Facing the killing wind, Yun Shu wielded the wooden stick in his hand.
Bang, bang, bang!
It sounded as if blades were colliding with each other, nothing like a clash between wind and wood. As Yun Shu had expected, the killing wind here is much more powerful.
However, that was a good thing for Yun Shu. To practice his sword intent, he needed a greater challenge, and this was just perfect. Holding the wooden stick, he ran toward the killing wind.
After two hours, when the killing wind died out, Yun Shu had gone deeper into the valley by more than fifty kilometers!
Yun Shu was totally exhausted by the excursion, though. He took out a Fine pill and put it into his mouth. Soon, his fatigue all disappeared, his muscles moaning in relaxation.
The killing wind here in this part of the valley had become fierce and intense. If things go on like this, I wouldn't have enough pills to reach my destination that's 500 kilometers away. So he quickly went back to the world behind the stone gate.
Seeing Yun Shu coming back, the little chick cheered and kept bouncing around. He would also be delighted every time he saw the little thing.
"I'll feed you before refining pills." Yun Shu sat down on the ground and started feeding the little chick.
The little chick got excited, seeing the flame. It opened its beak as wide as possible to devour the flame. This time, it soon became full, which was a bit surprising to Yun Shu.
But he instantly realized the reason. His cultivation had improved from the Qi Sky Realm to the Aqua Sky Realm, and thus, the quality of his Spirit Qi had been boosted as well.
Now, the flame produced by Yun Shu's Qi was purer. Therefore, the little chick didn't have to consume that huge an amount anymore.
As usual, the little thing became sleepy after the big meal, and Yun Shu started refining his pills. He was getting increasingly skillful in alchemy.
He made three sets, seventy-five pills in total. Among them, there were eighteen Fine pills, while the rest of them being Ordinary.
Yun Shu was disappointed one more time; he still wasn't able to produce Supreme-grade pills. Nonetheless, this batch could last a couple of days, at least.
Yun Shu cast a glance at the sleeping little chick and noticed some differences. Its eyes closed, the little thing looked like it was in pain.
"Hey, are you alright?" Yun Shu didn't know what to do except to call the little thing.
Spending this much time together, Yun Shu had developed a bond with it. Also, the little chick's contribution to Yun Shu's achievements was immense. Of course, he would be anxious about it.
No matter how many times Yun Shu called, though, the little chick wouldn't wake up. Its small body was writhing in agony as it squirmed here and there.
Yun Shu hurriedly picked up the little chick in his arms, sensing its high body temperature.
Was it a fever? Yun Shu had no idea. He didn't know that a chick could also have a fever. With no other choice, he held the little chick tight in his arms and started sending his Spirit Qi into its body, trying to find the reason.
However, after a couple of hours, Yun Shu still had no clue at all. He held it in his arms for almost a day when suddenly, the little chick's body started to change.
A red feather came out on the top of the little chick's head like a crown.
Yet, nothing else happened.
Nevertheless, seeing that red feather appearing thrilled Yun Shu. He could discern the grand power emanating from that feather. As he expected, the little thing should be some heavenly bird!
At this time, the little chick slowly woke up, its confused watery eyes surveying the surroundings. Obviously, it had no idea what just happened.
When it woke up, the red feather on the top of its head started fluttering. Meanwhile, the feather was covered in a cluster of flashing glory.
"What are you, little thing?" Yun Shu asked, looking at that feather.
Of course, the little thing couldn't give Yun Shu an answer. Besides, it might be even more perplexed than him. But at least, the little chick was fine now, which was a great relief to Yun Shu.
He had spent too much time here, so he had to go back at this point.
"Little thing, take some more rest. Don't rush to collect the herbs," Yun Shu said to the little thick and then left the world behind the stone gate.
Coming back to the Valley of Crime, Yun Shu looked up at the sky and realized that he still had some time before the next killing wind arrived.
He decided to go deeper into the valley, so he could challenge the even stronger wind. When it was noon, Yun Shu had gone several hundred kilometers further.
At this time, the killing wind appeared again. Holding a wooden stick, Yun Shu kept cleaving and hacking at it for two hours straight. Finally, he survived yet another bout.
However, as soon as the last blow of wind died out, Yun Shu sprawled to the ground, with cuts and bruises all over his body. Although they weren't serious, they were evidence of his failure: he had missed multiple times.
It had never happened in the past. However, after catching his breath, Yun Shu broke out in laughter. This was the challenge he had been seeking for all this time!
He had never met a real challenge ever since he came to the valley. On the one hand, this was because of his superior talent. However, on the other hand, this was because he had failed to push himself to his real limits.
And that would restrict him from making further achievements. Therefore, having the bruises and cuts was, in fact, a good thing for Yun Shu.
After sending another pill into his mouth, Yun Shu took a short break. Soon, he had fully recovered from his injuries.
Fire Cloud Fiend Technique and the pills greatly helped his recovery, increasing the time he had for his practice. Instead of staying where he was, Yun Shu decided to take it up a notch, so he went deeper for another three hundred miles.
Soon, the day had come to an end, and the second round of killing wind was nigh.
"Come on!" Yun Shu yelled at the wind. Meanwhile, he tightened his grip on the wooden stick and opened his golden pupils.
Bang!
The wind was coming!