"Definitely, not a Coincidence!"
Xiao Xuan whispered, a trace of excitement flashing in his eyes.
The spirit body was incredibly powerful—something most could only dream of, something so rare it was beyond envy. Such a gift couldn't be obtained through mere effort or desire. Unless someone dared to seize it by force, it remained unattainable.
Legends spoke of those with the Body of Luck as individuals blessed not only with extraordinary aptitude but also with unmatched fortune. These people would stumble upon treasures and opportunities as though guided by fate itself.
The more Xiao Xuan read, the more it felt as if the description perfectly matched his own experiences.
However, as he eagerly turned to the next page, disappointment struck him—it was blank.
"It seems Senior Lin Tian only knew this much," Xiao Xuan murmured, his tone tinged with dissatisfaction.
He had hoped for more insight, perhaps a way to confirm definitively if he possessed the Body of Luck. Yet, there was nothing further written, only the silence of unanswered questions.
After a moment of contemplation, Xiao Xuan carefully folded the animal hide and placed it into his storage bag.
'The more mysterious something is, the harder it is to uncover its secrets,' he thought, letting out a soft sigh.
Two reasons made it nearly impossible to confirm his suspicions.
First, compared to other types of spirit bodies, the Body of Luck was exceedingly rare—so rare, in fact, that it had appeared only once in the Immortal World during ancient times. It was practically extinct, and knowledge about it had faded with time.
Second, even if a method existed to confirm its presence, a lowly Qi cultivator like him would never have access to such resources or tools.
Despite these limitations, Xiao Xuan felt 70% certain that he possessed the Body of Luck. His life experiences aligned too perfectly with the descriptions in the text for it to be mere coincidence.
Still, he didn't let this revelation inflate his ego or distract him from his path.
From the day he embarked on the journey of cultivation, Xiao Xuan had understood one essential truth: strength alone was not enough. Perseverance, discipline, and remaining true to one's purpose were the keys to success on this challenging road.
Having packed everything, Xiao Xuan took one last look around the Immortal Cave. His gaze lingered on the skeleton resting in silent dignity.
Stepping forward, Xiao Xuan bowed deeply, his expression solemn.
"Thank you, Senior, for your generosity. I will never forget the gifts you've bestowed upon me."
Straightening up, he surveyed the cave one final time.
"The least I can do is ensure that you may rest here in peace, undisturbed by future generations."
After sealing the cave entrance with a large rock, Xiao Xuan leaped into the deep pool, disappearing beneath the surface.
On the shore, Chen Damrong stood atop a boulder, his sharp eyes scanning the still waters below.
"Could he really have been eaten by the demonic beasts in there?" he muttered to himself, frowning.
Logically, if such creatures existed in the pool, there would have been signs of a struggle. Yet, two hours had passed since Xiao Xuan dove in, and the water remained calm, showing no sign of movement.
Chen Damrong's brows furrowed. Based on what he'd seen earlier, Xiao Xuan was no ordinary cultivator. He wasn't the type to fall victim so easily, especially without leaving a trace behind.
Gripping his long blade tightly with both hands, Chen Damrong let his spiritual energy flow into the weapon. A faint glow enveloped the blade, radiating an imposing aura.
He raised the blade high above his head, preparing to strike the water.
"If there are demonic beasts down there, it means he has already been devoured. If not, this will flush him out."
Just as he was about to unleash his attack, a violent explosion erupted from the pool.
BOOM!
Water sprayed in all directions as a figure shot out of the depths and landed gracefully on a stone platform opposite Chen Damrong.
"It's you?"
Chen Damrong's eyes widened in surprise.
The two stood facing each other, the tension crackling in the air. Their auras clashed with such force that nearby trees swayed, some even snapping under the pressure.
Chen Damrong quickly regained his composure and pointed his glowing blade at Xiao Xuan.
"Your luck must be incredible," he sneered.
"You survived."
Xiao Xuan responded with a calm smile, his gaze indifferent as he met Chen Damrong's glare.
"I told you before," Xiao Xuan said coldly, his voice steady.
"The day I emerge will be the day you perish—your body destroyed, your Spirit shattered!"
Chen Damrong narrowed his eyes, his expression darkening. The Xiao Xuan who stood before him now seemed different—more confident, even a little arrogant.
As he studied Xiao Xuan closely, his eyes widened in shock.
"Seven layers of Qi Refining!"
He let out a derisive laugh, gripping his blade tighter.
"So, that's your newfound confidence? You think reaching the seventh layer of Qi Refining is enough to challenge me? I'll show you the true difference between us—what it means to stand on a higher realm!"
The two cultivators locked eyes, their auras growing sharper by the second as the battle between them loomed imminent.
Chen Damrong took a step forward, his entire body radiating an oppressive aura as the full power of the ninth layer of Qi Refining surged outward, enveloping the entire deep pool in his energy.
His confidence soared. A cultivator at the seventh layer of Qi Refining daring to challenge him? It was nothing more than a fool's dream.
"I'll say it one last time,"
Chen Damrong sneered, his voice cold. "Hand over the Xuan Huang Grass, and I might just spare your life!"
Xiao Xuan's lips curled into a faint smile, but he said nothing.
In the next moment, the aura of the seventh layer of Qi Refining burst forth from his slim frame, clashing against Chen Damrong's oppressive energy.
The air between them seemed to ripple under the collision, but it was clear that Xiao Xuan's aura was slightly weaker, unable to fully match the power of the ninth layer.
Seeing this, Chen Damrong let out a haughty laugh, his expression twisting into one of cruelty.
"Is that all you've got?" he mocked, tightening his grip on his blade as a glint of malice flickered in his eyes.
The blade in his hands began to glow faintly, the light growing brighter as a deadly energy brewed within it.
"Since you're so eager to die, let me help you on your way."
A wicked grin spread across his face as he licked the corner of his mouth.
"I enjoy killing so-called geniuses, especially arrogant ones like you!"
BOOM!
Chen Damrong swung his blade with immense force, the energy of the ninth layer of Qi Refining exploding toward Xiao Xuan in a blinding arc of destruction.
Xiao Xuan's eyes narrowed as he assessed the incoming attack.
'If I were still at the sixth layer of Qi Refining,' he thought, 'I'd have no choice but to flee.'
But now, standing at the seventh layer, his blood surged with excitement. His body, his very spirit, seemed to crave this battle.
Without hesitation, Xiao Xuan gripped his sword tightly with both hands, channeling all his strength into the blade as he met the attack head-on.
CLANG!
The two attacks collided with a deafening crash.
BOOM!
The impact created a massive shockwave that shook the surrounding area, sending ripples through the air and scattering birds and beasts in all directions.
Smoke and dust filled the air as the aftermath of their clash echoed through the forest, leaving the battlefield charged with tension.