âPretty good. Iâm planning to leave the sect for a bit,â Xu Zimo nodded and said.
âLeave the sect?â Huangfu Xianyue frowned slightly and asked, âWhy?â
âI want to study some meridian techniques. Unfortunately, I donât have any merit points, so I was planning to take on a few missions to earn some,â Xu Zimo said.
Huangfu Xianyue pondered for a moment before finally saying, âNo need. I can give you some of mine.â
âWouldnât that be too much?â Xu Zimo smiled.
âYou were planning on asking anyway, werenât you?â Huangfu Xianyue glanced at him, then handed over a token.
âThereâs plenty of merit points on this. Should be enough for what you need.â
Xu Zimo accepted the token and nodded.
âAlright then. Rest today. If possible, weâll start tempering your demonic body tomorrow,â Huangfu Xianyue said.
âThat fast?â Xu Zimo looked a bit surprised.
He felt like she was more eager than he was.
âIâve never done this before, so I want to test it on you,â Huangfu Xianyue replied.
âTomorrow then,â Xu Zimo agreed.
âThe sect is a complicated place. Lots of factions like ours. Just donât stir up trouble,â Huangfu Xianyue reminded him.
After chatting for a bit longer, she left.
Xu Zimo then took her token and headed to the One World Tower.
Descending from Goddess Peak, he found the sect was vast. Traveling on foot took time, so flying was allowed.
When Xu Zimo arrived at the One World Tower, he found the names of the buildings in the World Sovereign Empyrean Sect quite amusing.
One World Tower, Two World Tower, Three World TowerâŠ
Each referred to different things: meridian techniques, weapons, and pills respectively.
The so-called One World Tower was like a world within a world.
Inside the realm, another space was created, dedicated to storing meridian techniques.
When Xu Zimo presented the token, the gatekeeping disciple opened a spatial gate and let him in.
The One World Tower had three levels. Upon entering the first floor, Xu Zimo saw that most items were created through spatial realms.
Even the meridian techniques were stored in cabinets made by the realmâs power.
A few scattered disciples were browsing the techniques, looking for something they liked.
Xu Zimo wasnât interested in those techniques. He was searching for information about the blood lizard fusion method, mainly through books on the sectâs history.
But he gained very little, after all, such a method wouldnât be stored on the first level.
He thought for a moment and headed to the second level.
Two disciples blocked his way. âPlease show your identity token.â
Xu Zimo realized his own identity token wouldnât grant him access, so he took out Huangfu Xianyueâs token.
âThe Holy Maidenâs token? Why is that with you?â one of the disciples muttered, but they still opened the entrance.
Entering the second level, he found the space was smaller and the atmosphere quieter.
The color scheme had shifted from white to blue.
Xu Zimo searched thoroughly but still found nothing.
âThis is a bit troublesome,â he thought. Huangfu Xianyueâs token didnât grant access to the third level.
Most likely, the blood lizard fusion method was either on the third level or stored separately.
Heâd need to find a way to make the sect reveal it, otherwise it would be very hard to find.
Leaving the One World Tower, Xu Zimo returned to his small courtyard.
By now, the sky was darkening, but the World Sovereign Empyrean Sect remained lively.
Disciples cultivated by absorbing the power of moonlight, and giant beasts roamed the mountains.
Under the clear moonlight, Xu Zimo lay on a recliner, quietly watching the night sky.
...
âXianâer said you arrived. Iâve been busy all afternoon but figured I should come see you,â a voice suddenly called out.
Xu Zimo turned his head and saw Huangfu Xuan walking in from the entrance.
âWeâre not exactly close. Red King, youâre being too polite,â Xu Zimo sat up and smiled.
âI had high hopes for you from the beginning. I may not know your reason for coming to the World Sovereign Empyrean Sect, but youâre welcome here,â Huangfu Xuan smiled. âI also hope you can become good friends with Xianâer.â
âNo need to worry, Red King. I have no intentions toward your daughter, and I wonât interfere with her marriage either,â Xu Zimo shook his head slightly.
Theyâd only met once before. Huangfu Xuan wouldnât visit him for sentimental reasons, it had to be about the Eternal God Sectâs relationship.
âI believe you,â Huangfu Xuan smiled. âThe truth is, some things are out of my control. As a father, who doesnât want their daughter to be happy?â
âYou donât need to explain, Red King. Iâm just a passerby,â Xu Zimo waved his hand.
Huangfu Xuan nodded slightly before his figure disappeared into the night.
The night passed quietly. Early the next morning, Huangfu Xianyue arrived at Xu Zimoâs courtyard.
She had her maid bring a large vat and place it in the yard.
When Xu Zimo came out, he saw the vat was filled with green liquid.
Thick but odorless.
âWhat is this?â Xu Zimo asked.
He could feel rich energy inside it.
âSpirit Energy Solution. Get in,â Huangfu Xianyue said.
Xu Zimo shook his head slightly but stepped into the vat, instantly enveloped in spiritforce.
Huangfu Xianyue then took out a small bottle filled with black liquid.
âThis is what I refined from those demonic-elemental spiritual herbs. Itâll hurt at first. Bear with it,â she said.
When she poured the liquid in, the spiritforce solution began to boil.
It surged into Xu Zimoâs body.
âHow do you feel?â Huangfu Xianyue quickly asked.
Xu Zimo felt nothing. This level of energy was nothing to him. But to keep up appearances, he furrowed his brow and said, âA bit painful, and warm.â
âGood. Youâll need to absorb all of it. In three days, we can start the second phase,â Huangfu Xianyue said.
Xu Zimo noticed that her gaze burned with intensity, like she was staring at a priceless treasure.
Before leaving, she reminded him, âRest well. Iâll come back tomorrow.â
...
After she left, Xu Zimo returned to his courtyard and sent his consciousness into the Myriad Beast Realm of the God World.
Looking at the various God Beasts, he ultimately chose a crimson flame dragon.
âYouâll do. Iâve got a task for you,â Xu Zimo instructed.
The crimson dragon roared toward the sky and flicked its tail.
Xu Zimo used spatial power to teleport the dragon away.
The noonday sun blazed in the sky over the World Sovereign Empyrean Sect like a massive fireball.