After the magical power left his body, it transformed into energetic aura, causing the sword's edge to glow with a brilliant yellow light that surged dramatically. The Four-Winged Spider King had already acquired some degree of intelligence.
Its eyes reflected human-like shock, and in an instant, its abdomen turned crimson, as if flames were burning within; a stream of blood-red light spewed from its mouth.
“Bang!”
The blood-red light was violently split apart by the heavily forceful sword edge. As the sword tip descended, the Four-Winged Spider King raised a spear-like silver-white spider leg to block the attack. The spider leg was severed.
The Four-Winged Spider King was hurled backward, emitting a "gurgling" cry before flapping its wings and retreating into the swarm of spiders. Li Weiyi wanted to pursue, but as he regained his composure, the pain from his injuries overwhelmed him. The six desires symbol on his chest began to flicker again, and his consciousness grew hazy.
Remembering the fate of Shi Liuyue, who had been trapped in the wolf den for two months, he shuddered and hurriedly rummaged through his pouch for pills. He took one and swallowed it quickly. Looking ahead again, he saw a dense mass of flying White Spiders, but the silhouette of the Four-Winged Spider King was nowhere to be found.
That purple meat corydalis, which was around eight or nine hundred years old, was several miles behind, and trying to cut through the spider swarm to retrieve it in his current condition was simply unrealistic.
“Forget it, I’ll come back another day. Let’s go!”
Li Weiyi waved his hand, riding the half-real half-illusionary giant camel, chasing after the small boat that had drifted away a short distance. Seven Phoenix-Winged Moth Emperors fought while retreating, successfully holding back the swarm of flying White Spiders behind them, leaving countless spider corpses in the underground river.
Returning to the small boat, Li Weiyi stored the giant camel away in the Evil Camel Bell. He could no longer support himself and felt his legs buckle, nearly collapsing onto the deck. Only then did he realize that there was a finger-length wound on his thigh, torn by the Four-Winged Spider King.
Fortunately, his torso was protected by the Corpse Armor, safeguarding his vital areas.
“That Four-Winged Spider King is definitely comparable to a Five Seas Realm martial artist. Surviving this brutal battle is nothing short of a stroke of luck. It truly is as difficult as ascending to the heavens for someone in the Spring Surge Realm to challenge such a higher realm.”
Li Weiyi steadied himself to sit down and quickly summoned his internal energy, guiding it along his silver meridians to heal his injuries. The seven Phoenix-Winged Moth Emperors fought fiercely like true phoenixes; as he treated his wounds, they continued to hold back the swarm, ultimately scaring the spiders off from pursuing.
When they returned, they became rather arrogant, tearing open the ghost flag that wrapped around Yao Yin and pouncing on the meat corydalis that radiated a crimson glow, all exuding an air of “If I don’t eat it, who else has the right?” ... One day later.
Yin Ersi sat cross-legged on a stone platform at the exit of the spider cave, practicing her breathing technique. Beside her lay a blood-red gem that illuminated the stone walls surrounding the blood river like a spiritual lamp. The small boat was tied to a stalactite pillar below.
Hearing an unusual sound of water, she suddenly opened her eyes wide: “How could it be so fast?” Yin Ersi had not undergone the Seven Springs Trial and was unaware of the specific conditions inside the spider cave. However, she knew that anyone who could pass through the trials had to spend at least three days inside.
“Splash!”
A six or seven-meter-long small boat slowly emerged with the current. Li Weiyi sat upright at the bow of the boat, his eyes closed in recovery. The silver meridians associated with the Wind Palace's Spring Surge Acupoint had already begun to form one by one, stabilizing his realm.
The number of meridians in his body had increased to ninety-six. Though still fewer than a hundred silver meridians, the gap was finally decreasing.
“Bang!”
The two small boats collided, causing the hulls to shake. Li Weiyi exhaled a long breath of turbid air, turning to gaze at the slender figure standing on the stone platform at the shore: “Three days passed so quickly, I thought only two days had gone by.”
