Chapter 098: Storm of Spiritual Energy

Concubine? Xu Xuan’s eyes widened in surprise, his expression strange; he had never expected that the remnant soul from his previous life would have such a side. As far as he knew, before the age of sixteen in his past life, he had been an extraordinarily innocent youth. Could it be that, after countless years, his temperament had changed so dramatically?

“I am but a fragment of will, separated from the vast spiritual world of my master’s previous existence. Many of my emotions naturally carry the memories and experiences of that life. If my intuition is correct, among the countless assets left by the master, women were included as well. I hope this won’t cause any trouble in the future.”

The remnant soul muttered to itself, ending with a tone of schadenfreude.

“Remnant will? What is the true purpose of your existence?” For the first time, Xu Xuan felt a hint of caution toward this remnant soul of his former self.

“You are the master, and I... am not even a true avatar. I am merely the product of the master’s will, one ten-thousandth of it, created before his demise, meant only to continue what could not be surpassed in the previous life. Should I ever rebel, bound by the rules of the Sea of Memories, my consciousness would be instantly erased, replaced by a new remnant to carry on the mission.”

The remnant soul gave a bitter smile. “So you may rest assured on that point.”

Xu Xuan could not help but click his tongue in amazement; the arrangements and supernatural abilities of his previous self were truly unimaginable, even after his fall. He had long felt that subtle connection with the remnant soul—like the closest of kin—a deep, instinctive trust.

“What concubine?” A gentle, delicate voice sounded at his ear; Yu Qin’s pure, flawless eyes carried a hint of shyness and confusion, not quite understanding.

Xu Xuan jolted, withdrawing from that layer of consciousness. He hadn’t realized that, in his moment of shock, he’d spoken aloud.

It was awkward, but Yu Qin’s innocence worked in his favor. Xu Xuan hurried to change the subject. “How are your injuries?”

“Much better, but I still don’t have much strength.” Yu Qin’s voice was weak. She had lost a great deal of blood—surviving at all was already a stroke of luck.

Meanwhile, in the center of the great hall, the struggle was drawing to a close.

All remaining treasures atop the stone platform had been divided, the victors being Nie Han, Le Feng, and Senior Brother Jiang.

Nie Han’s greatest gain was the ancient sword, whose quality was impossible to estimate—likely surpassing the level of spiritual artifacts.

In the cultivation world, the lowest grade of magical artifacts is called “magic instruments”; rarer are the “spiritual instruments,” and above those, only the legendary “treasured instruments.”

Le Feng and Senior Brother Jiang fared well too, each obtaining a storage pouch.

Afterward, in the main square of the hall, the remaining treasures were mostly the spirit well and numerous floating spiritual instruments in midair.

The green leaf and prayer beads above the ancient well drew the most attention—likely no less precious than the ancient sword.

Xu Xuan thought for a moment, then asked Yu Qin for a few empty bottles and filled them with spirit liquid from the well.

The spirit liquid in the well bubbled continuously and was abundant, so no one minded Xu Xuan’s actions.

“Heh, the green leaf and prayer beads above the spirit well must be treasured artifacts from the Celestial and Buddhist sects,” Le Feng said with a smile, his magical power quietly gathering.

“These two core treasures are the keystones of the grand formation; they cannot be moved carelessly,” Senior Brother Jiang frowned, quickly moving to the edge of the hall. He circulated his power and reached out to seize one of the spiritual instruments.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

A dazzling five-colored light rippled in midair. He attacked repeatedly with his magic instrument, finally taking one of the spiritual artifacts, his expression urgent.

With each artifact removed, the formation’s light dimmed and trembled, becoming increasingly unstable.

“Is this really possible?” Xu Xuan’s expression was odd, sensing something amiss.

The other disciples’ eyes gleamed; they imitated Jiang’s method, rushing to select their desired spiritual artifacts, launching one attack after another in excitement.

Each time an artifact was removed, the formation’s brilliance faded further.

“This formation has existed for centuries and is already damaged. I advise you to leave quickly,” the remnant soul of the previous life warned.

Leave?

A sudden sense of impending doom rose in Xu Xuan’s heart.

At that moment, Nie Han, sword in hand, shouted and leapt at the prayer beads and green leaf above the spirit well.

Others dared not touch those treasures, but Nie Han was clearly fearless.

As he moved, Le Feng acted as well, his wind-fire fan transforming into a torrent of fire clouds.

Boom—

The entire hall shook; the five-colored brilliance trembled violently, and then a wild surge of spiritual energy erupted from the spirit well.

“Not good! Run—!”

Without a second thought, Xu Xuan scooped up Yu Qin and sprinted toward the exit.

A powerful storm of spiritual energy rushed out from the well like a flood, sweeping in all directions. The ancient, damaged formation shuddered violently, on the verge of collapse.

