The shadow on the back of Zhao Yuan was markedly different from the sacrificial spirits devoured by the Great Sun Soul-Suppressing Furnace. While sacrificial spirits were mere outlines, amorphous and indistinct, this shadow was fully visible under Ji Xia's Great Sun Spirit Eyes.
The shadow had a flat face with no nose, just two hollow openings. Its eyes continually wept black fluid, and its mouth, filled with sharp, tiny fangs, revealed terrifying holes on each tooth, a sight chilling to the core.
"Although its form differs from sacrificial spirits, the feedback from the Great Sun Furnace suggests it shares the same essence—likely originating from the Shrine of Sacrifices," Ji Xia speculated while stroking his chin. "This shadow is of exceptional quality. The furnace's eagerness to devour it even surpasses that of the last incident at Yanxiang Manor. It's an opportunity I can't ignore."
His greed swelled as he contemplated the benefits of consuming the shadow to further empower the Great Sun Furnace. The anticipation of its next evolution, the Emperor Cang Essence-Refining Furnace, filled him with excitement. If the current furnace already provided immeasurable advantages, how much more powerful would its evolved form be?
Zhao Yuan, watching Ji Xia's fiery eyes return to normal, could no longer contain his curiosity and asked, "Did you see anything?"
Ji Xia nodded. "I've identified the cause of your aging, and I have a method to remove it."
A glimmer of hope lit up Zhao Yuan's face. When Yue Ze had once visited him, he mentioned that this young man named Qin Ji hailed from a noble lineage and possessed a mysterious furnace of unparalleled power. Seeing Ji Xia in person, Zhao Yuan was convinced that this extraordinary individual must indeed come from a lineage beyond ordinary comprehension.
"Qin Ji, please tell me—what has caused my condition?" Zhao Yuan's tone was urgent, his expression tinged with a rare mix of anxiety and anticipation.
"I am unsure of its origin, but there is a strange shadow latched onto your back," Ji Xia explained plainly. "Fortunately, my Da Xia bloodline comes with a unique furnace ability that is particularly effective against such entities."
"A shadow?" Zhao Yuan repeated, perplexed. "What kind of shadow?"
Ji Xia described it in detail: "A large, grotesque shadow with a pale, noseless face, weeping black liquid from its eyes, and a mouth full of jagged teeth, each punctuated by holes."
Zhao Yuan frowned, deep in thought. "I don't recall ever encountering such a creature."
After a long pause, he shook his head, deciding to abandon fruitless speculation. "Qin Ji, I entrust this matter to you. Please, rid me of this shadow."
Zhao Wu, standing nearby, clasped his hands in gratitude. "Today is truly a fortunate day! Brother Qin, I implore you to save my great-grandfather from this plight!"
Ji Xia hesitated. "Elder Zhao, I understand the importance of your wellbeing. If it's within my power, I will naturally do my utmost. However, purging this shadow will require tapping into the very essence of my Da Xia bloodline, which could cause significant harm to me..."
Zhao Yuan's expression grew solemn. As a spirit-taming expert, he knew the grave consequences of damaging one's bloodline essence. For someone like Ji Xia, whose heritage was evidently profound and extraordinary, the cost would be even greater.
Just as Zhao Yuan prepared to resign himself to fate, Ji Xia interrupted with firm resolve: "That said, Zhao Wu and I have faced life and death together. He has always treated me with great righteousness, and I cannot bear to see the Zhao family fall into decline. Even at the cost of my own bloodline essence, I will help you, Elder Zhao."
Moved to tears, Zhao Wu exclaimed, "Brother Qin…!"
Ji Xia waved his hand dismissively. "There's no need for such sentiment between us. Words of gratitude are unnecessary."
Zhao Wu's heart swelled with emotion. He thought to himself, I am truly ashamed. I only regarded Brother Qin as a kindred spirit and a like-minded friend. Who would have thought I held such a significant place in his heart that he would risk his very essence for me?
Zhao Yuan, watching this, chuckled heartily. "Zhao Wu, you've made a good friend indeed."
Zhao Wu nodded, his voice sincere. "Brother Qin's righteousness is something I will never forget."
Ji Xia, inwardly thrilled at the prospect of devouring the shadow to strengthen his furnace, was about to respond when Zhao Yuan interjected: "Your righteousness is your own virtue, but as members of the Zhao family, we cannot accept such a favor without proper recompense."
With a flick of his wrist, Zhao Yuan produced a jade box, shimmering with ethereal light. Opening it revealed a small silken pouch containing a jade slip, which Zhao Yuan handled with utmost care.
Presenting it to Ji Xia, he said solemnly, "My modest achievements today are owed entirely to this jade slip. It contains a powerful body-refining technique called the True Art of the Thunder Demon Body. It is beyond compare in its value."
"I have trained in this technique for over a century, barely reaching the third level. Within the Spirit Domain, I am nearly invincible, earning the title of the second strongest in Da Fu."
Zhao Yuan continued, his tone serious: "For you to risk your essence to save me, how could I hold back? I entrust this jade slip to you."
Ji Xia hesitated briefly, asking, "Is this technique the secret behind your ability to resist thunder tribulation and achieve the Thunder True Body?"
Zhao Yuan laughed. "That's mere rumor. Thunder tribulation is beyond what a humble cultivator like me could withstand. I've never achieved any Thunder True Body—what you've heard is nothing but exaggeration."
Understanding dawned on Ji Xia. Zhao Wu, sensing his hesitation, took the jade slip from his great-grandfather and pressed it into Ji Xia's hands. "Brother Qin, it's yours now!"
Ji Xia sighed inwardly. The Zhao family truly is different from most noble houses in Da Fu. It almost feels wrong to deceive them.
Shaking off his momentary guilt, he smiled. "If that's the case, I shall accept this technique. Rest assured, Elder Zhao—I will do everything in my power to cure your ailment."
Zhao Yuan laughed loudly. "Excellent! But if you fail, I'll be taking that jade slip back!"
He then added with confidence, "And if you succeed, know this: whatever you need, the entire Zhao clan will stand by your side!"