Chapter 56

Chapter 56 Zhou Chengwen organized the disciples to go back for treatment. Song Weizhi also returned to her room and set up a barrier before taking out various healing elixirs from her storage ring. She removed her blood-stained clothes and applied the powdered medicine to her injuries. There was a wound on her back, and Song Weizhi painstakingly managed to apply the medicine. She then used bandages to wrap the wounds. With the help of these spiritual medicines, the external injuries appeared intimidating, but with a few more days of treatment, they would heal. Song Weizhi's real concern was the Soul Summoning Sect that Zhou Chengwen mentioned. Their target seemed to be her friend Xia Xia. She wondered what these people really wanted. On the other hand, Wei Zhao was much more comfortable than Song Weizhi. He didn't have to attend to his wounds by himself. Zhou Qingxue brought out more than a dozen types of spiritual medicines. Wei Zhao smiled and said, "We don't need so much medicine." Miss Zhou glared at Wei Zhao with red eyes. "Stop the nonsense. Just take them when I give them to you," she said, pouring five or six different pills into his hands. Wei Zhao obediently took the pills. Seeing his clothes stained with blood, Miss Zhou immediately said, "You should take off your clothes so I can apply the medicine for you." Wei Zhao nodded and took off his clothes despite the pain. He didn't stop until he was down to his undershirt, however Zhou Qingxue blushed and stopped him, saying, "Wait, that's enough. How can you, a young lady, just strip everything off?" Wei Zhao was puzzled. "But isn't it easier to apply the medicine this way?" He couldn't understand why taking everything off would make a difference since they were both girls. "Alright, alright, there's no need to take off anything else. This way is fine," Zhou Qingxue blushed and quickly applied the medicine to the wounds and then tightly bandaged them. She only relaxed after finishing everything. "Now that you've applied the medicine, take your time to put your clothes back on," Zhou Qingxue said with her back turned, avoiding eye contact with Wei Zhao. Confused, Wei Zhao glanced at Zhou Qingxue's red face. He couldn't help but feel like he was the one being watched, wondering why Miss Zhou was feeling shy. Meanwhile, on a cliff shrouded in black mist, there stood a large mansion with various pavilions and buildings. However, the cliff was barren, in stark contrast to the mansion's grandeur. At the center of the mansion was a grand hall where a young man sat in the middle, sipping tea. Despite emitting intermittent black aura, he looked like a young nobleman. A dozen or so people in black knelt before him. They were the ones who had clashed with Song Weizhi and others. The lord, seemingly unfazed by those kneeling before him, sipped his tea before speaking, "You are all worthless. Several Golden Core-stage individuals were defeated by someone at the Nascent Soul stage. How dare you come back?" Although his tone wasn't harsh, it sent shivers down the spines of the kneeling figures. The leader nervously reported, "Master, those young ones were unexpectedly formidable, far exceeding their Golden Core cultivation. Later, disciples from the Cold Mountain Sword Sect also arrived, which forced us to retreat." The man, known as the lord, disdainfully glanced at the subordinate. "Did you see her?" The subordinate dared not lift his head. "Reporting to the master, the guards around those young ones were extremely vigilant. We failed to get close to them." "Hmph, you're aware of your failure. There's no need to keep you around." As he spoke, the black aura around him intensified. Just as he was about to act, a voice sounded from the void. "Master, please hold on." As the voice spoke, a masked man appeared in the hall and bowed to the lord. "Please calm down, master. It's not entirely their fault this time. I didn't expect those individuals with Song Zhixia to improve their cultivation so quickly. That person known as Wei Zhao has already reached the peak of Nascent Soul stage." "Heh, interesting. I remember you said her cultivation was at the Golden Core stage when she arrived, yet she reached Nascent Soul stage within a few days? There must be something strange about this." The man glanced at the masked man and continued. "We are still investigating the specifics. However, we have used the Soul-Guiding Stone to confirm that there are two fragments of the Xuan Bird's primordial soul within Song Zhixia's body. Her friends also possess exceptional cultivation and aptitude, particularly the woman who ranked first in the Cold Mountain Sword Sect's secret realm. I have a hunch that her cultivation is more than just at the Golden Core stage and that she and Song Zhixia share a close relationship, almost as if they are in love," the masked man elaborated to the man known as the lord. A smile crept across the man's face. "Interesting. Two lovers. I wonder if one of them falls into the demonic path, will the other still remain devoted?" "Master, the martial arts competition among the Four Great Sects in the City of Qimo is about to begin. I uncovered information from the palace that the first prize for this competition is the fragment of the Xuan Bird's primordial