Chapter 185

Chapter 185

Wen Qiao practiced sparring with Hu Yansheng every day in Star Crossing Gorge, then returned to the palace for meditation and cultivation. Each day was incredibly fulfilling.

After several days, she had fully mastered the second form of *Celestial Fist* and began practicing the third form.

Hu Yansheng could clearly sense Wen Qiao's improvement in her fist techniques. The deep-sea pressure no longer affected her much, and the sudden bursts of power from her punches were astonishing. Occasionally, when he lost focus, he would be struck by her explosive force.

It was one thing if it happened elsewhere, but being hit by a Yuan Kong realm cultivator in front of those sea beasts would be humiliating.

Hu Yansheng had to stay more alert and no longer underestimated human cultivators.

After another session ended, Hu Yansheng stood on an intact coral reef, unable to resist glancing at Wen Qiao lying on the ground, exhausted.

As her fist techniques improved, Hu Yansheng no longer suppressed his cultivation excessively. Regardless of Wen Qiao's progress, she always ended up drained and rarely able to stand.

At that moment, she put a piece of amber-colored substance into her mouth.

Hu Yansheng was familiar with this item because Wen Qiao ate one whenever she was completely drained, which gave her the strength to get up.

Though curious about what it was, he never asked.

When Wen Qiao climbed out of the broken coral reef, Hu Yansheng said, "Your fist techniques have improved significantly, but if your physical strength doesn't keep up, the power of your techniques will be insufficient."

Hu Yansheng, after all, was a transformed demon cultivator with keen insight.

Through his observations, he found that Wen Qiao's fist techniques had both advantages and disadvantages. The advantage was their self-evolving nature, powerful strikes, and the fact that they did not limit the cultivator's level. No matter the realm, one could continue practicing them.

Most cultivation techniques had limits based on cultivation level, requiring practitioners to switch to new techniques as they progressed. Only top-tier techniques lacked such constraints.

The disadvantage of these fist techniques was their overwhelming power, which a cultivator's fragile body could not fully harness. To unleash their full potential required significant sacrifice, potentially leading to backlash.

Despite his disdain for human cultivators, Hu Yansheng had to admit that their creativity surpassed all other beings.

Wen Qiao looked at him and suddenly said, "Senior Hu, didn't I tell you that I am a body cultivator?"

Hu Yansheng's face darkened, and he turned to leave.

"Senior Hu, wait, I haven't given you today's spirit pill," Wen Qiao quickly called out.

Hu Yansheng stopped abruptly, his face turning menacing, enough to scare small sea beasts.

Wen Qiao had seen fiercer beasts and wasn't intimidated.

She handed him the spirit pill and said, "I know Senior Hu is kindly advising me. My husband explained this to me when I first started practicing these techniques. Over the years, I've been working hard to strengthen my body and have never relaxed. With time, I will be able to unleash the full power of *Celestial Fist*."

Hu Yansheng nodded proudly, saving face.

After setting a practice schedule with Hu Yansheng for the next day, Wen Qiao returned to the guest quarters of the palace.

Upon entering, she was surprised to find Ning Yuzhou not alchemizing but cultivating inside a spirit-gathering array, which filled her heart with joy.

As the spirit stones turned to powder, Ning Yuzhou opened his eyes and saw Wen Qiao looking at him with delight.

He smiled gently and said, "Welcome back. How was your day?"

Wen Qiao sat beside him, casting a dust-removal spell to clear the powder, and replied, "It was good. How about you? Why did you decide to cultivate today?"

Ning Yuzhou tilted his head, "Wouldn't you be happy if I cultivated?"

"I am very happy," Wen Qiao nodded vigorously, worried he might think otherwise and return to his research.

Ning Yuzhou understood her thoughts and smiled, saying, "Seeing how hard you've been cultivating, I felt guilty for being lazy. So, I decided to join you."

Wen Qiao smiled, "That's great. I'll keep working hard."

Realizing that her efforts had inspired him, she felt motivated and added, "Cultivation is really rewarding. Every breakthrough brings immense satisfaction..."

Ning Yuzhou listened to her chatter with a smile, not interrupting her.

*

Perhaps spurred by Ning Yuzhou's sudden dedication, the next day, Wen Qiao brought Wen Tutu and Wen Guangun, who had been staying in the palace, along with her to Star Crossing Gorge.

The two furry creatures protested, preferring to stay in the palace rather than go to a watery environment.

Wen Qiao gave each of them a water-repelling pill and sternly lectured them, "Brother Ning is working so hard. Why aren't you cultivating? Are you busier than him?"

The two shook their heads; they were certainly not as busy as Brother Ning, who excelled in alchemy, talismans, artifacts, and formations.

