Journey to the West: A clone sacrifices to the heavens, possessing boundless magical power.

Chapter 109 Breathing Exercises: Cloud and Mist Chapter

Meanwhile, Zhao Ji's chest was churning with blood and qi. He was violently hit by the aftershock of the explosion, which contained the essence of ginseng fruit, and his internal organs seemed to have shifted.

He forced back the metallic taste in his throat, staggered to his feet, and looked back. Of the four elite family members he had brought, one was dead and three were seriously injured, lying in pools of blood, barely breathing.

"Pfft!" He finally couldn't hold back and spat a mouthful of blood onto the ground.

In the past two days, the family's elite forces have suffered heavy casualties, and every single one of them is a matter of great concern.

Zhao Ji's eyes were bloodshot. He took a deep breath, suppressing the surging hatred and fear, took two steps forward, bowed to Xuanfeng Daoist's back, and said in a hoarse voice, "Elder Xuanfeng—this junior has something else to report."

He paused, then cautiously continued, "Liu Yun, an outer disciple of Wuzhuang Temple, also died tragically outside. I suspect that this matter is probably related to that scoundrel Shen Feng. This man is incredibly audacious, daring to kill your temple's disciple—it's truly—"

"That's enough!"

Xuanfeng Daoist's expression shifted between light and dark, his voice revealing impatience and hidden anger as he interrupted, "The temple will handle this matter itself."

Before he finished speaking, he had already transformed into a streak of azure wind and vanished from the spot in a flash.

Zhao Ji stood frozen in place, his face flushed crimson. He stared in the direction where Xuanfeng Daoist had disappeared, his eyes filled with a sinister glint.

"It's better than getting nothing at all."

Deep within a hidden cave, Fan Yuan took a deep breath and suppressed the trembling [Primordial Myriad Appearances Mirror] within his sea of ​​consciousness.

While we eagerly await the feedback from the clone after it consumes the ginseng fruit, the current crisis is far from over.

"Shen Feng has definitely been exposed."

Fan Yuan's gaze turned cold.

One must never take unnecessary risks; as long as one survives, there's always hope.

"What a pity about Shen Feng's clone."

Without hesitation, Fan Yuan immediately switched his consciousness and descended into Shen Feng's body inside the Wuzhuang Temple.

Wuzhuang Temple, a place of spiritual medicinal herbs.

Shen Feng sat in the stone house and suddenly opened his eyes.

Without the slightest hesitation, he immediately reversed his cultivation technique, preparing to sever his own heart meridian and detonate this clone.

At the very moment the spiritual energy reversed its flow.

"Wait a minute!"

A clear, childlike voice suddenly rang out in the room.

Shen Feng felt the space around him freeze instantly.

The reversed spiritual energy was forcibly suppressed, and he couldn't even move a finger.

Seal off heaven and earth!

Shen Feng's vision blurred, and a boy with red lips and white teeth, dressed in a Taoist robe, was standing in front of him without him noticing.

It was Qingfeng, a pageboy under Zhenyuan Daxian.

Qingfeng looked at Shen Feng, who was frozen in place, and shook his head slightly: "Wait a moment before you act."

Unable to speak, Shen Feng could only stare at the other person with wary eyes.

"You scoundrel, you've got some nerve, daring to plot against Wuzhuang Temple."

With his hands behind his back, Qingfeng spoke with a hint of old-fashioned wisdom, "But don't worry, the Great Immortal didn't blame you for stealing the ginseng fruit, nor will he investigate your background."

Shen Feng was deeply shaken.

Not pursue it? How could that be possible! That's a ginseng fruit!

Qingfeng seemed to see through his doubts and continued, "What the Great Immortal values ​​is the nascent form of the Samadhi Divine Wind within you."

"Today, the Wind Inspector under the Bodhisattva Lingji has come to visit and told you all about the origin of your supernatural power and some of the changes that have occurred at Huangfeng Ridge."

With a wave of his hand, Qingfeng lifted the silencing of Shen Feng, but the physical restraints remained.

"The Great Immortal's decree."

Qingfeng's expression turned solemn. "I will spare your life. You may continue to cultivate in this Earthly Spirit Herb Garden, but from now on, without the permission of a Great Immortal, you are not allowed to step out of Wuzhuang Temple."

"You might want to consider it."

Shen Feng fell silent.

