Healing Injuries and Comprehending the Dao

Uncle Nine's pure and potent Foundation Establishment spiritual energy flowed into Mo Yuan's body like a warm current, melting away the sinister, bone-corroding black energy like snow under the sun.

A tingling sensation spread through the gruesome wound on his left shoulder as new flesh visibly began to grow.

His depleted meridians were nourished, and even his nearly dried-up Dantian started to gather a faint trace of spiritual energy.

Mo Yuan's pale complexion gradually regained some color. He closed his eyes tightly, cooperating fully with his master's healing, while simultaneously circulating the Basic Qi Refining Manual to accelerate his absorption of spiritual energy and repair his body.

After a long while, Uncle Nine slowly withdrew his energy, a fine sheen of sweat on his brow.

He carefully examined Mo Yuan's injuries, confirming that the strange corrosive energy had been completely expelled. Only then did he sigh in relief, though his brow remained furrowed.

"Your injuries are no longer critical, but your vital energy is greatly depleted. You'll need a good period of rest and recuperation."

Uncle Nine said gravely, his gaze sweeping over the three charred or frozen corpses in the courtyard, his eyes cold.

"'Netherworld'... Just as I suspected, those vermin who shun the light! How dare they extend their claws into the heart of Mount Mao and attack my personal disciple. Truly audacious!"

With a wave of his sleeve, several True Fire Talismans shot out, landing precisely on the three corpses, instantly reducing them to ashes and erasing all traces.

"Master, they seemed to be after the 'opportunity' on my person," Mo Yuan opened his eyes, his voice still weak. "And they seemed convinced I was connected to that escaped dragon soul."

Uncle Nine snorted coldly, "Possession is a crime. Your rapid rise, your possession of rare treasures, and your involvement with the dragon soul naturally attract covetous eyes. This Netherworld organization is mysterious and far more troublesome than the Black Fiend Sect. They excel at assassination and soul techniques and are colluding with various evil factions. They will not give up after this failure."

He paused, looking at Mo Yuan, his tone turning solemn. "After this ordeal, you should understand that the cultivation world is far from peaceful. When you venture down the mountain in the future, you must be extremely vigilant. However, you need not be overly fearful. Since they dared to make a move on Stone Bamboo Shoot Mountain, they have challenged the majesty of my Mount Mao. The Sect Leader will certainly not stand idly by."

Just then, a communication talisman transformed into a streak of light and flew into the courtyard, landing in Uncle Nine's hand.

He scanned it with his divine sense, his expression softening slightly. "The Sect Leader is already aware of this matter. He has ordered you to rest well, the sect will strengthen its defenses, and we will begin investigating the source of the Netherworld organization's actions this time. Your trip to the fourth floor of the Scripture Pavilion will be personally guided by me once your injuries have healed."

Mo Yuan's heart settled. With the sect backing him, the pressure was indeed significantly reduced. "Thank you, Master. Thank you, Martial Grand-Uncle (Sect Leader)."

"Focus on your recovery."

Uncle Nine patted his shoulder. "You remained calm in the face of danger this time, overcoming stronger opponents and slaying two killers of the same level. Furthermore, you used the Soul Cleansing Banner to break their soul attack, performing far beyond my expectations. Absorb the lessons from this battle; it will greatly benefit your cultivation."

After Uncle Nine departed, Mo Yuan sat cross-legged again. Instead of immediately continuing his healing, he replayed the thrilling battle from earlier.

If not for the Soul Cleansing Banner protecting him in time, he would have been scattered into nothingness by now.

The power of a High-Grade Magic Item, especially its defense and restraint against the soul, had played a decisive role in this battle.

And using the Earth Vein energy to interfere with his opponent at a critical moment was a flash of inspiration, applying the Earth Vein Dragon Seeking Art in actual combat.

"Attack, defense, support, control... My methods are still too limited," Mo Yuan reflected. "The Thunder Dragon Evil-Slaying Spear is potent, but it consumes a lot of energy and lacks variation. The Soul Cleansing Banner is good for defense and trapping, but its offensive capabilities are insufficient. I need more ways to deal with different enemies."

He thought of the Minor All-Heavens Cloud Restriction Secret Method (Incomplete) and the Primordial Qi Artifact Refining Compendium (Fragment) that the system had rewarded him with.

The former was a technique for sealing and confinement. If he could master it, he would have another means of controlling enemies in battle. The latter concerned the fundamentals of artifact refining, and perhaps he could find a way to enhance the potential of the Thunder Dragon Evil-Slaying Spear and the Soul Cleansing Banner from it.

"System, sign in."

[Ding! Sign-in successful! Congratulations to the host for obtaining: Medium-Grade Spirit Stones x50, Soul Nourishing Pills (High-Grade) x3, Spirit Binding Incantation Detailed Explanation x1, Remnant Aura of the Primordial World: A Wisp of Pure Clarity and Wisdom Light!]

[Soul Nourishing Pill (High-Grade)]: A top-tier medicinal pill for nourishing and repairing the soul, with remarkable effects on soul damage and consumption.

