Chapter 93 - Arc 7: Dragon Ascension Gate | Chapter 93: Observing the Breakthrough

Chapter 93 - Arc 7: Dragon Ascension Gate | Chapter 93: Observing the Breakthrough

Translator: Lynn

Xu Ziqing regained consciousness, feeling a bit disoriented. As he looked down, he realized he was lying on a stone bed. His waist was sore, his back ached, and his entire body felt numb and weak. Moving his body was a struggle, and he felt a heaviness that made it difficult to move easily.

At that moment, he recalled practicing swordsmanship with his friend Yun Lie the previous day, but he couldn’t remember if he had managed to reach the goal of thirty thousand sword strikes. He also had no recollection of how he ended up on the stone bed. With these thoughts in mind, Xu Ziqing directed his consciousness into the storage ring, calling out for Yun Lie. However, after calling three times without a response, he realized that Yun Lie was no longer in the ring.

A pang of unease struck Xu Ziqing’s heart. He propped himself up and got off the stone bed, finding it incredibly challenging to take even a single step. Though he inwardly smiled wryly, he didn’t show it on his face. Holding onto the stone wall for support, he walked out of the cave. The cave was empty, and there was no sign of the white-clad figure.

...Why isn’t Brother Yun here?

Panicking, Xu Ziqing strained to move his body and hurriedly called out, “Brother Yun, Brother Yun!”

Finally, a cold voice sounded, “What’s the matter?”

He turned his head in the direction of the voice.

To his surprise, when Xu Ziqing exited the cave, he had only glanced to the right side and missed the person sitting in front of the mountain wall on the left.

Relieved, Xu Ziqing’s mind eased, causing his body, which he had been forcefully dragging, to lose balance and fall. However, instead of truly falling, an invisible force lifted him, tilting his body until he was firmly seated on the ground.

Xu Ziqing smiled and said, “Thank you, Brother Yun.”

Yun Lie glanced at him and asked, “Why did you call me?”

Recalling the recent events, Xu Ziqing still felt a lingering fear. “When I woke up earlier, I didn’t see you in the ring. When I came out, I couldn’t find you. I thought...”

Yun Lie narrowed his eyes slightly. “If I were to leave, I would inform you.”

Relieved upon hearing those words, Xu Ziqing replied, “That’s good.” After a moment of contemplation, he continued, “If Brother Yun wishes to depart, it must be for an important reason. I consider you my dearest kin, and if circumstances require it, I would give up my life and do everything in my power for you.”

Yun Lie responded calmly, “There’s no need for that.”

Xu Ziqing smiled. From his perspective, Yun Lie’s opinion didn’t matter. It would be ideal if nothing happened, but if Yun Lie encountered trouble, Xu Ziqing would not hesitate to offer his help, even if it meant sacrificing himself.

With that thought in mind, Xu Ziqing changed the subject and asked the question that had been bothering him, “Brother Yun, I don’t know about yesterday...” He felt a bit embarrassed, “...yesterday, did I manage to complete the thirty thousand sword strikes? Please tell me, Brother Yun.”

Yun Lie’s tone was cold as he replied, “You reached 26,400 strikes, then you fainted.”

Sighing, Xu Ziqing murmured, “Is that so...” He then smiled again, saying, “But I haven’t thanked Brother Yun for carrying me to the stone bed.”

Yun Lie responded, “You don’t need to thank me. Your body may be weak, but your determination is commendable. However, you need to make up for what you missed yesterday and not let your exhausted body be an excuse.”

Hearing those words, Xu Ziqing wryly smiled. Despite being a Qi Refining cultivator at the tenth level, he couldn’t even meet the requirements for the most basic sword moves according to his friend’s standards.

His friend’s strictness was for his own benefit, and Xu Ziqing saw nothing wrong with it. “Brother Yun, don’t worry. I will do my best to persevere. Today, I will swing the sword thirty-three thousand six hundred times, and I won’t forget it.”

It’s happening!

An immensely mysterious consciousness emerged from the heavens and descended, landing directly on the steep mountain wall.

Simultaneously, wisps of purple smoke slowly emanated from the cave’s entrance, gradually diffusing and sealing the entire opening.

Some monks exclaimed, “The Purple Smoke is coming out! Look!”

Others echoed, “Look!”

At this stage, as the cultivation base approaches the Foundation Establishment period, the gains become more significant.

With 85% of his spiritual power transformed into true energy, Xu Ziqing’s cultivation is currently among the most advanced. As a result, he remains undisturbed by the miraculous occurrence and focuses his mental strength on comprehending the profound meaning of descending from the sky.

Within that mysterious meaning lies an overwhelming dominance, like a crucible of the world, containing the fire of Zhou Tian and endless mysteries.

This represents the way of fire among the five elements, while Xu Ziqing’s chosen path is that of wood. However, wood can give birth to fire, so he uses the heart of fire to reverse the heart of the wood, transforming the art of fire into the art of wood. This sudden realization engulfs him in a state of infatuation, leaving him unable to extricate himself.

When wood creates fire, there is wood within the flames, blazing and fervent. Yet, when wood contains fire but does not emit it, the fire lies within the wood.

In the vast world, there exist true fires that cannot be extinguished even by black ice spanning thousands of years. They are fires within trees, fires within stones, and fires within the air.

Although Xu Ziqing possesses a pure wood physique, he can sense a glimpse of the way of real fire within the wood. However, due to his limited knowledge and cultivation, he is unable to fully comprehend it at the moment. Once he delves deeper into his cultivation, reflecting on today’s insights will prove easier than independently grasping the Tao.

Realizing this, Xu Ziqing abruptly awakens, understanding that it will be exceedingly difficult to reenter that mysterious realm.

Now Xu Ziqing knows that the monks in the cave were learning fire-based techniques and establishing their foundations. Accordingly, fire-affiliated cultivators like Su Xin should have gained the most. It was truly fortunate for Xu Ziqing to stumble upon the profound meaning of real fire. At this moment, his gaze sweeps across a person, causing him to startle momentarily.

It is Yan Boshang, the young master of the Tianyan Sect.

In Xu Ziqing’s estimation, it should have been Yan Boshang who was establishing his foundation today.

Half a year ago, Yan Boshang was already on the cusp of reaching the Foundation Establishment period. With the activation of the third-order spiritual vein, the time had arrived. However, Yan Boshang seemed unhurried, and Xu Ziqing genuinely didn’t understand why he had come.

As for the person who is currently establishing their foundation, Xu Ziqing is unfamiliar with them.

It is Cheng An of Liuhuo Sect, one of the exceptional individuals who emitted purple light on the Juling Tongbao. Having practiced the fire attribute technique, Cheng An won their first battle and subsequently withdrew until now, when their foundation is being established.

Having gained insights, Xu Ziqing observes the entrance of the cave intently.

Suddenly, the purple smoke that had enveloped the entire cave coils up, transforming into a smoke dragon of purple hue, confronting the mysterious meaning.

“Boom!”

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