A gentle breeze rustles, bamboo leaves dancing. This bamboo grove is peculiar—each stalk emits a faint emerald glow, exuding a tangible life force as if the bamboo itself has awakened. The heaven and earth energy here is extraordinarily dense, transforming the bamboo. Given time, some might even evolve into spirit beings.
In the universe, all things can cultivate. They possess spirituality—even a blade of grass can become a powerful being, let alone a green bamboo.
Wang Junfei's eyes burn with avarice. He licks his lips, staring at an ancient cave ahead. Overgrown with weeds, the entrance is hidden, but the cave exhales rich spiritual energy and radiates divine light, hinting at extraordinary treasures within.
"Young Master Fei," a youth blurts out, "the energy here is so concentrated in the cave—it resembles the omen of a Spirit Enlightened Fruit forming!"
Wang Junfei's eagerness intensifies. "Indeed. If there is a Spirit Enlightened Fruit, my foundation in the Soul Convergence Realm will soar!"
"I congratulate you in advance, Young Master—this will make your name!" The youth flatters, well-aware that Spirit Enlightened Fruits, rare heavenly treasures, form only in specific regions. Their essence rivals the origin energy needed for Soul Convergence, worth even a Purple Heart Yunling Elixir.
"Where is Wang Ling?" Wang Junfei scowls after a while. "They take too long for a simple task."
"Those two are probably slacking," the youth smirks. "But there's no danger here. With your strength, you could suppress anything."
Nodding in agreement, Wang Junfei strides toward the cave, no longer waiting.
Behind a nearby boulder, Daoling peers through a crack, heart pounding. This is the area the Devouring Heavens Technique called to—the cave must hold the true blood of a divine beast. He creeps closer, cautious to scout first.
Inside the cave, the energy is thicker, carrying a sweet fragrance. Daoling's eyes light up—spiritual herbs must be here! Rare and born in spiritual mountains, these herbs are vital for alchemy, making them invaluable.
Following a dim path, he sees green radiance filling the cave, shimmering with spiritual qi. Wang Junfei's fiery gaze locks onto a small tree ahead, spewing divine light and absorbing energy. Three emerald fruits hang from its branches, each the size of a baby's fist, glistening like jade.
"Three Spirit Enlightened Fruits!" Wang Tuan's voice trembles, eyes red with greed.
Sensing a cold stare, Wang Tuan shivers and quickly says, "Young Master, refining all three will skyrocket your strength—maybe even to 6th Layer Soul Convergence!"
"True." Wang Junfei nods excitedly. This fortune isn't just about breaking through realms; the fruits will multiply his foundation, letting him climb higher in Soul Convergence.
Wang Tuan feels a twinge of envy but dare not act, knowing his place.
Hidden in the shadows, Daoling clenches his fists. Charging now is risky—if Wang Junfei refines the fruits, he'll be unstoppable. A passage deeper in the cave draws him; the Devouring Heavens Technique spins faster, confirming the true blood lies ahead.
Impatient, Wang Junfei reaches for the fruits. Beside the tree, a foot-tall bamboo shudders. A small white sable with ruby eyes leaps out, growling fiercely at the intruder stealing its food.
A white blur strikes. Wang Junfei's wrist explodes in pain, marked by teeth.
"What?" Wang Tuan gasps. "A heavenly spirit creature—beware, Young Master!"
Furious, Wang Junfei unleashes his aura to suppress the sable, which arches its fur, bursting with spiritual energy. It charges, hind legs cracking the ground, moving in a blur around Wang Junfei's energy shield.
"Fast little beast!" Wang Junfei snarls, frustrated.
Daoling smiles—this is his chance. The sable, though swift, lacks combat experience.
Wang Junfei flicks his palm, summoning silver needles that pierce the air. The sable darts away, but needles chase, grazing its fur. Twelve needles form a killing array, shaking the cave.
"Got you!" Wang Junfei laughs, confident.
"A treasure set!" Daoling approaches silently behind Wang Tuan, who turns to see a smiling face. A golden light pierces his forehead.
As the needle array rages, Daoling reveals a purple pagoda. The nine-tiered treasure glows, clashing with the needles.
"What?" Wang Junfei spins, horrified. The pagoda, a mid-grade treasure, forces the needle array back.
"Impossible! How do you have a treasure—mid-grade at that?!" Wang Junfei's face pales. His needles, also mid-grade, can mimic high-grade treasures when combined. To see Daoling wield such a thing... Had Wang Ling been killed?
Daoling presses on, the pagoda's power growing, pinning the needles aloft.
"Damn you! You're dead!" Wang Junfei roars, murderous intent blazing.