Chapter 9
After taking a moment to appreciate his newfound strength, Wang Shitian directed his gaze downward, observing the desiccated corpses before him. Pondering the situation, he mused, "Why does this Yang Ling harbor such intense hatred toward me? I have never even met him." Various thoughts raced through his mind, and a possible connection to Mao Song emerged. It seemed plausible, providing a reasonable explanation for the animosity. Recognizing the need for caution, Wang Shitian resolved to be more careful in the future.
Despite his eagerness to embark on the tendon polishing chapter and further enhance his abilities, he knew he had to complete his current mission first. The location of the Silverleaf grass lay atop a small hill in the eastern part of the forest. Nestled within a cave, a patch of grass emitted a captivating silver glow, easily catching the eye. Adjacent to it, a corner of the cave was filled with what appeared to be junk. However, upon closer inspection, Wang Shitian realized that the discarded items were actually storage bags and human bones.
Wang Shitian set his sights on the hill, swiftly maneuvering through the forest. Though the cold air posed a slight hindrance to his movements, it proved inconsequential. The level of control he now possessed over his muscles was terrifying, as he could stimulate each one individually, imbuing his actions with even greater power.
His primary objective was to reach the hilltop without disturbing the forest, thereby avoiding unnecessary encounters with demonic beasts. Despite his speed, he moved silently, ensuring minimal disruption along his path.
Meanwhile, in the outside world, devil cultivators had united to resist the relentless assaults from the One Leaf Sect. In a mere three days, countless lives had been claimed on both sides. Even an elder from the Malevolent Earth Sect, a cultivator at the 8th level of the Qi Gathering Realm, had fallen. He met his end at the hands of Li Tianxi, the daughter of the sect master and one of the most formidable disciples within the inner sect. The conflict continued to escalate, painting a grim picture of the ongoing battle.
After the intense battle, the situation outside the forest continued to escalate. Despite the death of the Malevolent Earth Sect's elder, devil path cultivators poured into the region controlled by the One Leaf Sect, even seizing control of one of their mines. The conflict grew more menacing with each passing day, surpassing the initial expectations of a swift withdrawal by the Malevolent Earth Sect due to their casualties.
Unaware of the unfolding events, Wang Shitian reached the hilltop in a single day. Observing the surroundings, he swiftly ascended and discovered the cave entrance, confirming its alignment with the mission description. Expecting a formidable low-tier rank-1 demonic beast, the snow bear, he entered the cave without hesitation. To his surprise, the bear was nowhere to be found. Taking advantage of the situation, he swiftly collected the silverleaf grass and storage bags and stored in his bag. As he prepared to leave, a resounding roar echoed from outside the cave.
Curiosity piqued, Wang Shitian rushed toward the source of the roar. There, he witnessed a fierce confrontation between a snow-white bear and a cultivator clad in black robes, their face concealed by a hood. The cultivator emitted a sinister aura of Devil Qi, causing Wang Shitian's eyes to blaze with hatred. Observing the battle, he surmised that the woman was stronger than Xu Li or Tuo Sen, likely at the 4th stage of the Qi Gathering Realm.
It didn't take long before she successfully killed the snow bear.
Maintaining his composure, Wang Shitian emerged from his hiding spot and approached the woman, surprising her with his presence. Devoid of any discernible Qi waves, she dismissed him as an ordinary human.
"Hmph, you dare take advantage of me and steal my herbs? Die!" she exclaimed, conjuring a gust of black wind aimed at Wang Shitian. However, his agility allowed him to effortlessly evade the attack.
"Heh, you're quite skilled. I suppose you're one of those mortal martial artists. But you made a grave mistake by ambushing me, a cultivator at the 5th level of Qi Gathering. Even in my injured state, I can handle you easily... Soil Refining Flag!" she taunted, summoning a black flag adorned with numerous ghost faces.
"Hahaha, I'll refine your soul and make you my eternal slave," she added with an eerie smile, her once beautiful face now contorted by malevolence.
The unyielding hatred in Wang Shitian's eyes remained as he dashed toward her, simultaneously employing the Golden Hand Technique and the Breaking Wave Palm.
Boom!
The woman was sent flying, her hands shattered. Before she could comprehend the situation, another palm struck her chest, reducing it to mush.
Wang Shitian's eyes still brimming with anger, he gazed at the lifeless corpse before him. "What an evil woman. Your flag alone speaks volumes of the innocents you have killed. Devil sect, wait for me," he declared, vowing to avenge the victims.
Considering the snow bear and the woman's claim of being at the 5th level, a sudden realization struck him. The bear might have already reached mid rank-1 strength. While it would have posed a formidable challenge, Wang Shitian now reaped the rewards without the hassle.
Taking a seat, he began the process of polishing his tendons, eager to enhance his strength further, fueled by his burning determination.
As the refining process progressed, Wang Shitian realized that this chapter's challenges were more demanding than the previous one. To his surprise, he discovered that the refinement now encompassed both his muscles and tendons together. An initial burst of excitement filled him as he realized that his muscle strengthening would not end at its current level but would continue to improve indefinitely. He couldn't help but laugh in glee at the prospect. However, his joy soon faded when he realized that this extended refinement would take longer to complete.
"Sigh, I had hoped that all chapters would progress as swiftly as the first," he sighed, acknowledging the increased time and effort required for each subsequent stage.
Undeterred, he persisted in his refinement, dedicating himself to the process. Half a day flew by, and he finally completed the arduous task. The energy coursing through his body felt substantial, reminding him of the extensive time it took to refine it.
Without wasting a moment, Wang Shitian rose to his feet and swiftly began sprinting back in the direction he had come from. As he descended the mountain, he noticed a palpable sense of unease in the environment. People seemed anxious and remained on constant guard.
Though struck by the oddity of the situation, Wang Shitian maintained his heightened speed, heading straight for the sect without faltering. He could feel his agility surpassing that of Xu Li and Tuo Sen, a testament to the progress he had made.
After half a day of relentless running, he arrived at the sect's entrance and made his way directly to the mission hall.
Inside the mission hall, the atmosphere was tense, filled with disciples and elders engrossed in urgent discussions. .