Chapter 377: Chapter 135: Shadows Draw Near
Li Xuan chuckled and said, "That’s because Jia’Er takes good care of me."
Tong Jia’s face turned even redder, and she kept pushing Li Xuan saying, "Go, go, go."
When Li Xuan and Lu Yanwu had walked a bit farther, she called out, "Come back early."
"Got it," Li Xuan replied.
When he turned back, he glanced over at Lu Yanwu.
Lu Yanwu casually chatted with him for a while, then suddenly asked, "When you go to the Cave of Lost Clothes, did Steward Jian tell you anything?"
Li Xuan said, "She invited me to stay in the west side, saying it’s easier to enter the Yin Ghost Realm there."
Lu Yanwu was silent for a long time and then said, "Why so quickly..."
Li Xuan asked curiously, "Quick about what?"
Lu Yanwu patted his shoulder and said seriously, "I brought you here, and Tong Jia is also one of my cultivators, I won’t let anything happen to you."
Li Xuan smiled and asked, "What’s really going on?"
Lu Yanwu said in a lowered voice, "Don’t laugh."
Then, he seemed to hesitate, his face showing a heavy expression.
He then patted Li Xuan’s shoulder again and whispered, "Absolutely do not accept any kindness from her, do not take any benefits she offers, and definitely do not get close to her...
You are an Alchemy Master, and we’re in dire need of Alchemy Masters right now. I don’t want to lose you at this time."
After saying this, Lu Yanwu didn’t offer further explanation and stopped at a fork in the road, waved his hand and said, "Go back, Jia’Er is still waiting for you.
Tomorrow, you can come to my mud hut for a meal. I returned from the Sea Barrier Reef Realm two days ago and caught a spirit eel in the nearby sea.
My wife is quite skilled, you and Jia’Er should come and try it."
Li Xuan nodded.
Lu Yanwu then leaned closer and said, "Don’t tell anyone about what I said today, not even Jia’Er."
Li Xuan nodded again, then said, "Mr. Lu, I also want to go outside for a walk."
Lu Yanwu was surprised and said, "Not letting you go out is actually for the best. It’s not safe out there."
Li Xuan said, "I’m new here, I want to take a look."
After thinking for a moment, Lu Yanwu said, "Then in a few days, I’ll take you and Jia’Er out to explore, to mine in the Sea Barrier Reef Realm."
Li Xuan said, "Thank you."
Soon, Lu Yanwu went away.
...
Back inside the earthen hut, Li Xuan pulled the curtain closed.
The core of the pine light grass quietly burned, casting light outside the curtain, while the inside grew even darker.
The room was very cramped, Tong Jia had already discarded her robe, sitting cross-legged on the bed as if lost in thought.
Li Xuan rustled as he removed his clothes and shoes, and climbed onto the bed.
The tigress opened her eyes, beginning her fierce hunt...
After a long time...
The hunt was over.
The tiger turned back into a kitten.
Li Xuan thought for a bit and said softly, "Earlier, Mr. Lu found me and told me absolutely not to accept any kindness from Steward Jian, nor take any of her benefits, and definitely don’t get close to her... He also said not to tell you."
Tong Jia was silent for quite a while, then lowered her voice and said, "He told you not to tell me, yet you did."
Li Xuan said, "You’re my Dao companion, I’m certainly closer to you."
Tong Jia lowered her eyes, and after a while, her voice became as faint as a mosquito, her red lips near Li Xuan’s ear, "Then I’ll also tell you something that outsiders shouldn’t know I know."
Li Xuan liked this kind of girl who repays kindness with kindness.
Tong Jia whispered very softly, "Entering the Yin Ghost Realm is an exercise in patience.
But how to advance after entering is actually a big secret of the Illusion Mountain Sect, only those who have entered the Yin Ghost Realm and passed the assessments know.
Mr. Lu knows, Steward Jian knows.
However... I actually managed to overhear a bit.
So, I also know a little."
Shhh...
Li Xuan suddenly pulled the quilt over both their heads.
Under the quilt, darkness.
