Published: March 3, 2025
Eight years ago, when Liu Yu took on the task of escorting Guo Poyun, he requested a second-grade spiritual fire as a reward.
Since it was a cultivation technique, it was natural that there would be further demands in the future.
If he needed a second-grade spiritual fire before, would he need a third-grade spiritual fire later?
Upon learning of Liu Yu's identity as an "alchemical pill master" and seeing his strength far surpassing that of others at the same stage, Zhang Tao determined that Zhang Yi being his disciple was the most suitable choice.
Thus, he visited the elders and contacted several clansmen, putting aside his pride to gather a generous gift for the apprenticeship.
As for Liu Yu's character, he believed he had a sufficient understanding after eight years of interaction, as well as two major events: the "escort of the magical treasure" and the "battle of Spiritual Martial City."
The other party's moral bottom line was indeed quite "flexible."
However, he still adhered to the most basic promises; at the very least, he wasn't the type to be capricious or harm others for his own benefit.
After all, there was no reason to wantonly destroy something beneficial for everyone, right?
Of course, having profound knowledge in the fire element was a significant advantage.
Thinking of this, Zhang Tao did not hesitate, and the spiritual light of his storage bracelet flickered slightly.
A dark jade box, sealed with a spiritual sealing talisman, appeared in his hand and gently floated over to Liu Yu.
Perhaps he himself was unaware that his identity as the "messenger of Tian Nan" had given him a favorable impression of Liu Yu from the very beginning.
Over the years, he had paid special attention to him.
"Clack!"
Liu Yu caught the dark jade box, nodded slightly to Zhang Tao, and then lifted a corner of the spiritual sealing talisman, slowly opening it.
"Crack!"
In an instant, a peculiar spiritual force emanated from the crevice of the jade box, with Liu Yu, holding the box, being the first to bear its brunt.
This was a third-grade spiritual fire. Aside from some unexpected factors, an ordinary golden core cultivator could dominate the golden core realm with such a spiritual fire.
As long as he did not encounter a top-tier golden core, he would be able to ensure his safety among the third stage.
Disregarding some variables, solely considering its lethality against living beings, it could even rival or surpass the most powerful magical treasures!
Thus, when facing the third-grade spiritual fire, Liu Yu did not overestimate himself. Sensing that peculiar spiritual force, he immediately focused his mind.
Combining the techniques of "art of spirit preservation" and "dream of shadows heart sutra," his formless and intangible spiritual consciousness immediately moved, constructing a heavy "wall of spiritual consciousness" in front of him, protecting himself within.
In the next moment, that peculiar spiritual force collided with the thick wall of spiritual consciousness.
"Hiss~"
In a seemingly subtle manner, a sharp noise echoed in his ears.
But upon closer inspection, both Zhang Tao and Zhang Yi showed no signs of unusual reaction, as if they had not heard anything at all.
"This sound does not exist in reality; it only exists on the spiritual level."
The sharp noise quickly vanished, and Liu Yu noticed that both of them remained unchanged, drawing a conclusion in his heart.
Seeing that the peculiar force was successfully blocked by the wall of spiritual consciousness, he reached out to continue touching the dark jade box, intending to fully open it.
"Mm?!"
But at that moment, Liu Yu suddenly paused.
He keenly sensed that after the originally blocked peculiar force dissipated, there was still an invisible power that was not hindered by the wall of spiritual consciousness, directly spreading toward him.
This power could not be observed by the naked eye or through spiritual consciousness.
It could only be sensed through spiritual perception, but even Liu Yu needed to focus slightly to sense it.