Sweet Treats and a Soul Formation Technique
After leaving the Water and Fire Sect, a faint sense of regret arose in Dongfang Yueming's heart.
[Just now... if we had been a little bolder...]
He shook his head, banishing the dangerous thought from his mind.
[Never mind, let's go back first.]
[I haven't done what I promised that little glutton.]
He sped along, his eyes constantly searching below.
In a valley, a group of Foundation Establishment cultivators were engaged in a fierce battle with a powerful Demonic Beast.
"Roar--!"
The Demonic Beast roared, and a foul stench filled the air!
"Hold on, everyone! This beast is dying!"
Just as the two sides were locked in a fierce and evenly matched battle!
A figure in green robes descended from the sky without warning, walking leisurely to a spirit fruit tree in the center of the battlefield.
"Hmm, these few look pretty good."
He casually picked a few crystal-clear spiritual fruits, then took out a jade bottle and collected the spiritual honey dripping from the nearby bee nest.
As the magic power circulated, the spiritual fruit and spiritual honey instantly fused together, releasing an enticingly sweet aroma.
"Good, all done."
After doing all this, he flickered and disappeared from the spot once again.
Only the group of Foundation Establishment cultivators and the demonic Demonic Beast remained, staring at each other, completely dumbfounded.
What just happened?
Martial Sect, atop the sacred mountain.
Qin Rushuang stood on the edge of the cliff, gazing into the distance, lost in thought, a lingering worry on her brow.
"Master, it's been so long, he still hasn't returned... Could it be...?"
"Relax, relax~"
Little girl Hong Ling remained carefree, intently dealing with the spirit fruit in her hand. "That little guy is incredibly tough; he won't die!"
She glanced at Qin Rushuang and smiled slyly, "Instead of worrying about that, you'd be better off focusing on your appearance. You know, to win a man's heart, you first need to..."
"Master!" Qin Rushuang blushed and was about to retort.
Just then!
A familiar figure in green robes burst through the air!
"You're back?!"
Qin Rushuang's beautiful eyes lit up, and a surprised smile instantly bloomed on her face!
Wow! Handsome guy!
Hong Ling dropped the spiritual fruit in her hand, cheered, and rushed into Dongfang Yueming's arms like a swallow returning to its nest!
"Hug me~"
Dongfang Yueming helplessly caught the little one and gently stroked her little nose.
Here, as promised.
As if by magic, he produced the string of specially made "spiritual fruit preserves".
Wow! It looks delicious!
Hong Ling's eyes lit up, and she eagerly took a bite. A blissful expression instantly spread across her face. "So sweet!"
Watching this scene, Qin Rushuang felt both gratified and bittersweet.
He... eventually came back.
[And... he actually remembered that little girl's casual remark...]
"Professor Qin, this is for you."
Just as she was lost in thought, Dongfang Yueming's voice suddenly rang in her ears.
She looked up and saw a string of equally translucent candied fruits being offered to her.
"Me... I have one too?"
Qin Rushuang was somewhat flattered.
"Of course," Dongfang Yueming smiled, "Everyone gets a share, right?"
Qin Rushuang took the candied fruit and took a small bite.
In that instant, it felt as if a sweet, warm current flowed down my tongue and into my heart.
She lowered her head, her long eyelashes trembling slightly, her shy and timid appearance was breathtakingly beautiful!
Dongfang Yueming was slightly stunned, and a strange feeling arose in his heart.
[Ahem... Business comes first.]
He forcibly withdrew his gaze and looked at Hong Ling, preparing to ask about the Soul Formation Chapter of the "I Alone Am Supreme Technique".
Sudden!
A voice filled with arrogance and conceit boomed out from outside the Martial Sect's mountain gate like a thunderclap!
"Martial Sect, listen up!"
"By order of the Storm Mountain Sect Master, I have come to deliver this invitation!"
"Tomorrow, the alliance ceremony between Storm Mountain and Purple Thunder Sect will be held. You all... must attend!"
"If you dare not come..."
"... You'll bear the consequences!"
"Storm Mountain?"
Upon hearing this, Qin Rushuang's pretty face instantly changed!
[They... they actually dared to come to the Martial Sect to provoke us?!]
[And, at this time of year?!]
Little girl Hong Ling remained as steady as a mountain, merely glancing indifferently towards the mountain gate, and pursed her lips, saying, "So noisy! A swarm of flies!"
