Chapter 75: Return Journey

Simply leaving it as is could continue to increase the power of this technique, as the Soul-Devouring Evil Armor Technique's essence is derived from Yin Spirit power. While it cannot absorb energy directly from the environment, placing it in the designated slot allows a continuous stream of Yin Spirit power to constantly enhance its upper limit, with no apparent ceiling for now.

For Wang Yu, its low-grade second-tier defensive capability and special resistance to spiritual attacks were entirely sufficient. After all, he was only at the seventh level of Qi Condensation, having just recently entered the late stage, and lacked the spiritual energy cultivation to sustain these realm-transcending techniques. Since he couldn't use them frequently, there was no rush to advance them further. Instead, he switched to an elixir recipe.

Display Slot 4: Cold Naga Elixir"Cold Naga Elixir (33/100): Twenty-four refinements per day, achievable in four months."

The progress displayed was the result of Wang Yu's own study; he had possessed this elixir recipe for a long time and frequently reviewed it. The journey back from Mystic Bone Mountain would take three months. By the time they returned, the transaction would be complete and the materials in place, perfectly aligning with the alchemy process.

Regarding future arrangements, he preferred to place the "Cold Blood Art" in the slot. Cultivation was fundamental, and with his current combat power being sufficient and the threat from Steward Xu eliminated, of the four slots, only the Corpse Demon Secret Art remained untouched; all the others needed to be replaced with cultivation techniques to drastically accelerate his progress!

He finished his cultivation, stood up, and put away his belongings and formation flags. A familiar sound then came from outside.

“Junior Brother Wang, it's time to return to the sect. Are you ready?”

Wang Yu immediately stepped out of the stone house. Seeing the three individuals riding various unique flying artifacts, he hesitated for a moment before boarding Gu Zhengshun's bone boat artifact. He had no other intention than to avoid associating with Liu Jinxian. This woman's temperament was somewhat extreme; being too close or too distant felt awkward. He had to maintain a moderate approach. However, his choice left Gu Zhengshun feeling awkward, Situ Hong surprised, and Liu Jinxian displeased. After all, a life-saving grace should ideally foster some closeness.

Her Voldemort-like nostrils were the first to let out a cold snort.

“Junior Brother Wang Yu, do you dislike me?”

Wang Yu then realized he had likely stung her sensitive, fragile, and insecure heart again. People always prefer to be chosen rather than left out. She was truly difficult to deal with.

Muttering to himself, Wang Yu quickly offered an explanation with a changed expression.

“I came with Brother Gu, so naturally I'll return with him. Any minor conflicts are long forgotten, aren't they, Brother Gu?”

“Yes, yes, yes~”

“Senior Sister Liu, you've overthought it.”

Liu Jinxian suddenly drew closer, her fleshless nostrils resembling two terrifying black holes. Her voice was faint.

“You dare not look at me. Is it because you dislike my appearance?”

Oh no. She actually brought it up directly! Her emotional intelligence was truly abysmal. Didn't she realize how terrifying she looked? He couldn't bear to glance at her!

Situ Hong, standing within the eye sockets of his skull artifact, quickly maneuvered it backward, fearing blood splatter should a conflict erupt. That question was indeed difficult to answer.

Wang Yu quickly clasped his hands and bowed.

“I, Wang Yu, am of Spirit Slave origin, and my status is worlds apart from yours. How could I ever harbor improper thoughts towards Senior Sister Liu? Senior Brother Situ is handsome and dashing, with an extraordinary background. Only someone of his caliber is worthy of looking Senior Sister directly in the eyes. I am of lowly birth and unworthy.”

Oh no, he's targeting me.

Situ Hong glared at Wang Yu from afar. "Is this how you thank me?"

After Wang Yu finished speaking, Liu Jinxian's expression calmed considerably. She didn't press the issue but instead noticed another detail.

“You said you were of Spirit Slave origin?”

“Yes.”

“That's odd. Spirit Slaves are typically young-looking old men. It's the first time I've seen one as handsome as you.”

Indeed, what are Spirit Slaves? They are living spirit sand manufacturing machines. Moreover, each of them possesses poor aptitude, making it difficult to achieve Foundation Establishment in their lifetime. Wang Yu, however, had already broken through to the late stage of Qi Condensation, which was considered quite outstanding among the younger generation; in smaller locales, he might even be hailed as a genius.

The other two immediately realized the discrepancy and looked at Wang Yu in surprise. He then explained.

“My white hair, as you can see, is a result of a significant loss of lifespan. Only after I gained the appreciation of True Disciple Su and was freed from my Spirit Slave status did I slowly begin to recover. In fact, I don't have many years left to live. In at most ten years, I will face the problem of deteriorating qi and blood, just like an elderly person over a hundred years old…”

He spoke effortlessly. While his white hair was indeed caused by a rapid loss of lifespan, subsequent breakthroughs in his cultivation actually showed a tendency for it to revert to its original color. However, cultivating the Corpse Demon Secret Art, combined with the interference of Yin energy and corpse qi, made it permanent. Making this decision back then was incredibly correct. Now, he could use it as an excuse, benefiting greatly. After all, he had only burned ten years of his lifespan, whereas Qi Condensation cultivators have a full one hundred and fifty years. He still had plenty left. Claiming he would face qi and blood deterioration in ten years was a problem normal cultivators typically encountered only at a hundred years old. He, however, was only twenty-four and a half this year. Having 'burned' himself to this extent, combined with other methods, it was perfectly normal for his cultivation speed to be rapid.

Gu Zhengshun subconsciously interjected.

“Are you still practicing the Blood Burning Art? Didn't you cultivate a cold-attribute cultivation method?”

Wang Yu turned his head and smiled.

“Brother Gu hasn't cultivated the Blood Burning Art, have you? Its ability to accelerate cultivation lies in the 'Life Burning Seal,' a secret technique paired with the cultivation method. While cultivating it with a matching method yields better results, you can also primarily cultivate other methods and use the Life Burning Seal for acceleration. The effect is largely the same, just slightly less potent.”

“No wonder—”

As he spoke, both Gu Zhengshun and Situ Hong stopped looking at him. Liu Jinxian, however, clicked her tongue several times, her face full of regret.

“What a pity…”

The minor storm was finally defused by Wang Yu's continuous self-deprecation.

After some delay, the four embarked on their return journey. They left Mystic Bone Mountain without a backward glance, flying swiftly towards the Reverse Spirit Blood Sect, their hearts eager to return.

On the way.

With no one else around, Gu Zhengshun smiled at Wang Yu. He had known about Wang Yu's Spirit Slave origin all along and had simply chosen not to reveal it earlier. After all, he also disliked Liu Jinxian, and there was an ongoing transaction between him and Wang Yu. It would have been impossible for him to undermine Wang Yu at that moment. In his eyes, Wang Yu was undoubtedly a loyal subordinate cultivated by True Disciple Su. He had also heard a little about the situation on Cold Blood Peak, though he wasn't privy to the specific details.

As for Wang Yu, although the trip to Mystic Bone Mountain was over, the underground palace below was still occupied by the Foundation Establishment Corpse Demon. With the three-month journey back ahead, it was inevitable that they would discuss related topics. For instance, whether the next group of cultivators to visit Mystic Bone Mountain would explore the underground palace ruins, or if multiple Foundation Establishment cultivators would be dispatched to deal with the Corpse Demon. He had wanted to go down again earlier, but all three had refused, and their evident trepidation made him somewhat uneasy. So, he simply decided not to descend, to avoid stirring up more trouble. Now that they were leaving, they could have a good chat on the way.

Just a few words left him quite shocked.

“Are you saying the underground palace is actually a trap???”