Chapter Fifteen: Embarking on Cultivation

Shen Zixuan was enthusiastically explaining the benefits of these eight immortal grasses, while Su Xue'er, watching his earnestness, smiled gently without speaking.

After Shen Zixuan finished speaking, Su Xue'er asked, "So where did you get these immortal grasses?"

Confidently, Shen Zixuan replied, "Mom, do you know why this valley is called Treasure Gathering Valley?"

Su Xue'er shook her head.

Shen Zixuan continued, "Because there are treasures here, such as immortal grasses. This is the optimal environment for the growth of immortal grasses, producing the finest quality on the continent. However, due to my presence, the major sects and empires on the continent can only harvest a tiny fraction of the immortal grasses here."

Perplexed, Su Xue'er asked, "Why?"

"Because I keep them informed. Whenever they gather at the valley entrance, I run over to inform the spiritual beasts inside," Shen Zixuan explained.

"..."

Shen Zixuan continued, "There are also some ores here specifically for crafting divine weapons. Only I and the spiritual beasts here know about them. Others are unaware of their existence."

Su Xue'er thought it over; if people knew about this, the major sects and empires would surely compete fiercely for them.

Suddenly, Shen Zixuan sat beside Su Xue'er, tugging at her skirt, almost causing her to expose herself. Su Xue'er instinctively pressed down, anxiously asking, "Shen Zixuan, what are you doing?"

With a hint of sadness, Shen Zixuan said, "Mom, your fabric is so soft and warm. I want one too."

Looking at his pitiful expression, Su Xue'er couldn't help but smile. After all, he had never left this valley.

Su Xue'er gently patted his head and said with a smile, "Once we're out, Mom will buy you one personally, alright?"

Shen Zixuan nodded with a smile.

After saying this, Su Xue'er felt something amiss. She thought, why do I feel like... never mind.

Subsequently, Su Xue'er consumed the immortal grasses while Shen Zixuan guarded her outside.

What Su Xue'er didn't know was that the immortal grasses she had consumed were top-quality among immortal grasses, known as the Immortal King Grass. Each type corresponded to one of the eight attributes.

Su Xue'er absorbed them for a full seven days. When she opened her eyes, she found herself feeling relaxed all over, and her spiritual power had advanced from the peak of Spiritual Master to the initial stage of Spiritual King, just a step away from breaking through to the mid-stage of Spiritual King.

As they emerged, it was already late in the day. They saw Shen Zixuan sitting by the bonfire, roasting meat.

Seeing Su Xue'er come out, Shen Zixuan quickly got up. "Mom, how do you feel?"

"Well, I've reached the initial stage of Spiritual King," Su Xue'er replied gently.

After Su Xue'er sat down, Shen Zixuan looked at the bonfire and said, "Mom, this time, you won't leave me behind, will you?"

Hearing this tone, Su Xue'er felt more sadness than surprise.

Shen Zixuan continued, "Mom, can you stay with me here for a year?"

"Sure, I came here for training anyway. Staying for a year is no problem," Su Xue'er frowned slightly, thinking, This kid is so emotional? Why do I feel like I've been influenced? No, no.

"Mom, I..." Shen Zixuan hadn't finished speaking when Su Xue'er interrupted, "Stop, let's not talk about this for now. Let's discuss cultivation matters first."

Shen Zixuan smiled and nodded.

"What attribute are you? What type of spiritual body?" Su Xue'er asked.

"I have the shadow attribute and the divine body. My spiritual weapon is a top-grade spiritual weapon," Shen Zixuan replied.

"I remember Mom, you had a divine weapon. I forgot what it was called," Shen Zixuan said.

"Me? No way, maybe I forgot," Su Xue'er said.

Su Xue'er was convinced that she used to be a formidable figure, but what exactly happened?

As she pondered, she heard some people shouting not far away.

"Quick, today we must exterminate Shen Zixuan, this trash."

Su Xue'er and Shen Zixuan stood up upon hearing this, seeing a group of people approaching from that direction.

The elder at the front sneered and shouted loudly, "Shen Zixuan, every time we of the Heavenly Prophecy Sect come to harvest spiritual herbs, you always interfere. We tolerated it before, but now we'll kill you at all costs."

Both Shen Zixuan and Su Xue'er were surrounded by members of the Heavenly Prophecy Sect.

The elder mocked Shen Zixuan, saying, "I won't bully you. If you can defeat my brother, you can go."

He gestured to the dark-clothed person beside him.

This person looked sinister, like a master.

A dart flew over, and Su Xue'er used her sword to block it, causing her to step back.

Laughter erupted from the surrounding crowd as Su Xue'er disdainfully glanced at the dark-clothed man. "He's under my protection. Lay a finger on him, and you'll regret it."

