Chapter 205: Chapter 193: Opening the Black Orb

’Could the Luo Family and the Royal Family both be involved in my father’s disappearance?’

Luo Tianxiang, the Luo Family’s Ultimate Venerable, was also at the Ultimate Venerable Peak. His combat power was comparable to Huo Gangx’s, so he wasn’t a major concern. The key was the Royal Family!

The Royal Family’s ancestor, Fengg Yu, had already reached the Ultimate Venerable Peak a hundred years ago. Relying on the resources of an entire Empire, his cultivation had long since reached an incredibly profound level. He wasn’t far behind even Sect Master Mi Hong of the Mi Tian Sect!

Even the Baihua Sect Master was no match for him.

If it weren’t for this absolute strength, the Royal Family of the Divine Wind Empire would have been overthrown long ago!

He had only defeated the Baihua Sect Master through a clever trick. Wanting to vanquish the Royal Family’s ancestor, Fengg Yu, was completely unrealistic!

Not unless his True Qi accumulation reached the Ultimate Venerable Peak!

Although the Ultimate Venerable level was just a single realm, the differences in strength within it were vast. To put it in terms of power, possessing 10 Elephant Power made one an Ultimate Venerable. Yet, someone with 9,000 Elephant Power was still considered within the Ultimate Venerable realm. The disparity was clear.

’No matter how strong he is, if the Royal Family is truly involved in my father’s capture, I won’t hesitate to go on a killing spree and drench the Imperial Palace in blood!’

Though wary, he was not afraid. Even if the Royal Family’s ancestor, Fengg Yu, was formidable, he wasn’t weak himself. With his three Ultimate Venerable Demon Pets, plus his comprehension of the Momentum of Mountains and Rivers and the Momentum of the Earth, he had confidence. Even without the Baihua Sect Master and Huo Gangx’s help, if he couldn’t defeat Ancestor Fengg Yu, the ancestor couldn’t do much to him either!

Ultimate Venerable Powerhouses could fly. If they couldn’t win, they could escape. As long as the ancestor wasn’t a fool, he wouldn’t press him too hard.

After all, if Nie Yun escaped and looked for a chance to launch a sneak attack, it was likely that not a single one of Fengg Yu’s sons or grandsons would survive.

He chatted with Tie Yan for a while longer. Tie Yan didn’t have much information, but from what he did know, the Zhao Family was connected not only to the Royal Family and the Luo Family, but also to some mysterious faction. As for the Mi Tian Sect, which Nie Yun was so wary of, they didn’t seem to be involved.

"Alright, you all continue the investigation. Let me know when you have solid news. I plan to make a push in the next few days and see if I can improve my strength again."

Nie Yun said, giving his instructions.

Although advancement slowed after reaching the Ultimate Venerable Level, the stronger he was now, the better his chances of rescuing his father and the others. He couldn’t afford to relax in the slightest!

"My lord, this is the Essence Energy our Mercenary Corps obtained. I know this is useful even for Ultimate Venerable Powerhouses, otherwise Huo Gangx wouldn’t have come for it. Please, take all of it!"

As he spoke, Tie Yan had someone bring over a Jade Gourd.

The Jade Gourd was filled with a golden gas. Nie Yun recognized it at a glance as the Essence Energy he had used before. Judging by the volume and quality, it was several times better than what he had gotten from Liu Chengze!

Although he knew the Essence Energy was a great treasure, Tie Yan also knew it wasn’t something his small Mercenary Corps could handle. Since Nie Yun had saved them, he offered it as a reward.

"Then I won’t refuse. Thank you!"

Thinking about how his Spirit Rhinoceros Celestial Body Refining Technique had yet to reach the Third Layer of Great Success, Nie Yun no longer hesitated and reached out to take the gourd.

Once the Third Layer of the Spirit Rhinoceros Body Cultivation Technique reached Great Success, his physical strength would definitely exceed 50 Elephant Power. At that point, he would be able to open that black sphere and take out what was inside!

