To the south of Cloudhill lay Cloudhill City, while its northern side was covered with large stretches of verdant forest. Save for a scattering of human settlements and official routes, the region bore little trace of human activity. It was in this direction that Fang Xia had steered the battle with Great Jin, striving to minimize the toll of casualties.
Guided by Wu Yuan, Qiong Sea King swiftly arrived at a designated location, twenty li north of Cloudhill, then slowly made his descent into the forest.
“Senior Wan Liu?” Qiong Sea King’s massive eyes scanned his surroundings, searching in vain for Senior Wan Liu’s figure.
In an instant, the air was filled with white fog, enveloping the area around Qiong Sea King. It was the Mind Confusion Array.
“Senior Wan Liu?” Qiong Sea King’s eyes narrowed with suspicion as he released a low growl that reverberated through the forest. Though he did not often interact with humans, he was far from foolish.
“This fog is merely to conceal your presence,” Wu Yuan’s voice echoed mysteriously within the thick fog. “Qiong Sea, worry not.”
Suppressing his rising panic, Qiong Sea King spoke in a hushed voice, “Senior Wan Liu, why do you hide yourself?”
“Whether you see me or not, does it affect the guidance I provide?” Wu Yuan chuckled.
Qiong Sea King was taken aback. It was a valid point.
“Senior, I humbly request your guidance on the path to the Spiritual Body phase,” Qiong Sea King implored, bowing his enormous azure draconic head. His eyes burned with insatiable desire.
“Qiong Sea, as a ninth-stage Communion cultivator, you should understand that vitality is the core criteria for a body refiner to transition to the Spiritual Body phase,” Wu Yuan’s voice was calm, but with a hint of regret. “But your age is far too advanced.”
“I’ve never had a mentor,” Qiong Sea King lamented. “I have been navigating the path of cultivation alone. I beg for your understanding, Senior.” In reality, Qiong Sea King possessed the Dragon’s Lair Records, but he was unwilling to reveal it at the moment.
“At over 700 years old, a breakthrough is not impossible,” Wu Yuan said. “There are three methods.”
“Three methods?” Qiong Sea King listened with bated breath.
“The first relies on external objects,” Wu Yuan slowly explained, “During my travels across the oceans, I’ve encountered many mystical treasures, like the Ninesong Rebirth Pill created through alchemy, and natural treasures like the Longevity Fruit and Millennium Snowjade Marrow. Once consumed, they can significantly restore your vitality. Your odds of breaking through will naturally increase greatly.”
Qiong Sea King was left stunned.
Ninesong Rebirth Pill? Longevity Fruit? What kind of treasures were these? He had never heard of them before.
“Senior Wan Liu, I have never heard of these treasures. Where can I find them?” Qiong Sea King asked. If such treasures could be found in the Middle Land, surely it wouldn’t have been absent of Golden Core cultivators for thousands of years?
“These treasures are all considered mythological items,” Wu Yuan said, “The second method is reaching the Domain stage. Once you grasp a Domain, your body will naturally transform and advance to the next phase in time.”
“Domain?” Qiong Sea King was speechless. All qi refiners and body refiners knew this method and understood that once they grasped a Domain, they could reach a higher level. But how many could actually achieve this?
“If the first two methods are not feasible, then only the last method remains — the path of power,” Wu Yuan said indifferently, “That is, to forcefully temper your body until it reaches the Spiritual Body stage! The most common way to practice this method is to find a suitable environment, consume medicinal treasures, endure the impact of the environment, and temper your body until it reaches the limit of your current phase.
“When your mana and body merge, and the soul chamber is completely integrated into the flesh, you naturally forge your Spiritual Body,” Wu Yuan explained.
“That simple?” Qiong Sea King was taken aback. He had never thought of this method.
“Simple? You are essentially putting yourself in a danger zone. Body refiners with fire attributes can practice within divine volcanos, but how many can endure it? Even with enough spirit herbs, treasures, and proper body tempering techniques, there’s still a high chance of death. And without a proper technique? It means certain death.” Wu Yuan replied nonchalantly.
Qiong Sea King fell silent.
Wasn’t this just stating the obvious? He had no body tempering techniques. If he did, why would he come all the way here to meet Wu Yuan?
“Qiong Sea. I invited you here because I have the confidence to help you achieve a breakthrough. I possess a suitable water attribute body tempering technique.” Wu Yuan said lightly.
Numerous body tempering techniques were detailed in the eight immortal slips. This was the advantage of acquiring a powerful inheritance. In one shot, he could gain access to resources that lone cultivators struggled to accumulate in a lifetime.
“And as for the cultivation environment? The ocean is boundless. Surely it wouldn’t be too difficult for you to find a suitable one,” Wu Yuan said in a cool voice.
Qiong Sea King’s excitement grew.
“However!” Wu Yuan continued. “Qiong Sea King, you must understand one thing. Teachings cannot be spread lightly, and techniques cannot be taught casually.”
Qiong Sea King immediately calmed himself. “Senior, please state your conditions. I will do everything in my power to fulfill them,” he replied, bowing his head.
“50 years!” Wu Yuan uttered.
Qiong Sea King was taken aback. He asked in a lowered voice, “Senior, are you suggesting that I become your spirit beast? I, Qiong Sea King, refuse to be a servant.” Most powerhouses had their pride and worked towards greater freedom. Constantly bowing their heads and submitting would only weaken their resolve on the path of cultivation.
“Spirit Beast? No! Since my Whitewing died, I no longer had a desire for any spirit beasts. Furthermore, I have no intention of enslaving you. What I’m suggesting is a relationship of equals. I hope that you can safeguard my disciple, Wu Yuan, for the next 50 years,” the voice in the white fog spoke with indifference.
