Chapter Sixteen: Seizing the Spiritual Elixir

After killing Yang Huang, Chu Jie took a moment to deal with the blood on his body. Suddenly, he remembered that Young Master Luo, whom Yang Huang had mentioned, was only ten li away. Curiosity flickered in Chu Jie’s eyes.

What business could Young Master Luo have in such a chaotic region?

As this thought crossed his mind, a dazzling light suddenly flared ahead. That was precisely the core of the Nine Dragons District!

Intrigued, Chu Jie strode forward, intent on discovering what was unfolding.

At this moment, most of the district's leaders had already gathered, all surrounding a massive pit at the very center of the Nine Dragons District.

Beside the pit stood Luo Long and several elderly men.

Once, this deep pit had been a pond, but for reasons unknown, the water had gradually drained away in recent days, leaving behind an enormous depression. And in the very heart of this pit, a white jade lotus abruptly blossomed.

The fragrance that wafted from the lotus was so intense and pure that it immediately drew the attention of everyone present.

All knew that this was a celestial elixir! Yet, with Luo Long there, none dared act rashly.

However, the white jade lotus emanated ripples of orderly energy that shrouded the entire pit, barring even Luo Long from approaching.

An old man beside Luo Long clasped his hands in salute and said, “Congratulations, Young Master! At last, you have found this precious herb.”

Luo Long nodded proudly. “I pored over all the ancient texts of the Luo family, spent three years in search, and finally discovered the location of the Mysterious Heaven Lotus!”

His eyes burned with fervor as he gazed at the lotus. “My constitution has always been mediocre. Even with the celestial herbs our family possesses, my talent cannot be changed. But if I consume the Mysterious Heaven Lotus, I will not only break through from the Gathering Spirit Realm to the Star Core Realm in one leap, but my very constitution will be transformed!”

A broad smile spread across Luo Long’s face. “For this day, I have waited three years! Three whole years!”

Another old man nodded. “There’s no need for haste, Young Master. In just half a quarter hour, the astral energy surrounding the lotus will dissipate. Then the lotus will be yours! At that time, our Luo family will gain another Star Core expert.”

Luo Long shook his head. “Even after the astral energy fades, the lotus cannot be claimed so easily. One must still overcome the lotus spirit before true success.”

The old man immediately replied with flattery, “With your great fortune, Young Master, you will surely seize the Mysterious Heaven Lotus!”

Luo Long glanced around with supreme confidence. “Naturally! After three years of preparation, I am fully ready!”

The crowd bustled with excitement. Chu Jie, now dressed in cleaner clothes, forced his way forward and saw Luo Long and the two old men talking endlessly as they stared at the lotus in the pit.

Though Chu Jie was still a hundred meters away from the lotus, he could already sense its intoxicating fragrance.

Pop—

Like a bubble bursting, the astral energy around the Mysterious Heaven Lotus vanished.

The lotus swayed gently in the breeze.

A fiery gleam appeared in Luo Long’s eyes, as if he were beholding a peerless beauty. Cautiously, he advanced.

Boom!

From the lotus petals surged a torrent of spiritual energy, coalescing into a golden-armored war god over two meters tall, wielding a long spear and fixing Luo Long with a cold, unyielding gaze.

Delight flashed across Luo Long’s heart—an elixir capable of manifesting a spirit form was truly a treasure of heaven and earth.

He had never imagined he would obtain such a thing!

His longsword erupted in resplendent light, and like a ball of blazing sun, he struck at the golden-armored war god.

The war god’s blood-red eyes narrowed. The spear in his hand shot forward.

The sword twisted savagely, like a vengeful dragon, the domineering spiritual power stirring the air into a tempest.

Bang!

Sword and spear collided with a deafening crash, sending waves of force surging outward like the tide.

Luo Long was forced back a step, but with a flick of his wrist, the sword’s energy rained down once more.

Bang!

The boundless sword energy exploded on the war god’s form, but since his body was forged of spiritual energy, he was unfazed. He responded with a mighty punch.

Bang!

The blow shook heaven and earth, drilling straight into Luo Long’s body and sending him flying through the air, blood spraying in all directions.

Chu Jie felt a rush of satisfaction—so, Luo Long, you too can suffer humiliation!

“Young Master! Here!” One of the old men drew a broad saber from his back and handed it to Luo Long.

Accepting the saber, Luo Long wiped the blood from his lips and charged forward.

The old man shook his head. “This is the Spirit-Sunder Saber—perfect for destroying spiritual entities like this.”

