Mortal: Fairy Song Yu has issued you a task.

Chapter 65 The Pact with the Fire Dragon Boy

"Shh~" Fire Dragon Boy raised a finger and held it to his lips.

Everyone immediately fell silent, even unconsciously slowing their breathing.

For the duration of two incense sticks burning, the only sound in the secret room was the crisp sound of chess pieces falling onto the board. Finally, with a "thud," a white chess piece from the Fire Dragon Boy landed in a corner of the board.

"Hahaha!" His hearty laughter instantly broke the silence. "Today I only had a whim to see which disciple of the Falling Cloud Sect would win the championship of this year's Sword Trial Tournament. I never expected to run into such a rare and wonderful chess friend!"

The cultivator, clad in a gray robe, cupped his hands and said, "Senior Fire Dragon's chess skills are superb; this junior sincerely admires them."

Upon hearing that familiar voice, Lin Jingchu was certain—it really was Elder Wei. But…the Fire Dragon Child seems to be a terrible chess player, doesn't he?

The Fire Dragon Boy was very pleased with the praise, his eyebrows and eyes relaxed, and he returned the compliment to Elder Wei on his superb chess skills.

After exchanging compliments, Fire Dragon Boy shifted his gaze, sweeping over the group of cultivators outside the barrier. His eyes darted back and forth, finally settling on Lin Jingchu at the end of the group.

"Kid, we meet again so soon." Fire Dragon Boy grinned. "What a coincidence."

Even a Nascent Soul cultivator's gaze carries an indescribable, natural aura of power.

Lin Jingchu felt a tightness all over his body, as if he were naked and exposed in front of the other party, with nowhere to hide.

However, he wasn't too flustered. He wasn't Han Li from Jiyin Island, but a true disciple of the Luoyun Sect. Moreover, among the other two sects in Yunmeng, the Fire Dragon Child was the Nascent Soul cultivator with the closest relationship to the Luoyun Sect.

Facing this overwhelming aura, he calmly replied, "This junior, Lin Jingchu of Tianquan Peak, is the champion of this year's Sword Trial Tournament. It is an honor to see Senior Fire Dragon again. May I ask what your instructions are?"

Those around him, including fellow disciples and disciples from both factions, were filled with admiration. In fact, a system notification popped up, indicating that Bai Haozhi's favorability towards him had directly advanced from "close" to "recognition."

"Good lad, not bad courage!" Fire Dragon Boy praised with a smile, then suddenly flashed and landed in front of Lin Jingchu in an instant.

The disciples from the three surrounding sects, including Bai Haozhi, were all terrified and instinctively took several steps back.

Only Song Yu, her delicate body trembled slightly, but she immediately stood firmly in place, without moving an inch.

Even though Lin Jingchu was confident, being scrutinized at close range by a Nascent Soul cultivator caused his heart rate to rise sharply, and his clenched fists were covered in cold sweat.

He could only try to calm himself down by constantly swallowing saliva.

The secret chamber fell into dead silence, with only the faint rustling sound of the spirit tree's roots moving on their own.

"His spiritual root aptitude is nothing special." The Fire Dragon Child looked up and paced around, sizing up Lin Jingchu.

Lin Jingchu secretly rejoiced that he only used Song Yu's Heavenly Spiritual Root when he was cultivating, otherwise he really wouldn't know how to explain the changes in his own spiritual root.

After observing for a moment, the Fire Dragon Child suddenly said, "Show me your crescent moon blade light."

Although he didn't understand his intentions, Lin Jingchu agreed without hesitation. He flipped his hand, took out his Embroidered Spring Blade, and slashed to the side.

A condensed, bright silver arc of cold moonlight roared out.

The Fire Dragon Child raised his finger and gently touched the blade.

The sharp, crescent-shaped blade of light was immediately blocked, as if it had sunk into a quagmire. It moved forward with difficulty for a few inches before completely dissipating and vanishing into the air.

"Not bad, you actually practiced that technique." Fire Dragon Boy suddenly reached out and grabbed Lin Jingchu's wrist. A sharp and unusually powerful spiritual energy invaded his meridians, yet flowed gently through his limbs and bones.

"Hmm, solid foundation, pure true essence. With your aptitude, it's truly remarkable that you've cultivated to this level." The Fire Dragon Child loosened his grip. "I do have a favor to ask of you, young man, but your current magical power is probably insufficient. Let's see how it goes once you break through to the late Foundation Establishment stage."

