Cultivation is just so scientific! Chapter 1432: 762: Essence (Part 2)

Li Yuanba was particularly captivated by the combat style of Master Wu Ge.

The specific maneuvers Master Wu Ge executed with his Lifebound Flying Sword, along with his sophisticated applications of Sword Intent, offered immense reference value for Li Yuanba’s own path.

Li Yuanba utilized the IBMz15 to record the entire engagement, intending to analyze the footage thoroughly during his moments of leisure.

“Bind!” Venerable Hongguang shouted softly.

At that precise moment, the battlefield was transformed. His treasure, the Magic Vajra Pestle, had been radiating a continuous golden Buddhist light that now saturated half the corridor like a shimmering golden fog.

Upon his command, these golden rays rapidly coalesced around the Fourth Grade Late Stage Hell Horse Head Spirit, manifesting into a solid, golden lotus.

Caught off guard by this sudden shift, the Fourth Grade Late Stage Hell Horse Head Spirit attempted to burst through the perimeter of the golden lotus, yet its violent struggles failed to shatter the cage.

The massive golden lotus began to contract steadily, locking the Fourth Grade Late Stage Hell Horse Head Spirit firmly within its petals.

Li Yuanba observed that Venerable Hongguang was also under immense strain; he saw the Venerable’s complexion turn ghostly pale, likely a result of the previous heavy strike from the Fourth Grade Late Stage Hell Horse Head Spirit.

It was evident that the creature's assault had not been harmless, but had been forcibly endured and suppressed by Venerable Hongguang.

Energy surged out of Venerable Hongguang like a receding tide. The Buddhist Secret Technique required to restrain such a formidable Fourth Grade Late Stage Hell Horse Head Spirit demanded so much energy that even a Great Venerable could only maintain it for three breaths of time.

Under normal circumstances, he would never employ this Secret Technique unless he was fighting in perfect coordination with Master Wu Ge.

Sacrificing nearly half of one's total internal energy just to immobilize a foe for three breaths seemed like a poor trade-off.

However, when timed perfectly, the impact of this Buddhist Secret Technique was devastatingly effective.

Having been companions for years, Master Wu Ge was intimately familiar with Venerable Hongguang’s tactics. The moment he saw the Secret Technique being cast, he summoned back his Lifebound Flying Sword.

The Lifebound Flying Sword hovered before him as he poured his Spiritual Power Pattern and Sword Intent into the blade with great effort. He pushed himself to the limit of his control before finally unleashing the strike.

It had taken two breaths to fully charge the Lifebound Flying Sword with energy and Sword Intent.

The preparation paid off, as the power radiating from the Lifebound Flying Sword reached its absolute peak.

With a thunderous “Boom,” the Fourth Grade Late Stage Hell Horse Head Spirit, unable to dodge while trapped, took the full force of the blow. The Lifebound Flying Sword drove deep into its skull, creating a bone-shaking roar.

The concentrated ‘Evil-breaking Sword Intent’ from Master Wu Ge tore through the hide of the Fourth Grade Late Stage Hell Horse Head Spirit, causing plumes of black smoke to erupt from the wound.

The true horror of Sword Intent is revealed once it bypasses an enemy's defenses.

The ‘Evil-breaking Sword Intent’ flooded the interior of the Fourth Grade Late Stage Hell Horse Head Spirit, following the path of the Lifebound Flying Sword to systematically obliterate its internal structure.

Even though Hell Creatures are devoid of physical pain, this assault—which felt as though it were incinerating its very soul—forced a wretched scream from the Fourth Grade Late Stage Hell Horse Head Spirit.

Because the attack was centered on the head of the Fourth Grade Late Stage Hell Horse Head Spirit, the ‘Evil-breaking Sword Intent’ focused its destruction there first.

A sharp “bang” echoed as a gaping hole was blown through the skull of the Fourth Grade Late Stage Hell Horse Head Spirit.

Venerable Hongguang did not lower his guard, even though the Fourth Grade Late Stage Hell Horse Head Spirit had suffered a fatal head wound and its life force had dropped to almost nothing.

