443: Zhao Xuanyuan's physical changes

After Tie Zhu left, Jiang Mengting immediately pulled Qin Mu to Zhao Xuanyuan's side and scolded him:

"You angered Junior Martial Uncle away. Now you have to find a way to solve your Senior Brother's situation, or Revered Master will definitely kill you when he comes back."

"What can he do? He's just an evil cultivator."

Qin Mu muttered, then recited an incantation to Zhao Xuanyuan, telling him to calm his mind and feel the changes in his body.

At this moment, Zhao Xuanyuan was completely petrified and couldn't utter a word. Although his eyes could move, the expression in them was incredibly painful. It only eased slightly after Qin Mu imparted an incantation.

A moment later, Zhao Xuanyuan's petrification became more and more severe, even growing sharp spikes like stone awls.

Seeing this, Jiang Mengting was extremely nervous, but Qin Mu said calmly, "This is probably due to him Cultivating the Earth Splitting Divine Battle Art, which caused the earth-attribute Saint Physique latent in his body to mutate. However, no one knows what kind of Divine Physique it has mutated into; only he himself can know."

"Saint Physique mutation?"

Hearing these words, the stone hanging in Jiang Mengting's heart finally loosened. However, she immediately grew envious again and said to Zhao Xuanyuan:

"Junior Brother Zhao, bear with it. Junior Brother Qin said you have a Divine Physique mutation. As long as you persevere, your suffering will end, and Revered Master will think highly of you when he returns."

Zhao Xuanyuan couldn't speak, so he could only move his eyes up and down to signify nodding.

And the stone awls on his body grew more numerous and sharper. From a distance, one could feel the sharp Qi emanating from these stone awls, as if what grew on him were not stone awls, but Flying Swords.

Soon, three days passed.

During these three days, Jiang Mengting and Qin Mu stayed in the courtyard. Tie Zhu also came twice, and only left after confirming that Zhao Xuanyuan was not in life-threatening danger.

This morning.

A strong earthy smell suddenly wafted from the courtyard. Feeling this scent, Jiang Mengting and Qin Mu immediately went to Zhao Xuanyuan's side to check on his condition.

At this point, the petrification on his body had begun to gradually recede, but as it receded, it left a thick layer of black mud on him. The earthy smell was extremely strong, making one want to gag.

"What's going on?"

Jiang Mengting asked Qin Mu, covering her nose.

"What else could be going on? His Physique can actually give birth to Hou Tu. This stuff is a treasure!"

Qin Mu showed no disdain for the strange smell. Instead, he excitedly took out a jade box and a jade piece from his Storage Ring, continuously collecting the black mud from Zhao Xuanyuan's body.

Hearing the words "Hou Tu," Jiang Mengting was also a little surprised. She seemed to no longer find the smell unpleasant and began helping Qin Mu hold the jade box so he could collect it faster.

Hou Tu is rumored to be Immortal Earth; even in the Immortal Realm, it is a rare immortal treasure. If used to plant vegetation, it can not only accelerate plant growth but even bring plants back to life. Even a withered tree stump buried in it can be revitalized and reborn.

"Junior Sister, Junior Brother..."

Zhao Xuanyuan's head could now move freely, but his lower body was still petrified. Although he could speak now, his face was covered in a thick layer of black mud, making him look somewhat frightening yet also a bit comical.

Jiang Mengting quickly asked, "Junior Brother Zhao, are you alright?"

"I'm fine, I just feel like there's something extra in my body. I haven't had time to check yet; being petrified is too uncomfortable."

Qin Mu said unhurriedly:

"You should quickly check what's extra in your body. Although I'm not very curious, Senior Sister wants to know."

Zhao Xuanyuan stopped speaking and began to close his eyes and concentrate on examining the changes within his body. Qin Mu and Jiang Mengting meticulously collected the Hou Tu left behind as the petrification receded from him. Jiang Mengting even had a bold conjecture.

She turned her head and quietly asked Qin Mu, "Junior Brother, will he be able to produce so much Hou Tu every time he Cultivates from now on?"

"..." Qin Mu pursed his lips, glanced at her, and then, with great effort to control his emotions, said, "Do you really think this kind of mutation appears easily?"

Jiang Mengting awkwardly stuck out her tongue, realizing her idea was a bit naive.

Second Junior Brother Cultivated the Hou Tu Divine Battle Art given by Revered Master, coupled with his own top-grade earth-attribute Spiritual Root, and other opportunities or psychological changes that led to the mutation. Besides him, perhaps no second person can be found in the entire Cultivation World!

Just then.

Three figures quickly walked in from outside.

The one leading was Tie Zhu, followed by Wen Xiaomei and an elder. This elder was the highest-ranking Alchemist on Spirit Medicine Peak, capable of refining Earth Rank Intermediate quality Medicinal Pills.

The three intended to come in and check on Zhao Xuanyuan's condition, but upon entering the courtyard, they saw Qin Mu and Jiang Mengting scraping mud off him...

"What are you two doing?"

"Hou Tu! This is Hou Tu!"

Tie Zhu stared at the two with a bewildered expression, but the elder behind him suddenly cried out excitedly.

"What's Hou Tu?"

Tie Zhu remained completely confused, while Wen Xiaomei's eyes gradually showed surprise. Clearly, she also knew the origin of Hou Tu, and immediately began explaining about Hou Tu to Tie Zhu.

Upon learning that these black muds were rare treasures even in the Immortal Realm, Tie Zhu's eyes immediately showed an excited expression.

Although all these black muds were collected by Qin Mu, this stuff only needed to be in the Netherworld Soul Hall. Anyway, he didn't need to plant anything; it was entirely prepared for Feng Ge. Once Feng Ge returned, even if this Hou Tu was an Immortal Realm treasure, Qin Mu would probably have to hand it over...

While the few of them were continuously observing Zhao Xuanyuan, the petrification on his body had completely receded.

Qin Mu, with a look of approval, handed the two boxes of Hou Tu in his hand to Tie Zhu.

"What's wrong? Now you remember to respect me, your Junior Martial Uncle?"

"Respect my ass, I'm just too lazy to keep it for my dad."

"..."

Tie Zhu suppressed the urge to kick the boy over and put the jade box into his Storage Pouch. Then he asked Zhao Xuanyuan, "Nephew, I heard you evolved these past few days. Do you feel anything special now?"

"It's a Physique mutation."

Jiang Mengting mumbled softly.

Zhao Xuanyuan took out a handkerchief from his Storage Ring to wipe the black mud and grime from his face, then excitedly circulated his Cultivation Technique. The few people present were very close to Zhao Xuanyuan, and when he circulated his Cultivation Technique, they could even hear the sound of Spiritual Energy surging within his body.

Soon, a layer of yellowish-brown Qi appeared on Zhao Xuanyuan's body. This layer of Qi gradually transformed into the previous petrified state, forming transparent spikes.

It was only then that Zhao Xuanyuan whispered, "Junior Martial Uncle, if you hit me, you'll know what my Physique is."

"I'm afraid I'll kill you."

"Never mind, I'll try hitting you with my Foundation Establishment Early Stage strength."

Tie Zhu's expression was solemn as he reached out and fiercely grabbed at the nearby Void Realm. Immediately, a massive black handprint, three feet wide, formed in the Void Realm. As Tie Zhu waved his palm, the black handprint immediately slammed towards Zhao Xuanyuan.