Chapter 256 - 180: Rushing, Rescue, Taking Action

Chapter 256: Chapter 180: Rushing, Rescue, Taking Action

Zhao Zuo’s brow furrowed slightly, his expression immediately turning serious. Liu Heng’s voice continuously emanated from the Communication Jade, tinged with a hint of pleading. He sounded like a drowning man grasping at straws, his voice a whisper in Zhao Zuo’s ear.

"There’s a Thousand-Year Red Ginseng here, and it’s already undergone Spirit Transformation!"

As if worried Zhao Zuo wouldn’t come to his rescue, Liu Heng played a tempting trump card. A Red Ginseng that was only a few hundred years old was merely an ingredient for Alchemy. While it possessed some spirituality, its ability to enhance a Spiritual Root was not particularly great. But a Thousand-Year Red Ginseng had already transformed into a Spiritual Object—its effects were bound to be at least ten times stronger.

Most importantly, thousand-year-grade Spiritual Medicine was a rare sight in the Cultivation Realm, especially a Heaven and Earth Spiritual Object that could strengthen one’s Spiritual Root. Zhao Zuo assessed the potential dangers and asked a question.

"What kind of danger are you facing?"

"A Demon Plant. Its strength is roughly at the Qi Cultivation Perfection realm, but its Life Force is incredibly strong. That’s why the two of us together can’t kill it," Liu Heng answered immediately.

"Two of you?" Zhao Zuo asked, finding it strange. He distinctly remembered that three of them had set out together.

"Our companion was ambushed by that Demon Plant and is already dead." Liu Heng’s voice was devoid of emotion, but Zhao Zuo felt it had to be the truth. ’After all, with the Master-Servant Contract in place... he can’t lie.’

’Qi Cultivation Perfection, huh...’ Zhao Zuo thought. ’With the power of my Black Flame Saber, dealing with a Qi Cultivation Perfection Demon Plant shouldn’t be too difficult. Until it reaches Foundation Establishment... a Demon Plant’s weakness to fire will always be there.’

"Then how do I find you?" Zhao Zuo asked.

"Younger Brother Zhao, there’s a hidden compartment in the wall of my Cave Mansion with a map inside," Liu Heng explained. He had been worried about something unexpected happening before he left, so he had left behind a spiritual map.

"I’ll go look for it."

The so-called Cave Mansion was really just a cave carved out of the mountainside, then refined into a living space with Magic. Zhao Zuo first put on a pair of nearly transparent Spirit Silk Gloves before pushing open the heavy stone door. It was pitch-black inside, so dark you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face, and the air was slightly stale.

Zhao Zuo casually tossed out a Cleaning Talisman, then rubbed his right index finger and thumb together. A wisp of orange flame ignited at his fingertips, illuminating a two-meter radius. The interior wasn’t large, and the furnishings were spartan: just a wooden bed, a dust-covered meditation cushion, and a wooden chair.

Within the roughly twenty-square-meter Cave Mansion, there were almost no signs that it was lived in. It was clear Liu Heng hadn’t been here for a long time. Zhao Zuo pressed his palm against the wall and infused it with Mana. As his Mana surged, an invisible Energy shot rapidly through the wall.

Zhao Zuo took two steps forward, thrust his Black Flame Saber into the wall, and pried it open with a bit of force.

A large chunk of black earth fell from the wall, sending up a cloud of choking dust. Zhao Zuo waved his hand, converting his Mana into a gentle breeze that blew the dust away.

This revealed a foot-wide space inside the wall, containing three Scrolls and a Storage Bag. Zhao Zuo pocketed the Storage Bag. ’This is probably Liu Heng’s private stash, hidden from Wang Yao,’ he mused. The other two Scrolls were a last will and the spiritual map.

Zhao Zuo put the last will away and unfurled the spiritual map. Sure enough, it showed two faintly blinking dots, one green and one red. He estimated the distance, calculating that he would have to spend two nights in the Yunlan Mountain Range to reach Liu Heng’s location on the third day.

"It will take me about three days to get there. Can you hold out?" Zhao Zuo asked.

"It should be fine. We have plenty of food, and we’re holed up in a secret room. The plant can’t get in."

Liu Heng replied quickly, though his voice sounded a bit weak.

"Alright, no problem."

Now that Zhao Zuo had made his decision, he didn’t hesitate. That night, he first meditated and engaged in Cultivation for six hours, then lay down on the bed to restore his mental energy with sleep.

The next morning, after rising from his bed, he stuffed the Fire Spirit Snake into his Spirit Beast Bag. ’It’s getting a little crowded in there for the Fire Spirit Snake,’ Zhao Zuo noted. ’I’ll have to get a bigger one soon.’

Zhao Zuo opened the door to his Cave Mansion, took out his Communication Jade, and checked for messages from Shen Yunjiao. There was still no reply. ’Looks like... I’m on my own this time. A one-man battle.’

The trees in the forest had begun to shed their leaves; even those growing upon a Spirit Vein could not defy the laws of nature. A fresh, natural aroma filled the air. The moss underfoot was no longer as vibrant with Vitality as it had been, and in the distance, the morning sun stained the clouds Gold.

Zhao Zuo pushed off with his legs, using protruding rocks as footholds to move at incredible speed. Gone was his usual leisurely pace. He first stopped by the Moyun Market to purchase some flammable oil, a large number of Fire Series Talismans, and a silver mask capable of blocking toxic gases.

[Level: Middle Grade Magical Artifact · Silver Breath Mask]

[Experience: 0/2000]

[Status: Not upgradeable]

It was a Middle Grade Magical Artifact. The front was a silver mask covered in purple patterns, while the back was perfectly smooth to ensure a snug fit against the skin. It had no openings for the nose or mouth; instead, the mask’s interior contained an air supply sufficient for fourteen hours of breathing.

This completely prevented any outside air from entering the body through the nose or mouth. Though made of metal, the edges of the mask would soften when placed on the face, molding to fit the wearer’s features perfectly.

Zhao Zuo fastened the mask. Before leaving Moyun Market, he checked on Shen Yunjiao’s condition one more time. Her aura was incredibly powerful, far surpassing the eighth layer of the Qi Cultivation Realm, but unfortunately, she still had not awakened.