Chapter 392: The Power of the Panacea

Chapter 392: The Power of the Panacea

Having finished his cultivation, Chu Ning immediately checked the proficiency of his techniques in his mind.

【Five Elements Chaos Formula (Middle-grade Heavenly Tier), 3rd Layer (74,200/200,000)】

【Nine Transformations Body Refining Formula, Volume 2, 2nd Layer (79,190/90,000)】

【Spirit Refinement Art, 4th Layer (64,000/64,000)】

After seeing these proficiency levels, Chu Ning's eyes lit up.

Before consuming the Panacea Spirit Fruits, he had relied on the energy between heaven and earth to cultivate the Five Elements Chaos Formula and refine his dual spirit roots and droplet of origin power.

In the span of a few days, Chu Ning's proficiency in the Five Elements Chaos Formula had increased by about 3,000 points.

Now, after refining three spirit fruits, it had increased by a full 10,800 points.

Chu Ning calculated that it had only been nine to ten days.

Such a large increase in proficiency in such a short period was unprecedented.

Although it was partly due to the combined effect of the dual spirit roots and the droplet of origin power within his body, he was still pleasantly surprised by the significant improvement.

This was because Chu Ning's progress wasn't limited to just the Five Elements Chaos Formula.

His proficiency in the Nine Transformations Body Refining Formula had also increased by a substantial 10,800 points.

As for the Panacea Spirit Fruit's ability to enhance spiritual sense, Chu Ning couldn't discern the specific effects at the moment.

His proficiency in the Spirit Refinement Art had already peaked and couldn't be further improved.

While Chu Ning could sense that his spiritual sense seemed to have strengthened, he would need to test its range to gauge the full extent of the enhancement.

However, he couldn't do so due to the restrictions imposed by the formation in the valley.

Moreover, the effects of the Panacea Spirit Fruit didn't end there.

A significant portion of the absorbed spiritual energy and origin power that fused within his body had also been refined and settled within his physical form.

Although Chu Ning didn't know the exact purpose of this settled energy or what percentage it constituted of the total energy, he estimated that it was at least three percent.

When calculated together, the efficacy of the Panacea Spirit Fruit was indeed incredibly powerful.

No wonder Tang Xuan had mentioned that consuming this fruit would bring great benefits.

At this moment, Chu Ning pondered something.

"The increase in my body refinement and cultivation is exactly the same. Could it be that this energy is a perfect balance of spiritual energy and origin power?"

Of course, despite absorbing and refining this energy for over half a month, he was still far from familiar with it compared to spiritual energy.

Thus, he couldn't arrive at a definitive answer at this moment.

After sensing the changes in proficiency within his mind, Chu Ning subconsciously surveyed his surroundings.

He noticed that Jiang Cheng, He Feng, and Yuan Xiaolu seemed to have finished refining their spirit fruits and were chatting together.

Meanwhile, Cen Zikin and the other three late Golden Core cultivators were still in the midst of cultivating.

Upon seeing this, Chu Ning walked out from under the Panacea Tree and towards the outer area of the valley.

"Fellow Daoist Chu," the three greeted, politely cupping their hands towards him.

Jiang Cheng continued, a hint of surprise in his voice, "We thought you would have finished refining the spirit fruits earlier."

"Although the energy between heaven and earth is more abundant and dense under the Panacea Tree, the pressure is also greater, which did affect me to some extent," Chu Ning casually explained, inventing a reason on the spot.

A hint of regret flashed across his face as he added, "It's a pity that the other two spirit fruits couldn't be preserved for long, even under the Panacea Tree. By the time I finished refining the first fruit, the other two had already fallen and lost their efficacy."

"That's normal," Jiang Cheng replied. "Even if they were on the branches of the tree, they wouldn't last more than a day."

Chu Ning nodded slightly, his eyes drifting towards the entrance of the valley. "I wonder when those seniors will return. It's been a long time, and I suspect something must have happened outside."

He Feng shared his concerns, "We were just discussing the same thing. Logically, if they had successfully eliminated the Outer Realm Demon, Master Lu and the others should have re-entered the valley by now. I fear..."

He Feng trailed off, his expression grave.

Evidently, they were worried that something unexpected had happened to Lu Yuezhang and the others during their confrontation with the Outer Realm Demon.

