Chapter 470 - 428: Flesh Is Weak

Chapter 470: Chapter 428: Flesh Is Weak

Everyone felt a jolt in their hearts, knowing that something had gone wrong.

Tao Boliang hurriedly rushed forward, Yang Jiye descended with a puzzled expression, ready to withdraw his double swords and deploy two layers of defensive spiritual artifacts, but unexpectedly the flying snake suddenly collapsed.

What just happened?

A mechanical creak sounded lightly, a passage opened again at the belly of the flying snake, and Tao Zhongxian crawled out with difficulty.

He had entered from the lower jaw earlier and now emerged from the lower abdomen. It seems there are many passages and cavities inside this daoist soldier. It’s unclear where the control room specifically is.

But Lu Qian wasn’t very intent on pondering this, as he saw Tao Zhongxian’s figure swaying, his complexion pale, his lips purple, and he immediately collapsed into Tao Boliang’s arms.

"Sect Leader, Elders, I can’t hold on..." he said weakly.

From this, it seemed that the problem wasn’t with the flying snake daoist soldier, but with Tao Zhongxian!

Looking at his symptoms, which seemed very familiar, Lu Qian quickly stepped forward, placed his hand on his wrist, and spiritual power and divine sense simultaneously surged into his body.

"Sect Leader, after my younger brother successfully activated the flying snake daoist soldier, he has been showing symptoms of divine sense depletion these past few days. I thought that resting for several days would restore him, but who would have expected—" Tao Boliang’s anxious words were cut off by Lu Qian’s raised hand. Everyone held their breath, waiting for Lu Qian’s diagnosis.

Lu Qian’s expression suddenly became grave. Although his divine sense wasn’t as sharp as Fang Hui’s, he was after all more advanced in cultivation, making it effortless to probe Tao Zhongxian’s condition. With just a gentle turn, he found Tao Zhongxian’s divine sense was vastly depleted, extremely weak, and this was a minor issue; the most critical was...

"This is not merely divine sense depletion." Lu Qian raised his head and said solemnly, "Zhongxian’s divine soul is severely damaged!"

"His divine soul is greatly damaged, and his divine sense is incredibly weak. Even if he recuperates and rests, and superficially recovers, if the injury to his divine soul isn’t repaired, his spiritual sense strength can only reach half of its original."

At this moment, Tao Zhongxian’s complexion turned even paler, his body trembling, while Tao Boliang was thunderstruck, staring at Lu Qian blankly.

The elders were all shocked, but Wang Yu was the first to react, saying in a deep voice, "So that’s it, it seems this is the price of connecting a cultivator to a daoist soldier and personally activating it."

Tao Boliang shuddered, muttering, "So this is it, through the ages, so many talented artifact refiners, how could they have waited for my younger brother to come up with this method."

"No wonder the refining essentials don’t record this method."

"When my younger brother just succeeded, everyone was excited. He only felt a splitting headache at the time, assuming it was due to excessive depletion and that resting well would restore him, I didn’t pay particular attention, but who knew..."

"To connect a living person to a daoist soldier for activation requires such a huge price, hence no one uses this method. My silly brother previously thought he was a supreme genius, coming up with a brilliant idea."

As he spoke, he suddenly knelt, anxiously saying, "Sect Leader Lu, you have great divine techniques, I beg you to save him!"

Lu Qian nodded, feeling extremely heavy-hearted.

To activate this experimental machine, Tao Zhongxian had paid such a huge price!

"I will certainly do my utmost, our sect’s newly joined honored guest elder Fang Hui has quite a research in divine soul and divine sense, I will immediately request him to diagnose Zhongxian."

Tao Boliang’s expression slightly eased, but then he heard Lu Qian say, "But divine soul damage is extremely tricky, we have no certainty. If it proves really challenging to treat, the two brothers must be mentally prepared."