"Exactly," Wen Qiao said, taking them out of the palace without hesitation and asking several ninth-stage demon beasts to train them, helping them adapt to underwater combat. She promised to pay them for their efforts.

The sea beasts eagerly volunteered, almost fighting over the opportunity.

With too many volunteers, Hu Yansheng intervened, organizing them into shifts. Five ninth-stage sea beasts would train them each day, and any further disputes would result in expulsion from Star Crossing Gorge. This finally calmed the sea beasts down.

Compared to the eager sea beasts, Wen Tutu and Wen Guangun were stunned.

So many sea beasts lining up to fight them daily—would they survive? Even the battle-loving Wen Tutu felt uneasy seeing so many eager opponents.

Regardless of their feelings, Wen Qiao's decision remained firm.

Three hours later, Wen Qiao returned to the palace, picking up the exhausted Wen Tutu and Wen Guangun from the coral reef.

The sea beasts, delighted with their elixirs, left happily, promising to return the next day and train the two demonic beasts diligently in hopes of advancing them.

Wen Tutu: "…"

Wen Guangun, feeling wronged, nestled into Wen Qiao's soft embrace, curling up tightly.

It was still just a little panda cub; how could they be so cruel to it?

Wen Qiao stroked its small belly and carried it back.

Upon returning to their resting quarters, Wen Qiao placed the two exhausted fur balls on the table and took out a few pieces of honey fat. The two immobile fur balls immediately sprang up, grabbing the honey fat and gnawing away.

Clearly, being exhausted was just an act, an excuse to avoid work.

Wen Qiao didn't expose them but went to sit in the spirit-gathering array Ning Yuzhou had set up, recalling today's battle.

In the days that followed, Wen Qiao would take the two demonic beasts out every time, though they were always exhausted by the end of the day, the gains were significant.

While Wen Qiao and the others were diligently cultivating, Xuanlun finally left his place of rest.

"Master Ning, Miss Wen, thank you for your help this time. From now on, you are friends of Star Crossing Gorge," Xuanlun said gratefully.

Ning Yuzhou replied, "Senior Xuan, there's no need for such formality. Although we did help, our contribution was minimal. Besides, we need your help to reach the human cultivator continent."

Wen Qiao also responded politely.

Despite Xuanlun's gentle appearance, he was a decisive demonic cultivator and immediately said, "Rest assured, we will ensure your safe passage. When do you plan to leave?"

Hearing this, Lan Jinshang looked at him worriedly, hesitating to speak.

Ning Yuzhou did not answer but asked, "How is Senior Xuan's injury?"

Xuanlun smiled, "It's healed about twenty percent. Leaving Star Crossing Gorge shouldn't be a problem."

Upon hearing this, both Ning Yuzhou and Wen Qiao understood that Xuanlun was leaving despite his injuries, worried that they might be eager to reach the human cultivator continent. In fact, they weren't in a rush to leave.

The spiritual energy in Star Crossing Gorge was abundant, allowing them to cultivate here. When they left made no difference to them. Moreover, Xuanlun's injury was only partially healed, which wasn't ideal. If he were to escort them while injured...

Ning Yuzhou said, "Senior Xuan, we plan to stay in Star Crossing Gorge for a while longer and leave when your injury has healed more."

Xuanlun was taken aback.

Lan Jinshang, however, was delighted. She said, "That's great. If we encounter unreasonable demonic beasts in other seas, having Xuanlun around will ensure our safety. Master Ning, although Xuanlun's injury is healing slowly, perhaps you could examine him and help refine some elixirs. We'll pay you accordingly."

Ning Yuzhou nodded, "Of course, but I can only refine Earth-grade elixirs. To help Senior Xuan recover faster, we need higher-grade elixirs."

"What kind of high-grade elixir are you referring to? Could it be a Heavenly-grade elixir?" Lan Jinshang asked.

Ning Yuzhou replied, "I need to examine Senior Xuan first to know."

After examining Xuanlun, Ning Yuzhou said, "Senior Xuan's most severe injury is multiple heart meridian damages. If these meridians break, his life force will be cut off. It indeed requires proper rest and recovery. Once these meridians heal, the other issues won't be a concern."

Xuanlun, knowing his own condition, affirmed Ning Yuzhou's assessment.

Although Ning Yuzhou's cultivation was low and barely reached the Earth-grade alchemist level, his abilities, alchemy skills, and rich knowledge were unparalleled by other alchemists.

Seeing Xuanlun agree with Ning Yuzhou, Lan Jinshang was even more pleased. "Master Ning, what kind of elixir do we need?"

"The best would be the Heavenly Pivot Pulse Protecting Pill."

Lan Jinshang's expression turned serious. "This Heavenly Pivot Pulse Protecting Pill is..."

"A Heavenly-grade elixir."

Lan Jinshang fell silent.