Nie Yun was truly curious to see just how miraculous the Phecda Sword was, for so many people to be searching for it.

After giving a few more instructions, day had broken. Nie Yun decided not to leave and, under Tie Lan’s guidance, found a quiet courtyard to stay in.

It was worth mentioning that Mengg Quan, the one who had wanted to compete with Nie Yun, had adopted a much better attitude since learning the young man’s true age and strength. All his previous arrogance was gone.

He knew that being arrogant in front of an Ultimate Venerable Powerhouse was suicide. In terms of talent, he wasn’t even worthy of carrying Nie Yun’s shoes. The so-called number one genius of the Iron Rock Mercenary Corps was probably nothing more than a fart in the other’s eyes!

What right did he have to be arrogant?

* * *

In the silent room, Nie Yun sat cross-legged on the edge of the bed, his entire body glowing with a golden radiance. In front of him lay a jade-colored gourd, now completely empty.

OM!

After an unknown amount of time, Nie Yun’s eyes snapped open. His muscles crackled and popped like a dense string of firecrackers.

"Haaaah!"

The crackling sound continued for about half an hour before Nie Yun let out a long breath. A golden light shot from his eyes, illuminating the entire room!

’I thought I was close to the Third Layer of Great Success, that I just needed one final push to succeed. I never expected it to be so difficult. It took absorbing every last bit of Essence Energy from the gourd, plus a bit of luck, to finally complete it...’

He stood up, feeling the changes in his muscles. The golden light in Nie Yun’s eyes slowly faded as a smile spread across his face.

Back in Liu Chengze’s secret chamber, he had felt he wasn’t far from reaching the Third Layer of Great Success for the Spirit Rhinoceros Body Refining Technique. He originally thought one final push would be enough to break through, but it turned out he needed to absorb all the Essence Energy in the gourd to finally succeed!

Now that the Spirit Rhinoceros Body Refining Technique had reached the Third Layer, his physical defense was already comparable to a Royal Family’s Weapon. Even if he stood still and let an ordinary Ultimate Venerable Powerhouse attack him, he wouldn’t be injured in the slightest! 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

His powerful defense was one thing, but his physical strength had also taken a qualitative leap. Nie Yun felt that with a light squeeze of his fist, he could crush a block of iron. He could even shatter a Royal Family’s Weapon with his bare hands!

’My physical strength has surpassed 50 Elephant Power, and my True Qi Power has also improved. Now, let’s try opening that black sphere again!’

With a flip of his wrist, he once again retrieved the black sphere from his Storage Dantian. He gripped it with both hands, channeling his physical strength and True Qi Power simultaneously!

OM! CRACK! CRACK!

As he pushed his power to the absolute limit, a flash of pure white light flickered. Immediately after, a series of crisp sounds rang out. The black sphere, like a hard-boiled egg being squeezed, developed fine cracks all over its surface!

’It’s about to work! Open for me!’

Seeing the cracks, Nie Yun knew success was imminent. His eyes lit up, and he suddenly increased his power again!

CRACK!

Finally, the black sphere could no longer withstand the immense power and split completely open down the middle, revealing what was inside.

The object inside was only the size of a cherry, perfectly round and smooth like a pearl. ’So this is a stripped Storage Dantian? Truly miraculous...’

A flash of excitement crossed Nie Yun’s eyes as he looked at the pearl-like object.

As soon as he broke the black sphere, he understood. The black exterior was just a Blinding Technique left behind by the super-powerhouse who created it. The real Storage Dantian was this cherry-sized object!

To be able to strip a Storage Dantian from a human body and refine it into an item for storing things... that super-powerhouse was truly terrifying!

Marveling inwardly, Nie Yun extended his Spiritual Power toward the Storage Dantian in his hand. He had only taken a single look when his eyes went wide, his face a mask of utter shock.

"This... This... How is this possible? I’ve... struck it rich!"

Even with his strong mental fortitude, he couldn’t help but cry out in astonishment, all his previous composure gone! (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)