Dashing Student Chapter 1431: Divine Thought Breakthrough

"According to the legends of my Demon Clan ancestors, Yin Beasts perpetually remain in slumber. While dormant, each beast diligently absorbs the surrounding extremely Yin Qi, consequently expelling a dark mist from their forms."

Aboard the Flying Boat, Ao Hao stood at the forefront with Chen Nan, their gazes fixed upon the darkening expanse ahead.

"So, if I understand correctly, this black mist originates from the Yin Beasts?" Chen Nan inquired, his brow furrowing slightly. "Given that they are asleep, is it possible for us to navigate through without awakening them?"

"It’s certainly an option worth exploring, though we must also make preparations for the less favorable outcomes," Ao Hao replied with a sigh. "Our primary hope is to pass through without incident."

"I comprehend," Chen Nan affirmed, nodding. He then retrieved a Yin Qi Crystal from his storage pouch and presented it to Ao Hao. "Esteemed Senior, this was acquired after vanquishing members of the Ghost Clan. It might be comparable in significance to their Golden Core."

"By absorbing the Yin Qi contained within, one can refine the Divine Soul and augment its power. Would you be inclined to attempt it?"

Ao Hao accepted the Yin Qi Crystal, his eyes closing briefly. With a mere intention, the crystal disintegrated into fine powder within his grasp, and the potent Yin Qi coursed into his being.

A short while later, his eyes fluttered open, and he shook his head with a hint of disappointment.

"While it does possess the capacity to refine the Divine Soul, its efficacy is rather limited. Furthermore, absorbing rampant Yin Qi can present various complications, making the endeavor not worth the inherent risks for such a modest gain."

Chen Nan let out a soft sigh. Ao Hao’s reaction aligned with his expectations; after all, not every individual could absorb Yin Qi into their Dantian without adverse effects—a feat he himself achieved through unique circumstances.

Naturally, one might consider attempting it if they practiced a Demon Cultivation Technique and were unconcerned with potentially becoming neither human nor ghost, a state of being quite unsettling.

Ao Hao regarded Chen Nan with a measure of surprise. "I observed that despite your absorption of the Yin Qi Crystal, no trace of frigid air emanated from you. Is this a result of a specific technique you practice, or do you possess a Yin Spirit Root?"

The spectrum of Spirit Roots is vast and varied. While Yin Attribute Spirit Roots are indeed rare, their existence is not mythical. Cultivating them, however, proves exceedingly difficult, demanding environments saturated with Yin Qi.

"It is the latter," Chen Nan confirmed with a smile, extending a single finger. A delicate wisp of Yin Qi materialized at his fingertip, resembling a miniature dark cloud.

"I see," Ao Hao acknowledged with a nod. "While cultivating Exotic Spiritual Roots may not be straightforward, they undoubtedly grant advantages unavailable to conventional cultivators. You are quite fortunate, indeed."

Chen Nan’s lips pressed together. Fortunate was hardly the word; he had simply embarked upon a path from which there was no turning back!

If Ao Hao were aware that Chen Nan possessed not only a Yin Attribute but also numerous other elemental Spirit Roots, the elder’s astonishment would likely be profound.

However, until Chen Nan possessed the strength to safeguard himself, he had no intention of divulging this extraordinary secret.

"Given your assessment that absorbing the Yin Qi Crystal is impractical for most, if we happen upon more such crystals after confronting the Yin Beasts, I would be grateful if you would assist in collecting them for me," Chen Nan requested, cupping his hands respectfully.

"A minor request, readily granted," Ao Hao agreed with a nod. "However, are you entirely confident that defeating Yin Beasts will yield these crystals?"

"It is a possibility," Chen Nan admitted, uncertainty coloring his tone. "My reasoning is that both the Ghost Clan and the Yin Beasts originate from environments rich in Yin Qi. They might share fundamental similarities, differing primarily in their level of sentience."

"That line of reasoning holds merit," Ao Hao chuckled, though his smile quickly vanished. "Our destination this time is the Inner Sea, and the perils are yet unknown. I shall endeavor to provide protection for all of you to the best of my abilities."

