Chapter 212
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Chapter 212: Water Cloud Mandala
Ye Yun hadn’t expected the Heavenly Convergence Herb to be in the last cave. His luck seemed poor—with three passages total, he’d only found it in the final one. Without Su Ling’s guidance, he might have wasted ages searching.
The final passage split into over a dozen identical forks. Given Ye Yun’s earlier track record, he’d likely have needed to check ten branches before stumbling upon the herb.
“The Heavenly Convergence Herb is just ahead,” Su Ling halted abruptly, “but a spirit beast guards it. Obtaining the herb will be extremely difficult.”
Ye Yun smiled, draping an arm over her shoulders. “No problem. What kind of spirit beast?”
Su Ling glared. Did he not grasp the danger? Ordinary Qi refining stage disciples would flee from a ninth-level beast. The Divine Feather Vulture King, a ninth-level beast stuck at that rank for centuries, could render even a fourth-level Qi refining disciple helpless. Yet here, a full-fledged spirit beast stood guard.
Even if it wasn’t as fearsome as a tribulation-transformed beast like the Divine Feather Vulture King, ordinary Qi refining disciples stood no chance. A level one spirit beast typically matched a Qi refining stage level seven disciple, while tribulation-transformed ones rivaled Foundation Establishment stage experts. This guardian’s rank remained unknown, yet Ye Yun acted utterly confident.
“Relax. Since this is Shadowless Peak’s trial ground, the sect wouldn’t let genius disciples like us die easily here.” Ye Yun tousled her hair.
“Genius disciples? Since when are *you* one?” Su Ling snorted.
Ye Yun laughed. “My cultivation’s soared this past year—even Murong Wuqing couldn’t match this pace. If I’m not a genius, who is?”
“Enough bragging. Let’s see what we’re dealing with first.” Su Ling frowned. Though she knew the herb’s location, she’d never faced the guardian. If it were level one, Ye Yun might manage—rumors of his clash with Murong Wuhen had reached her. But a level two beast? That matched Foundation Establishment stage’s second layer. The gap between layers was vast, and she doubted Ye Yun could bridge it.
The passage felt mildly warm, unlike the searing heat of the previous one. Within a hundred zhang, they reached a massive stone chamber—a hundred zhang long and wide, ten zhang high. Such a space inside the mountain was astonishing.
“This is where true fire-cultivated herbs grow. Let’s find the herb quickly before the beast notices,” Su Ling urged, anxiety tightening her voice.
“Where’s the fun in that? I want to test my skills against this guardian.” Ye Yun’s eyes gleamed. His recent breakthrough to the second stage of Qi refining had multiplied his strength, yet he lacked worthy opponents. If the beast wasn’t too powerful, this was perfect for practice.
Besides, this was a Ninth-level task for new inner disciples—difficult but achievable. Murong Wuqing and Chen Tianyun had succeeded, meaning the beast wasn’t unbeatable. Caution and skill should suffice.
Ye Yun glanced at Su Ling. “Wait here, Ling’er. I’ll retrieve the herb.”
“Do you even recognize it?” she fretted.
“The task imprint showed its appearance clearly.” He grinned.
Su Ling blushed. “Right… I forgot.”
Ye Yun mussed her hair and leapt into the chamber.
The vast space held no dense gardens—only about a hundred plants quivered near the far wall. The rest lay empty save for a slumbering spirit beast on the right, breathing softly.
Ye Yun approached cautiously, earlier bravado gone.
“Ye Yun, retreat! That’s no ordinary spirit beast—it’s a level two Water Cloud Mandala Beast!” Su Ling’s whisper pierced the air.
Ye Yun frowned slightly and transmitted his voice, "Water Cloud Mandala Beast? You mean the spirit beast from the ocean depths? Su Ling, you’re joking again. How could an oceanic spirit beast appear in Fire Dragon Cave?"
"This isn’t a joke! Father told me this Water Cloud Mandala Beast was indeed captured from the sea. Normal ones hate flames and heat because it weakens them, but this one actually grows stronger in high temperatures." Su Ling’s urgent voice carried clear anxiety.
Looking up, Ye Yun was surprised to see this pitch-black creature was indeed the Water Cloud Mandala Beast. More astonishingly, it thrived in fiery conditions instead of being weakened – the world truly held endless wonders.
His eyes quickly found the target. The Heavenly Convergence Herb glowed with gentle blue light in a corner twenty zhang behind the beast.
"Stay hidden. I’ll retrieve the herb without alerting it." Ye Yun motioned and crept forward.
The forty-zhang distance would normally take two leaps, but here each step required utmost caution. Better to secure the herb first before fighting, allowing retreat if necessary. The beast likely wouldn’t chase far while guarding other unusual flowers and herbs.
He maintained five zhang distance from the beast – close enough to react to sudden attacks yet near enough to reach the herb.
Step. Step. Step.
After half an incense stick’s time, Ye Yun finally circled around to the glowing herb.
Without hesitation, he struck. The ice-blue herb vanished into his Thunder Sound Metamorphosis ring instantly.
Abandoning stealth, Ye Yun dashed for the cave opening.
ROAR!
The awakened beast fired a water jet at the exit instead of Ye Yun. Su Ling cried out as flowing water sealed the passage.
Ye Yun reached the barrier in one leap. Gathering true qi, he punched the water wall hard. The liquid absorbed his strike completely.
Chilled by this display of power, Ye Yun turned to face the ten-zhang-long beast. Its triangular eyes gleamed with murderous intent.
"Put… down…" The beast rasped with difficulty.
Ye Yun smiled calmly. "It’s already cut. Useless to replant. Let me take it, friend."
ROAR!
Understanding his words, the beast coiled and shot a blue water arrow at his face. The attack’s power surpassed anything Qi refining stage disciples could handle – even Ye Yun would be gravely injured if struck.
In that instant, Ye Yun completely revised his assessment of this mutated Water Cloud Mandala Beast.
