In the Purple Star Sect
Wu Ruoxian stepped forward, narrowing her eyes slightly. "Is he still not awake yet?" Her expression was somewhat gloomy.
Before her, Su Ming stood with his arms crossed in front of Zhang Yong's residence. "No. And you can stop coming every time. I can't let you in. Master's orders."
Wu Ruoxian slowly clenched her fists. Three days had passed since they brought him back, yet she still couldn't see him.
Wu Ruoxian took another step forward, her gaze carrying a hint of anxiety. "Can't you at least let me take a look at him?"
Su Ming sighed but didn't move. "I've already told you, I cannot permit it. Master was clear about not disturbing him until he fully regains consciousness."
She let out a long sigh before calming down a little. After a moment of silence, she extended her hand and handed Su Ming a small green jade vial.
"These are healing pills. Give them to him when he wakes up."
Su Ming looked at the vial in his hand, then raised his eyes to her. "I will."
Wu Ruoxian turned without another word and walked away.
Su Ming stood in place for a moment, looking at the small vial in his hand.
The medicinal aroma emanating from it was soothing, indicating the pills inside were not low-grade.
He sighed quietly before concealing it within his robe, then turned and entered the residence.
"I sent her away as you requested," Su Ming said, his tone carrying a hint of sarcasm. "I really don't know why you don't want to see her."
On the bed, Zhang Yong was already lying down, but his breathing was regular as he stared at the ceiling. "Don't start with that again. I can barely move my body, and you want me to see her?"
Su Ming chuckled softly, pulling a chair and sitting near the bed. "A weak excuse. You could at least talk to her from behind the door."
Zhang Yong didn't respond, just continued staring at the ceiling, his features expressionless. A moment of silence passed before he added quietly, "It doesn't matter. I don't really care about this."
Su Ming raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. Instead, he took out the vial of pills Wu Ruoxian had given him and tossed it gently towards Zhang Yong, who raised his hand with difficulty and caught it.
"She insisted you take them when you wake up. I don't know exactly what kind of pills they are, but the aroma alone suggests they are of high quality."
Zhang Yong looked at the vial in his hand, then slowly opened it.
A strong medicinal scent spread in the room, confirming Su Ming's suspicions.
Zhang Yong immediately took one out. It was a purple pill, and Zhang Yong recognized it instantly—a Body Restoration Pill!
Zhang Yong inwardly sneered, 'Is the life and death physique so good to her that she'd spend a fifth-grade pill on me?'
Zhang Yong held the pill, quietly lifted his body, and looked at Su Ming. "Su Ming, can you wait outside for a moment?"
Su Ming raised his eyebrow slightly but said nothing. He got up from his seat and started walking towards the door, but paused for a moment before exiting. "Don't try to strain yourself too much."
Then he left the room and closed the door behind him, leaving Zhang Yong alone.
Zhang Yong looked at the pill before crushing it. He didn't trust Wu Ruoxian enough to eat what she gave him.
Old Man Tianhua had fallen for the same trick from Zhang Yong, so how could he fall for it?
But Zhang Yong immediately suspected. To refine a fifth-grade pill, one must possess Origin Flame!
So far, everything had been part of Zhang Yong's plan!
That day at the cave in Xiang City, Zhang Yong had predicted from all the events that some people would intervene.
Inside the cave, Zhang Yong had felt them approaching, but Wu Ruoxian possessed the Truth of Eternal Dream technique. How could she not feel their approach?
Therefore, Zhang Yong acted emotionally with her to distract her.
When the three were kidnapped, he pursued them, which was also part of Zhang Yong's plan to push her into the enemies' range. But what if the three were killed before that? He would have gone there anyway out of revenge, so there was no difference.
There was a purpose to pushing her into the fight. If Zhang Yong could get one of them to kill her, that would be good.
If not, he could push her to use her techniques and limits, so even if she didn't die, he could learn her cards and build a plan against her.
When Wu Ruoxian was captured, Zhang Yong wanted to let her die at his hand since the enemy was a Venerable.
But from a great distance, Zhang Yong felt the Elder approaching, putting his plan at risk, so he had to change it.
He then decided to intervene and push himself to the brink of a fight to the death. But this wasn't without benefit, because by severing his own limbs, he showed he harbored no ill intentions towards Wu Ruoxian. Thus, when he kills her in the future, he would be outside the circle of suspicion.