Upon hearing this, Tao Boliang’s body shook, his hands trembling, but Tao Zhongxian forced a smile and said, "Brother, don’t feel bad, no one foresaw this situation, it is the consequence of my own choice, no one should be blamed."

"Didn’t you often say that being injured for artifact refining is the refiner’s destiny and honor?"

Faced with the suddenly mature Tao Zhongxian, Tao Boliang felt a complex mix of emotions, unsure whether to laugh or cry.

For the activation of this daoist soldier, Tao Zhongxian’s divine soul was greatly damaged! He was initially at Qi cultivation level seven, and upon reaching level eight and late-stage Qi cultivation, he could simultaneously wield two magical artifacts. But after this incident, his spiritual sense strength plummeted, even controlling one artifact became challenging.

No wonder earlier when seeing him piloting the flying spiritual artifact, he seemed erratic, unable to properly manage it.

Tao Zhongxian then turned to Lu Qian, "Sect Leader, if treatment proves unfeasible, may I make a request?"

Seeing Lu Qian nod, Tao Zhongxian smiled, "Earlier my brother said he didn’t know why I handle this experimental machine much better than others. Now it seems it’s because I completed the activation."

"While operating this daoist soldier, I feel as if it is an extension of my flesh and blood, as if it is part of my body." Tao Zhongxian’s expression softened significantly, and his gaze was deeply entranced.

"In the future, may I be allowed to operate this daoist soldier? If my divine soul can’t recover, the conventional path will be extremely challenging. Let this daoist soldier carry my future."

At these words, Lu Qian felt moved, blurting out, "Flesh is weak, mechanical ascension?"

"Flesh is weak, mechanical ascension..." Repeating twice, Tao Zhongxian’s eyes shone increasingly bright, joyfully saying, "Exactly! In the future, I will properly modify this daoist soldier, constantly strengthen and upgrade it, and perhaps trailblaze a path!"

It’s a pity he was too weak, momentarily exhilarated, feeling dizzy, almost fainting.

Lu Qian pondered for a moment, then said, "The brothers contributed greatly towards refining the daoist soldiers, especially Zhongxian who gambles on his future. Since so, I grant Zhongxian’s request."

"But this needs to be stated clearly, this experimental machine remains sect property, although operated by you and modified as you wish, it isn’t your personal possession. This point must be understood."

Tao Zhongxian was overjoyed, nodding emphatically, finally unable to hold on, fainting instantly.

"Quickly invite Honored Guest Fang for diagnosis!"

After two hours, Tao Zhongxian was already settled on the bed, and Fang Hui had completed his diagnosis.

"His symptoms are clear, it’s immense pressure on the divine soul, causing substantial damage." Fang Hui said slowly, "Such injury has shaken the very foundations, very hard to reverse, we can only slowly nurture. I will design a treatment plan, but as to its final effectiveness, I have no guarantees."

"In due time, making him lively won’t be difficult, but his spiritual sense strength will likely remain permanently diminished."

Faced with this outcome, even with attempts to mentally prepare, Tao Boliang was still pale-faced, feeling heavy-hearted, sitting beside the bed looking at his awakened brother.

Tao Zhongxian tried to appear more relaxed, smiling, "Brother, don’t be so sad, I’m actually quite happy. Being able to drive this flying snake daoist soldier in the future, how cool would that be? With this ride, little fairies will surely vie to accompany me."

Tao Boliang managed a smile, scolding him as a rascal.

Lu Qian sighed lightly, exiting with Fang Hui, leaving space for the two brothers.

Having acquired a flying snake daoist soldier comparable to late-stage Foundation Establishment, the cost was significant too. From this experimental machine’s exploration, subsequent upgrades in Yunshan Sect’s artifact refining system could be scheduled, though waiting for Tao Boliang to stabilize his mood first.

Though flesh is weak, mechanical ascension. If truly unfeasible, one must accept reality, and see whether this kid Tao Zhongxian can forge his own path.