Chapter 795: Interrupted

After the wind layer.

Zhou Yuan’s spirit emitted a faint glow, constantly flickering and teleporting back and forth. This unprecedented sense of speed made Zhou Yuan endlessly delighted.

After a long while, he finally stopped, excitement still lingering on his face.

His spirit, having broken through to the Ethereal Stage, was far, far more powerful than it had been at the peak of the Solid Stage.

Moreover, it was also much more practical...

An Ethereal Stage spirit could transform in countless ways and merge with the void. If used for reconnaissance, even a Heavenly Sun stage expert might not easily detect it.

Most importantly, an Ethereal Stage spirit could condense Soul Flame.

This was the primary attack method for an Ethereal Stage spirit, and it could perfectly augment Zhou Yuan's own combat strength. This was because Soul Flame could cover anything, including Genesis Arts, forcibly adding power to them.

If Zhou Yuan were to use the Demon-Slaying Sword Pill Art later, he could not only amplify it with Sky Serpent Qi but also cover it with Soul Flame. Its power would then likely be even greater than the sword strike that previously defeated Jin Teng.

Zhou Yuan had worked hard for a long time to break through to the Ethereal Stage with his spirit. His breakthrough had only lacked an opportunity, and today, the pure substance extracted by the Divine Mill undoubtedly filled his final deficiency.

Zhou Yuan tried to calm the joy in his heart. Then, he bowed slightly towards the Divine Mill in the distant void, gratefully saying, "Thank you, Senior Divine Mill."

By now he knew that this Divine Mill possessed sentience.

Perhaps it was precisely because of this sentience that it could sense Zhou Yuan, who had practiced the Chaos Divine Mill Contemplation Art, and then draw him in, granting him an opportunity.

The colossal Divine Mill trembled slightly in the chaotic void, as if in response.

Seeing this, Zhou Yuan was instantly delighted and said with even more respect, "Senior Divine Mill, if I ever exhaust my spirit cultivating within this Four Spirits Origin Returning Pagoda, I wonder if you could bestow a bit of that pure substance?"

That pure substance was formed by grinding the blood essence and spirit power of countless individuals, which was immensely beneficial for the spirit. Zhou Yuan had previously experienced its profound effects.

With the aid of this substance, Zhou Yuan felt he wouldn't need to worry about spirit exhaustion within the Four Spirits Origin Returning Pagoda at all.

Thus, Zhou Yuan was extremely covetous of that pure substance.

Hearing Zhou Yuan's words, the Divine Mill in the chaotic void seemed to hesitate, finally letting out a faint, very reluctant vibration.

Zhou Yuan was overjoyed: "Senior Divine Mill, you truly are a kind entity! Since you are so generous, how about granting me some more Origin Marks to help me directly condense the Wind Spirit Mark!"

The Divine Mill vibrated violently, emitting a rumbling sound. Then, Zhou Yuan's spirit suddenly felt the world spin and plunge rapidly downwards, with constant whistling winds around him.

After more than ten breaths, Zhou Yuan's spirit recovered. To his astonishment, he found himself below the dark green wind layer, with the land beneath him now within the Wind Region.

Zhou Yuan looked up at the raging dark green wind layer. Without the Divine Mill's protective power, he could feel the terror of the wind layer.

It seemed he had been expelled by the Divine Mill?

Zhou Yuan looked a bit dejected, muttering, "Can't even spare a few Origin Marks?"

Zhou Yuan sighed, feeling immense regret. It seemed the Divine Mill's sentience was quite high; he hadn't managed to trick it into truly bestowing Origin Marks upon him. He figured this must be a matter of principle... otherwise, it would disrupt the fairness within the pagoda.

However, Zhou Yuan hadn't held much hope for it anyway. After all, being able to break through to the Ethereal Stage this time was an unexpected gain.

"Thank you, Senior Divine Mill. I'll come visit you again when I have time!" Zhou Yuan's spirit bowed towards the wind layer, but received no response.

Zhou Yuan didn't mind. His spirit shimmered slightly, quickly shrinking into a fist-sized ball of light that swiftly shot downwards, hurtling towards the location of his physical body.

This was the advantage of reaching the Ethereal Stage: the spirit could change at will, becoming large or small.

His return journey was incredibly swift.

In just a hundred breaths, the valley where his physical body rested had fallen within the range of his spirit's perception.

However, just as Zhou Yuan was about to head towards the valley, his gaze suddenly flickered, turning towards another direction, his brows slightly furrowed.

As his spirit entered the Ethereal Stage, his spiritual perception had expanded tenfold compared to before his breakthrough. Within a hundred-mile radius, any Genesis Qi fluctuation would be detected by him.

