Borrowed Sword

Chapter 46: Xuantian Embryo Breathing Pill

"I really deserve to die!" Chu Huaixu began to berate himself.

Before this, he had kept calling him an old pervert in his heart.

In front of the stone table, the two of them stared at the bold and powerful characters on the scroll, both slightly dazed.

Chu Huaixu and Han Shuangjiang could both feel the imposing spirit of this senior!

"This senior must have had a very difficult cultivation path." Han Shuangjiang sighed.

She was also gradually beginning to understand why, despite being a Top-grade Spirit Embryo, she couldn't rely on her Spirit Panel to open this stone door.

Because this senior named Lei Wenyan had originally intended to leave the treasures in the secret realm for descendants with insufficient innate talent!

The Xuantian Embryo Breathing Pill was an incomparably precious seventh-grade Spiritual Pill.

To ordinary cultivators, it was a life-saving medicine.

If a Spirit Embryo's foundation was destroyed, at best, there would be no further progress in cultivation for the rest of their life—just like Liu Chengqi.

At worst, their cultivation would regress, their lifespan would shorten, and their life might even be in danger.

Possessing such a Spiritual Pill was like having an extra layer of protection.

But for cultivators lacking innate talent, the Xuantian Embryo Breathing Pill could truly defy fate and change destiny.

When Lei Wenyan spoke of "granting you a fortuitous opportunity," it was by no means an exaggeration!

Looking at the Spiritual Pill treasure box and the scroll, Chu Huaixu couldn't help but quote a line frequently circulated online:

"Because he once stood in the rain, he holds an umbrella for others."

To reach the level of a Major Cultivator with a mere third-grade low-tier Spirit Embryo—just imagine how much suffering that must have taken.

It was the first time Han Shuangjiang had heard this phrase. After a brief pause, she nodded deeply.

She thought it through quite clearly and said aloud, "Moreover, the trials set by this Senior Lei carry deep meaning."

"He didn’t just give the Spiritual Pill to any low-tier Spirit Embryo."

This might sound like nonsense on the surface.

But in truth, if you're able to endure suffering, then you'll be destined to endure endless suffering.

For those without a firm Dao Heart, what use is the Xuantian Embryo Breathing Pill?

It could indeed raise your potential, but that didn't mean you could leap to become a Heavenly Prodigy—its effect had its limits.

Yet for someone with a resolute Dao Heart, this senior was sweetening the path of pain that lay ahead in cultivation.

He used himself as proof, telling you that even with a third-grade low-tier Spirit Embryo, one could become a Major Cultivator.

Through his own gift, he made your journey ahead a bit smoother.

Lei Wenyan was not only the guide who went before you, but also the protector who walked your path alongside you.

Chu Huaixu had not been in this world for long and had yet to fully adapt.

Therefore, there was no scene of disciples giving thanks.

But he still felt deeply moved in his heart.

At that moment, a system notification rang in his ears.

"[Ding! Hidden Dungeon 【Pill King Token】 cleared.]"

"[Settlement in progress......]"

"[Congratulations, you have gained 1000 points of Free Experience and Xuantian Embryo Breathing Pill *1.]"

Cultivation wasn't done in isolation. Many cultivators, after entering secret realms and overcoming various trials, would gain insights and experience breakthroughs.

The system rewarding experience after completing the dungeon was based on the same principle.

Clearly, the highlight of this hidden dungeon was that priceless top-grade Spiritual Pill.

So, the experience reward wasn't particularly high.

"Good thing I stumbled into it by accident. Thanks to the special nature of the 《Sword Refining Art》, I earned over 2000 Cultivation Method experience points during the Medicinal Bath." Chu Huaixu was already quite satisfied.

Come to think of it, this time teaming up with Han Shuangjiang for the dungeon had gone quite smoothly.

But the real reason was... both of them had activated cheats!

Two cheat users—of course it went smoothly.

If someone said the dungeon wasn’t difficult, just look at those still trapped outside, or already kicked out of the instance.

At this moment, Han Shuangjiang turned to Chu Huaixu and asked, "What should we do now?"

There was no path ahead. To leave this place, it seemed they would have to go back the way they came.

Chu Huaixu glanced at the Spiritual Pill treasure box. After pondering for a moment, he said, “Would you be willing to guard me?”

“You’re planning to take the pill right now?” Han Shuangjiang asked.

“Yeah.” Chu Huaixu pointed at the stone door and said, “I’ve taken away the Spirit Panel, which is equivalent to losing the key. No one else can enter, unless their cultivation is profound enough to forcibly break the formation here.”

“For me, this might be the best place for closed-door cultivation.”

“After all, it’s a seventh-grade Spiritual Pill. Should any mishap arise, it’s better to take it now and be done with it!” His eyes turned resolute.

