Chapter 231: Making a Vow

231. Chapter 231: Making a Vow

"Su Valley Master is overthinking; I still can't do something beyond a strong person's capacity."

Xiao Zhangqing heard the subtext in Su Wushuang's words.

It's nothing more than giving herself a preventive measure: to obtain her Congenital Jade Liquid, she must help Baihua Valley solve its predicament and fend off the threats from Xingyue Palace and Zhu Qingyun.

If one wants to take the shortcut and force it out of her, that's impossible.

Xiao Zhangqing does not doubt the sincerity of Su Wushuang's words; he believes they are likely true.

Otherwise, if it could be "forced," the scheming Zhu Qingyun wouldn't have spent dozens of years plotting, painstakingly crafting his persona, hoping to win Su Wushuang's heart.

Moreover, Xiao Zhangqing has never engaged in burning, killing, or looting.

If others strike first, that's another matter.

"I don't distrust Dao Companion Xiao, it's just that I'm accustomed to stating things clearly and putting the unpleasant words up front," Su Wushuang said lightly.

After the matter was aired, her inner hesitation gradually eased, and the pink flush on her fair cheeks faded.

After all, she is the famed Ice Mountain Fairy of the Da Yu Cultivation World, the head of a sect; both internally and externally she possesses a "vast" magnanimity.

She cautioned herself internally that this is a "transaction," involving no emotions, so there's no need for embarrassment.

The path of cultivation is long; one must have a steadfast heart. What does the flesh matter? For Baihua Valley's future and for her own Dao heart's clarity, leaving no trace later, asking Xiao Zhangqing for help is a good choice.

After all, although she doesn't have much affection for Xiao Zhangqing, she at least harbors no dislike; the two have known each other for over a decade and can barely be called friends.

If Baihua Valley truly gets annexed by Xingyue Palace, she would fulfill Zhu Qingyun's wishes; she fears she would never get out, inevitably spawning inner demons, and the Nascent Soul stage would be out of reach.

"Then let's make a contract…"

Xiao Zhangqing isn't a hesitant person; since Su Wushuang has spoken plainly, they'll proceed through the proper procedure.

Then both parties swore: as long as Xiao Zhangqing can help Baihua Valley overcome the crisis, resist Xingyue Palace's pressure, and protect Baihua Valley fully, after that Xiao Zhangqing may at any time request Su Wushuang's cooperation in extracting the Congenital Jade Liquid.

Su Wushuang may not use any excuse or reason to refuse or not cooperate.

If in the end Xiao Zhangqing helps Baihua Valley surmount the crisis but fails to obtain the Congenital Jade Liquid, the responsibility lies with Su Wushuang.

The vow is sealed.

Now the discussion turns to how to counter Xingyue Palace.

"Two years ago, Xingyue Palace openly displayed its intention to annex Baihua Valley, beginning to suppress and target it in every way. Yet Zhu Qingyun also knows that he cannot press me too harshly, so he has always left a sliver of leeway."

"But three months ago, Xingyue Palace and Zhu Qingyun's attitude shifted dramatically, clearly losing patience and issuing a final ultimatum. I suspect it relates to the Demon Sect Evil Cultivator breaking through the Cloud Mist Mountain Range blockade; the shift unsettled Zhu Qingyun, fearing uncontrollable changes. He finally gave me a year to consider, meaning that nine months later, if I still refuse, he may resort to forceful measures to coerce me…"

Su Wushuang said in a cold voice.

Although she usually speaks coldly without emotion, when mentioning Xingyue Palace, especially Zhu Qingyun, Xiao Zhangqing could clearly discern, beyond "cold," a deep "killing intent"! If given a chance, Su Wushuang would surely be eager to slay Zhu Qingyun swiftly.

He doesn't know Su Wushuang's true inner thoughts, nor does he know that at some point Su Wushuang had already felt a slight stir of affection for Zhu Qingyun.

If Zhu Qingyun were to persist a bit more, be more sincere, perhaps his near‑century‑long scheme would truly succeed.

Unfortunately, as he advanced to Core Formation Perfection, he lost patience…

"Nine months later?"

Xiao Zhangqing nodded and said, "Exactly, I also need some time to close off for cultivation, solidify my realm, and boost my strength. If Xingyue Palace suddenly makes trouble midway, Su Valley Master, just notify me anytime."

"Alright." Su Wushuang nodded.

