Chapter 96: Change at the Dragon Palace

“Good, good, great!” Mu Yuan hadn’t expected this great curse would actually take physical form. Seeing the Azure Dragon gallop forth, its proud, long-lived feeling stretching across time perfectly matched his own Longevity True Qi. Filled with joy, he declared, “This great curse shall be named the Longevity Curse!”

Ling Ruoshui’s Zhenqi was almost completely devoured. Though her foundation remained intact, she needed a long period of quiet rest to recover. Had Mu Yuan deliberately used the Longevity Curse to swallow all her Zhenqi and Primordial Qi, her cultivation would have been all ruined, with no hope of restoration!

Even so, Ling Ruoshui had only just finished Condensing Evil Energy. Before she could solidify her gains, this setback struck, surely limiting her future achievements.

With her Zhenqi emptied, Ling Ruoshui was terrified. She could no longer maintain her stance in the Void. The Flying Sword she had been controlling with Mu Yuan’s Primordial Qi Grasping Hand stopped trembling. Mu Yuan gave a cold laugh, silently blaming her for meddling beyond her ability. He ignored her. The three great curses—one purple, one black, one azure—two dragons and one turtle, flew over, swirling around Mu Yuan.

Zhou Huasheng was both shocked and furious. His Azure Light Spell-Breaking Sword clanged sharply in his hand. Seeing Ling Ruoshui fall from the Void, he shouted angrily, “Mu Yuan! Such cruelty against a fellow disciple!”

Mu Yuan laughed. “Zhou Huasheng, why this act? You started this. Things just didn’t go your way; you couldn’t defeat me. If you had, I’d be no better off than her!”

Zhou Huasheng snorted coldly. Within the sword net, he rushed left and right, the azure light intensifying. Mu Yuan simply compressed the net further, the sword strands becoming brighter, tougher, and more resilient. The two fought for quite some time, and Mu Yuan knew not how to end it; the opponent’s Flying Sword was incredibly cunning.

Right at that moment, a cold voice commanded, “Cease this at once!”

Mu Yuan had no time to react. His Green Wood Thunderblade shook violently in his hand. The vast, surging sword net was swept away by a streak of azure light that tore through everything. Zhou Huasheng was also flung away by that azure light, tumbling several times mid-air, looking thoroughly disheveled!

The azure light that shattered the sword net shot down like lightning, fixing itself mid-air. Mu Yuan’s Primordial Qi Grasping Hand shrank into a delicate palm shape, wrapped in the azure glow. The shimmering light coalesced into a figure: long beard, white hair, a proper Daoist topknot, with a stern expression. Without even needing to think, Mu Yuan knew this was definitely the elder guarding Round Pot Mountain—the True Person Linghua!

“So it’s a Primordial Spirit master! Our sect actually has one here!” Mu Yuan was shocked. He heard Linghua say, “Fighting is forbidden within Round Pot Mountain. Those meant to leave, leave. Those meant to stay, stay. Engage in no more conflict, lest you face my wrath!”

The Primordial Qi Grasping Hand flew back. Mu Yuan hastily stored it, bowing respectfully. Zhou Huasheng did the same, resentfully helping Ling Ruoshui up. He glared fierce at Mu Yuan before flying away with her.

Once the two were far gone, Mu Yuan prepared to leave to Condense Evil Energy. However, Linghua said, “Let me see those curses on your hand!”

Mu Yuan handed over the three great curses. They hovered before the True Person, agile and full of intent. Linghua flicked his finger. The Purple Dragon roared, the Azure Dragon snarled, and the Turtle cried out. Linghua looked puzzled. Though possessing Primordial Spirit cultivation, his knowledge was limited; he’d never heard of the Brilliant Salvation Curse. He considered asking but thought it intrusive. He merely advised, “Focus on Condensing Evil Energy. Cause no more trouble!” Then, he transformed back into azure light and vanished!

