When she first heard Liu Bai's words, Yue Qing thought he was merely toying with her.
But upon seeing his serious expression, she could not help but believe at least a little.
"There is actually such a cultivation art..." Yue Qing still held doubts in her heart, but she did not completely deny it.
After all, the Great Thousand World was full of the bizarre. Wasn't Hua Zinan's means also filled with mysteries? Although this devouring power seemed a little twisted, judging from Liu Bai's growth speed, everything did seem to make sense.
If this was truly the case, then she would have to consider things carefully.
"Very well. I only want the Spiritual King's core. You need to heavily wound the Spiritual King with your spiritual array, and in the end I will deliver the killing blow. As for the rest, however many you can kill will depend on your ability."
For Yue Qing, only by using the Spiritual King's core to refine into her crown could she obtain the greatest benefit. Therefore, it was something she was determined to have.
Liu Bai made a quick calculation in his heart. This deal could indeed be made. After all, for a Spiritual King to be born, the gathering point would at the very least have thousands of Spiritual Soldiers and dozens of Spiritual Generals, right? Even if he had to split part of that away, it would still provide him with a massive amount of experience. So even without the Spiritual King's experience, he would not suffer a loss.
Moreover, when it came to killing speed, Liu Bai did not believe others could snatch away much prey from him.
"Since Junior Brother Liu Bai has agreed, let us depart. But first, I must take care of a small matter..." As she spoke, Yue Qing transformed into a streak of light and shot toward the direction where Hua Zinan and the others had fled.
Seeing this, Liu Bai immediately followed.
When he once again encountered Hua Zinan, the fellow was still fleeing.
In truth, Liu Bai could tell that if Hua Zinan fought with his full strength, those girls of Hong Xiao definitely would not be able to contend with him. Yet throughout their clash, Hua Zinan had always been holding back, only unleashing his real means when escaping.
But merely like this, it was indeed impossible to shake off Hong Xiao. That was why they had remained entangled until now.
"Elder Sister, you are finally here. Quickly help us capture this lecher!" Hong Xiao cried out in delight when she saw Yue Qing.
Hua Zinan's expression changed as he looked at Yue Qing with a trace of fear.
"Enough, Hong Xiao, do not cause a ruckus."
Yue Qing raised her hand to calm her junior sisters, then turned her gaze toward Hua Zinan.
"My apologies. I did not make things clear to Hong Xiao. Seeking you out this time is not to pursue matters of the past, but because I have something to request of you."
Hearing Yue Qing's apologetic words, Hua Zinan opened his mouth but did not know how to respond.
He had been chased like a dog for such a long time, only to find out in the end that it had all been a misunderstanding?
Of course, he could not blame others for this. It was his own fault. The very first time he saw Yue Qing, he had been stunned by her beauty and had pursued her madly ever since, even drawing countless portraits of her.
But Yue Qing had always treated him like everyone else, cold and distant, never giving any response. Even so, Hua Zinan had not given up.
Originally, this was nothing too severe, at most drawing ridicule as a toad coveting swan flesh.
But Yue Qing's indifference did not mean her admirers could take it lightly. In the end, someone had secretly schemed so that all of Hua Zinan's portraits of Yue Qing were spread, instantly causing a huge uproar in the Northern Heaven Spiritual Academy.
Unfortunately, Hua Zinan's painting skill was extraordinary, as if his brush could bring figures to life. Coupled with Yue Qing's peerless beauty, this stirred countless discussions and brought much trouble to her.
Because of this, everyone in Illusory Moon Pavilion held a poor impression of Hua Zinan, regarding him as a shameless voyeur and lecher.
This was not really a grave crime. In Liu Bai's previous world, Hua Zinan might even have been considered an artist.
But here, he had become a laughingstock throughout the academy.
From then on, the once talented Hua Zinan disappeared from the sight of the vast student body.
Although after his disappearance the incident did gradually subside, through constant retellings the simple matter was twisted into countless versions, and Hua Zinan's reputation as a lecher grew ever more exaggerated.
In the end, even Yue Qing herself, unable to watch any longer, had tried to explain on his behalf. But as could be seen from the result, it had little effect. Even within Illusory Moon Pavilion, the prejudice against Hua Zinan remained, leaving Yue Qing helpless.