Indeed, once Luo Long gripped the Spirit-Sunder Saber, his aura changed instantly. His hair flew wildly as he became a streak of blade light, striking at the war god.

Bang!

The war god swung his spear in a great circle, but in a flash, the Spirit-Sunder Saber shattered it.

The war god staggered back, his spear exploding into fragments.

“Haha! This saber is truly formidable!”

Landing lightly, Luo Long swept the saber in a wide arc, sending ripples through the air as radiant blade light crashed against the war god.

Shrrrk!

In an instant, Luo Long severed one of the war god’s arms.

Laughing boisterously, Luo Long unleashed a storm of blade light, dazzling and swift.

Bang!

The golden-armored war god’s body exploded in a flash.

Gazing fervently at the Mysterious Heaven Lotus, Luo Long’s entire body trembled with excitement.

“Three years! Three years of meticulous preparation, and now it’s finally within my grasp!”

Pop—

But to his shock, the lotus suddenly released a surge of energy that swept through the pit.

Luo Long’s brow furrowed. “What is this?”

One of the old men behind him frowned. “There’s a final spiritual barrier within the lotus…”

With a grim expression, Luo Long strode forward.

Bang!

As though triggering a reaction, countless sword energies crisscrossed the air, tearing through the void.

Luo Long was only at the third level of the Gathering Spirit Realm; he was instantly slashed by countless wounds.

He quickly enveloped himself in spiritual power, inching toward the lotus.

The relentless sword energy was so sharp that the entire pit was filled with flashing blades, blindingly bright. Luo Long struggled forward, his body beset on all sides.

Amidst the crowd, Chu Jie felt a surge of excitement. Though he was only at the ninth level of the Body Astral Realm, his body, forged by the Nine Tribulations, was exceptionally resilient. Perhaps he could withstand the deadly sword energy.

His eyes flashed with resolve as he watched Luo Long’s arduous progress.

Luo Long, today you shall pay the price for humiliating me!

With a fierce expression, Chu Jie stamped his feet, launching himself like a cannonball into the pit.

As Chu Jie entered, the sword energy surged even more violently.

His body was instantly slashed and bloodied, but the wounds were only superficial.

Undaunted, Chu Jie pressed forward.

“Who goes there!” the two old men shouted in panic as they saw a figure dash inside.

Luo Long howled, “Who is it?!”

Fearing his prize would be stolen, Luo Long desperately forced his way forward, heedless of the sword energy slicing past him.

The closer one got to the lotus, the deadlier the sword energy became.

Blade after blade screeched against Chu Jie’s body, but with a physique tempered by the Nine Tribulations, he was unafraid.

Boom!

Like a black streak, Chu Jie darted forward, seized the fragrant lotus, and leaped away at full speed.

In a fit of rage, Luo Long roared, “You little wretch! How dare you!”

“I dare, and what of it!” Chu Jie ignored Luo Long, stuffed the lotus into his mouth, and chewed voraciously.

Seeing Chu Jie devour the treasure like a cow munching peonies, Luo Long's eyes filled with blood; his mouth tasted sweet, and he spat blood in fury.

The violent spiritual energy nearly knocked Chu Jie off his feet, but he gathered himself and shot away like a stream of light.

“After him! Catch him and the Luo family will reward you handsomely!” the two old men shouted, and the crowd surged after Chu Jie.

Luo Long stood where he was, his face contorted with rage, fists clenched.

Suddenly, several elegantly dressed young men and women approached. Luo Long glanced over and recognized them as disciples of the three great families of the outer city’s first tier.

At their head was Luo Long’s cousin, Luo Ning.

With a sunny smile and gentle voice, Luo Ning said, “Brother Long, we heard you discovered a celestial treasure. May we have a look?”

Wiping the blood from his lips, Luo Long replied coldly, “No.”

“Oh my, what a tone!” Luo Ning’s fiancée, Xia Mengwei, interjected.

Young Master Chen of the Chen family sneered, “Luo Long, it’s only a treasure of heaven and earth. Must you be so stingy?”

Luo Ning nodded. “Cousin, as a member of the Luo family, you should be more generous. Don’t let the others laugh at you for being petty.”

“Indeed—such a spiritual herb shouldn’t be hoarded by one person,” a Wang family scion chimed in.

The thought of his celestial herb being stolen, three years of effort wasted, nearly made Luo Long explode with fury. Glaring at the group, he seethed but dared not curse them.

A surge of bitter frustration welled up inside him, and once again, blood filled his mouth and he spat it out in rage.