As the golden lotus finally flickered out, he gathered the remaining Buddhist light and directed it onto the carcass of the Fourth Grade Late Stage Hell Horse Head Spirit.

Enveloped in the Buddhist light, the remains of the Fourth Grade Late Stage Hell Horse Head Spirit dissolved into thick black smoke.

Eventually, the body vanished entirely, leaving a shimmering green crystal in the spot where the creature had fallen.

Venerable Hongguang looked at the glowing green crystal with a clear expression of revulsion.

“I truly despise these monsters from Hell. Any other Fourth Grade Late Stage spirit beast would provide valuable materials, but these Hell creatures leave nothing behind but a headache!” Master Wu Ge remarked, his brow furrowed.

Li Yuanba’s eyes narrowed as he recognized the object. It was a crystal of pure uranium; while its exact concentration was uncertain, it was far more refined than any ‘Hell Disgust Crystal’ he had seen before.

“Senior Wu, what exactly is that?” he inquired.

“That is ‘Hell Disgust Crystal Essence,’ which only forms within Fourth Grade Late Stage Hell monsters. This ‘Hell Disgust Crystal Essence’ is highly toxic to cultivators, so it must be sealed away immediately whenever we find it!” Master Wu Ge explained.

It was easy to see why he held such disdain for Fourth Grade Late Stage Hell Creatures; they were incredibly powerful and exhausting to kill.

Even with two masters fighting one, possessing elemental advantages and the upper hand in the environment, they had barely succeeded after a grueling fight—only to receive a reward that wasn't worth the effort.

The prize was actually a burden, as ‘Hell Disgust Crystal Essence’ is notoriously difficult to contain. Even a Forbidden Spirit Jade Box cannot hold its influence for long.

The radiation emitted by ‘Hell Disgust Crystal Essence’ taints all nearby Spiritual Objects, damaging them regardless of their nature.

This makes storing ‘Hell Disgust Crystal Essence’ a nightmare. Fortunately, some have found that submerging it in a specific medicinal broth can dampen its effect on other Spiritual Objects.

That is the current method for handling it. Luckily, Fourth Grade Late Stage Hell Creatures are quite uncommon, appearing more frequently only because of the spatial instability at the Hell Cave Heaven.

“I would like to ask if I might exchange some of my resources for this ‘Hell Disgust Crystal Essence’!” Li Yuanba said, masking his excitement as he addressed Master Wu Ge and Venerable Hongguang.

“It isn't a matter of greed, but the ‘Hell Disgust Crystal Essence’ is simply too dangerous. Giving it to you would be putting your life at risk!” Master Wu Ge replied, shaking his head.

“Senior Wu, I believe this ‘Hell Disgust Crystal Essence’ is vital for my current research. I promise you that I will handle it with extreme caution!” Li Yuanba urged, feeling a bit frustrated.

He understood that Master Wu Ge wasn't being difficult; he was genuinely trying to protect him from the crystal's harmful nature.

“If you can prove you can safely manage this ‘Hell Disgust Crystal Essence,’ then I will make you a deal: I will help you collect the five remaining ‘Hell Disgust Crystal Essence’ currently on Hell Island!” Master Wu Ge said, pointing to the crystal on the ground.

He was testing Li Yuanba, certain that without the proper medicinal fluids, the boy would find it impossible to secure the ‘Hell Disgust Crystal Essence’ safely.

“I appreciate that, Senior Wu!” Li Yuanba said with a grin, then turned his gaze toward Venerable Hongguang.

Venerable Hongguang understood the look; Li Yuanba was asking for his permission as well.

Since both men had contributed to the kill, the ‘Hell Disgust Crystal Essence’ was shared property.

“If Brother Wu is in agreement, then go ahead. If you truly have a way to handle the ‘Hell Disgust Crystal Essence,’ I will assist him in securing the other five for you!” Venerable Hongguang said, smiling kindly.

His opinion of the youth had shifted entirely. Between Li Yuanba’s combat prowess and his dedication to Hell Island, he had earned the Venerable's full respect.