Chapter 530: Chapter 26 Enlightenment Stone

“Oh, by the way, if you forge this drop of blood essence, it may help your corpse advance further. If you really encounter danger, it can also temporarily save your life!”

Just as he was about to leave, Zhang Xuan hesitated for a moment, and a drop of blood essence flew from his fingertips towards Fu Yingying.

Although the Eternal Golden Body had only reached a Minor Accomplishment stage, a single drop of ordinary blood contained power as vast as a sea of smoke. If the opposite party truly forged it, their cultivation might still be at the primary stage of Life Sea 2-dan, but their combat masters would definitely not be weaker than the pinnacle of Life Sea 5-dan or even 6-dan.

“Yes!” Completely unaware of its value, Fu Yingying casually accepted it and absorbed it into her body.

“I’m leaving!”

Without saying another word, Zhang Xuan’s body flickered and he disappeared from where he stood, reappearing inside the Xuanyuan War Chariot, resembling a speck of dust, rapidly flying towards his residence.

“Don’t worry, I will work hard and strive to one day reach your side!”

Staring at the empty courtyard, Fu Yingying clenched her fists, her gaze more determined than ever.

“Patriarch, it’s late, you should rest soon. The assessment is early tomorrow, so you need to replenish your stamina…” Elder Fu Qinghan, worried she was too upset, quickly spoke.

“Elder, have you found out these days what exactly is tested in the so-called assessment?” Fu Yingying couldn’t help but inquire.

Elder Fu Qinghan shook his head: “This assessment is what the Fox Charm Ancestor left behind. Once activated, it will automatically operate, and the content of the test changes each time. No one can know in advance what it will be…”

“Alright then!”

Fu Yingying sighed with a bitter smile, shaking her head.

Indeed, for a core inheritance test targeting a Third Level Destiny, if one could know and prepare in advance, there would be no competition for others.

Realizing everything she needed to prepare had been done, the immediate priority was to restore her energy. Without saying more, Fu Yingying lifted her leg and walked back into her room.

The next day.

Just as Zhang Xuan stepped out of his room, he saw Hu Sheng already standing at the front, full of respect.

“The inheritance assessment is about to begin, and I may need to trouble Brother Zhang to accompany me…”

Zhang Xuan waved his hand: “You’re being too polite!”

Since he had already agreed to their request, he naturally wouldn’t refuse.

Following the people from Qingqiu Mountain along a narrow mountain path, they headed towards the depths of the valley. The further they went, the more people they encountered, gradually gathering into a stream of people.

“These people… some don’t look human at all!”

At a glance, he spotted more than a dozen cultivators exuding significant Primordial Beast presence, making Zhang Xuan frown.

Some of these cultivators had fox heads, some had tails, some had fox ears and noses–strange and varied.

“The ancestor of Qingqiu’s bloodline was a Nine-tailed Fox that cultivated and transformed. Therefore, we descendants inherently harbor a Primordial Beast bloodline. Some branches, to restore past glory, emphasize pure bloodlines and believe marrying humans dilutes the bloodline. Hence, they’ve chosen to marry with Primordial Beasts…”

Hu Sheng explained via voice transmission.

Zhang Xuan twitched the corner of his mouth.

Humans, being the leaders of all races, naturally maintain more coordination. Marrying a beast… if he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes, he wouldn’t have believed it!

Of course, if the foxes they married had transformed, it might not be bad. But if they hadn’t… even imagining it felt exciting.

“Those who can marry are generally not yet transformed. It’s only when Primordial Beasts reach the Life Sea Realm that they have the opportunity to transform. Such level of Primordial Beasts, especially those of the Fox Clan, are not common!”

Perhaps deducing his thoughts, Hu Sheng added.

Zhang Xuan held his forehead.

Even though he housed the Fox Ancestor’s bloodline within, the idea of becoming involved with an actual fox still felt quite peculiar…

But this was a matter of the Qingqiu lineage and did not concern him greatly.

A short hour later, they stopped in a secluded gorge, where the Fox Charm Heavenly Destiny Essence Power was even denser. Upon arrival, the Fox Charm Destiny continually pulsated as if integrating with the surrounding environment.

In the center of the gorge was an oval stone, akin to a goose’s egg, devoid of inscriptions, without any engravings, yet it exuded a gentle and elegant aura. A single glance brought clarity to one’s mind and vanquished all distracting thoughts.

“This is the Enlightenment Stone…”

Seeing his confusion, Hu Sheng continued to explain via voice transmission.

Zhang Xuan was astonished: “This is it?”

This stone, capable of calming the mind, was indeed remarkable. However, it was similar in effect to the Bodhi Saint Tree and shouldn’t warrant such intrigue from the likes of Emperor Fusheng. Could there be some facet he was missing?

With thoughts flashing through his mind, Zhang Xuan extended his pure soul energy over.

Buzz!

With a gentle hum, the stone emitted a warm glow, resembling that of a Night Illumination Pearl. Instantly, Zhang Xuan felt his soul plunging into a virtual world, where a long, deep bridge materialized ahead, stretching into the unknown.

“Where is this place?”

Zhang Xuan’s eyes sparkled with curiosity as he stepped forward along the bridge. But with every few steps, he felt ominous winds howling, dark specters fluctuating around the bridge, sometimes appearing, sometimes vanishing, producing a hair-raising illusion of sinking into the Underworld.

For others, reaching this point may deter them from proceeding, as the surrounding yin energy was overwhelmingly dense. Without enough strength, it could heavily damage one’s soul, becoming a lifelong stumbling block if not careful.

“Even with my soul having ignited six Life Lamps, advancing further could risk certain damage…”

Reaching mid-bridge, Zhang Xuan paused.

After cultivating the Light Burning Soul Breaking Technique, his soul had become magnitudes stronger. Even against a master of the Demon Emperor Realm, it wouldn’t be easy to injure him using soul attacks.

Yet this stone, merely through mental probing, instilled fear and prevented him from delving deeper… truly extraordinary!

It’s no wonder Emperor Fusheng was tempted.

Anything captivating the strongest cultivator of this age must indeed be remarkable.

“Let’s give it a try…”

Recognizing the potential threat ahead, Zhang Xuan realized he must face it. Without much hesitation, he continued forward with determination.

After just a few more steps, the frigid aura intensified, and his soul gradually transitioned from vibrant clarity into becoming part of the shadow, as if turning into a shadow itself.

“This isn’t right…”

Realizing the increasing transformation effect into the Underworld realm, Zhang Xuan hesitated momentarily but ultimately chose to halt.

“Could it be that the Enlightenment Stone isn’t for enlightenment but is a key to communicating with the Underworld?”

Filled with doubt, Zhang Xuan was about to explore further when an urgent call sounded in his ear.

“Lord Zhang, the assessment is about to commence. Please awaken…”

With the voice’s accompaniment, Zhang Xuan’s shadow-like soul wavered, returning from the long bridge and causing his body to sway, spitting a mouthful of blood.

At this moment, sunlight brightened his surroundings, bringing him back to the gorge.