C48 Jing Miaoshuang Felt Helpless!

Jing Miaoshuang was utterly astounded. She fixed her gaze on Qiao Mao, whose face beneath the mask betrayed a look of sheer amazement.

Only those who had lived for over a century and possessed exceptional talent were capable of Pill Forming in Palm, earning them the title of Spirit Flame Great Master.

Yet here was a teenager, seemingly able to perform this incredible feat. Jing Miaoshuang couldn't fathom what she was witnessing.

Confronted with Jing Miaoshuang's bewilderment, Qiao Mao felt a pang of embarrassment. His youth was a liability; flaunting his abilities would only lead others to view him as a freak.

Currently without a Pill Furnace, Qiao Mao knew he had to fully purge the Nether Clan's essence from the Demonic Core. If Zhang Yu ingested it as it was, it would be fatal.

"My master taught me everything," Qiao Mao admitted, though he faltered, aware that Jing Miaoshuang might not take his word for it.

"What does that have to do with your master?" Jing Miaoshuang retorted with a roll of her eyes. "Even if your master is formidable, that doesn't explain how you could just conjure a pill in your hand out of thin air."

Both Spirit Flame Masters and warriors require innate talent to advance their strength. Rapid growth is only possible with a potent combination of talent and exceptional Comprehension Ability.

Qiao Mao's face clouded over with frustration. As expected, Jing Miaoshuang didn't believe him, but he wasn't taken aback. Given her enigmatic background and extensive knowledge, deceiving her was a tall order.

Naturally, Qiao Mao couldn't disclose to Jing Miaoshuang that he had been alive for over two centuries. And even if he did, she wouldn't accept such an extraordinary claim.

"To encounter such a prodigy in Fire Crow Country is truly remarkable," Jing Miaoshuang mused. She hailed from a prominent family, yet none of her clan's disciples could hold a candle to Qiao Mao.

"You'd be wise to keep your talent hidden from strangers until you can defend yourself," Jing Miaoshuang cautioned him. "There are many out there who take pleasure in eliminating geniuses."

Having talent was a blessing, but it also painted a target on his back. Jing Miaoshuang chalked up the situation to Qiao Mao's innate gifts, leaving him feeling rather powerless.

Moreover, Qiao Mao had lived for over two centuries, so he certainly grasped the concept well. That's why Jing Miaoshuang's warning touched his heart with warmth.

Qiao Mao was relieved he hadn't misread Jing Miaoshuang. Despite her initial aloofness, she was genuinely kind-hearted.

At first, Jing Miaoshuang had been somewhat distant with him, but now, impressed by Qiao Mao's talent, her demeanor had softened.

Qiao Mao smiled and nodded in appreciation, "Thank you, Miaoshuang. I won't forget this."

In no time at all, Qiao Mao had purged the Nether Clan's essence from the three Demonic Cores, expertly preserving their energy.

Jing Miaoshuang was no longer surprised by such feats. The young man's extraordinary talent before her left her at a loss for words.

His ability to effortlessly defeat a Mortality Transcending Level Nine Heaven expert with the prowess of a Martial Dao Great Master, along with his knowledge of the Nether Clan's three thousand vulnerabilities, was utterly astounding.

Jing Miaoshuang's curiosity about Qiao Mao intensified with each passing moment.

Zhang Yu stood quietly to the side. He had long recognized Qiao Mao's remarkable abilities. His heart was a mix of wry amusement and resignation, yet he also felt joy for Qiao Mao's success.

"Swallow them all. I'll assist you in refining them," Qiao Mao offered, passing the Demonic Cores to Zhang Yu.

Zhang Yu, eyeing the three Demonic Cores in Qiao Mao's hand, asked in astonishment, "Should I really take them all at once?"

The energy within even the most basic Demonic Core was immense, and one would typically consume just one at a time. Qiao Mao's suggestion for Zhang Yu to ingest all three left him speechless.

"Don't worry. With me here, what could possibly go wrong?" Qiao Mao reassured him with a smile.

Under normal circumstances, Qiao Mao would have Zhang Yu refine each core separately. But time was of the essence. He needed Zhang Yu to refine all three Demonic Cores at once to bolster his strength before the opening of the Red Moon Secret Realm.

Refining the three Demonic Cores simultaneously would unleash an overwhelming surge of energy. Though risky, it significantly increased Zhang Yu's chances of making a breakthrough.

Zhang Yu nodded in agreement. He took the three Demonic Cores from Qiao Mao's hand and swallowed them whole. Instantly, a torrent of immense energy surged through him, making him feel as though he was on the verge of bursting.

Without a word, Zhang Yu promptly sat down cross-legged. He activated his internal cultivation and began to refine the energy from the Demonic Cores. However, the effect was barely noticeable, leaving Zhang Yu in a state of intense discomfort, his forehead veins standing out starkly.

"Center your mind and concentrate," Qiao Mao commanded from beside him. His hands moved swiftly, patting Zhang Yu's back, channeling his own cultivation to aid in refining and directing the energy within Zhang Yu's body.

Zhang Yu could feel the seemingly boundless magic in Qiao Mao's hands, as the unruly Spiritual Energy within him began to dissipate and integrate into his system.

