Xu Ziqing’s back came to rest against Yun Lie’s chest, startling him. He immediately steadied himself and stepped out of his senior brother’s arms.
Yun Lie withdrew his hand and looked toward the distance.
Xu Ziqing’s fingers trembled involuntarily. Following his senior brother’s gaze, he looked over as well.
The black-robed sword cultivator Xi Lin was approaching with several others. His sword intent was harmonious and perfectly integrated, having reached an extraordinary limit.
Xu Ziqing understood sword intent fairly well and could tell at a glance that Xi Lin was at the peak of its third realm.
Even so, he had not broken through. The Sword-Shaped Wood had undoubtedly benefited him greatly, allowing him to advance to the peak of the third realm and even glimpse the barrier to the fourth.
But even such an extraordinary tree could help him no further.
After all, the fourth realm of sword intent was the highest realm available to sword cultivators. It could not be reached through outside assistance. Otherwise, after so many years, there would not be so few people capable of attaining it.
Xi Lin was already well satisfied with his gains. Although he could have continued consolidating his attainment, his loyalty to Xuan Ze took precedence. As soon as the sword cultivators began fighting, he slipped away to search for the object Prince Tiancheng wanted. Several of Xuan Ze’s other subordinates subsequently found ways to reunite with him, and they searched for the miraculous herb under cover of the chaos.
During their search, Xi Lin, whose sword attainment was highest, detected a faint trace of pure killing intent nearby. Recognizing it as Yun Lie’s sword qi, he led the others toward it, intending to rejoin the martial brothers.
As the group approached the boundary of Yun Lie’s sword domain, they suddenly felt its repelling force disappear. The two martial brothers immediately came into view.
Xi Lin was the keenest observer among them. He saw the brothers first and caught the moment Xu Ziqing stepped out of Yun Lie’s embrace. Something stirred in his mind. Surprised, he studied them both.
Perfected Master Yun’s expression was icy and his eyes showed no emotion, giving nothing away. The young man in green, meanwhile, looked as calm and gentle as ever, but something about the way he had emerged from Perfected Master Yun’s arms was different.
The feelings between the two martial brothers were none of Xi Lin’s concern. He was a sword cultivator wholly devoted to the Sword Dao and had no interest in prying into others’ affairs. He kept what he had seen to himself, without telling anyone. At most, he thought he might send a congratulatory gift if the two eventually became Dao companions.
The thought passed in an instant. Xi Lin’s attention shifted to an invisible object suspended before Yun Lie.
Something living seemed to be crouching inside it. Xi Lin’s heart stirred, and he quickened his pace.
“Perfected Master Yun, Fellow Daoist Xu,” he asked urgently, “have you completed the mission?”
Even as composed and steady a man as Xi Lin could not suppress a hint of emotion now.
The others looked equally hopeful.
The sooner they succeeded, the sooner they could retreat into seclusion and digest the gains they had made on the Sword-Shaped Wood.
Xu Ziqing had no wish to disappoint them. Fortunately, he had just safely collected the spirit of Flesh Upon Bones. He smiled. “We’ve fulfilled our commission.”
Everyone heaved a sigh of relief, then burst into delight.
Their years of planning had finally achieved the desired result. His Highness would surely reward them generously, and those who felt indebted to the prince were especially grateful. They also gained considerable respect for Yun Lie.
Xi Lin composed himself and took a jade box from his storage ring. A layer of fine, silvery sand lined the inside, clearly no ordinary material.
Xu Ziqing recognized it as Fertile Soil Sand, a substance especially good at holding the spiritual energy and wood qi of plants, preserving their medicinal properties. It was extraordinarily expensive; Xuan Ze must have spent a great deal to acquire it.
But what was any amount of resources compared with a human life?
To prevent misunderstanding, Xu Ziqing glanced at Yun Lie and asked, “Senior Brother?”
Yun Lie nodded, then flicked a finger to draw the invisible prison before him. He gave Xu Ziqing a brief look.
Understanding, Xu Ziqing stepped closer and extended his hands.
The others were puzzled. Xu Ziqing’s cultivation was not high; why should he be the one to retrieve such a miraculous herb? Apart from the thoughtful Xi Lin, the less accomplished cultivators showed their doubts plainly. Yun Lie was so cold and powerful, however, that none dared question him directly. Instead they looked toward Xi Lin.
Xi Lin said, “Since Perfected Master Yun wishes it, there must be a reason. You needn’t worry.”
Perhaps Yun Lie held Xi Lin in some regard, or perhaps for another reason, but this time he explained. “Ziqing has a single Wood spiritual root and a pure constitution. Only if he handles the herb can we ensure its medicinal properties remain undamaged.”
At this, everyone understood.
Xu Ziqing said nothing more, but a faint azure radiance enveloped both his extended hands completely.
He reached both hands into the invisible prison. Because it had been formed from Yun Lie’s sword intent, it did not harm his junior brother, and Xu Ziqing encountered no resistance. Within a few breaths, he held the herb securely from both sides.
The others held their breath, afraid to interrupt.
