93: Chapter 93 Tempering the Physical Body to Save Leng Ning Shuang

Ye Chen could feel that under the grinding of this Aura Gale...

His Physical Body was bit by bit becoming tougher, and his control over his true essence was becoming more refined.

When his movement technique contended against the wild winds, it gained a sense of sluggishness and gravity that wasn't there before; instead, this was a rare realization.

He stayed within the Gale Gorge for ten full days.

...

Ten days of bitter Cultivation, without sleep or rest. When hungry, he took Fasting Pills; when thirsty, he drank the spring water seeping from the rock crevices.

Countless fine bloody gashes were added to his body, only to be healed by his powerful recovery ability.

His aura became increasingly condensed within the wild winds, and his gaze grew sharper.

On this day, Ye Chen was practicing his sword on a protruding giant rock deep within the gorge, facing the most violent Aura Gale vortex.

The ice scar sword in his hand was no longer simply icy blue or golden-red.

Greyish Hunyuan True Essence flowed as his sword moves were under the pressure of the Aura Gale.

He stripped away many unnecessary flourishes, making them more concise, direct, and fierce.

Every strike carried a decisiveness that broke through wind resistance and pressed forward indomitably.

Suddenly, Ye Chen felt a sensation in his heart.

The Wheel Sea inside his body vibrated slightly, the speed at which it absorbed Spiritual Qi suddenly accelerated, and his Hunyuan True Essence surged like a tide.

It launched an assault toward that layer of invisible barrier.

"Buzz!"

Success came naturally.

The volume of the Wheel Sea expanded slightly once more, the Chaos color becoming deeper as it rotated.

His resonance with the surrounding Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi became clearer.

Wheel Sea Realm, Third Level Middle Stage!

Not only that, after ten days of grinding by the Aura Gale, his Physical Body strength had improved by at least thirty percent!

His Hunyuan True Essence became more condensed and pure.

His comprehension of the "Nirvana" and "Return to the Void" Concepts also seemed to have gained a bit of the dialectic between "breaking" and "defending"...

...due to this day-after-day confrontation with the might of heaven and earth.

"That's about enough."

Ye Chen sheathed his sword, feeling the surging power within his body, and nodded with satisfaction.

It was time to leave this place and take a look elsewhere.

He could also scout for news within the Secret Realm, especially regarding the "Shadow Fiend."

Just as Ye Chen was preparing to leave the Gale Gorge, suddenly...

...violent true essence fluctuations and the sounds of fighting came from the direction of the entrance at the other end of the gorge.

Intermingled within were the angry shouts of a woman and the roars of Yao Beasts.

Someone? Fighting at the other end of the gorge?

Ye Chen's heart stirred, and he suppressed his aura.

He silently began to sneak toward the direction the sounds of fighting were coming from.

Ye Chen suppressed his aura, his figure weaving through the jagged, strange rocks and the violent Aura Gale.

Like a weightless shadow, he rapidly approached the entrance area at the other end of the gorge.

The sounds of fighting, angry shouts, and Yao Beast roars became clearer and clearer.

Accompanied by the boom of Magic Treasure collisions and the muffled bangs of energy explosions.

Rounding a huge, wind-eroded rock that protruded like an eagle's beak, the scene ahead came into view.

On a relatively open patch of gravel at the gorge entrance, four figures were in a fierce battle with three massive Yao Beasts.

Those three Yao Beasts were shaped like giant eagles, but their entire bodies were covered in blue-black feathers that shimmered with a metallic luster.

Their wingspans were a good three or four zhang wide, their talons were like hooks, their beaks like spears, and they spat blue-black wind blades from their mouths.

They were surprisingly Rank Three Middle Stage Yao Beasts—Iron Feather Wind Eagles!

This kind of Yao Beast had extremely fast flight speed and fierce attacks.

They were especially skilled at manipulating wind blades.

In the environment of the Gale Gorge, they were like fish in water, their combat power doubling.

And the four figures fighting them were unexpectedly all women.

Three of them Ye Chen did not recognize; looking at their attire, they seemed to be Disciples of "Zixia Peak," with cultivation bases between the Third and Fourth Level of the Wheel Sea Realm.

They had formed a simple sword array, barely resisting the fierce onslaught of two Iron Feather Wind Eagles.

However, they were already struggling to cope, their situation perilous; they were covered in wounds, and their dresses were torn.

