Chapter 16

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Chapter 16: Spirit Tree! Refining People! Golden Armor Guards

When Zhang Yang woke up, it was already the next morning.

Xue Feishuang, who had been deep in meditation, opened her eyes as well.

“Sister, did you gain any insights?” Zhang Yang asked.

Xue Feishuang shook her head. “The saint’s martial arts techniques are too complex. I can’t comprehend them.”

“Then let me explain again,” Zhang Yang offered.

“No need,” Xue Feishuang replied with a smile. “You explained it very clearly, but my foundation in martial arts isn’t strong enough. However, I did gain something. Based on my judgment, this footprint should belong to the Saint of Measuring Heaven.”

“Measuring Heaven? What a strange name,” Zhang Yang muttered.

Xue Feishuang chuckled. “This saint devoted his life to martial arts through his feet, creating the Nine Steps of Mountains and Rivers. He was said to be capable of crossing vast worlds in just nine steps. The name ‘Measuring Heaven’ comes from his ability to measure the heavens and the earth with his steps.”

“This footprint likely represents one step of the Nine Steps of Mountains and Rivers.”

“Even though it’s just one step, it is extraordinary. You could consider yourself a disciple of this oddly named saint from a later generation.”

“Let’s call this step One Step of Mountains and Rivers.”

Zhang Yang had no objections.

His full-powered step was astonishing, but due to his current realm, he couldn’t truly travel a thousand miles in a single stride.

Xue Feishuang continued sharing various stories about the Saint of Measuring Heaven, along with her knowledge of movement techniques and martial arts.

Zhang Yang absorbed every bit of information like a sponge, eager to learn.

Xue Feishuang generously taught him everything she knew.

At breakfast, through the Ironback Blue Bull, Zhang Yang learned from the Golden Ape King about a lake called Bi Bo Lake, located thirty miles southwest. The water energy there was strong and ideal for his cultivation.

Now that he had reached level two of the Returning to Origin realm, his next focus would be on absorbing the energy of water, followed by fire, then earth and wood. By gathering the energy of all five elements, he could achieve Five Elements Returning to Origin, the complete level six of the Returning to Origin realm.

Zhang Yang longed to reach this realm as soon as possible. Once he did, he would be invincible in the Vast Forest. He now had this confidence after defeating Yang Shilong and crushing Yun Dongji. Xue Feishuang and the Night Stalker shared his views.

This only made him more eager to break through.

After breakfast, he set off for Bi Bo Lake, accompanied by Xue Feishuang, with the Ironback Blue Bull following behind. The Night Stalker and the other monkeys remained behind, along with some Blood Spirit Flowers that Zhang Yang had left for them, hoping they would grow stronger.

Xue Feishuang refined ten Blood Spirit Flowers to achieve her Bloodline Evolution, which allowed her to make a small breakthrough. However, in the Vast Forest, she was still limited to level six of the Returning to Origin realm.

With Xue Feishuang by his side, Zhang Yang no longer worried about getting lost.

As they walked, Xue Feishuang continued imparting martial arts knowledge to him. Since Zhang Yang had a strong understanding, she mostly spoke briefly, allowing him to progress at an impressive speed.

As they moved forward, Zhang Yang suddenly stopped and sniffed the air.

“What do you smell?” Xue Feishuang asked.

Zhang Yang replied, “I can detect twenty-six different floral scents here. Nine of them have special properties, but one stands out—it’s as refreshing as water washing through my nose, very pleasant.”

Xue Feishuang’s eyes sparkled. She thought of more than ten rare flowers that had similar effects.

Relying on his extraordinary sense of smell, Zhang Yang followed the scent to the left.

A short while later, they arrived beneath an Ancient Tree.

The tree towered above them, its thick trunk supporting sprawling branches filled with lush leaves.

Zhang Yang pointed upward.

The two of them leaped into the sky simultaneously.

Zhang Yang used One Step of Mountains and Rivers, treating the sky as solid ground. With a single step, he landed on a sturdy branch over twenty meters high.

Xue Feishuang landed opposite him.

Between them stood a small tree, just over a meter tall, with seven or eight slender branches. Its tender green leaves cradled several pale red fruits, each the size of a fist, resembling small lanterns.

“Spirit Lantern Treasure Tree!” Xue Feishuang exclaimed.

As she spoke, the Spirit Lantern Treasure Tree suddenly leaped from its branch and darted into the bushes below.

Zhang Yang was taken aback. Can a tree run?

“This is a spirit tree; it has intelligence,” Xue Feishuang quickly explained.

Zhang Yang activated One Step of Mountains and Rivers again.

With one step!

The Spirit Lantern Treasure Tree collided with him and bounced back.

It attempted to flee again, but Xue Feishuang blocked its path.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

The Spirit Lantern Treasure Tree shook two of its branches, launching two fist-sized, pale red fruits toward Zhang Yang and Xue Feishuang.

Xue Feishuang caught one of the fruits and smiled. “Look at you, being so clever. I won’t make things difficult for you.”