Xu Ziqing proceeded with the utmost care. He released Wood qi, enveloped the original body of Flesh Upon Bones, and slowly lifted it free.
The others crowded closer and saw within the azure glow a strange herb in the shape of a tiger, complete with eyes, ears, nose, mouth, four limbs, and a long tail. It looked just like a living creature. Its chest rose and fell as though breathing, but its eyes were closed as if asleep.
Everyone marveled at the sight.
Xi Lin reacted quickly, holding out the jade box. “Please.”
Xu Ziqing placed the original body of Flesh Upon Bones neatly inside. Xi Lin closed the lid and affixed a talisman seal.
Only then did everyone truly relax and rejoice.
Some had previously feared that Yun Lie might rely on his strength to keep the herb rather than hand it over as promised. Seeing both martial brothers act so readily, they were relieved but also felt somewhat ashamed of their suspicions.
Neither Xu Ziqing nor Yun Lie minded. Their next concern was finding an opportunity to leave the Sword-Shaped Wood’s domain.
Because the brothers had found Flesh Upon Bones so quickly, the group had lingered only briefly and attracted no attention.
Xi Lin signaled to the others. They leaped back onto different tiers of branches and pretended to compete with other sword cultivators, concealing their purpose. Xi Lin, who carried the miraculous medicine, turned away. After weaving through the crowd several times, he gradually restrained his sword intent and made his way out of the Sword-Shaped Wood’s domain.
Yun Lie looked at Xu Ziqing. “It’s time to leave.”
Xu Ziqing nodded. “As Senior Brother says.”
Yun Lie’s attainment was extraordinarily high. The slightest release of his aura sent nearby cultivators avoiding him. Those who noticed that he was protecting Xu Ziqing and then detected the younger man’s relatively low realm immediately understood the situation and stopped looking. It seemed only natural that Yun Lie should escort a junior brother of lesser sword attainment away.
The two walked briskly out of the domain. Then both became streaks of escaping light and pursued Xi Lin toward Prince Tiancheng’s flying carriage.
One breath later, they were standing inside.
Xuan Ze had been waiting anxiously. Several Nascent Soul experts protected him, so his life was in little danger, but his impatience was indescribable.
The Nascent Soul ancestors could discern much of what was happening within the tree, and Xuan Ze, a prince who had learned to thrive amid palace intrigue, was exceptionally perceptive himself. Almost the instant he saw sword cultivators falling, he understood most of what was happening. Years of painstaking work had led him, only a few years earlier, to learn that Flesh Upon Bones existed in the Tianlan Secret Trove. No matter how calculating he was, he could not easily remain calm.
When Xi Lin returned, joy lit Xuan Ze’s eyes. Seeing Yun Lie and Xu Ziqing enter behind him strengthened his hope further.
As expected, Xi Lin stepped forward and bowed. “With Perfected Master Yun’s and Fellow Daoist Xu’s assistance, I have finally fulfilled Your Highness’s commission.”
Xuan Ze could no longer contain himself. A relieved smile touched his lips. He took a deep breath, received the jade box from Xi Lin, and carefully lifted the talisman seal.
As soon as he opened it, surging Wood qi swept outward, clearing everyone’s minds and filling the air with fragrance and inexhaustible vitality. The tiger-shaped object inside made Xuan Ze’s heart tremble.
Among the world’s miraculous medicines, those capable of taking the shape of beasts, birds, or humans were blessings of heaven itself and often possessed powers that defied nature.
So this was indeed the very thing he sought!
Xuan Ze carefully shut the box and replaced the seal. Only then did he say solemnly, “You’ve worked hard.” Looking at the martial brothers, he added, “And thank you both for your assistance. I cannot express my gratitude enough.”
He studied Xu Ziqing a little longer in particular. Xi Lin was a frank, honorable man. If he had specifically mentioned this Essence Transformation youth, Xu Ziqing must have contributed considerably and deserved greater respect.
Yun Lie nodded slightly, with no desire for lengthy conversation. “We intend to return to our sect. We’ll part ways here.”
Xuan Ze looked surprised for a moment, then smiled and gestured to his attendants.
Two stepped forward bearing storage bags. Xuan Ze said, “You both played indispensable roles in obtaining this miraculous medicine. Please accept these modest gifts as a token of my thanks. I wish you a safe journey and a smooth return to your sect.”
Having been offered this courtesy, Yun Lie and Xu Ziqing accepted a storage bag each.
Xuan Ze was truly a shrewd man. His courtesy covered every consideration and left little room for criticism. By offering gifts he could silence complaints and settle any outstanding debt of gratitude. He wished the two to remain his guest cultivators, but understood that the core disciples of a great sect held standing comparable to his own and could not be compelled. The gifts maintained their friendship and goodwill. Furthermore, he and his people still intended to seek treasures, and taking these two outsiders along would mean dividing the spoils into additional shares. A gracious farewell solved that problem as well.
One action had achieved several ends.
Yun Lie and Xu Ziqing did not concern themselves with his calculations. It was indeed time for them to return to their sect.