by Dragon King
Bang!
The golden shield which had laid on a rock for one night suddenly exploded the rock beneath it and bounced up.
After one night of cultivation, it had completely absorbed the treasure soul of the Demon-Conquering Vajra and the abundant nature essence that it got from Sixth Heaven. It had solidified its realm and got stronger!
The overwhelming golden lights looked like boundless ocean waves when they spread out from Ethereal Summit!
The cultivators in the three small sects who had gotten up to do their morning practices suddenly found the nature essence intensity increasing instantly!
Seeming to have possessed inexhaustible nature essence, the golden shield spun and swept up huge gales which almost blew up the rocks in the valley.
It flew around the valley, trying to find a rival!
Swoosh! Its golden light shot into the Little White’s cave and landed on latter’s rump!
“Roar…” Little White jumped up from the cave abruptly and turned into its snow lion form instantly! After one night, it had grown bigger!
A level 5 snow lion!
The level 10 demonic core was unusually powerful! After digesting it for one night in the quiet Ethereal Summit, Little White finally absorbed most of the demonic core and advanced to level 5.
Little White opened its mouth wide and released red flames from its paws, ready to fight with the golden shield.
A level 5 demon beast was equivalent to low-tier Nascent Soul Realm! Little White didn’t expect that it would become a level 5 demon beast!
After firming its realm, the golden shield still looked black. When it didn’t release golden lights, it was as ugly as a big iron plate.
When it saw Little White leaping toward it, it shot out a golden light beam which was as thick as a thumb.
With a wriggle of its golden tail, Little White brushed the golden light beam away.
The space in Ethereal Summit was big enough for the treasure and the beast to fight. However, if they got serious, Little White’s body could fill the entire valley while the golden shield could cover the entire mountain!
“Little White…” Xie Yujia looked at the nimble Little White in surprise, not expecting it to reach such a high realm!
Right now, Little White could even fight with a top-tier Nascent Soul Realm cultivator!
From Fifth Heaven to Seventh Heaven, only Jitian, the level 6 demon beast which guarded Sky Mountain Sect, had a higher realm than Little White.
However, Jitian was now more than 1,000 years old while Little White was only about 200 years old! If the ancestors of Sky Mountain Sect had seen such an elevation speed, they would have been shocked!
After Little White got to level 5 with the aid of a level 10 demon core, it would be hard for Little White to elevate to a higher level.
Thud!
The Purple Green Treasure Sword suddenly shot out from Zhao Yanzi’s cave. Pale-faced, Zhao Yanzi leaped lightly from the entrance of the cave and stepped onto the Purple Green Treasure Sword.
“Tianshu, Tianxuan, Tianji, Tianquan…” Zhao Yanzi’s crisp voice sounded.
The Purple Green Treasure Sword under her feet instantly changed to four positions. Then, Zhao Yanzi kicked on the handle of the sword lightly, and the Purple Green Treasure Sword jumped up lightly into her hand.
When the sword slashed, starry lights flashed!
It looked as if many stars had appeared, and four stars were the brightest!
Taking out the demonic bow, Xie Yujia shot four light arrows toward the four stars.
With the twitching of Zhao Yanzi’s sword tip, the four stars changed directions suddenly. Xie Yujia shook her thumb ring slightly, and the light arrows seemed to have heard her instructions and went on!
Boom!
The valley shook in the morning light.
Zhao Yanzi’s starry lights were powerful! When Xie Yujia’s light arrows shattered, Zhao Yanzi’s four starry lights were still intact!
The Big Dipper Constellation Scroll was from Seventh Heaven; it was full of infinite mysteries!
In the past when she practiced Tianshu, Tianxuan, and Tianji, she could only use separate sword forms. But after reaching the Core Formation Realm, she could use Tianquan, thus completing the first set of techniques!
She moved her feet, and the sword shot out a string of starry lights with crackling sounds.
Although she could only cover a small range, it was still very powerful!
Zhao Yanzi could cover the range of 500 meters with the four starry lights!
When Duan Yao was at low-tier Core Formation Realm, she hadn’t been able to refine the Purple Green Treasure Sword into her natal dharma treasure and couldn’t shot out four stars.
