Chapter 499: Chapter 281: Threat

"Elder Li is incredible. To think he can perceive someone’s Root Bone with a single glance," Sun Jian said in astonishment.

Han Feng and the others also gazed at Li Songhe, their expressions a mixture of shock and admiration.

Upon hearing this, Li Songhe laughed heartily. "I have no such skill," he said. "I’m merely relying on prior intelligence. The fact that Huo Xiaochen has achieved Root Bone Perfection is hardly a secret in the Jianghu anymore. I was just stating a known fact."

At these words, Han Feng, Xu Yang, and the others exchanged awkward glances. They had really thought Li Songhe had such an ability, to see another’s Root Bone with a casual glance. It turned out he just knew all along that Huo Xiaochen had a Perfect Root Bone.

"As expected of the Iron Sword Sect. The last genius in our Purple Sun Sect to possess a Perfect Root Bone was Han Yingjie. It’s been many years since we’ve had a disciple with one."

A Martial Artist’s Root Bone is divided into four grades—A, B, C, and D—but above them all is the strongest: the Perfect Root Bone.

It is said that someone with this type of Root Bone can absorb up to ninety-nine percent of an elixir’s efficacy, absorbing its effects almost perfectly.

It is also said that when they attempt to break through to the Celestial Essence Realm, their success rate is so high that failure is nearly impossible.

"Geniuses with a Perfect Root Bone aren’t that common. Our Purple Sun Sect oversees the six counties of Fufeng County, and we might not see a single one in seven or eight years."

As Li Songhe spoke, he glanced around at everyone, his gaze finally landing on Xu Yang. "You all want to attempt the Secondary Dragon Ascension. If you encounter this Huo Xiaochen in the future, it would be best to concede immediately.

"Judging by his aura, I’m afraid that Huo Xiaochen has already had a breakthrough."

These words sent another wave of shock through Xie Zhan, Han Feng, and the others.

Huo Xiaochen seemed to be about their age, yet he had already broken through to the Celestial Essence Realm. It was unthinkable.

"There are as many geniuses in this world as there are fish in the river," Han Feng sighed.

They weren’t even considered top-tier within the Purple Sun Sect. Across the entire Yun Province, they were practically nobodies, their fame confined to the sect’s walls.

"Elder Li, you just said Huo Xiaochen was close to a Spirit Bone Celestial Pride. What exactly is a Spirit Bone Celestial Pride?" Xie Zhan asked.

Xu Yang’s interest was piqued. ’That’s what I wanted to ask, too.’ He hadn’t expected Xie Zhan to beat him to it.

Li Songhe snorted coldly. "I don’t know what these elders are teaching their disciples these days. You don’t even know what a Spirit Bone is."

Xu Yang, Han Feng, and the others remained silent. ’How did they teach?’

Their masters taught them practically nothing. If they didn’t take the initiative to ask questions, months could go by without even a glimpse of their master. If they barely received any guidance on the Martial Dao, how could they possibly be expected to know such common knowledge?

"Please enlighten us, Elder Li," Xie Zhan said, cupping his hands respectfully.

Li Songhe raised his head slightly. "The Spirit Bone is an extraordinary Root Bone that surpasses the Perfect Root Bone. Those who possess a Spirit Bone are called natural-born Celestial Essence Martial Artists.

"Ordinary Martial Artists must first reach Marrow Cleansing Perfection. Then, by Introducing Heavenly and Earthly Power into the Body and condensing it into Gang Yuan, they can finally begin to absorb the world’s Spiritual Qi for their cultivation.

"A Spirit Bone Martial Artist, however, is born with the ability to absorb the world’s Spiritual Qi for cultivation. For them, breaking through to the Celestial Essence Realm is as easy as breathing."

Everyone gasped. Such people were truly the favored children of heaven and earth.

For a Martial Artist to advance on the Martial Dao without resources was a path of a thousand hardships. But a Spirit Bone Martial Artist, born with the ability to absorb Spiritual Qi, was completely free from this reliance on resources.

Of course, someone with such an extraordinary Root Bone would never lack for resources anyway. No matter where they went, they would be revered and put on a pedestal.

’So, above the Perfect Root Bone is something called the Spirit Bone!’ Xu Yang’s mind raced.

