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Chapter 106: Celebration

However, Zhong Shan was still irritated by her attitude. He responded in a deep voice, "I believe you, but that doesn't change my resolve. My affairs are not for others to meddle in, no matter their intentions or cultivation level. If you want to kill me, then go ahead."

Having said this, Zhong Shan turned and walked back toward the Hall of Rare Treasures, ignoring Nie Qingqing.

For the first time, someone had spoken to her like this, turning away after speaking? Telling her to kill if she wanted to? And this from someone with such low cultivation and poor potential? How dare he?

Zhong Shan turned away because the pressure Nie Qingqing exerted was too strong. If he stayed any longer, he would eventually embarrass himself. Zhong Shan understood that in any confrontation, there was always an unspoken battle of wills. If he succumbed to her pressure, what was initially a non-lethal situation could turn dangerous.

"Stop! Take another step, and I'll kill you with one strike," Nie Qingqing said, her voice filled with anger.

As expected, Zhong Shan's steps came to a sudden halt.

Seeing him stop, Nie Qingqing's face lit up with satisfaction.

Zhong Shan paused and then spoke again, "Senior, you should understand that some people do not fear death because they have their own convictions."

With this seemingly cryptic remark, Zhong Shan resumed his steps and walked into the Hall of Rare Treasures.

Nie Qingqing watched him enter, speechless. The oppressive aura she had released dissipated. She glared daggers at Zhong Shan's back before finally stepping onto a cloud and flying away in frustration.

Inside, Zhong Shan wiped the cold sweat from his brow. Once he was sure Nie Qingqing had left, he resumed reading the last bit of material.

Meanwhile, at the edge of a small lake in the valley, two old men appeared—Shoushan and Shouzong. They exchanged a knowing look, each with a trace of amusement in their eyes, then resumed their chess game as if nothing had happened.

By evening, Zhong Shan had finished reviewing all the materials. More accurately, his shadow form had the scribes transcribe a complete copy of Kaiyang Sect's records.

Zhong Shan's main body gently stepped out of the Hall of Rare Treasures. He wasn't worried about Ling'er. Her retreat location was a secret even she hadn't known a few days ago.

From the materials he'd read, Zhong Shan was astonished to learn that the fiery fruit beneath the hot spring was indeed called the Flame Fruit. It absorbed the purest Yang energy from heaven and earth, possessing miraculous properties. The spiritual energy it emitted was purer than that found in ordinary spirit stones, making it an extremely rare and valuable fifth-grade mid-tier spirit fruit.

However, Zhong Shan couldn't directly absorb its energy yet. He could only benefit from the Yimu Fire it emitted, which was excellent for condensing his true qi into true essence.

Five months later, in a cave beneath a hot spring in the Kaiyang Sect, where Zhong Shan had discovered the Flame Fruit...

Zhong Shan sat cross-legged, shrouded in a faint but fluctuating aura of malevolent energy. Surrounding him were numerous Yang spirit stones, while the nearby Flame Fruit continuously exuded concentrated spiritual energy. This energy, seemingly drawn by some unseen force, slowly merged into the malevolent aura around Zhong Shan and was then absorbed into his body.

With his eyes closed and mind focused, Zhong Shan directed his concentration to his dantian. Within his dantian, a vortex of true qi spun like a small hurricane, drawing in mist-like true qi from his body and cycling it back. However, at this moment, the vortex only absorbed without returning.

Massive amounts of true qi were concentrated and compressed at the vortex's base. The true qi from his limbs and meridians was pulled in, creating a sense of emptiness within him. Yet, the abundant spiritual energy from the external environment replenished this emptiness, maintaining a balance.

Zhong Shan had been sitting in meditation for three days, completely motionless, waiting for this critical moment. Typically, others at the peak of the fifth level of Xiantian would break through within half a day, but due to Zhong Shan's poor foundation, he had to endure the tedious process of continuously compressing his true qi.

Suddenly, there was a crackling sound from the vortex's base, reminiscent of an electric spark. Instantly, the heavily compressed true qi condensed into a single drop of purple-red liquid. This triggered a chain reaction, rapidly converting more true qi into liquid form, creating more and more of this substance.

True essence—this was true essence, the result of Zhong Shan's three days of effort.

It had been a challenging process, taking a full three days. Just moments before, Zhong Shan had nearly given in to the urge to delay the breakthrough, but he persisted, knowing that failing this time would make the next attempt even harder.

Fortune finally favored him. The electric spark in the true qi had played a crucial role. Without it, Zhong Shan might have succeeded after a few more days, but the spark had significantly shortened the process. This spark was a remnant of the lightning scorpion eggs' effects from half a year ago. Despite Tian Xingzi's efforts to purge it, a trace remained. Tian Xingzi had said that with higher cultivation and purer true essence, it would eventually be expelled. Zhong Shan had kept this in mind, not expecting it to be so helpful today.

An hour later, all his true qi had transformed into true essence. Although the quantity had halved, its quality and potency had greatly increased. From now on, he could release blade energy without relying on the Heavenly Demon Body Tempering Technique.

