Wayfarer

Chapter 873: The Golden Sapling

Chapter 873: The Golden Sapling

Within Xiao Nanfeng's arms, Liu Miaoyin blushed slightly and said, "Let me go."

"Be careful. If you can't block the heartforce assault, don't hesitate to come back," Xiao Nanfeng warned, releasing his grip.

Liu Miaoyin stepped forward, but as soon as she did, the heart force surged again. She instantly saw countless monsters rushing toward her, causing her face to turn pale. She quickly retreated and returned to Xiao Nanfeng's embrace, at which point the monsters disappeared entirely.

"I was just—" Liu Miaoyin tried to explain, her face flushing.

"I understand. There's no need to explain. This is an emergency," Xiao Nanfeng reassured her.

Liu Miaoyin sighed in relief and asked curiously, "Why aren't you affected by this space? And what happened here?"

"I had a stroke of fortune that renders me immune to these attacks. Just now, Saint Lun Hui forced Han Gucheng's malicious body to self-destruct. Then, I killed Saint Lun Hui. The only things left are this charm of heavenly law and green pearl," Xiao Nanfeng explained.

"They're both dead?" Liu Miaoyin asked in surprise.

"Right, I got lucky. What should we do now? This green pearl seems to control the space. Why don't you try using it?" Xiao Nanfeng suggested.

Liu Miaoyin took the green pearl and frowned. "Just as I thought."

"What's this?" Xiao Nanfeng asked, curious.

"This orb contains numerous restrictive seals. It indeed controls the heartforce killing formation, but the heavens designed it so that it would only be usable by Saint Lun Hui. Others can't activate it," Liu Miaoyin said.

"Oh?"

"This green pearl is crafted from clearheart ore. Holding it can help resist some of the offensive heart force," Liu Miaoyin continued.

"Is it rare?" Xiao Nanfeng asked curiously.

"It's fairly common. It's often used by those who cultivate their hearts for added stability. Many consider it a valuable treasure."

"Oh? Then you should give it a try," Xiao Nanfeng urged.

Liu Miaoyin nodded and stepped out of Xiao Nanfeng's embrace as she held the green pearl. Instantly, the monsters reappeared, but the green pearl emitted a green glow that halved the number of monsters.

"All phenomena are like dreams and illusions, bubbles and reflections, dew and lightning," Liu Miaoyin intoned.

A black glow emanated from her body. The remaining monsters vanished completely.

"Are you able to block all the illusions now?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.

"Yes, but the clearheart ore only neutralizes half of them. I had to handle the rest myself," Liu Miaoyin explained.

"It seems that clearheart ore really is a treasure," Xiao Nanfeng murmured.

"No. It's both a blessing and a curse. I wouldn't want to own such a treasure myself," Liu Miaoyin said, shaking her head.

"Why is that?"

"As a cultivator of the heart, I wouldn't want to rely on external aids. Progress comes from within, and dependence on external tools undermines the essence of cultivation. If you're serious about cultivating your heart, never use such aids," Liu Miaoyin warned.

"I understand," Xiao Nanfeng replied, though with an odd expression on his face.

He didn't care about this clearheart ore, especially when his golden sprout was so much more potent. Liu Miaoyin's advice only made him more cautious regarding how to handle it.

"What's your current cultivation?" Xiao Nanfeng asked curiously.

"Me? I'm the same as before, an early-stage Boundless Immortal. With my eidolon, I can express the power of a mid- to late-stage Boundless Immortal. Once I raise my cultivation further, my eidolon will grow stronger as well."

After some time, as Xiao Nanfeng absorbed all the green fog, the void began to ripple anew. This time, even Liu Miaoyin couldn't stabilize it further.

"You've absorbed everything? Good!" Liu Miaoyin exclaimed.

As the void trembled and the space shattered, Liu Miaoyin's eidolon protected Xiao Nanfeng.

They once again returned to the world at large. The dark clouds that had covered the sky had all vanished completely.

Around them, Tu Feng and the others had already subdued Han Gucheng's subordinates. When they saw wXiao Nanfeng and Liu Miaoyin emerge, they brightened up with relief.

Liu Miaoyin waved a hand, gesturing for everyone to stay back. Tu Feng nodded and motioned everyone away as well.

Xiao Nanfeng glanced at the world of his heart to see that his golden sprout had grown into a rather sturdy golden sapling.

The golden sapling exuded radiant light that dispelled the fog of his inner world.

Though he couldn't fully grasp its mysteries, he felt an even deeper connection to it.

With a hum, Xiao Nanfeng opened his eyes.

"Ah, Senior Miaoyin, you brought me out?" Xiao Nanfeng exclaimed.

Liu Miaoyin chuckled. "Rather, you brought me out. Aren't you aware?"

"Ah?" Xiao Nanfeng was surprised.

Liu Miaoyin explained what had happened. "How did you manage to nullify the heavens' heartforce killing formation so easily?"

"I don't know myself, but those arrays seem particularly beneficial to my growth. If we encounter more, I'd like to absorb it.

"Very well," Liu Miaoyin promised.

She handed him the green pearl of clearheart ore. "With the array gone, the heavens' restrictions on this pearl are gone as well. It's nothing more than simple clearheart ore now. I'll have you figure out what you want to do with it yourself. Don't rely on it."

Xiao Nanfeng nodded and shook Yang Chuan's body out of a certain gourd.

As Yang Chuan stood up, he exclaimed, "Xiao Nanfeng, we're out! What happened?"

"Saint Lun Hui killed Han Gucheng, and then I killed Saint Lun Hui," Xiao Nanfeng summarized simply.

"That easily?" Yang Chuan exclaimed.

"What else?" Xiao Nanfeng replied.

"Alright, then. You just made it sound so simple that it didn't feel realistic to me," Yang Chuan replied, smiling wryly. Then, his eyes lit up. "What's that in your hand?"

"Clearheart ore."

"Clearheart ore? Really?" Yang Chuan's eyes lit up.

"Are you familiar with it?" Xiao Nanfeng asked curiously.

Yang Chuan glanced at it, then hesitated a little. My cultivation technique requires clearheart ore for a breakthrough. I wonder if I might..."

"Here, for you. Take it as thanks for your help, and as compensation," Xiao Nanfeng smiled.

"Haha, you're the best, Xiao Nanfeng. Call me anytime!" Yang Chuan beamed.

He caught the ore and examined it carefully, then stored it quickly as if worried that Xiao Nanfeng would change his mind.Nôv(el)B\\jnn