’After my Root Bone reached perfection, I did try to improve it further, but I saw no changes at all and eventually gave up.’

’Perhaps I just didn’t add enough points,’ he mused.

’Since this type of Root Bone exists, my panel must be able to upgrade mine to that level. The reason nothing happened is probably because I didn’t add enough points to trigger a qualitative change.’

"They are indeed the favored children of heaven and earth," Li Songhe continued. "For someone with a Spirit Bone, the Celestial Essence Realm is just the beginning. By the time a Spirit Bone Martial Artist is your age, they’ve already broken through to Celestial Essence, while you are all still struggling in the Gang Qi Realm."

"I have seen a few such people in my time. They were as dazzling as the midday sun." Li Songhe’s expression grew distant, a look of profound envy on his face.

With the exception of Xu Yang, a sense of despair washed over Xie Zhan, Han Feng, and the others.

They couldn’t even compare to Huo Xiaochen, let alone a Spirit Bone Celestial Pride.

"Don’t lose heart," Li Songhe said, attempting to console them. "Aside from Xu Yang, the rest of you will likely never even have the chance to meet a Spirit Bone Celestial Pride in your entire lives."

This only made them more despairing. Forget competing with a Spirit Bone Celestial Pride; they wouldn’t even get the chance to meet one.

"Of course," he said, turning to Xu Yang, "you shouldn’t delude yourself into thinking you can compete with a Spirit Bone Celestial Pride. If you meet one, the best thing to do is run as far as you can. Or, if you can manage to become one of their followers—even if it’s just to serve their tea—the benefits would be endless.

"Even the tiniest scrap of a Spirit Bone Technique they might let slip would be enough for you to study for a lifetime." Li Songhe looked pointedly at Xu Yang.

Everyone looked at Xu Yang with envy. A place like the Celestial Strategy Academy was bound to have Spirit Bone Celestial Prides, and Xu Yang truly had a chance to become one of their followers, helping out with whatever simple chores they needed.

Serving tea might sound demeaning, but to serve tea for a Spirit Bone Celestial Pride would be an honor.

"A Spirit Bone Technique?" Xu Yang’s eyes lit up as he asked in a low voice.

Li Songhe adopted an aloof expression. "That Elder Huoyun is far too negligent. It’s one thing for the others not to know about Spirit Bone Techniques, but for you to be in the dark as well...

"A Spirit Bone Technique is a Cultivation Technique used exclusively by Spirit Bone Celestial Prides. They are transcendently powerful, designed to draw out the maximum potential of a Spirit Bone, placing them far above ordinary techniques."

’So there are even special Cultivation Techniques just for Spirit Bones.’ Xu Yang’s gaze burned with intensity. "Elder Li, are Spirit Bone Techniques difficult to obtain?"

...

At the foot of Tianquan Peak, Cui Mingchong and Xiong Kun walked with hunched backs, leading Jiang Wang and Huo Xiaochen all the way up the mountain.

"Do the two of you know what enemies my brother, Liu Qingyuan, had?"

Jiang Wang spoke suddenly, still fixated on finding his brother’s killer.

Cui Mingchong hastily cupped his hands. "We weren’t familiar with Elder Liu, so we don’t know if he had any enemies outside the sect."

"I’m talking about inside the Purple Sun Sect. Was there anyone he was on bad terms with?" Jiang Wang said coolly.

He was implying that someone from the Purple Sun Sect had killed Liu Qingyuan—or perhaps he had already heard some rumors to that effect.

Cui Mingchong shook his head. "The Purple Sun Sect is of one heart and one mind. I’ve never heard of Elder Liu being on bad terms with anyone."

Jiang Wang snorted coldly. "But I heard that Elder Huoyun of Li Fire Peak confronted him over a disciple named Xu Yang."

A chill went down Cui Mingchong’s spine. ’Is Jiang Wang trying to cause trouble for Elder Huoyun, or for Xu Yang?’

"There’s no way Elder Huoyun killed Elder Liu! On the day Elder Liu died, Elder Huoyun was with Peak Master Lu of Beast King Peak the entire time. And Elder Huoyun never confronted Elder Liu. These must be rumors deliberately spread to you, Senior, by someone with an agenda."

"Have that Xu Yang and Huoyun come see me later. I will question them myself."

Jiang Wang snorted coldly, clearly not believing a word Cui Mingchong said.