However, Zhao Yanzi was extremely smart and had gained a total understanding of them!
Happily, Zhao Yanzi put away the Purple Green Treasure Sword, and it vanished in her palm.
In the past, Zhao Yanzi couldn’t put the long and wide Purple Green Treasure Sword into her storage space and wasn’t able to bring it back. Now that she had refined it into her natal dharma treasure, she could bring it anywhere she wanted!
Xie Yujia was surprised at the power of Zhao Yanzi’s sword technique, and more so when she saw the latter had turned the Purple Green Treasure Sword into her natal dharma treasure!
Xie Yujia’s demonic bow was an ancient treasure, and she wondered if she could refine it into her natal dharma treasure as well. But now, she could do nothing but envy Zhao Yanzi!
Zhao Yanzi was obviously smug since she had broken through to low-tier Core Formation Realm, obtained a powerful natal dharma treasure, and even easily broken Xie Yujia’s arrows.
“Hehe! I, Zhao Yanzi, am now a master!” she thought to herself.
“Taoist Lingwu from Sky Mountain Sect greets Herb King Master!” A clear and resonant voice suddenly came from outside the valley.
699 Begging for Forgiveness…
Hao Ren looked through the mist and saw Lingwu Master. The latter was wearing a grey Taoist robe with Eight Trigram patterns, and he sat on the level 6 snow lion Jitian.
While he spoke, he cupped hands and paid respect to Ethereal Summit.
Beside Lingwu Master was Duan Ye, Sky Mountain Sect Master, who sat on the level 5 snow lion, Luojia.
Behind them were eight disciples who were riding on level 4 snow lions including Mo Lianshan who had been beaten to the Foundation Establishment Realm by Hao Ren.
Xie Yujia looked at Hao Ren in confusion, and Zhao Yanzi also looked concerned.
“Little White!” Hao Ren called out, and Little White who had reached level 5 immediately transformed into its snow lion form which was the size of five people and carried Hao Ren on its back.
When Hao Ren flew out of the valley, Zhao Yanzi and Xie Yujia also followed him out on their dharma treasures after a moment of consideration.
Hovering in the sky outside of Ethereal Summit, Lingwu Master and the others saw Hao Ren coming out of the valley while riding on a snow lion, followed by two female cultivators.
The female cultivator on the left was stepping on the Purple Green Treasure Sword, an ultimate dharma treasure of Sky Mountain Sect.
Hao Ren looked at Lingwu Master and found that the latter who only had weak nature essence last night had recovered to the Core Formation Realm.
The black-faced Mo Lianshan looked like he recovered a lot even though he wasn’t back at the Core Formation Realm yet.
“We are sorry that Sky Mountain Sect offended Ethereal Summit several times. Today, I’ve recovered a bit and came to beg for your forgiveness,” Lingwu Master said to Hao Ren with a genial expression.
“Ok.” Hao Ren nodded.
The Core Formation Realm cultivators standing behind Lingwu Master saw Zhao Yanzi. They remembered that she was only at the Foundation Establishment Realm last night, but it looked like she was now at the Core Formation Realm. It convinced them that Zhao Yanzi had indeed hidden her realm last night.
/> “In the cultivation world, it is extraordinary to have a Core Formation Realm female cultivator as a cultivation partner. However, the Herb King Master has several powerful concubines including Duan Yao and this girl, which shows his status…” they thought.
Since Duan Yao had declared that she had cut off all ties with Sky Mountain Sky, it was hard for them to gain favor from the Herb King Master. However, it would be great if the Herb King Master forgave Sky Mountain Sect for its past offenses.
Meanwhile, other Core Formation Realm cultivators were staring at Xie Yujia who stood on the other side of Hao Ren.
“This beautiful and virtuous female cultivator looks to be only several years older than the other girl, and the cloud-like flight dharma treasure under her feet is especially unique,” they thought.
All the dharma treasures were made of array formations and materials. However, this soft material could support the weight of one cultivator, showing that it was an extraordinary dharma treasure with very complex array formations inside.
There were some big flight dharma treasures on Sixth Heaven. However, most flight dharma treasures were flying swords, and they could support the weight of one to two cultivators.