Han Shuangjiang nodded and replied directly, “Alright.”

Chu Huaixu then found a spot and sat down cross-legged.

He took out the dragon-eye-sized Xuantian Embryo Breathing Pill from the Spiritual Pill treasure box and couldn’t help but mutter to himself, “It’s so big. If I swallow this, won’t it get stuck in my throat?”

In the end, the Xuantian Embryo Breathing Pill melted upon entering his mouth.

Back when he played 《Borrowed Sword》, Chu Huaixu had never consumed such a thing.

A warm current began to grow within his body, then flowed into his limbs and bones.

Han Shuangjiang silently watched him from the side. She noticed that Chu Huaixu’s body was turning visibly red and hot.

Already drenched, white vapor was now beginning to rise from him.

“How hot must that be?” She was startled inwardly but didn’t dare touch him.

Chu Huaixu closed his eyes and focused on the changes in his body.

He noticed that the lifeless black Heart Sword in his sea of consciousness seemed to be... becoming lively?

......

......

Beside the Cold Pool, Liu Tianfeng and Niu Yuanshan were playing chess.

The two had played several rounds to pass the time.

Of the ten who had entered the secret realm, six had already been expelled by the formation and were now standing beside the two stewards, cautiously attending to them.

Among them was that Junior Sister Chen, who had a Dao Companion but still cheated with Liu Chengqi.

These six unlucky ones hadn’t even passed the first maze trial and had been ejected due to timeout.

So, when Liu Tianfeng asked about later trials, they knew nothing at all.

At this moment, holding a black piece, Niu Yuanshan made his move and looked at Liu Tianfeng, saying, “Brother Liu, your heart is unsettled.”

As more of his trusted aides were expelled from the secret realm, Liu Tianfeng’s gameplay had become riddled with blunders.

Niu Yuanshan, on the other hand, remained composed, since both Chu Huaixu and Han Shuangjiang were still inside undergoing trials.

“No more games!” Liu Tianfeng furrowed his brows, having lost all interest.

Originally, it had been eight against two, yet six incompetents couldn’t even clear the first trial, and now the secret realm had become a two-on-two!

He had no idea what was going on inside and could only pray silently in his heart: “My son must pass this trial.”

“Let there truly be a Xuantian Embryo Breathing Pill in there!”

After all, the key to the secret realm was the 【Pill King Token】, which surely hinted that the items within were mostly related to pills.

Liu Tianfeng had fathered a child in his later years, and Liu Chengqi, who possessed the Blazing Fire Spirit Embryo, was his hope for greatness.

“After his Spirit Embryo was damaged, Qier became dispirited and his temperament changed drastically.”

“Ancestors and Dao Gate forebears, please bless him.”

Seeing that Liu Tianfeng refused to continue playing, Niu Yuanshan was a bit speechless—he was just about to win the game.

But being of a sincere and gentle disposition, he simply smiled it off.

Even if he wasn’t naturally a nice guy, wearing the mask of one for long enough made it hard to take off.

Liu Chenggong, the deputy captain of the Enforcement Team, promptly brewed tea for his uncle and Steward Niu.

He comforted them aloud, “Uncle, don’t be anxious. Cousin is precocious and will surely pass the trial!”

In his mind, his cousin really was precocious. At this age, he himself still liked young maidens, but his cousin had already fallen for others’ Dao Companions and mature women a few years ago.

Hearing this, Liu Tianfeng slowly nodded, knowing full well that worrying was pointless.

He looked just like a parent waiting outside while their child took the college entrance exam inside.

As time passed, yet another person was expelled from the secret realm and sank to the bottom of the Cold Pool.

Without the Water-Repelling Pearl, they would’ve certainly choked on water.

When this Enrolled Disciple surfaced, Liu Tianfeng’s face darkened further.

“Meng Xiaodong, you’re out this early too!” he shouted angrily.

Among the assistants arranged for his son, this was the one he had the most hope in.

But in reality, Meng Xiaodong had indeed been the fastest to exit the maze—only to be trapped in an illusion afterward.

When time ran out, he was eliminated.

Liu Chenggong quickly stepped forward again to soothe him. “Uncle, don’t be angry. Cousin is still inside.”

“But that Chu...” Liu Tianfeng glanced at Niu Yuanshan and ultimately chose to stay silent.

Fortunately, based on what the Enrolled Disciples described, it seemed the secret realm trials were individual. Each person had entered through a separate cave entrance.

“In that case, Qier shouldn’t face a two-on-one situation.” Liu Tianfeng thought.

However, in the next moment, a mysterious aura began to spread from the Cold Pool, radiating outward.

The longsword on Liu Chenggong’s back started trembling uncontrollably.