Promise!

Chapter 271, Eighth Transformation

A few days later.

Cangzhou City, First Ring Road, Shangguan Family Residence.

Boom!dong dong!

Amidst a powerful heartbeat, a force emanated from within, transforming into a flash of golden light. Zhuang Jin's fierce aura swept outwards: "Nine Revolutions Golden Body Technique, Eight Revolutions Completed!"

Just as he had predicted, the Kui beef stimulated, invigorated, and strengthened his Qi and blood. After slaying the two white worms, it also strengthened his five internal organs and enhanced his refining ability. Finally, with its assistance, he broke through the eighth level of the Nine Revolutions Golden Body Technique in one fell swoop.

'There's still plenty of Kui beef left; at this speed, we can quickly push the Eight-Turn Bike a considerable distance.'

"The three elements of essence, energy, and spirit complement each other. Physical breakthroughs and realm accumulation will be faster. Furthermore, with improved aptitude, the acceleration provided by the Holy Spirit Pearl, and auxiliary medicinal formulas, the accumulation of the second corpse realm of the Innate Corpse-Slaying Realm will progress by leaps and bounds."

Zhuang Jin thought to himself as he came out of the quiet room, about to devour the Kui beef and continue his cultivation, when he learned from the maid that Li Shicong and others had come to visit.

……

Of the six people who were originally outside the aristocratic families and reached the Corpse Slaying Realm, now only Li Shicong, Bian Zhihao, and Ge Zhaoqing remain after Zhan Shengchu was purged for the Round Table Meeting incident, Mai Yinghuang died after failing to break through, and Ao Zhiqi stole Chunling Qiuguai's Divine Essence Fruit and fled.

Zhuang Jin came out to greet him and had the servants serve tea.

The events of the past few days cannot be ignored. When Li Shizong spoke of Ao Zhiqi, he sneered, "Because of Ao Zhiqi's situation and that of his son, I had previously shown him a lot of sympathy and helped him. I never expected that he would have ulterior motives, plotting to steal my opportunities and then fleeing far away."

He had always maintained the image of a noble young master who would remain calm even if Mount Tai collapsed before him, but now he was unusually out of control, which showed his anger. However, Zhuang Jin and the others could understand it. It would be hard for anyone to bear having such a major opportunity concerning their path to enlightenment taken away.

Bian Zhihao and Ge Zhaoqing spoke up, standing on Li Shicong's side, condemning Ao Zhiqi and offering words of comfort.

Zhuang Jin didn't speak, but just watched silently. She knew that Bian Zhihao and Ge Zhaoqing were saying they were comforting him, but they were also envious and jealous of Chunling Qiuguai's great opportunity. Now that Li Shizong had stumbled and failed to achieve his goal, she also felt a sense of psychological balance.

Furthermore, although the Divine Essence Fruit was taken away by Ao Zhiqi, the Essence Fruit and Qi Fruit of Chunling Qiuguai are still there, so they have no right to sympathize with them.

After a short while, Li Shizong's expression improved after being persuaded by Bian Zhihao and Ge Zhaoqing.

“Back then, I disagreed with Brother Zhan Shengchu’s idea of ​​expanding the roundtable meeting; I also opposed Brother Mai Yinghuang’s public breakthrough; and what Ao Zhiqi did a few days ago was the same. In my opinion, it was no different from gambling… Looking at the state of the world, once you step onto the gambling table, how can you possibly win?”

Bian Zhihao sighed, because of his upbringing, he strongly disapproved of gambling, and as a result, he was quite cautious in nature.

"Brother Ao..."

Ge Zhaoqing paused halfway through her sentence, noticing Li Shicong's expression, and changed her tone, saying with some understanding, "Ao Zhiqi is also a person with a tragic fate. Given his own circumstances and the situation he encountered, it would be difficult for him not to take risks."

"Just because Ao Zhiqi is a pitiful person with his own difficulties and hardships doesn't mean I deserve it. I'm not afraid to let you know that the Divine Essence Fruit is the condensation of the essence of the three elements of Chun Lingqiu's spirit, energy, and soul, which is almost the divine essence of a Vajra Realm beast. Even if Ao Zhiqi swallows it, he will find it difficult to refine in a short time. If we kill this person and extract it from his corpse, we can obtain most of the medicinal power."

Li Shizong probably harbored deep resentment towards Ao Zhiqi. Even if he couldn't obtain the Divine Essence Fruit, he still wanted to reveal this information to make things difficult for the other party.

Previously, the Shangguan family had been secretly tracking the Cen and Ge families, but they hadn't actually spent much effort on it. The Divine Essence Fruit wasn't like the Azure Essence Pot or any other artifact. As long as Ao Zhiqi wasn't stupid, he would have eaten it first. Now, his soul injury had probably been healed.

Therefore, expending manpower and resources is likely to result in nothing, not only with no gains but also with potential losses due to dealing with Ao Zhiqi, so naturally, it's not something to be taken seriously.

Furthermore, Ao Zhiqi's only son is currently in Cangzhou. Even if he makes a great breakthrough in the future and becomes a truly respectable person sitting at the table, he can still be manipulated and made to repay him in some way.

