"Also… he can exempt the designated person from the fate of becoming food, so that they won't be devoured when the Crimson Goddess arrives."
Duanmu Zang sighed softly.
"This one thing alone can drive countless experts to madness, willing to sacrifice everything for this exemption."
When Xu Qing heard this, an imperceptible glint flashed in the depths of his eyes. He didn't continue to ask about the Red Moon but asked about the strength of the two races.
After all, the direct obstacle he was facing was the investigation of these two races.
"These two races have six people in the Spirit Repository, including their respective ancestors. As for Nihility…"
Duanmu Zang shook his head.
"None."
"Because Nihility has the best taste, as long as one appears, they will be marked by the Red Moon Shrine. You can imagine it's like the fruit ripening, although they won't be dealt with directly, it's as if they're on the menu."
"Therefore, those perfected Spirit Repository cultivators in the Moon Worship Region are all suppressing themselves. They won't break through if they can."
"If you're on the menu, you'll definitely die. If you're not on the menu, there might be a certain chance of survival. Although the probability is extremely low, this is the only way to survive."
Xu Qing understood. Previously, he was still wondering why the two races didn't have Nihility. Now, he had an answer.
Duanmu Zang continued.
"As for the Mirror Image Race and the Heavenly Mask Race, they are just two small races. Among their six Spirit Repository experts, only two ancestors have truly gathered a complete secret repository."
"Other people like that state preceptor are only at the Dao Nurturing stage while nurturing the secret repository's Heavenly Dao."
Xu Qing didn't know much about the Spirit Repository. That was too far away from him, so he didn't ask his master. This was the first time he had heard about the Spirit Repository.
"Dao Nurturing?" Xu Qing noticed these words.
Duanmu Zang nodded.
"Only by giving birth to your own Heavenly Dao and raising the star of enlightenment in your secret repository can you display the power of your laws. It can be considered a complete secret repository and you would be considered a true Spirit Repository expert."
"However, this stage is extremely difficult. Cultivation and resources are only a part of it. The most important thing is to comprehend the power of the laws and give birth to the Heavenly Dao."
"Therefore, the vast majority of Spirit Repository cultivators are actually stuck at this stage. It's called Dao Nurturing."
"To a Nascent Soul cultivator, a Spirit Repository at the Dao Nurturing realm is indeed very strong. However, to those who have truly completed the first secret repository, the Dao Nurturing cultivator has yet to form his Dao and is not worthy of attention."
"For example, the difference between Foundation Building cultivators with and without life fire."
Xu Qing's eyes narrowed.
"I don't know what the situation in another region is like, but in the Moon Worship Region, out of a thousand Spirit Repository cultivators, only one or two can successfully give birth to the Heavenly Dao and complete the first secret repository."
"As for the rest, they are all stuck in the Dao Nurturing realm. If they are seriously injured during this stage, their cultivation will drop because the secret repository has not fully formed and will collapse."
Xu Qing glanced at Duanmu Zang. He thought of the collapsed secret repository that rose behind Duanmu Zang when he saw him on the Heavenly Fire Sea.
"I am like this, so I am more aware of the fine line between strength and weakness in the Dao Nurturing phase of the Spirit Repository."
Noticing Xu Qing's gaze, Duanmu Zang calmly spoke.
Xu Qing nodded and was about to speak when Ling'er ran over with two plates of dark dishes and placed them on the table in front of the two. She looked at Xu Qing and Duanmu Zang with anticipation.
A smile appeared on Xu Qing's face. He picked up his chopsticks and took a bite, chewing and swallowing slowly. After that, his expression revealed admiration as he took a sip of wine.
Duanmu Zang was stunned. He glanced at the black side dish and then at Xu Qing's admiring expression. Finally, when he looked at Ling'er, he discovered that she was also looking at him.
Hence, Duanmu Zang also took a bite.
His expression was as usual. After he slowly swallowed it, he took a sip of wine and glanced at Xu Qing.
Xu Qing also glanced at Duanmu Zang.
Duanmu Zang's expression revealed admiration, and then he looked at Ling Er with appreciation.
"Not bad."
Ling'er was happy.
Xu Qing smiled and continued eating. When Duanmu Zang saw this, he coughed.
"I still have a cauldron of medicinal pills to take a look, so I'll take my leave first." With that, he stood up and his figure blurred, disappearing from the house.
"Is it really so delicious? Let me try." Ling'er was excited, but just as she was about to eat, Xu Qing had already taken the last bite.
Satisfied, Ling Er saw that Xu Qing was about to meditate, so she went to the side and took out some half-finished clothes she had been working on, continuing her sewing. This was knowledge she had learned from the older sisters and aunts.
"Brother Xu Qing has to wear the clothes I make."
Thinking of the scene in the future, Ling'er felt happy and became even more serious.
Just like that, the last ten days passed in the blink of an eye.
Perhaps it was because their farewell was about to arrive, the Diamond Sect's ancestor no longer stopped and sped up his storytelling. Finally, before the heavenly fire dissipated, he finished the story.
Even though Ling'er was not very sensitive, she gradually felt the sense of parting and reluctance grew in her heart.
After more than two months of contact, she had already developed some feelings for this place. Hence, she decided to leave many of the medicinal pills she possessed.
The little girl was also reluctant to part with Xu Qing and came even more often. Three days before the farewell, Xu Qing called out to the little girl who was about to leave.
"Panyan, sit opposite me."
Xu Qing spoke gently. Shi Panyan was the little girl's name.
"Yes, Teacher!"
The little girl trusted Xu Qing and immediately sat in front of him.
Xu Qing lifted his hand and pressed it between the little girl's brows.
"Don't resist."
When the little girl heard this, she simply closed her eyes.
