Chapter 56 – The Strange and Timid Soul-Devouring Worm, Li Zixuan Breaks Through!

Under the cold moonlight, birch bark appeared aged and mottled, covered with deep grooves.

A transparent worm clung to its surface, seeming to blend perfectly with the roadside birch tree.

“It doesn’t even have Star Power fluctuations?”

Qin Yang observed closely for a while, feeling quite amazed.

What kind of sneaky behavior was this?

This Soul Devouring Worm had no martial ethics, hiding under birch trees all day to launch surprise attacks.

If one relied solely on visual observation, it would be impossible to track its movements – only spiritual sense could detect it.

“No wonder the Star Martial Police Department couldn’t find it after searching for so long!”

Qin Yang suddenly understood, carefully watching the Soul Devouring Worm’s movements.

The key now was to understand this worm’s characteristics.

“Let me gift you some Sword Qi first.”

Qin Yang stepped back two paces, preparing the Seven-Star Dragon Step for immediate escape, then raised two fingers, gathering Sword Qi to strike at the worm’s body.

Whoosh!

A sharp strand of Sword Qi shot from his fingertips, instantly hitting the Soul Devouring Worm’s shell.

But what happened next made Qin Yang freeze.

The Sword Qi that hit the worm’s shell caused no damage whatsoever, merely passing through its body like an iron skewer piercing jelly, striking the birch bark beneath.

The attack was ineffective!

“???”

Seeing this, Qin Yang thought to himself, “Well, I’ll be damned.”

It could even immune to physical attacks?

With such an overpowered damage immunity buff, how was he supposed to fight?!

“Let’s try Star Power attack.”

Qin Yang raised his hand, gathering True Essence within his body, drawing upon the vast Star Power from the heavens to cover the tree bark surface once more.

But the result…

Still useless!

The turbulent Star Power rolled and shifted across the tree bark, sweeping over it repeatedly, yet couldn’t lock onto the Soul Devouring Worm’s position!

It was as if…

It didn’t belong to this world, but was some kind of low-dimensional projection of a higher existence…

“Hiss, it seems I’ve encountered a tough opponent today.”

Qin Yang frowned slightly. With both methods proving ineffective, only spiritual attack remained untried.

Thinking this, Qin Yang didn’t hesitate any longer, focusing his concentration on the Soul Devouring Worm.

Boom!

Terrifying spiritual power descended around the worm’s body, then suddenly contracted, pouring all pressure onto its shell, the momentum growing from small to large.

Transforming from gentle spring rain into a violent storm, like countless fine steel needles piercing through.

The next moment.

The Soul Devouring Worm’s body trembled slightly, finally reacting to these attacks, curling into a ball.

“It’s working!”

Seeing the worm’s reaction, Qin Yang felt immediate joy – so this little thing feared spiritual attacks.

Under the fierce spiritual assault, the Soul Devouring Worm writhed and curled painfully on the tree bark surface, immediately awakening from its slumber.

But just at this moment.

Suddenly!

A piercing, pulling pain shot through Qin Yang’s mind.

All his spiritual power was being stripped from his body, as if falling into a black hole abyss, rapidly draining away!

“Not good!”

Sensing the condition within his body, Qin Yang was shocked.

This little worm could devour spiritual power too?

At this critical moment, the system’s warning suddenly sounded.

“Risk warning, host’s spiritual power is sharply decreasing. Please evacuate the scene immediately!!!”

“If this state continues, there is probability of turning into an idiot in ten seconds!”

The system’s warnings echoed repeatedly in his ears.Upon hearing this, Qin Yang immediately made a decisive move—he halted his spiritual attack and severed all connection with the Soul Devouring Worm.

Buzz!

In an instant, the excruciating pain in his mind vanished.

The next moment, the Soul Devouring Worm on the tree bark underwent a transformation as well. Its form grew increasingly translucent before sinking directly beneath the bark, disappearing from Qin Yang’s sight in the blink of an eye.

“Huh?”

Witnessing this, Qin Yang felt both amused and exasperated.

This creature was far too timid.

Now, the birch tree stood in utter silence, with no trace of the Soul Devouring Worm’s presence to be found.

“How dull, running off just like that.”

After confirming that the worm had truly vanished, Qin Yang picked up his grocery bag and turned to leave.

There was no rush, after all.

Even if the Soul Devouring Worm had escaped today, could it truly evade him forever?

By now, its habit of devouring souls had become an ingrained, irresistible biological instinct.

It wouldn’t be long before hunger drove it to wreak havoc once more.

In the meantime, all he needed to do was keep a close watch on the situation, remain patient, and drop by occasionally after work.

He would undoubtedly find it again.

As for now…

“Nothing to do here, time to head home!”

………………..

Meanwhile, at Li Zixuan’s home.

Snow-white curtains swayed gently in the breeze as soft moonlight streamed through the glass window.

Li Zixuan sat cross-legged on her bed, her jade-like skin glowing under the moonlight like polished white jade. Her long, thick eyelashes rested delicately, evoking the serene beauty of water lilies beneath the moon.

Before her lay an unremarkable, dark stone.

Carved crudely yet skillfully on its surface was the character for “Tranquility.”

Threads of spiritual energy drifted from the engraved patterns, effortlessly calming her mind.

“The token my teacher gave me is truly powerful—my thoughts have become so much clearer.”

As Li Zixuan immersed herself in the spiritual energy, her entire body relaxed into a state of soft contentment.

With the aid of the stone, her mind became a blank slate.

All worries and burdens lifted, leaving no trace of distress.

It was as if she had entered the sudden enlightenment described in Buddhist scriptures, where all worldly afflictions dissolve.

In that fleeting moment, delusions vanished, allowing her true self to emerge.

Li Zixuan closed her eyes, focusing her spirit as her chest rose and fell rhythmically, her breath as gentle as an orchid’s fragrance.

Time flowed by like clear, meandering water.

Then, she slowly opened her eyes, sensing a new transformation within her body.

True Essence now coursed smoothly through her meridians, with Star Power interwoven within, forging a broader and more expansive stellar pathway than ever before.

“Eh?”

Sensing the changes in her body, Li Zixuan was taken aback, a flicker of delight crossing her delicate features.

“Acquired Realm Ninth Layer?”

“I’ve… actually broken through?”

Just like that?

Li Zixuan could hardly believe it, struggling to accept the reality before her. Yet, the flow of True Essence within her was undeniably real.

True Essence circulated, Star Power surged—a hundred times stronger than her previous state!

This was the power of the Acquired Realm Ninth Layer!

Had she broken through just by sitting here?

“No, that’s not right. It’s all thanks to my teacher’s guidance.”

Li Zixuan lifted her gaze, looking gratefully at the Tranquility Stone before her, her admiration deepening.

Like an immortal bestowing wisdom, guiding one toward eternal life.

A single stone from her teacher had enabled her to achieve sudden enlightenment and ascend to the Acquired Realm Ninth Layer.

Just how profound and immense must his true realm be?

“Can I ever hope to catch up to my teacher’s footsteps?”At this thought, a resolute gleam flashed in Li Zixuan’s beautiful eyes as she closed them again, immersing herself in comprehending the Sword Intent from the stele.

With the aid of this stone monument now,

her understanding of One Sword Opens Heaven’s Gate grew increasingly profound.

Progressing at this rate, it wouldn’t be long before she mastered One Sword Opens Heaven’s Gate to perfection!

(End of Chapter)