Chapter 202: The Results of Elder Lingzu

A magnificent and bizarre main trunk, with auroras swirling year-round, within which lay another world entirely.

The leaves of the snow mulberry refracted seven-colored light, clearly another miniature world, extremely similar to the inner heavenly realm of Ling Yin Fang, yet much smaller.

Unlike outside, inside the trunk's heavenly realm, sunlight was just right—it was daytime.

Xu Xing had just entered it.

A woman, with a lovely face and dressed in a long blue palace gown, stepped forward to greet him, having already been waiting there.

"Disciple Ning Wanyin pays homage to the Master Jianzu."

Ning Wanyin, a Cultivator of the Void-True Realm, like Ning Wan Zhu, was one of Elder Lingzu's direct disciples.

She was also one of the few among Elder Lingzu's disciples who had seen Xu Xing in ancient times.

"Ancestor, please follow me—my master awaits ahead."

"Thank you." Xu Xing gave a slight nod.

"Ancestor, you are too humble."

Immediately, Ning Wanyin led the way, guiding Xu Xing along a path paved with a material as white as jade, until they reached a lush, towering mountain.

At the path's end stood a circular platform, its array patterns glowing, emitting faint spatial ripples.

Ning Wanyin stepped aside: "Ancestor, please step onto the teleportation array."

She would not follow him inside—no special instruction from her master was needed for that.

Xu Xing did as she said and stepped onto the array.

Hum~ As the array lit up, Xu Xing's figure vanished.

"Phew~"

Ning Wanyin, who had been tense all along, let out a long breath and immediately patted her chest.

I was so nervous!

I haven't interacted with a true immortal elder since my master.

Did I do anything wrong just now?

……

……

Inside the mountain.

Xu Xing was teleported to a space filled with modern-style furnishings, resembling an office.

At the front, a slender figure sat in a swivel chair before a silver-gray long table, smiling at him.

"You're here, Xu Dage."

Her long hair was simply tied up with a pen, leaving two strands of bangs hanging over her forehead; behind thin-framed glasses gleamed bright eyes, her lips rosy and glossy, her features exquisite.

A pure white shirt, ironed flawlessly, accentuated her slender waist and full bust; over it she wore a white lab coat.

A well-tailored gray pencil skirt hugged her hips perfectly, highlighting her long legs, paired with black stockings that added a touch of intellect and sensuality.

Elder Lingzu—Ning Ruo.

"?"

Xu Xing couldn't help but pause—he had never imagined Elder Lingzu to be like this.

"Elder Lingzu, friend?"

"Xu Dage seems surprised."

Ning Ruo rose from her chair, high heels clicking sharply against the floor.

"Is it because of my attire?"

She stepped closer, yet kept a certain distance.

"Yes." Xu Xing gave a slight nod. "Your current attire… does surprise me."

Unlike any other friend he had seen since emerging from his seclusion.

"Then, Xu Dage, do you think it looks good?"

"It does."

That was beyond doubt.

"Good—this was specially arranged for me by Wanyin and the others." Before Xu Xing could speak, she continued, "It's been many years since I last saw Xu Dage; now that we've met again, I had to adopt an image you'd like."

Xu Xing looked at her long hair, tied with a single pen.

"Was that also their idea?"

"No, but Wanyin and the others thought you'd prefer it this way, so I kept it."

Unlike her quiet silence in the group, her tone now was light and lively.

"This really is nice." Xu Xing did not deny it.

Hearing this, Ning Ruo smiled even more brightly.

But she did not dwell on it; instead, she changed the subject. "The method I mentioned earlier still requires some time to prepare. Before then, would Xu Dage care to see the results of my efforts over these years?"

Huh? What exactly was she preparing for, just now? The thought had barely crossed his mind when Ning Ruo answered.

"The preparation I mentioned earlier? It was preparing this outfit you see now."

"... Fine." Xu Xing dropped the topic. "I'm curious about your achievements over these years."

"Mm. Xu Dage, please follow me."

Ning Ruo stepped past Xu Xing and walked straight toward the door.

Xu Xing turned and followed.

Outside the room stretched a long corridor, its walls and ceiling crisscrossed with complex pipes and wiring.

At the corridor's end stood another circular platform, inscribed with a teleportation array.

The two entered one after the other.

"If Xu Dage had wanted to, you could have appeared right before me just now, right?" Ning Ruo suddenly spoke.

"After all, you, Elder Lingzu, set up some defenses," Xu Xing explained. "And you arranged for someone to wait—surely you anticipated that too."

He had always respected these few Daoists.

"It's just an extra precaution—so no matter which way Xu Dage chooses, there's a response ready."

Hum~ The teleportation array activated, and the two were transported to the lower level, where before them stood a heavy silver metal door.

Hss~!

As the metal door before them slowly opened, a spacious, brightly lit laboratory appeared.

Dozens of pale blue, translucent screens hung in midair, flickering with complex numbers and curves.

The laboratory held no human figures; only precision instruments emitted faint hums, and a weak spiritual essence could be sensed from them.

"The method of awakening spiritual essence?" Xu Xing saw its essence at a glance.

"Correct."

Ning Ruo supported Xu Xing with one hand while using the other to remove the high-heeled shoes from her feet.

Then, carrying the shoes in one hand, she stepped inside and explained.

"After these instruments are awakened with the method of spiritual essence, their inherent superior performance can be greatly enhanced."

"Of course, the awakened spiritual essence must not be too strong—it's best kept below the threshold of instinct."

If the spiritual essence becomes too strong, it must be trimmed.

But such accidents would not occur in her laboratory.

Xu Xing followed her into the laboratory.

"A very good idea."

This was also a fusion of technology and cultivation.

Ning Ruo walked to an experimental table, picked up a thin silver metal sheet, turned, and handed it to Xu Xing.

"Try this, Xu Dage," she blinked. "Don't observe its essence or principle—just follow what I say."

If it's seen through at a glance, what's the point?

Hmm…

"Go on."

"Place it in your palm, tap it three times, then shout 'Armored.'"

Huh?!

Does it really have to be this cheesy?

Memories from his childhood in his past life suddenly surged, attacking him—he couldn't help but twitch his lips.

But in the end, he did as instructed.

He tapped it three times, then…

"Armored."

The thin silver metal sheet instantly dissolved, its silver liquid spreading along his palm.

Eventually, it fully enveloped his body, forming a fitted silver armor.

"This is a little gadget I developed in my spare time," Ning Ruo explained. "With the correct method, even a mortal can use it."

"It can unleash combat power ranging from Qi Condensation to Nascent Soul, depending on the user's idealistic strength—courage, anger, or even more ethereal bonds like friendship."

"But it's still not very refined; if I continue improving it as I envisioned, it could eventually reach Soul Transformation-level power."

"Of course, compared to cultivators, this armor's techniques are far more limited."

Xu Xing: "..."

Second update, requesting subscriptions (End of Chapter)