Mu Yuan, having fought Zhou Huasheng for no reason, felt stifled despite winning. He stored all his Divine Abilities and rushed to the “Mystic Wind Yin Fiend” site he’d previously chosen. Seeing the faint, cyan mist of evil energy pervading the place, he calmed himself, centered his mind, and then entered it. He controlled the strange True Qi, directing his Longevity True Qi to start engulfing the surrounding evil energy according to the Condensing Evil Energy method!

With his past experience in Condensing Evil Energy, Mu Yuan proceeded skillfully this time. Releasing his Longevity True Qi slowly, he continuously merged with the pure evil energy and earth energy. He also let the Longevity Curse manifest outside his body to devour freely and stopped paying it attention.

His mind became still, his intent circulating through his pathways. Devouring the earth’s evil energy was a process of understanding the world’s mysteries. Mu Yuan’s Longevity True Qi was incredibly refined. Within his Dantian, his Longevity Seed became wrapped in a cocoon of evil energy, spinning constantly and absorbing wisp after wisp of the energy inside.

He lost track of time. Mu Yuan became filled with vital essence and swirling evil energy. His Longevity True Qi merged completely with the earth’s spiritual evil energy. Even his Spiritual Sense, tempered by the Yin Cold Ice Evils, seemed stronger. Mu Yuan leaped into the air, swift as light! He was mid-air in an instant!

For disciples of the Longevity Palace, Wind and Lightning attribute earth evil energies were best. Mu Yuan chose wind power born in wind evil. After his Longevity True Qi absorbed the Mystic Wind Yin Fiend, his movement speed far surpassed his previous capabilities. A casual gesture summoned countless swirling vortexes of wind—immensely powerful!

“Finally passed the fourth layer of our sect’s core method! From now on, I can face enemies much more openly!”

With Condensing Evil Energy complete, Round Pot Mountain held nothing more for him. Leaving it, he saw the Dragon Boat still berthed a few miles away. A dazzling layer of black light shrouded the boat. Drawing closer, he saw Chu Yunfei sitting solemnly at the bow, black radiance circling his body in two rings, constantly expanding outward.

“Brother Chu has actually cultivated the Primordial Five-Colored Mirage Light to the second layer!”

At first glance, Mu Yuan recognized it as Chu Yunfei’s cultivated Primordial Five-Colored Mirage Light. He lightly flicked out a sword light that whistled forward like a whirlwind. Hitting the black light, he felt a resilient force bounce it back. He marveled silently at the power of this Divine Ability.

Disturbed by Mu Yuan, Chu Yunfei opened his eyes. Recognizing him, he smiled. “You just got out? Your Martial Sister finished Condensing Evil Energy several days ago!”

Mu Yuan paused, remembering. Though Qi Wei also practiced Tidal Flow and Forge Furnace Art, her Longevity True Qi was less substantial than his. Her faster Condensing Evil Energy was expected.

Landing effortlessly on the bow, smoke and fire avoiding him, Mu Yuan asked, “What’s the plan now?”

Chu Yunfei smiled. “Brother Mu, you’ve completed Condensing Evil Energy. Isn’t Refining Righteous Energy next?”

Chu Yunfei grinned. “The Heaven’s Might Atmosphere suitable for our sect is scarce. Reaching it means piercing through the wind and thunder layers above. I’d planned to protect myself with the Profound Yin Gathering Beast Banner to pass those layers and Refine Righteous Energy within the Pojun Heaven’s Might Atmosphere. But that presented difficulties; the Profound Yin Gathering Beast Banner is an external Magical Artifact. Conveniently, I acquired this Primordial Five-Colored Mirage Light. Once I cultivate it to the third layer, it will ensure my safety!”

“So that’s it,” Mu Yuan replied. The Heaven’s Might Atmosphere differed from the earth evils; it endlessly circled beyond the earth. Knowing which one he needed, he could pierce the cloud layers to refine it. Suitable atmospheres for the Longevity Art included the Azure Dragon Heaven’s Might and Wood Mansion Heaven’s Might. Mu Yuan hadn’t decided yet anyway; there was plenty of time.

