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Chapter 504: Purple Origin Fruit, Emotional Blockage
Chapter 504: Purple Origin Fruit, Emotional Blockage
A month later, near the Jiuhua Sect...
A ghostly figure appeared near the Jiuhua Sect, none other than Yin Chuan Gui Zu, one of the three late Nascent Soul stage cultivators of the Demon Path Alliance.
Holding his signature treasure, the Ten Thousand Souls Banner, Yin Chuan's pale face was surrounded by a ghostly aura, and his eyes were filled with confusion.
"With my familiarity with Gao Tianyi, my Ten Thousand Ghost Soul-Searching Art couldn't sense even a trace of his aura. This shouldn't be possible.
There are only two possibilities: either he's truly not in the vicinity, or he has been completely eradicated, body and soul.
However, given Gao's cautious nature, even a late Nascent Soul stage cultivator would find it difficult to achieve such a feat without alerting him.
If his physical body sensed impending destruction, he would surely find a way to escape."
Perplexed, Yin Chuan expanded his search area and continued his quest for another half a month, but to no avail.
In the end, he had no choice but to return to the Demon Path Alliance empty-handed.
Six months later, two late Nascent Soul stage cultivators from the Demon Path Alliance joined forces and led a group of cultivators to attack the Moyun Sect.
Prior to this, the first sect of the Tianji Alliance, despite its desperate resistance, fell to the might of the numerous cultivators from the Demon Path Alliance and was utterly annihilated.
With this, the Tianji Alliance, once the strongest alliance in the Western Alliance Continent, ceased to exist.
After the battle, more details emerged.
Rumors spread that the Demon Path Alliance had discovered that Cheng Qingmao, one of the late Nascent Soul stage cultivators of the Tianji Alliance, had successfully possessed another body and had even visited Yan Qichang at the Moyun Sect.
Subsequently, Yan Qichang and Gao Tianyi appeared in the Jiuhua Sect of the Yunxia Alliance.
Since then, the Nascent Soul stage cultivators had not been seen again, leading to speculations.
The two late Nascent Soul stage cultivators from the Demon Path Alliance suspected that the two late Nascent Soul stage cultivators of the Tianji Alliance had joined forces, resulting in Gao Tianyi's possible demise.
Whether the two Nascent Soul stage cultivators of the Tianji Alliance were also dragged down by Gao Tianyi in his final moments remained a mystery.
This incident, involving the disappearance of several late Nascent Soul stage cultivators, became a focal point of attention across the Western Alliance Continent.
The True Martial Alliance's top ranking became even more solidified, and many cultivators began discussing which alliance, between the Demon Path Alliance and the Yunxia Alliance, should be considered second.
Most people believed that with Chu Ning's previously displayed cultivation base, after advancing to the mid Nascent Soul stage, only late Nascent Soul stage powerhouses would be able to suppress him.
This meant that the Yunxia Alliance now possessed the strength to contend with three late Nascent Soul stage cultivators.
On the other hand, the Demon Path Alliance currently had only two.
The status of the Jiuhua Sect within the Yunxia Alliance visibly rose.
After all, the sect now boasted three Nascent Soul stage cultivators and the formidable Chu Ning.
It had undoubtedly become the third major sect of the Yunxia Alliance, following the Guiyuan Sect and the Taihe Court.
Both aspiring disciples seeking to join and visitors paying respects came in droves.
However, the hustle and bustle of the outside world had little impact on Mount Tianlan.
Ever since Gong Yuyuan returned to the sect, Chu Ning had not descended from Mount Tianlan.
With two Nascent Soul stage cultivators in the sect, they could manage the affairs of the Jiuhua Sect without much trouble.
Nearly three years passed in the blink of an eye.
Within Mount Tianlan, Chu Ning was collecting the essence of the Snow Crystal Mushroom in the Spirit Herb Garden.
He then proceeded to the cultivation area of the Purple Origin Fruit.