[Spirit Binding Incantation Detailed Explanation]: A mid-level Mount Mao incantation that can restrain spiritual bodies, vengeful spirits, and even temporarily immobilize cultivators.

[A Wisp of Pure Clarity and Wisdom Light]: Can temporarily enhance comprehension, reveal the true nature of things, and aid in understanding cultivation techniques and solving difficult problems.

"Just what I needed!"

Mo Yuan rejoiced inwardly. The Soul Nourishing Pills were exactly what he needed. His soul had ached slightly from the soul stab earlier, and although the Soul Cleansing Banner had blocked it, it still required gentle care.

The Spirit Binding Incantation would compensate for his lack of control methods.

And that wisp of Pure Clarity and Wisdom Light was a godsend!

He immediately took a Soul Nourishing Pill. The pill melted in his mouth, and a cool, soothing sensation surged directly into his sea of consciousness, nourishing his slightly damaged soul.

The previous stinging sensation quickly dissipated, and his mental power became even more condensed and full.

Next, he channeled the wisp of Pure Clarity and Wisdom Light into his sea of consciousness. In an instant, he felt his thoughts become incredibly clear and transparent. Many obscure and difficult points in his previous cultivation now seemed as clear as day.

He first began to comprehend the Spirit Binding Incantation. This incantation involved the weaving of spiritual energy and mental locking, making it quite complex.

But under the illumination of the Pure Clarity and Wisdom Light, he quickly grasped its essence. He even went further, contemplating how to combine it with the Soul Cleansing Banner's pure domain to form a stronger confinement force.

Then, he turned his attention to the Primordial Qi Artifact Refining Compendium (Fragment).

The fundamental artifact refining concepts that had previously seemed obscure and difficult to understand now had their veils lifted.

He understood why the Thunder Dragon Evil-Slaying Spear was so compatible with him – it was because his blood and will had been integrated into it, along with the acknowledgment of the Thunder Dragon Soul Essence.

The Soul Cleansing Banner was even refined using his own Spirit Talisman essence and the spirituality of the Purity Bamboo, connecting it to his merit.

"Primordial Qi emphasizes communication and fusion... Perhaps I can try to refine that strand of Innate Gengjin Thunderous Fiend Energy deeper into the Thunder Dragon Evil-Slaying Spear, enhancing its essence, and even... invoking that wisp of Chaotic Thunder Source Dao Rhythm and attempting to engrave it onto the spear shaft?" A bold idea formed in his mind.

The effect of the Pure Clarity and Wisdom Light lasted for about an hour before slowly dissipating. Mo Yuan's gains were immense. Not only did he master the Spirit Binding Incantation, but his understanding of artifact refining also deepened. Even several difficult points in the Nine Heavens Thunder Talisman Scripture that had been blocking him were suddenly cleared up.

He felt that once his injuries healed, his overall strength would undoubtedly reach another level.

For the next few days, Mo Yuan recuperated peacefully at the Listening Thunder Abode.

With the dual nourishment of the Soul Nourishing Pill and ten-thousand-year-old Warm Jade, his soul injuries quickly recovered. He even benefited from the misfortune, with his divine sense strength seeing some improvement.

The flesh wounds on his left shoulder also healed completely under the nourishment of spiritual energy.

During this time, Martial Grand-Uncle Qian He and Martial Uncle Four Eyes both came to visit him. They expressed great indignation at the actions of the Netherworld organization and shared some news from the sect.

It was said that Sect Leader Shi Jian had ordered a thorough investigation. A climate of fear swept through the sect, and indeed, several disciples with unclear connections to outside forces were exposed and severely punished, bringing a sense of order to Mount Mao.

On this day, Mo Yuan's injuries were fully recovered, and his condition was even better than before the martial arts competition.

Uncle Nine arrived as promised.

"Let's go, Yuan'er," Uncle Nine said, looking at his disciple, who was full of vigor and spirit. "Follow your master to the fourth floor of the Scripture Pavilion." Satisfaction gleamed in his eyes.

"That is where the true essence of Mount Mao's centuries of accumulation lies. I hope you can gain something there and lay an unparalleled Dao Foundation."

Mo Yuan took a deep breath, suppressing the anticipation and excitement in his heart.

The fourth floor of the Scripture Pavilion, the core inheritance ground of Mount Mao. He had arrived.

Meanwhile, in a dark secret realm far from Mount Mao, a figure shrouded in a black cloak was listening to a subordinate's report.

"...The operation failed, and all three are dead. The target possesses extremely strong soul-defense magic items, suspected to be deeply connected to a dragon soul. Their lightning techniques also contained a special fiendish energy, with astonishing power."

A low, unreadable chuckle came from beneath the cloak. "Oh? Even the 'Soul Devouring Jar' failed? It seems this pawn is more valuable than we imagined... Continue to monitor them and postpone any action.

We will decide when the 'Sacred One' awakens. Mount Mao... Hmph, let them have a few more days of peace."

The undercurrent did not subside due to a single failed attack. Instead, it quietly gathered in deeper, darker places.