Even if Li Shizong says that Ao Zhiqi is unable to refine the medicine in a short time, but can extract the medicinal power from the corpse, outsiders are still somewhat skeptical and don't quite believe it.

—The Chunling Qiu Monster is an extremely rare and exotic beast. Even a prestigious family like the Shangguan family doesn't know much about it. Li Shicong also has a grudge against Ao Zhiqi, so he would instinctively think that there is an exaggeration involved.

Bian Zhihao and Ge Zhaoqing verbally agreed to keep an eye on things, but they didn't really believe it and basically didn't go out to track them down.

Zhuang Jin was no different. Back then, when facing Ao Zhiqi, he could miss and give up the intact Divine Essence Fruit, letting it leave. How much more disgusting would it be to kill the other party and extract it from the corpse?

He had no ulterior motives and wouldn't interfere; after the small gathering, he would continue his peaceful cultivation.

On the way from Cangzhou to Yuanzhou, there is a cave in an unnamed mountain wilderness.

"Humanity values ​​life, martial arts values ​​self-interest. Only now do I realize that I love myself the most. Son, I'm sorry, please let your father be selfish this once!"

The campfire burned, its flickering light casting shadows on Ao Zhiqi's face, mirroring the inner turmoil he was experiencing. He kept muttering to himself, seemingly trying to comfort and convince himself: "It's not that your father won't give it to you, but even if I bring the Divine Essence Fruit back, I can't guarantee it will end up in your mouth. You and I, father and son, will still be at the mercy of others."

"Now, I've escaped with the Divine Essence Fruit. After I consume it, my soul injuries have healed... Only when I'm healed can you be healed!"

That's true, but Ao Zhiqi knew perfectly well that, beyond all these reasons, his ultimate decision was still his own.

His soul was injured, his cultivation level was stuck, he suffered from splitting headaches from time to time, and his lifespan was affected. He might die suddenly one day... Death is not scary. What is scary is facing death little by little while fully conscious. This fear and torment even overwhelmed his love for his son.

Looking at the shimmering, clear Divine Essence Fruit, Ao Zhiqi made up her mind and swallowed it whole.

hum!
Strands of light emanated, causing his body to float up. The divine power within the Divine Essence Fruit gathered in his Niwan Palace, causing a silver-white light spot to appear between his eyebrows, which grew brighter and brighter.

Half an hour later.

"Okay! I'm all better! Hahahaha!"

Ao Zhiqi was triumphant and delighted, bursting into laughter and feeling an unprecedented sense of ease.

"Not only have my soul injuries been healed, but the remaining 60-70% of the Divine Essence Fruit's medicinal power has accumulated within my body as a foundation!"

If Chunling Qiuguai successfully completes the Seven Returns, it will be a genuine Vajra Realm beast. Its essence of spirit, energy, and soul is gathered from the essence of the gods, making it extraordinary. It is only natural that it will have this effect, which is enough to repair, replenish, nourish, and strengthen Ao Zhiqi's soul, and open a sliver of the Yin God Gate for it.

"I once suffered a spiritual injury, but now I have recovered. Those years of torment were not in vain. With the training and tempering of my mind and spirit, plus the foundation of the Divine Essence Fruit, I am confident that I will be able to break through to the Yin God realm in the future."

"However, we can't go back to Cangzhou. Let's head to Yong'an, the capital, next!"

The capital city of Yong'an is home to the main realm of the Suspended Sky Mirror and Songling, the most wondrous place in the Nine Provinces of the Great Qian Dynasty, known as the foremost of the nine wondrous places, where even more opportunities await.

However, the powerful clans that dominate the capital are high and mighty. Even the most ruthless and shameless families pale in comparison to these powerful clans.

Going to Yong'an does offer a glimmer of hope for a breakthrough, but the place is rife with trouble and danger; if one seeks stability and is cautious, staying in the prefectural city is indeed safer.

There is no right or wrong in this, only what is appropriate or inappropriate.

Ao Zhiqi thought of several old friends who had gone to the capital. Of them, seven or eight out of ten had died, and the one or two who survived had wasted their lives. He used to be unwilling to go, but now he was very different and was confident that he could go and make his mark.

He walked briskly out of the cave, feeling as if "the sky is high enough for birds to fly and the sea is wide enough for fish to leap."

Then, two figures came into view.

"You...you...I understand! You all..."

Ao Zhiqi's expression shifted, from sudden realization to fear, and finally to resolute determination. He recalled the torment he had endured and the mental attack technique he had created after viewing the incomplete "Burning Technique"—the Soul-Breaking Blade. He was about to unleash it.

"Even the light of a firefly shines?! This God-Slaying Blade is a threat to ordinary people at the third level of Corpse Severing, but it's different for me. After all, you are now... Moreover, my uncle is a Great Venerable of the Yin God. Using this move in front of him is like a mantis trying to stop a chariot, utterly laughable!"

The moment the voice rang out, Ao Zhiqi felt her whole body stiffen, from her soul to her body, out of control like a puppet on strings, and an extreme despair appeared on her face.

Immediately, a shadow fell over, accompanied by a voice: "I was hoping to use you as bait, but it seems I didn't catch anything big. Oh well, you'll do. Don't worry, you won't die, you'll just..."

……

(End of this chapter)