Chapter 498

Chapter 498: Conquer

On the Dao platform, the two sat naked.

Seeing that Shu Hongliu had opened her consciousness to him, Zhou Luo began to operate the technique.

Actually, stripping Pure Yang Energy from her body wasn’t difficult. The hard part was having a powerful physique capable of withstanding that extreme Yang energy.

Generally, achieving that level required at least the realm of a Golden Core master.

But cultivators at such a level, why would they trouble themselves with treating Shu Hongliu?

Perhaps only a Body Refinement cultivator like Zhou Luo possessed this specific ability.

So, in a way, Shu Hongliu was fortunate.

Because she had happened to meet Zhou Luo, who practiced dual cultivation and also tempered his physical body.

Now, seeing her ready, Zhou Luo hesitated no longer. His lips moved slightly, chanting the technique.

This Qi Guidance technique was provided by Shu Hongliu.

Back when the extreme Yang energy wasn’t yet overwhelming, she had thought of using this Qi Guidance technique to extract it.

Yet, not a single person was willing to do it. No one wanted to bear the risks associated with the extreme Yang energy.

Later, as the extreme Yang energy grew fiercer, she had abandoned this idea, until now.

As the technique activated, Zhou Luo’s entire magic power began flowing. A blazing column of light erupted skyward from his body.

The magic power within him surged continuously through his meridians, releasing a torrential flood-like energy.

He raised both hands. Two thick beams of light shot from his palms, landing on Shu Hongliu’s fair skin, then vanishing into her body.

These two light pillars became the bridge connecting the pair.

And as the light entered Shu Hongliu, a ferocious, invasive energy, like a savage snake dragon or beast, plunged into her meridians.

Although this process seemed crude, it was relatively stable. At least, Shu Hongliu didn’t feel any discomfort.

This energy began coursing along her meridians, reaching every part of her body to draw out the pure Yang energy.

Under the guidance of the Qi Guidance technique, vast torrents of formidable extreme Yang energy began streaming through the light pillars, pouring directly into Zhou Luo’s body.

The moment that boiling surge of extreme Yang energy invaded, Zhou Luo felt a violent, overbearing force crashing against him.

His entire body immediately burst into blazing radiance. His physical form, tempered to spiritual artifact quality, reacted instantly upon sensing this immense impact.

Zhou Luo’s mood froze; inwardly, he was alarmed.

This pure Yang energy was too fierce! Just the beginning brought such a terrifying impact.

Fortunately, he’d played it safe and raised his physique to spiritual artifact quality.

Had his body remained at its previous level, although it could likely withstand the energy, it definitely wouldn’t have been this effortless. It could have even shaken his very foundation.

He was on the cusp of breaking through to the Golden Core realm. If his foundation sustained damage, the chance of succeeding in the breakthrough would plummet drastically.

Fortunately, this body possessing spiritual artifact quality could withstand the onslaught of the extreme Yang energy.

Slowly, time passed. Accompanied by the influx of ever-increasing extreme Yang energy, Zhou Luo’s body now felt like a barrel filled with scalding water. He burned all over, his skin flushed a vivid crimson. Inside, his meridians were stretched as thick as a wrist.

For an ordinary cultivator, their meridians would probably have already fractured into pieces at this point, destroying a lifetime of cultivation entirely.

Shu Hongliu, with her eyes closed, suddenly felt a wave of relief wash over her body, and her tightly knitted brows gradually relaxed.

Earlier, she had felt like she was carrying a huge rock during her cultivation, but now, that rock had been removed, and the unprecedented sense of comfort made her want to shout out loud.

At the same time, she noticed Zhou Luo’s physical condition; besides being extremely grateful, worry involuntarily welled up in her heart.

She was fully aware of the impact of the extreme Yang energy and understood the immense pressure he was enduring at that moment.

For him to go to such lengths for her, even Shu Hongliu, hardened as iron, was deeply moved.

Compared to her apprehension, Zhou Luo remained remarkably calm.

All of this was within his tolerance limits, and that pain paled in comparison to what he had undergone during body refinement.

A full three hours passed.

Most of the extreme Yang energy within Shu Hongliu’s body was extracted, achieving a state of Yin-Yang balance.

"Take this potion."

Zhou Luo produced the Third Level healing potion and declared in a grave tone.

Shu Hongliu froze for an instant, a glimmer of light flickering in her beautiful eyes, then nodded firmly.

After swallowing that Third Level potion, a gentle force instantly spread throughout her entire body.

Her withered meridians and dantian, nourished by that power, began to regain vitality.

"This is a Third Level spiritual potion."

Shu Hongliu was astonished inwardly.

She could distinctly sense that it was a Third Level spiritual potion, with exceptionally potent healing effects.

In just moments, her parched meridians were infused with strands of energy, and her sluggishly flowing magical power became smoother.

Instantly, gazing at Zhou Luo before her, who had his eyes shut absorbing the extreme Yang energy, tears sprang to her eyes.

She never expected him to so decisively give her a Third Level spiritual potion.

After all, this was a Third Level spiritual potion meant for healing; if he had kept it, he could easily have used it as a powerful trump card for himself.

Yet he gave it to her without a second thought.

At that moment, Shu Hongliu experienced the feeling of being cared for for the very first time.

From the time she could remember, she had been alone, wandering the streets; if not for the good fortune of being found by a Foundation Establishment cultivator, she might well have frozen to death outdoors.

Later, aided by that Foundation Establishment cultivator, her strength advanced rapidly, earning her current prowess.

Sadly, that Foundation Establishment cultivator soon died at the hands of bandits.

From then on, she became solitary once more.

Though alone, at least she had the skill to support herself.

Then, she journeyed alone to the Jinyun Immortal City, remaining there until now.

It could be said that loneliness defined her life; she was perpetually fighting battles single-handedly.

Even later, she gained companions, but they only joined her for mutual profit, lacking genuine sincerity.

Thus, Shu Hongliu’s heart had always been steeped in solitude.

Until Zhou Luo appeared.

He was like a ray of sunlight that illuminated her in the darkness, enabling her to glimpse a different existence for the first time.

Although that ray of sunlight also brought benefits.

In truth, he didn’t have to do many things.

For example, the spiritual contract he prepared early to reassure her,

or how he spent those days teaching her to suppress the Pure Yang energy within her,

and now, his unreserved presentation of that Third Level spiritual potion.

Therefore, Shu Hongliu was deeply moved within; her gaze toward Zhou Luo softened, brimming with affection.

Staring at that handsome face, she resolved silently that no matter what happened, she would accompany him all her life until death.

Shu Hongliu never knew.

It was precisely that decision that led to her becoming renowned as the Empress.