"The technique he's using is incredible," Jing Miaoshuang thought to herself, watching Qiao Mao assist Zhang Yu with the refinement process.

Typically, a person could only depend on themselves or their elders for such a task. Yet, to her surprise, the young man before her was not only capable of this but also exceptionally proficient.

Before long, a tumultuous aura erupted from within Zhang Yu, indicating an imminent breakthrough.

Zhang Yu was overjoyed. He hastened the dispersal of the medicinal power, and his aura grew increasingly potent. Soon after, he achieved his breakthrough.

"I've finally made it," Zhang Yu exclaimed, laughing heartily with sheer excitement.

Despite his high talent and strong will, he had been stuck at Mortality Transcending Level Seven Heaven for the past two years, which had been a source of frustration for him.

He never imagined that Qiao Mao would help him break through with such ease.

"Thank you," Zhang Yu said, bowing deeply to Qiao Mao.

"No need for thanks. First, solidify your cultivation, then we'll depart," Qiao Mao replied, clapping Zhang Yu on the shoulder.

In Qiao Mao's past life, he faintly recalled that Zhang Yu's legs had never fully recovered. When the Nether Clan invaded, Zhang Yu perished, harboring deep feelings of resentment.

Now, with Zhang Yu's leg injuries healed and his cultivation improved, he was destined for remarkable achievements.

Zhang Yu swiftly solidified his cultivation while Qiao Mao extended his Divine Sense to survey the surroundings. He observed young warriors passing by, all making their way toward the Red Moon Secret Realm.

"There are certainly a lot of geniuses gathered here," Qiao Mao sensed, feeling the presence of others outside and mused to himself.

The least skilled among them had reached Mortality Transcending Level Seven Heaven, with some even approaching the Half Step Spirit Wheel Stage. Their cultivation levels were formidable indeed.

In Martial Sun City, those at the Spirit Wheel Stage were revered like deities. A number of these youths were on the cusp of breaking through to that very stage.

All these young men hailed from prominent families in South Sun County, each possessing exceptional abilities and talents.

"It's rather odd. Why aren't there any signs of the Nether Clan?" Qiao Mao pondered silently.

With the Red Moon Secret Realm opening, the Nether Clan would undoubtedly be aware and would send representatives to vie for the treasures. Yet, Qiao Mao couldn't detect any trace of their presence.

"Can you sense the Nether Clan's aura?" Qiao Mao turned and inquired of Jing Miaoshuang.

Without a word, Jing Miaoshuang simply shook her head, indicating she too hadn't picked up on the Nether Clan's aura. This deepened Qiao Mao's bewilderment.

"Is it possible the Nether Clan has taken heed of past lessons?" he speculated internally. But he quickly dismissed the thought.

Qiao Mao knew the Nether Clan to be ruthlessly cunning. Aware of the Red Moon Secret Realm's opening, they would surely seek to meddle.

Yet, as of now, there was no sign of the Nether Clan. There had to be some concealed mystery; otherwise, the vicinity of the Red Moon Secret Realm would already be rife with murderous auras and the stench of blood.

Suddenly, Qiao Mao's aura intensified, as if he were a dormant beast gradually awakening.

"Su Baishui," he growled inwardly, his intent to kill palpable.

Jing Miaoshuang was taken aback, observing Qiao Mao with a hint of alarm. His current demeanor was enough to instill a sense of danger. She was somewhat familiar with Su Baishui and knew he wasn't malevolent.

"Su Baishui is a prodigious talent from the Su family in South Sun County. To my knowledge, he's not affiliated with the Nether Clan, nor is he inherently evil," Jing Miaoshuang remarked, puzzled by the situation.

Qiao Mao was momentarily taken aback, but he quickly suppressed his aura. It was then that he remembered the Nether Clan had not yet invaded, and Su Baishui had no association with them.

Su Baishui didn't seem like a villain. Yet, in Qiao Mao's past life, it was Su Baishui who had led a small tribe of the Nether Clan to invade Martial Sun City, leaving it defenseless. Ultimately, Martial Sun City was laid to waste.

By that time, the Qiao family had been decimated, and Qiao Mao had long since departed from Martial Sun City. Nonetheless, for Qiao Mao, Martial Sun City would always be his home.

Despite the destruction of his family and the loss of his loved ones, Qiao Mao's connection to his hometown remained unaltered. He harbored a wealth of memories from Martial Sun City.

"I just find this person somewhat peculiar," Qiao Mao managed to say, stifling the rage within him and forcing a strained smile. Given the chance, he would not hesitate to take that person's life.

"We're running out of time. We should get moving," Qiao Mao proposed.

Once the trio had departed, they swiftly made their way to the Red Moon Secret Realm, where a large crowd had already assembled.

Surveying the gathered individuals, Qiao Mao reflected, "It seems that over half of South Sun County's young prodigies are here."

The thought struck him: "With so many of South Sun County's young talents in one place, should the Nether Clan strike, the loss would be catastrophic."

This realization caused Qiao Mao to break out in a cold sweat. The death of a few was inconsequential, but a total annihilation would mean the loss of half the county's future strength, a prospect too dire to contemplate.