https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-211-Qingling-Mystery-Realm-Invitation-to-Form-a-Pill/12544123/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-213-Primordial-Emerald-Source-Energy/12544129/
Chapter 212: A Familiar Face
Chapter 212: A Familiar Face
Lu Chen adjusted his posture and descended steadily from the sky.
What greeted him was a lush expanse of greenery. Towering spirit trees surrounded the area, their deep green vines intertwining, with the occasional glimpse of petite, emerald fairies flitting about.
With each breath, a refreshing spiritual essence filled his lungs and permeated his body, revitalizing every muscle and fiber with an unprecedented vigor.
"This is the Qingling Secret Realm," a voice explained, "a small realm controlled by the sect for cultivating rare and high-grade spirit herbs and beasts."
Lu Chen turned to see Ge Pu, who had somehow appeared behind him with a smile on his face.
"Senior Brother Ge," Lu Chen bowed respectfully.
"Lu Chen, you've gone through a lot of trouble coming here. I believe Yang Qingfeng must have explained the situation to you on the way."
"Please lead the way, Senior Brother." Lu Chen replied solemnly, aware of the importance of their mission regarding the sect's fifth-grade spirit beast and the Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Following Ge Pu, with Yang Qingfeng by his side, they soon reached their destination.
Ge Pu led Lu Chen to stand before two Foundation Establishment cultivators, Gu Jiankong and Lei Su.
"Lu Chen, these are Senior Brothers Gu and Lei. Senior Brothers, this is the Lu Chen I mentioned." Ge Pu introduced them to each other.
Lei Su's four eyes swept over Lu Chen's body, and he felt as though his entire being was laid bare. Though there were only four eyes, the authority they carried far exceeded the numerous sinister eyes on the Hundred-Eyed Sinister Tree.
Lei Su nodded slightly, his expression indifferent.
The handsome young man beside him, however, wore an eager smile. "I didn't expect you to be so young, Junior Brother Lu. We'll be relying on your help to examine the obsession within the Qingxuan Deer."
"I will do my best, Senior Brother," Lu Chen said solemnly.
At that moment, several other Core Formation disciples were already gathered around the barely-alive Qingxuan Deer, their expressions grave as they observed the massive deer that seemed to be asleep.
"All of you present here are experts in the way of spirit beast husbandry," the handsome young man, Gu Jiankong, said gently. "We've invited you today to determine if we can find the cause of the Qingxuan Deer's obsession and dispel it."
Lu Chen and the other five exchanged glances and decided to take turns examining the deer.
A quiet, fair-skinned girl stepped forward first.
She hovered her hands above the deer's shaggy hair, and two soft white lights extended, slowly penetrating the deer's body.
"This is Liu Xiaojie," the woman with the green silk hair introduced from behind Gu Jiankong and Lei Su. "She has a natural talent for healing spirit beasts. Many injured and polluted spirit beasts in the sect have been treated by her."
Gu Jiankong gave an almost imperceptible nod, indicating that he understood.
After a moment, the faint white light seeped out of the deer's body and returned to Liu Xiaojie's hands.
She rejoined the group, pursed her lips, and shook her head. "I examined every part of the Qingxuan Deer's body, and aside from noticing a significant degeneration in its physical functions, I found no other hidden ailments or signs of intrusion by sinister forces."
"As for the obsession, I'm afraid I'm even less clear about it. A cure for the heart must come from the heart itself."
"Thank you for your efforts, Liu Xiaojie," Gu Jiankong said with a smile, his face devoid of any disappointment.
Three more Core Formation disciples stepped forward to examine the deer, each with their unique abilities in communicating with spirit beasts. However, despite their detailed inspections, they found nothing out of the ordinary.
Then, a tall and burly cultivator strode towards the Qingxuan Deer.
The cultivator was bare-chested, his muscles knotted and adorned with strange patterns.
The patterns shifted, forming silhouettes of spirit beasts that seemed ready to leap out of his skin.
A glimmer of anticipation flashed in Gu Jiankong's eyes. He was quite familiar with this burly cultivator, having interacted with him frequently during their Core Formation stage.