"I'll go take a look."
Dongfang Yueming got up and walked out of the thatched hut with Qin Rushuang.
Outside the mountain gate, several Golden Core cultivators dressed in Storm Mountain attire hovered arrogantly in mid-air, their faces filled with disdain and arrogance.
"What? Aren't you going to come out and receive the imperial decree? Do you expect us to barge in?!"
"Hmph! A mere fallen holy land dares to put on such airs!"
Upon seeing Qin Rushuang and Dongfang Yueming appear, the leading Golden Core Perfection cultivator sneered, "Oh, so you've finally decided to show yourself? Fairy Qin, it's been a long time!"
Qin Rushuang's face turned ugly, and she was about to speak.
Dongfang Yueming, however, stepped forward first, coldly staring at the other party.
"Roll."
A single, simple word, yet it resonated like a thunderclap in everyone's ears!
"You... what did you say?!" The Golden Core Perfection cultivator roared in fury, "Boy! You're courting death!"
He was about to teach this arrogant fool a lesson.
However, the next moment!
"Boom--!"
A faint yet terrifying aura, imbued with supreme majesty, One Flash past Dongfang Yueming!
The Golden Core cultivator felt his whole body stiffen, as if he had been stared at by an ancient Ferocious Beast, and his soul trembled!
That kind of suppression, originating from the level of life itself, instantly robbed him of all his courage!
"You... you..."
He looked at Dongfang Yueming in horror, not daring to utter another word, and turned to flee with his men in a panic!
Qin Rushuang stared at this scene, her beautiful eyes filled with shock!
[That aura just now...]
[Even though it was only for a moment, how come he seemed even stronger than me?!]
[This... how is this possible?!]
He's only just reached the Golden Core stage!
She was filled with doubt and uncertainty, but looking at Dongfang Yueming's calm profile, she felt... that anything was possible.
The two returned to the thatched hut.
Qin Rushuang truthfully reported to Hong Ling about the invitation sent from Storm Mountain.
"Oh? The alliance ceremony?" Hong Ling said casually while munching on a spirit fruit. "Sure, I'll go. It'll be good to join in the fun."
"But..." Qin Rushuang said with some worry, "The people from Storm Mountain are not friendly this time, if..."
"What are you afraid of?" Hong Ling waved her little hand. "Isn't he here?"
She pointed to the Dongfang Yueming.
Qin Rushuang was taken aback upon hearing this, then looked at Dongfang Yueming with a complex expression in her eyes.
[Master... she actually trusts him so much?]
[Could it be... that his strength has truly reached a point where he can disregard Storm Mountain?]
Just then, Dongfang Yueming suddenly asked, "Sect Master, do you have any cultivation techniques for the Soul Formation Stage?"
"Soul Formation?!"
Qin Rushuang froze, turned her head sharply, and stared at him in disbelief!
[What... what does he want with the Nascent Soul Formation technique?!]
[Could it be...?]
A suffocating thought began to fester in her mind!
[He... has already Nascent Soul Perfection?!]
Hong Ling smiled without any surprise, and with a casual wave of her hand, a jade slip exuding an ancient aura flew into Dongfang Yueming's hand.
"Here you go! This is what you wanted, the Soul Formation Chapter the ' I Alone Am Supreme Technique '!"
"However," she paused, then added, "This is the last of the stock! I don't have any more of the later cultivation techniques here!"
Dongfang Yueming accepted the jade slip, his heart filled with excitement!
[Finally... I got it!]
"Thank you, Sect Master!"
He took a deep breath and asked again, "Then... how should we proceed in the future?"
"It's very simple," Hong Ling blinked and said matter-of-factly, "Take the strengths of a hundred schools of thought, integrate all methods into one! Forge your own unique... supreme Great Dao!"
Upon hearing this, Dongfang Yueming was visibly shaken!
[Drawing on the strengths of many schools... integrating all methods into one...]
He seemed to understand something.
"Alright, alright, Little Shuangshuang, let's go, don't disturb his cultivation!"
As Hong Ling spoke, she pulled up Qin Rushuang, who was still in a daze, and they skipped away.
Only Dongfang Yueming remained, standing there, lost in thought.
[Learn from the strengths of many schools of thought...]
[But...]
He stroked his chin, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes.
Where should we get these 'hundred schools' (a set of 100 schools of thought)?