Chapter 413 - 237: Encountering Evil
Lü Zhong left the Spring Glow Pavilion, reflecting on how fruitful his trip had been.
He had obtained eight bottles of Pills and two portions of Silver Marrow. The latter was especially important. Once fully refined, it could potentially allow his Wood Thunder Seal to form more Thunder Patterns, making his Thunderous Spear even more powerful.
In these chaotic times, the benefit of having another way to protect himself was self-evident.
’It’s a shame that materials to strengthen a Lifebound Treasure are so hard to find...’
Lü Zhong had tried to find some, but his efforts had always ended in failure. The factions that possessed such materials either demanded an exorbitant price or proposed incredibly harsh conditions, showing little genuine interest in making a trade.
This was only natural.
After all, Spiritual Objects were hard to find, especially High Tier ones.
Once acquired, such items were carefully hoarded. Everyone wanted to save them for the next generation. A handful of Spirit Stones and Pills meant nothing to these powerful factions.
He returned to Tide Cave right at noon.
As soon as Lü Zhong entered the main hall, he smelled the fragrant aroma of a meal.
"Husband!" Seeing Lü Zhong return, Yu Feng’Er beamed and called out to a nearby handmaiden, "Quickly, bring another place setting!"
"Husband, was your trip successful?"
"Everything went smoothly. Oh, right, I bought this for you..." Lü Zhong said, taking out the Laurel Robe and handing it to Yu Feng’Er.
"Husband, the one I’m wearing is fine. There’s no need to waste so much money. A Spiritual Artifact Robe is too expensive!"
Although Yu Feng’Er said this, she couldn’t bear to put the Laurel Robe down.
The one she was wearing was still her old Lower-grade Spiritual Artifact Robe, which looked old and tattered compared to this Middle-Grade one. Moreover, the difference in their defensive strength was like night and day.
It took a while for Lü Zhong to persuade her to stop protesting.
"Does it look good?"
Yu Feng’Er changed into the Laurel Robe. Like a fresh flower set against green leaves, it made her look even more delicate and charming.
"Beautiful!" Lü Zhong said with a nod.
Then, he presented her with the ingot of Iron Essence.
This time, Yu Feng’Er didn’t say anything more and just quietly accepted it. But from the way her eyes reddened, it was clear she was deeply moved.
After dinner, as expected, she clung to him.
Lü Zhong found himself complaining endlessly. A Female Cultivator of Core Formation’s "combat prowess" was on a completely different level than when she was at the Foundation Establishment realm.
After quite an ordeal, it was finally over.
Arriving at his Quiet Chamber, Lü Zhong prepared to refine the Silver Marrow.
The process wasn’t easy. He had to use the Wood Thunder Skill’s Technique to circulate the Silver Marrow throughout his entire body for a nourishing effect. Only then could it gather in his Sea of Consciousness and form Thunder Roar Patterns on his Thunder Seal.
’It’s actually somewhat similar to cultivating the Barbarian Ancestor Heaven-Swallowing Mantra...’
He made a brief attempt and found that it was indeed the case.
By applying what he knew from the other technique, the speed at which he refined the Silver Marrow increased dramatically. At this rate, it probably wouldn’t even take two or three months for him to form the first Thunder Roar Pattern.
He was thrilled. Finally, some good news!
Lü Zhong immediately focused his mind and began to concentrate on the refining process.
...
In the blink of an eye, more than four months had passed.
It was finally complete!
A silver light flashed across his body and vanished.
At the same time, the Wood Thunder Seal in Lü Zhong’s Sea of Consciousness had gained three Thunder Roar Patterns.
The more Thunder Roar Patterns, the stronger the resulting Thunderous Spear. The power boost from these three patterns would be at least thirty percent.
’Should I go test it out?’
As soon as the thought surfaced, he could no longer contain his excitement. He rose, left the Quiet Chamber, and, without alerting any Bihai Sect disciples, quietly made his way to a deserted stretch of sea.
It was early morning, and a layer of mist still lingered over the sea.
This was the time when Sea Beasts approached the shallows to forage. Flying through the air, he slowly searched and soon spotted a large, golden fish.
It was quite powerful—a Tier Two Sea Beast.
It was called a "Golden-Scaled Snake Mackerel." Its golden scales were excellent artifact refining materials, its bones and eyes could be used in Alchemy, and its meat was tender and delicious. Practically its entire body was a treasure.
"You’re the one!"
Lü Zhong immediately activated his Wood Thunder Seal, and a Thunder Spear began to form in his hand.
Being a Thunder Spear, it was naturally composed entirely of lightning.
Yet, holding it in his hand, he felt not the slightest discomfort. This was all thanks to the Silver Marrow. Not only did it allow the Thunder Seal to form Thunder Patterns, but it also slightly altered a cultivator’s constitution, granting them a degree of Thunder Resistance and preventing the awkward situation of an attack harming the user as well as the target.
As if sensing the lightning-charged aura, the Golden-Scaled Snake Mackerel whipped its tail, about to plunge into the deep sea.
But it was too late!
The Thunder Spear descended. Locked onto its target, it struck the mackerel squarely on its head, instantly cooking it to a crisp on the outside and leaving it tender on the inside. The savory aroma of cooked fish filled the air.
’Damn it!’ Lü Zhong’s heart sank.
The whole point of testing the Magic Skill was to get a precise feel for its power and avoid this exact situation. Now, because he’d failed to control the Thunderous Spear’s power, killing the fish had turned into cooking it.
Not only that, but all of the Golden-Scaled Snake Mackerel’s valuable materials were ruined.
He wanted to cry but had no tears.
’Oh well, it’s only a thousand or so Spirit Stones...’ Lü Zhong consoled himself.
He landed on the surface of the water and inspected the Golden-Scaled Snake Mackerel, finding his initial assessment was correct. The only saving grace was that the Demon Pill inside its belly was still intact, though some of its Pill Liquid had been lost.
Factoring in the fish bones, the loss wasn’t as great as he’d imagined.
Still, a gain of nearly a thousand Spirit Stones!
Lü Zhong then carved off a few pieces of fish, landed on a deserted island, and started grilling them.
Enjoying the good food and wine, the gloom in his heart was swept away.
...
The half-year deadline arrived quickly.
Lü Zhong arrived at the gates of Changchun Valley as scheduled. A disciple was already waiting there for him. He said respectfully, "Welcome to our sect, Elder Lü. My name is Fang Zeng, a Reception Steward. I will be the one to guide you to the Underground Palace at the bottom of the lake, which is your destination for this trip."