After a moment of contemplation, Chu Ning reassured them, "Fellow Daoists, rest assured. Although that Outer Realm Demon is powerful, it hasn't reached the level where it can face multiple Nascent Soul cultivators without any concern. Moreover..."

Chu Ning paused and pointed to the ground not far away, "That demon is injured and should be somewhat affected by it."

Hearing this, the worried expressions on their faces eased significantly.

After all, Chu Ning was the only one among them who had personally fought against the Outer Realm Demon, so his words carried more weight.

"I hope so," Jiang Cheng replied.

"However, the restriction talismans are with Master Lu and the others, so even if we've finished refining the spirit fruits, we still can't leave," he added.

"Then we'll have to wait a little longer," Chu Ning said, not overly concerned.

With his means, he could find a way to leave the valley even with the restrictions in place.

He didn't need to do anything else but summon Bailling.

However, he refrained from doing so because Cen Zikin hadn't finished refining the spirit fruit yet, and it wouldn't be convenient with so many people around.

In truth, Chu Ning wasn't in a hurry to leave.

He even hoped that the Nascent Soul cultivators would arrive later, as it would give him more time to cultivate.

With that in mind, Chu Ning said to the three, "Fellow Daoists, I've gained quite a bit from my previous cultivation session, so I'll go back and consolidate my progress."

As he spoke, he turned and began walking back towards the Panacea Tree.

"Fellow Daoist Chu, please be careful," Jiang Cheng called out. "We've just consumed the Panacea Spirit Fruits, and absorbing too much of this energy without being able to refine it in time might be harmful."

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist, for your reminder."

Then, without further hesitation, Chu Ning once again walked towards the Panacea Tree.

After all, the energy between heaven and earth was denser and more abundant there.

Seeing this, the others exchanged glances but remained silent.

The abilities that Chu Ning had displayed earlier were already beyond their comprehension.

However, as they watched Chu Ning's cultivation method, they couldn't help but be surprised.

Jiang Cheng spoke up, "Is Fellow Daoist Chu cultivating his body this time?"

"Perhaps," Yuan Xiaolu replied.

"I once heard seniors from my sect mention that cultivating one's body in this place is more effective than in the outside world.

Fellow Daoist Chu should also be aware of this, which is why he chose to cultivate his body here."

"I never expected that Fellow Daoist Chu would also be proficient in the art of body refinement." As Jiang Cheng spoke, his eyes flashed, and his face showed a realization.

"No wonder he dared to continue cultivating here after consuming the Panacea Spirit Fruit.

If I hadn't consumed the Panacea Fruit a hundred years ago, I wouldn't dare to enter this place again."

Although they had figured out that Chu Ning was refining his body, they didn't expect that he had already refined three spirit fruits.

After all, in their opinion, even if a Golden Core cultivator's physical body was stronger than a Nascent Soul cultivator's, it shouldn't be that much stronger.

The fact that Chu Ning chose to cultivate the Nine Transformations Body Refining Formula after refining the Panacea Spirit Fruit made them curious.

Chu Ning wanted to try if he could cultivate the Five Elements Chaos Formula and the Nine Transformations Body Refining Formula simultaneously without the help of the Panacea Spirit Fruit.

This attempt brought him great joy.

As he cultivated both formulas simultaneously, the energy between heaven and earth quickly gathered and was absorbed into his body, and the dual spirit roots and the droplet of origin power were constantly refined.

Without the Panacea Spirit Fruit to stimulate it, he was still able to cultivate both methods at the same time.

Moreover, Chu Ning could feel that the absorption speed was more than twice as fast as before he consumed the Panacea Spirit Fruit.

The energy absorbed into his body was refined and completely fused with the similarly refined dual spirit roots and the droplet of origin power.

A portion of it entered his dantian and merged with his Golden Core, while another portion nourished and strengthened his physical body.

Another portion, like before, settled in various parts of his body.

This situation was exactly the same as when he consumed the Panacea Spirit Fruit, except that the speed was much slower.

However, it was still much faster than when he was cultivating outside and absorbing heavenly energy.

With this, Chu Ning naturally didn't stop cultivating.

He continued to absorb and refine the energy in the area by cultivating both formulas simultaneously.