Disciples from both sects reacted, their faces pale as ghosts, running for their lives.

Xu Xuan had just reached the steps when he heard Wan Fushan’s desperate cries from a corner: “Help... Help me!”

Xu Xuan snorted, ignored him, and let Wan Fushan fend for himself, fleeing the secret hall at the heart of the lake.

He carried Yu Qin’s soft, delicate form, both soaked in the spirit liquid from the well. Where their bodies pressed together, there was a strange, gentle sensation. Yu Qin’s cheeks flushed crimson, her long lashes trembling as she closed her eyes, the chaotic world of her senses suddenly transformed into eternal tranquility.

Xu Xuan ran fastest, the first to escape the hidden hall.

Boom—

The roar of spiritual energy behind him was like a dam bursting, flooding in all directions.

The disciples who followed were disheveled and pale, some left behind in the terrible vortex of spiritual energy.

Centered on the secret hall, the storm of spiritual energy radiated outward, growing weaker as it spread throughout the secret realm.

“This place is dangerous; everyone, hurry to the edge of the secret realm,” someone called.

Both sects, wounded included, retreated together toward the realm’s perimeter.

Xu Xuan ran for several miles, then glanced back. The hidden hall in the middle of the lake was drowned by a vast storm of spiritual energy, radiant and magnificent, but perilously threatening.

It was clear: anyone swallowed by that storm would likely perish, even those at the level of a Spirit Refiner.

The storm expanded relentlessly, only slowing after reaching a ten-mile radius.

Xu Xuan, carrying the injured and exhausted Yu Qin, slowed his pace to avoid jostling the girl in his arms.

The disciples of both sects, by unspoken agreement, retreated toward the entrance of the secret realm.

A few hours later, Xu Xuan arrived at the ancient, half-ruined stone wall marking the entrance, finding Le Feng, Nie Han, and others already there.

Soon after, Yang Xiaoqian, Senior Brother Yun, and other disciples from both sects arrived one by one, most battered and disheveled.

Those who hadn’t arrived within half a day likely had little chance of survival.

“Junior Sister Yang, thank goodness you’re safe.” Le Feng, anxious, rushed to support her; she was pale, snorting softly in displeasure.

It turned out that, amid the chaos, Le Feng had fled for his own life, ignoring everyone else.

Fortunately, Yang Xiaoqian had been outside the hidden hall, tending to Yun Yuanhang, and barely escaped.

“Junior Sister, when I ran out of the hall, it was chaos—I didn’t even see you,” Le Feng explained.

Yang Xiaoqian was still angry, her heart filled with sorrow. Glancing sideways, she caught sight of Xu Xuan and froze.

“Senior Brother, I...” Yu Qin opened her beautiful eyes, lying in Xu Xuan’s arms, blushing under everyone’s gaze, completely at a loss.

Xu Xuan quickly brought her to the stone wall, propping her up and smiling comfortingly.

Witnessing this scene, Yang Xiaoqian felt a wave of disappointment, mingled with inexplicable envy. In the face of true life and death, no one had come to save her, the lowly junior sister. She’d watched Le Feng’s desperate escape, her shouts unanswered.

Everyone rested near the entrance to recuperate, thankfully untouched by the surge from the spirit well.

Yu Qin took a healing elixir; half a day later, her injuries were much improved—perhaps thanks to the spirit liquid as well.

The next morning.

“Junior Sister Yu, thank you for your precious ‘Restoration Pill’ yesterday—it saved half my life…” A red-haired man from the Sword Sect, carrying a giant sword, approached to thank her.

“Who are you?” Yu Qin remembered saving him, but not his name.

Xu Xuan had some impression of him—a fifth-level Qi Refiner of the Sword Sect, second only to Nie Han.

“My name is Zhong Hong.” The red-haired man gazed at Yu Qin, his gratitude tinged with undisguised admiration.

Yu Qin felt uncomfortable under his gaze, lowering her head shyly.

Seeing this, Zhong Hong thought he had a chance, and stepped forward, speaking with heartfelt emotion: “Junior Sister Yu, when I was in agony in the hidden hall, you were like a celestial maiden descending from the heavens—kind, beautiful, flawless. You gave me new life. I will never forget your kindness!”

He then produced a bouquet of white lotus flowers from his storage pouch, offering them to Yu Qin. “For you—I hope you like them.”

The gesture immediately drew the attention of both sects’ disciples, who applauded and cheered.

“This…” Yu Qin was flustered, shy and uneasy, stealing a glance at Xu Xuan beside her.

(Tomorrow is Friday; the next chapter will see Immortal River officially launched. This is the most crucial moment—the fate of this book depends entirely on your support.)