Dividing the Spirit Grass, The Two Agree to Compete Again Next Time

For the next three days, Lin Yue remained in the cave, diligently cultivating and refining the remaining leaves of the Three-Leaf Golden Ganoderma.

Following the method he had devised, he didn't rush to absorb the energy. Instead, he placed the remnant leaves in his palm, circulated his Chaos Cultivation Technique, and guided the life force within the leaves to slowly seep into his body. The golden remnant leaves gradually dimmed in his palm, and wisps of pale golden energy flowed through his meridians, eventually converging in his dantian to merge with the swirling mass of pale golden qi.

Initially, the integration of the energy was not smooth. The life force of the spiritual herb carried a gentle yet tenacious power that was incompatible with the violent Chaos energy within him, and several collisions nearly disrupted his meridians. However, he did not give up. Instead, he patiently guided the energy, just as Pangu had taught him, using gentleness to overcome hardness, allowing the two energies to slowly harmonize.

After three days, as the last wisp of life force merged into his dantian, Lin Yue slowly opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing within them. He could clearly feel that the pale golden qi vortex in his dantian had become much more solidified, circulating more smoothly. The Chaos energy around him had also become purer. Although his cultivation had not broken through, his foundation had become significantly more stable, bringing him one step closer to the middle stage of High-level Chaos.

"It really works..." Lin Yue rejoiced inwardly, stretching his limbs, feeling a surge of power throughout his body. He clenched his fist, and Chaos energy condensed at his fingertips, more refined than before, its power subtly enhanced.

Just then, a faint energy fluctuation came from outside the cave. Lin Yue's heart stirred, and he walked to the cave entrance to look. He saw a red figure standing gracefully outside, it was Su Qingyan.

She seemed to have finished refining the remnant spiritual herb as well. Her aura was much more stable than three days ago. Her red robes fluttered gently in the Chaos currents, and a hint of arrogance graced her face.

"You're quite good at hiding," Su Qingyan said, raising an eyebrow as she saw Lin Yue emerge. "I circled the area twice before finding this place."

Lin Yue was somewhat surprised that she had come looking for him. He stepped aside to let her into the cave. "Is something wrong?"

"Can't I visit if there's nothing wrong?" Su Qingyan entered the cave, her gaze sweeping over the scene within. When she saw Pangu sitting on the rock, her pupils contracted slightly. She could feel an unfathomable aura emanating from him, as if he were one with the entire Chaos, instilling a sense of awe in her heart.

"Who is this...?" she asked in a low voice.

"My Senior," Lin Yue replied simply, offering no further explanation.

Pangu continued to meditate with his eyes closed, as if unaware of anyone entering. The aura around him remained calm and undisturbed.

Seeing this, Su Qingyan didn't dare to ask more and turned her attention back to Lin Yue. "I came to tell you that the remnant spiritual herb's effect was good. My cultivation has stabilized at the current realm." She paused, her tone carrying a hint of provocation. "It seems your refining method is indeed somewhat effective, but... this doesn't mean you can defeat me."

Lin Yue chuckled. "I never said I could defeat you."

"But you must have thought so," Su Qingyan said, tilting her chin. "How about this? Let's set a time for another match. Three months from now, at the rocky valley where we first competed for the spiritual herb. Whoever wins will have priority in choosing treasures next time."

Lin Yue looked at the competitive fire in her eyes, and a sense of battle intent stirred within him. After refining the spiritual herb these past few days, he had gained a new understanding of his own strength and wanted to test his limits. Moreover, he knew that in Chaos, strength was paramount. Rather than avoiding conflict, it was better to face it head-on.

"Alright," Lin Yue nodded. "Three months from now, I'll see you at the rocky valley."

"Straightforward," Su Qingyan smiled. This was the first time Lin Yue had seen her smile so brightly, and it seemed to soften the surrounding Chaos currents. "But just making a promise is boring. How about we spar a few moves now? Just a light touch, consider it a warm-up."

Lin Yue had the same intention. He nodded. "Okay."

The two walked out of the cave and into a relatively open clearing. Chaos currents flowed between them, carrying a tense atmosphere.

"I'll make the first move," Su Qingyan said, gathering a small flame at her fingertip. It appeared weak but contained pure Flame Law. She didn't use her full strength, merely pushing the flame forward gently.

The flame transformed into a line of fire, carrying a gentle heat wave towards Lin Yue.

Lin Yue dared not be careless. The Chaos energy in his dantian circulated, condensing into a light sphere that flew towards the line of fire.

"Poof." The two collided, the line of fire extinguished, and the light sphere dispersed into specks of starlight, without causing any ripples.

"Not bad," a hint of surprise flashed in Su Qingyan's eyes. She hadn't expected Lin Yue's energy control to be so precise, able to perfectly neutralize her flame. She raised her hand again, this time with three sparks appearing at her fingertips, shooting towards Lin Yue in a triangular formation.

Lin Yue shifted his body, moving half a step to the left. Simultaneously, he condensed three light spheres, which collided with the sparks one by one. Another three soft sounds, and the energies dissipated into the air after their collision.

"Your movement technique is quite agile," Su Qingyan said, her figure flickering and splitting into two afterimages, attacking Lin Yue from both sides. The flames at her fingertips intensified.

Lin Yue's pupils contracted. This was the first time he had seen Su Qingyan use a movement technique, and it was unexpectedly exquisite. He didn't panic. The Dao Rhyme Fragment in his dantian vibrated slightly, allowing him to instantly pinpoint which was the real body. The energy fluctuation of the afterimage on the left was weaker, clearly a feint.

He decisively lunged to the right, evading the real body's attack, and simultaneously condensed a light sphere, striking Su Qingyan's flank. This attack was at a tricky angle, precisely when she had exhausted her previous force and had not yet gathered new strength.

Su Qingyan hadn't expected Lin Yue to see through her afterimages and was startled. She quickly retracted her move and retreated, narrowly dodging the light sphere. Although she wasn't hit, she was somewhat disheveled.

"You do have some skill," she said, regaining her balance and looking at Lin Yue with a more serious gaze. "It seems I'll have to cultivate diligently these next three months."

Lin Yue also retracted his Chaos energy. "Likewise." Although the spar hadn't been serious, he had felt Su Qingyan's strength. Her application of the Flame Law was extremely proficient. If he hadn't had the boost from his Chaos energy and the Dao Rhyme Fragment, it would have been difficult to gain the upper hand.

Su Qingyan gave him a deep look, then glanced at Pangu in the cave. She said no more, turned into a red blur, and disappeared into the Chaos currents.

Lin Yue watched in the direction she had left, thinking to himself, "Three months, huh... I won't disappoint you either." He turned back into the cave and saw Pangu still meditating with his eyes closed. He walked to his side, sat down cross-legged, and began to formulate his next cultivation plan.

He knew that to win the match in three months, merely stabilizing his realm wouldn't be enough. He had to achieve a breakthrough during this period, at least reaching the middle stage of High-level Chaos, to have enough confidence to face Su Qingyan's flames.

Pangu seemed to sense his determination, and a faint, almost imperceptible curve appeared at the corner of his lips before he returned to his calm state. The cave fell silent once more, with only the sound of the whistling Chaos currents and Lin Yue's steady breathing, weaving together a symphony of cultivation.