“Damn it, I did not expect this guy to be so stubborn, but I cannot give up like this, otherwise Leng Mei is doomed!”
Taking a deep breath, Ling Xiao gritted his teeth and continued operating the Mountain and River Martial Soul to resolve that terrifying killing intent.
Leng Mei’s condition improved slightly, but Ling Xiao’s situation grew worse and worse.
Leng Mei’s hair returned to black, while Ling Xiao’s hair gradually turned gray, yellow, and withered.
He was now extremely weak.
Boom!
At that moment, a strange situation occurred. Within the Mountain and River Martial Soul, that proud sun released intense light. All darkness touching this strong light was instantly burned away.
The ferocious killing intent continuously retreated.
What surprised Ling Xiao most was that the killing intent energy, after being burned, actually merged into the Crimson Sun, transforming into two layers: one returning to daylight, the other to night.
Ling Xiao’s comprehension of the Light and Shadow Mysteries began to rise rapidly.
He actually broke through to the fifth step like this!
The killing intent finally completely dissipated. Ling Xiao slowly exhaled a mouthful of turbid qi. His weakened body was repaired by the energy produced from the killing intent and actually returned to normal.
Leng Mei’s cultivation, in this energy refinement, did not revert to its original state but remained at the half-step Yin Yang Realm.
Though her half-step Yin Yang was much weaker than most half-step Yin Yang experts and would require long-term seclusion to fully stabilize.
But without doubt, this was absolutely fortunate for her.
Extremely fortunate!
Because even a genius like Ling Xiao could not elevate his cultivation to such a terrifying realm in such a short time.
However, Leng Mei was unaware of all this. She remained in a coma, like a cute little kitten, curled up in Ling Xiao’s arms, completely devoid of her usual icy demeanor.
“Little girl, you truly turned misfortune into fortune.”
Holding Leng Mei, Ling Xiao left the spot and returned directly to the academy.
It was not safe outside after all.
Placing Leng Mei on his bed, Ling Xiao went out.
“So that is it. The fifth step of Light and Shadow Mysteries is like this. It is probably related to absorbing a large amount of killing intent energy from Leng Mei.”
Outside the room, Ling Xiao sensed himself. Not only had his cultivation advanced to mid Six Arts Heaven from this incident, but more importantly, he had comprehended the fifth step of Light and Shadow Mysteries.
Smiling faintly, though the benefits he gained were not as great as Leng Mei’s, he felt no jealousy.
Leng Mei’s elevation came from her readiness to sacrifice at any moment.
Without him, Leng Mei would likely have died or had her soul and body completely devoured by that fierce ghost.
Such incidents were common in the Xuan Realm.
Many martial artists seeking instant power boosts signed contracts with demonic beings, only to lose both body and soul in the end.
Leng Mei’s case was unique in the entire Xuan Realm.
Precisely because Ling Xiao had the Mountain and River Martial Soul; otherwise, Leng Mei’s fate would have been no different.
Of course, more importantly, for Ling Xiao, pulling Leng Mei back from death was the most joyous thing. The rest was secondary.
Glancing at the sweetly sleeping Leng Mei, Ling Xiao smiled, did not disturb her, and found an open space to consolidate his current cultivation.
The more experts he encountered, the more urgent Ling Xiao felt about improving his strength, for he knew his power was insufficient.
After all, Shenhuang Continent was merely a very weak land in the Xuan Realm. Now, he could only survive here cautiously.
Every step required careful consideration, which itself showed his lack of strength.
He was someone aiming for the Heavenly Selection Giant Gate. Without sufficient strength, that dream might never be realized.
…
The next day, the sun had yet to rise.
Shenhua Academy was already shrouded in a gloomy atmosphere, even more so than before.
Sikong Zun’s face was terrifyingly阴沉, icy aura constantly releasing from his body.
Sitting nearby, Feng Ming Wu Shan also looked grim.
Miaoshou Tianzun Sun Shang had actually been assassinated!
And in the imperial city no less!
Yet they had no clues at all.
After a long while, Sikong Zun coldly looked at the subordinates kneeling below and asked: “Speak, what have you investigated?”
“Reporting to the Deputy Dean, we have thoroughly examined the scene. The one who killed Miaoshou Tianzun likely reached half-step Yin Yang Realm strength!”
“Is that all?”
“For now, that is all.”
The kneeling person was sweating profusely on his forehead.
“Get out, continue investigating. If you find nothing, bring your heads to see me!”
Sikong Zun was nearly mad. Miaoshou Tianzun Sun Shang was someone the Emperor had invited from the True Demon Empire, yet he died just like that. How was he to explain to the State Preceptor, to the Emperor?
“My brother is very dissatisfied with this matter and questions why you did not go to the palace with Sun Shang last night.”
Feng Ming Wu Shan said coldly.
“Does the Crown Prince not know I was injured? That waste Sun Shang was killed so easily. If he died at the hands of Feng Qingyan, Huo Pili, or the Dean of Qingxu Academy, we could use it to find fault, but now, his death is truly useless!”
Sikong Zun revered Crown Prince Feng Ming Qi Shan.
But he was not afraid.
Because his strength was sufficient; even the Emperor had to give him face, let alone Feng Ming Qi Shan.
“Hehe, why be angry, Dean Sikong? Though losing Sun Shang has greatly injured our vitality, fortunately, Vice Dean Wan Chong’s medicinal materials are about to arrive. Sun Shang’s pill formulas remain, and with our current pharmacist reserves, we can continue refining Rejuvenation Pills. We will not be completely suppressed by Qingxu Academy!”
Feng Ming Wu Shan knew his tone had been too harsh and smiled faintly: “I will take my leave first. The Emperor has dispatched the ‘Bright Mirror Division’ to investigate this. Results should come soon.”
“Bright Mirror Division? The strongest secret organization of Shenhuang Empire?”
Sikong Zun was stunned and asked.
“Correct, they are not only powerful but skilled at solving cases.”
With that, Feng Ming Wu Shan smiled faintly and turned to leave.
…
The sun had risen. Ling Xiao opened his eyes. After a night’s cultivation, he not only consolidated his current cultivation but also gained further understanding of the fifth step of Light and Shadow Mysteries.
In one night, his strength had improved considerably.
On the bed, Leng Mei remained in a coma, but there were no major issues. This coma might last a month or a year.
But upon waking, Leng Mei would become a true half-step Yin Yang Realm powerhouse.
“I need to refine some medicinal decoctions for her to soak in daily.”
Thinking of this, Ling Xiao called Feng Yan Ran and had her arrange people to care for Leng Mei.
Qingxu Academy was the safest place now, so leaving Leng Mei here was naturally best.
