C227 Battle Comprehension!
"Evil Body Refining Technique!"
In the valley, a woman clad in black exclaimed in shock.
Her appearance was plain, and she was petite, with numerous small bells hanging from the edges of her sleeves.
With every move she made, the bells jingled.
She stood alone in a secluded corner of Gloomhollow, with no one else within several meters.
Her words caused a stir, drawing the attention of many.
Even Loong Tianxiao looked on with evident surprise from a distance.
Though there were quite a few survivors in the valley, only a handful were regarded highly enough by Loong Tianxiao for him to treat them cautiously.
She was one of those few.
To Loong Tianxiao, this unremarkable woman in black was shrouded in mystery. Her origins unknown, he was hesitant to make any rash moves.
Oddly enough, the others in the valley seemed just as ignorant of her background.
Yet, despite their lack of knowledge, they understood her words.
Evil Body Refining Technique!
"Brother Guan, could it really be?"
Zanas, whose spirit had been crushed after the destruction of his nine flags, had lost his edge. He had been about to rise to his feet after Chou Wan was hurled into the toxic mists.
But a glance from Loong Tianxiao made him stand down.
Now, he eagerly turned his gaze to another member of the Binders of Shadows—Guan Xianyun.
The portly Guan Xianyun, much like a wealthy landlord, was at the same level as both him and Chou Wan, all of them in the Lunar Spirit state.
Guan Xianyun was slightly more powerful, having reached the pinnacle of the Lunar Spirit Realm. For the past decade, he had roamed far and wide in search of the breakthrough that would propel him into the Spirit Walk Realm.
In the Binders of Shadows, Guan Xianyun had become something of a reclusive figure, seldom seen in the Land of Quiescence.
This journey to the Serpent Spine Mountains had been undertaken at the behest of Chou Wan, with Guan Xianyun agreeing to join them in pursuit of the region's unique treasures.
His task was to lead the Poison Masters away, offering his success as a tribute to the sect.
"It is indeed the Evil Body Refining technique," Guan Xianyun confirmed with a slow nod. "There was a time when the Terror Claws sect was among the mightiest in the Land of Quiescence. You've likely heard of them; their most renowned practice was the Evil Body Refining technique, which ranks among the top three for cultivating formidable physiques."
"At the height of its power, the Terror Claws sect was more formidable than the Ruby Hand and Colddeath. They were on the verge of challenging the Devil Palace and Shadow's Keep. Unfortunately, they fell victim to a treacherous plot by the upper sects of Euwrea, were ambushed, and their strongest members were annihilated."
"As a result, the sect was wiped out."
After explaining, Guan Xianyun suddenly sat back down.
Zanas looked at him, puzzled.
"Chou Wan is seeking her own death; let her be," Guan Xianyun said with an unexpected calmness, not seeking to blame Yu Yuan for the death of a fellow sect member.
"We..." Zanas began, wanting to interject.
Guan Xianyun gestured dismissively, "I know you and that young man have your differences, but I won't interfere."
Zanas was taken aback.
"All I want is some peace," Guan Xianyun stated.
After a moment's hesitation, Zanas followed suit and sat down as well. He decided to disregard Chou Wan's death and forcefully pushed aside his own grievances with Yu Yuan.
"How could he have mastered the Evil Body Refining technique from the Terror Claws sect?"
"The Evil Body Refining technique is indeed miraculous in its ability to transform the body. But isn't it said that its full potential is only reached at the Veil Breaking stage?"
"Exactly. Both the Soul Awakening and Veil Breaking stages emphasize bodily refinement. The true horror of the Evil Body Refining technique should manifest at the Veil Breaking stage!"
"Chou Wan, from the Binders of Shadows, has endured severe injuries, yet she has also withstood the rigors of the Veil Breaking stage. The Binders of Shadows have their unique methods for body refinement at that stage. She shouldn't be so easily defeated, should she?"
"And what about the Nightstorm? What's the deal with that?"
The people in the valley were abuzz with their discussions, their faces etched with astonishment and bewilderment.
Yu Yuan's emergence, his assault on Chou Wan, and the sudden appearance of the Nightstorm...
The anomalies were baffling and difficult for them to come to terms with.
The woman in black, who had mentioned the "Evil Body Refining" technique, fell silent after her initial remark. She alternated between gazing at the sky and observing Yu Yuan, seemingly lost in thought.
Loong Tianxiao also remained quiet.
He pondered deeply, questioning why the Nightstorm had inexplicably targeted Chou Wan.
Before, the Nightstorm would either appear abruptly and sweep over everyone or vanish just as suddenly, leaving no sign of its presence.
Yu Yuan stood amidst a sea of bones at the heart of Gloomhollow.
As the Nightstorm emerged, everyone scattered to the corners, terrified of being caught in its gusts.
He stood solitary as Chou Wan perished, consumed by the miasma, paying no heed to those around him.
Even when the woman in black highlighted the "Evil Body Refining" technique, he seemed indifferent, quietly attuning to the burgeoning soreness in his lower elixir field.
The Golden Sanctum within his lower elixir field had been activated by his recent forceful strike, the tumultuous vitality, and the swift circulation of spiritual energy.
His desire to advance to the Golden Sanctum had been burning for far too long.
He was acutely aware that after the purification of the Soulforge Pool and the rigorous training in the Moonfall Sanctuary, his corporeal body had been honed to the pinnacle within the Soul Awakening stage.
All that was missing for a breakthrough to the Golden Sanctum was an opening.
"Combat is the ultimate means of advancement, the key to seizing the moment and forging a path to breakthrough!"
An epiphany struck him, leading to a realization.
The way of cultivation diverged from the art of leechcraft he knew in his past life.
In alchemy, beyond extensive practice, understanding the essence of medicine was crucial. One needed to be familiar with the nuances of the ingredients, the furnace, and the control of the flame, blending them into a cohesive whole.
In the journey of cultivation, to ascend beyond one's current realm, one must not only comprehend but also engage in battle.
A fight to the death, a rite of passage between life and death, played an irreplaceable role in shattering the barriers of one's realm.
In the Moonfall Sanctuary, he had dedicated himself to relentless cultivation, striving to unlock his lower elixir field and pry open the gates to the Golden Sanctum.
He had always met with failure.
But now, after channeling all his essence, vitality, and spiritual energy into a single punch, Chou Wan was left bloodied, hurled directly into the miasma cloud. Remarkably, his sealed lower elixir field showed signs of yielding.
"Words may flow like a river, but for cultivators, battle is essential."
A smile crept onto Yu Yuan's lips. "I must adapt to the fact that in this life, I am a true cultivator, not a herbalist devoted to a lifetime of leechcraft! The cultivation path I walk now cannot be trodden with the methods of medicine. Otherwise, I'll never reach the pinnacle!"
With these thoughts, he abruptly left everyone behind and boldly ventured into the depths of Gloomhollow.
All eyes were on him!
Deep within Gloomhollow lay numerous caves and burrows, emitting deadly vapors and the chilling Nightstorm.
This was the true forbidden area of Gloomhollow!
Moreover, the most malevolent Poison Masters in the history of the Sacred Hands sect were confined within, yet none had surfaced.
The consensus was that these Poison Masters might have fallen victim to the miasma – a creation they were believed to have cultivated collectively.
What could Yu Yuan's purpose be in seeking out such a place?
