C7 Spirit Stone

Woo Yang was acutely aware that he couldn't afford to release his grip. He was already sensing the birth of his soul force, a growth that was both subtle and ineffable, emanating from deep within.

It was all thanks to this massive tree!

The soul seed had spread throughout every inch of the tree, and if he were to let go, it would instantly sever its connection with him.

How long this process would take, Woo Yang had no idea. The pain had started out as explosive, and then his soul endured sensations of being scorched by flames and encased in frost.

Finally, when a sphere of icy fire emerged from within him, Woo Yang was roused by the manual. His eyes fluttered open to find the forest gone, replaced by the familiar shabbiness of his own little hut.

Upon awakening, Woo Yang felt sore all over. His bones ached as if they had been shattered and glued back together, and his shoulder bore a ghastly gash, the flesh torn away by some mysterious force.

"The vulnerability incurred by activating the weakness analysis, and the secret realm obtained without sacrificing my lifespan—the manual was spot on."

Though he had ventured into the secret realm without depleting his lifespan, the wounds he sustained were undeniably real. Woo Yang had achieved his objective; he now possessed soul force and was ready to embark on the path of a Dao Pattern Master.

Three days passed, and Woo Yang's frailty had vanished entirely. Nourished by spiritual energy and soul force, his body's recovery was swift. The old adage claimed it took a hundred days to recover from bone and sinew injuries, but in a mere three days, his wounds were nearly mended.

It must be said, Woo Yang's transformed physique was now among the most extraordinary within his warrior lineage.

He had acquired soul force, yet Woo Yang was not yet ready to be a Rank One Dao Pattern Master. To achieve that title, he first needed to craft his inaugural Dao Pattern.

A Dao Pattern could be etched wherever he desired, provided the chosen surface could withstand the soul force.

"Ah, I have no choice but to use this. Father, forgive my seeming disloyalty, but if I don't proceed, our lineage will end here."

Woo Yang retrieved a bow and arrow from beneath his bed, crafted from the bones of a Vicious Beast. This weapon alone was suitable for inscribing his first Dao Pattern.

"Dao Pattern, ignite the soul fire, let the Dao Light blaze; reveal the spirit, forge the script!"

Woo Yang had not rested the entire night, channeling all his energy into crafting the Dao Pattern.

Though merely a novice Rank One Soul Disciple, his soul force was significantly stronger than that of his peers, thanks to the ignition of a Rank Four Soul Seed.

With only a single bow and two arrows at his disposal, failure was not an option for Woo Yang.

A single misstep would mean the loss of his opportunity.

With less than four days to reach Qi Stage Rank Four, he was determined to seize this moment to rapidly ascend to the rank of Dao Pattern Master. Armed with Dao Pattern weapons, he planned to trade for Spirit Stones to accelerate his cultivation.

Sweat dripped from his chin onto the bow and arrows, casting a soft red halo that danced along the surface of the longbow. The arrowheads, as if tempered by flames, retained a lingering warmth.

"Success! A Rank One Top Grade Dao Pattern Weapon!" Woo Yang exclaimed, elated, as he brandished the bow and arrows.

As dawn broke and the sky remained a dusky gray, Woo Yang donned a gray linen robe, wrapping himself snugly before slipping out of the Woo family home.

He moved swiftly, casting glances behind to ensure no family members were in pursuit. His intent was clear—to conduct business undetected, for discovery by his clan would jeopardize his dealings.

Navigating through the winding streets, Woo Yang arrived at the Martial Vine Blue Pavilion. The morning crowd thickened, yet he went unnoticed.

This was the city's hub for weapon sales, where ordinary arms were the norm. However, the emergence of weapons crafted from rare materials would incite a frenzy among the warriors.

Divine weapons imbued with Spirit Power were exceedingly rare treasures.

"Fetch your manager to see me," Woo Yang commanded in a raspy tone, approaching the counter.

The waiter, unimpressed, continued his conversation with a Qi Stage Rank One warrior. Undeterred, Woo Yang slammed his hand on the table, sending a reverberating hum through the wall of weapons.

"Qi Stage Rank Three!"

The warrior, startled by the sudden display of power, hastily retreated, wary of crossing Woo Yang.

"Do I need to repeat myself?"

"No, no, that won't be necessary. What can I do for you today, sir?"

A portly middle-aged man descended the stairs, nonchalantly brushing past the waiter frozen in place. Accompanying him was a woman of stunning beauty.

Her skin was as flawless as porcelain, her hair cascaded like a raven waterfall, her eyebrows delicate wisps of smoke, and her eyes sparkled like stars. The playful tilt of her nose, coupled with her slightly pursed lips—irresistibly enticing and as soft as cherries—added to her allure.

Her presence immediately captivated the few patrons within the modest establishment. Woo Yang glanced her way and was momentarily transfixed.

"Master, this isn't the season for such... fervor."

"Be quiet!"

Woo Yang's shout drew all eyes to him, creating an instant and palpable awkwardness. The Qingcheng beauty watched Woo Yang intently, a giggle escaping her as she demurely covered her mouth. It was rare for someone to resist her charms, and she found Woo Yang's indifference intriguing.