Zhou Yuan's spirit hovered in the air, his gaze casting towards a certain direction. He saw several figures there. As his perception spread, the situation there imprinted itself in his mind. Immediately, anger surged in his eyes, and he swiftly descended towards the valley where his physical body was.

A Genesis Qi impact slammed fiercely into Liu Zhixuan's chest. His body immediately flew backward, crashing heavily against a mountain rock. He couldn't help but spit out a mouthful of blood, his expression listless.

"Liu Zhixuan, don't be ungrateful."

Jin Teng stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze chillingly fixed on Liu Zhixuan. "Tell us which direction that kid Zhou Yuan went. You're not our target."

Liu Zhixuan wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. A cold smile appeared on his handsome face, but he remained silent.

"Fine, what a tough nut to crack. Someone who just entered the Wind Pavilion dares to defy me?"

Seeing this, Jin Teng's eyes immediately surged with anger. "Since you don't know what's good for you, don't blame me for being impolite. Although killing is forbidden in the Wind Region, breaking limbs is common. Do you really think that Deputy Pavilion Master Zhou Yuan can protect you?"

"Break his arms and legs," he said, looking at Lin Zheng and Wu Dao.

Lin Zheng and Wu Dao both revealed sinister smiles, and their figures shot forward.

Liu Zhixuan's Genesis Qi circulated around him, and his body rapidly retreated.

However, his strength was slightly weaker than both Lin Zheng and Wu Dao. So, in less than ten breaths, he was caught by the two. They grabbed his arms, one on each side, and no matter how he struggled, he couldn't shake them off.

"Are you going to speak?" the two said coldly.

Liu Zhixuan, however, simply spat two mouthfuls of bloody foam at them, remaining silent.

Lin Zheng and Wu Dao became furious. Their Genesis Qi surged, and their hands exploded with astonishing force, about to crush Liu Zhixuan's arms.

However, just as their power converged, a loud sword hum suddenly resounded through the heavens and earth. Sword light pierced through the void, heading straight for the two of them.

The sudden attack startled Lin Zheng and Wu Dao. Sensing the sharpness of the sword qi, they dared not delay. They kicked Liu Zhixuan in the chest, sending him flying towards the incoming sword qi.

As the sword qi approached Liu Zhixuan, it dissipated into thin air. A ghostly figure appeared behind him, placing a hand on his shoulder and steadying him.

When Liu Zhixuan saw the newcomer, his expression changed slightly, and he urgently said, "Zhou Yuan, quick, go find Deputy Pavilion Master Ye!"

The newcomer was indeed Zhou Yuan, who had arrived.

However, Liu Zhixuan was somewhat uneasy. Although Zhou Yuan had defeated Jin Teng yesterday, there were three opponents now, and they clearly looked like they had come prepared.

Zhou Yuan's expression was calm. He merely patted Liu Zhixuan's shoulder and said, "You rest for a bit."

Then he walked in front of Liu Zhixuan, his gaze coldly fixed on Jin Teng and the other two. "Are you here for me?"

"Oh, so Deputy Pavilion Master Zhou dares to show up?" Jin Teng looked delighted to see Zhou Yuan appear, then said in a sarcastic tone.

"You still dare to disrespect your superior?" Zhou Yuan looked at the three and said indifferently.

Jin Teng chuckled, "Our brothers have run out of Origin Treasure Coins and just wanted to borrow some from Deputy Pavilion Master Zhou to spend."

"How about this: you hand over all the Origin Treasure Coins you received yesterday, and we'll leave immediately?"

Zhou Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly. "Who gave you the audacity to cause trouble for me?"

Jin Teng's expression hardened, and he sneered, "What are you? Do you even need someone to give us guts?"

Although the change in his gaze was subtle, Zhou Yuan still caught it, his own eyes flickering slightly.

"Do you think finding two helpers gives you the right to challenge me? It seems the lesson I gave you yesterday wasn't enough," Zhou Yuan said indifferently.

"Boastful!"

Jin Teng laughed angrily. Lin Zheng and Wu Dao also showed sneering smiles. The three gradually surrounded Zhou Yuan, and three powerful surges of Genesis Qi erupted.

Seeing this scene, Liu Zhixuan's expression couldn't help but change slightly.

However, Zhou Yuan's expression remained undisturbed. He extended his palm, and a sword pill condensed within it. Sky Serpent Qi formed delicate azure scales on the sword pill, and finally, tendrils of invisible flame also rose from the sword pill.

"Since you won't speak... then let's break your arms and legs first."