Chapter 422: Let’s Do This Together
Yun Zhonghe reminded himself to focus on the difficulties at hand. Sure, this magical treasure space offered temporary sanctuary, but time was running out for the big competition.
He may have eliminated quite a few teams in one go, but if he didn’t hurry up and collect those precious spiritual herbs, it was likely they’d end up in the hands of Li Yifeng and Zhao Lingxiao. Dragging this out would only worsen his situation.
While mulling over a counter-strategy, Yun Zhonghe hastily downed several restorative dan pills to recover his stamina and spiritual energy.
“Should I sprinkle on another 600 enhancement spells for good measure?” he pondered to himself.
But then he quickly shook off the thought. Although those 600 enhancements would greatly boost his power, from his previous experience, he knew it would only put him at the same level as Li Yifeng – maybe even just a smidge above him. And that wasn’t enough to secure a decisive victory in such a short timeframe.
The effects of those 600 enhancement spells were fleeting. Once they wore off, he’d find himself back in the defensive position again. Therefore, he needed a more durable and effective battle strategy.
Yun Zhonghe analyzed his strengths; his speed and spiritual energy were slightly better than Li Yifeng’s. But again, “slightly better” wouldn’t swing the pendulum of victory in his favor.
If only he had a capacity in one area that could outshine Li Yifeng’s, there might be a glimmer of hope.
Just then, the voice of his senior, Xing Bu, echoed in his mind, “Yo, little friend, in a pickle?”
Yun Zhonghe closed his eyes and sat in quiet contemplation, bitterly responding, “A bit, yes. The opponent’s strength is just too over-the-top.”
“Heh, indeed. Who would’ve thought that a hundred years later, the cultivation realm still had such rebellious prodigies around… though you’re quite terrifying yourself!” Xing Bu chuckled, her words a mix of appreciation for Li Yifeng’s power and a nod to Yun Zhonghe’s potential.
Then she shifted gears and asked meaningfully, “So, how about making a wish? Just like when you faced that Disaster Empress. With my wish power paired together with that white-haired girl’s enhancement for you, you’d certainly win!”
Yun Zhonghe fell silent. Deep down, he didn’t want to lean on external forces. In this major competition, he yearned to breakthrough and defeat strong foes using his own power. If he had to rely on temporary boosts now, then facing even fiercer and stronger enemies in the future would be even more daunting.
But… reality is cruel.
Maybe this was just his upper limit. No matter how hard he tried, a qualitative leap in a short time seemed impossible.
Perhaps he had no choice but to rely on Xing Bu’s blessing power after all. After all, securing a ticket into the Four Beasts Secret Realm was of utmost importance!
“Perhaps… if you can break through the Observation Heart Technique to its second layer, there might still be hope!” Xing Bu’s words sparked an idea in Yun Zhonghe.
Breaking through to the second layer of the Observation Heart Technique… Ah, that would indeed boost his spiritual energy significantly! He could then form an absolute mental advantage over Li Yifeng.
Li Yifeng’s physical strength was formidable, shielded by his spiritual energy like an indestructible fortress. But his weakness of mental fragility was a glaring Achilles’ heel.
If he could make Li Yifeng dazed for just a moment, his spiritual energy would temporarily halt, leaving Li Yifeng exposed. With just his physical strength alone, Yun Zhonghe might just manage to breach his defenses.
This strategy was definitely feasible!
“Xing Bu, I have to admit, you’re somewhat useful!” Yun Zhonghe praised sincerely.
But Xing Bu began to complain, “What do you mean ‘somewhat’? I’ve always been incredibly useful!”
“Sure, sure~,” Yun Zhonghe waved her off and returned to focusing on the Observation Heart Technique in his mind.
In the tense days leading up to the competition, Yun Zhonghe’s understanding of the Observation Heart Technique never stopped. His comprehension had deepened to the point where he already met the conditions needed to advance to the second layer.
But the problem was, the Observation Heart Technique was primarily a method of the Nourishing Phase, while he was still at the peak of the Initial Understanding stage. He didn’t quite meet the requirements.
Unless… he broke through using unconventional means!
In extreme situations, cultivators could shatter traditional boundaries for a realm leap.
Back then, when Yun Zhonghe entered Su Xiaoxiao’s spiritual world and faced the formidable barriers set by the Disaster Empress, his emotions had erupted, allowing him to achieve the first layer of the Observation Heart Technique.
At that moment, a blend of life-and-d*ath crisis and his desperate wish to save Su Xiaoxiao ignited the hidden potential deep within.
But the current circumstances clearly couldn’t induce that sort of state in Yun Zhonghe.
Unless… he made a human-triggered crisis!
At this moment, Yun Zhonghe slowly opened his eyes, “Everyone, I have a plan, but I might need your help!”
He suddenly spoke up, causing Mu Jixue, Qin Hongye, and Xia Linglong to look up curiously.
More than curiosity, their faces lit up with joy. They knew that Yun Zhonghe speaking up meant he had a scheme brewing, and this plan might just be the key to turning the tides.
Taking a deep breath, Yun Zhonghe’s gaze flickered between the three girls, “Can you let my spiritual energy temporarily enter your Sea of Consciousness? Use your mental power to help me become stronger!”
The moment he said that, all three girls froze.
And just like that, silence hung in the air.
It was Mu Jixue who broke the silence, gasping in indignation as she shot upright, her dainty foot kicking Yun Zhonghe in the shin.
“You… you creep! At a time like this, you think, think about what?!”
He had a nerve to suggest entering their Sea of Consciousness right before their eyes!
What was that different from asking, “Let me peek at your AC”?
In her mind, Yun Zhonghe’s proposal was absolutely absurd, almost making it seem like he was taking advantage of them at such a dire moment.
For cultivators, the Sea of Consciousness was the most private, the most sensitive territory they had.
Even among companions, you wouldn’t usually open your Sea of Consciousness to the other. After all, your physical body could be broken, and you could even switch forms, but your spirit was with you for life.
Purity of spirit was far more significant than physical purity.
Yet, clearly, Yun Zhonghe hadn’t fully grasped this depth of meaning.
“Uh… why is Mu Jixue so against it?” he mused internally, a hint of confusion flashing across his face.
It’s not like he hadn’t peeked into her Sea of Consciousness before.
Back at the Myriad Path Divine Tower, he had expanded both her and Lin Zhongyu’s Seas.
But that time, Mu Jixue and Lin Zhongyu didn’t have such strong reactions. Yun Zhonghe thought she wouldn’t mind too much back then.
