“So… This is level eight?” The words rasped from Jared’s throat. Pain crashed back into the instant tried to sit. Agony spiraled out from ragged wounds, dragging a snarl across his face. He glanced down.
Blood still seeped through torn robes, and the intricate channels of his meridians felt shredded. His spiritual energy had deteriorated. Even holding on to the Earthly Immortal Realm Level One was a battle. Yet a wry smile tugged at his lips.
“Luckily, I made it to level eight…” Jared let out a breath of relief. He reached for the Dragonslayer Sword lying beside him. His fingers twitched, then fell. All could do was lie back, lungs heaving, letting the meadow’s cool scent keep conscious.
He knew it was not the time to be relaxed. Although Jared had reached level eight, still did not know where the Celestial King Palace was. Moreover, in his current condition, if encountered cultivators or dangers, would have no strength to resist.
I need to heal my body and find the Celestial King Palace…
Jared closed his eyes and began circulating the remaining spiritual energy in his body, slowly repairing his damaged meridians. The spiritual energy in level eight was vibrant, greatly aiding his recovery. Even so, it would take some time to return to his peak condition.
Suddenly, footsteps broke the hush.
Jared’s eyes snapped open. Every muscle screamed, but levered his head toward the sound, heart pounding like a drum.
A squad of cultivators in burnished gold armor strode across the grass. Holy aura curled off them in silent waves, long spears gleaming, eyes sharp. They were unquestionably cultivators of level eight.
The leader of the group halted one stride from Jared. He stared at Jared warily and asked, “Who are you, and why do you lie bleeding on our plain?!”
Jared knew they were the first people met on level eight. They were his hope to locate the Celestial King Palace.
“I… I come from level six,” forced out, each word lanced with pain. “I’m searching for the Celestial King Palace. Can any of you tell me where it stands?”
The leader’s gaze sharpened to a blade.
“Level six is drowned in a demonic aura. Nothing escapes that hell. Yet here you are, half-dead and reeking of chaos. Are you a spy from the Demonic Cultivator, perhaps?” the leader asked while pointing his spear toward Jared.
The rest of the Golden Armor Guards surrounded Jared. Pointing their spears toward his vital parts, while their holy spiritual energy aimed at his aura.
Jared endured the excruciating pain and lifted his hand, showing the gold markings of the Draconian bloodline.
“I’m Jared Chance. I came here to seek help. The Demonic Cultivators are slaying the people on level six. The cultivators in Celestia almost perished. Only the Celestial King Palace can save level six.”
The golden markings shimmered with a warm luster under the sunlight, faintly resonating with the sacred spiritual energy of level eight.
Seeing this, the Golden Armor Guards slightly eased their vigilance. The pure and righteous aura of the Draconian bloodline was something Demonic Cultivators could never fake. Moreover, though Jared was gravely injured and on the brink of death, his eyes remained clear and resolute, devoid of any evil energy.
The leader of Golden Armor Guards lowered his voice. “Report to the palace that a cultivator from level six came here gravely injured. He has the Draconian bloodline and wants to meet Ms. Dusko. Watch over him. If strikes, capture him!”
One guard answered with a sharp salute, then burst into a ribbon of gold light that streaked toward the distant spires.
The others lifted their spears, but still vigilant. One of them gave Jared a pill and said, “This is the Spiritual Pill. It can heal some of your injuries. You need to wait for Ms. Dusko’s permission to meet her.”
Jared nodded in gratitude. His fingers shook as tipped the pill past cracked lips. It dissolved like spring water, releasing a cool spiritual energy that coursed down his throat and pooled gently around shattered meridians.
The wounds did not heal, yet the tide of pain withdrew just enough for breath to flow again.