"Oh, look, a beauty has arrived. Too bad, you're also going to die today," he said, gesturing toward the dark-clothed man. "Go."

In an instant, the dark-clothed man appeared beside Su Xue'er, extending his clawed hand toward her. Su Xue'er blocked with her sword but was forced back several steps.

Shen Zixuan quickly supported Su Xue'er. "This person is at the pinnacle of Spiritual King realm. Mom, you should go. I'll hold them off."

Su Xue'er shook her head. "I can handle this person. You go stop the others from disturbing me."

"Arrogant."

The dark-clothed man charged forward, and Su Xue'er pushed Shen Zixuan away, but she was sent flying into a tree.

"Mom!"

"Focus on yourself," the elder said, intercepting Shen Zixuan.

Shen Zixuan shouted, "If something happens to my mom, be prepared for the Heavenly Prophecy Sect's destruction."

Su Xue'er wiped the blood from her lips and said, "Now you may die."

"Hmph, just you? Prepare to perish. Unleash the blade."

In an instant, his claw enlarged to over six feet and swiftly charged at Su Xue'er.

Su Xue'er dodged the attack, and the tree behind her was split in half.

"Jade Heart Slash."

Su Xue'er swung her sword, but the blade was shattered by the dark-clothed man. However, Su Xue'er appeared beside him.

The clash of sword and claw echoed through the air. After a few moves, the dark-clothed man was in a precarious situation.

"Hmph, you're quite skilled for a little girl."

"Too much talk," Su Xue'er said disdainfully.

Enraged, the dark-clothed man said, "Prepare to die. Hellfire Cage."

Su Xue'er was unable to dodge and was locked in the Hellfire Cage. To prevent being completely enveloped, she immediately used the Jade Sword Decision's second form.

"Jade Blood Sword Sea."

The surrounding spiritual power sword shadows instantly materialized and attacked the extending cage. The Jade Blood Sword Sea slowed the cage's expansion, allowing Su Xue'er to escape.

"I didn't expect you to break free, but you'll still die," the dark-clothed man charged toward Su Xue'er. She was still in the air, significantly weakened. If hit, she would be severely injured if not killed.

As the dark-clothed man approached within a yard, Su Xue'er prepared to block with her sword. A corpse was thrown at the dark-clothed man. He split it in half with a claw, giving Su Xue'er enough time to land safely on the ground.

Shen Zixuan sneered, "Hmph, you think you can hurt my mom?"

The dark-clothed man shouted to the elder, "What's going on?"

The elder, now wounded, said tremblingly, "Brother, I can't defeat this kid. I'll hold him off; you kill her immediately."

"No problem, I'll kill her right away."

As the dark-clothed man turned, he heard Su Xue'er's cold laughter.

"You can die now. Thousand Swords Return as One."

Su Xue'er wielded the Purple Origin Jade Sword, and the sword shadows manifested into a ten-yard-wide sea of swords, slashing toward the dark-clothed man.

Realizing he couldn't evade, the dark-clothed man hastily released a barrier of spiritual power to block Su Xue'er's attack.

"Just you, at the initial stage of Spiritual King..." His words were cut short by his agonizing scream.

"Ah... Ah..."

The dark-clothed man was sent flying dozens of meters away, his claw now in tatters, and his right arm severed.

By this time, Shen Zixuan had dealt with all the disciples brought by the elder. The elder was heavily injured, kicked by Shen Zixuan beside the dark-clothed man.

The dark-clothed man unwillingly said, "Impossible, I'm at the peak of Spiritual King realm. How could I not block your attack with just an attack from someone at the initial stage of Spiritual King?"

Su Xue'er said coldly, "Just because you don't know doesn't mean it's not possible. Xiaoxuan, finish them."

Su Xue'er turned and walked toward the tree house. After hearing the two men's screams, Shen Zixuan ran over.

Back in the tree house, Su Xue'er looked at Shen Zixuan's wounds and asked, "Does it hurt?"

"No, those few aren't even worthy opponents of mine," Shen Zixuan replied.

As Su Xue'er got up, she felt a piercing pain.

"Ah..."

Shen Zixuan hurriedly supported Su Xue'er. "Mom, what's wrong?"

"Maybe I used up all my spiritual power in that last strike. My spiritual sea is now empty and weak. Rest for a while, and I'll be fine."

Seeing Su Xue'er's condition, Shen Zixuan brought her a glass of water.

Su Xue'er asked, "How did you get involved with the Heavenly Prophecy Sect?"

"It's because they wanted to harvest spiritual herbs. These herbs were planted here by you back then. How could I let them be taken by anyone?" Shen Zixuan felt a bit aggrieved.

Su Xue'er smiled, thinking, this kid is quite cute, even though I'm not sure if it's genuine.