After the vow is made, neither side needs to be courteous.

Having settled, Su Wushuang rose and left.

……

"Xuan Yin Dao Body…"

Xiao Zhangqing suppressed the heat in his heart.

He didn't expect that just after achieving Core Formation, a Nascent Soul treasure would arrive at his door; could I still be a child of destiny?

It's about facing pressure from the Nascent Soul Sect…

"At present, with my strength, I can not fear the threat of these two Nascent Soul Initial Stage True Lords of the Da Yu Cultivation World; self‑protection is assured, though I likely cannot match them. But after this closure, if my harvest is great enough, perhaps there will be a sliver of hope to earn the qualification to confront them directly…"

Xiao Zhangqing pondered silently.

Though confident, he also understands the huge gap between Nascent Soul True Lords and Golden Core True Persons.

With various hidden cards for protection, he merely has the confidence to safeguard himself under Xingyue Palace's hand.

Regardless of Xingyue Palace or the two Nascent Souls of the Seven Star Sword Sect, although both remain at the Nascent Soul Initial Stage, they have each formed Nascent Souls for over a hundred years; especially Xingyue Palace's Nascent Soul Old Ancestor, who, according to records, broke through the Nascent Soul realm three hundred years ago.

Thus, even though they are all at the Nascent Soul Initial Stage, their accumulations are deep, and they are extremely proficient with the various divine techniques of the Nascent Soul realm, making their strength not weak.

As for that Demon Sect Evil Cultivator whose strength has surged in recent years, seemingly poised to break into the Nascent Soul Middle Stage, the situation becomes even more unfathomable.

If Baihua Valley were to clash with the Demon Sect, even the rare Xuan Yin Dao Body, Xiao Zhangqing estimates he could not promise to help resist the Demon Sect.

Treasures that increase the chance of reaching Nascent Soul are indeed precious and rare, but one must first live to the Nascent Soul stage to enjoy them.

Risking one's life to obtain them is far not worth it.

If self‑protection confidence doesn't exceed ninety‑nine percent, what's the difference from courting death? Close off, close off! "Ziyu, Zixi, I have something to tell you sisters…"

Xiao Zhangqing summoned the Lin family sisters, gave a few instructions, and then began his first closure after Core Formation.

……

……inside the cultivation chamber.

When Xiao Zhangqing broke through Core Formation, the cultivation chamber and the cave dwelling were battered by Thunder Tribulation into ruin; the Third-Grade array could not fully block it.

But as long as the main peak's spiritual vein remains intact—still a Third-Grade Superior Spiritual Vein—restoring the cave dwelling is quite simple for a cultivator.

Before the Core Formation celebration began, Gu Zongyuan arranged for a Fake Core True Person skilled in "construction" from the city, along with several Foundation Establishment cultivators, to spend less than half a day repairing the cave dwelling; the array was re‑laid, even better than before.

It can be said that the old went, the new came.

"Fourth-Grade Spiritual Wood Essence!"

The first piece of equipment Xiao Zhangqing equipped was naturally this absolute treasure that made the Giant Wood Sect mobilize its entire clan at any cost to seize, allowing their sect's divine tree to break the Fourth-Grade bottleneck.

There are a full four skills, each extremely powerful.

In other words, the Giant Wood Sect kept this news well hidden; if it were leaked, the Seven Star Sword Sect and Xingyue Palace, guessing that the two elders would be restless, would surely come in person.

This treasure is not only crucial for Foundation Establishment cultivators, but also endlessly useful to Nascent Soul True Lords.

Of course, in the end Giant Wood Sect's attempt backfired; not only did they fail to obtain the Fourth-Grade Spiritual Wood Essence, but the sect's three strongest Foundation Establishment masters were wiped out in one fell swoop.

Xiao Zhangqing hasn't deliberately inquired about the current situation within Giant Wood Sect.

But he imagines the sect's interior must be in chaos, with everyone anxious.

With the existence of the sect's divine tree, Giant Wood Sect cannot completely break its lineage, yet a sharp decline in strength is inevitable, and it likely cannot dominate the Western Region alone any longer.

"Wood-Type Earth Spirit Root."

Xiao Zhangqing looks at the first skill, while his Primordial Spirit merges with Heaven and Earth, feeling their power.

He now possesses the Water-Type Heavenly Spirit Root, as well as the Fire and Wood-Type Earth Spirit Roots.