What truly caught Ye Chen's eye was the fourth person.

She was a woman dressed in a light purple long dress, with a tall and graceful figure and a face that was exquisitely beautiful yet cold as frost.

She held a long sword as clear as autumn water; her sword technique was ethereal and fierce, and her movement technique was exceptionally agile.

She actually wove through the wild winds at the mouth of the gorge with ease.

She was in a fierce battle with an Iron Feather Wind Eagle leader that was clearly larger than the other two and had an aura reaching the Peak of the Rank Three Middle Stage, and she was not at a disadvantage!

Her cultivation was surprisingly at the Peak of the Fourth Level of the Wheel Sea Realm, but the combat power she displayed was likely not inferior to an ordinary Fifth Level of the Wheel Sea Realm!

"It's her?"

Ye Chen's gaze narrowed.

Although he hadn't officially met this purple-dressed woman, he had caught glimpses of her before during the arena battles and at Chi Yang Valley.

She was a quite eye-catching individual among the Core Disciples, said to be the Personal Disciple of the Zixia Peak Master.

Her name was "Leng Ningshuang."

Her talent was extraordinary, and she had already mastered the true teachings of the "Purple Haze Sword Canon" she cultivated; she was ranked very high among the inner sect Core Disciples.

He hadn't expected to encounter her here, and that she would be locked in a bitter struggle.

At this moment, the battle situation was quite unfavorable for Leng Ningshuang's group of four.

Those three Iron Feather Wind Eagles were clearly very clever; the leader entangled the strongest, Leng Ningshuang.

The other two fiercely attacked the three Zixia Peak female Disciples who had formed the array.

Under the frantic pounces and wind blade slashes of the Gale Eagles, the sword array was already in imminent danger and could collapse at any time.

Once the sword array was broken, those three female Disciples would instantly lose their lives under the eagle talons.

At that time, Leng Ningshuang would also fall into a desperate situation of being surrounded.

"Senior Sister Leng, we can't hold on much longer!"

A Zixia Peak female Disciple shouted anxiously as a wind blade sliced across her arm, bringing a spray of blood.

Leng Ningshuang's face was like frost, her eyes sharp, as she forced back a pounce from the Gale Eagle leader with a sword strike.

With a backhand swing, she unleashed three fierce purple Sword Qi strikes toward the two Gale Eagles attacking the sword array, attempting to rescue her fellow Disciples.

But those two Gale Eagles were extremely agile and easily dodged, instead pouncing on the sword array even more ferociously.

"Form the 'Purple Haze Defense'!"

Leng Ningshuang shouted clearly, her voice crisp yet carrying an unquestionable authority.

Upon hearing this, the three female Disciples immediately changed their formation, their sword lights intertwining.

They formed a light purple light screen, protecting themselves within it and switching to full defense.

But facing the storm-like attacks of the two Iron Feather Wind Eagles, the light screen fluctuated violently.

Cracks began to appear; it clearly wouldn't last long.

A cold light flashed in Leng Ningshuang's eyes as she seemed to make a certain decision, and the purple true essence around her body suddenly surged.

The long sword in her hand radiated intense purple light as she was about to perform some high-consumption secret technique to forcibly break the situation.

Right at this moment, an unexpected change occurred!

The Gale Eagle leader, which had been entangling Leng Ningshuang and seemed to be somewhat toying with her...

...suddenly had a flash of cunning and cruel light in its eyes, and it let out a sharp, ear-piercing screech!

This screech seemed to contain some kind of sonic attack, heading straight for the Divine Soul!

Leng Ningshuang was caught off guard, and although she immediately circulated her power to resist...

...her Divine Soul still swayed slightly, and her sword momentum showed an extremely minute lag.

It was this instant of a flaw!

The Gale Eagle leader's wings flapped violently, and it unexpectedly stopped its pouncing.

Instead, it spat out a wind blade that was condensed to the extreme and deep green in color!

This wind blade was only about a foot long, yet it emitted a heart-palpitating sharpness and an aura of destruction.

Its speed was so fast it was hard for the naked eye to discern; like a teleportation, it was already in front of Leng Ningshuang's chest!

This beast had actually been hiding its strength all along, waiting for this certain-kill strike!

"Senior Sister, watch out!"

The three female Disciples in the array cried out in horror upon seeing this.

