Mortal Bones

"Bang!"

With a loud explosion, the window shattered, and the figure of the outer-world demon vanished.

"Boom!"

But the next moment, a mass of black shadow swiftly surged through the window, and from within the shadow, a giant bony hand stretched out, tearing apart the phantom of the golden-armored warrior with a single swipe.

"Bang!"

The exorcism array set up outside the house was immediately destroyed, and after crushing the golden-armored warrior, the giant bony hand reached directly for Lingyue, as it had clearly sensed her presence.

"It's even stronger than last time."

Lingyue snorted coldly, unfazed. She began to channel her primordial spirit's power, preparing to strike and repel the outer-world demon, just like she had done before.

"My soul is no longer as weak as it was last time. This time, I will destroy you completely!"

As she said this, she raised a finger and was about to strike at the outer-world demon.

"Chirp!..."

At that moment, a bird-like cry rang out sharply, and a flash of blue light turned into a massive raptor that soared towards the bony arm of the outer-world demon.

"Boom!"

With a single claw, the raptor tore through the massive bony arm, and then proceeded to swallow it whole.

"This..."

Lingyue stood frozen in place.

After devouring the arm of the outer-world demon, the raptor's form flickered and turned into a small blue sparrow that circled above Taiping's head for a moment before flying back into the Cangluan ring on his hand.

"Could it be... that the soul of the ancient fierce beast Cangluan just consumed the outer-world demon's arm?"

Lingyue's mind flashed with this astonishing thought.

"As expected of the Earth Bodhi Fruit, it can even resurrect such a terrifying being."

Lingyue glanced at the Cangluan ring on Taiping's hand, still filled with amazement, murmuring to herself.

Although the Earth Bodhi Fruit belonged to Lingyue, she had never truly experienced its power. It was only after a calamity that she was unable to plant it, so she never saw what it could really do.

"The Earth Bodhi Fruit must have sensed the latent danger within Taiping and gave birth to the Cangluan ring. Now, I do somewhat envy this kid."

Lingyue smiled wryly, but then she thought to herself, If Taiping hadn't diligently cultivated, if he hadn't ventured into danger time and time again, the Earth Bodhi Fruit would never have had the nutrients to give birth to the Cangluan ring.

In a sense, the Cangluan ring was a reward for Taiping's hard work and adventures.

"But considering the outer-world demon's nature, losing an arm this time, it will definitely seek even more ruthless revenge next time. Whether the Cangluan ring is a blessing or a curse for Taiping is yet to be seen."

Lingyue murmured, a hint of concern in her voice, before she entered the green gourd.

At this moment, Taiping, having successfully established his foundation, had entered a mysterious state. Now, he could clearly sense the flow of true essence within every meridian in his body. His bones were being strengthened, and his meridians were expanding. He felt as if he had been reborn.

The most exciting thing for him was the boundless qi sea in his dantian. With the qi sea, his true qi would transform into purer true essence, and it could regenerate automatically without the need for meditation. The most important part was that he could now cast spells without relying on gathering qi pills, and his Ice Breath technique's power was at least 30% stronger.

Five days later.

Evening.

On the rugged mountain road leading to Fenglai Valley, Taiping, cloaked in dark clothes, moved swiftly through the forest.

"I didn't expect you to break through to the Void-Meditation realm so quickly."

Bai Yu, now in the form of a sparrow, landed on Taiping's shoulder.

"If I hadn't broken through, I wouldn't have dared to promise you."

Taiping responded, leaping over a ravine as he spoke.

"Don't worry, I'm just going to see my mother. I won't hold you back."

Bai Yu reassured him.

"Mm."

Taiping nodded.

However, deep down, he had already prepared for the worst—facing the Peacock King's pursuit.

"Apart from this road, there's another secret passage in Fenglai Valley that leads directly to the Star Observation Cliff. After I see my mother, we can head straight for the secret passage, destroy its entrance, and even if the Peacock King finds out, he won't be able to catch us."

Bai Yu continued.

He had already calculated everything, not wanting to involve Taiping in unnecessary danger.

"I'm just worried that the execution ground might be too far."

This was Taiping's only concern.

"It won't be too far. The only place in Fenglai Valley that can be used as an execution ground is Danxia Plain, and the entrance to the secret passage is right below the cliff behind Danxia Plain."

Bai Yu was confident in his guess.

"Taiping, if... if possible, let me say a few more words to my mother."

Bai Yu then quietly requested.

"Don't worry. As long as there's no danger to your life, I'll do my best to give you time."

Taiping nodded, though there was something he didn't say—if possible, he wanted to try and save Bai Yu's mother.

Of course, he wouldn't promise Bai Yu something he wasn't sure he could accomplish.

"Bai Yu, come inside. This road may be safe, but your aura might still be detected by the Peacock King."

Taiping patted the green gourd at his waist.

"Okay."

Without a word, Bai Yu entered the gourd.

Half an hour later.

Star Observation Cliff.

Taiping gazed down at Danxia Plain below, illuminated by moonlight. Sure enough, he saw a giant white-headed eagle locked with thick chains. The enormous bird nearly occupied a third of Danxia Plain.

If nothing else, this should be Bai Yu's mother.

"These bastards, treating my mother like this!"

Bai Yu, poking his head out from the gourd, was trembling with rage as he watched.

"Bai Yu, calm down."

Taiping sealed the gourd again and sent a mental message to Bai Yu inside:

"Is the secret passage really below this Star Observation Cliff?"

Anything within the gourd could be communicated with his mental energy.

"Yes, when the time comes, you just need to jump down from here, and you'll reach the entrance of the secret passage."

Bai Yu replied.

"Alright."

Taiping nodded secretly, then looked down at Danxia Plain again, continuing to communicate with Bai Yu:

"Stay in the gourd. Once I'm at your mother's side, I'll let you out."

After saying this, he took out the Yi Xing Grass he had taken from Mr. Ya Mountain, sending a strand of true essence into it.

In an instant, Taiping's body merged with the surrounding rocks, and then, he leaped down, nimbly climbing the jutting stones of the cliff, heading quickly towards Danxia Plain.