Liu Bai could see through it all. In his view, the members of Illusory Moon Pavilion were mostly Yue Qing's fanatics, and he knew very well just how frightening fanatics could be.
"Fairy Yue Qing, you are too serious. Please speak your request. Hua Zinan will not hesitate even to risk life and limb." Composing his emotions, Hua Zinan cupped his fists with a solemn expression.
Although he no longer held the same frenzied infatuation for the woman before him, the past matter still weighed on him with guilt. He always felt that he had stained a girl as pure as the moon, so whenever he faced Yue Qing, he could not help but feel guilty.
"There is no need to risk your life. This time, I simply wish to invite you to join me in hunting the Spiritual King." Yue Qing replied calmly.
"Previously, on my way here, I invited Junior Brother Liu Bai. With the three of us working together, we should be assured of success."
"Liu Bai? Junior Brother?" Hua Zinan looked curiously at the silent Liu Bai.
Earlier, when he had been fleeing for his life, he had already noticed this young man's extraordinariness. Although his aura was only at the peak of the Heaven Fusion Realm, Hua Zinan could feel a terrifying power hidden within him, perhaps even stronger than himself. That was why he had tried to strike up a conversation, hoping for aid.
But from beginning to end, the youth had only watched coldly from the side, causing Hua Zinan's plan to fall apart.
Now, hearing from Yue Qing that this youth was their junior brother, which meant he was a new student of this year, Hua Zinan could not help but grow curious.
"Liu Bai? Elder Sister, do you mean this is the Liu Bai who is rumored throughout the academy as the number one freshman?" Unlike Hua Zinan, Hong Xiao and the others were not so uninformed. They had heard plenty of stories about Liu Bai.
In particular, the astonishing speed at which he had risen after entering the academy had shocked even them.
As the group of young women looked at him curiously, Liu Bai could only offer them a gentle smile. Unexpectedly, the fierce girls who had been chasing Hua Zinan earlier actually blushed upon seeing this smile.
This sight nearly made Hua Zinan cry in grief. They were all men, so how could the difference be so great?
"Junior Brother Liu Bai is a Fifth-Rank Spiritual Array Master. With him taking action, even if that gathering point is filled with Spiritual Soldiers, we will be more than capable of handling it." Yue Qing spoke as she introduced him to everyone.
"Fifth-Rank Spiritual Array Master?!" Hua Zinan was genuinely stunned this time.
He never imagined that this fellow, who was just as handsome as himself, would also be so overwhelmingly powerful.
At that thought, Hua Zinan immediately felt a sense of crisis arise. This junior brother was absolutely a great rival in his lifelong pursuit of women.
"Alright, since everyone is here, let us head straight to that gathering point. The longer we wait the more unpredictable things may become."
Yue Qing paid no attention to what the two men were thinking and directly gave the order.
The group quickly set out. This time, over ten members of the Illusory Moon Pavilion had come, and with the addition of Liu Bai and Hua Zinan, this force was definitely capable of eradicating any large-scale gathering point.
"There is a gathering point not far from here. It is considered dangerous grade. When we passed through before, we sensed several Spiritual General level auras there, though it is unclear whether there are any Late-phase Heaven Transformation Realm Spiritual Generals."
On the way, Liu Bai and the others did not remain idle. Any gathering points they came across in passing were casually annihilated.
"This time Junior Brother Liu Bai should take action." Yue Qing turned her head and said.
This was different from usual. Having Liu Bai attack was essentially giving the harvest to him.
"Fine." Hua Zinan agreed quickly, as though he did not mind.
Liu Bai did not refuse either. Seeing the expectant gazes of Hong Xiao and the others, he guessed they also wanted to see his true strength.
Since that was the case, Liu Bai had no reason to decline.
Very soon, their curiosity was satisfied. In fact, the result was even greater than expected. When they looked at him now, the girls' eyes contained not only awe but also a trace of fear.
In a vast valley, a crimson giant cauldron was slowly dispersing in the air. The scorching aura still lingered. The ground of the valley had completely vanished and in its place was now an immense lake of magma.
