Chapter 87
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Chapter 87: Breakthrough
Yi Qianmo sat cross-legged on the ground, his body feeling utterly depleted. Only after merging with the sword did he truly understand the pain that Taoist Qingmu had mentioned.
Had it not been for the sword body being tempered by sword energy, despair might have overwhelmed him. Defeating the Monkey King had drained him entirely, leaving him without a shred of spiritual power.
Gripping ten spirit stones in his hand, he absorbed their energy all at once. However, the spirit Qi entering his body did little to aid his recovery. In his current state, if Guan Shanqing decided to attack, Yi Qianmo would meet his end.
“Brother Su?” Guan Shanqing approached, holding his sword. He called out, his voice uncertain. “Are you okay?”
Yi Qianmo remained silent, prompting a flicker of killing intent to cross Guan Shanqing’s face. Yet, his hands trembled with hesitation.
“If you want to kill me, do it now. You won’t have another chance,” Yi Qianmo suddenly said, his voice calm but firm.
Startled, Guan Shanqing nearly dropped his sword. He gritted his teeth, retreated ten paces, and declared, “Brother Su, take your time to recover. I will protect you.”
Yi Qianmo opened his eyes, studying Guan Shanqing’s back. A faint smile appeared before he resumed his meditation.
After half an hour, Yi Qianmo had regained a sliver of spiritual power, though his strength was less than half of what it had been.
Seeing him rise, Guan Shanqing turned and asked, “Is Brother Su feeling better?”
“Much better,” Yi Qianmo replied, walking toward the Monkey King’s lifeless body. He collected some golden fur and a tusk before speaking. “You considered killing me earlier. Why didn’t you act?”
Guan Shanqing froze, lowering his head in shame. “I… I did have greedy thoughts. But… I, Guan Shanqing, am not an ungrateful person. You saved my life, Brother Su. If I had struck, I might have gained treasures, but I would never find peace.”
Looking up, his eyes sincere, he continued, “I’m sorry, Brother Su. You treated me with trust, yet I harbored such thoughts.”
Yi Qianmo patted his shoulder. “Everyone makes mistakes. If I were in your position, I might have felt the same temptation.”
He retrieved a storage bag and handed it to Guan Shanqing. “This is yours, isn’t it?”
Guan Shanqing’s eyes lit up, but he hesitated. “Brother Su saved my life. I want to give this storage bag to you.” His voice wavered with reluctance.
Yi Qianmo shook his head. “A gentleman does not take what others cherish, especially a family heirloom. Keep it. I used half the spirit stones inside.”
Tears shimmered in Guan Shanqing’s eyes as he accepted the bag. “Brother Su… no one has ever treated me this kindly.”
“A strong man does not shed tears,” Yi Qianmo said with a slight smile. “If you start crying, I’ll truly lose respect for you.”
By nightfall, they found shelter in a cave. Guan Shanqing recounted his story as they rested. He came from Dongshan Prefecture, where his family, once prosperous, had fallen into hardship after offending an immortal sect.
“My family sacrificed everything to support me. If I fail to join Tianyuan Academy, their efforts will be in vain,” he explained softly, guilt evident in his voice.
Yi Qianmo nodded thoughtfully. “With the spirit beasts in your storage bag, you’ll surely succeed.”
“If not for you, Brother Su…” Guan Shanqing trailed off, lowering his head.
“Enough,” Yi Qianmo interrupted. “Dwelling on it only irritates me. Focus on the future.”
Guan Shanqing nodded firmly. “I owe you everything, Brother Su. As long as I live, I’ll repay this debt.”
“Your life isn’t needed. Just carry me to the gathering point,” Yi Qianmo replied with a faint smile.
Without hesitation, Guan Shanqing crouched down. “Climb on. I’ll carry you there, no matter the cost.”
That night, as Guan Shanqing stood watch outside the cave, Yi Qianmo took out the Repel Evil sword. Coldly, he commanded, “Come out!”
A trembling Taoist Qingmu emerged, his spirit flickering. “Master, I—”
“If you ever betray me again, I will destroy you,” Yi Qianmo warned icily.
“I dare not! I swear I’ll never do it again,” Taoist Qingmu pleaded, shuddering.
Satisfied, Yi Qianmo dismissed him and turned his attention to the dragon turtle egg. Placing his hands on its smooth surface, he began to channel spiritual energy.
As the Great Yi Sword Technique activated, a surge of immense energy flowed into his body. It felt like spring rain nourishing parched earth, rapidly replenishing his depleted strength.
Yet, as the energy filled him, Yi Qianmo’s body began to swell. Realizing the egg’s overwhelming power, he quickly activated the Sword Pill, redirecting the energy to his dantian.
The transformation was swift. The pure sword energy fortified his meridians, blood, and bones. His cultivation, previously stagnant, began to ascend rapidly: from the third level of the Qi Refining Stage to the fourth, then the fifth…
With each breakthrough, his body grew stronger, his aura sharper. The once distant peak of his potential now felt tantalizingly close.
“I underestimated the dragon turtle egg’s power,” Yi Qianmo muttered, his expression both awe-struck and resolute.
The night deepened, but within the cave, the light of Yi Qianmo’s transformation illuminated the path to his next stage.