“Not even two days, how did you manage that?”
Yin Ersi floated down to the boat, slightly shocked as she took in the disarray on the small boat belonging to Li Weiyi and Yao Yin: “Did you encounter an attack from the spider swarm?”
She knew that the Seven Springs Trial tested psychological resilience and composure under pressure; if one disturbed the spider swarm within three days, they would all die. The small boat was piled high with the corpses of flying White Spiders and a large amount of spider silk.
Of course, the ghost flag, Evil Camel Bell, meat corydalis, and the Phoenix-Winged Moth Emperors had all been stored away by him already.
“It truly was a brutal battle—extremely perilous,” Li Weiyi replied, still having lingering fears.
Yin Ersi re-examined Li Weiyi, understanding why Yin Wu had mentioned him with such emphasis; this person was indeed exceptional, undoubtedly hiding great secrets. After securing the two small boats, they began their return journey. Li Weiyi asked, “These spider corpses and spider silk should be redeemable for valuable medicine, right?”
“Indeed.”
Standing at the stern of the boat, Yin Ersi looked at the still frozen Yao Yin, curiosity bubbling in her voice: “Why didn’t you take this opportunity to eliminate your biggest competitor? Those who are soft-hearted or tempted by beauty do not survive to the end.”
At this moment, Li Weiyi no longer viewed anyone in this batch as a competitor; he was too lazy to respond to her question, instead lowering his voice: “How about making a business deal?” Yin Ersi paused for a moment. She then heard him continue, “There is a treasure within the spider cave, close to a thousand years old.
If we join forces, we should be able to procure it.” With the vast numbers of flying White Spiders, Li Weiyi believed it would be extremely difficult to manage alone. Besides, he was uncertain whether there was only one spider king inside; what if there were other dangers?
What if there were more spider kings? Enlisting the help of a Five Seas Realm was undoubtedly a wise choice. Yin Ersi felt a slight stir in her heart, but quickly returned to her cold demeanor: “The medicinal treasures in the trial area are rewards for the trial-takers; the Hidden Ones cannot collect them.
Besides, you are merely a Spring Surge martial artist; what qualifications do you have to collaborate with a Five Seas Realm martial artist?”
“I’m an insect tamer, else how do you think I survived the spider swarm?”
Li Weiyi attempted to persuade Yin Ersi, adding: “The medicinal treasures in the trial area cannot be picked by the Hidden Ones, but it isn’t specified that Hidden Ones can’t enter the trial area, right? You just need to help, and I’ll collect it!”
She was unaware how this man had managed to survive amid the spider onslaught, but she recognized that with the large number of flying White Spiders, if she were truly trapped inside the spider cave, even with her cultivation, she would likely perish.
Moreover, how could a dignified Five Seas Realm Hidden One collaborate with a mere Spring Surge martial artist? It was utterly ridiculous. There was no way; absolutely no way.
Seeing her unmoved, Li Weiyi had to abandon his persuasion, deciding instead to wait until he reached the Nine Springs Realm or the Five Seas Realm to attempt the harvesting himself. The small boat returned to the valley at the entrance of the Nine Li Bug Valley.
After landing, Li Weiyi took the spider corpses and spider silk to the entrance of the Nine Li Hidden Door to exchange for medicinal treasures, leaving Yao Yin with Yin Ersi. As he was about to leave, feeling somewhat reluctant, Li Weiyi urged Yin Ersi once more: “That is a meat corydalis; conservatively speaking, it weighs over a hundred jin.
There’s plenty to share, and its value is at least equivalent to ten other medicinal treasures of the same age. It can nourish and uplift blood energy. You just broke through to the Five Seas Realm a little over a month ago; it’s perfect timing for you to replenish your blood energy and refine your body.”
