Chapter Twenty: The Gathering Essence Array?

With such a dazed and foolish look, it’s no wonder he’s someone who’s been stuck at the Body Tempering stage for two years!

Before Yang Qing invited Luo Tian to join the team, Li Bofeng had naturally heard about Luo Tian’s situation from him. Originally, he thought it didn’t matter to have a temporary substitute, but now, seeing Luo Tian’s current performance, Li Bofeng couldn’t help but feel a hint of regret.

Perhaps this Luo Tian really would drag them down.

“Hmm? Did you see it clearly?”

Luo Tian nodded heavily. The movement of the Spotted Tiger just now had given him a deeper understanding of the Nine Beast Fist of Form and Intent. He was eager to practice it as soon as there was time to rest.

Zhao Zeming pursed his lips and said nothing.

“All right, let’s move on,” Li Bofeng said after a moment’s thought. Seeing Yang Qing already storing away the Spotted Tiger’s pelt and legs, he said no more, just shook his head slightly. “Let’s continue. What we’re looking for is still deeper inside!”

As they walked, Yang Qing asked softly and curiously, “Senior Brother Luo, can you still offer guidance in cultivation?”

“I can,” Luo Tian replied, grateful for the experience he’d gained from Li Yang before. Cross-referencing it with his own practice at the Qi Condensation stage, Luo Tian was now even more confident.

“Then, Senior Brother Luo, how about I trade two hundred contribution points for one session of your guidance?” Yang Qing’s voice was excited. He remembered how his progress in the Body Tempering stage had soared while doing menial work. But then his face fell. “I don’t have many contribution points left—just these extra ones.”

Luo Tian was taken aback. He hadn’t intended to set a price, much less take advantage of Yang Qing, but since the offer was made, there was no reason to refuse. Besides, it wasn’t like before, when doing chores as a menial disciple earned rewards. Now, as outer disciples, contribution points were the only currency they could trade.

“How much do you usually pay to attend inner disciples’ lessons?” Luo Tian asked.

Yang Qing paused for a moment before replying, “It depends on the inner disciple’s strength, usually between four hundred and a thousand contribution points. That would usually be for mid-level inner disciples at the Meridian Flow stage. As for the stronger ones, they’re not interested in teaching at all.”

Luo Tian nodded slightly. “And how effective are these lessons?”

“That’s hard to say!” Yang Qing pulled a face. “Inner disciples just teach; whether you can grasp it or not depends on the individual. Even if you make no progress at all, your contribution points aren’t refunded.”

“Very well, you can pay two hundred this time. But remember, this is a one-time offer. In the future, if I guide others, I’ll charge three hundred at least!”

Luo Tian could almost see a flood of contribution points washing over him.

“Deal, deal!” Yang Qing nodded eagerly. The chance to progress in the Body Tempering stage was rare enough, and to think Senior Brother Luo had already broken through to Qi Condensation and become an outer disciple, yet still had such heaven-defying abilities—what a surprise! “But, Senior Brother Luo, with your guidance at the Qi Condensation stage, everyone will definitely break through quickly—much faster than the menial disciples did!”

Paying contribution points for inner disciples’ lessons wasn’t always available, especially for higher-level ones, which were conducted in groups with no guarantee of individual attention.

But Senior Brother Luo?

Not only did he offer one-on-one instruction, but every word struck the heart of the matter. It was almost miraculous. Otherwise, how could the average time for menials to advance to outer disciples have dropped from a year to less than six months—slashed by more than half?

If only Senior Brother Luo had progressed himself a bit faster, the average wouldn’t have been dragged out so long. It was odd—his progress was rapid at first, but after reaching the ninth layer of Body Tempering, he stalled for over a year. A real mystery.

“Hmm? Why is that?” Luo Tian wondered. In theory, the stronger you are, the slower you should advance. Why would progress at Qi Condensation be faster than in the Body Tempering stage?

“Heh, Senior Brother Luo, you don’t know, do you?” Yang Qing’s face was full of pride. This was a secret Brother Li had accidentally revealed. “Our Ziyang Mountain, even the entire Shenyang Sect, is protected by formations—something called the Gathering Essence Array, I think. It gathers the vital energy of heaven and earth!”

Just then, a thunderous roar came from the distance, like the trampling of countless horses.

“What’s happening?” Li Bofeng immediately became alert, stopping in his tracks. “Don’t move!”

