Chapter 69: Chapter 69: Memories of Youyun, Even Warriors are Not Weaker Than Cultivators
"The Youyun Continent, I went there once for training when I was younger."
Lingyue Fairy spoke with a tone of reminiscence.
"There is no longer a distinction between the cultivation world and the secular world there. The people are fiercely independent, and even those who cannot cultivate usually learn martial arts. The mountains are filled with evil spirits and ghosts, often appearing in ways that defy common sense."
"The spiritual energy in that land is so abundant that even the most ordinary countryside has more than ten times the amount of spiritual energy compared to your continent. The cultivation world there is far stronger than yours, to the point that sects like Qingxuan Sect would be considered insignificant."
"Although the Youyun Continent is perilous, it also contains many precious natural treasures. There are even numerous ruins of ancient immortal sects buried in the mountains and wilderness, and finding one could be a great opportunity."
"For cultivators seeking the path of immortality, it truly is a fantastic place for cultivation. When I trained there, my cultivation was greatly enhanced, improving by an entire realm."
Lingyue Fairy sighed as she recalled her past experiences.
"To think such a place exists in this world…"
Xu Taiping couldn't help but feel a sense of longing upon hearing this.
But then, he glanced again at the broken token in his hand, and with a hint of regret, he said, "But this teleportation token is only half, finding the other half might be difficult."
"You don't need to worry about that," Lingyue Fairy said confidently. "The token itself is a treasure. Even if it's split into several pieces, they can still sense each other. I can teach you how to find the other half when the time comes."
Xu Taiping's heart lightened immediately. He thanked Lingyue Fairy and then turned to Bai Yu. "Bai Yu, I'll keep this token. It's useful to me."
"Mm."
Bai Yu nodded silently, his eyes still clouded with sorrow.
At this moment, Bai Yu was still deep in the grief of losing his mother. He had no energy to think about anything else, even the reason why Xu Taiping was capable of fighting the Peacock King.
Seeing Bai Yu like this, Xu Taiping felt a pang of sympathy. He too had lost family at a young age, so he understood Bai Yu's feelings well.
"I'm sorry I couldn't kill the Peacock King today."
Xu Taiping apologized softly.
Upon hearing the words "Peacock King," Bai Yu's previously dull eyes suddenly shone with light.
"No, it's good that you didn't kill it," Bai Yu shook his head and then spoke with fiery determination.
"That way, I'll have the chance to avenge my mother and my clan!"
After speaking, Bai Yu's expression softened slightly. He extended his wings and gently lifted a drop of blood imbued with powerful spiritual power, placing it before Xu Taiping.
"Taiping, thanks to you, I not only got to see my mother, but I also inherited her original demon blood and demon core. Please, take this drop of demon blood."
Xu Taiping thought for a moment, then did not take the blood meant for the soul contract. Instead, he seriously asked Bai Yu, "Are you sure? I won't force you to bind a soul contract with me."
"I'm sure. If I can't even make this promise, I'd be dishonoring my mother's spirit," Bai Yu said firmly.
Upon hearing this, Xu Taiping no longer hesitated. He nodded and reached out to accept the drop of demon blood.
"From this day on, I, Bai Yu, voluntarily become Xu Taiping's spiritual pet for a hundred years. From now on, Xu Taiping is my master."
Bai Yu swore.
"We're not master and servant, Bai Yu. There's no need to address me as 'master.' This soul contract is merely a promise."
Xu Taiping shook his head.
Bai Yu looked at him deeply, then nodded solemnly.
"Then, from now on, you, Xu Taiping, are my brother, sharing both life and death."
"Brother?"
Xu Taiping thought back to his childhood, when he envied those in the village with siblings. He smiled and nodded. "Alright."
...
After settling Bai Yu in the gourd to rest, Xu Taiping went to the backyard to practice some boxing and then tried the Thousandfold Strength technique that Lingyue Fairy had taught him earlier in the day.
"This Thousandfold Strength is a martial arts technique for channeling power. In the future, you can combine it with the Qingniu Fist. Don't worry about it being mistaken for an outer sect technique."
Lingyue Fairy was pleased to see Xu Taiping mastering the technique with increasing skill. She spoke with encouragement.
Xu Taiping nodded, then curiously asked, "Lingyue, I remember that last time, Ziyang True Monarch said that in front of cultivators, martial artists have no chance of fighting back. But today, your Thousandfold Strength was able to suppress the Peacock King. It seems martial arts isn't as helpless as they say."
"You've noticed that well," Lingyue Fairy smiled appreciatively.
"Once you reach a certain level in both cultivation and body refinement, there's no real distinction between the two. The issue is that in your world, spiritual energy is too sparse, and there are few treasures to aid body cultivation, so it's hard to create a truly powerful martial body."
"In our world, the demon race's Immortal Body of the Great Sage, and the human race's Unbreakable Vajra Body, are among the most formidable forces. There was once a martial fanatic from the demon race, who, relying solely on his Immortal Body, swept through most of the cultivation world. Even high-level cultivators couldn't stop a single blow from him."
She spoke as if telling a story, explaining it to Xu Taiping.
"A martial cultivator was able to sweep through most of the cultivation world?"
Xu Taiping was astonished.
"It's not surprising," Lingyue Fairy nodded.
"Remember the body refining technique I taught you two years ago, and the gear I asked you to wear?"
She suddenly smiled at Xu Taiping.
"Of course, I remember."
Xu Taiping nodded.
He patted his abdomen and then his thigh, where he could clearly hear the sound of metal ringing. Then he said,
"I've never taken it off, except when bathing. I've been practicing the body refining technique every day."
"At first, it was painful. Especially when I wore this gear, it made even walking difficult. But after two years of adapting, I'm doing much better now."
Two years ago, after Xu Taiping began drinking Dragon Gall Wine and further strengthened his physique, Lingyue Fairy had taught him a body refining technique. According to her, it was a very basic technique but well-suited for beginners to strengthen their bones and muscles.
Xu Taiping had been practicing it diligently for the past two years.
"I didn't expect you to stick with it, but after two years, your muscles and bones have been strengthened enough. When we get to the mountain, I'll teach you a more advanced body refining technique passed down from the ancient Human Emperor."
Lingyue Fairy spoke with approval.