After a bout of intense pain, a surge of power suddenly flowed into Long Chen’s body. At first, he resisted, trying to prevent the power from entering, but his resistance was eventually overcome. This power streamed through his limbs and into his very bones, beginning to nourish his entire body. As a soothing sensation washed over him, he relaxed completely, stopped resisting, and allowed the power to merge with him. The entire process lasted for about ten minutes.
When Feng Ziyuan withdrew his power, Long Chen’s fatigue vanished instantly. Even his internal injuries had completely healed, and he felt refreshed and clear-headed.
"Sense it carefully," Feng Ziyuan said to Long Chen.
Hearing this, Long Chen nodded and began to circulate the Battle qi in his body, only to discover a residual force left within.
"What is this?" Long Chen asked Feng Ziyuan, puzzled.
"I’ve left a trace of my power inside your body," Feng Ziyuan explained. "Refine it slowly during this time. Your cultivation will soar rapidly, allowing you to break through to the next level!"
"Senior Feng, this is too great a gift," Long Chen said hastily. "I truly cannot accept it. Please take this power back."
He knew perfectly well what it meant for a portion of Feng Ziyuan’s power to remain in his body. It meant that Feng Ziyuan’s own cultivation would be diminished as a result.
"What? You won’t even do this old man the courtesy?" Feng Ziyuan shot Long Chen a look.
"That’s not what I mean," Long Chen said, shaking his head quickly. "I just feel this gift is far too precious. How could I possibly be worthy?"
"If I say you’re worthy, then I have my reasons!" Feng Ziyuan stated. "Besides, you are now a member of the Guiyuan Academy. In two weeks, you will represent the academy in the Sacred Ruins Forbidden Land.
"With your current cultivation, you are still a bit too weak.
"So, you must train hard. Don’t bring shame to the Guiyuan Academy!"
"Understood! Thank you, Senior Feng!" Long Chen replied. "I will definitely perform well and not disappoint you!"
After listening to Feng Ziyuan’s words, Long Chen nodded. Why has he shown me so much favor for no apparent reason? Could it be because of the commotion I caused before? He couldn’t think of any other reason.
"Alright, go and start refining the power I’ve given you," Feng Ziyuan reminded him. "Every year, those who try to enter the Sacred Ruins Forbidden Land are formidable experts. If you want to obtain the Restoring Tendon Grass inside, it won’t be an easy task."
"Alright." Long Chen’s gaze was firm. "No matter how dangerous the Sacred Ruins Forbidden Land is, I will do everything in my power to get the Restoring Tendon Grass!"
For the next two weeks, aside from caring for Chu Lingjun, Long Chen devoted all his remaining time to cultivation. He trained relentlessly, never daring to slack off for a moment as he focused on completely refining the energy left in his body. He gradually realized that he had underestimated this power.
By the end of the two weeks, he had only managed to refine a third of the energy! Even so, Long Chen’s cultivation had improved dramatically. He had broken through from the War Sect Realm First Layer to the War Sect Realm Third Layer!
"The Sacred Ruins Forbidden Land opens in the next two days. Are you ready?" Feng Ziyuan asked, suddenly appearing beside Long Chen.
"Ready or not, I have to go." Long Chen was already impatient to enter the Sacred Ruins Forbidden Land, get the Restoring Tendon Grass as soon as possible, and hurry back to heal Chu Lingjun.
"This is the map to the Sacred Ruins Forbidden Land." Feng Ziyuan waved his hand, and a parchment map appeared in Long Chen’s hands. "If you encounter any danger there, you can use the token I gave you last time to ask the disciples of the Guiyuan Academy for help."
"Alright," Long Chen nodded. "But before I leave, I need to see Spirit Monarch."
Feng Ziyuan said nothing and turned to leave.
Long Chen walked toward the room. Just as he entered, he saw Cai Qing.
"Long Chen," Cai Qing greeted him.
Long Chen nodded slightly. "Cai Qing, thank you for your hard work taking care of Spirit Monarch all this time."
"Long Chen, it’s what I should be doing," Cai Qing replied.
Long Chen walked into an inner room.
Chu Lingjun’s complexion had some color, but she remained unconscious, lying quietly on the bed.
Long Chen slowly approached Chu Lingjun’s bedside. "Spirit Monarch, wait for me! I will bring back the Restoring Tendon Grass and heal you completely!"
After a brief farewell to Chu Lingjun, Long Chen followed the markings on the map and headed straight for the Sacred Ruins Forbidden Land.