"I didn't expect that after acquiring the Primordial Spirit, the spirit roots would have such marvelous uses..."

At present, Xiao Zhangqing sees that aside from his primary Water-Type Heavenly Spirit Root, the other two Earth Spirit Roots seem of little use, but in fact that is not the case.

Before reaching the Nascent Soul stage, spirit roots were a cultivator's greatest reliance; the speed of cultivation, depth of foundation, even combat strength, were directly linked to the spirit roots.

But after attaining the Nascent Soul, the Primordial Spirit can merge with Heaven and Earth, directly communicating with their power; the spirit roots still serve to absorb and convert mana, yet their importance diminishes considerably.

Having more spirit roots at this stage turns a disadvantage into an advantage, allowing cultivation of more diverse divine abilities! This is something only Nascent Soul cultivators can access, and Xiao Zhangqing had never heard of it before.

"Perhaps when reaching higher realms, later in the Nascent Soul stage, multiple high‑grade spirit roots will become even more important..."

A faint enlightenment stirs in Xiao Zhangqing's heart.

In the Nascent Soul realm, having many spirit roots offers a certain advantage, yet it is not strictly necessary.

After all, other Nascent Soul cultivators lack his equipment slot system; as long as they have treasures, they can extract enough skills and divine abilities.

Without any cheats, a Nascent Soul True Lord who can cultivate one of the Five Elements' divine abilities to a high level is already impressive.

"Yi Wood Longevity Art, Taiyi Divine Light..."

Compared to the Wood-Type Earth Spirit Root, which only shows effects later, these two skills already benefit Xiao Zhangqing greatly.

The Yi Wood Longevity Art can extend a Nascent Soul cultivator's lifespan by three hundred years.

Xiao Zhangqing is only at the early Foundation Establishment stage, yet has already gained over a hundred years.

His natural lifespan is nine hundred years; with the Yi Wood Longevity Art, Xiao Zhangqing's lifespan officially surpasses a thousand, matching that of Nascent Soul True Lords in this regard.

Taiyi Divine Light is a special offensive spell, starting at the Fourth-Grade level, and at its peak can even threaten a Transformation God Venerable.

Because this spell can actually damage a Nascent Soul True Lord's Nascent Soul Spirit Body!

"No wonder the Fourth-Grade Spiritual Wood Essence yields such formidable skills..."

"Next, we must focus our main effort on cultivating Taiyi Divine Light!"

Xiao Zhangqing's eyes flash with light.

Below the Nascent Soul realm, Xiao Zhangqing can be called invincible—not an exaggeration; his main future opponent will be the Nascent Soul True Lord.

For a Nascent Soul True Lord, the most important thing is the Nascent Soul Spirit Body.

Even the physical body is less important than the Nascent Soul Spirit Body.

When the flesh is destroyed, the Nascent Soul can break free, escape, and possess another body to be reborn.

If the Nascent Soul is injured, its power plummets, and it may even damage its foundation.

Thus, if Xiao Zhangqing can boost Taiyi Divine Light's power and confront Xingyue Palace's Nascent Soul Old Ancestor, he will no longer need to protect himself; instead, the Old Ancestor will have to consider how to safeguard himself.

After thoroughly grasping Taiyi Divine Light's wonders, Xiao Zhangqing immediately spent nearly a month fully integrating the divine ability, making it usable against foes.

"I am not yet a Nascent Soul cultivator, so I cannot determine exactly how much damage this divine ability inflicts on a Nascent Soul, but since the system notes even its weakest level reaches Fourth-Grade Lower Grade, it should deal considerable damage to early Nascent Soul practitioners."

"Just waiting for the Xingyue Palace Old Ancestor to try it out."

As for the Fourth-Grade Spiritual Wood Essence's fourth skill, Primordial Spirit of Creation, Xiao Zhangqing already understood it clearly while cultivating Taiyi Divine Light.

Casting Taiyi Divine Light originally places a heavy burden on the Primordial Spirit.

But after Xiao Zhangqing equipped Primordial Spirit of Creation, the burden noticeably lessened.

"Perhaps my Primordial Spirit's strength, even if not matching a mid‑stage Nascent Soul True Lord, should still not be inferior to the two Old Ancestors of Xingyue Palace and Seven Star Sword Sect..."

Xiao Zhangqing thought this to himself. (End of chapter)