At his words, the Zhao brothers halted as well, their faces confused and uneasy.

They’d entered Shenyang Forest several times, but had never encountered anything like this.

Could it be—

“A beast horde uprising!” Li Bofeng leapt up, grabbed a tree trunk, and climbed swiftly to fix himself at a high vantage point. He peered into the distance, and his expression changed dramatically, as though witnessing the impossible. “It’s the Ironclad Rhinos!”

The Ironclad Rhinos!

Apart from Luo Tian, the others all blanched, their faces ashen as if the end was upon them.

“Senior Brother Luo, the Ironclad Rhino is a mid-tier second-rank beast. Its defense is incredible, and when it charges, it’s like a moving mountain—absolutely unstoppable!” Yang Qing swallowed hard. “Even a single Ironclad Rhino is too much for Brother Li to face head-on. He’d have to target its weak points and wear it down slowly! Let alone a whole herd!”

A herd of Ironclad Rhinos!

Even inner disciples would avoid them at all costs.

“What are you waiting for? Run!” Li Bofeng saw the rhino herd stretched out in a long line. He knew that even fleeing sideways might not save them, but running straight ahead was even more hopeless. He was deeply anxious.

In his desperation, Li Bofeng didn’t hesitate—he simply bolted toward the oblique front.

Although Luo Tian had never seen one of these so-called Ironclad Rhinos, the earth-shaking rumble and Yang Qing’s expression, as if he couldn’t even utter his last words, were proof enough that these creatures were not to be trifled with.

“This is a critical moment, so I’ll be direct!” Li Bofeng’s voice was firm. “When we find a suitable place, whoever is assigned will go first. The rest, follow me—no hesitation! If you disobey orders, don’t blame anyone for your fate!”

At that moment, Li Bofeng showed a decisiveness far beyond normal as the team leader. “I can’t guarantee anyone’s survival today. If someone manages to escape, try to return to the sect. I’ll do my best to complete the mission, but if I don’t return in ten days, don’t wait for me.”

Since Li Bofeng had taken the mission as team leader, the others couldn’t claim credit at the mission office, even if they brought back the required items—unless they had his identity token.

Luo Tian channeled his crimson energy with all his might, a faint red glow rising from his skin as his breathing grew heavy. This Shenyang Forest was indeed fraught with peril—no wonder the annual death rate among outer disciples exceeded thirty percent. Clearly, many perished in this very forest.

The group ran swiftly, the distance between them quickly widening due to their differing strengths. Li Bofeng was the fastest, followed by the Zhao brothers, while Yang Qing was actually lagging behind Luo Tian.

Luo Tian surmised that this must be due to physical strength. Although vital energy provided strong support, the body was still the foundation of any cultivator, and its importance could not be ignored.

The rumbling grew louder. Once the Ironclad Rhinos began their charge, their speed would become terrifying, and their inertia was so great that they wouldn’t even avoid trees or rocks—anyone who dodged would be trampled to pulp by the herd behind.

The Bofeng Squad was heading into ever greater danger.

That guy can really run when his life’s on the line!

Li Bofeng’s eyes flickered. Under normal circumstances, bringing Luo Tian along was fine, but in a crisis like this, it was better to protect someone familiar like Yang Qing—after all, they’d known each other for a while.

“There’s a small valley up ahead. Luo Tian, get over there!” Li Bofeng had made up his mind; this was a good chance to get rid of the dead weight. In such a critical moment, no one would blame him.

“Huff, Senior Brother Luo—” Yang Qing looked at the valley, hesitating. He wanted to go with him—after all, Senior Brother Luo was new to Shenyang Forest and unfamiliar with the dangers.

“Do you want to draw the Ironclad Rhinos’ attention over there too?” Li Bofeng snapped at Yang Qing, seeing through his intentions and refusing to allow it.

Luo Tian curled his lips slightly, fully aware of the hidden motives at play. But it suited him just fine. He greeted Yang Qing and, without hesitation, turned and ran for the valley.

Senior Brother Luo—

Yang Qing couldn’t help but worry. He knew that splitting up was likely to draw some of the frenzied Ironclad Rhinos away, but he still wanted to follow.

Li Bofeng slowed down, grabbed Yang Qing, and said, “The faster we run, the safer he’ll be! Don’t move—I’ll carry you for a bit!”