This white cloth which looked like a white cloud could support the weight of a cultivator with ease, making it an eye-catching treasure.
The Core Formation Realm cultivators wondered how many treasures the Herb King Master had.
Zhao Yanzi was also envious of Xie Yujia’s pretty flight dharma treasure, but since she had refined the Purple Green Treasure Sword and made it her natal dharma treasure, she was feeling better now.
“I learned that this partner of yours is cultivating the Big Dipper Constellation Scroll from Sky Mountain Sect, so I brought the second half of the scroll.” Lingwu Master looked at Hao Ren and continued.
Standing on the Purple Green Treasure Sword, Zhao Yanzi blushed at his words.
“Who is his partner?” Zhao Yanzi murmured in a low voice but felt sweet inside.
“Hehe. Good…” Hao Ren nodded with a smile.
If Lingwu Master only came to apologize with a group of people, it would mean nothing. However, they solved Hao Ren’s problem by bringing the second half of the Big Dipper Constellation Scroll.
After reaching the Core Formation Realm and refining the Purple Green Treasure Sword, Zhao Yanzi could now use the first four sword techniques in the Big Dipper Constellation Scroll continuously. However, she had only the first half of the scroll. If she wanted to continue cultivating, they must think of a way to get the second half.
Since the second half of the scroll was in Sky Mountain Sect, Hao Ren would have to force them to hand the scroll over, but he didn’t want to force others.
Now that Sky Mountain Sect offered the scroll on their own, Hao Ren wouldn’t need to mess with Sky Mountain Sect again.
Hao Ren shot out a sword energy which took the second half of the scroll from Lingwu Master’s hand.
Sitting on the back of his level 6 snow lion, Lingwu Master was silently amazed by the nimbleness of Hao Ren’s invisible sword energy which swept across his palm accurately.
“Take a look.” Hao Ren tossed it to Zhao Yanzi afterward.
Zhao Yanzi caught the scroll and flipped through several pages before smiling at Hao Ren; it was the second half of the Big Dipper Constellation Scroll that she had wanted.
Lingwu Master took the opportunity to observe Zhao Yanzi and found that she was stepping on the Purple Green Treasure Sword. He sighed silently since he knew that this young girl had refined the Purple Green Treasure Sword.
Both the Purple Green Treasure Sword and the Big Dipper Constellation Scroll were the top-tier items that Sky Mountain Sect had prepared for Duan Yao. However, Duan Yao had now left Sky Mountain Sect, and an outsider had taken these two items.
Since the sword had been refined into a natal dharma treasure, it was impossible to take it back even if they wanted to trade it with a lot of treasures.
The most humiliating thing for Sky Mountain Sect wasn’t that an outsider took their Purple Green Treasure Sword. Instead, it was that they had to offer the second half of the scroll after the first half of the technique had been taken by force.
It was like someone offered his right cheek to the enemy who had just slapped his left cheek.
They were powerless in this situation… After all, the Herb King Master possessed extreme power, and even his mount was a level 5 snow lion, let alone his possession of a supreme spiritual treasure.
Lingwu Master shook his head silently in defeat.
Despite all the unfortunate events that had happened to Sky Mountain Sect, he felt fortunate that he could cultivate again and had hopes of returning to the Nascent Soul Realm after cultivating in seclusion for a while. There was still the chance that Sky Mountain Sect could go back to its former glory.
Sitting on the back of the level 5 snow lion, Luojia, Duan Ye looked toward Ethereal Summit that was covered in mist, hoping to see Duan Yao again.
However, Duan Yao was now ‘following’ the powerful Herb King Master, and he couldn’t see or ask about her even though she was his daughter.
“Sky Mountain Sect is thankful for the Herb King Master’s generosity. If Master has any errands in the future, Sky Mountain Sect will do its best to help,” Lingwu Master said while cupping his hands.
Facing the Herb King Master who had almost destroyed Sky Mountain Sect, Sky Mountain Sect didn’t dare to hold any grudges. Instead, it showed its intention of following Ethereal Summit.
It seemed humiliating, but it was an act in the interest of Sky Mountain Sect. If they wanted to maintain their status on Sixth Heaven, they must attach themselves to Ethereal Summit!
