Checking in for 100,000 Years

"Is it that Nine-tailed Spirit Cat?"

In the void, the Golden Winged Roc's face was grim, waves of murderous intent radiating from his golden pupils.

He had just been subjected to a Mental Attack.

According to the information he possessed, the Nine-tailed Spirit Cat Clan should not possess such an Innate Divine Ability for Mental Attacks.

If they did, back in the valley, the Nine-tailed Spirit Cat wouldn't have let me get the Eternal Life Immortal Grass, he thought.

Could it be... the Nine-tailed Fox Demon?

The Golden Winged Roc shifted his suspicion to the Nine-tailed Fox Demon, but after a moment's thought, he dismissed the idea. The Nine-tailed Fox Demon had also been in the valley at the time; her Divine Skills in speed could not compare to his, nor could she have tracked him so far.

Then who on earth could it be?

After much consideration, the Golden Winged Roc still couldn't figure out who had ambushed him.

However, the Nine-tailed Spirit Cat and the Sky Spirit Cat had been following him closely just moments ago. Now that both had disappeared, they must have seen who stole the Eternal Life Immortal Grass.

"I'll go find those two!" The Golden Winged Roc raised his head and, with a slight flap of his wings, prepared to seek out the Nine-tailed Spirit Cat.

Suddenly, his pupils contracted slightly.

He spotted a cluster of golden light in a valley several miles away. In its center grew an Eternal Life Immortal Grass, emitting a faint, ethereal light.

To lose at sunrise but gain at sunset! What a stroke of luck!

A glint of joy appeared in the Golden Winged Roc's eyes, and in that instant, he changed his mind about finding the Nine-tailed Spirit Cat.

Now that this mountain range was apparently teeming with Eternal Life Immortal Grass… he should prioritize collecting it.

Having cleared his thoughts, the Golden Winged Roc spread his wings and flew over. Descending into the valley, he snatched up the five-leaf Eternal Life Immortal Grass with a single claw.

After swallowing this Eternal Life Immortal Grass, the Golden Winged Roc flapped his wings and flew off towards other locations.

「Deep in the mountains.」

Big Black Cat, pulling Cat Baby along, descended from mid-air and landed in a safe valley.

THUD!

As soon as he landed, Big Black Cat's body swayed, and he spat out another mouthful of fresh blood. Cat Baby, right behind him, also coughed up a mouthful of blood.

Both were severely injured. Big Black Cat's condition was particularly grave, exacerbated by his relentless pursuit of the Golden Winged Roc.

Big Black Cat's face was pale, drained of all color. His breathing was labored, and sharp pains wracked his internal organs.

"Big Brother, are you alright? I have some Healing Pills here. Why don't you take one…"

Cat Baby took out a white porcelain vial, poured out two pills, swallowed one herself, and then offered the other to him.

Big Black Cat shook his head, refusing.

What if this pill is poison? he worried. He had finally managed to snatch the Nine-leaf Longevity Immortal Grass; he couldn't afford any mishaps involving Cat Baby now.

Although he and Cat Baby had faced life and death together, fighting their way through chaos, he still couldn't bring himself to fully trust her.

Struggling, Big Black Cat sat down on a rock to catch his breath, fresh blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

It's a pity I don't have any Healing Pills, but… Big Black Cat muttered to himself.

He suddenly remembered that Eternal Life Immortal Grass possessed healing properties, and an idea sparked in his mind. He now had five stalks of Eternal Life Immortal Grass, so his task for the Nine Soul Underground Palace trial could be considered initially completed, though he would need to continue searching later.

But he was seriously injured. He had to heal his wounds before he could search for other Eternal Life Immortal Grass.

With this in mind, Big Black Cat retrieved a stalk of Eternal Life Immortal Grass from his storage ring.

It was a Six-Leaf Eternal Life Immortal Grass.

"Heh!" Seeing Big Black Cat take out an Eternal Life Immortal Grass, Ye Yun chuckled dismissively.

At a time like this? He's actually picking the lowest quality Eternal Life Immortal Grass to consume? The situation is perilous, and Big Black Cat has already offended many. If he's to consume anything, it should be the Nine-leaf Longevity Immortal Grass, Ye Yun thought.

