After Chu Feng found this cultivation resource, although he was amazed by its immense energy, he did not hesitate for long. Instead, he immediately sat down in front of the shimmering ore and began refining it using his own methods, absorbing the energy it contained.
Since the cultivation resource had already reached its peak, refining it was not particularly difficult. The real challenge had been finding it. However, Chu Feng had already overcome that most difficult task. In fact, he had been able to locate the resource so quickly thanks to his grandfather. Without the formation left by his grandfather, Chu Feng would have struggled to find it.
…
About three hours had passed since Chu Feng began refining the cultivation resource.
Above the resource, within the palace inside the cave, there was a grand formation. Within this formation surged powerful natural energy, and at its center sat a person.
This person was none other than Wu Ma Shengjie.
At this moment, Wu Ma Shengjie’s face was extremely pale, as if he had suffered severe injuries or was afflicted with a serious illness. He looked utterly exhausted.
The blood-red patterns on his body, though much fainter than before his battle with Chu Feng, still flickered faintly, emitting an eerie glow.
Whenever the blood-red patterns glowed, Wu Ma Shengjie’s brow would furrow, as if the patterns were the source of his pain.
Suddenly, Wu Ma Shengjie’s closed eyes snapped open, revealing a hint of panic.
In an instant, he stood up and descended deep into the cave, arriving beside Chu Feng.
Wu Ma Shengjie’s sudden appearance startled Chu Feng, who had been fully focused on his cultivation. A trace of tension flashed across Chu Feng’s face.
After all, Chu Feng had been refining the cultivation resource in secret, hiding from Wu Ma Shengjie. This was unavoidable, as Chu Feng was still no match for Wu Ma Shengjie.
However, Wu Ma Shengjie was now less than ten meters away from Chu Feng. He was carefully observing his surroundings, even using special observation techniques, yet… it seemed as though he couldn’t see Chu Feng at all.
“How strange. Why do I feel that the natural energy here is rapidly diminishing? Could it be that the power of this mystical place is finite and will eventually dissipate as we cultivate? Or has the Ancestral Martial Cultivation Realm undergone some change?”
Wu Ma Shengjie frowned deeply, muttering to himself. Although his voice was soft, Chu Feng could still hear him clearly.
“He really can’t see me.”
At this point, Chu Feng was certain that he was safe. Wu Ma Shengjie couldn’t see him, and the reason Chu Feng could evade his sight was thanks to the formation left by his grandfather. With this assurance, Chu Feng continued refining the cultivation resource right beside Wu Ma Shengjie, feeling completely at ease.
“It’s happening again. The energy is disappearing so quickly. It seems the natural energy here will soon be completely depleted.”
Suddenly, Wu Ma Shengjie’s frown deepened. As Chu Feng continued refining, the energy of the cultivation resource rapidly diminished, and Wu Ma Shengjie could sense this change.
Wu Ma Shengjie grew anxious. He wanted to stop the depletion of the natural energy, but he had no way to do so. He felt utterly helpless, as he had no idea why the energy was vanishing so quickly.
In this situation, Wu Ma Shengjie didn’t linger. He soared back up into the cave.
“Speed up your cultivation. The natural energy here is about to dissipate,” Wu Ma Shengjie announced.
“What? It’s going to disappear?”
Hearing this, the members of the Wu Ma Clan all wore expressions of panic and confusion.
“Shengjie, what should we do? You’re still no match for the Linghu Clan. If the natural energy here disappears, won’t we miss the chance to improve our cultivation?”
In their panic, the members of the Wu Ma Clan voiced their concerns.
“This is fate. There’s nothing we can do. Cultivate as quickly as possible and make the most of this final opportunity. Once the natural energy here is completely gone, we’ll have to search for new cultivation resources,” Wu Ma Shengjie replied.
With that, he returned to the palace and sat down within the formation. He stopped tending to his injuries and instead began cultivating, refining the natural energy within the formation. He, too, didn’t want to miss this last chance to cultivate.
However, not long after he began cultivating, the pain on his face grew more intense. The blood-red patterns on his body began to glow even brighter. Indeed, his suffering was linked to those patterns.
Suddenly, Wu Ma Shengjie opened his mouth and spat out a large amount of blood. He began to cough violently, and with each cough, more blood spilled from his mouth. In the blink of an eye, a pool of blood had formed in front of him, and his entire body trembled uncontrollably.
“Shengjie, is the Blood Soul Gu proving too difficult to suppress again?”
Hearing Wu Ma Shengjie’s painful coughing, many members of the Wu Ma Clan rushed into the palace. Seeing him in this state, their hearts ached with concern.
“It’s nothing. I started cultivating before fully suppressing it, so I suffered a backlash,” Wu Ma Shengjie explained.
“Shengjie, I know you’re eager for revenge, but your health comes first. As long as you’re alive, there will always be opportunities.”
“That’s right, Shengjie. Stop cultivating for now and focus on suppressing the Blood Soul Gu,” the members of the Wu Ma Clan urged.
“It’s all that Chu Feng’s fault. If he hadn’t come here, Shengjie wouldn’t have been forced to unleash the power of the Blood Soul Gu.”
Some even began to blame Chu Feng.
“I was the one who unleashed the Blood Soul Gu’s power. It has nothing to do with Chu Feng. Now, all of you, leave. I need to focus on suppressing the Blood Soul Gu,” Wu Ma Shengjie said.
“Go, go, all the men, leave now.”
At this point, the women of the Wu Ma Clan began to shoo the men away. The men seemed to understand and left without hesitation.
Now, only the women remained in the palace with Wu Ma Shengjie.
One of the women closed the palace doors, and then the women began to loosen their garments.
“All of you, leave as well. I can handle this alone,” Wu Ma Shengjie said.
“Shengjie, we can help you finish faster. We’re all part of the same clan. There’s no need to be shy.”
“That’s right, Shengjie. Let us help you.”
“You’ve always helped us. Now let us help you.”
The women pleaded.
“OUT!!!”
Wu Ma Shengjie shouted, his face darkening with displeasure.
Seeing this, the women said no more. They adjusted their clothing and left the palace.
Now, only Wu Ma Shengjie remained inside.