Leng Ningshuang's expression also changed slightly; it was already too late to dodge.

She could only hold her long sword across her chest, pouring in all her true essence to withstand this terrifying wind blade!

"Clang—!!!"

A deafening sound of metal clashing echoed through the gorge!

The deep green wind blade slashed heavily against the blade of Leng Ningshuang's sword!

She felt an irresistible force surge through; her long sword vibrated violently and flew out of her hand!

The wind blade's momentum was undiminished as it slashed heavily against her protective true essence!

"Puff!"

Her protective true essence shattered!

Leng Ningshuang felt as if she had been struck by a heavy blow; she let out a muffled groan and spat out blood.

Her delicate body flew backward like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily against the rock wall behind her before sliding down softly.

Her face was as pale as paper, and her aura instantly withered; she had clearly suffered significant internal injuries and was temporarily unable to stand.

"Senior Sister!"

The three female Disciples' eyes were nearly bursting; because their minds were in Chaos, the sword array was instantly broken by the two Gale Eagles.

Each was injured and sent flying; the situation took a sharp turn for the worse, and they were in mortal danger!

The Gale Eagle leader, having succeeded in its strike, let out a triumphant screech.

Folding its wings, it dove down like a sharp arrow toward the heavily injured Leng Ningshuang, who was on the ground and unable to dodge.

Its sharp eagle talons glinted with cold light, aiming straight for her head!

The other two Gale Eagles also pounced toward the three injured female Disciples on the ground.

At the critical moment!

"Vile beast! How dare you!"

A cold shout rang out like a clap of thunder!

A grey figure, at a speed even faster than the Gale Eagle's dive...

...bolted out from behind a giant rock to the side, instantly blocking the way in front of Leng Ningshuang! It was none other than Ye Chen!

He originally didn't want to meddle in others' business, but seeing Leng Ningshuang in danger, and out of fellowship for a fellow Disciple...

...plus the fact that she hadn't seemed to make things difficult for him before...

...he no longer hesitated and boldly took action.

Facing the diving Gale Eagle leader.

Ye Chen's gaze was icy, and the Hunyuan True Essence within his body surged.

The ice scar sword was unsheathed; the greyish sword light was not brilliant.

Yet it carried a Concept of returning to basics and dispelling delusions, as he slashed out a sword strike toward those massive, grasping eagle talons!

It was not the power-seeking "Primordial Chaos Destruction Stab."

Instead, it was a sword move that integrated his comprehension of the Aura Gale, focusing more on "Breaking" and "Defending" — the "Hunyuan Wind Severing Slash"!

“Chi!”

The gray sword light flashed across, precisely slashing at the weakest point in the center of the Wind Eagle leader's claw.

There was no loud bang of a head-on collision; that sharp sword light seemed to possess an extremely strong power of penetration and disintegration.

It actually sliced through the Yao power and wind blades wrapped around the Wind Eagle's claw with ease, slashing fiercely into its claw bone!

“Screech—!”

The Wind Eagle leader let out a shrill cry of extreme pain. One of its front claws was actually slashed into a bloody mess by this single sword strike, its bones fractured!

Its massive momentum also came to a halt, and its eyes revealed shock, rage, and disbelief.

It hadn't expected that this human who had suddenly appeared, with an aura of only the Third Level of the Wheel Sea Realm, would have such eerie and sharp sword techniques!

Ye Chen's strike succeeded, and without staying for a moment, he performed the "Phantom Step" within the Aura Gale.

His figure closed in like a ghost on the Wind Eagle leader, whose movements were slightly slowed by the intense pain, as the gray glow on the ice scar sword intensified again.

He stabbed directly at its relatively fragile neck!

The Wind Eagle leader was both shocked and enraged, ignoring its heavily injured front claw.

It jerked its head, its sharp beak like a long spear, letting out a piercing sound of breaking air as it pecked fiercely at Ye Chen's head!

At the same time, it flapped its wings wildly, and countless fine wind blades descended upon Ye Chen like a rainstorm!

Facing this ferocious counterattack, Ye Chen's expression remained unchanged.

He pushed the "Phantom Step" to its limit, and in the blink of an eye, his body twisted eerily.

He actually passed through the gaps between the beak and the wind blades, changing the ice scar sword's stab into an upward slash.

