Leng Qingqiu was exceptionally intelligent, seeing Wang Xiaoqiang cultivating on the spot, she extended her Divine Sense to observe the surroundings and acted as his protector.

50,000,000 Spiritual Springs were thrown into the mine pit, attaching to the Spirit Stones eagerly absorbing the Metal Element Spiritual Energy within.

Suck, suck, suck, suck, suck, suck, suck, suck, suck…

After the 50,000,000 Spiritual Springs were filled, the Spiritual Springs' Spiritual Energy mostly consisted of Metal Element Spiritual Energy. At this point, the Five Elements Spirit Spring turned from five colors to pure white, and following Wang Xiaoqiang's mind, flew out of the mine pit and entered Wang Xiaoqiang's body, releasing the absorbed Metal Element Spiritual Energy. Immediately, the Metal Element Spiritual Energy inside Wang Xiaoqiang surged wildly, gradually condensing into something resembling liquid metal under his skin, flowing continuously, condensing…gradually forming a layer of Metal Membrane beneath the skin.

When the Metal Element Spiritual Energy inside was used up, Wang Xiaoqiang released another 50,000,000 Spiritual Springs to enter the mine pit for absorption.

50,000,000 Spiritual Springs poured into the mine pit, attaching to the Spirit Stones, absorbing the Metal Element Spiritual Energy inside.

Suck, suck, suck, suck, suck, suck, suck, suck, suck…

After the 50,000,000 Spiritual Springs were filled, they turned from five colors to pure white and flew out of the mine pit with Wang Xiaoqiang's intention, entering his body. Instantly, the Metal Element Spiritual Energy inside Wang Xiaoqiang surged massively, guided by his will, entered beneath the epidermis, gradually condensing into something like liquid metal beneath the skin, flowing and condensing continuously…

Under constant condensation, the layer of Metal Membrane gradually solidified into a shell like metal, appearing golden yellow, semi-transparent, like a cicada shell.

The formation of the fifth-layer Gold Shell marked the breakthrough of Wang Xiaoqiang's Vajra Body Fifth Layer.

With a thought, Wang Xiaoqiang released that layer of Gold Shell outward; another thought released the previous four layers as well, stacking all five Gold Shells on the outside of his body, effectively adding five layers of protection.

At this moment, Leng Qingqiu glanced over and saw the semi-visible five-layer Gold Shell outside Wang Xiaoqiang's body. Her beautiful eyes brightened with a peculiar gleam, but afraid to disturb him, she did not ask any questions.

After the breakthrough, Wang Xiaoqiang withdrew his powers, scanned with his Divine Sense, and seeing most of the Spiritual Energy within the Spirit Stones in the mine pit absorbed, leaving only a small portion, unwilling to waste, he released another 50,000,000 Spiritual Springs to absorb.

Finally, when the 50,000,000 Spiritual Springs were filled, the Spiritual Energy within the Spirit Stones in the mine pit was completely absorbed, turning them into useless stones.

Wang Xiaoqiang absorbed the 50,000,000 Spiritual Springs into his body, the Metal Element Spiritual Energy inside surged massively, transforming into liquid metal, forming the sixth-layer Gold Shell within him. Wang Xiaoqiang stopped cultivating, thinking hastiness wouldn't lead to success, and considering it wasn't the right time to cultivate here, as the demon cultivators who fled would surely report to the Great Demon King, and this place would soon be surrounded by the immense Demon Army. For safety, he decided to further condense the sixth-layer Gold Shell later.

After finishing these tasks, Wang Xiaoqiang stood up, smiled slightly at Leng Qingqiu, and said, "Thank you for protecting me."

"I never thought you've already reached the Fifth Layer of the Vajra Body cultivation base?!" Even Leng Qingqiu, usually indifferent, couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

"It's thanks to your help, I guess you've paid back one favor,"

"I'll repay the other two favors whenever there's a chance in the future. Until then, farewell," Leng Qingqiu said seriously, clasping her hands calmly and coolly.