"Should an unforeseen circumstance befall me, I wish to entrust the members of the Demon Clan to your care."

Chen Nan was momentarily stunned by the unexpected proposition. "Senior, why me? Among us are formidable Demon Kings; I am but an insignificant figure and cannot possibly bear such a grave responsibility."

Ao Hao’s gaze seemed to penetrate Chen Nan’s inner thoughts as he sighed softly. "There is no need for such self-deprecation. Your survival thus far attests to your extraordinary nature."

"I am not seeking to impose an obligation upon you, merely expressing a hope that, when the need arises, you might extend them assistance. That would suffice."

The fact that a Great Saint of the Demon Clan was making such a request made it exceedingly difficult for Chen Nan to refuse, especially considering his own desire for Ao Hao’s aid in acquiring more Yin Qi Crystals.

Thus, he clasped his hands together with utmost sincerity. "If it lies within my capabilities, this junior shall not falter in his duty."

"Excellent."

Ao Hao expressed his clear satisfaction by patting Chen Nan on the shoulder. "You should take this time to rest. We still have a considerable distance to cover before reaching the vicinity of the black mist."

Chen Nan did not demur, as he still possessed a substantial quantity of Yin Qi Crystals to absorb. It was becoming increasingly pressing to elevate his cultivation to its zenith before confronting the Yin Beasts.

He proceeded to visit Yuan Sensen. The moment he stepped into the room, a figure swiftly launched herself into his embrace, exhibiting an eagerness to disrobe him.

Chen Nan offered a wry smile. Yuan Sensen seemed to have developed a particular fondness for his advances, a trait consistent with the Demon Clan’s direct approach and their desire to propagate as swiftly as possible.

"No need to hurry; let us at least have a conversation. Will it be only sleeping between us otherwise?"

"Just talking isn't sufficient; I haven't seen you for three entire days."

"It's merely been three days, and you can't bear it already? Are you perhaps some sort of little pervert?"

"Yes, even for a single day without seeing you, I miss you terribly. Come... uh..."

A delicate moan echoed throughout the chamber, accompanied by the gentle sounds of water, imbuing the atmosphere with a palpable sense of spring.

...

The Flying Boat moved with impressive speed. In just three days, they reached the periphery of the black mist, a veil that appeared to conceal man-eating fiends, instilling a sense of dread.

At this precise moment, Chen Nan was nowhere to be found within the room. He had entered the Time Domain within the Immortal Palace Space, clutching a fist-sized Yin Qi Crystal. While absorbing its essence, the remainder of such crystals had already been consumed.

His Divine Soul, tempered by the chilling Qi, had grown more resilient. Even his physical body had acclutably adjusted to the freezing Qi that threatened to render one immobile.

As the crystal diminished, Chen Nan's form was progressively enveloped in ice, freezing him solid. This continued until the crystal was fully absorbed, and a distinct "crack" emanated from the ice.

A fissure appeared, swiftly followed by a myriad of fine cracks, ultimately shattering with a resounding "bang." Chen Nan's eyes snapped open, his pupils blazing with a terrifying luminescence.

He could discern that his Divine Soul had become substantially more potent than before. The most immediate proof was the vastly expanded range of his Divine Thought.

An ordinary cultivator at the Fifth Layer of the Golden Core Realm typically commands a Divine Thought range of ten miles. However, Chen Nan's already robust Divine Soul now extended its reach to thirty miles!

Now, having absorbed the Yin Qi Crystal — one of which had been left behind by a Ghost King — his Divine Soul experienced a further enhancement, propelling his Divine Thought to an astonishing seventy miles!

Even a formidable expert in the early Nascent Soul stage usually possesses a Divine Thought range of merely around a hundred miles.

"This was indeed effective, but the Spirit Stones were significantly depleted."

Although only three days had elapsed in the external world, he had spent an entire month within the Time Domain, expending over ten thousand top-grade spirit stones.

A flicker of concern regarding the diminishing Spirit Stones began to surface in Chen Nan's mind when he suddenly detected someone summoning him from outside. With a mere thought, he exited the Immortal Palace Space.

"Chen Nan, come out quickly – we have arrived!"