"So this is a Fifth-Rank Spiritual Array… altering heaven and earth, resembling the end of days. It is truly terrifying!" Hua Zi'nan seemed to still be lost in the terrifying image of the Divine Cauldron suppressing the heavens and ten thousand flames erupting, his entire being immersed in shock.
Yet just as Liu Bai was about to say something, he suddenly saw Hua Zinan close his eyes. At some point a paintbrush had appeared in his hand. Using spiritual power as silk and his own blood as ink, he began painting with closed eyes.
Yue Qing's expression turned solemn. She exchanged a glance with Liu Bai and the two of them quietly retreated into the distance.
"He is in epiphany." After instructing others to guard the surroundings, Yue Qing spoke.
Liu Bai could guess as much, though what intrigued him was this unique ability of Hua Zi'nan.
"Hua Zinan enters the Dao through painting, using his paintings to draw on the spiritual energy of heaven and earth for his own use. In this regard, he is similar to you Spiritual Array Masters. The difference is that you Array Masters rely on Spiritual seals and array diagrams to form arrays, whereas Hua Zinan uses his paintings as arrays…"
When Yue Qing finished, Liu Bai's heart trembled.
Indeed, thinking carefully, Hua Zinan's ability truly resembled array restrictions.
There was certainly some critical element involved that outsiders like them could never grasp.
"This ability was created entirely by himself. If we are talking about talent, then Hua Zinan is probably even stronger than those figures from our generation."
Clearly, Yue Qing held no special feelings for Hua Zinan, but when it came to his talent and artistry, she held deep respect.
Unfortunately, that incident in the past had ruined Hua Zinan's reputation. While it did not seem to affect his cultivation advancement, it destined him to have no achievements within the Northern Heaven Spiritual Academy.
Perhaps in the future, he would simply graduate and leave.
Liu Bai and Yue Qing silently watched that figure painting with closed eyes. On his canvas, a crimson cauldron slowly took shape.
The instant it fully formed, boundless flames erupted madly before being completely restrained within the cauldron.
Judging by the terrifying heat inside the fire cauldron, even an early-phase of Heaven Transformation Realm expert trapped within would be reduced to ashes in no more than a quarter of an hour.
This power was already no weaker than a Fourth-Rank Spiritual Array.
Witnessing this scene, Liu Bai's heart could not help but surge with boundless waves.
Although his current strength was undoubtedly above Hua Zi'nan and the latter would never surpass him in the future, in terms of talent and comprehension, Liu Bai felt as though he was the one in the earth while Hua Zi'nan was in the heavens.
Even with Liu Bai's present mastery of the Dao of Arrays, if someone asked him to create a Fourth-Rank Array on his own, he would be incapable of doing so. Yet Hua Zinan, after witnessing his Divine Cauldron Refining Heavens Array only once, could immediately gain enlightenment and paint a fire cauldron comparable to a Fourth-Rank Array. It was utterly inconceivable.
Under Liu Bai's gaze, which was akin to staring at a monster, Hua Zinan finally ended his epiphany and opened his eyes.
Though his complexion was pale from the dual consumption of spiritual energy and blood essence, his eyes shone with excitement.
Clearly, he himself was thrilled by this breakthrough.
"Junior Brother Liu Bai, I must thank you for this. Consider it that I owe you a favor. Whatever you need in the future, Hua Zinan will never refuse."
"No no, I cannot take credit for this." Liu Bai quickly waved his hands. He did not dare to accept such a favor since it had nothing to do with him.
Hua Zinan did not insist. After swallowing some pills to restore his spiritual energy and blood essence, the group once again set out, hurrying toward their final target.
Time passed quickly and by the next day, they had arrived at their destination. In a place like this, battles could occur at any moment, so they made sure to rest adequately while traveling.
Thus, after a day of advancing with pauses, they finally reached the area.
It was a massive valley encircled by three great mountains. Within the valley stretched a boundless world of light.
The radiance there almost drowned out the colors of heaven and earth. It was the glow born of condensed spiritual energy. From a distance, it resembled a vast ocean of spiritual light that extended endlessly.
Suspended in the sky, Liu Bai and the others looked on with excitement at the sea of light spreading as far as the eye could see. Vaguely, they could even discern the silhouettes of wandering Spiritual Soldiers within.
This place was almost like a kingdom that belonged solely to Spiritual Soldiers.
....
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