Chapter 719: Deeper Mental Realm (2)

Not only was the stone chamber where Duan Rong sat cross-legged in such condition, but in another unoccupied stone chamber, the divine statue covered with dust also had dust scattered eerily in the silent space…

Within the Endless Mountains, the thing most abundant is Ancient Wood. In Duan Rong’s Divine Soul Space, he had long since devoured a large number of Tree Spirits for the cultivation of the Fetal Concealment Scripture.

At this moment, a large expanse of azure green shimmer rose from the Tree Spirit Light Sea and rushed towards the sky…

About three hours later, the black lotus pod at Duan Rong’s feet had already become an empty shell.

In the Sea of Consciousness, a twelfth Star Body had already appeared.

An elliptical Star Body emitted a faint azure light, and within that azure light, a cluster of black flames flickered in and out.

Duan Rong gazed at the newly condensed Star Body, aware that the Twelfth Layer of the Fetal Concealment Scripture had been accomplished.

From now on, he could utilize the Divine Soul Illusion Technique Ying Huo twice.

Whether dealing with Primordial Beasts or humans, he could control two at once. As long as their Divine Souls were weaker than his, they would fall into his Divine Soul Illusion.

Duan Rong’s Divine Soul was already feeling quite exhausted, so he promptly withdrew from the Sea of Consciousness.

In the stone chamber, Duan Rong suddenly opened his eyes, feeling somewhat weary, as a thin layer of sweat appeared on his forehead.

He exhaled a long breath of foul air, grasped the lotus pod shell at his feet, and with the force of Primordial Qi in his palm, reduced the shell to powder.

Duan Rong tossed the powder behind him, stood up, and left the secret chamber.

He exited the secret chamber, his steps a bit unsteady as he walked back to his room in the pavilion, climbed onto the bed, and fell asleep.

His Divine Soul had been overly consumed, and he slept until noon the next day.

With the sun running high, Duan Rong climbed out of bed, stretched lazily, washed up, and called for wine and food for a hearty meal.

After eating his fill and resting for a while, he drank a few cups of tea in the room.

With the Twelfth Layer of the Fetal Concealment Scripture accomplished, besides being able to directly use the Divine Soul Illusion Technique Ying Huo twice, there was another significant improvement: the Mental Realm, an even deeper Mental Realm!

At his current level of Spiritual Power, he could already devour Artifact Spirits from the Second Level of Qi Vortex Realm.

In other words, he was able to grasp the Second Level Mental Realm of Qi Vortex Realm, while Wu Shidao still remained at the First Level.

His long-standing position at the First Level was because he hadn’t yet comprehended a deeper Mental Realm, thus failing to break through.

But with Duan Rong’s current level of Spiritual Power, coupled with his ability to devour Artifact Spirits, he could soon surpass Wu Shidao in Mental Realm, entering a deeper realm.

This must be what is called a prodigy.

While others toil for years without comprehension, Duan Rong quickly achieves it overnight by devouring Artifact Spirits.

After finishing his tea, Duan Rong went to the historian’s office in the Internal History Department to secure a slip.

Those historians were all astute and well-informed. Having been on Yunfu Peak for over half a year, they knew perfectly well of Duan Rong’s standing in Zhu He’s heart.

Therefore, when Duan Rong arrived, the slightly plump middle-aged historian on duty during the midday shift greeted him with a full smile, saying, “Lord Duan, what brings you here personally? You could have summoned an attendant to fetch me instead.”

Duan Rong was a bit perplexed by the man’s enthusiasm, as he didn’t know him at all.

Even though he felt something was off, Duan Rong conveyed his request, indicating he needed a slip for selecting weapons.

He originally planned to explain he wasn’t switching weapons, but merely wanted to look around, yet before he could speak, the historian had already prepared the slip at his desk.

Then, offering it with both hands in front of him.

Duan Rong reached out and took it, pausing slightly before saying thank you, then turned and left. The historian’s enthusiasm and respect truly left him bewildered.

“Take care, my lord!” called the man warmly as Duan Rong walked away.

While walking, Duan Rong considered briefly, soon understanding the situation. It seemed he had underestimated the influence of his status as the Elder’s Direct Disciple.

