Chapter Eighty-Nine: The Fire Essence True Spirit
That’s good, then!
The old man’s face flushed with color the moment he heard such confident words, and he seemed to come alive all at once. With an air of pride, he let out a cold laugh.
“Hmph. I, Shen Qingkong, am a Grand Elder of the Divine Sun Sect after all. Though the Windwing Flying Eagle was killed by those bastards, once we are within the sect’s territory, they would never dare make a move! Zheng’er, you need not worry. Your master will protect you well enough!”
Shen Qingkong?
Windwing Flying Eagle?
Luo Tian blinked a few times, then suddenly remembered the Divine Sun Sect elder he had seen on that day when he had observed the eagle form and the swallow form: Shen Qingkong. Now, from the old man’s words, his identity was made even more unmistakably clear.
Hearing Shen Qingkong speak, the man beside him, Fang Zheng, showed a look of emotion mixed with struggle. Even his hands trembled faintly.
“Yes. But Master, your injuries seem very serious?”
*Cough, cough, cough...*
Shen Qingkong was clearly having trouble breathing. He bent over and coughed several times, and the color on his face instantly drained away like a receding tide.
“These little ruffians! If it were a fair duel, what would I, Shen Qingkong, have to fear?”
“Master’s words are absolutely right!”
Fang Zheng’s tone also grew heated.
“That Zhang Hanshui of the Thousand Waves Gate, that Li Lianfeng of the Void Mountain—when they saw Master’s divine might and unrivaled valor, they actually joined forces and tried to overwhelm you with numbers. What skill is there in that? Even under the two of them attacking from both sides, Master’s momentum never weakened. It was only that the Windwing Flying Eagle was still a little lacking in strength, and was slain by those two villains.”
At the mention of his fallen spirit beast, Shen Qingkong’s expression grew even uglier. That had been his treasured companion for decades, not only convenient but obedient as well. Now it had perished at another’s hands, and Shen Qingkong could no matter what not swallow this grievance.
“Still, those two bastards probably never imagined that Master disdained to brawl with them, and not only withdrew in fine style but also effortlessly took away the Flame-Origin True Spirit, the Transforming-Origin True Gang Fire. And now we have even entered the territory of our Divine Sun Sect. Once this story spreads, countless people will naturally look up in awe at Master’s mighty name! This disciple is deeply proud to have been accepted into Master’s school!”
As thoughts churned through Fang Zheng’s mind, his mouth never stopped flattering. His praise was so overblown that it seemed flowers and golden lotuses were bursting from the ground, and he had already painted the weak, half-dead Shen Qingkong into a true supreme expert.
Luo Tian could hear their conversation clearly. He glanced again at Fang Zheng, whose features were strikingly handsome, and could not help admiring him inwardly. Such talent—truly not to be underestimated.
But what made Luo Tian’s heart pound even harder was the thing Fang Zheng had mentioned.
The Flame-Origin True Spirit, the Transforming-Origin True Gang Fire!
This was an extraordinarily fierce and domineering elemental true spirit, and its most coveted trait was its miraculous effectiveness in shattering defenses of true energy. It was not enough to say it broke them easily, but it was certainly not far off. It was a genuine treasure, and even among the nine fire-type true spirits, it was an exceedingly rare one.
This was a fire-type true spirit, perfectly matching Luo Tian’s original choice.
If he could obtain this Transforming-Origin True Gang Fire, not only would he gain far better results in body refinement, but it would also be of immense benefit in tempering and purifying his vital energy, laying down a more solid foundation for advancing into the Pulse Flow realm.
That was not the merit of the Transforming-Origin True Gang Fire alone, but the merit of elemental true spirits themselves. The nine true spirits of each type all possessed the purest energy, and for cultivation they could offer tremendous assistance.
What was more, in battle, this Transforming-Origin True Gang Fire was so ferocious it was almost impossible to look at directly.
Once one reached the Pulse Flow realm, vital energy could be projected outward and shaped beyond the body into a defensive layer, greatly improving survival. But before the Transforming-Origin True Gang Fire, such defenses would simply not be enough to see.