Zhang Yong extended his hand, and a Body Restoration Pill he personally refined appeared. "Time to restore my arm."
Zhang Yong placed the pill in his mouth without hesitation. The moment he swallowed it, a terrifying heat spread through his body, as if volcanic lava was flowing through his veins.
"Ah!"
He couldn't stop himself from letting out a faint gasp of pain, but he quickly clenched his teeth tightly, preventing himself from screaming.
His entire body trembled, sweat drops falling from his forehead onto the bed.
The pain was like thousands of burning needles piercing his flesh and bones, yet despite that, there was no retreat in his eyes.
"Just a little more..."
New tissues seemed to form at an astonishing speed. Muscles, veins, and even bones began to rebuild from scratch.
But the pain wasn't ordinary pain; it was as if he was being reshaped from zero, making every moment feel like hours.
Within a few minutes, a new left arm appeared, covered with a thin layer of pink skin, which quickly began to take on its natural color.
"Previously, I had to rely on Ling Xi to restore my arm, but now I can restore it comfortably. Yuni, if any of my limbs are severed in the future, I want you to store them immediately in the storage."
(As you wish, Host.)
This request wasn't meaningless. It was forward-thinking. Due to the presence of soul bones, if a limb possessing a soul bone is lost, it will remain connected to that limb until Zhang Yong retrieves it.
(Host, you haven't taken the reward from the previous mission.)
(Congratulations to the Host for completing the mission.
Obtained:
One draw chance.
)
Zhang Yong sneered, "Yuni, don't you think the reward doesn't match what I suffered? I lost an arm there."
(Host, rewards are determined based on the mission level, not on the amount of pain you suffer.)
Zhang Yong laughed sarcastically, stretching a little on the bed, feeling the residual heat from the pill's effect gradually fading. "Alright, alright, open the draw wheel."
A large spinning wheel appeared before Zhang Yong, divided into several sections carrying different rewards.
(Do you want to spin the wheel now, Host?)
"Yes."
The wheel began to spin rapidly, while Zhang Yong watched it with alert eyes. After moments, it gradually slowed down until it stopped at...
(Congratulations to the Host for obtaining the Left Arm Soul Bone of the Gluttony King.)
When the wheel stopped, Zhang Yong looked at the reward he obtained and was slightly surprised. "Left Arm Soul Bone of the Gluttony King?" he muttered to himself.
(The reward has been placed in storage.)
(There is still another draw chance from a previous Son of Fortune mission. Does the Host want to draw?)
Zhang Yong laughed a little, staring at the remaining chance. "Since I already got something good, let's see what I'll get this time."
(Spinning the wheel...)
The wheel began to spin again, and his eyes followed it silently. This time, the displayed rewards were more interesting than before. After moments, the wheel gradually slowed down until it stopped at...
(Congratulations to the Host for obtaining the Black Beetle Armor.)
"Take it out so I can see it."
Immediately, a tight black shirt appeared in Zhang Yong's hands. When worn, it would cling to the skin.
Zhang Yong looked at the black shirt that appeared in his hand. Its texture was somewhat strange, more like the skin of a living creature than ordinary fabric.
(Black Beetle Armor:
A highly adaptive biological armor. Absorbs physical blows and reduces their impact by 40%.
When it absorbs enough energy, it can repair itself automatically.
Upon reaching the damage limit, it will self-destruct automatically.)
Zhang Yong looked at the description and raised an eyebrow slightly. "Biological armor? That's interesting."
"Alright, I'll keep it for now." He pushed the armor into the storage, then stretched a little, feeling the flexibility of his newly restored arm. "One last thing left."
Zhang Yong pushed his body off the bed. His condition was relatively good. He adjusted his clothes, then headed towards the door.
When he opened it, Su Ming was still waiting outside, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.
Su Ming raised his eyebrow when he saw Zhang Yong standing steadily. "Looks like you recovered quickly."
Zhang Yong nodded without comment, then said quietly, "I'm going to see Master Gu."
Su Ming didn't ask why, just waved his hand indifferently. "Alright, don't be late."
Zhang Yong left the residence, heading directly towards Master Gu's dwelling. Upon arrival, he knocked on the door three times in a regular rhythm before pushing it open and entering.
Inside the hall, Gu Zixian was sitting behind a small wooden desk, reviewing some old manuscripts.
