Extreme Spirit Chaos Technique

The Snow Qilin’s golden pupils gazed gently at Mu Chen. In an unusually steady voice, it said, "Father, it’s not bad. The air in here is much better than in the Outer Realm."

Having reverted to its original form, the Snow Qilin’s personality had also matured considerably. Despite being called "Father" by such an enormous Magical Beast, Mu Chen didn’t feel the slightest bit awkward. After all, the same blood flowed through both of their veins.

Mu Chen nodded and glanced at the small house next to the trickling stream. From inside, a faint purple glow emanated. Walking into the house, the first thing Mu Chen saw was a man-sized purple stone carving—something he had discovered while exploring the Extreme Spirit Pearl during his period of weakness. The carving depicted a Giant Dragon as long as a man is tall. This purple Giant Dragon was coiled around a stone pillar, and several golden Locking Chains bound it, looking like some kind of Seal.

He wasn’t sure if it was just an illusion, but when he saw the golden Locking Chains, Mu Chen was suddenly reminded of the Seal his Master had placed on him. It was meant to prevent him from rashly heading to the Netherworld Purgatory as a Low-level Martial Artist to search for that strange liquid. The two Seals looked completely identical.

’Could this sealed Giant Dragon be connected to Master in some way?’

Mu Chen laid his palm flat on the surface of the Giant Dragon carving. To his touch, it was slightly warm, and if he concentrated, he could even hear the faint thrum of a heartbeat coming from it.

’Why does this feel so familiar? It’s as if... as if Master himself is standing right in front of me.’

Frowning, Mu Chen recalled what his Master had once said. Before being sealed in the Extreme Spirit Pearl, he had been one of the continent’s peak experts. Mu Chen could tell this was true from the stone slab beneath the throne in the Profound Ice Palace. His Master had single-handedly fought against eight supreme Great Powers, not only holding his own but even forcing them into a steady retreat.

But such a powerful expert had his physical body completely destroyed by a heavenly punishment, leaving only a Residual Soul to barely survive inside the Extreme Spirit Pearl. If he hadn’t met Mu Chen—if Mu Chen hadn’t, by a stroke of luck, bled so much that it seeped into the ground—he would still be slumbering inside the Extreme Spirit Pearl, perhaps for all eternity.

’Could this Giant Dragon be my slumbering Master?’

A startling thought popped into his mind. Although Mu Chen wanted to deny it, a sliver of hope in his heart made him place the Giant Dragon carving on the Spirit Nourishing Couch that Qin Shang had given him. The carving didn’t take up much space, so even with it there, he could still sit on the couch to cultivate.

After doing all this, Mu Chen was about to sit on the Spirit Nourishing Couch to feel its effects, but just then, he heard a knock on the door. After bidding Xiaobai, the Snow Qilin, farewell, Mu Chen quickly spread his consciousness throughout his body. Because it took some time to reawaken after one’s soul had entered the Extreme Spirit Pearl, about ten breaths passed before Mu Chen truly regained control of his body. Taking a deep breath, he smiled to himself. ’This feeling of returning to my body is actually quite pleasant.’

What Mu Chen didn’t know was that just after he left the World Inside the Pearl, the Giant Dragon carving on the Spirit Nourishing Couch suddenly flashed. However, it was just a single flash before it fell silent once more.

Turning to look out the window, Mu Chen noticed the sky was beginning to lighten. He recalled everything that had happened during the night and was filled with complex emotions.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK...

"Mu Chen, are you in there? Mu Chen!"

The voice sounded like Wan Xian’er’s. ’She’s up so early. Could she be hungry?’ Mu Chen found it a bit strange, but his hands moved without the slightest delay. He skillfully lifted the Profound Jade Box with his left arm and placed it securely on his back. After tidying his hair, Mu Chen finally replied, "Coming!"

Opening the door, he was greeted by the sight of Wan Xian’er’s cold and arrogant face. Compared to yesterday, however, her weary eyes now held a renewed vigor and a hint of joy. It seemed that Wood Spirit Crystal from last night had brought her great benefits as well.

"Did you rest well last night?" Mu Chen asked with a slight smile.

Wan Xian’er nodded. After a soft "Mm," she said, "Thank you for the Wood Spirit Crystal."

"Oh?" Mu Chen was taken aback. "What for?"

There was a hint of excitement in Wan Xian’er’s eyes as she said, "Because of that Wood Spirit Crystal, my Martial Artist Realm is now just a hair’s breadth away from breaking through the Martial Sect Realm to reach the Emperor Realm."

Mu Chen understood. So that was it. He already knew from when they first met that Wan Xian’er’s Martial Artist Realm had reached Peak Martial Sect. It wasn’t surprising that absorbing a Wood Spirit Crystal had pushed her cultivation a step forward. He chuckled and said, "It’s nothing. I’m an Ice Attribute Martial Artist, so that Wood Spirit Crystal is just currency to me. Letting you absorb it in exchange for an Emperor bodyguard seems like a pretty smart investment, don’t you think?"

