Chapter 178: Chapter 130: What Matters and What Doesn't

As autumn neared, the forest was carpeted with thick, fallen leaves, the dusk light falling through the branches, casting deep, fragmented shadows of withering leaves.

Miao Luan remained composed, scrutinizing Chu Zheng, who was seated in the desolate woods not far away, feeling somewhat uneasy.

Compared to the last time's unruliness, this time, the young man in front of her appeared much more kempt, his hair neatly combed and adorned with a golden crown, wearing a flame-patterned vestment robe that added a touch of nobility.

Ever since Chu Zheng had contacted her through the Life Soul, she had been uncontrollably nervous, unsure of what Chu Zheng truly intended.

Since the incident at the Immortal Martial Battlefield, she had understood more clearly that the seemingly gentle young man before her was an absolute ruthless figure who was not to be provoked.

After a brief hesitation, Miao Luan bowed:

"Miao Luan greets the Taixuan Holy Son."

"No need for such formalities."

Chu Zheng nodded slightly and went straight to the point, "Help me with something, and I will return your Life Soul to you."

"Really?"

Upon hearing this, Miao Luan was somewhat moved, a flash of joy appearing in her eyes, but as she came back to her senses, she immediately became cautious and slightly uneasy as she asked:

"What do you want me to do?"

In her view, Chu Zheng was definitely not someone easy to talk to. If he was willing to return her Life Soul, the task he requested must not be that simple.

"It's simple, just help me get some Spiritual Objects from within the Tai Xu Holy Land, and we'll be even."

"What do you want?" Miao Luan's heart relaxed a bit. The Tai Xu Holy Land had many Spiritual Objects; with some extra effort and perhaps a plea to her mentor, there would definitely be a way.

"Semi-Immortal Dragon Saliva, Cloud Pool Holy Water, Dragon Whale's Heartblood, and Ten Thousand Stars Heavenly Dew."

Chu Zheng, without any hint of politeness, listed all the Spiritual Objects he was aware of.

"Cloud Pool Holy Water is only found within the Tai Xu Secret Realm, and this Semi-Immortal Dragon Saliva, along with the Dragon Whale's blood, only have some left from what was passed down previously within the Holy Land, using some means having less."

Miao Luan, in disbelief, widened her eyes, the shock evident:

"This Ten Thousand Stars Heavenly Dew is an absolute secret of the Tai Xu Holy Land, unknown even to ordinary Elders; how could you know of it?!"

The items Chu Zheng spoke of were all rare treasures of the current age, most cultivators of the world had probably not even heard their names.

"It seems that you know."

Upon hearing this, Chu Zheng's lips curved slightly. Since Miao Luan knew, then it meant that reaching this item would not be too far-fetched, at least there was some hope.

"This..."

Miao Luan's expression froze, then she vigorously shook her head:

"I'm only at the level of Soul Condensing; how could I possibly have access to such rare treasures! I can't do it."

"My life is not worth this much. You... you must change the condition."

Towards the end, Miao Luan's confidence waned.

Suddenly, Chu Zheng's gaze narrowed slightly. Holding her Life Soul, he could sense some of Miao Luan's subtle emotional changes. Although unsure, he decided to bluff, saying coldly:

"You haven't told the truth."

"Everything I just said is true!"

Miao Luan's heart skipped a beat, she averted Chu Zheng's gaze, her eyes unconsciously glancing around.

With her status, indeed she had no access to such rare treasures as Ten Thousand Stars Heavenly Dew, but her mentor, Yu Ling True Monarch, Zuo Lingzhi, was a Supreme Being at the peak of the Nine Transformations of Divine Infant.

Years ago, the Tai Xu Holy Land had granted a portion of Ten Thousand Stars Heavenly Dew, and it was because of this that she became aware of the existence of such Spiritual Objects within the Holy Land.

But she couldn't possibly hand over this item to Chu Zheng; it was crucial for her mentor's advancement into Tongxuan.

Her mentor's kindness to her was immense; she couldn't possibly sever her mentor's path for the sake of saving her own life.

Seeing Miao Luan's reaction, Chu Zheng became even more certain of his guess. Without hesitation, he pressed further:

"I only need a portion of Ten Thousand Stars Heavenly Dew. Afterward, I can add a sum of Spirit Stones or Elixirs and Magical Treasures as compensation, just speak up."

Seeing this, Miao Luan took a deep breath, no longer hiding her intentions, and blurted out:

"My mentor has a portion, but I can't help you steal it. Either change the condition or crush my Life Soul now."

Her eyes were filled with determination, clearly, to her, her mentor was more important than the Tai Xu Holy Land, more important than her own life.