After saying that, he took out a jade token: "When the time comes, bring this token to the Ancient Sword Sect to find me. You will be rewarded handsomely after the matter is settled."

[Task Discovered]

【Quest Name: The Dragon's Pact】

[Posted by: Fire Dragon Boy (Affection Level: Close)]

[Mission Description: After breaking through to the late Foundation Establishment stage, proceed to the Ancient Sword Sect and have Senior Fire Dragon examine your body. {Map}]

[Quest Reward: One spirit material from the Fire Dragon Child]

Lin Jingchu accepted the token and said respectfully, "This junior will follow Senior Fire Dragon's instructions."

Fire Dragon Boy nodded slightly, then turned to Elder Wei in the barrier: "Nephew Wei, I'll challenge you to a game another day." After saying goodbye, he transformed into a beam of light and disappeared into the secret chamber.

Only then did everyone present breathe a sigh of relief. Then, their astonished gazes all focused on Lin Jingchu.

Everyone was surprised that a Foundation Establishment stage disciple could be acquainted with a Nascent Soul cultivator, and they were also curious as to why his cultivation technique was so highly valued by a Nascent Soul cultivator.

Just then, Elder Feng suddenly spoke up: "Junior Brother Wei, I didn't expect you to be in seclusion here."

Is there more gossip to be had? Everyone's gaze instantly shifted from Lin Jingchu, switching back and forth between Elder Feng and Elder Wei.

Elder Wei, whose face had been concealed by a gray robe, slowly raised his head and looked at the disciples of Luoyun Sect with a complicated expression.

After a long silence, Elder Wei slowly said, "I am deeply grateful to Senior Uncle Cheng for allowing me to remain in seclusion here. I will trouble Senior Brother Feng to take care of all matters concerning the sect. The first drop of Sacred Tree Essence is nearing its extraction point, so please wait here while I prepare the 'Mingqing Spiritual Water'."

After saying this, Elder Wei got up to tidy up the chessboard, and his figure passed through the inner layer of restrictions, disappearing from everyone's sight.

Elder Feng watched him leave before speaking up to make arrangements: "The spiritual energy here is abundant, so everyone should sit down and meditate to regulate their breathing."

"Yes!" the disciples from the three factions answered in unison.

Lin Jingchu and Song Yu went to a secluded corner and sat quietly to wait.

After a while, Elder Wei emerged from the inner layer of the barrier. With a wave of his hand, ten jade bottles passed through the outer layer of the barrier and landed directly in front of Elder Feng.

"Thank you for your hard work, Junior Brother Wei." Elder Feng took the jade bottle and immediately gestured for the disciples to come forward and wash their eyes.

Once the elixir is prepared, it must be used immediately; any delay will significantly reduce its efficacy.

Lin Jingchu felt a pang of regret. If he could store this spiritual liquid for a long time, he could reveal some of its abilities to Song Yu once his cultivation improved and his combat power was sufficient to protect himself.

For example, if you are a chosen one, as long as you complete the task for your loved one, Heaven will bestow a reward.

Or they could simply build a secret room and imprison a character from the story—like Du Dong, forcing him to issue a mission with a knife to his throat.

Then I'll frantically grind quests to hoard spirit water, and use it as face wash water like Old Demon Han did.

Amidst his swirling thoughts, Lin Jingchu continued moving, uncorking the bottle. A ball of azure liquid, carrying a rich medicinal fragrance, floated before him.

Following the method taught by Elder Feng before entering the holy land, he opened his mouth and exhaled a pale blue spiritual light, which enveloped the spiritual liquid.

Driven by this, the spiritual liquid immediately split into two slender blue threads, which, as if drawn by a force, went straight into his eyes.

At the same time, the shimmering blue liquid lost its luster and turned into clear water, which spilled onto the ground with a "plop".

Lin Jingchu felt a burning sensation in his eyes, which instantly turned into an icy chill. He immediately calmed his mind and channeled his spiritual energy into his eyes, intending to refine the spiritual liquid.

However, at the very moment his spiritual power came into contact with the spiritual liquid, Lin Jingchu made an astonishing discovery.

According to Elder Feng, even if the spiritual liquid gets into the eyes, the medicinal power of the cleansing method will continue to dissipate and turn into ordinary pure spiritual power, so it is necessary to use spiritual power to quickly refine it.

But once the blue silk was bound by his spiritual power, there was no sign of the medicine losing its potency.