Chapter 242: Charging Towards Nascent Soul
This novel is translated and hosted only on Bcatranslation
“Cross the mountain ahead, and we’ll reach the entrance to the Nine Abyss Secret Realm,” Yao Wu Ji announced, her eyes bright as she gazed at the towering peak disappearing into the clouds.
Beside her, Si Tu Xuan nodded in agreement, his spirits lifted by the sight. Together with Yu Zhao, they pressed forward, finally arriving at the entrance described in their jade slips just as the sun began to set.
Each of them retrieved the medium required to access the secret realm and activated it using their spiritual energy. The calm air rippled like fish scales, and suddenly, three silver light spheres enveloped them. In the blink of an eye, their figures vanished from the spot.
The Nine Abyss Secret Realm aligned perfectly with Yu Zhao’s spiritual roots, making it an ideal place for her cultivation. She had longed to visit this place in her previous life, but fate had denied her the opportunity before her untimely death. This time, she prepared meticulously, ensuring she would not squander the chance.
Unlike the scenic secret realms Yu Zhao had encountered before, the Nine Abyss Secret Realm was stark and foreboding. It consisted of two towering cliffs flanking an unfathomably deep abyssal pool. The realm’s abundant spiritual energy nourished countless demonic beasts and plants, which thrived in the crevices of the cliffs. However, the abyssal pool at the bottom was strictly avoided—anyone who ventured too close had never returned alive.
Yu Zhao had no interest in testing her luck with the pool. Her sole goal was to find a secluded place to break through to the Nascent Soul stage. Yao Wu Ji and Si Tu Xuan, aware of her intentions, quickly parted ways upon entering the realm, each seeking their own fortune.
Standing at the edge of the cliff, Yu Zhao peered down. The stone walls on either side formed a perilous drop, and the pool below seemed like a monstrous mouth waiting to devour intruders. A chill crept over her as she envisioned falling into the abyss, her body lost forever.
Steeling herself, she looked away and leaped onto a protruding rock face below. Her movements were graceful but deliberate, descending steadily until she reached a suitable spot. Senior Sister Zhou had once advised her that the closer one got to the pool, the denser the spiritual energy—but the realm would also exert greater pressure, threatening to crush internal organs if one pushed too far.
After descending about a hundred feet, Yu Zhao began to feel the strain and decided to stop. She chose a larger crevice and slipped inside, careful not to overextend herself.
The disturbance startled the demonic beasts living in the crevice. The timid ones fled, while the bolder creatures stopped halfway, observing her cautiously from a distance. Yu Zhao paid them no mind and continued inward.
Suddenly, a disoriented demonic beast crashed into her leg and bounced off, slamming into the rock wall and collapsing in a daze. It was a juvenile Moon-Gazing Rabbit, with long fur, tea-colored eyes, and an innocent appearance that belied its strength—adult rabbits of this species could shatter stone with their powerful hind legs.
Yu Zhao bent down, smirking, and picked the rabbit up by the scruff. From the shadows, a few adult Moon-Gazing Rabbits stood upright, their furry ears waving like pendulums as they pleaded silently for its release. With a soft chuckle, Yu Zhao set the juvenile down. After a moment’s hesitation, it hopped away to rejoin its family.
The network of crevices was vast, and Yu Zhao chose the widest paths as she pressed deeper. After nearly a full day and night, she finally found a satisfactory spot. She expanded the area into a simple cave and set up several array plates around the entrance to ward off disturbances.
Preparing her tools and supplies in advance, she sat cross-legged and began to meditate, focusing on calming her breath and steadying her mind. For the next month, she practiced breathing techniques within the cave, using the abundant spiritual energy of the realm to steadily advance from the late Golden Core stage to perfection.
On the day of her breakthrough, Yu Zhao retrieved a jade box from her storage space, revealing a radiant Longevity Fruit. She consumed it in a few bites, savoring the rush of pure energy coursing through her veins. Her Illusory Tides Technique activated automatically, harmonizing the flow of energy within her body.
Soon, her Golden Core began to spin faster, swelling to the brink of rupture. Yu Zhao remained calm, forming hand seals to guide the surge of spiritual energy around her. With her command, the energy of the realm converged upon her, rushing into her body as her Golden Core began to crack…
Meanwhile, the Five Elements Dao Sect was abuzz with activity. At Lone Moon Peak, Sect Master Ji Yuan and Master Qing Yan stood apart, an invisible chasm of tension between them. The atmosphere was so heavy that the faintest sound might shatter it.
Hermit Bao Hua, a famed healer and alchemist, emerged from a nearby room, casting a sly glance at Qing Yan. “As expected of your disciple, Master Qing Yan,” she said mockingly. “Even their strikes carry a certain ruthlessness.”
Despite Bao Hua’s lack of cultivation strength compared to Qing Yan, her unparalleled expertise in medicine and poisons made her a force to be reckoned with—and Qing Yan knew better than to cross her lightly.
Sect Master Ji Yuan forced a smile, stepping in to mediate. “Bao Hua, how are the two disciples faring?”
Bao Hua’s playful smirk faded slightly. “The handsome one—Lan Zi Yu—suffered severe injuries, but they’re superficial. He’ll live, though his pride seems thoroughly bruised.”
Ji Yuan sighed, empathizing with Lan Zi Yu’s humiliation. However, his greater concern was Quan Ye, who had acted strangely after his apparent victory in their sparring match. Despite winning, Quan Ye had collapsed, his body convulsing and his skin splitting before falling unconscious.
Bao Hua’s gaze darkened. “As for Quan Ye… you’ll have to ask Master Qing Yan about that.”
Ji Yuan turned to Qing Yan, his confusion evident.
What role did Qing Yan play in this?