The gray sword light swept from bottom to top, slicing across the Wind Eagle leader's chest and abdomen!

“Puchi!”

Feathers flew, and blood splattered!

The Wind Eagle leader's chest and abdomen, which were harder than refined iron, were sliced open with a deep wound, and its internal organs were faintly visible!

It let out a shrill wail and no longer dared to stay and fight. It flapped its wings desperately, whipping up a gale.

It flew for its life toward the depths of the gorge, disappearing in an instant.

With their leader heavily injured and fleeing, the other two Iron Feather Wind Eagles that were attacking the female Disciples of Zixia Peak followed suit.

Seeing the situation, they also let out panicked cries and dared not fight any longer, following closely behind their leader and flying away in a panic.

In an instant, of the three fierce Iron Feather Wind Eagles, two had fled and one was heavily injured; the crisis was resolved.

Ye Chen sheathed his sword, panting slightly.

It had looked easy just now, but it was actually perilous.

That Wind Eagle leader's strength was extremely formidable.

If he hadn't taken it by surprise and used the eerie characteristics of Hunyuan True Essence to counter the opponent's wind blades,

combined with the fact that the opponent had been significantly exhausted by Leng Ningshuang and was caught off guard, the outcome would have been uncertain.

He turned around and looked behind him.

Leng Ningshuang had barely managed to prop up her body, leaning against the rock wall.

She was quietly watching him with a pair of beautiful eyes as cold and clear as a winter pool.

There were still traces of blood at the corner of her mouth and her face was pale, but the scrutiny and a hint of surprise in her eyes were clearly visible.

The three injured female Disciples of Zixia Peak also stood up, supporting each other.

The gazes they directed at Ye Chen were filled with gratitude and lingering fear.

“Thank you... for your help, Junior Brother.”

Leng Ningshuang's voice was somewhat weak but still cold and clear. She didn't seem good at expressing gratitude, and her tone sounded a bit stiff.

She looked at Ye Chen carefully, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes.

She seemed to find Ye Chen somewhat familiar, yet she couldn't remember where she had seen him.

“Fellow Disciples helping each other is only right.”

Ye Chen cupped his hands, his tone calm.

“How are Senior Sister Leng's injuries?”

“My internal organs were shaken and my Meridians are damaged. I need to regulate my breathing for a few days.”

Leng Ningshuang said simply, her gaze falling on the ice scar sword in Ye Chen's hand.

Then she looked at his young but steady face.

“Which Peak's Disciple are you? I seem... to have never seen you before.”

“Disciple Ye Chen, newly promoted to the Inner Sect, currently residing at Ziyun Peak.”

Ye Chen said.

“Ye Chen?”

A flash of realization crossed Leng Ningshuang's eyes, followed by a very faint trace of surprise deep within those cold eyes.

“So it's you. The Ye Chen who defeated Qin Lie in the arena battle and obtained the Vermilion Fruit in Chi Yang Valley.”

She had obviously heard Ye Chen's name before, but in the heat of the fierce battle just now, she hadn't recognized him.

“It is indeed this Disciple.”

Ye Chen nodded.

“No wonder...”

Leng Ningshuang whispered, unknown what she was thinking of.

She struggled to stand up, but it aggravated her injuries, and her brow furrowed slightly.

“Senior Sister, please don't move. Healing your injuries is the priority.”

Ye Chen took a step forward and took out a jade bottle from his Storage Ring.

He poured out two "Jade Dew Pills" bestowed by Elder Li, which were highly effective for internal injuries, and handed them over.

“These pills might be beneficial for Senior Sister's injuries.”

Leng Ningshuang glanced at Ye Chen and did not refuse. She took the Medicinal Pills and swallowed them, then said to the three female Disciples,

“You all take medicine to heal your injuries as well. This place is not suitable for a long stay; we must leave as soon as possible.”

“Yes, Senior Sister.”

The three female Disciples quickly responded, each taking their healing medicine and thanking Ye Chen once again.

Ye Chen also took out a few ordinary healing pills and handed them to them.

After the four of them had regulated their breathing for a while and stabilized their injuries, Ye Chen said,

“The environment in this Gale Gorge is harsh, and there are many Yao Beasts. It's better to leave the gorge first and find a safer place before making further plans.”

Leng Ningshuang nodded in agreement.

With Ye Chen's support, the five of them quickly left the Gale Gorge.

