Chapter 304 : Cultivation Assistance
This dragon skeleton was obtained from the Canglán Secret Realm years ago. At that time, both Jiang Mo and Yun Qingyue were still quite weak—back then, Yun Qingyue couldn't even approach the dragon skeleton, and Jiang Mo had expended considerable effort to collect it.
Ordinarily, a dragon skeleton's greatest use was in artifact crafting—dragon bones were exceptionally tough, and the original owner of this skeleton had possessed no small amount of cultivation. Even the White Tiger's sharp claws could barely leave marks on it. If one could take a small section of dragon bone and forge it into a magical treasure, not only would it enhance the treasure's inherent strength, but the extremely powerful spiritual energy contained within the dragon bone could even catalyze an increase in the treasure's grade.
Dragon bones were valuable—this was true for ordinary cultivators, and even more so for Jiang Mo and Yun Qingyue.
As the White Tiger, Jiang Mo had been able to absorb the spiritual energy contained in the dragon bones even back then, and now it was even more straightforward. Meanwhile, Yun Qingyue, who had once been unable to approach due to the dragon skeleton's imposing pressure, was now vastly different. When she tentatively placed her palm against the vast, luminous bones, a rush of abundant spiritual energy immediately surged into her body through her palm, instantly filling all her meridians...
Yun Qingyue's face suddenly flushed. She quickly raised her left hand to push away her right hand that was touching the dragon bone, only then stopping the torrent of incoming spiritual energy. Even so, Yun Qingyue felt her internal meridians somewhat painfully distended.
Seeing this, Jiang Mo immediately stepped forward with concern: "Senior Sister, are you alright?"
Yun Qingyue shook her head, then revealed a trace of a bitter smile: "I'm fine, thank you for your kindness. However, I'm afraid I can't properly utilize this dragon skeleton. Just that brief contact nearly injured my meridians from the spiritual energy pressure."
Hearing this, Jiang Mo first emphasized: "No need to thank me, this dragon skeleton has always included a share for you, Senior Sister." After emphasizing this point, she continued: "The dragon race is formidable, both in life and death. The spiritual energy contained in dragon bones is powerful and domineering, indeed difficult to absorb initially. However, Senior Sister, you could try several more times. Once you become accustomed to it, using it to cultivate would be highly beneficial."
Ordinary humans wouldn't use dragon bones for cultivation, knowing they couldn't withstand it, but Jiang Mo and Yun Qingyue were clearly exceptions. The former was the divine beast White Tiger, of equal rank to the Azure Dragon, so the dragon bone's domineering nature wasn't a significant issue for her. As for the latter, Yun Qingyue also possessed monstrous beast bloodline, which Sect Leader Zhu had purified using a secret technique years ago. Her monstrous beast bloodline was no less potent than Sect Leader Zhu's.
Hearing this, Yun Qingyue slightly curled her palm, which still felt numb and painful. However, she didn't dispute Jiang Mo's words. After hesitating briefly, she extended her palm, preparing to try again.
But before she could touch the dragon bone, Jiang Mo caught her hand.
Yun Qingyue had practiced swordsmanship for years, but a cultivator's physique was robust, unlike mortal warriors who developed calluses. Her hand was delicate and soft, feeling like holding a piece of fine-quality warm jade. Applying slight pressure made her hand feel as if it had no bones at all...
Jiang Mo's heartbeat became irregular for a moment, almost letting her imagination run wild, but fortunately, she quickly regained her composure: "Wait, Senior Sister, don't rush—injuring yourself wouldn't be worth it." Then she added: "Let me help you."
Yun Qingyue knew that before her was just the tiger she had brought back to the sect and raised since childhood. They had eaten and lived together, even shared spirit springs. Yet when Jiang Mo suddenly grasped her hand, her heartstrings inexplicably stirred. But before she could pull away, she saw Jiang Mo holding her hand with one hand while placing her other hand on the dragon bone.
Abundant spiritual energy immediately surged through their clasped hands. Unlike the previous overwhelming and domineering flow, this time the energy passing through Jiang Mo seemed filtered and regulated. Though still abundant, it was no longer harmfully aggressive.
Yun Qingyue instinctively closed her eyes, activating her cultivation technique to guide the spiritual energy into her body. She first directed it through the Ice Soul Condensation Pearl in her dantian, transforming it into pure ice spiritual energy before circulating it through her meridians... The continuous flow of spiritual energy entered her body through their clasped hands, then with the Ice Soul Condensation Pearl's assistance, transformed into the most suitable energy for her. Yun Qingyue momentarily lost herself, almost becoming immersed in the process.
Of course, Jiang Mo didn't mind this at all. While assisting Senior Sister's cultivation, she was also cultivating herself. Simultaneously, she could devote attention to observing her beloved up close—truly killing two birds with one stone, so why not?
If she could continue cultivating with Senior Sister like this forever, that would be wonderful.