His eyes glinted, and he sent out an imperceptible mental command.

This command entered Big Black Cat's mind, beginning to influence his thoughts.

Big Black Cat seemed dazed for a moment.

He shook his head, holding up the Eternal Life Immortal Grass, and muttered to himself, "The effect of this Eternal Life Immortal Grass seems a bit weak… Should I switch to another one?"

Cat Baby's eyes lit up, and she quickly urged, "That Nine-leaf Longevity Immortal Grass has the most potent effect, Big Brother! Why don't you consume it right now?"

"What do you know? The Nine-leaf Longevity Immortal Grass is incredibly rare and hard to come by. Wouldn't it be a waste if I consumed it myself? This best one should be given to the Sect Leader…" Big Black Cat said, shaking his head.

As he spoke, however, a conflicted expression flickered in his eyes. It seemed his subconscious urged him to consume the Nine-leaf Longevity Immortal Grass, but his reason compelled him to refuse.

"Sect Leader? Big Brother, have you joined a sect?" Cat Baby asked with a curious smile.

"Naturally. But don't ask any more questions. Let's drop the subject!" Big Black Cat retorted, raising an eyebrow sternly.

Seeing Big Black Cat still stubbornly resisting, Ye Yun's eyes flashed again, and another mental command entered his mind.

A change flickered in Big Black Cat's eyes.

"The current situation is dangerous; I should consume a better quality Eternal Life Immortal Grass. Yes, that's what I should do. It's the best option right now…" Big Black Cat muttered to himself. As he spoke, he returned the Eternal Life Immortal Grass he was holding to his storage ring and took out the Nine-leaf Longevity Immortal Grass.

This Nine-leaf Longevity Immortal Grass, with its nine leaves radiating a faint, ethereal light, illuminated the dim surroundings.

"..."

Cat Baby stared blankly at this Nine-leaf Longevity Immortal Grass, her eyes burning with desire, and her breathing became heavy.

It was impossible not to be tempted.

However, Cat Baby knew she couldn't take advantage of his weakness at a time like this.

Big Black Cat gazed at the Nine-leaf Longevity Immortal Grass, a hint of struggle in his eyes, before finally placing the herb into his mouth.

He closed his eyes and began to refine this Nine-leaf Longevity Immortal Grass.

The moment the Nine-leaf Longevity Immortal Grass entered his body, an unimaginable surge of vitality and power erupted.

FWOOSH! FWOOSH!

Big Black Cat's body began to swell, looking as if he was about to burst.

Cat Baby, watching nearby, jumped in fright. She quickly retreated some distance, staring in horror at the Nine-tailed Spirit Cat, who now resembled a taut ball.

The medicinal strength of this Nine-leaf Longevity Immortal Grass is indeed potent… Ye Yun mused with a faint smile.

The star-like sigils in his eyes flickered. A shadowy sigil projection suddenly flew out and landed in Big Black Cat's Dantian. In an instant, the rampant power of the Nine-leaf Longevity Immortal Grass was subdued.

All this energy was gathered by the sigil into his Dantian, from where it then flowed to all parts of his body, continuously scouring his physical form.

That was so close!

Seeing the Nine-tailed Spirit Cat's ball-like body suddenly return to normal, a look of lingering fear and relief washed over Cat Baby's face.

It was a good thing I didn't try to snatch that Nine-leaf Immortal Herb. If I had, that potent surge from earlier would surely have caused me to explode. After all, I'm only at the Divine Bridge Realm! My physical body is far from strong enough to handle the potency of the Nine-leaf Longevity Immortal Grass.

At this moment, Big Black Cat's physical body gradually became crystalline, exuding a sacred radiance, appearing exceptionally solemn.

"This…"

Cat Baby stared blankly at the black-robed young man enveloped in the sacred light. In that moment, she felt as if she were gazing upon a Spirit.

I never thought there would be a trace of Divine Nature within the Nine-leaf Longevity Immortal Grass… Ye Yun smiled.

Using this trace of Divine Nature to temper his physical body would bring enormous, indescribable benefits to Big Black Cat.