Chapter 3043: Mixed Yuanzi

This is the Five-Element Spirit-Locking Array. Its defensive power is relatively strong, and it possesses a certain self-repairing ability. It can only be broken by powerful means within a short time.

Bai Yuqi explained that if the barrier were that easy to break, Wang Dafei would have broken it long ago.

Ordinary barriers can be worn down over time, eventually breaking them. However, the Five-Element Spirit-Locking Array can slowly repair itself, so it must be broken quickly.

"Breaking the array might cause a significant disturbance. I'll first set up a warning array so that if it attracts a seventh-tier demonic beast, we'll be able to detect it in advance."

After Bai Yuqi finished speaking, she turned and walked out. Wang Yingjie and Liu Hongxue followed her to help set up the array, while Wang Mengbin remained behind.

After the warning array was set up, Bai Yuqi and the others returned to the cave. They each activated their Dharma Idols and attacked the five-colored light barrier.

With a deafening roar, various spiritual lights engulfed the five-colored light barrier. The entire cave shook violently, and debris tumbled from the stone walls, falling to the ground.

The spiritual light of the five-colored light barrier became slightly dim, and runes on its surface flickered continuously.

Wang Mengbin took out the Five-Thunder Halberd, pumping immense magical power into it. The halberd released countless five-colored electric arcs, which shot directly towards the five-colored light barrier. With a muffled thud, the light barrier caved inward.

Wang Yingjie flicked his right hand, and a small five-colored seal flew out, emitting astonishing spiritual energy.

This Five-Element Seal was a treasure personally refined by Wang Changsheng for Wang Yingjie. Crafted primarily from Five-Element Stones, it was particularly effective at breaking Five-Element restrictions.

"Grow!"

With a low shout from Wang Yingjie, the Five-Element Seal immediately brightened and rapidly expanded in size, smashing towards the five-colored light barrier.

With a loud bang, the five-colored light barrier caved inward, and its spiritual light dimmed.

Liu Hongxue chanted an incantation, and the female phantom above her head shot out a red light, striking the five-colored light barrier.

Bai Yuqi also activated her Dharma Idol and attacked the five-colored light barrier.

The runes on the surface of the five-colored light barrier completely dispersed, and the light barrier shattered. A simple stone chamber, over ten zhang in size, appeared before them.

The stone chamber bore clear signs of artificial excavation. In the center lay an incomplete humanoid skeleton, which had suffered severe injuries in life. A tattered green robe covered the skeleton, and a golden storage ring rested on one of its bony hands.

Wang Yingjie's divine sense carefully swept across the entire stone chamber, finding no anomalies.

Wang Mengbin waved his right hand, releasing a thick silver lightning bolt that struck the bony hand, shattering it into pieces. The golden storage ring flew out and soared towards Wang Mengbin.

Just then, a golden light flew out from beneath the skeleton, heading directly towards them.

Wang Mengbin flicked his wrist, and over a dozen silver lightning bolts shot out to meet the golden light.

Liu Hongxue quickly conjured a red glowing orb and imbued it with an incantation. The orb spun around them, forming a thick red light barrier that enveloped all four.

The golden light appeared out of thin air without warning and collided with the red light barrier. The barrier seemed to not exist, as the golden light passed right through it.

A five-colored spiritual light burst forth from Wang Yingjie's body, enveloping the golden light cluster. It was precisely the Five-Element Suppressing Light.

The golden light flashed, revealing a glistening golden orb with flickering runes on its surface.

"Fellow Daoist, spare me! Fellow Daoist, spare me! I know many secrets; please spare my life!"

The golden orb spoke in human language, its voice weak and feeble.

"Are you Hunyuanzi?"

Wang Yingjie looked puzzled. Could it be that materials like Soul-Nourishing Wood were refined into the golden orb, allowing a cultivator's remnant soul to attach itself to it?

