Chapter 379 - 297: An Unexpected Trump Card (2)

Chapter 379: Chapter 297: An Unexpected Trump Card (2)

"Haaaah..."

Yu Changsheng collapsed onto the ground and wiped the cold sweat from his pale face. He let out a shaky breath, his heart still pounding from the close call.

’That guy... he actually chose to self-destruct. Was it really necessary? Thank God for the system... Otherwise, the entire Medicinal Herb Town would have been wiped off the map.’

Yu Changsheng gave a wry, helpless smile. He could sense the Black-robed Cultivator’s mangled body inside his system backpack and patted his chest in relief.

A Golden Core is, in essence, a special crystal formed from the entirety of a Cultivator’s condensed Cultivation. Thus, upon reaching the Golden Core realm, a Cultivator naturally gains an ability: the choice to detonate it. This act transforms a lifetime of cultivation into a single, brilliant burst of power.

The consequences of such an act range from mild to severe. In a milder case, the Golden Core shatters, crippling their Cultivation and reducing them to a mortal. In a more severe case, their Life Origin is damaged, and they do not have long to live.

The Black-robed Cultivator’s choice, however, was even more extreme.

He chose to detonate not only his Golden Core Cultivation but also his physical body and Divine Soul, which were intrinsically linked to it. Using his Divine Soul as a primer and his body as fuel, he ignited the Golden Core, turning himself into a living bomb to achieve the ultimate destructive force. The resulting explosion was far more powerful and terrifying than a typical Golden Core detonation.

’Then again, it’s because he chose such a thorough self-destruction that his Divine Soul was instantly annihilated and his Vitality completely extinguished. If that hadn’t happened, I wouldn’t have been able to put him in my backpack.’

The system backpack’s storage space was similar to a Storage Pouch, but far more advanced and covert. Naturally, it couldn’t hold living things.

Time was also frozen within it. In his haste, Yu Changsheng had no other option but to take a desperate gamble and place the man inside the system backpack.

Sensing the mangled corpse within the system backpack, frozen in the instant before detonation, Yu Changsheng gently shook his head. After a long moment, his mind grew calm again.

’I need to be more careful in the future. I might not be so lucky next time. When you push someone to the brink, they’ll really do anything.’

Yu Changsheng muttered to himself and scratched his head, lost in thought.

’But, in a way, haven’t I accidentally gained a trump card? If I run into trouble next time and I just toss this self-detonating Golden Core out of my backpack, then...’

At this thought, Yu Changsheng secretly swallowed. His eyes glinted, and he let out a sly chuckle.

’A Golden Core on the verge of complete self-destruction... a time bomb. Not many people could handle something like that, right?’

Thanks to the unique properties of the system backpack, time didn’t exist inside. Whatever an object looked like going in, it looked the same coming out. Therefore, the Black-robed Cultivator’s state of self-destruction hadn’t vanished; it was merely paused. The moment Yu Changsheng released it, the detonation would resume.

The power of a complete Golden Core detonation was enough to make even someone of Yu Changsheng’s current strength tremble in fear just thinking about it. If he hadn’t intervened in time and the explosion had gone off, Yu Changsheng himself might have barely survived. However, every living being in Medicinal Herb Town below the Golden Core realm would have been annihilated in an instant.

That was a result Yu Changsheng was unwilling to see, not to mention that Shen Xingchen and the others were in town at that moment. Putting the man in his system backpack was a reluctant but necessary solution.

Shaking his head to suppress these thoughts, Yu Changsheng wasted no time. He silently returned to the Ancient Sun Medicine Gathering Team’s lodging. After a moment of contemplation, he muttered to himself.

’Even though you didn’t say who sent you, I’d bet my life on it. The only ones who would go to such lengths to eliminate me are the Yang Family and the Spirit Dragon Sect. And that Dark Stream... they’re no good either.’

’I’ll settle all these scores with you once I’m strong enough...’

With that thought, Yu Changsheng let out a long breath and calmed his mind to continue his Cultivation.

’I have to break through and increase my strength as soon as possible. Once I reach the Golden Core realm, I’ll finally have some real measure of safety on the Martial Continent...’