The cultivator was at the late Core Formation stage and excelled in communicating with and taming spirit beasts. He usually kept a low profile and devoted himself to his cultivation within the sect, which was why his reputation wasn't as prominent.
After a long while, the cultivator, seeing no response, maintained his composure and joined Gu Jiankong and the others.
"I've been communicating with the Qingxuan Deer for some time, and I've come to understand that it holds a great regret within its heart," the cultivator explained. "As for the specific reason for this regret, that remains unclear."
"Perhaps only the senior sect member who once raised it can provide detailed insight into the source of its obsession."
Upon hearing this, Gu Jiankong's expression remained unchanged as he nodded slightly.
"I see. Then please, take a moment to rest, Shi Shizhi."
The successive failures did not seem to dampen his spirits.
Lei Su, standing by, maintained his stoic expression, showing no signs of ridicule.
Among the six, only Lu Chen, the one with the lowest cultivation level, was left.
He approached the True Transmission Disciple in charge of the Qingling Secret Realm.
"Xu Shijie, may I trouble you for a small portion of the spirit fruit that the Qingxuan Deer usually eats? I want to try feeding it and establish a closer connection first."
In order to understand the deer's obsession, he needed to complete the 'feeding' process, so he casually made up a reason to the female cultivator.
She nodded, and a light blue spirit fruit landed in Lu Chen's hand.
"The Qingxuan Deer is in its final moments, and its appetite has diminished greatly. One spirit fruit should be sufficient."
Lu Chen expressed his gratitude with a bow, then made his way to the deer, lying in the giant vine net. He circled to its front and gently placed the spirit fruit into its slightly open mouth.
The deer sensed the spiritual energy in the fruit and struggled to swallow it.
Lu Chen focused his mind on the deer's body, and suddenly, a thought flashed through his mind.
Qingxuan Deer, a fifth-grade spirit beast, and guardian beast of the Sky Sword Sect. It has a natural affinity for wood-based spiritual energy and, during its growth, automatically masters high-level wood-type incantations, capable of accelerating the growth of spiritual plants.
Its lifespan is nearing its end, and it holds a deep obsession.
When will I be able to taste your hundred-fruit spirit brew again?
One thought after another materialized into vivid images in Lu Chen's mind.
A young Qingxuan Deer curled up, looking confused and afraid, at the elegant cultivator who had saved it from a demonic beast.
"There, there, little one. Are you feeling better? Try this hundred-fruit spirit brew I made myself. It's my secret recipe."
As the Qingxuan Deer grew, it ran joyfully throughout the sect, causing the spiritual plants beneath its feet to grow wildly.
"Good, good! I didn't expect you to be so talented at nurturing spiritual plants. Here, have some freshly made hundred-fruit spirit brew as a reward."
Unbeknownst to them, the Qingxuan Deer became the sect's guardian spirit beast.
"I have to leave on a trip soon, so keep an eye on the secret realm while I'm away. When I return, I'll make more hundred-fruit spirit brew for you, as much as you want."
...
Perhaps due to the depth of its obsession, Lu Chen, who could usually only sense simple thoughts, now witnessed clear and vivid scenes.
He paused for a moment before speaking to the female cultivator with flowing green silk hair.
"Xu Shijie, I'll need the following spirit fruits..."
One after another, the spirit fruits were swiftly brought before Lu Chen. Following the images in his memory, he precisely measured the quantities and added them to a special brew, stirring continuously.
Finally, a bowl of fragrant hundred-fruit spirit brew appeared in his hands.
He held it carefully and approached the Qingxuan Deer.
As if sensing the familiar scent from its memories, the deer's shaggy fur began to smoothen and shine. It struggled to get up, eager for the brew.
"Lie still, let me feed you."
A gentle, blurred voice whispered in its ear.
Then, a lump of fragrant brew was placed in its mouth, flowing through its body and nourishing every part of it.
In its haze, it saw a familiar figure squatting in front of it, smiling softly as he gently fed it the hundred-fruit spirit brew.
It felt like a reunion with an old friend.
(End of Chapter)
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