"What do you need, big sister? Just tell me about it. Your little brother will complete it even at the cost of his life!" vowed Xiang Shaoyun.
Hua Cheng smiled and said, "No, it's nothing that serious, but this is somewhat dangerous. However, I am confident you can complete it." She went straight to the point, "I need you to get something for me from the Land of Soul Springs. If you can complete the mission, your big sister will reward you handsomely."
"You need a soul spring as well, big sister?" Xiang Shaoyun asked in astonishment.
For those in the Emperor Realm, a soul spring wasn't really helpful. Even for those in the King Realm, a soul spring was only slightly useful. It was most suited for a cultivator at peak Transformation Realm.
"No, no soul spring. I need something else, the soul raising stone," said Hua Cheng with a longing look in her eyes.
The moment Xiang Shaoyun heard the term "soul raising stone", he became excited as well. After all, he was well aware how rare that stone was. The so-called soul raising stone could not only nurture one's soul, but it could also enhance one's mental power. Either of the two was something any cultivator would long for.
The higher the cultivation level, the stronger the soul and mental power needed for one to reduce the risk and increase the probability of success when breaking through to the next realm. Very few treasures could enhance one's soul, and this soul raising stone was one of them. Thus, even an Emperor Realm cultivator would greatly long for it.
As for why Hua Cheng was longing for it, she had an additional reason, which was also the most important reason to her—the stone would also be helpful in improving her dao of zither, pushing it to an even higher level.
After Hua Cheng told Xiang Shaoyun the location of the soul raising stone, he asked in confusion, "Since you know the location of the soul raising stone, why don't you go get it yourself? My strength is far lower than yours."
"If I could enter, I would have done so long ago," said Hua Cheng. She paused for a bit before offering more explanation, "The Land of Soul Springs is a unique place that those at the Skysoar Realm and above won't be able to enter. Even after entering, one will be suppressed to the Transformation Realm. Therefore, very few Skysoar Realm cultivators are willing to enter. As for Emperor Realm cultivators, they will be directly repelled when they try to enter. They might even be killed by that place's power."
"Such a wondrous place exists? Nice," Xiang Shaoyun said joyfully.
It was at this moment that he recalled how Li Yaxuan had told him he was lucky to not be the one who had broken through into the Skysoar Realm. Otherwise, his cultivation level would be suppressed after entering, and his combat prowess might suffer as well.
Hua Cheng continued her explanation and told Xiang Shaoyun that she had heard about the soul raising stone from the previous two batches of disciples who had entered. In truth, this was already an open secret.
But even until today, nobody had succeeded in harvesting the soul raising stone, as not only were there powerful Demon Kings guarding that place, but there were numerous other dangers waiting around as well. The soul raising stone was not something an ordinary person could hope to get.
In fact, during the previous openings of the Land of Soul Springs, Hua Cheng had also tasked some disciples to harvest the soul raising stone for her. Unfortunately, all the disciples had failed and died there.
"Although your big sister wants that soul raising stone, you have to be careful. If you really can't get it, don't force yourself," warned Hua Cheng.
"Haha, since my big sister likes it, I will definitely harvest it for you. Don't worry!" Xiang Shaoyun chortled and promised.
"Yes, I have confidence in you. You wouldn't have been able to clear three limit rooms in a row if you weren't capable. That is also why I have decided to tell you about this," Hua Cheng said with a nod. She then took out an armor and handed it to Xiang Shaoyun. "This is a high-tier armor. With this, you will be able to stay alive."
Xiang Shaoyun accepted the armor with no hesitation. "Thank you, big sister. I won't disappoint you."
"Ok. Focus on healing up for now. If you can come back with the soul raising stone, there will be more rewards waiting from your big sister, alright?" said Hua Cheng with a mischievous tone.
One ought to say that when Hua Cheng was not behaving like a haughty Empress, she looked like an ordinary girl-next-door. Hua Cheng immediately vanished into thin air, leaving behind only a faint lingering fragrance.
Xiang Shaoyun emptied his mind and started focusing on healing up. He also refined a large amount of spirit crystals in his astral cosmos sea. At the same time, the star congregation jade remained active, causing a thick clump of astral energy to twirl around him at all times. The numerous sources of energy helped him both heal faster and grow in strength.
One day and one night passed quickly. Xiang Shaoyun was already about 60 or 70 percent healed, and his cultivation level had increased to mid eighth-stage Transformation Realm. Anyone else who had cleared a few limit rooms in succession would definitely be able to force a lot of their potential out and break through into the next level.
But Xiang Shaoyun was different from others. He had a nine-star physique. The amount of astral energy he required for breakthrough was far greater for him than for any other cultivator. It was already an exceedingly outstanding accomplishment for someone with his physique to actually grow in only half a month since his last breakthrough.
While Xiang Shaoyun was absorbing the purple qi from the first rays of sun, he was notified by Li Yaxuan's messenger to gather at the outer pavilion. After packing up, he left to meet them. Along his way, many people saluted and greeted him respectfully, their eyes filled with respect. There were also a number of smitten girls who were staring at him in admiration, and the braver ones among them were even confessing their love to Xiang Shaoyun.
"Xiang Shaoyun, you are so handsome! I think I have fallen in love with you!" said a chubby girl as she bashfully played with the corner of her shirt. Even Xiang Shaoyun felt shy upon hearing the confession.
"Oh...uhm..." He was completely speechless.
Yes, this girl was kind of short, and had a lot of pimples on her face, but she wasn't too heavy. She was definitely not heavier than 120 kilos. At most, she would be about 100 kilos in weight. No matter what, she was still a brave and adorable young lady. It would be rather cruel to reject her, right? But he really couldn't bring himself to say yes to her confession.
Right that instant, a slim silhouette appeared and pointed at the chubby girl before shouting, "An ugly fatty like you dares to confess to Xiang Shaoyun? Scram! He is mine!"
This girl...is too straightforward, right? thought Xiang Shaoyun to himself before adding, But I like her!
But when the slim silhouette turned and smiled at him, he felt like crying.
"Xiang Shaoyun, I really like you!" said the slim girl while winking her eyes.
Xiang Shaoyun felt like vomiting. Yes, the girl was slim, but she was completely flat. And her face...she looked manlier than a man, and she even had a tiny clump of beard on her chin!
"You darned tomboy! You have frightened Xiang Shaoyun with your looks! Piss off! He is mine!" shouted the chubby girl while rolling up her sleeves, looking like she was preparing for a brawl.
"Do you think I'm scared of you? Come, fight me 300 rounds if you have the guts! Xiang Shaoyun will belong to the victor!" said the tomboy.
"Bring it on! You think I'm scared?"