Chapter 352: Tofu Heart (Third Update, Begging for Monthly Tickets!)
Qin Mu tried to struggle to his feet, but suddenly a cracking sound came from his legs. Both thigh bones were covered in cracks from the fall, and now that he exerted force, they snapped completely.
Pain wracked his body, causing convulsions, and then both his arms broke as well. Qin Mu didn't dare move, didn't dare twitch, and barely dared to breathe.
He didn't dare use any strength now, afraid that even a single rough breath would shatter all his ribs.
His magical power was also depleted, unable to retrieve the dragon saliva from his Taotie pouch to heal his wounds.
Pain drowned him, and beads of sweat kept pouring out.
All the sword wounds on his body burst open, blood flowing freely. Qin Mu felt his body growing hot, as scorching as magma, but he understood this was an illusion—a false sensation caused by his brain due to excessive blood loss and his body beginning to cool.
He had learned about this from the pharmacist.
If his blood continued to flow, he would surely die.
From the nearby pit came a thumping sound. Qin Mu's heart sank in despair: "Could it be that I'm the fake Overlord Body? No... it's just that I wasn't diligent enough, that I failed to unleash the full power of the Overlord Body..."
He had nearly fought to mutual destruction, barely winning by half a move, but he himself was completely incapacitated.
Suddenly, three streams of energy shot out from the nearby pit, like three rainbows landing beside Qin Mu and drilling into his body.
Qin Mu immediately felt his bones shifting inside him, the broken bones reconnecting, the cracks on his bones healing on their own, and the wounds on his body rapidly mending themselves!
The teeth he had lost earlier were even growing back!
Qin Mu blinked in surprise, then heard a sound like rushing water—it came from within his body, the surging sound of his primal energy. His cultivation was recovering at an astonishing speed!
His strength was also returning, the injuries in his muscles healing themselves. Soon, Qin Mu felt that his wounds were about seventy or eighty percent healed.
Not only that, but he also sensed a strange power coming from the three rainbows, causing drastic changes in his Spirit Embryo divine repository. Qin Mu immediately saw his primal energy seemingly liquefying, embracing the Spirit Embryo and spinning around it. His Spirit Embryo felt as if it were soaking in a warm ocean, incredibly comfortable.
"The last time I felt this comfortable was when I was about three years old. I was sleeping in Granny's bed, dreaming of finding a toilet. I finally found one, but ended up wetting the bed. Then Granny grabbed me by the leg and threw me into a snow pit."
Qin Mu blinked. This should be what they called the three primordials: Heavenly Primordial, Earthly Primordial, and Water Primordial.
As the power of the three primordials surged in, his Spirit Embryo divine repository underwent a dramatic transformation. His Spirit Embryo grew rapidly, and the spiritual platform beneath it also expanded continuously, like a small continent.
The primal energy exhaled from the Spirit Embryo's mouth and nose rose up, gathering into a mass of rolling energy, red and glowing, suspended in midair.
It didn't look like the sun.
And the liquefied primal energy gathered together like a water ball, not like the moon either. His Spirit Embryo divine repository still couldn't compare to the divine repository of a god.
Qin Mu tried to activate the Overlord Body Three-Pellet Art, but felt the technique still had some sluggishness—there must be some hidden injuries not yet healed.
"Congratulations, Human Sovereign, on achieving the Three Primordial Breakthrough."
Suddenly, the mountains vanished, and the sun and moon in the sky disappeared without a trace. Qin Mu found himself lying in a grand hall, on a cold stone slab.
Qin Mu struggled to his feet and saw five elders, seated in five different positions, high above him, looking almost as ancient as the Three Primordial Elders.
He looked around; this wasn't the Three Primordial Hall he had entered. It seemed to be another hall, and the appearance of these five elders was different from the Three Primordial Elders.
Qin Mu steadied himself. His whole body ached, and his legs and hands were still trembling.
"Where are the three old immortals from before?" Qin Mu asked, his voice trembling slightly.
"The Three Primordial Elders are not here."
One of the old scattered cultivators, though short in stature, had an extremely loud and resonant voice, saying, "We are the Five Radiance Scattered Cultivators, and this is the Five Qi Hall. We saw from the Five Qi Hall that the Human Sovereign achieved the Three Primordial Breakthrough, and we are truly filled with admiration. After your breakthrough, you were sent to the Five Qi Hall, about to face the Five Qi Trial."
"I achieved the Three Primordial Breakthrough?"
