the fairy."
Having said that, he glanced at Chen Yi silently, carefully memorizing his Crimson Soul Sparrow.
Only then did he ride the two-headed lion eagle, transforming into a streak of light, and hurriedly fly north.
After the old man Red Eagle had completely disappeared into the horizon, Yue Qingqiu's divine sense slowly swept over Chen Yi, her tone calm:
"Your Xuanmen magic is quite authentic, but your cultivation is still shallow."
This Demon Beast Mountain Range is fraught with danger, teeming with high-level demonic beasts and demonic cultivators. It's far beyond the capabilities of a mere Core Formation cultivator like yourself. You should leave as soon as possible and return to your sect.
Standing atop the Crimson Soul Sparrow, Chen Yi bowed respectfully to Yue Qingqiu from afar, his tone respectful yet not humble:
"I am Chen Yi, a cultivator from the State of Qi. May I ask if you are the Fairy Yue Qingqiu of the Star Moon Sect in the Central Plains?"
Even before arriving in Zhongzhou, Chen Yi had already asked Hao Youren to inquire about the power structure of Zhongzhou through the Chamber of Commerce.
The Central Plains are a vast territory, more than ten times the size of the State of Qi. Apart from a few reclusive sects...
The blessed lands with top-tier fourth-order spiritual veins are all controlled by a few "upper sects" with great cultivators in the late Nascent Soul stage.
The subordinate fourth-tier lower-grade spiritual vein areas are managed by ordinary Nascent Soul forces.
Most of these forces have a Nascent Soul Grandmaster, but their circumstances vary. Some Nascent Soul Grandmasters have a lifespan of nearly a thousand years and are already old and about to pass away.
Some are newly promoted Nascent Soul cultivators, aged three or four hundred years old, with bright futures ahead;
Some sects are even facing a talent gap, with a potential one or two hundred-year gap in the number of Nascent Soul cultivators.
According to the rules set by the upper sect, these subordinate forces generally do not fight each other and cause sect wars, unless a certain force possesses a fourth-grade mid-level spiritual vein but has lost its Nascent Soul inheritance for more than two hundred years, in which case the upper sect will send people to take back the spiritual vein and redistribute it.
Chen Yi originally planned to go to the Ji family, where Ji Wuchen lived, which was one of the top sects in Zhongzhou.
However, after looking at the map, he discovered that the Ji family was nearly eight million miles away from the Monster Mountain Range. With his current cultivation level at the early stage of Core Formation, he would inevitably encounter unforeseen circumstances if he wanted to travel such a long distance.
More importantly, after discovering the benefits of drawing lightning, Chen Yi had already formed a new plan in mind.
He planned to temporarily settle in a safe haven north of the Monster Beast Mountain Range, cultivate for several decades, and then seek opportunities to cultivate at Thunder-Drawing Peak a few times along the way.
I will raise my magic power, body refinement, and soul cultivation to the late stage of Core Formation before considering heading north to the Ji family to seek an opportunity to form my Nascent Soul.
The Star Moon Sect is the Nascent Soul sect closest to the Monster Mountain Range and belongs to the territory of the upper sect "Azure Cloud Cave Heaven".
Chen Yi had seen in the records that the Star Moon Sect had an elderly Nascent Soul cultivator with a lifespan of over eight hundred years. Due to the influence of its core cultivation technique, the Star Moon Manual, the sect was generally upright and a model of chivalry in the Central Plains.
As for other sects such as Eagle Mountain Ridge and Red Cliff Cave, they either cannot distinguish between good and evil, or their families are extremely exclusive and do not make them ideal places to settle down.
Meeting Yue Qingqiu, the chief female disciple of the Star Moon Sect, today is undoubtedly a great opportunity for Chen Yi.
He naturally wanted to get to know her well. If he had the opportunity to directly join the Star Moon Sect through Yue Qingqiu, it would save him a lot of trouble.
Even if it doesn't work out, it can still help us understand more about the forces in Zhongzhou, and make it easier to find a neutral immortal city nearby to rent a cave for transit.
"A cultivator from the State of Qi?"
Upon hearing this, Yue Qingqiu's eyebrows furrowed slightly, her gaze towards Chen Yi instantly turning cold, and her tone carrying a barely perceptible displeasure.
"The Qi Kingdom is currently facing an invasion from the Demon Cave and a horde of beasts pressing in, leaving it short of soldiers and generals. Yet you crossed the Demon Beast Mountain Range to sneak in?"
The moonlight aura surrounding her also turned cold, clearly indicating that she had developed reservations about Chen Yi's identity.
In her view, Qi was currently engulfed in war, and any cultivator with a modicum of courage should have stayed in their homeland to defend against the demon cave and monsters. However, Chen Yi left Qi for Zhongzhou at this time, clearly a coward who was shirking his responsibility for the war.
She hadn't expected that this early-stage Core Formation cultivator possessed a mutated bloodline spirit pet, the Crimson Soul Sparrow.
Although he was tall and straight, with delicate features and a gentle demeanor, he did not look like a wicked person.
Lacking a sense of national responsibility and only knowing how to escape from problems, even with high cultivation, it is difficult to achieve great things.
(End of this chapter)