He raised his head when Zhang Yong entered and smiled slightly. "It seems you've returned in good condition. That's reassuring."
Zhang Yong bowed lightly in respect. "I've almost fully recovered. Sorry for troubling Master."
Gu Zixian nodded. "Elder Han has already told me what happened. It seems you were treated." He meant his arm
Zhang Yong smiled calmly. "Well, the opponent was strong, but I can treat myself, so don't worry, Master."
Gu Zixian chuckled lightly, contemplating Zhang Yong's calm expression. "Hehe, that's good. But you can't always push yourself to the edge."
Zhang Yong raised his eyebrow slightly before saying in a quiet tone, "Master, I understand your concern. But if I don't exceed my limits in life-or-death combat, when will I?"
Gu Zixian smiled, putting the manuscript aside, then took a closer look at his disciple. "That's well said , but throwing your life just for that is a stupidity , You must know about my agreement with the Elder. And she... kept her promise."
Master Gu raised his hand, and a cold, blue crystal floated—the Primordial Ice Crystal.
Zhang Yong stared at the crystal for a moment, then quietly grasped it. "Thank you, Master. I will enter seclusion immediately to comprehend it."
Gu Zixian looked at him thoughtfully, then smiled a little. "That's good, but don't be too long. The selection competition for the Heavenly Boundary Realm will start soon."
Zhang Yong's expression didn't change as he replied calmly, "I will ensure I finish my seclusion before its time." Zhang Yong bowed once more, then turned and left the hall.
After leaving the hall, Zhang Yong headed straight to the seclusion cave. Along the way, his eyes contemplated the Primordial Ice Crystal he had just obtained.
Once fully absorbed, he would advance to the sixth level of Ice Law!
This would raise his strength in both the Talisman Path and the Array and Five Elements paths.
But this wasn't all he was thinking about. His focus was on the Heavenly Boundary Realm.
After entering this realm, he would be able to study other laws, not just the Five Elements. But after exiting the realm, Zhang Yong would have to enter seclusion again to digest what he gained from that realm.
He immediately informed Su Ming of his plans to enter seclusion for preparation.
Su Ming didn't respond, just accepted quietly.
Then, Zhang Yong entered the seclusion cave.
Inside the seclusion cave, Zhang Yong sat cross-legged on the ground, holding the Primordial Ice Crystal in his hand.
He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and slowly began to comprehend the laws within the crystal.
He immediately felt a stream of cold energy piercing his body. It wasn't an ordinary cold.
He possessed the Ice and Fire Chemical physique; ordinary cold wouldn't affect him.
This was the difference between the intermediate and lower stages of laws. It wasn't something easy.
As the absorption continued, his consciousness began to sink into a vast sea of snow and ice.
And in a moment, he felt his spirit vibrate.
What happened was strange. There were ice storms sweeping the horizon, frozen mountains stretching endlessly, and frozen lakes reflecting a pale gray sky.
But what shocked him was that there was a specter. It wasn't clear. Zhang Yong tried to call out to it, but no sound came from his throat.
No, Zhang Yong wasn't breathing, but he didn't feel suffocated.
The shadow raised its hands and began to draw. A pale scene appeared. Complex lines of ice runes began to form in the air. Zhang Yong understood part of them but couldn't fully grasp them.
They seemed to be from the Rune Path, but he had never seen them before.
As his mind sank deeper, his body began to react. His body temperature gradually dropped, and a layer of transparent blue ice grew, covering his body.
After three weeks and five days, the ice covering his body began to crack and then gradually faded away.
He quietly opened his eyes, took a deep breath, then looked at his hands—they were trembling. Immediately, he punched the cave wall and cursed, "Damn!"
He was now frustrated. That rune the shadow was drawing—he couldn't understand or memorize it at all. But what shocked him more was that he couldn't advance further!
His comprehension of Ice Law stopped at the fifth level. As for the sixth level, he couldn't reach it.
He was frustrated, and he didn't even understand how or what happened. Where did the shadow come from? Where was he? And what was that scene?
(Congratulations to the Host for advancing the Nine-Layered Eternal Ice Memory skill to the fifth level.)
Zhang Yong let out a sigh and stood up quietly, tying his hair back. "It doesn't matter. It wasn't without gains, actually. But there's no use raising a skill if I can't use it. The sect competition will start anyway. I'll leave."