Seeing his wife suddenly quiet, Xuanlun explained to Ning Yuzhou, "Master Ning, although we can seek elixirs from the sea clan, the alchemists in their territory are not highly ranked. The highest is only a Heavenly-grade alchemist, who has some reservations about demonic cultivators..."

Xuanlun did not elaborate, but Ning Yuzhou understood.

Demonic cultivators lacked alchemy talent and often couldn't distinguish between certain herbs and weeds. They had to endure their injuries alone, unlike human cultivators who could use elixirs to speed up recovery. This inadvertently elevated the status of alchemists in the cultivation world, as cultivators often faced injuries, especially those requiring specific elixirs for treatment.

This is why the demonic beasts of Star Crossing Gorge would vie for even a single Profound-grade elixir, bringing various sea herbs and medicines to exchange with Wen Qiao.

To human cultivators, Profound-grade elixirs might seem insignificant, but these inexperienced sea beasts cherished them.

Most alchemists in the sea clan's territory were controlled by the sea clan, with none reaching the rank of Heavenly-grade alchemists, except one.

The sea clan valued this Heavenly-grade alchemist greatly. Though his personality was considered poor by the sea clan, they tolerated him due to his ability to refine Heavenly-grade elixirs. However, if non-sea clan demonic cultivators sought elixirs from him, they might not succeed.

As for finding a high-ranking alchemist on the human cultivator continent? That was impractical.

"Is the Heavenly-grade alchemist controlled by the sea clan?" Wen Qiao asked curiously.

Xuanlun replied tactfully, "I am not sure, but the Heavenly-grade alchemist is not very friendly towards demonic cultivators."

Wen Qiao understood. He likely resented the sea clan and thus was unfriendly towards demonic cultivators. Even if the demonic cultivators were powerful, they dared not offend the Heavenly-grade alchemist easily.

Ning Yuzhou glanced at her and continued, "The Heavenly Pivot Pulse Protecting Pill is the best option. If unavailable, a Heavenly-grade Purple Gold Pill would suffice, though its effects are not as good."

Lan Jinshang instantly decided, "Then I'll go to the sea clan to see if I can buy a Purple Gold Pill."

Xuanlun silently shook his head. The Heavenly-grade elixirs refined by the alchemist in the sea clan were reserved for the sea clan's use, leaving no chance for other demonic cultivators to obtain them. But he knew Lan Jinshang's persistence and that she had a friend among the sea clan, probably intending to seek her friend's help.

"Jinshang, forget it. Let's take it slow," Xuanlun said.

Lan Jinshang's eyebrows furrowed. "How can we give up without even trying? I've sought many pills in the past and can even speak a few words with that Heaven-grade Alchemist. What if he agrees to refine them for me?"

Back when Xuanlun was injured, Lan Jinshang was so worried that she frequently visited the Sea Clan to find Alchemists to treat Xuanlun. Although those Alchemists weren't very skilled, at least she became familiar faces among them.

Lan Jinshang had her own considerations. Even though there were still demonic cultivators watching Star Crossing Gorge, they knew about Xuanlun's condition. She was merely going to seek pills for Xuanlun, and even if they followed her, they wouldn't discover anything significant. Lan Jinshang wasn't afraid at all, and it would also divert their attention.

"Then it's settled. I'll leave for the Sea Clan territory tomorrow. If everything goes smoothly, three months should be enough for a round trip." After making this bold decision, Lan Jinshang didn't forget Ning Yuzhou and the others, asking for their opinions, "Young Master Ning, Miss Wen, what about you? Would you like to come with me to the Sea Clan territory?"

Ning Yuzhou politely declined with a smile, "Thank you for your kindness, Senior Lan, but Chui and I will stay here to cultivate."

Wen Qiao nodded in agreement. Although she was interested in the Sea Clan territory, her cultivation level was too low, and she felt that focusing on cultivation now was more important. She could visit the Sea Clan territory later when her cultivation improved.

Lan Jinshang was deeply grateful to the two of them and understood they had other plans, so she didn't insist. She then asked Ning Yuzhou, "Young Master Ning, besides those two high-grade spirit pills, could you refine some Earth-grade pills for Xuanlun?"

"Yes, there are a few Earth-grade pills that would be suitable, but their effects won't be very noticeable."

"That's fine. Young Master Ning, please refine them whenever you have time. Just tell Yansheng what materials you need."

In just a few exchanges, Lan Jinshang and Ning Yuzhou had made their decisions. They then instructed Yansheng to prepare the necessary materials, allowing Ning Yuzhou to refine the pills during his free time without hindering his cultivation.

Xuanlun, being good-tempered, smiled and let his partner make the arrangements, seeing that Ning Yuzhou and the others indeed had no urgent plans to leave.