Chapter 78: The Broken Blueprint

"Why hasn't he woken up yet?"

Outside, everyone was growing anxious as Chen Junting, who had already absorbed his spirit ring, still hadn't opened his eyes.

If it hadn't been for Du Weilun, the dean of teaching, reassuring them repeatedly that Chen Junting's breathing and vitals were stable, Wu Feng might have rushed forward multiple times. Even Huo Yuhao had been calling out to Tianmeng Ice Silkworm in his spiritual sea for updates—until Tianmeng, annoyed, cut him off entirely.

"This shouldn't be..." Du Weilun muttered, glancing at Zhao Gang. He was unsettled.

By all accounts, Chen Junting was in perfect health—no problems whatsoever. In fact, his condition was better than most. So why hadn't he woken up?

But just then—

"Huuu—"

With the sound of a long breath, Chen Junting suddenly opened his eyes. Sharp, like blades of cold steel, his gaze flicked out, full of clarity. He looked better than ever.

"You kid finally woke up," Du Weilun sighed, the worry finally easing from his voice. "You really make me worry."

Chen Junting smiled awkwardly and slowly stood up. Huo Yuhao and Wu Feng immediately ran over.

"Swordsman! You finally woke up!"

"Brother Junting!"

Before they reached him, Wu Feng's voice had already echoed out, filled with relief.

Seeing that Chen Junting was safe and sound, Du Weilun turned to the others. "Those who haven't rested, do it now. Get back to your best state."

Everyone nodded, moving to comply. But Wu Feng lingered.

Just then, Chen Junting raised his hand—and activated his soul power.

Four five-pointed stars separated from the Seven Killing Sword: yellow, purple, purple, and a deep black. They hovered around him as soul rings. The sight of that ten-thousand-year soul ring made Wu Feng's eyes widen in awe.

"But I've never seen a fourth soul ring that's ten thousand years old..." she muttered.

Chen Junting said lightly, "What's so impressive? It's not like I haven't seen one before."

"Really?" Wu Feng raised an eyebrow, not buying it.

Seeing her expression, Chen Junting rolled his eyes. "Why? Want one?"

Wu Feng didn't reply, but her eyes sparkled with curiosity.

Chen Junting leaned in and whispered, "If you stick to that cultivation method I gave you, your fourth soul ring won't just be a dream."

Just then, Du Weilun and Zhao Gang walked into the clearing.

This was the very place where the Golden Demon Bird had attacked the evil soul masters. Nine corpses now lay on the ground.

Du Weilun's face was grim. "Everyone, pay attention. Everything on these evil soul masters must be carefully sorted out. Don't leave anything behind. As for storage soul guides, don't tamper with them. Turn everything over."

The team scattered to search. Wu Feng made a face of disgust, but still approached a body. A moment later, she turned up a rolled blueprint.

"Swordsman, look what I found."

Chen Junting took it. The material shimmered faintly with a cold light—it was made of thousand-year ice silk. Tough and smooth.

Not long after, Chen Junting came across another evil soul master with a similar blueprint. He carefully pried open cold fingers to retrieve it.

Just then, Du Weilun arrived with a similar find. "These drawings may be dangerous. Hand everything over."

"Here," Chen Junting nodded, handing the second blueprint over.

He glanced at the two pieces. Though torn at the edges, they looked like they might fit together.

"Sit down," Du Weilun said. "Let's see if they can be pieced together."

Wu Feng and Huo Yuhao leaned in curiously. As Du Weilun aligned the edges, a circular pattern began to form—faintly reminiscent of a core soul guide array.

Chen Junting whispered, "This pattern… it's incomplete, but familiar."

Huo Yuhao frowned. "Sorry, I don't recognize it."

Du Weilun carefully sealed the completed blueprint in a special bag, then stored it away.

Meanwhile, Wu Feng's gaze locked onto the ten-thousand-year soul ring once more. "Swordsman, let me see that soul ring again."

Chen Junting rolled his eyes, then activated his rings again just to humor her.

But his mind wasn't on soul rings anymore.

He whispered to himself, staring at the blueprint before it was sealed: "This... they weren't keeping it in storage soul guides. That means they meant to use it—soon."

What were these evil soul masters planning? Why split the blueprint in half? Was it fear of betrayal within their own ranks? Or something more?

He memorized the pattern.

Then he turned to Wu Feng and Huo Yuhao.

"You see this?" he asked, holding up the broken blueprint. "It's not complete. But doesn't it look like a twisted version of the core soul guide array?"

Huo Yuhao squinted. "I think... I've seen this somewhere before."

Chen Junting nodded slowly. "I need to bring this back. Let Master Electrolux take a look."

He had a feeling the blueprint wasn't just dangerous.

It was a key.

And the broken edges?

A warning.

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(End of chapter)

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