“I’ll ask Martial Sister which aspect she plans to refine,” Mu Yuan mused quietly. He slipped inside the boat, lightly knocking on Qi Wei’s cabin door. Qi Wei opened it. Seeing Mu Yuan, her eyes lit up with happy surprise. “You finished condensing too?”

“Yes,” Mu Yuan nodded. Qi Wei, having Condensed Evil Energy with the Five Fires Thunder Evil, looked changed—her aura held a newfound sternness. He asked, “Martial Sister, which Heaven’s Might Atmosphere will you refine?”

Qi Wei laughed softly. “Little brother, so impatient. Still, before descending the mountain, I consulted our master. She advised the Wood Mansion Heaven’s Might Atmosphere as the best option.”

Mu Yuan nodded affirmatively. Initially silent around each other, Qi Wei had changed a lot recently. Conversation didn’t feel as icy as before. After talking about cultivation briefly, with nothing pressing to do, the three began their return journey.

Only after hearing Chu Yunfei discuss piercing the Heaven’s Might Atmosphere did Mu Yuan recall that for Refining Righteous Energy, disciples either relied on Magical Artifacts or sought protective talismans from the sect. Deciding he would cultivate the Primordial Five-Colored Mirage Light too, preparing thoroughly for refining.

Sharing the same thought, the three usually cultivated silently inside their cabins, ignoring outside affairs. The Dragon Boat sailed westward on its own. Occasionally, Mu Yuan and Chu Yunfei would relax by fishing off the bow. All three having succeeded in Condensing Evil Energy and dedicated to cultivating, they reached the third level of this Divine Ability in just over half a month!

Cultivating Divine Abilities fundamentally relied on one’s own Qi Refinement as the foundation. Even a profound ability like the Primordial Five-Colored Mirage Light, if held by a Primordial Spirit master, could reach its ninth level—perfect completion—in mere days. Among the three, only Mu Yuan had initially cultivated it to the first level. Reaching the third level wasn’t fast!

Recalling their fight with the Mount Shu disciples back then, Lin Ruofeng had also only cultivated it to the third level. Yet its defense was formidable—Mu Yuan strained fruitlessly to break through. He only managed to trap the man with the Great Reincarnation Sword Formation of the Heavens, forcing him to reveal the cultivation chant later.

This day dawned clear and bright, the sea wind mild. Mu Yuan and Chu Yunfei were relaxing, fishing pleasantly off the boat’s bow. Suddenly, a fish-headed creature leaped from the sea! It landed before their ship and called out urgently, “Which Lord of the Dragon Palace is aboard? Disaster has struck Fengbie Palace! Please lend aid!”

Mu Yuan and Chu Yunfei stood immediately. Hearing the cry, Mu Yuan grasped the air casually, pulling the fish creature aboard. Mu Yuan queried urgently, “We aren’t of the Dragon Palace, but we are acquainted with Brother Ao Lie! What troubles Fengbie Palace?”

The fish creature gabbled quickly, “A wicked demon appeared in the palace! Extremely powerful! Lord Ao Lie is fighting it, but struggling! He ordered me to quickly seek aid from the Dragon Palace. Seeing honored immortals aboard a Dragon Palace vessel, I dared seek your help!”

Mu Yuan felt favorably towards Ao Lie. He urgently asked about the demon. The creature said, “I didn’t see clearly! I was tending duties inside. Sudden booms shook the heaven and earth ahead! Not long after, Lord Turtle urgently ordered me to ride to the Dragon Palace for help.”

Mu Yuan considered briefly, then directed, “Ride on to the Dragon Palace! We’ll head to Fengbie Palace to investigate!”

The fish creature thanked them profusely and sped off towards the Dragon Palace. Turning to Chu Yunfei, Mu Yuan reasoned, “Ao Lie has treated me well. Since we know, we ought to check.”

Chu Yunfei agreed. “Right. But someone bold enough to attack Dragon Palace territory is no ordinary foe. We must be extremely careful!”