This fruit, brought from Wuling Island, had been cultivated for several decades.
Along the way, through constant experimentation, Chu Ning discovered that it could possibly merge with spiritual energy and primal energy.
By setting up corresponding arrays and placing primal stones to absorb primal energy, nearly thirty years had passed since then.
At this moment, the Purple Origin Fruit had turned purple, very close to the color he had seen on Wuling Island.
However, it had become crystal clear, making it irresistibly tempting.
"The spiritual energy and primal energy have reached a state of complete balance, and it can no longer absorb any more.
It seems that the Purple Origin Fruit has fully matured!"
Chu Ning was delighted and immediately plucked one, holding it in his hand.
"According to the panel's prompt, the merged energy in this fruit should be called 'Origin Power'.
Looks like it's no longer appropriate to call it the Purple Origin Fruit; from now on, it shall be known as the Purple Origin Fruit."
As Chu Ning spoke, he directly popped the Purple Origin Fruit into his mouth and swallowed it.
Then, he started cultivating the Five Elements Chaos Technique and the Nine-Layered Body Refining Technique on the spot.
Instantly, Chu Ning felt the same sensation as when he had consumed the Panacea Fruit.
The Origin Power within the Purple Origin Fruit was directly refined, and his cultivation speed doubled.
Several days later, Chu Ning slowly opened his eyes.
"Absorbing and refining the Origin Power within the Purple Origin Fruit isn't as convenient as it is with the Panacea Fruit.
It contains less Origin Power, but it takes more time to refine.
This should be related to the inherent characteristics of the two spirit fruits."
A slight smile curved Chu Ning's lips.
Although the Purple Origin Fruit, cultivated for several decades, contained less Origin Power than the Panacea Fruit, which matured once every hundred years, he had the advantage of quantity.
He had initially planted several dozen Purple Origin Fruit trees, and each tree bore nearly a hundred fruits.
If he consumed one every five days, these Purple Origin Fruits would be enough for him to consume for several decades.
If the fruit could bear fruit again, this would be enough time for another batch to mature.
"I wonder if this Purple Origin Fruit can be preserved and how long it will remain on the tree after ripening."
With that in mind, Chu Ning took out several different boxes from his storage bag to test their preservation capabilities.
There were various jade boxes, as well as a few wooden ones. Chu Ning plucked a few of the Purple Origin Fruits and placed them in different containers.
Over the following days, Chu Ning observed the changes in the Purple Origin Fruits. To his delight, although the fruits had ripened, they showed no signs of falling off. While they couldn't be preserved in many of the spirit wood boxes, they fared well in the ordinary jade boxes. Even after a full month, there was no sign of any loss in their primal energy.
Overjoyed, Chu Ning plucked a few more of the spirit fruits to encourage more flowering and fruiting. After collecting them, he prepared to return to his cultivation room to continue his training.
He had already perfected the third layer of the Nine-Layered Body Refining Technique and the Five Elements Chaos Technique, and while the results of his cultivation were not yet apparent in his proficiency, he could feel the enhancement in his spiritual power, divine sense, and physical body. However, this rate of progress could not be considered fast.
"It seems like the trip to the Tianmu Continent should also be put on the agenda soon, but let's wait a little longer. It should be about time now," Chu Ning thought to himself.
As he lifted his head to glance at Cen Zikin's cultivation room, the door slowly opened, and Cen Zikin emerged with a smile on her face.
Chu Ning's gaze swept over her peerless and elegant countenance before he hurried forward with a smile of his own. "Late Golden Core pinnacle! Zikin, you've finally reached this juncture!"
Ever since Chu Ning's return, Cen Zikin had spent most of her time in secluded cultivation. Her most recent retreat had lasted for half a year, and as a result, she had successfully reached the late Golden Core pinnacle, standing at the brink of the Infant Formation.