The Spirit Lantern Treasure Tree shook its branches and fruits in response before finally retreating.

“Is it thanking you for not harming it, Sister?” Zhang Yang asked.

Xue Feishuang nodded. “Yes. Spirit trees, spirit flowers, and spirit grasses all understand gratitude and hold grudges. In this Vast Forest, all strong beings are bound by certain restrictions. For creatures like these, it’s best not to eradicate them completely—otherwise, it could lead to unnecessary trouble.”

Once again, Zhang Yang felt enlightened.

A tree that could run? How interesting!

His curiosity about the Vast Forest only grew stronger.

He handed the fruit he had to Xue Feishuang.

Within the Returning to Origin realm, only the energy of the five elements—gold, wood, water, fire, and earth—was effective; everything else was useless.

Xue Feishuang gazed at the two fruits, feeling a wave of emotions.

Breaking through to the Ascending to Heaven realm had not been easy for her. First, she had to evolve her bloodline using Blood Spirit Flowers, and then she had to push past a small boundary. Now, these two fruits could assist her as well.

Both were gifts from Zhang Yang.

At that moment, she realized that in this Vast Forest, Zhang Yang was like a dragon returning to the sea—completely in his element.

Without hesitation, she consumed both fruits, attempting another breakthrough. However, as expected, she remained restricted to Level Six of the Returning to Origin Realm. Only by leaving this Vast Forest could she fully unleash their extraordinary effects.

With that, they resumed their journey.

As they neared Bi Bo Lake, someone suddenly blocked their path.

It was an old man with completely white hair and beard.

His sharp eyes sparkled as he carefully observed Zhang Yang. After a moment, he chuckled. “Not bad, not bad. Your physique is indeed something only possible after consuming over a hundred Blood Spirit Flowers. Very good… I, Gu Qianshan, will take you. Hahaha…”

Leaving those words behind, he turned and walked away.

Xue Feishuang’s expression turned extremely serious.

“Sister?” Zhang Yang called softly.

Xue Feishuang gritted her teeth and said, “It must be Yun Liuhuo who spread the word that you consumed a large number of Blood Spirit Flowers. That’s what attracted Gu Qianshan.”

“Gu Qianshan? What’s the deal with that old man?” Zhang Yang asked.

“He’s a pill maker, but he never makes pills. Instead… he refines people!” Xue Feishuang’s voice dropped to a low tone. “Anyone he sets his sights on ends up as a human pill.”

Zhang Yang raised an eyebrow. “He sounds dangerous. I’ll take him down.”

Xue Feishuang quickly cautioned, “Don’t underestimate him. His true cultivation is in the Opening the Sky realm—an entire major realm above mine. Even though he is suppressed to Level Six of the Returning to Origin Realm here, he is still far beyond what you can handle.

“The fact that he hasn’t acted yet means he knows you shattered two powerful spiritual weapons with a single punch, which made him wary. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have hesitated. But since he revealed himself, it means he has his eyes on you and has confidence in his ability to deal with you.

“However, what he absolutely does not expect is that you are only at Level Two of the Returning to Origin Realm. If you level up, even if he had ten times the courage, he wouldn’t dare make a move against you. So your top priority is to raise your cultivation.”

After hearing her analysis, Zhang Yang understood. Indeed, while Gu Qianshan was strong, he wasn’t powerful enough to dominate the Vast Forest, especially against someone still at Level Two of the Returning to Origin Realm.

The appearance of Gu Qianshan, combined with Yun Liuhuo’s schemes behind the scenes, created a sense of urgency. Without delay, they continued their journey toward Bi Bo Lake.

Ignoring everything else, they pressed on and soon arrived at their destination.

Bi Bo Lake stretched wide before them, its waters crystal clear, reflecting the ancient trees lining the shore. Above, the bright blue sky and blazing sun completed the breathtaking scenery.

The water energy in the area was abundant.

Zhang Yang sat cross-legged by the lakeshore and began cultivating.

Meanwhile, Xue Feishuang stood guard.

Compared to the dense Wood Energy he had absorbed earlier, the Water Energy here was naturally less concentrated. As a result, Zhang Yang’s progress was not as rapid as before, but it was still impressive.

Suddenly, Xue Feishuang’s sharp senses caught something.

“Who’s there?” she demanded, instantly on high alert.

She had been particularly wary of Gu Qianshan, but to her surprise, it was a middle-aged man clad in golden armor who approached instead.

The man walked toward her and clasped his fists in greeting. “I am Bai Teng, Vice Commander of the Golden Guards under the Seventh Prince. I pay my respects to General Xue.”

Xue Feishuang’s expression remained cold. “Why has Vice Commander Bai come here?”

Bai Teng replied, “I am here for the General.” He then pointed at Zhang Yang. “And for him.”

A chill ran through Xue Feishuang’s heart.

She immediately recalled another identity of the Seventh Prince—leader of the Demon Slayer Team!

A strong sense of unease surged within her.