’Does he really think he’s the Sect Leader of the Iron Sword Sect? Demanding that Elder Huoyun and Xu Yang come see him.’

Cui Mingchong complained inwardly but said aloud, "My apologies, Senior, but I am just an ordinary disciple. If you have a request, you should take it directly to our Sect Leader. I have no authority to command an elder of a peak."

Jiang Wang shot Cui Mingchong a cold glance and fell silent.

’Make a demand of Zhang Jingyuan?’ Although he was an elder of the Iron Sword Sect, he was in no position to make demands of Zhang Jingyuan.

"You’d best have them come and see my master," Huo Xiaochen interjected coldly. "If he doesn’t come and explain himself, he can forget about his Secondary Dragon Ascension."

Cui Mingchong’s mind raced. He realized Jiang Wang and Huo Xiaochen had come fully prepared. They had clearly investigated everything and were not at all ignorant of the situation between Xu Yang and Liu Qingyuan.

Just as he was about to speak, a sharp voice cut in. "What arrogance! Do you think you’re a teacher from the Celestial Strategy Academy, deciding who can and cannot achieve Dragon Ascension?"

Everyone looked up, only then realizing they had arrived before Liu Qingyuan’s memorial hall. Elder Huoyun was staring at Jiang Wang and Huo Xiaochen, his face an icy mask.

Beside him stood Elder Tie Fu, Elder Gong Shu, and other elders from the Purple Sun Sect.

"Huoyun!" Jiang Wang spat.

Huo Xiaochen’s expression remained unchanged. "I may not be a teacher at the Celestial Strategy Academy, but I am confident that I have the ability to target someone during the Dragon Ascension and ensure they fail."

"Brother Jiang, if you have come to pay your respects to Elder Liu, then I ask you to watch your words. If you have come looking for trouble, the Purple Sun Sect is ready for you."

Zhang Jingyuan strode out, his gaze landing on Huo Xiaochen. "Young man, don’t be so full of yourself. A Perfect Root Bone isn’t a license to be arrogant. Anyone who didn’t know better might mistake you for a Spirit Bone Celestial Pride."

As he spoke, a terrifying pressure descended. Both Jiang Wang’s and Huo Xiaochen’s pupils constricted, and their bodies buckled slightly under the weight.

The pressure was as profound as an abyss and as vast as the sea, like an impossibly heavy mountain crashing down. It felt as if their very Heart Spirits were on the verge of collapse. Even though both Jiang Wang and Huo Xiaochen were Celestial Essence Martial Artists, they felt utterly insignificant beneath it.

What was most terrifying was that the pressure was perfectly focused, aimed only at the two of them. The others standing around seemed completely unaffected.

"Master, how can this Zhang Jingyuan be so powerful?" Huo Xiaochen transmitted in a pained mental message to Jiang Wang.

’To freely control one’s pressure and target specific individuals... that’s a technique only a powerhouse at the Third Level of the Celestial Essence Realm should possess. He never imagined that the Sect Leader of the Purple Sun Sect—a sect supposedly inferior to the Iron Sword Sect—would possess such terrifying power.’

Jiang Wang shot Huo Xiaochen a look before hastily cupping his hands. "My disciple was merely speaking recklessly out of grief for Brother Liu’s death. I hope Sect Leader Zhang will not take offense."

Zhang Jingyuan!

There were tens of thousands of Martial Artists in Fufeng County, but the only one whose reputation had spread throughout the entire Yun Province was Zhang Jingyuan.

He had once completed the Secondary Dragon Ascension but had resolutely given up the chance to enter the Celestial Strategy Academy for the sake of the Purple Sun Sect’s leadership position.

In recent years, Zhang Jingyuan had lived in seclusion, rarely leaving his residence high on Tianquan Peak. Few knew just how profound the cultivation of this former genius, who had once completed the Secondary Dragon Ascension, had become. Even the Demon Sect, despite frequently harassing the Purple Sun Sect, never dared to cause trouble at their main gates, wary of this unfathomable man.

Hearing this, Zhang Jingyuan’s expression softened slightly. "No one in the Purple Sun Sect wished for Elder Liu’s death. If Elder Huoyun had been the culprit, our own sect rules would have dealt with him long before you ever had to say a word."

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