“Of course, you mustn’t go harvest it by yourself. That would be dangerous, as there is a Four-Winged Spider King inside.”
Seeing that Yin Ersi had indeed become intrigued, Li Weiyi quickly began to worry that he might be sidelined, so he continued, “I will definitely go again. If that meat corydalis gets harvested, it will surely be by your hand. I will report you to Lord Yin…
Just think about it…” Yin Ersi gazed at Li Weiyi's departing back, a frown full of black lines appearing on her forehead.
How audacious!
A mere trial-taker, one who didn’t even know if he could survive until next month, dared to threaten a Hidden One. The gate of the Hidden Door was located even deeper, towards the direction of the Mind Power Stone Wall and the medicine kitchen, guarded by an elderly man in black clothing.
He was one of the Hidden Ones from the last cycle of the celestial calendar. When Li Weiyi saw him, he naturally addressed him as “Elder.”
“Bang!”
He set down the boat he was carrying on his shoulder. The elderly guard saw the fully loaded boat with spider corpses and spider silk, a spark of surprise flashed in his eyes. Nonetheless, he ultimately said nothing and exchanged three medicinal treasures for him.
They were three hundred-year-old Silver Grass, which could assist in tempering silver meridians. Li Weiyi frowned, asking, “Do you have any medicinal treasures for tempering golden meridians?” The elderly guard’s composure was vastly superior to Yin Ersi’s, who was merely a junior.
He chuckled, “You certainly have lofty ambitions. The golden meridians are referred to as the dragon veins of martial artists. Even achieving just one is greatly beneficial for future cultivation in the Five Seas Realm and Dao Seed Realm.”
“The Hidden Door indeed possesses a method for tempering golden meridians, but it has extremely high requirements for physical strength; Spring Surge Realm martial artists find it difficult to reach.”
Li Weiyi inquired, “What level of physical strength is required?” The elderly guard pointed to a thick iron pillar not far from the gate: “That is the Five Seas Pillar, weighing five thousand five hundred pounds. Only Five Seas Realm martial artists can lift it using solely their physical power.
If you can lift it in the Spring Surge Realm, you will qualify to temper your golden meridians.” Those born with immense strength, like Yao Zhengsheng, could wield a thousand-pound iron rod, but that was only possible with magical power aiding them. Relying purely on physical strength, lifting a thousand-pound iron rod was no trivial matter.
This was already the pinnacle existence of physical strength in the Spring Surge Realm! Li Weiyi approached the black Five Seas Pillar. It was about the thickness of his forearm, with the visible part above ground being roughly seven feet long.
“In recent years, only Yin Jiu could budge it in the Nine Springs Realm. Even Yin Ershi, who possesses extreme innate strength, nearly fell short. Look, it’s almost rusted…”
While the guard was rambling to himself, his voice suddenly rose in pitch as he clearly saw the Five Seas Pillar being moved slightly. He hurried over: “You didn’t use magical power, did you?” Li Weiyi shook his head, looking at the rust on his palm: “With my current physical strength, I can’t lift it.
I’ll wait to eat some more medicinal meals and temper for another month or two.” Feeling somewhat dejected, he left. The elderly guard stood dazed for a moment, reaching out to grab the Five Seas Pillar, testing its weight.
It was indeed five thousand five hundred pounds; there was no question of that.
“Eh, wait a minute…”
The elderly guard stared at Li Weiyi’s departing figure, his forehead furrowed with confusion, muttering: “Didn’t you say you moved it? Why do you seem so glum?” ... Upon returning to the Blood Forest Cave, Li Weiyi took out the crimson meat corydalis and consumed half a jin.
The feeling of dejection quickly dissipated, and he regained his vibrant fighting spirit.
“The advantage grows smaller! Yin Jiu can move the Five Seas Pillar at the Nine Springs Realm, while I need to open the Eight Springs to achieve that.”
