Chapter 137: Eaten

Hearing Ning Qi’s cry, the surrounding crowd gathered around in astonishment.

"It really is the tenth level of Qi Refining. That woman looks to be in her twenties, doesn't she? I've heard that prodigies capable of reaching the tenth level of Qi Refining are generally under twenty."

"Indeed, they are usually at the tenth level by twenty and reach Foundation Establishment by twenty-five."

"The tenth level of Qi Refining... I always hoped I could reach that stage."

"I heard that those who reach the tenth level can condense a superior-grade Golden Core in the future."

"That’s right. If one condenses a superior-grade Golden Core, there is hope for immortality. If it’s an inferior-grade one, one is lucky to even reach the Nascent Soul stage. Eight or nine out of ten die at the late or peak stages of the Golden Core realm."

"You’re describing the lucky ones. There are those who barely manage to condense a core and die of old age at the first to third levels of the Golden Core realm. Even more get stuck in the middle stages, the fourth to sixth levels."

"I’ve heard that some families, in order to cultivate more Golden Core cultivators, use other methods to force people to condense a core, only to end up with inferior-grade ones."

"Sigh, the Golden Core stage is difficult."

"Exactly, that’s why I envy those who can reach the tenth level of Qi Refining even after they’ve turned twenty."

"Why can she reach the tenth level of Qi Refining after twenty?"

The surrounding races and humans whispered among themselves, their eyes filled with envy and jealousy as they looked at Xie Wu. A perfectly ordinary, weak human woman, already past twenty, had actually reached the tenth level of Qi Refining. It was truly beyond words. How could she be so lucky?

"Qing Xiaohu, did you see that just now? How did Lady Xie reach the tenth level of Qi Refining?" Qing Zhen walked over, his expression covetous. He wanted to reach the tenth level too.

"I saw it. It’s quite easy. You just speed up the vortex in your Dantian, make it tighter, and then adjust its angle slightly. Then, you're at the tenth level," Qing Xiaohu replied.

As it happens, changing the rotation speed of the vortex can refine one's mana, and adjusting the angle can better align it with one's spiritual root, imbuing the mana with its specific attribute and even slightly expanding the Dantian. In Qing Hu’s view, the tenth level of Qi Refining simply meant refining attributes into mana that previously had none. By the time one reached Foundation Establishment, the power of this attributed mana would be much more effectively unleashed.

"What? I know how to speed up the vortex, but how do you adjust the angle? Doesn't the vortex stay stationary in the Dantian? How can you change its angle?" Qing Zhen asked, puzzled.

"You can. Speed up the vortex, and while it's slightly deformed, turn it. Just a little bit, until you find an angle that feels comfortable. The most important thing is that the rotation angle must suit your spiritual root’s attribute, and then it's done," Qing Hu explained.

"That sounds simple enough," Qing Zhen tilted his head.

"Don't try it recklessly. If something goes wrong with the vortex, your Dantian will be ruined," someone who grasped the implication exclaimed.

"Will it?" Qing Zhen looked at Qing Xiaohu and Qing Jin in confusion.

"Try it yourself and you'll see," Qing Xiaohu said.

"I'll try it first. If it works, then you can try, Zhen'er," Qing Jin said after a moment of thought. "It seems it might actually be achievable."

"It can be done?" Qing Zhen asked, pleasantly surprised.

"It definitely can. I was about to break through to Foundation Establishment when Little Sister Qing Hu helped me, and then I reached the tenth level of Qi Refining," Xie Wu said, feeling excellent as she contributed her successful case. "I owe it all to Little Sister Qing Hu."

"It’s nothing; I was just using you as an experiment," Qing Hu said, waving her little hand with brutal honesty.

Xie Wu: "..."

Regardless, she had reached the tenth level of Qi Refining.

"But that's not right. I heard that those who reach the tenth level of Qi Refining constantly compress the vortex in their bodies, compressing it to the absolute limit, only then breaking through the barrier to reach the tenth level."

"Yes, that's what I heard too."

"Lady Xie, have you truly entered the tenth level of Qi Refining?"

Addressing their doubts, Xie Wu replied, "My master told me that after entering the tenth level of Qi Refining, one's cultivation surges to three to five times that of the peak ninth level. One's foundation is greatly strengthened, but the mana in the body does not yet liquefy. Chai Ning and Ruan Qingwu, you two can come over and check for me."