soul. Why don't we postpone dealing with Song Zhixia for now? If by chance either Song Zhixia or Song Weizhi wins, we won't have to make any effort to obtain three pieces of the primordial soul," the masked man suggested. "No rush. Once we know the whereabouts of the primordial soul fragments, they will inevitably be mine. For now, I'll have some fun with those little brats," the lord said before dismissing the kneeling figures, allowing them to leave. The man referred to as the lord was none other than the master of the demonic Soul-Guiding Sect, Lu Ming. To him, obtaining the Xuan Bird's primordial soul fragment could rapidly advance his cultivation. Alternatively, participating in dual cultivation with someone in possession of the Xuan Bird's primordial soul fragment could also have a similar effect. Having contemplated the masked man's words, Lu Ming lost interest in directly seizing the primordial soul fragment from Song Zhixia. Several days later, Song Zhixia finally regained consciousness, her cultivation having improved significantly. As for Song Weizhi and the others, their injuries had nearly healed. However, Song Weizhi still harbored unease over the recent events. The adversaries sent to confront her were not the most elite, yet she struggled to handle them alone. Without Zhou Qingxue's timely rescue, she and Wei Zhao and Zhao Xuankun would not have been able to hold their ground. When Song Zhixia awoke, she had already reached the peak of the Golden Core stage, with the boost from the primordial soul fragment within her. Eager to share her joy at the progress of her cultivation, she barged into Song Weizhi's room without even knocking. "Sister, I've advanced by two minor realms," Song Zhixia exclaimed, throwing herself into Song Weizhi's arms. Song Weizhi embraced the girl and said, "Great, my dear Xia Xia is amazing." Nuzzling her head against Song Weizhi's shoulder, the girl asked, "Sister, have you completed your cultivation already?" Leaving a gentle kiss on the girl's forehead, Song Weizhi whispered, "I advanced a few days before you did, Xia Xia. In the future, when you go out, make sure to bring me or Wei Zhao with you. Some unidentified people in black showed up a few days ago. We need to be extra cautious." Alarmed by the potential danger, Song Zhixia asked, "Sister, are you hurt? Were you injured?" Song Weizhi hugged her tightly. "I'm standing here in one piece, don't worry. Those people were suspicious, but I'm fine. We just need to be more careful." The following days returned to normal, as if the incident with the people in black had never happened. Song Weizhi and her companions gradually became familiar with various parts of the Cold Mountain Sword Sect. After a morning class, Qi Yingzhe informed the disciples about the martial arts competition among the four sects. This news sparked a lively discussion among the disciples. Qi Yingzhe addressed them, "The first prize for this competition is the fragment of the Xuan Bird's primordial soul. I hope everyone will prepare well and bring honor to our sect." "What is the Xuan Bird's primordial soul? Is it important for cultivation?" "It is said to be a fragment left by the ancient divine beast Xuan Bird in the mortal realm. It can greatly enhance one's cultivation. However, winning first place does not concern us." "Yeah, but will Senior Qi participate in the competition? If he does, it's a sure win for him." "Yes, the competition is going to be intense this time." "Well, we can just watch from the sidelines. I doubt I'll go beyond the first round." In the main hall of the Cold Mountain Sword Sect, only Zhou Yeran and Qi Yingzhe were present. Zhou Yeran cast a prohibition in the hall. He pondered for a while before speaking, "Yingzhe, our master has had high expectations of you for years, and you have lived up to them. You are worthy of being the top disciple of the Cold Mountain Sword Sect. You have always been steady. You are aware of the upcoming martial arts competition, where the royal family has offered the Xuan Bird's primordial soul fragment as a reward. This is an extremely rare item, with great significance for our sect. I hope that after winning the championship, you will hand over the primordial soul fragment to me. Then, the treasures of our Cold Mountain Sword Sect will be yours to choose from." Zhou Yeran's eloquent words were in fact his way of trying to claim the Xuan Bird's primordial soul fragment for himself. However, Qi Yingzhe remained composed, showing no hint of disobedience. "Master, that's a serious request. Everything I have is given by the sect. If I am fortunate enough to win first place, I will certainly present the primordial soul fragment with both hands." Zhou Yeran nodded with a smile. "You are truly the outstanding disciple I have always favored. Yingzhe, your future is limitless." The author has a message for the readers: Wei Zhao: "It's easier for you to take off your clothes for medication." Zhou Qingxue: "You jerk! Can't you be serious?" Thank you to the angels who voted for me and provided nourishment from May 30, 2021, to June 1, 2021~: Thank you to the angel who voted: 梦回, 2 votes; Thank you to the angels who provided nourishment: 溟, 10 bottles; 也不造取啥名, 7 bottles; 何以解忧，唯有暴富 and 49335067, 1 bottle each;