Seeing her reaction, Chu Zheng's expression showed a hint of surprise, followed by a slow emergence of a smile:

"Indeed, one tries hard to find something only to get it without effort. Mentor-disciple affection is the best. With this, things are much simpler."

As Chu Zheng's smile grew more intense, Miao Luan instinctively felt an ominous sensation and subconsciously stepped back half a step:

"What are you planning to do?!"

"Let's make a bet."

Chu Zheng slowly stood up, gently patted the nonexistent dust off his body, and said leisurely:

"Let's see if your master values your life more, or if the Ten Thousand Stars Heavenly Dew is more important to him."

Miao Luan instantly understood Chu Zheng's intentions, her expression dramatically changed, and she subconsciously gathered her mana.

Before she could act, Chu Zheng's figure had already vanished from its original spot, and in the next moment, he appeared right in front of her.

A large hand suddenly reached out, seizing her neck like an iron clamp, and then a heavy palm struck her Dantian.

A suffocating colossal strength surged, blowing Miao Luan's sea of Dantian qi instantly, causing her mana to start dissipating at an astonishing speed.

Even the seven layers of Celestial Foundation within her Dantian showed huge cracks, trembling as if they were about to collapse.

A hint of despair flashed in Miao Luan's eyes, a divine light sparked at her forehead, intending to desperately activate her Spirit Soul, but a sudden intense pain from her Life Soul shattered her remaining strength.

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"Today you will come back to Taixuan with me; later, I will send a letter, and your master must come to Taixuan in person to fetch you."

"If your master does not come, I will set you free; if he does, I will still set you free and return all your original Magic Treasures to you, and additionally, I will give you a Top Quality Magical Treasure."

Listening to the few low murmurs by her ears, Miao Luan felt entirely disheartened, her consciousness sinking into darkness.

[Miao Luan (Third Order): Cultivation in the Initial Stage of Soul Condensing, Tai Xu Holy Land True Transmission, Soul damaged, Dantian severely injured, Celestial Foundation shattered, repairable (0/26)]

As Chu Zheng held Miao Luan who had already passed out in his hands, he was slightly uncertain about her value in her master's heart.

He realized the content of the letter still needed careful consideration.

......

......

Over half a month later.

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"Semi-Immortal Dragon Saliva, Cloud Pool Holy Water, Dragon Whale Heartblood, Green Jade Pearl Fluid, Earth Spirit Spring, Ten Thousand Stars Heavenly Dew..."

In the slightly cold grand hall, a gracefully dressed figure in azure garments slowly crushed the Message Jade Plaque in her hand, her voice slightly cold:

"Such a young age... Taixuan... what a big appetite..."

The letter listed more than twenty different Spiritual Objects, the lowest quality of which was hugely beneficial even for cultivators in the Divine Transformation Realm, and many were exceedingly precious even to the powerhouses in the Tongxuan Secret Realm.

At a glance, it was clear that the demands could not have come from a mere teenager; it was evident that Taixuan was pushing from behind.

After a moment of silence, Zuo Lingzhi stood up, went towards the Tai Xu Mansion Treasury, and took some of the spiritual objects.

Given the current circumstance, redeeming the captive was her only option.

......

......

At dawn, the sunlight pierced through the clouds and dispersed the morning fog.

In the Taixuan Holy Land, atop Divine Peak.

Chu Zheng was seated at the peak, breathing long and steady, absorbing the Great Sun Essence Qi into his body, purifying it through the circuits of the Grand Circulation, and finally integrating it into his limbs.

He was about to achieve Jade Bone Perfection and was preparing to begin the crucial step of forming the Dao Embryo.

Upon entering the Dao Embryo Realm, his Niwan Palace at the forehead would open, and his Divine Sense would greatly increase.

Not only would Object Control become more effortless, but he could also begin practicing some secret techniques related to the Divine Sense for combat.

After a while, Chu Zheng slowly opened his eyes, looked towards the direction of the Tai Xu Holy Land, and fell into a trance.

He was still somewhat unsure, partly worried about overvaluing Miao Luan, and partly concerned that he might miss this chance if he undervalued her.

In the building not far behind him, Miao Luan was restless.

After they had returned to the Taixuan Holy Land, Chu Zheng had asked an Elder in the Nine Transformations of Divine Infant to seal her cultivation.

The feeling of being completely defenseless inevitably made her uneasy.

Nearby, Song Lingxue leaned back in her chair, watching her quietly with an unfathomable gaze, her fair palms tightening and loosening repeatedly, the slender, jade-like joints making a series of crisp sounds.