Upon hearing this, Chai Ning and Ruan Qingwu approached with great interest and nodded in agreement. They both placed their hands on Xie Wu’s wrists and sensed carefully. Indeed, Xie Wu’s cultivation had surged, and her foundation had become incredibly robust—it seemed to be five or six times stronger than theirs. Chai Ning had spent the most time with Xie Wu, and just half a day ago, Xie Wu’s foundation hadn't been as solid as hers. Furthermore, the vortex within Xie Wu was indeed rotating differently; it was no longer stationary but continued to spin at a slight angle. Naturally, this rotation was well-suited to her, and the specially refined mana was quite extraordinary.

"This is simply miraculous," Chai Ning said in surprise.

"May I take a look?" Helan Che asked with a serious expression. "I also reached the tenth level of Qi Refining before breaking through to Foundation Establishment, but my vortex did not rotate at an angle. Can I confirm what is happening with yours?"

Xie Wu furrowed her brows.

"You are a man, so no," Ning Qi immediately blocked him.

"Then what about that lad at the peak of the ninth level of Qi Refining on Wei Dongting's side? Shen Qinghu, why don't you experiment on him instead?" Helan Che asked.

"Why should I?" Qing Xiaohu immediately refused.

"If there is a method that allows those at the peak of the ninth level of Qi Refining to directly enter the tenth level, don't you think this method would be significant for both the human race and other tribes?" Helan Che countered.

"And what does that have to do with me?" Qing Hu said. "If you're so keen on inventing methods, go invent them yourself."

"You... Xie Wu was clearly your doing," Helan Che said helplessly.

"Sending Xie Wu to the tenth level was my pleasure. But I have no interest in creating some 'method'," Shen Qinghu said haughtily.

Pfft, Ning Qi laughed outright. "Well said."

"Ning Kunlun! Think of the greater good. I am doing this for the human race as well."

"Do you know? I hate the phrase 'greater good' the most, especially when it comes from you lot in the Dao Court," Ning Qi sneered.

"Shen Qingjin, I hope you will consider your still-weak kin," Helan Che turned to lobby Shen Qingjin.

"Qing Hu may have stumbled upon one or two ways to send someone into the tenth level of Qi Refining. But... the methods she can use might not be usable by others. You can't expect my sister to keep helping you. That would turn my sister into a tool, wouldn't it? That makes no sense!"

"Exactly. The Lady is a Divine Descendant. Who do you think you are, asking the Lady to help you send people into the tenth level of Qi Refining every day?" Ba Lie sneered.

"Perhaps others can learn it," Helan Che said, his eyes struggling.

"Who can learn it? You?" Qing Jin’s eyes turned dangerous. He thought to himself that this fellow was indeed worthy of being from the Dao Court. Rather annoying.

"Believe me, I have no selfish motives."

"That is a statement only you could believe," Qing Jin mocked. He, for one, did not believe it.

"Too arrogant," Hei Zhan sneered. "Does he think the Divine Descendants are people their Dao Court can control at will?"

"Don't say such things. Weak little tribes like the humans have probably never produced a Divine Descendant. They’ve suddenly got one and don't know how to handle it."

"Truly shallow and ignorant."

"He treats the Divine Descendants as if they were those kin they can manipulate at will."

"What a deluded fool."

"Brain-dead."

The surrounding non-human races scoffed one after another. Helan Che’s expression grew increasingly ugly.

"I have never seen a Divine Descendant as willful as you." He cast his gaze toward Shen Qinghu, appearing to speak to her across the distance.

Shen Qinghu paused, then said dismissively, "And I have never seen a little dragon spirit as fond of preaching as you. Do you think that by merging with Helan Che’s remnant soul, you are Helan Che? No matter how you act in Helan Che’s skin, you cannot change the fact that you are merely a lingering, wretched little dragon soul. If you dare return to the Dao Court, I suspect they would welcome you—extract your soul, and at the very least, they could forge a pretty decent magical artifact from it."

Helan Che’s expression finally changed. "How did you find out?"

"From the moment I first saw you, your dragon soul was exposed. You must be related to that thing in the underground palace, too. I noticed your dragon soul also has problems. It seems to have been infected by something," Shen Qinghu said.

"Are you a Divine Descendant or something else?" Helan Che’s face darkened, his expression turning ghastly.

