Chapter Sixty-Nine: Spring Sun Bathing in Snow

The sudden spread of black mist, the overwhelming energy attack, and the abrupt disappearance of Suo Yangcan and his companion instantly transformed the once crowded valley into a place inhabited by only a handful of people.

Hm?

Just as Qingpo was about to make a move, he seemed to notice something. The immense, sky-covering azure handprint vanished instantly in midair.

“Brother?” Seeing Chu Qingchen thrown back by the recoil, Tianming didn’t have time to think, hurriedly tossing his token into the air.

The moment that tainted, dark energy touched the token—

Boom!

In an instant, a majestic golden force of heaven and earth surged forth, bathing the whole world in dazzling light! The black mist dissolved and vanished under the golden radiance. Shu Meng, who had intended to teleport Tianming along with her, was utterly stunned by the spectacle.

A vast, ethereal golden figure floated above Tianming, and a massive golden shield enveloped Tianming and his companions, protecting their frail bodies.

Thunder crashed and wind howled as the vast recoil force arrived, unleashing fierce attacks that gouged deep pits in the surrounding earth. The dark energy scorched the ground, corroding soil and trees. Yet the golden shield remained untouched, its brilliance undimmed by the advent of darkness.

Before long, the dark recoil energy dissipated entirely beneath the shield’s unyielding strength.

“Withdraw!”

Seeing the fierce assault fade, Tianming willed the token back into his hand.

Luckily, all the disciples had already been teleported away. Had they witnessed Tianming’s display of divine power, they would surely have been awestruck, scrambling to curry favor!

“Are you alright?” Tianming asked softly, glancing at Shu Meng, who stood dazed at his side.

Hearing Tianming’s voice, Shu Meng finally returned to herself. “I’m fine!”

“Good.”

Nodding to Shu Meng, Tianming said no more, turning away with a heavy expression.

Knowing Tianming’s mood was somber, Shu Meng followed silently behind him, saying nothing.

Boom!

Just as Tianming approached Chu Qingchen, a beam of azure light fell from the sky onto Chu Qingchen’s body, which was steadily being corroded by dark energy.

---

“Don’t worry, I can save him!” At that moment, Qingpo’s voice rang out from above.

Hearing this, Tianming’s face brightened, immediately looking up at the floating azure soul.

He had thought Qingpo would remain aloof, but Qingpo was now taking action. Chu Qingchen was saved! Considering how Shu Meng’s severe wounds had been healed, Tianming surmised that curing Chu Qingchen’s comparatively minor injuries would be no trouble.

Beside Tianming, Shu Meng gazed at Qingpo with admiration. Had Qingpo not saved her previously, she would surely have lost consciousness by now.

“Thank you, Qingpo!” Tianming nodded with relief.

Qingpo glanced at Tianming but said nothing more, instead waving his powerful hand, channeling the azure energy of heaven and earth to lift Chu Qingchen.

Disperse!

With a grave gaze fixed on Chu Qingchen, whose body was being steadily eaten away by dark energy, Qingpo frowned slightly. Then, a thick surge of azure energy washed the corruption away.

Dense azure essence gathered, and Qingpo’s ancient hands moved again!

“Nine-turn Exquisite Art: Third Turn—Spring Bathed in Snow!”

As these aged words rolled across the sky, the entire realm seemed to tremble.

No sooner had the words faded than Qingpo began forming seals, powerful energy brewing in his palms.

“Bang!”

At a certain moment, Qingpo thrust the seal skyward!

A vast azure beam, as if piercing the heavens, shone through the entire realm.

“Hiss!”

The awe-inspiring scene left Tianming and Shu Meng barely able to react before a cloud of azure energy, hundreds of feet across, drifted through a circular gap in the sky, slowly coming to a halt above Chu Qingchen.

Immediately, gentle energies like white snow descended from the heavens. As the energy touched Chu Qingchen, his visible wounds began to heal.

An abundant flow of azure energy guided the gathered celestial power through Chu Qingchen’s meridians, drawing from his core. The chaotic aura stabilized, and the pallor of his face gradually gave way to a faint flush.

+3!

“Heaven and earth energy! Experience points?”

Watching the celestial energy descend, Tianming found it so pure that, when it landed in his palm, it was directly converted into experience. This discovery made Tianming beam—he quickly patted Shu Meng’s shoulder. “Quick... start cultivating!”

With that, Tianming sat cross-legged, immediately guiding the descending energy onto himself, converting it into experience.

---

“Cultivate?”

Shu Meng was surprised by Tianming’s words. Seeing him in deep cultivation, she raised her head to feel the dense celestial energy enveloping them. In that moment, she understood, and also sat down.

However, Shu Meng did not draw the energy as greedily as Tianming, but waited patiently for it to settle, then absorbed it, refining it into her own essence.

Their subtle actions did not escape Qingpo’s notice, but he did not intervene.

For this was the reward of the fourth trial.

Had circumstances allowed, Tianming and his companions could have absorbed even more, stronger energy, but now most of it was taken up by the gravely injured Chu Qingchen. Of course, if saving Chu Qingchen meant Tianming had to agree to Qingpo’s terms, he would surely do so without hesitation.

...

Time flew by!

Oblivious to the passage of time, Tianming continued absorbing celestial energy, savoring the rush of experience.

Soon, the hundred-foot azure cloud faded, then vanished.

“Is it over?” Sensing the energy’s disappearance, Tianming opened his eyes.

Shu Meng opened hers as well. The two exchanged a glance, then stood, raising their heads to gaze at the sky.

From this energy absorption, Tianming had gained over ten thousand experience points, but to advance to the first rank of Spirit Void, he still needed more than thirty thousand.

Shu Meng, too, seemed to have benefited greatly. Her aura had apparently advanced from first to second rank.

“Congratulations, Shu Meng, you’ve reached the second rank!” Tianming smiled, nodding at her.

Shu Meng returned his smile. “It’s nothing. I owe it all to Elder Qingpo!”

At this, Shu Meng cast a grateful look at Qingpo.

Noticing her gaze, Qingpo smiled gently at Tianming and Shu Meng below.

“Qingpo, please send us out.” Tianming looked up. By now, Chu Qingchen had finished his cultivation, his eyes also settling on Tianming.

“Go.”

Hearing Tianming’s request, Qingpo did not refuse. He nodded to Tianming and Shu Meng, then waved his hand—the azure wind swept beneath Chu Qingchen’s feet, carrying the three away. In an instant, their figures vanished without a trace.