Wan Xian’er pursed her lips and ignored him, but she didn’t deny it either. Inwardly, however, she was thinking viciously, ’Back in my family, I’m the high and mighty Young Miss. Hordes of followers trail behind me even if I don’t say a word. Who would’ve thought that on this trip, I’d run into some backwoods brat who has the gall to ask me to be his bodyguard. Hmph! But... seeing as you seem so concerned about me, I’ll let you have your way. A bodyguard it is. I’ve never been a bodyguard before!’

Seeing Wan Xian’er’s cold and proud expression, Mu Chen just rubbed his nose and didn’t press the matter. If he knew what she was thinking, he would surely break out in a cold sweat. His remark had honestly been a joke, but this naive girl hadn’t caught on at all.

It was neither too early nor too late, so Mu Chen and Wan Xian’er decided to go down for breakfast. But when Mu Chen went downstairs, he found Xu Fei already waiting at the same table where they had eaten yesterday. Seeing Mu Chen and Wan Xian’er descend, Xu Fei greeted them with a smile. "You two are early. I thought I’d have to wait until around eight to see you."

Mu Chen smiled slightly. "Not at all. Brother Xu is the one who’s up even earlier."

Xu Fei clapped Mu Chen’s shoulder. "Haha, you got me. Let’s eat first. Waiter, you can bring the food out now!"

A waiter called out in acknowledgment from a distance and went into the kitchen. Since it was still very early, there weren’t many other guests in the Stone City Inn, which was precisely why Mu Chen wanted to eat now. He preferred the quiet.

Breakfast was simple: just a bowl of light, sweet porridge and some pastries for each of them. But it had to be said, this inn really knew how to prepare its dishes; everything tasted excellent.

After breakfast, Xu Fei wiped his mouth and said, "I’ve already bought the Beast Vehicle. The good news is, when I went to buy it yesterday, I happened to run into Stone City’s annual grand market. There was a lot of good stuff there. And among the Beast Vehicles, I actually saw a Hurricane Horse! Haha, what great luck! The journey that would have taken three days can now be done in just two. This way, we’ll have plenty of time to deal with any unexpected situations on the road."

"There could be unexpected situations on the road?" Mu Chen asked after wiping his mouth.

Xu Fei nodded. "Of course. You have to understand, Stone City is a town built in the mountains. It’s quite wealthy due to its high output of Spirit Crystals. Add to that the complex terrain all around, and it’s easy to run into premeditated bandits if you’re not careful. But with this Hurricane Horse, I won’t have to go through the trouble of dealing with them."

"Hurricane Horse..." This time, Mu Chen finally remembered what a Hurricane Horse was. It was a herbivorous Level 4 Magical Beast native to the central region of the Demon Beast Forest. Its combat abilities were weak, but its speed was incredible—so fast, it was said, that even an average Martial King expert might not be able to keep pace.

Once tamed, however, this horse became an extremely prestigious Magical Beast for transportation. Typically, those who could ride such a beast were either high-ranking officials and nobles or experts with extremely high Martial Artist Levels. This was because of a major restriction: to command it, one’s own power level had to surpass the beast’s.

A Fourth-grade Hurricane Horse was as strong as a Martial Spirit. Therefore, to command it, one’s Martial Artist Realm had to be beyond the Martial Spirit level. This single fact suggested that the amiable Brother Xu before him was not only a highly respected Fourth-grade Spirit Selector, but also likely a King Realm expert who was at least a Martial King.

Xu Fei nodded. "Mm, a Hurricane Horse. I’ve heard that riding one is as smooth as flying through the air. Why don’t we set off now and experience this feeling of riding the wind together?"

Mu Chen figured he had nothing else to do. After getting Wan Xian’er’s agreement, the three of them were in immediate accord and decided to head for Fenglan Imperial City right away. Standing at the entrance of the Stone City Inn, Mu Chen soon saw a tall, green-maned horse being led toward them. The large, green-maned horse stared at Mu Chen and the others with a pair of extremely sharp eyes.

But when the horse saw Mu Chen, it turned its head and snorted as if in great disdain. Mu Chen rubbed his nose. Knowing about Hurricane Horses, he naturally understood that since his Martial Artist Realm was only at the Martial Spirit level, the horse was looking down on him.

Xu Fei laughed heartily and patted the Hurricane Horse on the head. "You beast! How dare you show contempt for an honored guest? Behave yourself!"

Mu Chen had expected the Hurricane Horse to fly into a rage at Xu Fei’s action. But to his surprise, not only did it not get angry, it even took two fearful steps back and let out a pair of aggrieved whinnies.

Seeing this, Mu Chen’s pupils contracted sharply. His estimation... seemed to be wrong. This Xu Fei was definitely no ordinary person.

Xu Fei let out another hearty laugh. "Now it’s behaving. You two get in the carriage. I’ll sit up front and be your driver. Tsk tsk, Brother Mu Chen, in all of Stone City, you’re the very first person to have me act as their driver." After saying this, Xu Fei gave Mu Chen a meaningful look, then leaped onto the Hurricane Horse’s back. Once Mu Chen and Wan Xian’er were settled in the carriage, he shouted, "We’re off! Destination: Fenglan Imperial City! Giddy-up!" 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

With a resonant neigh from the Hurricane Horse, the sound of its iron hooves clopping on the stone echoed through the quiet of Stone City. Opening the window curtain, Mu Chen watched the scenery recede at high speed, as if he were riding the long wind itself as they passed through the city gates...