"Qingqiu, do you dislike me so much? Why do you always want to separate from me?" Wang Xiaoqiang moved closer to Leng Qingqiu, placing his hands on her fragrant shoulders.

Leng Qingqiu's expression changed, she shook her shoulders, breaking contact from Wang Xiaoqiang's hands, pouting her lips in some annoyance, "Do you know your appearance has thrown my Daoist Heart into turmoil, regressing my Path of Ruthlessness significantly..."

Once again, Wang Xiaoqiang placed his hands on Leng Qingqiu's fragrant shoulders, "Qingqiu, listen to me, abandon the Path of Ruthlessness. You, a girl, cultivating the Path of Ruthlessness is too arduous. It's easy to suffer once, but to suffer for lifetimes is truly difficult. You are now an Immortal Sage, capable of living for a million years. A million years without emotion, a million years of loneliness—honestly, Qingqiu, even if you don't care for yourself, I care deeply for you..."

Hearing this, Leng Qingqiu's heart quivered, warmth surged, causing her Daoist Heart to be thrown into chaos. She quickly gathered her thoughts, shaking her shoulders again, breaking Wang Xiaoqiang's grasp, sternly saying, "This is my matter, it has nothing to do with you. Mind your own business."

"Qingqiu, actually you cannot hide it from me, you are not emotionless, nor do you wish to cultivate the Path of Ruthlessness. You do all this for your lover, am I right?"

Leng Qingqiu's heart was shaken by his words, her face changed drastically. She stammered, "You, you're spouting nonsense?"

Wang Xiaoqiang said, "Your lover's life ended, his Dao dissipated, leaving only a trace of Remnant Soul. You have always carried his Remnant Soul with you wishing to resurrect him, right? Yet all your efforts haven't yielded any method of resurrection, so you absorbed his Remnant Soul into your Ruthless Sword, treating it as a Sword Spirit to cultivate, intending to revive your lover through cultivating the Sword Spirit, isn't that so?"

"Stop talking!" Leng Qingqiu shouted fiercely, interrupting Wang Xiaoqiang, tears immediately welled up, streaming down her face.

Seeing her like this, Wang Xiaoqiang knew his conjecture was correct. Watching Leng Qingqiu's body tremble like bamboo in the wind in her agitation, Wang Xiaoqiang stepped forward and embraced her, "So you cultivate the Path of Ruthlessness, rejecting any men, am I right?"

Leng Qingqiu did not resist, she just cried silently.

Wang Xiaoqiang continued, "But, Qingqiu, I think perhaps you are mistaken. Keeping your lover's Remnant Soul constantly by your side, as he lacks a soul he can neither reincarnate nor return as a living being. Over the years, he's remained a wandering ghoul, facing endless misery...does he truly wish for this?"

"Don't say anymore, I beg you, stop..." Leng Qingqiu pleaded in pain.

"Moreover, by absorbing your lover's Remnant Soul into the sword to use as a Sword Spirit for cultivation, do you know how much agony he endures? Moments ago, when you used him against the Great Demon transformed into a dual-headed humanoid monster, do you know he also sustained injuries in that collision? Qingqiu, if you love him deeply, you mustn't use him as a tool. If you love him, you should set him free, let him reincarnate and return as a human..."

Leng Qingqiu remained motionless, tears ceased flowing. She let Wang Xiaoqiang hold her, her eyes were flushed red, staring blankly.

Wang Xiaoqiang released her, staring intently, "Qingqiu, listen to me, abandon the Path of Ruthlessness, cease cultivating Sword Spirit, set him free, come find me..." Wang Xiaoqiang spoke, letting go of Leng Qingqiu.

Leng Qingqiu's body appeared drained, collapsing to the ground.

Seeing this, Wang Xiaoqiang could only lift her up, embracing her, soaring skyward, returning her to the cave abode. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to cast recommendation votes or monthly votes at Qidian (qidian.com) as your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com for reading.)

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.