Qin Mu was both surprised and delighted, but his legs still trembled uncontrollably, unable to stop.
"He really is the fake Overlord Body. I am the true Overlord Body!" the youth said smugly.
The Five Radiance Scattered Cultivators were baffled by this remark, showing puzzled expressions, not understanding what Overlord Body or fake Overlord Body meant.
Qin Mu tried to stand steady, but his thighs still shook, and his arms also trembled uncontrollably.
One of the old scattered cultivators frowned slightly and said, "The Human Sovereign is the second person to pass the Three Primordial Breakthrough. Do you intend to challenge the Five Qi Breakthrough?"
Qin Mu simply sat down on the ground to avoid falling and embarrassing himself, and asked, "How does the Five Qi Breakthrough compare to the Three Primordial Breakthrough?"
"A bit more difficult."
An old woman said kindly, "Since the Human Sovereign was able to achieve the Three Primordial Breakthrough, which has already strengthened your foundation, the Five Qi Breakthrough shouldn't be too difficult either."
"A bit more difficult?"
Qin Mu was startled and shook his head, saying, "Five seniors, could you make an exception and allow me to come back another day to challenge it?"
He was truly in no condition to challenge the Five Qi Breakthrough now.
Although he had defeated the young deity and obtained the three primordials, and his injuries were mostly healed, the soreness in his body hadn't dissipated. Moreover, the final leap from a mountain thousands of feet high had left a tremendous psychological impact. Not only was his body trembling, but his soul was also shaking, completely unsettled.
The five scattered cultivators saw his poor state and exchanged glances. One of the elders said, "Our Little Jade Capital has never had such a rule before. If one passes the trial of the Three Primordial Hall, they can enter our Five Qi Hall. If they fail, they leave. There has never been a case of stopping midway."
Another old woman said, "However, achieving the Three Primordial Breakthrough is truly rare. The last person to do so was seven thousand years ago. Since the Human Sovereign has come this far, it would be too harsh not to allow him to challenge another day."
The five elders discussed among themselves, and the leading elder said, "Since the Human Sovereign has spoken, our Little Jade Capital is not inflexible. Then we will wait until the Human Sovereign has recovered before challenging the Five Qi Hall."
"Thank you!" Qin Mu struggled to his feet and bowed to the five elders.
When he straightened up, the scene before him changed again. He was now outside the Three Primordial Hall, where Heavenly Primordial True Man, Earthly Primordial True Man, and Water Primordial True Man were talking with Clear Stream Mountain Man. Clear Stream Mountain Man wore a shocked expression, while the Village Chief showed a modestly proud look.
"Human Sovereign."
The Three Primordial Elders all bowed. Heavenly Primordial True Man asked in surprise, "Why did the Human Sovereign come out without experiencing the Five Qi Breakthrough?"
Qin Mu's legs were still trembling, and he said, "The Five Radiance Scattered Cultivators saw that I was in poor condition and allowed me to enter the Five Qi Hall another day for another challenge. Clear Stream Immortal, can the trial of the Five Qi Hall be postponed for a few days?"
Clear Stream Mountain Man's expression relaxed, and he said seriously, "The Human Sovereign's current state is indeed unsuitable for continuing the battle. After the Five Qi Hall comes the Six Harmonies Hall. Old Dao Master and Old Tathagata also need some time to familiarize themselves with the Six Harmonies Hall. Very well, the Human Sovereign can come to my Little Jade Capital again in a while and break through both the Five Qi Hall and the Six Harmonies Hall at once."
Qin Mu probed, "Then, about the matter of the Little Jade Capital's experts descending the mountain..."
Clear Stream Mountain Man smiled and said, "Originally, I only planned to follow you down the mountain if you defeated three disciples of my Little Jade Capital. Now that you've achieved the Three Primordial Breakthrough, you've exceeded my expectations. Since I promised you, I naturally won't go back on my word."
Qin Mu was surprised. Clear Stream Mountain Man had never given him a good face since he came up the mountain, always mocking and sarcastic. Why was he being so agreeable now?
Clear Stream Mountain Man said to the Three Primordial Elders, "Three senior brothers, I am going down the mountain with the Human Sovereign to handle some worldly affairs. I will be away from the mountain for a while. Please take on more work during this time."
Water Primordial True Man said, "The mortal world is full of disturbances, hard to settle an immortal's heart. Younger brother, when you go down the mountain, be careful not to let it disturb the purity of your heart."