They found a sheltered mountain hollow nearby and settled down temporarily.

Ye Chen set up a simple early-warning Restriction at the mouth of the hollow.

Leng Ningshuang and the other three immediately sat cross-legged and focused all their efforts on healing.

Ye Chen also regulated his breathing nearby to recover from the exhaustion of the previous battle.

...

Several hours later, the sky gradually darkened.

Leng Ningshuang was the first to open her eyes. Her complexion looked much better, and her aura had stabilized.

She looked at Ye Chen, who was sitting nearby with his eyes closed, regulating his breathing, and her cold eyes flickered slightly.

“Junior Brother Ye.”

She spoke softly.

Ye Chen opened his eyes: “Senior Sister Leng, are your injuries feeling better?”

“It's no longer a major issue. Thank you for the pills, Junior Brother.”

Leng Ningshuang said, her tone slightly softer than before.

“I will remember today's life-saving grace, Leng Ningshuang. If you need anything in the future, you can come to Zixia Peak to find me.”

“Senior Sister, you're overstating it.”

Ye Chen shook his head.

Leng Ningshuang was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked,

“Junior Brother Ye, why are you alone in this Gale Gorge? The environment here is treacherous, and ordinary Disciples all avoid it.”

“The Cultivation Technique I Cultivate is somewhat special and requires using the Aura Gale to temper my Physical Body and sword techniques, so I came here.”

Ye Chen answered with a half-truth.

Leng Ningshuang nodded and did not pry further.

She looked toward the gorge, a hint of solemnity appearing on her cold face.

“Those three Iron Feather Wind Eagles, especially that leader, have strength far exceeding ordinary third-rank Middle Stage Yao Beasts, and their intelligence is quite high. They know how to hide their strength and wait for an Opportunity to ambush.”

“I suspect that their presence here is no accident. Perhaps they are guarding something, or they have been influenced by something.”

Ye Chen's heart stirred.

He also felt that the Wind Eagle leader was somewhat abnormal; its strength was excessively powerful.

Could there really be some secret deep within this Gale Gorge?

“What do you mean, Senior Sister?”

“This time I entered the Secret Realm, besides gaining experience, I also followed my master's orders to investigate a clue about a possible ancient ruin. The clue seems to point right here, deep within the Gale Gorge.”

Leng Ningshuang looked at Ye Chen and said slowly.

“Encountering the Wind Eagle attack today has made me even more certain that there is indeed something strange about this place. Junior Brother Ye's strength is extraordinary, and you seem quite adapted to the Aura Gale environment. I wonder if you would be willing to go deep into the gorge with me to investigate?”

She actually extended an invitation to Ye Chen.

Obviously, the strength Ye Chen displayed today and his life-saving grace had made her hold him in high regard.

She believed he was qualified to participate in this exploration.

Ye Chen pondered for a moment.

An ancient ruin?

This was an unexpected surprise.

In a Secret Realm, Opportunities often coexist with danger.

Leng Ningshuang was powerful and had a deep background. Traveling with her would be safer, and perhaps there really would be some gains.

Moreover, he also had doubts about the Wind Eagle leader's abnormality,

as well as the possible activities of "Shadow Fiend" in this area.

“It is this Disciple's honor to be able to travel with Senior Sister.”

Ye Chen cupped his hands.

“Only, those three Junior Sisters...”

“Their injuries haven't healed, and their strength is insufficient; it's not suitable for them to go deep.”

Leng Ningshuang looked at the three female Disciples who were still healing.

“I will have them wait here or go to a safe area on their own. Just the two of us will go.”

Hearing this, the three female Disciples,

although somewhat unwilling, also knew that what their Senior Sister said was the truth and could only nod.

“In that case, once Senior Sister's injuries have recovered a bit more, we will set out.”

Ye Chen said.

“Good.”

Leng Ningshuang nodded, said no more, and continued to close her eyes to regulate her breathing.

Ye Chen also calmed his mind, consolidating his newly broken-through cultivation while thinking about his next actions.

Traveling with a Core Disciple like Leng Ningshuang, who had great strength and a deep background,

was an Opportunity, but he also needed to be careful.

After all, he didn't know much about Leng Ningshuang's character.

The night deepened, and the mountain hollow was silent.

Only the wailing of the Aura Gale passing through the distant gorge could be heard faintly.