Standing behind Duan Ye, Mo Lianshan’s face was dark. At the Foundation Establishment Realm, he was the only cultivator among the group whose realm was below the Core Formation Realm.
Obviously, he was brought along to beg for forgiveness.
However, Hao Ren’s gaze swept across his face without any intention to punish him.
Stepping on the Purple Green Treasure Sword, Zhao Yanzi glared at him and remembered that she had been chased around by Mo Lianshan!
At that time, Mo Lianshan was at the Core Formation Realm and Zhao Yanzi was at the Foundation Establishment Realm. However, Zhao Yan was now at the Core Formation Realm while Mo Lianshan was at the Foundation Establishment Realm. Their strengths had been completely reversed!
If Zhao Yanzi attacked, Mo Lianshan would have to run around the mountains!
Things would change, but Mo Lianshan had never imagined that the situation would change so fast!
“By the way, the emergence of the supreme spiritual treasure last night seemed to have attracted the attention of some masters on Seventh Heaven,” Lingwu Master continued after a pause of several seconds.
“Oh?” Hao Ren became a little alarmed.
There were several Soul Formation Realm cultivators on Seventh Heaven; that was why the sects on Sixth Heaven couldn’t elevate to Seventh Heaven easily.
To elevate to Seventh Heaven, Sky Mountain Sect had accumulated strength for hundreds of years, but all their efforts went to waste due to the incident with Ethereal Summit.
If Lingwu Master had remained at the peak Nascent Soul Realm, Sky Mountain Sect might have a chance at moving to Seventh Heaven with the help of Jitian.
If they had a Soul Formation Realm cultivator, they could surely move up to Seventh Heaven.
Despite the small number of sects on Seventh Heaven, they each had the power which could suppress Sixth Heaven and Fifth Heaven.
If they targeted Ethereal Summit…
Hao Ren wasn’t confident that he could battle with Soul Formation Realm cultivators, especially the ones who were the overlords in their sects.
If the golden shield messed around on Seventh Heaven, the powerful cultivators could potentially capture it easily.
After reaching level 2 as a supreme spiritual treasu
re, the golden shield could almost be called the strongest shield in the world, qualified to be a dharma treasure for a Soul Formation Realm cultivator.
Knowing Old Grandma’s personality, Hao Ren knew that she wouldn’t mind anything as long as Xie Yujia wasn’t hurt, and she wouldn’t care if Hao Ren lost his dharma treasure.
Qingfeng Hermit practiced dharma notes that could change into many forms and thus didn’t need dharma treasures, but it wasn’t the case for other Soul Formation Realm cultivators.
“Ok. I got it.” Hao Ren looked calm.
The golden shield could run wild on Fifth Heaven and Sixth Heaven, and it was time to restrain it. Otherwise, some Soul Formation Realm cultivators on Seventh Heaven would probably find a reason to take it.
Hao Ren still counted on it to block some powerful Qian-level and Kun-level dragon cultivators, so he wouldn’t want it to be taken by the Soul Formation Realm cultivators.
“Farewell.” Lingwu Master turned to Sixth Heaven with Duan Ye and the eight disciples.
Sky Mountain Sect must attach itself to Ethereal Summit to survive!
Hao Ren looked at the sky and realized that it was almost time to return to land. He beckoned at Xie Yujia and called her over to sit beside him.
The news that Sky Mountain Sect brought about Seven Heaven was very important. Hao Ren had dealings with Fifth Heaven and Sixth Heaven, but he had neglected Seventh Heaven.
Whoosh! Seeing that Hao Ren was ready to return to land, the golden shield flew out from Ethereal Summit and followed Hao Ren like a shadow.
Boom!
Little White circulated its demonic essence and turned golden all over before flying toward First Heaven.
700 Shameless Little Shield
“Yujia, you can take care of the golden shield while it is on land,” Hao Ren said to Xie Yujia while sitting on Little White.
“Ugh?” Xie Yujia looked at Hao Ren in surprise.
The golden shield flew alongside Little White while Zhao Yanzi followed Little White on the Purple Green Treasure Sword to practice her natal dharma treasure.
“The white cloth that I gave you can nurture dharma treasures. You can scrub it when you have time,” Hao Ren said.