Return to Stone Village

After stepping out of the Cross-Realm Gate, Shi Jue felt much lighter. There was none of the invisible, slight suppression from the Shrouding the Heavens era.

"You're back. It seems your gains were quite good." Liu Shen's voice sounded by Shi Jue's ear, yet she did not ask where he had gone during this time.

"Liu Shen, how long was I gone?" Shi Jue scratched his head and smiled awkwardly.

"Two days. Your aura vanished completely, as if you did not exist in this world. And now that you have appeared again, you carry the aura of Laws of Heaven and Earth that do not belong to this world—or rather, do not belong to this era," Liu Shen said calmly.

She seemed utterly uninterested in what had happened to Shi Jue, remaining exceptionally composed.

"Hehe, I went somewhere that doesn't belong to this world. Liu Shen, I brought back a few things. See if you can make use of them!" Shi Jue took out the treasures he had brought from the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Land from his Heavenly Passage.

"This herb carries a hint of an Immortal Medicine, but it is incomplete." Liu Shen was slightly surprised.

It was of little use to her, but it was still extremely precious, far surpassing any so-called Sacred Medicine.

"Yes, the complete one is called the Nine Marvels Undying Medicine. It can grant a Supreme-level expert another lifetime, but this plant is only a small part of it and does not have that effect." Shi Jue nodded.

"It has some merit. I have no use for it, so you may give it to the people of Stone Village."

"And there's this."

Shi Jue took out two more Pottery Jars. The moment he opened them, rosy light gushed forth, while powerful life energy swept in all directions like a tide, enough to bring dead trees back into bloom.

"Oh? Such dense Life Essence. Even in this world, it is extremely rare." Liu Shen sounded even more surprised. She could sense that this spring water would greatly benefit her; its life energy was simply too powerful.

Even Shi Jue was somewhat surprised by this phenomenon. It had not happened when he was in the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Land. Could it have been caused by the change in the Laws of Heaven and Earth?

As expected of Divine Spring Water capable of cultivating Immortal Medicine, the life energy it contained was greatly beneficial to plant-based beings like Liu Shen, especially when she was in need of energy to recover.

"Liu Shen, this should be very beneficial to you. Absorb it quickly, or it'll all dissipate," Shi Jue hurriedly reminded her.

The divine energy within the Desolate Ancient Divine Spring Water was dispersing at an incredible rate. Before long, it would probably turn into ordinary spring water.

"Splash!"

Seeing this, Liu Shen did not stand on ceremony. Tender green willow branches extended into the jars, and in just an instant, all the Divine Spring Water in both jars had been absorbed.

The changes afterward were obvious as well. Every willow branch became shrouded in green radiance and filled with rich life energy. The remaining charred bark completely fell away, and five or six buds appeared, ready to sprout new willow branches at any moment.

"Such powerful Life Essence. Little Jue, you were thoughtful," Liu Shen said softly.

"Liu Shen, I actually obtained a Secret Art. I'd like you to help me examine and revise it." Shi Jue touched his nose and copied the dao diagram in his mind for Liu Shen to see.

"The Movement Secret Technique has something in common with Kunpeng Extreme Speed, though compared to the Kunpeng Method's combat power, it places greater emphasis on the domain of speed. It conflicts slightly with this world. You want me to improve it into something suitable for our world, don't you?" After studying it for a while, Liu Shen understood this method's extraordinary nature.

"Mhm, mhm, mhm!" Shi Jue nodded like a pecking chick. He was worried that using it in this era might cause some sort of problem. After all, he had not created it himself, and Shi Jue did not yet have the ability to alter it at will.

"This is simple. Give me a few days. This Secret Art is at least Supreme Law level. Major alterations would be difficult and take a long time, but minor adjustments will be easy. It is already quite a perfect Secret Art, so there is no need for extensive changes." Liu Shen accepted Shi Jue's request.

"Liu Shen, you're the best! Having someone powerful to rely on feels great!" Shi Jue shamelessly flattered her.

"Get lost!"

"Bang!"

But in the next moment, a hazy long leg appeared out of thin air and kicked Shi Jue squarely in the butt, sending him flying into Stone Village.

"Thud!"

Shi Jue landed face-first and skidded more than ten meters across the ground, scraping his face raw with pain.

"Shi Jue, what are you playing at? Doesn't your face hurt?" Shi Hao burst out laughing at the sight.

"I'm fine." Shi Jue calmly got to his feet, his fair little face covered in dirt.

His skin really was thick. After rubbing against the ground and sliding so far, his face was completely unharmed, aside from being a little dirty.

Although his face was fine, his butt hurt as though it had been pricked by needles. He was certain there had to be a purplish bruise shaped like a footprint on it. Liu Shen truly had not held back—she had nearly kicked his butt into four pieces.

"Shi Hao, do you know where Clan Chief Grandpa is?" Shi Jue calmly changed the subject, or Shi Hao would keep pressing him.

Shi Hao saw through him, but still followed along. "Clan Chief Grandpa seems to be organizing Stone Village's stores. I've brought back a bit too much game lately."

"Give him this fruit to eat. I'm going to sleep for a while first."

After handing the red fruit to Shi Hao, Shi Jue yawned and returned to his house.

"It smells so good!" Shi Hao scratched his head. A rich, sweet fragrance suddenly wafted from the fruit, and saliva immediately began to spill from the corner of his mouth.

It was the first time he had ever smelled such a fragrant fruit. He nearly lost control and tossed it straight into his mouth.

"Where did Shi Jue get this? It's for Clan Chief Grandpa, so I can't eat it. I'll ask Shi Jue for another one later." Shi Hao muttered to himself as he headed to the storeroom to find Shi Yunfeng.

Lying on his bed, Shi Jue could no longer keep his eyelids open. Exhaustion washed over him, and he instantly fell into a deep sleep.

This trip had utterly worn him out. He had wanted to get some sleep for a long time.

Morning, two days later.

"Shi Jue, are you awake yet?!"

Shi Hao's booming voice came from outside the door. Shi Jue frowned and opened his bleary eyes, his face full of morning irritation.

"What is it, Shi Hao? If you don't give me a good reason, don't think I won't beat you up just because you're at Five Cave Heavens now!" Shi Jue pushed open the door and spoke in a rather unfriendly tone.

"Ahem, I have good news for you. Clan Chief Grandpa's old injuries have all healed!" Shi Hao said excitedly.

Shi Jue nodded, a smile curling at the corners of his mouth. As expected, it had worked. Old Clan Chief Shi Yunfeng had taken such good care of him, so naturally he would not forget that kindness.

"Do you have any more of that fruit? Let me try one!" Shi Hao shamelessly asked, without the slightest embarrassment.