While Chu Ning was cultivating, the other cultivators also finished refining the spirit fruits and ended their cultivation sessions.

Cen Zikin, who had just broken through to the middle stage of the Golden Core realm, was the slowest among them.

After she finished cultivating and saw that everyone except Chu Ning was gathered together, she was slightly taken aback.

She got up and walked towards the group.

After greeting them, Cen Zikin's eyes turned towards the direction where Chu Ning was cultivating.

Seeing this, Yuan Xiaolu, the only female cultivator in the group, spoke up:

"Fellow Daoist Cen, you don't have to worry. Fellow Daoist Chu has already refined the spirit fruit.

After exchanging a few words with us, he returned to his cultivation."

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Yuan, for letting me know." Hearing this, Cen Zikin breathed a sigh of relief.

Otherwise, if someone with the lowest cultivation base like her could finish refining the spirit fruit, it would be strange if Chu Ning hadn't.

Like Jiang Cheng and the others, the other cultivators also dared not cultivate and absorb the energy in the area.

However, as they waited for the Nascent Soul cultivators to appear, they gradually became anxious.

Among them, Cen Zikin was the most calm.

She had seen Chu Ning set up various restrictions at the Thunderfire Sect ruins and knew that if he wanted to leave the valley, he would have a way.

Another day passed, and finally, a Golden Core cultivator from Sky Sound Pavilion couldn't help but speak up:

"Fellow Daoist Cen, why don't you call out to Fellow Daoist Chu and see if he has a way to leave this valley?

It's been almost twenty days, and the senior cultivators still haven't appeared.

This is really unusual."

Cen Zikin looked at Chu Ning, who was cultivating in the distance, and shook her head:

"If Chu Ning had a way, he would have told Fellow Daoist Jiang and the others earlier.

Since he didn't say anything, it means he doesn't have a way out.

Fellow Daoists, don't forget that when we entered the valley, it was the combined effort of five Nascent Soul cultivators.

And when we leave, it will also require the simultaneous casting of restrictions by three Nascent Soul cultivators.

Although Chu Ning has some tricks up his sleeve, he's still only at the late Golden Core stage."

Hearing Cen Zikin's words, the others thought about it and felt that it made sense.

The only part they didn't quite agree with was probably Cen Zikin's last sentence.

Chu Ning was no ordinary late Golden Core cultivator.

Just as they were talking, suddenly, there was a disturbance in the restriction at the valley entrance.

Upon noticing this, everyone's gaze shifted from Chu Ning to the valley entrance, but their expressions were not of joy but of alertness.

Chu Ning, who was cultivating under the Panacea Tree, also sensed the disturbance in the restriction at the valley entrance.

He immediately stopped cultivating and, despite the pressure from the Panacea Tree, used his movement technique to quickly fly over to the others.

Seeing Chu Ning arrive, the worried expressions on their faces eased a little.

With Chu Ning around, they felt more at ease.

However, the next moment, everyone's expressions relaxed completely.

Lu Yuezhang's gaze swept across Chu Ning and the others, then landed on the Panacea Tree in the distance.

A hint of surprise laced his voice as he asked, "Have you all consumed the Panacea Spirit Fruits already?"

Jiang Cheng spoke up, "Uncle Lu, Fellow Daoist Chu helped everyone pluck the Panacea Tree's spirit fruits, and we have all consumed and refined them."

Hearing Jiang Cheng's words, Lu Yuezhang nodded, "That's good. We were afraid that we would delay matters here."

As he spoke, Lu Yuezhang's gaze fell on Chu Ning, "Fellow Daoist Chu, we owe you a great debt of gratitude.

Not only did you severely injure that demon, but you also plucked the Panacea Fruits for everyone."

"Senior Lu is too kind," Chu Ning replied, then asked the question that was on everyone's mind. "Senior Lu, what happened to the Outer Realm Demon?"

"It took some effort, but thankfully, we managed to slay it in the end!" A smile appeared on Lu Yuezhang's face, but his expression remained serious as he continued, "This demon was truly ferocious. After you, Fellow Daoist Chu, cut off its hands, it faced the five of us outside the valley and still managed to escape using a secret technique.

We pursued it and sent a message to the alliance.

The Alliance Master personally took action and joined forces with several other Nascent Soul cultivators to blockade and kill the demon."