In his dantian, a vortex of pure liquid true essence continuously absorbed and cycled back, enhancing his body and cultivating his strength.

After a brief meal, Zhong Shan resumed his meditation to restore his body to its optimal state and fill his true essence reserves.

Five days later, with a look of exhilaration, Zhong Shan rose slowly. He collected the numerous spirit stones and organized his surroundings before heading to the Kaiyang Hall to report to his master and discuss his future cultivation plans.

With a splash, Zhong Shan dove into the deep pool, ready for the next steps on his path of cultivation.

Meanwhile, at the hot springs above, a figure appeared once again.

Bei Qingsi, looking as if she had just returned from a long journey, was covered in dust, and her clothes were tattered in places, clearly bearing the marks of a fierce battle. With a flick of her wrist, she cast sixteen cloud flags in all directions, forming a silent array. Thick mist enveloped the valley, once again concealing the hot springs from view.

On the peak of a nearby mountain, the haughty Tian Sha stood with his robes fluttering in the breeze, his eyes fixed on the hot springs below and the sudden rise of white mist. He knew well what lay within that mist—it was a protective barrier set by Bei Qingsi, who was about to bathe and change clothes.

A glimmer of anticipation and longing flickered in Tian Sha's eyes—a longing for Bei Qingsi, and a desire to glimpse the scene within the array. He remained on the mountain peak, patiently waiting. This was not the first time.

At the hot springs, Bei Qingsi reached for her waistband, preparing to undress and bathe. Her elegant silver eyebrows furrowed slightly as she recalled the embarrassing incident that had occurred here before. Last time had been too much of a coincidence.

Nevertheless, Bei Qingsi scanned the area with her divine sense. Within its range, there was no sign of any life.

Sighing in relief, she gently removed her dusty, tattered outer garment. Just as she slipped it off, revealing her inner clothes and her smooth, icy shoulders, the water in the center of the hot springs began to swirl erratically.

Seeing this, Bei Qingsi's brow furrowed, an odd feeling creeping into her heart. Could it really be such a coincidence?

"Boom~~~~~~~"

With an expression of sheer excitement, Zhong Shan burst from the depths of the hot springs, shooting upwards with incredible speed.

In an instant, Zhong Shan leaped out of the hot springs, having reached the sixth level of the Xiantian stage—a significant milestone worth celebrating. However, as he emerged from the water and saw the thick mist obscuring his surroundings, his expression froze. Sensing trouble, he turned his head and found himself face-to-face once more with Bei Qingsi.

Bei Qingsi had already shed her outer garment, standing in just her inner clothes that clung to her flawless figure. Her delicate shoulders gleamed like jade, capturing Zhong Shan's gaze. Last time, she had been completely unclothed; this time, her semi-transparent inner garments made her even more alluring, setting his blood aflame.

Bei Qingsi stared at Zhong Shan, dazed. How could this be such a coincidence? Was it deliberate? She had just returned to the Kaiyang Sect today, and even her master didn't know she was back. How could Zhong Shan be 'lying in wait' here? Was he waiting here every day?

Zhong Shan quickly snapped out of his initial daze, cold sweat forming on his forehead as he looked at Bei Qingsi. Did his breakthroughs always have to coincide with such awkward moments?

The atmosphere was intensely silent and awkward. The second intrusion was even more shocking for Bei Qingsi than the first, far from making her accustomed to it. Zhong Shan, feeling bewildered and speechless, jumped to the side.

"Thud~~~~~~~"

The sound of Zhong Shan landing broke the tense silence, jolting Bei Qingsi out of her stunned state.

In an instant, Zhong Shan leaped out of the hot springs, having reached the sixth level of the Xiantian stage—a significant milestone worth celebrating. However, as he emerged from the water and saw the thick mist obscuring his surroundings, his expression froze. Sensing trouble, he turned his head and found himself face-to-face once more with Bei Qingsi.

Bei Qingsi had already shed her outer garment, standing in just her inner clothes that clung to her flawless figure. Her delicate shoulders gleamed like jade, capturing Zhong Shan's gaze. Last time, she had been completely unclothed; this time, her semi-transparent inner garments made her even more alluring, setting his blood aflame.

Bei Qingsi stared at Zhong Shan, dazed. How could this be such a coincidence? Was it deliberate? She had just returned to the Kaiyang Sect today, and even her master didn't know she was back. How could Zhong Shan be 'lying in wait' here? Was he waiting here every day?

Zhong Shan quickly snapped out of his initial daze, cold sweat forming on his forehead as he looked at Bei Qingsi. Did his breakthroughs always have to coincide with such awkward moments?

The atmosphere was intensely silent and awkward. The second intrusion was even more shocking for Bei Qingsi than the first, far from making her accustomed to it. Zhong Shan, feeling bewildered and speechless, jumped to the side.

"Thud~~~~~~~"

The sound of Zhong Shan landing broke the tense silence, jolting Bei Qingsi out of her stunned state.