Chapter 230: Convincing Qiong Sea King (2)

Chapter 230: Convincing Qiong Sea King (2)

To the south of Cloudhill lay Cloudhill City, while its northern side was covered with large stretches of verdant forest. Save for a scattering of human settlements and official routes, the region bore little trace of human activity. It was in this direction that Fang Xia had steered the battle with Great Jin, striving to minimize the toll of casualties.

Guided by Wu Yuan, Qiong Sea King swiftly arrived at a designated location, twenty li north of Cloudhill, then slowly made his descent into the forest.

“Senior Wan Liu?” Qiong Sea King’s massive eyes scanned his surroundings, searching in vain for Senior Wan Liu’s figure.

In an instant, the air was filled with white fog, enveloping the area around Qiong Sea King. It was the Mind Confusion Array.

"Senior Wan Liu?" Qiong Sea King's eyes narrowed with suspicion as he released a low growl that reverberated through the forest. Though he did not often interact with humans, he was far from foolish.

"This fog is merely to conceal your presence," Wu Yuan's voice echoed mysteriously within the thick fog. "Qiong Sea, worry not."

Suppressing his rising panic, Qiong Sea King spoke in a hushed voice, "Senior Wan Liu, why do you hide yourself?"

"Whether you see me or not, does it affect the guidance I provide?" Wu Yuan chuckled.

Qiong Sea King was taken aback. It was a valid point.

"Senior, I humbly request your guidance on the path to the Spiritual Body phase," Qiong Sea King implored, bowing his enormous azure draconic head. His eyes burned with insatiable desire.

"Qiong Sea, as a ninth-stage Communion cultivator, you should understand that vitality is the core criteria for a body refiner to transition to the Spiritual Body phase," Wu Yuan's voice was calm, but with a hint of regret. "But your age is far too advanced."

"I’ve never had a mentor," Qiong Sea King lamented. "I have been navigating the path of cultivation alone. I beg for your understanding, Senior." In reality, Qiong Sea King possessed the Dragon's Lair Records, but he was unwilling to reveal it at the moment.

"At over 700 years old, a breakthrough is not impossible," Wu Yuan said. "There are three methods."

"Three methods?" Qiong Sea King listened with bated breath.

"The first relies on external objects," Wu Yuan slowly explained, "During my travels across the oceans, I've encountered many mystical treasures, like the Ninesong Rebirth Pill created through alchemy, and natural treasures like the Longevity Fruit and Millennium Snowjade Marrow. Once consumed, they can significantly restore your vitality. Your odds of breaking through will naturally increase greatly.”

Qiong Sea King was left stunned.

Ninesong Rebirth Pill? Longevity Fruit? What kind of treasures were these? He had never heard of them before.

"Senior Wan Liu, I have never heard of these treasures. Where can I find them?" Qiong Sea King asked. If such treasures could be found in the Middle Land, surely it wouldn’t have been absent of Golden Core cultivators for thousands of years?

"These treasures are all considered mythological items," Wu Yuan said, "The second method is reaching the Domain stage. Once you grasp a Domain, your body will naturally transform and advance to the next phase in time."

"Domain?" Qiong Sea King was speechless. All qi refiners and body refiners knew this method and understood that once they grasped a Domain, they could reach a higher level. But how many could actually achieve this?

"If the first two methods are not feasible, then only the last method remains — the path of power," Wu Yuan said indifferently, "That is, to forcefully temper your body until it reaches the Spiritual Body stage! The most common way to practice this method is to find a suitable environment, consume medicinal treasures, endure the impact of the environment, and temper your body until it reaches the limit of your current phase.

“When your mana and body merge, and the soul chamber is completely integrated into the flesh, you naturally forge your Spiritual Body," Wu Yuan explained.

"That simple?" Qiong Sea King was taken aback. He had never thought of this method. VIsit n0(v)eLb(i)n.com for the best novel reading experience

"I had the guidance of my master," Wu Yuan responded, a faint smile gracing his lips.

"Excellent. With your talent, your future is bright. It wouldn’t be an insult for me to protect someone of your caliber for a time," Qiong Sea King spoke solemnly. "Pass me the immortal slip so that I can examine it."

Wu Yuan nodded and extended his hand, offering the slip with a casual wave.

Qiong Sea King delicately held the immortal slip in his claws, swiftly absorbing its contents. A deluge of information flooded his mind.

"Remarkable! What an amazing technique, I had no idea one could cultivate in this manner..." Qiong Sea King exclaimed with elation. Then, the flow of information abruptly ceased.

This was only the first half of the method. Without the rest of it, it could not be cultivated.

"What? Why does it end here?" Qiong Sea King's anxiety grew, his yearning for the second half of the technique nearly driving him crazy. This was his greatest opportunity for a breakthrough.

"Wu Yuan, let us seal the contract!" Qiong Sea King said without hesitation.

"Very well," Wu Yuan replied with a subtle grin. Finally, the fish had taken the bait.

With a flourish, Wu Yuan unfurled the glowing scroll in his hand. It floated towards the Qiong Sea King, who examined the writing on the scroll with a mixture of surprise and curiosity.

"Swearing on the Eldritch Progenitor? A Blood Gu contract?" he exclaimed, his voice tinged with astonishment. "Senior Wan Liu is a legendary eldritch?" The Dragon's Lair Records only mentioned fragments of information about eldritches.

“Mm.” A cold voice echoed from the surrounding fog.

"Wu Yuan, you are indeed worthy of being Senior Wan Liu's disciple," Qiong Sea King rumbled, his gaze fixed on Wu Yuan. "Perhaps in the future, you too may become an eldritch."

Wu Yuan simply smiled in response.

Qiong Sea King meticulously examined the contents of the scroll once more. "The oath and the contract are in order," he muttered. "Very well, Wu Yuan, let us proceed."

And so, they began to recite the oath, swearing on the Eldritch Progenitor’s name. The moment the last word fell, a powerful and unseen force washed over Wu Yuan and Qiong Sea King. It left just as quickly as it arrived, leaving Qiong Sea King feeling somewhat relieved. With that, the oath had been made.

Now, it was time to confirm their agreement with the sealing of the Blood Gu contract. The contract was crafted by Fang Xia, who was naturally proficient in such skills as an eldritch mage. Its purpose was similar to that of a beast-taming ring, yet its effects were far more unique. It bound both master and spirit beast, making the relationship akin to that of partners.

As time slipped away, Wu Yuan and Qiong Sea King dripped their blood onto the scroll, igniting a brilliant red light that filled the room. The scroll transformed into countless shining specks of light, merging into the bodies of Wu Yuan and Qiong Sea King. In an instant, identical blood symbols appeared on the foreheads of both Wu Yuan and the Qiong Sea King, forming an imperceptible bond between the two. The blood symbols then retracted back into their respective bodies.

"Qiong Sea." Wu Yuan smiled, looking at the massive jiaolong before him. He could feel both his and the jiaolong’s soul, and sensed the faint connection between them.

"Master," Qiong Sea King looked at Wu Yuan in shock, his voice trembling with disbelief, "You...?"

The bond between a spirit beast and its master, particularly one formed through a Blood Gu contract, had unique functions. They could sense each other's whereabouts and communicate with each other via their spirits.

At this moment, Qiong Sea King was astonished to find that Wu Yuan's soul strength surpassed his own by leaps and bounds. It was like comparing a firefly to the brilliance of the moon. Wu Yuan's soul shone dozens of times brighter than his.

"Your guess is correct," Wu Yuan responded with a faint smile, "I am Wan Liu."