Chapter 72 - Arc 7: Dragon Ascension Gate | Chapter 72: The Follow-Up of Xu Family Affairs

Chapter 72 - Arc 7: Dragon Ascension Gate | Chapter 72: The Follow-Up of Xu Family Affairs

Translator: Lynn

Xu Ziqing couldn’t help but notice the changes in Su Xin. The incident at Shangyan Ridge had allowed Su Xin to successfully break through, opening up two meridians in the past year. With his practice speed, it was considered quite fast. However, Su Xin, who originally had a cultivation base two levels lower than Xu Ziqing, was now on the verge of catching up. He emitted the aura of the eighth level of Qi Refining.

Xu Ziqing, with a single spiritual root, had only reached one level of Qi Refining in two years. Su Xin, on the other hand, had advanced twice in the same timeframe. Xu Ziqing couldn’t help but wonder if there was a special encounter or an unknown incident that caused such rapid progress for Su Xin.

Moreover...

Su Xin himself gave off an extremely subtle feeling as if the spiritual energy surrounding him had become purer and more refined. It seemed as though he had undergone some kind of tempering, making him look exceptionally heroic.

With a gentle smile, Xu Ziqing nodded and said, “Young brother Ah Xin, you have indeed changed a lot. Your cultivation level has greatly improved, and I offer my congratulations.”

Su Xin smiled even more and approached Xu Ziqing, grabbing his sleeve. “You’ve been in seclusion often, and we haven’t had much chance to meet. There are many things I haven’t told you... Let’s sit down and talk.”

Xu Ziqing hesitated briefly but didn’t push Su Xin away. Two years ago, he was also affectionately pulled by Su Xin, but at that time, he didn’t feel any stiffness. Now, however, he felt a slight stiffness and almost missed his opportunity to push Su Xin away.

Secretly sighing in his heart, he followed Su Xin and allowed himself to be pulled onto a stone bench. He spoke in a gentle voice, “I’m all ears.”

As soon as they both sat down, Su Xin got straight to the point. “Have you heard that a member of Loose Cultivator Alliance received a difficult task a year ago?”

Xu Ziqing was taken aback. “I haven’t heard about it,” he replied. “I’d like to know the details.”

Su Xin smiled mischievously. “Speaking of which, this task has something to do with you.” His eyes held a playful glint. “Your surname is Xu, and the employer’s surname is also Xu. Maybe you had some connection tens of thousands of years ago. We could be family.”

Xu Ziqing’s heart skipped a beat. For the past year, he had maintained a stable state of mind, but Su Xin’s words suddenly triggered memories of the past.

The employer’s surname was Xu, and the task released was a difficult one.

It was well-known that those without a cultivation level above the Foundation Establishment stage often ended up losing their lives while attempting difficult tasks.

With these two points in mind, Xu Ziqing couldn’t help but form some guesses in his mind.

However, he couldn’t express his thoughts to Su Xin and simply smiled, saying, “Don’t tease me, Brother Ah Xin. Let’s continue.”

Seeing his interest, Su Xin naturally continued, “I wonder if Brother Ziqing has heard of the Xu family in Upper Quzhou?”

Su Xin, in his increasingly joyous mood, remarked, “I knew you were different from others, and I didn’t mistake you, brother!” He grinned, a little embarrassed. “I’ve acquired some good items recently. Why don’t you come and take a look? I’ll borrow flowers to present Buddha and share them with you, Brother Ziqing.”

Curious, Xu Ziqing asked, “What is it?”

Brimming with excitement, Su Xin winked, retrieved a bottle from his sleeve, placed it on the table, and pushed it toward Xu Ziqing. “Take a look for yourself.”

Xu Ziqing opened the bottle, and a dominantly spicy scent rushed into his nostrils, nearly causing him to sneeze.

Upon closer inspection, he saw that it was an elixir, dark red in color like blood. Unlike ordinary pills, it lacked a subtle aura and had a slightly rough appearance, giving it a peculiar quality.

Observing Xu Ziqing’s perplexed expression, Su Xin burst into laughter. “This is called the Lingling Pill, confiscated from the Tian family.”

Xu Ziqing was taken aback by the revelation. A panacea?

He immediately recalled the incident in the secret realm when Tian Liang, a member of the Tian family, consumed an elixir that resulted in a rapid surge in his cultivation and nearly killed him. Could this Lingling Pill be the same elixir he had heard about in the Lingyuan Small Realm? Unexpectedly, Su Xin obtained it and even revealed it right in front of him.

Although the pill was undoubtedly useful, Xu Ziqing couldn’t help but feel a little uneasy. However, Su Xin appeared oblivious to any concerns.

Fortunately, Su Xin proceeded to provide further explanation, which somewhat relieved Xu Ziqing’s worries.

Su Xin smiled and said, “This spirit-enhancing pill is derived from deep-sea black coral polyps, which are consumed by sea creatures. These polyps are typically filled with poison, capable of rapidly boiling a person’s blood and causing it to explode. The sea creatures consume these poisonous polyps and refine them with a symbiotic grass to create this panacea.”

“Taking this pill may initially seem harmless, but with each consumption, toxins accumulate within the body. Eventually, the effect of the symbiotic grass will diminish, leading to the direct combustion of the monk’s blood and resulting in death.”

Upon hearing this, Xu Ziqing was astonished. He held the bottle and cautioned, “This is meant for entertainment, not for consumption. Brother Ah Xin, please be careful.”

Touched by Xu Ziqing’s sincerity, Su Xin ceased his jesting and spoke earnestly, “Don’t worry, I won’t be so careless. You, too, should exercise caution.”

The two continued conversing, and Su Xin suddenly added, “Brother Ziqing, I believe your cultivation level surpasses mine. You’re at the ninth level of Qi refining, right?”

Unsure of Su Xin’s intentions, Xu Ziqing saw no reason to hide the truth. He nodded, saying, “Yes, I am indeed at the ninth level of Qi refining.”

Su Xin exclaimed happily, “That’s perfect!”

Puzzled, Xu Ziqing inquired, “Why is that?”

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