"No, I am a clone of Hunyuanzi. I came to the Spiritfall Ruins to seek treasures, but unexpectedly encountered the Yaksha Clan. They ambushed me, and I fought desperately to break free. My physical body was severely damaged. Before my Nascent Soul dispersed, I performed the Spirit Assimilation Grand Technique, refining my soul into this Spirit-Breaking Orb, effectively becoming its artifact spirit. This orb was refined with a small piece of Spirit-Breaking Divine Crystal, which is quite effective at breaking restrictions and defensive light barriers. I didn't expect fellow Daoist to possess such vast magical powers. This old man is willing to acknowledge you as his master."

The golden orb stated truthfully. Even if it hadn't spoken, Wang Yingjie would have questioned it in detail.

To save its life, it addressed Wang Yingjie as 'fellow Daoist.'

Wang Yingjie felt a bit fortunate; if he hadn't cultivated the Five-Element Suppressing Light to Great Perfection, he might have been possessed by this entity.

"Give us a reason not to kill you!"

Wang Mengbin's tone was cold.

"I can teach you the Spirit Assimilation Grand Technique. This technique originates from the Celestial Void Jade Scroll. A cultivator's soul can temporarily merge with a treasure, allowing them to survive for a longer time. It can also assimilate other living beings to form a new individual without extinguishing the original being's soul lamp. Furthermore, I have visited many dangerous places and know the locations of some rare heavenly treasures."

"Spirit Assimilation Grand Technique? Where did you obtain this technique? Such a powerful secret art must have drawbacks!"

Wang Mengbin questioned.

"I obtained this in my early years while traveling in the Qianyuan Continent, from an ancient cultivator's cave dwelling. If the soul is entrusted to a treasure, even if it's not a Soul-Nourishing Orb, it can survive for a longer time and still possess others. However, only a portion of the soul can be used for possession. After successful possession, one needs to consume heavenly treasures that strengthen the soul to restore their original cultivation; otherwise, cultivation will face significant resistance."

"As for merging with living beings, succeeding once out of twenty attempts is considered good, and it can only merge with beings whose souls are weaker than its own. Furthermore, when attempting to break through to a major realm, the lightning tribulation will be more intense, and the grand heavenly tribulation will be much more severe."

Hunyuanzi explained in detail.

"Teach us the Spirit Assimilation Grand Technique, and we can spare your life."

Wang Mengbin said in a deep voice.

"Hehe, this old man isn't a fool. All four of you must swear an inner demon oath not to kill me, or your cultivation will stagnate. Otherwise, even if you kill me, I won't tell you a single word."

Hunyuanzi threatened.

"Then let's just kill you! It would save us trouble."

Lightning glow surged from Wang Mengbin's body, his face filled with killing intent.

"I know a seventh-tier pill recipe, the Five-Thunder Spirit Transformation Pill, which can enhance the physical body's resistance to lightning tribulation. I also know the whereabouts of the Ephemeral Fruit."

Hunyuanzi's tone was urgent.

Wang Mengbin showed hesitation. While the Spirit Assimilation Grand Technique wasn't very useful to them, the Five-Thunder Spirit Transformation Pill and the Ephemeral Fruit were too valuable.

"Ephemeral Fruit!"

Wang Yingjie's expression hardened. The Ephemeral Fruit is one of the Ten Great Marvelous Fruits; it flowers every thirty thousand years, bears fruit after another thirty thousand years, and ripens only after an additional thirty thousand years.

Cultivators below the Mahayana realm who consume an Ephemeral Fruit can directly advance one minor realm without side effects. However, any cultivator can only consume one Ephemeral Fruit in their lifetime; taking a second one has no effect.

"Since you know the whereabouts of the Ephemeral Fruit, why didn't you pick it? Or have you already eaten one?"

Liu Hongxue asked.

"The Ephemeral Fruit tree is in a dangerous location on the Qianyuan Continent. When I discovered it, it had just flowered, so I could only protect it. So many years have passed; it should be ripe by now!"

Hunyuanzi's tone carried a hint of uncertainty.