Far away in the underground cave, Fan Yuan's brain was working at lightning speed.

The Wind Patrolman didn't die! Or rather, only his avatar died?

Shen Feng's use of the Samadhi Divine Wind clearly attracted the attention of the Buddhist sect, and Zhenyuan Daxian took this opportunity to imprison himself in Wuzhuang Temple, possibly using him as a pawn in some kind of game.

But this also means that Shen Feng's clone is temporarily safe, and has even received the protection of Wuzhuang Temple.

"I agree."

After a moment's consideration, Shen Feng slowly spoke.

Although it is unknown why Zhenyuan Daxian kept him, he was ultimately just an avatar. Staying in Wuzhuang Temple would surely bring him many benefits.

Even if something unexpected happens, we can simply abandon this clone.

Wuzhuang Temple, main hall.

Shen Feng followed behind Qing Feng, his eyelids lowered, and stepped across the threshold.

The atmosphere inside the hall was solemn.

Shen Feng quickly scanned his surroundings out of the corner of his eye, but did not see Tang Sanzang wearing a brocade cassock.

The pilgrims have already departed.

Above the main hall, only the words "Heaven and Earth" were hung. Zhenyuan Daxian sat upright on a futon, his eyes slightly closed, his whisk resting on his arm, his expression neither sad nor happy.

Shen Feng's heart tightened slightly, and he knelt down along with the disciples in front of him.

"Greetings, Master (Great Immortal)."

Zhenyuan Daxian slowly opened his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the crowd below. His gaze was peaceful, yet it seemed to see through all illusions.

"Get up, everyone."

Zhenyuan Daxian spoke, his voice calm and unreadable, "This calamity has passed, the ginseng fruit tree has been revitalized, and the pilgrims have departed for the west. Our Wuzhuang Temple lineage should devote ourselves to quiet cultivation and must not be disturbed by worldly affairs again."

The main hall was completely silent.

"I have summoned you here today to discuss and reward your contributions."

The next sentence from Zhenyuan Daxian made Shen Feng's tense nerves relax slightly.

It wasn't an interrogation.

The Great Immortal seemed completely unaware of the undercurrents within the formation, or rather, he simply disregarded them.

The deacon stepped forward, unfurled a golden book, and began to read it aloud.

"Wang Xu, the chief steward of the outer sect, has rendered meritorious service in guarding the front mountain. He is hereby awarded three bottles of Condensing Essence Pills and a high-grade spiritual artifact."

"Inner disciple Li Changsheng has rendered meritorious service in clearing the earth's veins; hereby granted—"

One by one, names were read out; each one belonged to a disciple who had remained steadfast in their post and maintained the operation of Wuzhuang Temple during this turmoil.

"Disciple in menial duties, Shen Feng."

The steward paused slightly at this point, glancing at Shen Feng standing at the end.

Shen Feng immediately stepped forward and bowed.

Zhenyuan Daxian's gaze fell on Shen Feng.

In that instant, Shen Feng felt an invisible divine sense sweep from the top of his head to the soles of his feet. This divine sense was as vast as an abyss, yet it did not feel oppressive at all; it was simply a pure scrutiny.

Fan Yuan himself, who was hundreds of miles away, also held his breath at this moment.

Take a breath.

Two breaths.

Zhenyuan Daxian withdrew his gaze.

"Although you joined the temple late, you were conscientious and dutiful during your time at the Earth Spirit Herb Garden. Even in the face of this great chaos, you were able to hold your ground and protect the spiritual energy of the herb garden from dissipating. Moreover, your cultivation has reached the early stage of Refining Spirit, and your foundation is quite solid."

Zhenyuan Daxian set the tone with a calm and even tone.

Upon hearing this, the steward loudly announced: "Shen Feng, a menial disciple, is promoted to a formal outer disciple, exceptionally granted an outer sect identity token, and bestowed with a copy of the Divine Refining Technique 'Breathing in the Clouds and Mist Chapter'!"

Shen Feng raised both hands above his head.

A green wooden token and a jade slip emitting a faint light landed steadily in his palm.

"This disciple kowtows to thank the Great Immortal for his grace!" Shen Feng bowed deeply.

Even after leaving the main hall and walking on the mountain path back to the Earth Spirit Herb Garden, Shen Feng was still puzzled. It seemed that Zhenyuan Daxian didn't care about the theft of the ginseng fruit at all and didn't ask a single question.