“Fortunately, the meat corydalis can enhance blood energy and refine the body. Would a five-hundred-year-old one not be enough?”
Li Weiyi was fully aware that he had started training too late, having insufficient time to temper his body. After pondering for a moment, he entered the Buddha’s Relic to consult with Master Guan about tempering golden meridians.
“Do you want to challenge the Tenth Spring’s Divine Threshold?”
Master Guan suddenly asked. Li Weiyi was taken aback: “There’s a Tenth Spring?” Master Guan replied: “The Tenth Spring is legendary.
I have never heard of anyone truly breaking through it. However, those with exceptional talents who temper their golden meridians often harbor this fantasy. The ultimate outcome is a waste of precious time, and they miss the optimal age for opening the seas, resulting in a loss.”
Then, Master Guan elaborated to Li Weiyi: “The younger one is, the easier it is to open the Five Seas. Once a person surpasses thirty years of age, their physical condition begins to decline gradually. Only by reaching the Dao Seed Realm can this downward trend be stabilized.
Cultivating to the Longevity Realm can reverse the condition of one’s life.”
“In other words, top-tier talented martial artists… those of the successor level, must open the Five Seas and challenge the Dao Seed before the age of thirty. Otherwise, their path to swift advancement in the future will be hindered as they pursue higher realms.”
“Wei Yi, your start may have been later than everyone else’s, but your progress is extremely rapid. You might be able to take the opportunity, just don’t develop a fixation and trap yourself.”
Li Weiyi understood Master Guan’s concerns and smiled: “Since the Tenth Spring is so elusive, I won’t consider it for now. But I have heard that golden meridians are called the dragon veins of martial artists, and tempering them brings tremendous benefits.” Master Guan laughed heartily: “That is certainly true!
Back in my day, I was able to rank among the top ten martial artists in the Lingxiao Life Realm, partly due to having tempered eighteen golden meridians within my body, laying down eighteen unbreakable foundations that carried me through several crises of severing meridians.”
During the era of Master Guan and the others, the Lingxiao Life Realm spanned three hundred states, much more prosperous than the current times. To enter the top ten among martial artists at that time held far more significance than among today’s strongest practitioners of myriad sects.
“If you want to temper golden meridians, I can teach you the tempering method of the Ancient Immortal Beasts,” Master Guan said.
Master Guan’s voice continued: “The tempering method of the Ancient Immortal Beasts requires a large amount of blood from Ancient Immortal Beasts as assistance. I recommend practicing the tempering method of the Cang Li Tribe, which draws the natural light of heaven and earth to temper the meridians.
Coincidentally, you can borrow the Buddha’s Relic to absorb the natural light in large amounts, significantly accelerating the tempering speed of golden meridians.”
“That… sounds quite good and won’t cost much.”
Li Weiyi agreed with Master Guan’s method but immediately added: “However, the light underground is very dim; relying solely on those glowing plants may not be enough. It looks like I need to become a Hidden One quickly, return to the surface, and find a well-lit uninhabited area for seclusion.”
Master Lingwei remarked: “Wei Yi, if you can quickly refine the fire sparks within the Spirit Realm of the Yintang into the Bright Fire, perhaps the Lesser Sun Star is the best place for you to retreat and temper your golden meridians.”
The Bright Fire was the third realm of Mind Power Masters; Li Ling from back then had attained this realm, and her combat power was comparable to that of a Spring Surge martial artist. Li Weiyi hurriedly asked: “Master Lingwei means…”
“I can’t say for certain. It’s hard to tell. But you have gone from the flickering flame of the mind to the current Bright Fire; the space of the Blood Mud has indeed broadened by half. Once you break through again, there will surely be further changes here,” Master Lingwei explained.
Master Guan added: “Don’t rush; pursue both paths simultaneously. You should prioritize healing your injuries first.” ... Many people wanted to see the decisive blow, with Yao Yin lingering in the air… are you all crazy?
(This chapter ends)