"I mean... there was a bit of a commotion outside just now. Ahem, you're the proprietor, correct? I have a lucrative deal to discuss with you."

With that, Woo Yang requested the shopkeeper to accompany him to the secluded backyard.

The shopkeeper, intrigued by Woo Yang's display of third-layer Qi Stage prowess, was curious. His establishment typically catered to first and second-level martial artists; a Rank Three was a distinguished guest.

Meanwhile, the woman seemed indifferent to Woo Yang. With a subtle grace, she ascended to the loft, her steps light and measured.

Woo Yang presented the Dao Pattern Bow he had crafted overnight to the shopkeeper. "In this world, there are Alchemists, Beast Tamers, and Formation Masters. Have you ever heard of a Dao Pattern Master?"

"Speak plainly, sir. There's no need for circumlocution."

Despite his unkempt appearance, the shopkeeper's response was refreshingly direct.

"Well, if that's the case, I'll get straight to the point. This bow and arrow set in my possession is the work of a Dao Pattern Master, a weapon engraved with Dao Patterns."

This Dao Pattern wields the power to transform decay into wonder. The bow's beast bone was once just a common Vicious Beast bone, somewhat tougher than typical materials. Yet, once marked with the Dao Pattern, it ascended to the rank of a divine weapon!"

Woo Yang drew the bow and released an arrow.

Whoosh!

As the arrow flew from the bow, it morphed into a rocket mid-flight, its dark blue flame fueled by Spirit Power and infused with the might of the Dao Pattern.

Woo Yang targeted the backyard wall. With a swift whoosh and a resounding boom, the rocket cleanly pierced through the barrier. Even after the arrow vanished beyond the wall, leaving only a smoldering hole, flames continued to cling to its surface.

Before the shopkeeper could utter a word, the ground outside the wall erupted, a massive crater forming in an instant.

"This..."

Even the well-versed shopkeeper was astounded by the power of Woo Yang's bow and arrow. From the balcony above, a woman had been watching Woo Yang. Witnessing the spectacle, she furrowed her brows and leapt down, landing gracefully beside him.

In that moment, she ceased to mask her presence, and Woo Yang was taken aback. Was this woman truly a Qi Stage Layer Eight prodigy?

"Please excuse my boldness, Hero, but where did this weapon in your hands come from?"

Her voice was melodious, reminiscent of a bubbling brook. She stepped toward Woo Yang, her overwhelming Spirit Power and her unique scent enveloping him, making it hard for him to catch his breath.

"Even if I've managed to catch your eye, there's no need for such haste, is there?"

Despite his racing pulse at the sight of the beauty, Woo Yang quickly regained his composure. He was in it for the long haul, aiming to conduct business that would last. He couldn't afford to let anyone think he lacked a solid backing. Only by maintaining an air of mystery could he command respect and deter potential deceit.

"I apologize for my impertinence." Qingcheng hesitated briefly, then promptly dialed back her aura.

Could it be that he knew she would be here today and intentionally used the shopkeeper, Hong Sanpang, to draw her attention?

Qingcheng pondered, wondering if this man had a mentor of high caliber guiding him. How else could a mere Rank Three Qi Stage warrior come to possess such a divine weapon?

"Actually, I mentioned earlier that these bows and arrows are Dao Pattern weapons. My master is one of the pioneers of Dao Patterns. I have a few of his failed attempts at engraving, which are essentially defective pieces. If you're interested, I'm willing to part with all of these Dao Pattern weapons in exchange for some Spirit Stones."

"How many Dao Pattern weapons do you have?"

"At the moment, I have ten. If you're truly interested, there could be more available in the future."

"I'll take them all, including this one. Would a thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones suffice?"

Qingcheng's voice betrayed a hint of excitement. She had witnessed the might of the Dao Pattern weapon firsthand. Even without employing any Spirit Power, the combined bow and arrow could unleash the force equivalent to Qi Stage Layer Two—a veritable divine weapon.

"A thousand?" Woo Yang's voice was tinged with feigned dissatisfaction, though inside he was thrilled beyond measure.

Even the inner disciples of the Woo family received fewer than two hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones per year. Completing numerous missions for the family might yield at most five hundred.

And here he was, about to make a deal worth a thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones. The very thought was enough to make anyone green with envy.

"Not enough? How about one thousand five hundred then? Consider the extra five hundred as a token of our newfound friendship. The power of the remaining ten weapons must not be inferior to this bow and arrow."

"The bow and arrow are not for sale; they're merely a sample for your perusal. You can give me half the Spirit Stones upfront. In a few days, I'll ensure the rest of the Dao Pattern weapons are delivered here."

The bow and arrow Woo Yang held were treasured family relics, not meant for sale.

"Friend, don't you think you're being somewhat presumptuous? What if you take the Spirit Stones and disappear? Who will I turn to for the weapons then?"

The shopkeeper's face showed a flicker of annoyance, but a stern glance from Qingcheng quickly drained the color from his cheeks, prompting him to bow and back away.

With a serene smile, Qingcheng responded, "If you wish to test my sincerity, that's fine by me. I'm not concerned about you running off with the Spirit Stones. No matter where you hide, I will find you. Bring me a thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones!"