C13 Consuming the Supreme Spirit Pill!

*Ding! Ding!*

Out of the blue, the lake erupted with a flurry of bubbles. The Mountain Bear paused, a surge of elation replacing its surprise. Could it be that the accursed human was finally emerging? It eagerly rubbed its paws together, ready for a showdown.

*Splash!*

The water's surface shattered as a massive, terrifying shadow burst forth, soaring dozens of meters into the air, eclipsing the sun like a colossal mountain peak!

Of course, it wasn't really a mountain, for mountains don't sprout dense green scales, nor do they possess lantern-sized eyes or a gaping maw capable of swallowing a bull whole.

The Mountain Bear issued a roar of fury and despair. Clamped in the beast's jaws, it was dragged into the depths. The lake churned momentarily before settling into a disturbing calm, stained red with billowing blood.

"Wow! Ox-head Azure Dragon!" Chen Wuji whispered from within the jade pendant, "My disciple, you certainly have a knack for trouble, running straight into the den of a Level 5 Demonic Beast."

Lin Chen nearly drowned in his shock.

What did he say? A Level 5 Demonic Beast?

Chen Wuji let out a sigh. "Enough with the hiding. The Qi Transformation and Breath Concealment Technique is impressive, but it's only effective against simpletons like the Mountain Bear."

Lin Chen gestured wildly, his features contorted as he tried to convey his thoughts.

Chen Wuji understood. "You're wondering why the Ox-head Azure Dragon, having seen through your disguise, didn't kill you?"

Lin Chen nodded frantically.

"You're overestimating yourself, or perhaps you're placing too much importance on your human status. To a Level 5 Demonic Beast, your Body Tempering Level 5 is as insignificant as an ant. If an ant scurries into your home, would you bother to go out of your way to crush it?"

Lin Chen blinked, realization dawning. The Ox-head Azure Dragon had indeed disregarded him as nothing more than an ant.

And the ill-fated Mountain Bear? Likely too mischievous for its own good, it had caused a ruckus with its bellowing and stone-throwing, akin to a mangy dog that had intruded into a home. The Ox-head Azure Dragon, the "homeowner," had swiftly dealt with the nuisance.

Lin Chen figured that if the Ox-head Azure Dragon couldn't be bothered to kill him, there was no point in continuing to hide at the bottom of the lake.

Was it really a mistake for a little ant that wandered into the wrong home to want to return?

With that thought, he decisively swam to the surface, emerged from the lake, and quickly made his way onto the shore, rapidly putting distance between himself and the water.

The whole ordeal was nerve-wracking, filled with trepidation and fear, yet the Ox-head Azure Dragon showed no interest in his plans.

Surviving the encounter left Lin Chen feeling a bit wounded in pride. To be so insignificant that even a Demonic Beast couldn't muster interest in him was a sorrowful realization.

"This Ox-head Azure Dragon must be at the apex of the Sunset Mountain's food chain. I'm starting to think there's only this one Level 5 Demonic Beast in the entire range," Chen Wuji pondered aloud. "That means, in your day of fleeing, you've unwittingly made it to the heart of the Sunset Mountain... and to not have been killed by any Demonic Beast along the way, that's some incredible luck, kid."

Lin Chen could only offer a wry smile in response. "What's troubling me now is figuring out how to leave this place. Luck is anything but reliable."

"Don't rush. Now that we're here, within the territory of the Ox-head Azure Dragon, it's likely eaten all the stronger Demonic Beasts. You can use this time to enhance your strength," Chen Wuji advised.

"What about the Supreme Spirit Fruit?" Lin Chen asked, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.

"Exactly. Don't rush to use it just yet. Find a safe spot, and I'll guide you on how to properly utilize it."

...

As the sun neared the horizon, the Sunset Mountain range basked in the splendor of the evening sky, a breathtaking sight.

But Lin Chen had no desire to admire the view. He pulled out the vibrant Supreme Spirit Fruit.

"What's the real use of this thing? You've been vague before and never gave me a straight answer."

Chen Wuji gazed at the Supreme Spirit Fruit and began to explain slowly, "The Supreme Spirit Fruit is an exceedingly rare medicinal herb. It comes from an extraordinary little tree that faces great difficulty in growing. It only thrives in areas saturated with Spiritual Qi. Moreover, it blooms once every fifty years and bears fruit every century. The most challenging part is that the tree yields only a single fruit in its lifetime. Once the fruit falls, the tree perishes, leaving no seeds behind."

Lin Chen felt his horizons had been broadened as he marveled, "Such a tree exists?"

"Yes, which is why each Supreme Spirit Fruit can only be obtained by chance. It's impossible for humans to cultivate them. They're truly rare treasures. The Supreme Spirit Fruit you have contains the essence of spiritual energy that the tree has accumulated over hundreds of years. The energy is immensely powerful. Even a Genuine Cultivator would meet only one fate if they consumed it directly: their body would explode, resulting in death."

Startled, Lin Chen quickly asked, "Then how should I eat it?"

This was something he had risked his life to obtain. If he couldn't reap the benefits, he'd likely be so frustrated it would cause him physical harm.

Chen Wuji transformed into a misty shadow and emerged from the jade pendant, slowly taking on his original form. His stunning beauty was enough to bewitch even the most stoic of men.

"Give me the Supreme Spirit Fruit."

Lin Chen passed the fruit to him, and Chen Wuji disappeared into the jade pendant with it.

Confused about what was happening, Lin Chen had no choice but to wait.

After a full six hours, Chen Wuji's voice finally emerged, tinged with a hint of fatigue. "Here."

A round object flew out of the pendant. Lin Chen quickly caught it and saw that it was a small pill, glistening like a ruby. He counted twelve in total. They smelled incredibly fragrant.

"Based on your cultivation level and physical strength, I've divided the medicinal power of the Supreme Spirit Fruit into twelve Supreme Spirit Pills. Each pill contains an amount of spiritual energy that you should be able to withstand without your body exploding."

Lin Chen's eyelids twitched. "Should?"

"Do you want them or not? If not, give them back."

"I want them!"

"Hmph."

Lin Chen gazed at the Supreme Spirit Pills rolling in his palm, his heart ablaze with excitement, as if he were caressing twelve unparalleled beauties.

He carefully stored eleven pills and, without a moment's hesitation, popped one into his mouth, crunching it like a bean. After chewing it to bits, he swallowed and promptly sat down cross-legged to meditate.

Boom!

A terrifying surge of Spiritual Energy erupted within him, coursing through his meridians like a horde of uncontrollable, rampaging dragons, violently crashing against one another.

His meridians were suddenly assaulted by a torrent of Spiritual Energy, sending a pain akin to tearing straight to his brain. Lin Chen nearly cried out, but he quickly bit down on his teeth and continued his meditation.

This was supposed to be the sweet payoff after enduring hardship, yet Lin Chen was anything but relaxed. The Spiritual Energy from the Supreme Spirit Fruit was overwhelmingly potent. Only a being with a physique as formidable as a Level 3 Demonic Beast would dare to consume and absorb it directly. For Lin Chen, who was merely at Body Tempering Level 5, managing even one-twelfth of that amount was proving to be a daunting task.

It was at this moment that he truly understood his master's warning about the risk of exploding was no laughing matter. With such fearsome Spiritual Energy roaming through his meridians, losing control would mean an immediate and catastrophic explosion.