The Golden Needle Technique stated that only with such golden needles could the technique be fully unleashed.
Although finding the Gold-Hiding Tree would still require locating a high-level Artifact Refiner to forge the needles, this was no obstacle for her. Returning to Chiyue, how difficult could it be to find a high-level Artifact Refiner?
Murong Chao carefully released her spiritual sense, avoiding Monster Beasts and Spirit Beasts, and began searching according to the characteristics of the Gold-Hiding Tree.
After a full day, she had found nothing at all.
The forest darkened early. Murong Chao conducted her final search along the shores of Gorgeous Lake, and this time, she did find people—but they were all there for training.
Recalling Zhou Ziliang’s mention that Wei Xiangyuan had saved him around noon, Murong Chao wasted no more time and directly entered the Purple-Gold Space to begin practicing the foundational techniques of the Purple-Gold Mystic Art.
Tonight, she had even more time than the previous night and should be able to learn more moves.
It wasn’t until the next morning, when the sky was fully bright, that Murong Chao ended her cultivation session. She had learned forty more moves, leaving less than a third of the foundational techniques of the Purple-Gold Mystic Art remaining.
However, aside from her Cultivation Level breaking through to Great Perfection, there were no other gains tonight.
Even so, she was quite satisfied.
At that moment, roars from Monster Beasts and Spirit Beasts echoed from outside the space. What was happening?
Murong Chao looked outside, only to find her view blocked by a thick wall.
No, it was the back of a Monster Beast blocking her view.
What kind of Monster Beast was this, so tall and robust?
Following the beast’s back upward, she realized it was a Black-Back Bear.
Just as she was about to withdraw her gaze, she saw a green seed, about the size of a broad bean, roll down from the Black-Back Bear’s back.
For reasons unknown even to herself, Murong Chao flashed out, caught the seed, and returned to the space.
Though it was only an instant, the Black-Back Bear still noticed her.
The Black-Back Bear that had blocked her view instantly moved aside, allowing Murong Chao to see the situation outside clearly.
Aside from the Black-Back Bear, there was also a Spotted Leopard.
Originally, the two had been confronting each other, but now they were both staring intently in her direction.
Murong Chao was stunned. She had merely picked up a seed—why were they both looking at her?
Although she was inside the space and they couldn’t see her, their expressions made it seem as though they had suddenly transformed from enemies into allies.
The Black-Back Bear and the Spotted Leopard stared at the empty space before them, then instantly charged over, digging and clawing at the ground as if searching for something.
Murong Chao’s almond-shaped eyes flashed as she looked at the unknown green seed in her hand. Could it be that they were searching for this seed?
Both of the beasts outside were Monster Beasts with considerable Cultivation Levels. Why would they be looking for this seed?
Clearly, this seed must possess extraordinary qualities.
She dared not go out to confront the two beasts. Glancing outside and then at the seed in her hand, she thought, “Since it’s already in my possession, there’s no way I’m giving it back.” She walked over to the tree inside the space, dug a hole, tossed the seed in, and planted it.
She didn’t know if the Purple-Gold Space could support planting, but since the tree was alive, it should be possible, right?
However, as soon as she covered the soil, the seed she had just planted jumped out of the ground and landed on the surface.
Murong Chao was baffled. Could this seed move?
So, it hadn’t fallen from the Black-Back Bear’s back earlier—the seed had been escaping? No wonder there was something suspicious about it, and no wonder the two beasts were so frantically searching for it.
But how could a seed grow if it wasn’t in the soil?
Stubbornly, Murong Chao dug another hole and planted the seed again, only for it to jump out once more. She planted it again, and it jumped out again.
After several attempts, Murong Chao confirmed that this seed indeed could not be planted.
She turned the seed over and over in her hand but couldn’t discern anything unusual. It refused to settle when buried in the ground, yet in her hand, it behaved just like an ordinary seed.
What kind of seed was this?
What should she do?
Glancing outside at the two creatures still digging and turning the soil, she thought, should she just throw it out?
Just as this idea crossed her mind, the seed in her hand instantly leaped up and fled.
Murong Chao stared at her empty palm, utterly speechless. This was her space—where could a seed possibly run off to?
However, she understood now: this seed neither wanted to be thrown out nor buried in the ground.
Since that was the case, Murong Chao didn’t bother searching for it. If it couldn’t be planted and couldn’t be discarded, then let it do as it pleased. After all, the space was vast enough—there was surely room for a single seed.
Murong Chao was anxious to save Zhou Ziliang, but with the two creatures still outside, she couldn’t leave.
Around noon, the two outside creatures had turned over all the surrounding soil. Convinced they couldn’t find the seed, they left in frustration.
After waiting a while longer, Murong Chao finally emerged—after all, she no longer had any Invisibility talismans on her.
She was poor and reluctant to use her few remaining talismans.
Looking up, she saw the sun directly overhead—it was already noon.
If Zhou Ziliang was injured at noon today, she hoped she could make it in time to save him.
She released her spiritual sense to survey the area around Gorgeous Lake. Just then, the sound of a fight reached her from nearby. Upon closer inspection, it was a battle between two people, not between a human and a Spirit Beast or Monster Beast.
Could it be such a coincidence? Because she had arrived early, had she stumbled upon Zhou Ziliang’s final duel with his enemy?
She hurried over anyway, as her primary purpose in coming here was precisely to intercept and save him.
She dared not waste a single moment, fearing that Wei Xiangyuan might encounter Zhou Ziliang first.
She ran all the way, but by the time she arrived, the fight had already ended.
On the damp grass by the lake lay a man in black robes, face down. Another man in brown robes lay on his back nearby.
Murong Chao didn’t recognize the one lying face-up. He showed no signs of life—completely dead. She immediately crouched down and turned over the face-down man to see if it was Zhou Ziliang.
Though his complexion was poor and his face dirty from lying prone, his features were still clear. It was indeed Zhou Ziliang, looking a hundred years younger—now only in his thirties.
Without hesitation, Murong Chao took out a third-grade Healing Pill and placed it in Zhou Ziliang’s mouth. The sooner he took the Healing Pill, the sooner his injuries could be stabilized, minimizing the impact on his cultivation talent. To what extent, she would need to examine him further to know.
Although it was only a third-grade Healing Pill, it was far better than the second-grade pill Wei Xiangyuan had given him in her previous life.
Moreover, her rescue was timely—no one could have been more prompt. He had just fallen when she saved him.
Although Wei Xiangyuan had saved Zhou Ziliang back then, he hadn’t known Zhou Ziliang’s future significance and was unwilling to give a stranger a high-grade pill. He had only administered a second-grade Healing Pill.
While this saved Zhou Ziliang’s life, his Cultivation Level had dropped significantly. The battle had also damaged his Spiritual Root, and without timely follow-up treatment, his cultivation stagnated for a century without any breakthroughs.
After discovering Zhou Ziliang’s usefulness and loyalty, Wei Xiangyuan must have felt deeply regretful.
Unfortunately, there is no Alchemist in this world capable of concocting a potion of regret; otherwise, it would surely sell exceptionally well.