At this point, the group split into three paths. Meng Wanshu and Lu Kangnian brought Li Guanqi to an immortal's cave seclusion abode built specifically for him.
Using his current network of connections, Lu Kangnian had enlisted five fifth-rank array masters to construct a grand array, using seven scattered peaks in the rear mountain as array cores, connecting the seven mountains. Furthermore, he had transplanted an entire massive mountain right into the center of the seven peaks.
Over the past two days, Lu Kangnian had barely paid attention to the lectures on the square. He had been busy working on this all along, never expecting it would actually come in handy right at this moment.
Lu Kangnian raised a hand and sent forth a hand seal. Immediately, a rift tore open in the grand array, and Meng Wanshu's figure flashed through it.
The cave abode was immense, stretching an expansive thirty zhang across. A spirit-gathering array was inscribed across the floor, which was densely paved with high-grade spirit stones!
It was fair to say that Lu Kangnian spared no effort when it came to Li Guanqi, never hesitating to give him the absolute best of everything.
Meng Wanshu laid Li Guanqi down, arranging him into a cultivation posture, seated cross-legged. Gathering the skirt of her gown, she sat behind him and slammed both hands against his back. In an instant, the temperature within the entire cave abode plummeted!
Lu Kangnian asked anxiously, "Miss Meng, how is he? Is there anything I can do to help?"
Meng Wanshu's brows furrowed tightly. Li Guanqi's origin spirit was convulsing violently, and the primal energy within the Heavenly Thunder Bead in his sea of consciousness was bleeding out uncontrollably!
The terrifying primal energy spilled wildly into the surroundings with crackling pops, forcing Lu Kangnian all the way back to the edge of the cave. The primal energy barrier around him seemed utterly fragile before the stray arcs of thunder.
Lu Kangnian's expression shifted slightly, his eyes filled with profound worry as he looked at Li Guanqi.
Meng Wanshu spoke with rapid urgency, "It's fine! He'll be fine! Senior Lu, you can step outside for now. I've already arranged for Ye Feng, Cao Yan, and the others to handle the rest."
Just then, Ye Feng returned, bringing the elderly man with him.
The old man first bowed slightly to greet the group, but to everyone's surprise, Lu Kangnian stared in mild astonishment.
"First Elder of Yuncang Sect, Tian Yuan? What are you doing here?"
Ye Feng was also taken aback. He glanced at the old man and said in a low voice, "He belongs to Tianji Pavilion. Most likely an informant."
Lu Kangnian's eyes flickered slightly. He cupped his fists, nodded, and said nothing more. Some things were best kept to oneself; besides, the man had come with good intentions.
The old man also breathed a sigh of relief. After all, the Yuncang Sect he had embedded himself in sat right at the doorstep of the Great Xia Sword Sect, making him somewhat suspect of keeping watch.
The old man looked up at Li Guanqi's condition inside the cave, his expression abruptly changing. He hurriedly retrieved a special jade pendant and said in a grave voice, "If there is anything you need help with, please do not hesitate to ask!"
*Whoosh!*
Xiao Chen and Cao Yan hurried in, rushing back with an archaic, dark-gold chest in hand.
The chest was covered in intricate patterns, shedding no light whatsoever, yet powerful array light surged across its surface.
Meng Wanshu finally let out a breath of relief upon seeing the chest. Slicing her fingertip with a nail, she flicked a drop of essence blood onto it.
Instantly, light swirled across the chest, bursting into brilliant fluorescence! The raised patterns began to rotate and shift.
*Clack!*
The moment the chest opened, an immensely powerful surge of thunderous might erupted!
Immediately following, a bolt of purple electric light shot violently out!
The electric light moved with astonishing speed, darting toward the outside of the cave almost the instant the chest opened. In the split second it shot past Ye Feng, it seared a long gash across his cheek.
Cao Yan reacted with blinding speed. With a flash, he threw himself across the cave entrance, terrifying blue flames wrapping around his fist as he raised his hand.
The phantom of a fierce tiger manifested behind Cao Yan as he thrust out a heavy, crushing punch carrying ferocious fist astral!
*Boom!*
Cao Yan's robes whipped wildly in the wind, a ruthless, resolute gleam filling his brow and eyes. This punch was incomparably fierce and unyielding, yet its power was contained within inches; space only warped slightly. Yet the speeding purple electric light was battered straight back by that single blow!
*Thud!*
The bolt crashed into the wall and triggered the array light, but just from that momentary impact, the cave's array light showed signs of imminent collapse!
Everyone was startled. Lu Kangnian's face turned dead serious. Turning toward Cao Yan, whose fist was dripping blood, he asked in a deep voice, "What on earth is that thing?!"
Xiao Chen summoned the Blood God Spear with a snap, his eyes narrowing to slits as he glared at the cluster of spiritual light hovering in midair.
That terrifying thunderous power rivaled the lightning of a heavenly tribulation!
"An Oblivion Thunder Spirit?"
Shock filled Xiao Chen's eyes!
A century ago, Meng Jiangchu had vanished for a time, reportedly to capture this newly surfaced Oblivion Thunder Spirit. This thing was a natural spirit body born from Oblivion Thunder!
*Bzzzt! Squeeeak!*
The spirit body emitted piercing screeches.
Black lightning then radiated outward, and gravity settled over everyone's gaze. Even Ye Feng slowly drew his longsword, narrowing his eyes.
Suddenly!
A pair of frost palms materialized out of thin air, locking down space and seizing the Oblivion Thunder spirit body tightly in its grasp!
The frost hands formed by Meng Wanshu steadily tightened their grip!
The spirit body shrieked in agony, but Meng Wanshu paid it no heed, turning her head to take stock of the materials in the chest.
Yet right at that moment, Meng Wanshu's expression changed drastically!
For she discovered that although none of the items in the chest were missing, according to Li Guanqi's specific condition, a few things were missing! And these items were critically important!
Meng Wanshu swallowed lightly, a flicker of nervous anxiety flashing through her eyes.
But who were the men around her?
Ye Feng immediately asked in concern, "Sister-in-law, what's wrong? Has something happened?"
The others also showed worried looks, though they didn't dare press with questions.
Meng Wanshu's brows knitted tightly. She said in a heavy voice, "I must make a trip outside!"
These words sent a jolt of shock through everyone, especially Ye Feng and those who knew Meng Wanshu well. If the matter were not extraordinarily grave, there was no way she would choose to leave at such a time! Moreover, she had not asked anyone to go in her stead.
Before anyone could speak, Meng Wanshu looked at the old man from Tianji Pavilion and said coolly, "Wait for me outside."
Hearing this, the old man immediately bowed and withdrew. Once only those closest to them remained in the chamber, Meng Wanshu took a deep breath and spoke.
"In another incense stick's time, he will awaken. When that happens, he will immediately enter the Void Returning state, because Guanqi's condition is no longer within his own control. His origin spirit and divine sense are too powerful..."
Meng Wanshu did not say what she was going to do. She simply went over every single detail that required vigilance with Ye Feng and the others. She also inscribed everything to watch out for regarding Void Returning into a jade slip.
Gently placing the ice-blue jade slip beside Li Guanqi, an enormous ice lotus suddenly condensed beneath Meng Wanshu!
Though this ice lotus appeared to be condensed from primal energy, it was in truth a genuine spirit treasure that helped cultivators calm the mind and focus the spirit!
Chapter 582