Chapter 192 - 147: Departure

Chapter 192: Chapter 147: Departure

One second, two seconds, three seconds.

As Zhao Zuo watched with anticipation, the transparent panel appeared.

[Upgrade Description: The Sky-Breaking Saber has been upgraded from a Magical Artifact to a Magical Treasure. All attributes have been massively boosted, with additional increases to flight speed and Wind Attribute energy damage.]

Although he was already quite satisfied with these changes, what Zhao Zuo truly looked forward to was the effect of the Spirit Seal.

The transparent panel dispersed and re-formed, now with a faint, pale golden shimmer.

[Spirit Seal · Instant Light: Increases the flight speed of the Magical Treasure by 70%.]

"I guess it’s just okay." Zhao Zuo wasn’t very satisfied with this effect, but a moment later, a strange piece of information appeared in his mind.

The amplifying effect of the Spirit Seal was a separate bonus. Even if the Sky-Breaking Saber were to advance to a Spiritual Artifact or a Spirit Treasure in the future, the Spirit Seal’s effect would not change, remaining a seventy percent boost.

This Spirit Seal’s effect had a much greater future potential.

The pale golden panel vanished, and new text materialized out of thin air.

[Level: Lower Grade Magical Treasure · Sky-Breaking Saber]

[EXP: 1/200]

[Status: Not upgradeable]

Advancing to a Magical Treasure was a complete metamorphosis, so the experience acquisition had reset to its initial state. However, Zhao Zuo had already learned from the Spring and Autumn Cicada that while two hundred experience points didn’t seem like much, gaining experience for a Magical Treasure was far more difficult than for a Magical Artifact.

Therefore, for the Sky-Breaking Saber to advance again, it would take much more time than before—at least several months. In short... it wouldn’t be much help for his immediate plans.

"We leave tomorrow." Zhao Zuo took out his Communication Jade to contact Shen Yunjiao. Neither the original owner of his body nor he himself had ever left the Moyun Sect’s territory after moving to the Moyun Market. Even with a map in hand, he wasn’t sure if he could reach the target area before the battle.

The Yunlan Mountain Range was a paradise for Demon Beasts; this journey was bound to be dangerous.

The next morning, Zhao Zuo filled his waterskin with clear water. He then took off his cloth shoes and retrieved a pair of leather boots made from Black Rhino Hide from his Storage Bag. They felt quite heavy in his hands, more than three times heavier than ordinary cloth shoes.

The advantage of these boots was that Black Rhino Hide was extremely tough. When walking in the Yunlan Mountain Range, one wouldn’t have to worry about stepping on venomous insects or being bitten by poisonous snakes. Plus, with the reinforced padding around the boots, even if the outer layer was pierced by an insect’s bite, he wouldn’t be injured.

Though heavy, they were an essential piece of equipment for exploring the Yunlan Mountain Range.

After putting on the leather boots, Zhao Zuo stood up and walked over to the sleeping Fire Spirit Snake, placing it into a Spirit Beast pouch to carry. He then activated his Cave Mansion Array, creating the illusion that he was in secluded cultivation.

"Meet me outside the valley," Shen Yunjiao replied.

When the Moyun Sect settled in this mountain range several hundred years ago, they had expended great effort to alter the lay of the earth’s veins. This created a ring of mountains around Moyun Mountain. These peaks were incredibly steep and housed the major Foundation Establishment families affiliated with the Moyun Sect.

Therefore... there was only one valley that served as a passable exit.

"Alright."

In the Mist Zone of the Outer Sect, Zhao Zuo used his Mana to change his appearance to his usual disguise: the face of a Body Cultivator with thick eyebrows, large eyes, and a powerful, martial look.

The journey was uneventful. Zhao Zuo reached the vicinity of the valley and saw Shen Yunjiao squatting on a tree root. Today, she wore a thick top and long pants, with Black Rhino Hide patched onto the ankles and wrists of her clothes. A round hat on her head completely covered her hair.

As Zhao Zuo approached, Shen Yunjiao stood up, a hint of vigilance on her face.

"Zhao Zuo?"

"Yes, it’s me."

The two walked side-by-side toward the valley exit. Only then did Zhao Zuo notice that Shen Yunjiao was also wearing tall boots made of Black Rhino Hide. Even her legs were patched with a layer of the same hide, making it look like she wore a suit of Leather Armor with high Defense Power.

"It might not look great, but its Defense Power far surpasses that of an ordinary Magical Robe." Shen Yunjiao explained, pointing to the Black Rhino Armor she wore. She often hunted in the Yunlan Mountain Range, and this suit of armor had saved her life several times.

"If I’d known, I would’ve gotten a set too," Zhao Zuo sighed. ’My lack of experience is really showing.’

"No worries, I prepared one for you. That’ll be three hundred Spirit Stones," Shen Yunjiao said, pulling a set of Black Rhino Hide armor from her Storage Bag. She thoughtfully helped Zhao Zuo put it on, tightening the connections with some kind of beast tendon.

Zhao Zuo tapped the square plate of Black Rhino Hide armor on his chest, feeling a heavy sense of security. He suddenly felt that the three hundred Spirit Stones were well worth it. What was even better was... he hadn’t paid for it yet.

"I’m a bit short on funds. I’ll owe you," Zhao Zuo said without the slightest bit of embarrassment. After all, Shen Yunjiao was the closest person he had in this world.

"Alright. Charging you fifty in interest isn’t too much, right?" Shen Yunjiao’s reply was just as natural.

"Not at all..."

"CRUNCH."

Zhao Zuo looked down and saw a dry bone lying in the dirt beneath his foot. Judging by its length and shape, it must have belonged to a human. ’Some poor fellow cultivator...’

Outside the valley, wild grass grew like a carpet, and ancient trees grew untamed like towering giants, their canopies forming a dense cover.

After leaving the area enveloped by the Moyun Market’s array, Zhao Zuo could clearly feel the surroundings become much more desolate. All that remained was a rugged path underfoot, less than a meter wide, said to have been trampled into existence by people entering the Yunlan Mountain Range to gather herbs.

"We have to be careful now that we’re here. Even an inconspicuous black beetle could take a Cultivator’s life. To this corner of the world... we are the creatures that don’t belong," Shen Yunjiao warned.