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Yun Qingyue was naturally gifted and had always cultivated with single-minded focus, which was why she had surpassed her peers early on.
This time was no exception. Though she was merely experimenting with using the dragon bone's spiritual energy for cultivation, she became completely immersed. When she opened her eyes again, a day and night had already passed. The effect of cultivating with the dragon bone was exceptional—this single day's cultivation equaled the results of seven days of dedicated closed-door practice. At this rate, her cultivation speed would certainly reach new heights, and advancing to Fusion stage within a hundred years was entirely possible.
The moment Yun Qingyue opened her eyes, Jiang Mo conscientiously released her hand, lingering a moment behind her back before asking: "Senior Sister, how do you feel?"
With her hand suddenly empty, Yun Qingyue momentarily felt disoriented, but quickly nodded: "Excellent."
Hearing this, Jiang Mo became delighted. Her eyes glinted as she smiled: "Since helping Senior Sister cultivate also benefits me, and this dragon skeleton is so large, why not leave it here with me? In the future, whenever Senior Sister wants to cultivate using the dragon bone, I can accompany you. How about that?"
To be honest, Yun Qingyue was tempted. Though she wasn't a cultivation fanatic like her Master, what cultivator didn't have aspirations regarding their cultivation? Yun Qingyue was no exception, especially given the current unrest in the cultivation world. She wanted sufficient strength to protect herself and those she cared about. However, if she truly accepted Jiang Mo's proposal, it meant they would be temporarily bound together.
Yun Qingyue didn't reject the tiger she had raised, but their identities were ultimately different, each with their own responsibilities—Divine Lord Zhiming might ascend at any time, and Jianbing had matured early; she couldn't wander indefinitely.
Thinking of this, Yun Qingyue felt a twinge of reluctance, which she quickly suppressed: "There's no rush. Let me try first."
Before Jiang Mo could ask what she wanted to try, Yun Qingyue had already stepped forward and placed her palm on the dragon bone again. This time she was fully prepared, both mentally and physically. However, the result was only marginally better than before—she lasted just a few more breaths before being repelled by the dragon bone's domineering spiritual energy, her meridians aching once more.
Yet Yun Qingyue wasn't discouraged. Jiang Mo saw those beautiful glass-like eyes brighten further as she said: "Indeed much better than last time. If I try a few more times, perhaps I'll adapt."
Jiang Mo felt Senior Sister was being distant, simply not wanting to include her, which made her a little unhappy. However, when she raised her eyes and met Yun Qingyue's flushed face—her snow-white skin tinged with pink, clear bright eyes, and relaxed features showing hints of joy—she instantly forgot her displeasure, captivated by the sight.
Only when Yun Qingyue looked at her questioningly did Jiang Mo snap back to reality, coughing lightly and saying: "That's good."
Yun Qingyue seemed to notice something, lowering her gaze without further comment. As she regulated her breathing, the flush on her face gradually faded, her complexion returning to normal. Then she quickly changed the subject: "Well, I became somewhat absorbed in this cultivation session and must have spent quite some time. Let's go out, lest Master and the others worry."
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Outside the space, Qingyu and Zhu Baiyi were indeed growing anxious. Initially, they hadn't noticed Jiang Mo and Yun Qingyue's disappearance, but later, when two grown people vanished without a trace, they naturally became concerned.
This merperson island held too many secrets. Even though the altar situation had been resolved, and neither the native inhabitants nor the merperson were causing further trouble, who knew what other issues might lurk? To their knowledge, the island still contained a natural spirit-binding formation, and most cultivators hadn't yet recovered their spiritual power—what if there were other dangers?
Only after Zhu Baiyi personally scoured the small island again and confirmed they couldn't be found did the two feel somewhat reassured—others might not know, but Qingyu was aware that the little White Tiger's innate space had been opened to Yun Qingyue early on. If the two had disappeared on this island without encountering an unpredictable danger, they had most likely entered the White Tiger's innate space.
However, guessing was one thing, but the fact that the two had left without a word still inevitably caused Qingyu and Zhu Baiyi some concern. Only when Yun Qingyue and Jiang Mo reappeared before them did they finally relax completely.
Seeing this, Yun Qingyue felt somewhat apologetic. After explaining, she asked: "Master, have your injuries healed?"
Having recovered her spiritual power, with access to medicinal pills and spiritual energy, Qingyu's injuries naturally recovered rapidly: "My injuries are almost completely healed. The others have also recuperated sufficiently, and we may leave in a day or two."
Hearing this, Yun Qingyue nodded: "In that case, I'll stay by your side these next couple of days, Master."
There was nothing inherently problematic with these words—who knew how many opportunities this master and disciple would have to spend time together after leaving the merperson island. However, as soon as she spoke, Yun Qingyue immediately felt two resentful gazes fall upon her. She slightly raised her eyes to look—facing Jiang Mo's pitiful gaze was unsurprising, but what was with Sect Leader Zhu's expression?!