The Water Vein Spirit Jade shone so brilliantly that even when Lu Xuanqing tucked it close to her body, her leather clothes could not conceal its light.
Liu Xing noticed this and found it rather strange.
The Fire Vein Spirit Jade and Wood Vein Spirit Fruit Liu Xing had obtained earlier had also been dazzling objects. Yet no matter how brightly they shone, their radiance had gradually faded the moment they fell into his hands, leaving them looking perfectly ordinary. Otherwise, he could never have hidden them against his body without giving himself away.
Now that the Water Vein Spirit Jade was on Lu Xuanqing, however, its light remained just as dazzling. Was that because this particular jade shone too brightly?
Liu Xing vaguely sensed that something strange was going on, but he knew too little about the Cultivation World and nothing about the properties of these spirit jades and spirit fruits. Speculation alone would naturally yield no answers.
Having obtained such an extraordinary treasure, Lu Xuanqing was understandably pleased. She smiled at Liu Xing and said, "We defeated the Icehorn Giant Bear together, so we should each have half of this blue crystal. But since it can help heal my injuries, I'll keep it for now. Once we reach the outside world, if someone can identify its origins, I'll give you half the benefits."
Liu Xing did not care whether he shared the benefits equally with Lu Xuanqing. He smiled and said, "Since this thing helps with your injuries, go ahead and use it. As for later, I'll be happy enough if you can take me to the outside world. Those so-called benefits make no difference to me."
"Don't worry," Lu Xuanqing said. "My sect will find this place sooner or later, so getting back to the outside world won't be a problem. What really worries me is whether the Spirit-Devouring Beast inside you poses any danger. I believe my sect should have the power to help you resolve that. If the Spirit-Devouring Beast can be put to use by my sect, you'll have made a great contribution. Then you'll have someone backing you in the outside world, and you won't have to worry about being all alone, helpless and without anyone to turn to."
Liu Xing could tell that Lu Xuanqing's concern for him was genuine. He smiled and said, "So, once we reach the outside world, you'll support me?"
Lu Xuanqing's eyes shimmered, her beauty beyond compare. With a radiant smile, she said, "Sure. I'll support you!"
The two laughed together, never slowing their steps as they raced south.
On the northern ice field, the bitter wind continued to howl. Apart from the Icehorn Giant Bear's dismembered remains on the ground, nothing was left behind...
After returning to the Cave, Lu Xuanqing immediately went into seclusion to heal. With the Water Vein Spirit Jade's help, she progressed even faster than expected. Ten days later, she emerged without a hitch. Not only had her injuries healed completely, but her cultivation had also advanced, showing faint signs of a breakthrough to the Golden Core Stage.
For cultivators, forming a golden core was a vast dividing line in strength. Only those who reached that realm could be considered among the upper ranks of cultivators.
Ordinary cultivators had lifespans of little more than two hundred years at most, but forming a golden core could more than double that. Only then would they have enough time to pursue the supreme Great Dao and climb toward the Nascent Soul Realm, or even higher realms.
Before she was even twenty, Lu Xuanqing had already reached the foundation establishment late stage and stood only one step away from forming a golden core. She could rightly be called a rare genius in the Cultivation World.
Yet that single step was the hardest chasm to cross. Countless cultivators had fallen at this barrier, unable to advance another inch for the rest of their lives.
To deal with the betrayal of the Five Uglies of Meng Mountain, Lu Xuanqing had ultimately been forced to stake her life on a desperate move, detonating the false core in her cinnabar field. Even though the Soul-Congealing Pearl had preserved her life, it had dealt a devastating blow to her cultivation.
The injury to her cinnabar field might well have left hidden damage within Lu Xuanqing's body, forever barring her from the path to the golden core.
Yet perhaps this was a case of rebuilding after destruction. After healing with the Water Vein Spirit Jade's help, Lu Xuanqing discovered that the false core in her cinnabar field had not only fully recovered but was also growing increasingly condensed. So long as she was willing to work hard, she might form a solid core at any time and enter the Golden Core Stage in one leap.
If Lu Xuanqing truly formed a golden core before turning twenty, she would undoubtedly create a miracle in the Cultivation World.
Lu Xuanqing knew that although she was highly gifted, she was hardly so ridiculously badass. Her present achievements owed not only to her own efforts but also, crucially, to the blue crystal she had obtained by chance.
Without the Water Vein Spirit Jade, there was no telling how long it would have taken Lu Xuanqing merely to heal her injuries, much less achieve a breakthrough in cultivation.
Although Lu Xuanqing did not know the origins of this extraordinary Water Vein Spirit Jade, its miraculous effects made it a rarity even in the Cultivation World.
Once she had finished healing, Lu Xuanqing carefully put the Water Vein Spirit Jade into her Storage Bag. She now felt that, aside from the Spirit-Devouring Beast, this miraculous blue crystal was probably the greatest gain of her journey.
Spiritual energy was sparse on Connors Star. Even with the Water Vein Spirit Jade in hand, it was no suitable place for cultivation. Moreover, with the situation still uncertain, Lu Xuanqing could not possibly attempt to form a golden core here.
Only after returning to the Heavenly Demon Sect's mountain headquarters could Lu Xuanqing attempt her breakthrough to the Golden Core Stage with peace of mind. After all, having her sect elders stand guard would give her a better chance of successfully forming her core.
Yet Lu Xuanqing now felt deeply uneasy. Another ten days had passed while she healed, and her two grandmaster-uncles still had not found Connors Star. This was clearly far from normal.
With her injuries healed, Lu Xuanqing could now send a Flying Sword Message to the Heavenly Demon Sect's mountain headquarters. But in the boundless universe, such a message could easily be intercepted by other cultivators, and she had yet to make up her mind to take that risk.
In the end, Lu Xuanqing decided to play it safe and remain on Connors Star for another half month to see how things developed. Her injuries had healed completely, after all, and with her strength, she would face no danger on Connors Star.
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