“I plan on departing from the Middle Land soon and embarking on a journey through vast lands and seas. It will not be suitable to bring him along. Normally, you may cultivate as you please. But in times of danger, I ask that you protect him. Qiong Sea King, if you agree, I will grant you various teachings, such as the body tempering technique,” the voice within the fog said. “If you are unwilling, then feel free to leave.”
These words plunged Qiong Sea King into an internal dilemma. 50 years? Though he wouldn’t be an ordinary servant spirit beast, there might be some humiliation involved on his part. However, if he could obtain the corresponding teachings, once he reached the Spiritual Body phase, he would be able to enjoy thousands of years of freedom.
No further sound came from the white fog, as if awaiting Qiong Sea King’s decision. After a long while, he finally spoke in a low and determined voice, “Senior Wan Liu, if your teachings are truly effective,” he began, “I agree to your request and will protect Wu Yuan for the next 50 years.” This was his final decision after weighing the gains and losses. freёwebnovel.com
“Then let us forge the Spirit Beast Contract,” the voice in the white fog declared nonchalantly. “Disciple, present the contract and the first part of the teachings to Daoist Qiong Sea.”
“Yes,” a young voice responded.
Qiong Sea King waited patiently.
Whoosh! From the depths of the thick mist emerged a surprisingly young figure in black robes. In his hands, he clutched a purple scroll and an immortal slip.
“Senior Qiong Sea,” Wu Yuan greeted, cupping his hands.
“Are you Wu Yuan?” Qiong Sea King peered down at Wu Yuan. Though he was just a kid, the vigorous vital aura emanating from him was not insignificant.
“You are nearly a body refiner?” Qiong Sea King asked in disbelief. “You haven’t even reached eighteen years of age.”
Before arriving in Cloudhill, he had diligently gathered information on the Cloudstride Sect. After all, know thyself, know thy enemy.
“I had the guidance of my master,” Wu Yuan responded, a faint smile gracing his lips.
“Excellent. With your talent, your future is bright. It wouldn’t be an insult for me to protect someone of your caliber for a time,” Qiong Sea King spoke solemnly. “Pass me the immortal slip so that I can examine it.”
Wu Yuan nodded and extended his hand, offering the slip with a casual wave.
Qiong Sea King delicately held the immortal slip in his claws, swiftly absorbing its contents. A deluge of information flooded his mind.
“Remarkable! What an amazing technique, I had no idea one could cultivate in this manner…” Qiong Sea King exclaimed with elation. Then, the flow of information abruptly ceased.
This was only the first half of the method. Without the rest of it, it could not be cultivated.
“What? Why does it end here?” Qiong Sea King’s anxiety grew, his yearning for the second half of the technique nearly driving him crazy. This was his greatest opportunity for a breakthrough.
“Wu Yuan, let us seal the contract!” Qiong Sea King said without hesitation.
“Very well,” Wu Yuan replied with a subtle grin. Finally, the fish had taken the bait.
With a flourish, Wu Yuan unfurled the glowing scroll in his hand. It floated towards the Qiong Sea King, who examined the writing on the scroll with a mixture of surprise and curiosity.
“Swearing on the Eldritch Progenitor? A Blood Gu contract?” he exclaimed, his voice tinged with astonishment. “Senior Wan Liu is a legendary eldritch?” The Dragon’s Lair Records only mentioned fragments of information about eldritches.
“Mm.” A cold voice echoed from the surrounding fog.
“Wu Yuan, you are indeed worthy of being Senior Wan Liu’s disciple,” Qiong Sea King rumbled, his gaze fixed on Wu Yuan. “Perhaps in the future, you too may become an eldritch.”
Wu Yuan simply smiled in response.
Qiong Sea King meticulously examined the contents of the scroll once more. “The oath and the contract are in order,” he muttered. “Very well, Wu Yuan, let us proceed.”
And so, they began to recite the oath, swearing on the Eldritch Progenitor’s name. The moment the last word fell, a powerful and unseen force washed over Wu Yuan and Qiong Sea King. It left just as quickly as it arrived, leaving Qiong Sea King feeling somewhat relieved. With that, the oath had been made.
Now, it was time to confirm their agreement with the sealing of the Blood Gu contract. The contract was crafted by Fang Xia, who was naturally proficient in such skills as an eldritch mage. Its purpose was similar to that of a beast-taming ring, yet its effects were far more unique. It bound both master and spirit beast, making the relationship akin to that of partners.
As time slipped away, Wu Yuan and Qiong Sea King dripped their blood onto the scroll, igniting a brilliant red light that filled the room. The scroll transformed into countless shining specks of light, merging into the bodies of Wu Yuan and Qiong Sea King. In an instant, identical blood symbols appeared on the foreheads of both Wu Yuan and the Qiong Sea King, forming an imperceptible bond between the two. The blood symbols then retracted back into their respective bodies.
“Qiong Sea.” Wu Yuan smiled, looking at the massive jiaolong before him. He could feel both his and the jiaolong’s soul, and sensed the faint connection between them.
“Master,” Qiong Sea King looked at Wu Yuan in shock, his voice trembling with disbelief, “You…?”
The bond between a spirit beast and its master, particularly one formed through a Blood Gu contract, had unique functions. They could sense each other’s whereabouts and communicate with each other via their spirits.
At this moment, Qiong Sea King was astonished to find that Wu Yuan’s soul strength surpassed his own by leaps and bounds. It was like comparing a firefly to the brilliance of the moon. Wu Yuan’s soul shone dozens of times brighter than his.
“Your guess is correct,” Wu Yuan responded with a faint smile, “I am Wan Liu.”