The night’s events didn’t cause much of a stir; everything had happened quietly. Yu Changsheng didn’t tell Zhang Tianwen what had occurred, and the night passed peacefully.

The next day, as the morning sun broke the dawn, the group of four delayed no further. They boarded the Spirit Ship and set off toward the Wanxiang Sect.

At that moment, their entire trip to Huishui Mountain had finally come to an end.

Five had come, but only four were returning. A somber silence hung over the group because of it. They didn’t make any further stops along the way, instead flying toward the Wanxiang Sect at full speed.

「Three days passed in a flash...」

Aboard the Spirit Ship, the wind howled. The harsh sunlight beat down on the deck, raising the surrounding temperature considerably.

"Changsheng... do you have any plans for when we get back to the sect?"

Zhang Tianwen walked softly over to Yu Changsheng. His gaze swept across the sea of clouds before finally settling on Yu Changsheng, who had just finished his Cultivation. After a moment’s thought, he spoke quietly.

"Huh?" Yu Changsheng was taken aback. He thought for a moment, then nodded. "Well, not really. Just plan to keep my head down and continue my Cultivation."

"I see..." Hearing this, Zhang Tianwen gave Yu Changsheng a surprised look, a hint of hesitation appearing on his face before he heaved a heavy sigh.

"This trip to Huishui Mountain... it’s a good thing you were all here. It was one twist and turn after another..."

"It’s alright. We can count it as a trial. As for what happened, we’ll just report it truthfully when we get back to the sect and let them handle it."

It was the only answer Yu Changsheng could give.

"Yes, it’s just a pity..." ℯ

Zhang Tianwen paused, shaking his head without finishing his sentence. He let out a soft breath, his expression hesitant as he spoke again.

"If it’s convenient, there is one more thing I’d like to ask for your help with, Changsheng."

"Oh? What is it? Please, Senior Brother Zhang, just ask."

Yu Changsheng’s expression faltered for a second, then he patted his chest in assurance.

"Well," Zhang Tianwen began, thinking for a moment. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he spoke.

"I know your Alchemy is outstanding, Changsheng, and that your relationship with Elder Yang is very good. I was hoping... could you perhaps help me with an introduction? I would like to ask Elder Yang to refine an Elixir for me. Of course, I will not be stingy with the payment."

"Oh, so that’s what this is about. No problem. I’ll go speak to him when we get back."

Realization dawned on Yu Changsheng, and he broke into a smile. Elder Yang, also known as Yang Tianyi, was the Wanxiang Sect’s number one Alchemist. Over the past year, though they weren’t officially master and disciple, their relationship was very much like one. A small matter like this wouldn’t be difficult at all.

"Then I’ll be troubling you, Changsheng."

Zhang Tianwen let out a long sigh of relief, a smile finally appearing on his face.

"Coming all the way to Huishui Mountain, with all the trouble we went through... I finally managed to get my hands on this Nascent Building Grass. The next step is to refine the Solidification Pill. It seems this trip wasn’t a waste after all."

"The Solidification Pill... I’ll speak to Elder Yang after we return to the sect. Don’t worry, Senior Brother Zhang."

Yu Changsheng offered a word of comfort and gave Zhang Tianwen a reassuring look.

The Nascent Building Grass was the main and most precious ingredient for refining the Solidification Pill. The Solidification Pill itself was a Fourth-Grade Elixir, and within the entire Wanxiang Sect, only Yang Tianyi currently had the skill to refine it.

Over the years, Zhang Tianwen had spent a considerable amount of resources trying to restore his Eighth-Layer Spirit Platform. Though he hadn’t succeeded, he had come very close. The Solidification Pill was his last attempt.

Regarding this, Yu Changsheng could only offer his blessings. It was a small favor, and he would naturally do his best to help.

Especially since this trip to Huishui Mountain, which might have just been a trial for the others, had yielded an immeasurable fortune for Yu Changsheng.

...

After another day of travel, the Spirit Ship gradually entered the Wanxiang Sect’s territory. Before long, the sect came into view.

"We’re finally here. It feels like a lifetime ago. Going out on a trip really isn’t easy."

Li Minghan exclaimed with a sigh. Upon arriving at the Wanxiang Sect, the tension he had been holding completely dissolved, only to be replaced by waves of mental exhaustion washing over him.