"What I am is none of your business. You had better take care of yourself. If I were you, I wouldn't push it; your soul won't last much longer. Perhaps before we even leave this palace, you'll turn into a monster."

As soon as Qing Hu said this, the humans and non-humans standing around Helan Che retreated far away. Gosh, that was terrifying.

"What nonsense are you spouting? I will not turn into that kind of ghost!" Helan Che shouted.

"Then what kind of monster will you turn into?" Qing Hu countered.

"I will not turn into a monster," Helan Che said indignantly.

"Let's be honest. You should be aware that you are constantly mutating. If you fully mutate, it will also be an enhancement for that thing. That is not what I want to see. Besides, we’ve come this far; shouldn't you take care of yourself?" Qing Hu asked.

Helan Che furrowed his brows. "What do you want me to do?"

"I will help you extract the source of that pollution. In exchange, you give me the thing you're hiding," Qing Hu said.

Helan Che looked at her with disdain. "You were after my dragon pearl all along."

"Do you think I want your dragon pearl?"

"I want the black dragon pearl in your hand," Qing Hu said.

"Black dragon pearl? I have no black dragon pearl... wait, that black stone." Helan Che spat it out, and a black, angular stone the size of a palm appeared in his hand.

"Is it this thing?" Helan Che asked in surprise. "Is this also a dragon pearl?"

"Correct. This is the dragon pearl of the Black Water Poison Dragon. Though, it is incomplete," Qing Hu nodded.

Upon hearing "Black Water Poison Dragon," Helan Che’s expression shifted.

"I do not walk the path of corrosion and poison."

"You walk the path of water?" Qing Hu looked at him and asked suspiciously.

"It is the pure path of water."

"Mutated ice type?" Qing Hu asked with understanding.

"Exactly."

"Hand this Black Water Poison Dragon pearl over to me, and I will help you deal with the source of pollution in your soul."

"Can you really help me?" Helan Che looked at the black dragon pearl with reluctance. Even if he couldn't use it, he could have traded it for something else. This was a dragon pearl!

"Stop dithering. Just tell me if you'll trade or not," Qing Hu urged.

"Trade." Complex as his feelings were, Helan Che eventually gritted his teeth and agreed.

"Give me the pearl." Qing Hu reached out. Helan Che handed it over. Once she had it, Qing Hu said, "Now, release your dragon soul."

"You want me to detach my soul from my body?"

"If you don't detach it, won't your flesh be corrupted the moment that thing is pulled out? Your dragon body is likely already finished, isn't it?"

Upon hearing this, Helan Che looked helpless. He cleanly and decisively detached his soul; the dragon soul shrieked as it left Helan Che’s physical body. Qing Hu reached out and grabbed the dragon soul. Then, her other little claw reached deep into the depths of the soul, digging and probing. The dragon soul twisted and writhed, seemingly letting out a silent scream.

Qing Hu frowned. After digging for a bit with one hand and failing to extract it, she reached in with her other hand as well. Both little hands stirred inside, and something within the dragon soul seemed to be moving rebelliously. A bump would rise here, then several more there.

Qing Hu dug and dug, and before long, she pulled out a monster—a lump of flesh covered in dense, tiny tentacles. The little monster was only the size of a chicken egg. Qing Hu forcibly yanked it out of the dragon soul, just like pulling a radish, bringing some soul fragments with it. Once the little monster was extracted, the dragon soul slumped to the ground, lying still.

"What happened to him? Is he dead?" Wei Dongting hurried over, looking at the lifeless dragon soul with a complex expression.

"He's fine." Qing Hu looked at the trembling little monster pinched in her hand, giggled, and popped it into her mouth, swallowing it. She then extracted some light-attribute divine energy from her own soul and washed it through.

The useless impurities and pollution were washed away, leaving behind pure divine energy. Oh my, this little thing had eaten quite well; it had actually condensed four standard units of life-type divine crystals for her. Good job, little guy! These were enough for her to open her own treasury.

After consuming the little thing, Qing Hu looked up at the sky. Why was there no lightning? Usually, whenever she dared to use the divine energy stored in her soul, lightning would strike down, leaving her in a charred mess or even cracking her body. Why was there nothing this time?

"Qing Hu, what are you looking at in the sky?" Qing Jin asked.

"Why isn't there any lightning?"

"You want lightning? What do you need lightning for? To strike yourself?" Qing Zhen guessed randomly.

Well, he had guessed correctly.