Clear Stream Mountain Man laughed and said, "I have already experienced the mortal world once. My worldly heart is long dead. Rest assured, I will definitely return."
He then called over Wang Muran, Mu Qingdai, and Long Yu, saying, "I am going down the mountain with the Human Sovereign. You will come with me. There's no need to stay in Little Jade Capital your whole lives, accompanying us old folks. There's no fun in that."
The three were both surprised and delighted. They had long wanted to go down the mountain, but the rules of Little Jade Capital were strict, and Clear Stream Mountain Man usually never allowed them to go down for training.
Clear Stream Mountain Man also took his leave from Old Dao Master and Old Tathagata. The two old men smiled and said, "We only just escaped worldly affairs, seeking peace and quiet by coming to Little Jade Capital, and now you're jumping back into the mortal world. Clear Stream Immortal, I'm afraid you'll get stained by the mortal world and won't be able to jump out!"
Clear Stream Mountain Man said solemnly, "You worry too much. I am only going down the mountain to fulfill a promise. Once the promise is fulfilled, I will return. Worldly matters cannot hold me back."
"I hope so."
Clear Stream Mountain Man then invited two other old immortals, saying, "Wandering Cloud, Dark River, you two senior brothers are skilled in divination. Will you come down the mountain with me?"
The two old immortals smiled and said, "It's good to take a walk down the mountain."
Wang Muran rode over a large stag. This stag was the mount of Scattered Cultivator Zhen, who had died at the hands of the Prime Minister of Yankang. His mount was now raised by Wang Muran.
This great stag was no less impressive than the Dragon Qilin. Because the Dragon Qilin was fat, the stag appeared even more majestic, casting a disdainful glance at the Dragon Qilin, looking down on this cat-like creature.
The Dragon Qilin was already used to this and didn't mind. Xiong Qier whispered, "Fat Dragon, the stag is looking down on you."
"Let it spit on my face and let it dry."
The Dragon Qilin seemed to have already attained enlightenment: "Let it be arrogant; the breeze brushes the mountain ridge."
The group left Little Jade Capital. Clear Stream Mountain Man looked back once, feeling a surge of emotion, and said to the Village Chief, "Many years ago, when I left this place with you, I was full of ambition, determined to accomplish something earth-shattering. When I returned, I was dejected, my ambition ground to dust. I thought I would never leave again, but here I am, invited out of Little Jade Capital by your disciple. What a twist of fate."
"It wasn't Mu'er who invited you; it was your own heart that stirred."
The Village Chief said meaningfully, "Was it the wind moving or the banner moving? It was the benevolent heart moving."
Clear Stream Mountain Man laughed heartily and said, "You're wrong. My worldly heart is dead; it won't come back to life!"
The Village Chief shook his head and laughed, "A knife mouth but a tofu heart. Mu'er, don't let this old fellow's fierce demeanor fool you. He's actually the most fragile. If you hurt his feelings, his tofu heart will shatter into pieces, and you won't be able to glue it back together!"
Clear Stream Mountain Man sneered, "My heart shattered and can't be glued back? You were the one lying on the ground crying just now!"
The Village Chief was furious: "When Fairy Xueqi left you back then, who was the one lying on the ground crying like a fountain?"
"You cried miserably just now and even wanted the Human Sovereign to hug you!"
"You shamelessly begged for a reunion, crying your eyes out—did you ever think I'd use that to mock you today?"
"You even wiped your snot on the Human Sovereign's chest!"
...
Qin Mu's eyes widened. These two old men, whose combined age must have been at least sixteen hundred years, were still bickering endlessly, exposing each other's weaknesses and digging up each other's embarrassing pasts.
"They're getting younger as they age, both old children."
Qin Mu shook his head and thought to himself, "Where did Cripple Grandpa go? If the Dao Sect experts didn't catch up to him, he must have already entered Little Jade Capital. I spent two or three days in Little Jade Capital. In that time, Cripple Grandpa could have turned Little Jade Capital upside down several times. Also, I wonder how the war on the grasslands is going. Has the Prime Minister reached the Loulan Golden Palace?"
On the Great Snowy Mountain, outside the Loulan Golden Palace, the atmosphere was grim.
The Prime Minister of Yankang stood with his hands behind his back, expressionless, his gaze fixed on the magnificent, golden palace. Behind him, tens of thousands of Yankang soldiers stood in orderly ranks, making no sound. Even the war beasts in the army made no noise.
"Prime Minister, Khan Luandi has come to surrender!" A general stepped forward and bowed.