Hearing Chu Ning's congratulations, Cen Zikin smiled gently. "With the aid of the Mysterious Yin Pearl and the Snow Crystal Mushroom, my cultivation speed has been consistently good. Reaching the late Golden Core pinnacle at this time is right in line with my expectations."
Chu Ning nodded slightly, then turned his gaze to her. "Have you thought about when you want to consume the Spirit Clarity Fruit to prepare for Infant Formation?"
At his question, a hesitant expression flitted across Cen Zikin's face, and she shook her head. "Let's wait a little longer. I've just reached the late Golden Core pinnacle, and I'm in no rush."
Chu Ning fell into a brief silence, then gently took hold of Cen Zikin's slender hand. "Actually, with the Spirit Clarity Fruit, there isn't a need for too much adjustment. Are you still apprehensive about Infant Formation?"
Hearing Chu Ning's inquiry, Cen Zikin nodded slightly. "Perhaps the memory of Master failing at Infant Formation is too deep-seated. I do feel a certain reluctance to attempt it."
Chu Ning didn't offer any direct persuasion upon hearing this. Instead, he suddenly said, "Let's go back to the Eastern Sacred Continent."
"Back to the Eastern Sacred Continent?" Cen Zikin was taken aback for a moment before nodding gently. "Yes, it's about time for a change of scenery to adjust my mental state. It has been many years since we left, so it would be good to visit."
Hearing Cen Zikin's agreement, Chu Ning took her hand and started walking. "Then let's go. We'll inform the Sect Master and leave right away."
Yu Changge was slightly surprised by the sudden appearance of Chu Ning and Cen Zikin, but upon learning that Cen Zikin had reached the late Golden Core pinnacle and was about to attempt Infant Formation, he was overjoyed. As for Chu Ning's intention to take Cen Zikin back to the Eastern Sacred Continent for a journey, he felt no surprise at all.
Many cultivators, upon reaching the late Golden Core pinnacle, would often return to the place where they had first started their cultivation journey, revisiting the memories of their years of practice. This was an important way for cultivators to temper their mental state.
And so, without causing a stir, Chu Ning and Cen Zikin quietly departed from the Jiuhua Sect.
Within the desolate mountains surrounding Mount Jiuhua, Chu Ning easily located the teleportation formation he had used to arrive. After a quick inspection to ensure its functionality, he and Cen Zikin stepped into the formation together and returned to the Land of a Thousand Lakes and Islands.
The Land of a Thousand Lakes and Islands hadn't changed much from when they had left it decades ago. Hand in hand, they visited the familiar places of their past.
On the island where Cen Zikin's family had once lived, Chu Ning listened as she recounted stories of her early cultivation days. They went to the bustling market on Fantasy Island, where Cen Zikin spoke of the helplessness she had felt after her grandfather's passing when she had been bullied by her uncles. They reminisced about their first encounter during the Thousand Islands Competition, when Chu Ning had directly refused Cen Zikin's invitation, only to meet again later for a transaction. They visited Calm Lake Island and Flying Swan Island's Swallow Peak, recalling the time they had joined forces on Calm Lake Island and the brief yet pleasant time they had spent together on Swallow Peak.
A flood of warm, bittersweet, and sweet memories washed over them, stirring their emotions. In truth, when calculated accurately, Cen Zikin had spent less than twenty years in the Land of a Thousand Lakes and Islands during her entire cultivation journey, which wasn't a particularly long time. However, because of the profound and happy memories she shared with her grandfather and Chu Ning, the two most important people in her life, her emotional attachment to this place ran deep.
They lingered in the Land of a Thousand Lakes and Islands for several days before Cen Zikin finally turned to Chu Ning and said, "Let's go to Little Yao Mountain."
"Okay!" Chu Ning readily agreed. The reason he had brought Cen Zikin back to the Eastern Sacred Continent was to help her overcome the emotional blockage she felt toward the Yao Chi Sect.
(End of Chapter)
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