The expression on Transcendence’s face was awkward, and he laughed dryly before speaking lightly, "I’ve asked you both to stay today because there’s an important matter to discuss!"
Qiu Wuhui took a sip from his cup casually and remarked, Chu Ming also nodded in agreement. He had already speculated long ago that Transcendence’s purpose in presenting two Spiritual Source Fruits at the tea ceremony was not so simple.
"I can tell you, but both of you must swear not to spread this matter!"
Transcendence spoke softly, while Zi Yan sat quietly beside him. Clearly, this was a joint decision by the two of them.
After all, the relic they discovered likely contained a wealth of spiritual medicines and treasures. Although Chu Ming and Qiu Wuhui couldn’t enter, spreading this information would be a big loss for Transcendence and Zi Yan.
Chu Ming and Qiu Wuhui exchanged glances, raised their hands, and swore. Finally, three faint thunderclaps resounded in the sky to signify completion.
Transcendence and Zi Yan nodded in satisfaction. In the world of martial artists, one’s oath was highly regarded. It seemed that, in this continent, some pair of eyes was truly watching over all beings.
Any martial artist who broke their oath would end up in a dire situation, as predicted.
Chu Ming asked calmly. Among the group, Zi Yan currently possessed the highest strength. Even Chu Ming would likely not be his match. However, once he refined the Spiritual Source Fruit, who knew who would be stronger?
"My senior brother and I discovered a sect’s relic in the Black Cloud Mountain range of the Ice Saint Kingdom. The real aim of this tea ceremony was to select two martial artists of comparable strength to explore this sect’s relic with us!"
Transcendence explained.
Chu Ming frowned and asked, "You didn’t enter the sect’s relic?"
If he discovered a sect’s relic, he would definitely enter.
"We did go in, but there were tons of zombies. We only explored the peripheral area."
Transcendence looked somewhat embarrassed. When they discovered the sect’s relic, they eagerly ventured in, but soon encountered many zombies at the edge zone. At first, they managed to handle a few low-level zombies fairly easily. However, the further they went, the tougher the zombies became. They ultimately couldn’t hold out and had to retreat.
Chu Ming pondered silently after hearing this. Ordinary zombies weren’t tough; they were just a bit stronger than normal people. For a martial artist, dealing with them was incredibly easy. But advanced zombies were another story, like Yellow-haired zombies, Red-haired zombies. Even Chu Ming would expend effort to deal with them.
Beyond those were Iron Corpses and Flying Corpses. Though named Iron Corpses, their defense far surpassed ordinary iron, making them invulnerable to water and fire, tough against ice and snow. Regular Iron Corpses could challenge Guiyuan Realm experts effortlessly. The more formidable Iron Corpses could kill Guiyuan Realm martial artists like child’s play.
As for Flying Corpses, Chu Ming had only read about them in books, never heard of their appearance anywhere. If Flying Corpses appeared in the Celestial Realm, it would be a disaster for the entire Celestial Realm.
Flying Corpses could freely fly and possess a Flying Corpse Body, their physique without flaw, with astonishing strength akin to Body Refining experts of the Realm of Transcendence. Ordinary Realm of Transcendence experts couldn’t withstand their punches. Only Life and Death Realm Kings might be able to kill them.
"What level are the zombies inside?"
Qiu Wuhui asked cautiously, knowing that martial artists were careful with their lives. Humans diffed significantly from other beings by their self-awareness. If the sect’s relic had Iron Corpses, he would definitely give up immediately, as Iron Corpses could easily kill them.
"They are mainly ordinary zombies, but some Yellow-haired zombies are mixed in. Of course, we only reached the outer area; we don’t know about the interior!"
Transcendence spoke softly.
Then, he seemed to notice Chu Ming and Qiu Wuhui’s hesitation and added, "Actually, we obtained the Spiritual Source Fruits from the sect’s relic."
"I have no problem. When are we departing?"
Chu Ming asked calmly. He came out this time for training. If things were too comfortable, it wouldn’t serve the purpose of training.
There’s truth in the saying: one thrives in hardship and dies in comfort!
"I’m fine too!" Qiu Wuhui chimed in.
"Good, we depart in three days!"
Transcendence smiled slightly as he spoke.
"See you in three days!"
Chu Ming left the City Lord’s Mansion and returned to his inn. He closed the door of his room, sat cross-legged on his bed, and took out the Spiritual Source Fruit from his storage ring. Immediately, a surge of abundant spiritual power emanated from the fruit.
"Hopefully, I can break through to the peak of Transcendence!"
Chu Ming thought to himself. As for directly breaking into the True Dao Realm, that was impossible. Chu Ming had cultivated the sixth layer of "Burning Fire True Skill", and his dantian was considerably larger than an average martial artist’s. Therefore, each breakthrough required much more spiritual power. It was estimated that one Spiritual Source Fruit would bring his cultivation to the limit of the Transcendence Realm at best.
The Spiritual Source Fruit entered his mouth and transformed into pure spiritual power, circulating through his Seven Meridians and Eight Vessels. He silently recited the mantra of the Burning Fire True Skill. Instantly, the immense spiritual power was absorbed by his dantian after several circulations, and his cultivation began to slowly rise.
Mid-stage of the Ninth Layer of Transcendence Realm!
Peak of mid-stage Ninth Layer of Transcendence Realm!
Late-stage Ninth Layer of Transcendence Realm!
An entire hour passed. The spiritual power from the Spiritual Source Fruit was completely absorbed, and his cultivation reached the limit of the Transcendence Realm. He couldn’t advance further. He even sensed the barrier of the True Dao Realm.
Chu Ming opened his eyes, sending out two beams of light that seemed like lightning, darting about in the void.
At this moment, the "Burning Fire True Skill" he’d been cultivating was at the peak of the sixth layer. Perhaps all it needed was a chance to break through to the seventh layer.
"Now my spiritual power strength slightly surpasses my physical strength!"
Chu Ming estimated internally. Body refining power and spiritual power should sometimes be considered together. Moreover, combining them wasn’t as simple as one plus one equals two.
Second floor of the inn.
Chu Ming sat by the window, sipping his drink lightly, gazing out at the street below, feeling somewhat wistful.
Unknowingly, it had almost been a year since he arrived in this world. He had experienced much, and his strength had risen from Fourth Layer of Postnatal Realm to his current state. In his previous world, he was a Martial Arts Grandmaster, but there, Martial Arts Grandmaster was equivalent to a Transcendence Realm martial artist here, perhaps even a bit inferior.