He began to examine it closely. As he did, Yang Chen's earlier delight faded, replaced by a bitter smile. He sighed. "It seems I had thought things too perfectly. I nearly forgot that Senior Yu Ban once told me the Nine-Star Gourd can only absorb methods related to true Qi. The Black Mist Dragon Wind is a natural catastrophe—what does it have to do with true Qi? Its power can be preserved for no more than ten days. After ten days, the lingering might of the Black Mist Dragon Wind will slowly dissipate within the Nine-Star Gourd, turning into nothing but a mass of air. Besides, no matter how the Black Mist Dragon Wind ultimately dissipates, my Nine-Star Gourd likely won't be usable for at least half a year!"
This was the side effect of the Nine-Star Gourd absorbing techniques that were not based on true Qi. Yu Ban had not mentioned it at the time simply because he had never expected Yang Chen to encounter such a rare natural catastrophe—and to absorb it, at that.
"Forget it. It's too late for regrets now. Besides, since the Black Mist Dragon Wind has been absorbed by the Nine-Star Gourd, it isn't useless as long as I use it within ten days. The only pity is that time is rather tight. Ten days..." Yang Chen murmured.
Just as he was lost in thought, the few team members who had long since fled far away discovered that the Black Mist Dragon Wind had vanished and cautiously crept back, poking their heads out as they called.
Some had returned out of concern for Yang Chen's fate, while others had been forced to come back. After all, they had to report his life or death to their superiors. If he was alive, they had to