Tong Jia continued in a low voice, "Two cultivation techniques.
One, the ’Divine General Mountain Demon Suppression Skill.’
One, the ’Curse and Resentment Scripture.’
The former is a method to enhance Yin Souls, straightforward and upright, yet advances slowly.
The latter is a sinister technique for quick success, its power terrifying, I suspect Steward Jian practices the latter.
Mr. Lu advises not to accept Steward Jian’s kindness, probably to prevent you from becoming her cultivation material and thereby harmed.
Him telling you not to disclose this is actually to maintain this secrecy."
Li Xuan asked curiously, "Why did she choose me?"
Tong Jia nudged him with her knee lightly and said, "You don’t know your aura is very unique? Plus, you’re an Alchemy Master, I even fear you’ll be snatched away."
Li Xuan felt somewhat speechless.
He pondered whether he should create an illusion dummy to test the waters?
Then decided against it.
Creating a commotion on Bixiu Island, and having it attract demons isn’t needed right now.
The next day...
The two arrived at Lu Yanwu’s mud hut for a meal, both the host and guests were very pleased.
...
Several days later.
Near the Yin Ore.
Li Xuan silently let out a long breath.
Made a breakthrough!
The breakthrough to the Soldier Lord Realm made him feel the energy inside him grow stronger, if before it was like a small boat sailing on a sea of lava, now at least it’s reached the level of a large naval ship.
Looking at his lifespan limit, it increased from "220" to "280."
Regarding this, he had some guesses.
It probably involves "the essence of life," having seen "the essence of life," yet being unable to alter it, thus still following human lifespan changes.
If wishing to change "the essence of life," Li Xuan felt that if he injected the Demon Bear’s demon blood into himself, he should succeed. At that time, his lifespan might increase drastically.
His spirits were lifted, but people around looked worried.
Because... the Yin Ore had dimmed.
A cultivator frowned and asked, "Who went to mine this time, how come they haven’t returned yet?"
Another person said, "It’s Master Xulingzi, Tan Feng."
Tong Jia also listened quietly, Master Xulingzi was her old partner, but the two never developed beyond friendship.
On the other side, another female cultivator was watching the cave entrance worriedly, who happened to be Master Xulingzi’s Dao partner, but unfortunately her strength was quite weak, possessing only beginner Soldier Lord Realm power, thus didn’t qualify to venture outside.
In this manner, a long time passed.
The Yin Ore grew ever dimmer, its color no longer deathly white, beginning to turn transparent.
Mr. Lu stood up and said, "Steward Jian, I’ll go have a look."
Steward Jian nodded.
Mr. Lu went out.
Time ticked by slowly, the people inside grew tense.
And as the sunset rays came streaming in from outside, Mr. Lu came back supporting a pale-faced man.
The man returned and immediately clutched his belly and vomited, his eyes wide and bulging, blue veins protruding, his hair completely wet.
This was Master Xulingzi.
His Dao partner hurried forward, her face extremely worried.
Regardless of how deep their feelings, her sole support now was Master Xulingzi, if something happened to him, she’d have no prospects left.
Mr. Lu said, "Encountered some nasty things at the Sea Barrier Reef Realm."
Steward Jian asked, "What about the spirit ore?"
Mr. Lu replied, "It’s not easy to escape back."
Steward Jian smiled faintly and said, "But he didn’t bring back any spirit ore."
The air abruptly grew silent, a bit tense.
Mr. Lu said, "I’ll go again."
Li Xuan stood up and said, "I’ll go with you."
Tong Jia was startled but quickly stood up too, standing beside Li Xuan to show her stance.
Steward Jian said, "Brother Xuan, there’s no need for you to go. You’re important, if anything happens to you, that wouldn’t be good."
Her voice carried a strangely gentle tone.
Li Xuan firmly said, "Thank you, Steward Jian, but I still want to go out and have a look."
Then he turned and followed Lu Yanwu out, soon leaving the cave and arriving outside.
Li Xuan twisted his neck, now... he was very interested in the Evil Spirit Reef Realm too.
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