Duan Rong arrived at the cave where he had selected weapons half a year prior and presented the slip and Sect Cloud Scroll.

Despite the passage of time, the gatekeeper still remembered Duan Rong.

After all, it was the first time he had seen someone like Duan Rong, who stayed inside for two to three days.

The gatekeeper looked at the slip from the Internal History Department, noted the date, and looked up at Duan Rong, asking, “Why have you returned?”

Duan Rong laughed, “I’m not choosing weapons, just came back to take a look!”

“Came back to look? Look at what?” The man eyed Duan Rong with a peculiar expression.

Duan Rong didn’t answer, merely said, “If the slip is in order, I’ll go in.”

Returning the Sect Cloud Scroll and slip, the man gestured him to enter.

Taking back the Sect Cloud Scroll and slip, Duan Rong stepped into the cave.

Watching his back, the man muttered, “Weird kid!”

Duan Rong spent three hours in the cave before emerging.

Half a year ago, he had surveyed hundreds of weapons inside.

Not because of a good memory, but because devouring a weapon’s Artifact Spirit meant it had fused with his Divine Soul.

To him, devoured weapons were like ones he had used for several years, very familiar at a glance.

Thus, this time, Duan Rong only targeted the unfamiliar ones for reading and devouring Artifact Spirits, those ones he couldn’t devour last time included several Second Level Qi Vortex Realm Artifact Spirits.

Returning to Yunfu Peak, Duan Rong realized he hadn’t bathed for days, plus after being in the Fire Weasel Cave, he carried a stench, so he headed to the pavilion’s bathing area for a thorough wash.

In the coming days, Duan Rong planned to continue secluded cultivation in the secret chamber, aiming to break through the Qi Vortex Realm soon.

Finished with bathing, he wrapped a cotton towel around his waist and sat in his room drinking tea.

Just as he took a sip, someone suddenly pushed open the door and stood at the entrance.

Upon seeing the person at the door, Duan Rong almost choked on the tea he had just sipped.

The visitor was none other than his senior martial sister, Fan Hongjiao.

Upon seeing Duan Rong sitting there, shirtless with a towel around his waist, Fan Hongjiao’s eyes lit up.

Realizing something was off, Duan Rong tried to flee, only to be restrained by Fan Hongjiao.

Watching Duan Rong’s muscular dark chest, Fan Hongjiao’s eyes were laced with amusement and she said, “Junior brother! How about it? All bathed and waiting for your senior sister?”

“Ah…” Sweat had already formed on Duan Rong’s forehead, “Sister, why didn’t you knock before entering?”

Fan Hongjiao chuckled charmingly, “You didn’t close the door, so what should I knock?”

“Really?” Mentally cursing himself for not closing the door properly when entering.

“Indeed!” Fan Hongjiao’s hands wandered over Duan Rong’s chest, her eyes fixated on his waist. “Little brother, you’re well-built!”

Several times Duan Rong tried to struggle free but was subdued by her.

Suddenly, he quivered and asked, “Sister, surely you’ve come with a purpose?”

Upon hearing this, Fan Hongjiao paused in surprise, her brows arching as she remembered her reason for coming.

Springing up, she said, “Almost forgot the business. Master is waiting in the council hall. You should quickly change and accompany me.”

“Ah… Master is waiting…” Duan Rong, feeling rescued, tightly grasped the towel at his waist, stood up, saying, “Sister, with you watching, how am I to change?”

Asking her to wait outside, he would follow after changing.

Glancing at his lower parts, Fan Hongjiao exited.

Duan Rong hurriedly rushed over, bolting the door shut.

Fan Hongjiao called from outside, “Hurry up!”

“Got it! Sister!” Duan Rong affirmed while catching his breath, thinking: That was close! Too close! No more baths on Yunfu Peak.

While grumbling mentally, Duan Rong removed the towel from his waist and approached the wardrobe.

Unnoticed, from a momentary turn, the grid paper over the door was punctured, revealing an eye greedily watching Duan Rong’s back.

A few breaths later, Duan Rong, neatly dressed, stepped out.

Fan Hongjiao’s eyes showed slight disappointment, as she hadn’t seen what she desired, glanced at Duan Rong, saying, “Let’s go.”

Together, they headed towards the council hall.