Even against a cultivator who had also obtained an elemental true spirit, so long as that spirit was not one especially adept at defense, they would absolutely be at a disadvantage facing the Transforming-Origin True Gang Fire.
Of course, elemental true spirits had all kinds of traits. Some excelled at defense, some at recovery, some at speed. Having the Transforming-Origin True Gang Fire did not necessarily mean one could beat an opponent to death, but it would unquestionably establish an advantage in combat.
Such a treasure, such a treasure!
Luo Tian’s blood seemed to flow faster, and his breathing had even begun to grow heavy.
Who could remain unmoved?
Even a cultivator who did not practice fire-type vital energy would be tempted to take a gamble. If successful, exchanging it for an elemental true spirit suited to oneself would also be excellent.
Fortunately, Luo Tian reacted in time and decisively forced that impulse down.
Even in his haggard, near-dead state, Shen Qingkong was still a genuine expert of the Golden Core realm. Even a lowest-grade Human Spirit Pill was by no means something to take lightly.
And Fang Zheng, though he did not appear to be badly injured, was a nearly intact Pulse Flow realm expert and an outstanding inner sect disciple. He was not someone Luo Tian could afford to provoke.
If they discovered there was someone else nearby, they might very well strike.
Within the Divine Sun Sect, cultivators not born to the Four Great Clans had very little standing.
“Zheng’er, return to the sect as fast as you can. Have the sect master or another elder bring a flying boat to take me back.”
Shen Qingkong’s voice grew weaker and weaker.
“My vital energy is nearly exhausted. I can no longer fly, so I can only wait here for them a while.”
“Master, what are you saying? Though this disciple’s strength is limited, I would be willing to carry Master back myself, so that you may take medicine and heal your injuries as soon as possible!”
Seeing Shen Qingkong in such a state, Fang Zheng immediately replied with an agitated voice.
“Zheng’er...”
A difficult smile appeared on Shen Qingkong’s face, as if deeply comforted.
“I did not misjudge you. However, I exhausted all my strength to seize the Transforming-Origin True Gang Fire for that child Shen Lingfei, and now I have suffered severe injuries. I can no longer move.”
At the mention of Shen Lingfei’s name, an almost vicious, resentful look appeared on Fang Zheng’s face. Because of the angle, Shen Qingkong could not see it, but Luo Tian saw it all clearly.
So this Fang Zheng was also a man with a story.
“Master, don’t move. Let me look at your injuries!”
Fang Zheng strained to steady Shen Qingkong’s arm with one hand, preventing his body from swaying, then took a careful step back so he could see Shen Qingkong’s back.
“Aah! Th-this...”
In an instant, Fang Zheng’s face was filled with shock and astonishment, yet for some reason, Luo Tian even caught a faint trace of delight within it.
“Ma-Master! The wound on your back... it’s nearly a meter long...”
Fang Zheng’s mouth hung open, as if he had never imagined Shen Qingkong could be injured this badly.
“That Thousand-Water Severing Strike from Zhang Hanshui, and Li Lianfeng’s Wind Assault Without Form...”
Shen Qingkong gave a bitter smile, his voice heavy with resentment.
“Even my Earth Spirit Shield could not withstand them after all.”
“These two beasts—beasts!”
Fang Zheng roared as though his heart were being torn apart. His expression and tone were filled with grief and fury. His eyes flickered with an unfathomable light as he muttered to himself.
“Master, don’t worry. I-I still have healing pills here. I have pills...”
As he spoke, Fang Zheng’s other hand slipped into the storage pouch at his waist, as if searching for something.
The more Luo Tian watched, the more wrong it seemed. A deep bond between master and disciple was understandable, and perfectly natural. But why did Fang Zheng’s performance seem a little too exaggerated?
“Zheng’er, you are thoughtful. But Master’s injury is not something ordinary pills can...”
Shen Qingkong said with relief. Suddenly, searing pain erupted from his back. His expression froze, and he turned in disbelief to look at the disciple he loved most.
“You actually...”