Hearing that even Qin Changkong had personally intervened, the group couldn't help but be astonished.

At this moment, Lu Yuezhang turned to Chu Ning and cupped his hands, "Fellow Daoist Chu, previously we suspected that you were also possessed by the Outer Realm Demon, which is why we took action against you. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive us."

Chu Ning had indeed sensed later that although Lu Yuezhang had attacked him, he hadn't used his full strength.

It seemed that he had intended to force him to reveal his true abilities.

And now, thinking back to the means he had displayed, it was clear that he wasn't an ordinary Golden Core cultivator, so he returned the gesture, "Senior Lu is too kind. I can understand the urgency of the situation."

"Fellow Daoist Chu is truly magnanimous, putting my heart at ease," Lu Yuezhang said, his expression solemn. "Earlier, when you, Fellow Daoist Chu, fought with that demon, there was something I didn't understand, and I would like to ask you about it."

Chu Ning's eyes flickered as he asked, "Senior Lu is referring to how I managed to severely injure the demon?"

"Indeed!" Lu Yuezhang nodded, a curious light in his eyes.

"Fellow Daoist Chu's abilities far exceeded our expectations, but I believe that my treasures and spells should be no less powerful than yours.

However, when the two of us faced the demon outside the valley, although we were able to injure it with our treasures, we couldn't inflict the same kind of severe damage as you did.

Instead, our treasures were entangled by its demonic energy, and their spiritual essence was greatly damaged. If that demon hadn't been focused on escaping, I fear our treasures would have suffered the same fate as Fellow Daoist Cen's life-bound treasure."

As he spoke, Lu Yuezhang pointed to the two demon hands still impaled on the ground not far away.

He looked at Chu Ning curiously and asked, "May I ask how you managed to inflict such a severe injury on the demon?"

"Actually, Seniors should have heard it earlier," Chu Ning replied without hiding anything. "The main reason is that my treasure contains black xuan gold.

Black xuan gold has a certain restraining effect on these Outer Realm Demons, and I discovered it by chance in the Golden Spirit Planting Realm."

"Fellow Daoist Chu faced off against another demon in the Golden Spirit Planting Realm?" Lu Yuezhang asked, a hint of surprise in his voice.

Chu Ning nodded slightly, "We only exchanged a few blows. At that time, I had just formed my Golden Core, and my treasure wasn't fully refined and cultivated.

But when I unleashed my treasure, the demon seemed wary and shouted out the name 'black xuan gold.'

So, I remembered it."

Chu Ning paused for a moment before continuing, "A few days ago, when that demon attacked, I knew my speed wasn't a match for it.

So, I wanted to take advantage of its unpreparedness and try to severely injure it."

"So, it was the black xuan gold!" Lu Yuezhang nodded, "We did hear about it earlier, but we wanted to confirm it with you, Fellow Daoist Chu.

We never expected that you would be able to find a way to mix this material into your treasure and refine it."

"It was a fortunate coincidence," Chu Ning replied calmly.

He didn't hide how he managed to counter the demon.

However, when it came to how he obtained the black xuan gold, and the fact that he had injured a demon in the Golden Spirit Planting Realm, he didn't go into as much detail.

After all, during that battle in the Spirit Realm, You Jing and Aolang Tian had died, and Tie Shi had also perished by his hand.

If he were to explain further, he might accidentally reveal too much, so he chose to keep it brief.

Lu Yuezhang's eyes flickered as if he wanted to say something more, but he stopped himself.

Chu Ning then pointed to the demon's hands impaled on the ground and asked, "Senior Lu, what should we do with these?"

"Leave them to us," Lu Yuezhang replied.

"I will take them back to the sect and seal them along with the demon's body."

Hearing this, Chu Ning waved his hand, summoning his two flying swords back to him.

He then removed the demon's half-severed arm and half-severed palm from the swords and handed them to Lu Yuezhang.

Lu Yuezhang's face was solemn as he accepted them and placed them into two separate boxes, affixing several talismans to each.

He examined them carefully before placing one box into his storage bag and handing the other to the mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator from Taihe Court.

At this moment, Chu Ning casually asked the question that had been on his mind.

"Senior Lu, why did the Outer Realm Demon suddenly possess Fellow Daoist Zhuang and enter this forbidden area?"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end