Prehistoric: The female saint Shiji, brilliant and talented

Thinking of this, Shi Ji immediately tried to inject her spiritual power into the black iron ring, wanting to establish a connection with it.

He patiently guided his spiritual energy, trying again and again, but the iron ring remained unresponsive, as if it were just an ordinary black iron ring, and the previous resonance was merely a coincidence.

"Sigh, it still doesn't work?"

Shi Ji sighed and withdrew her spiritual power with some disappointment.

However, he did not give up, because during the attempt to communicate just now, he vaguely sensed an extremely strong summoning intent from that blurry image—the summoning seemed to come from the depths of the Mountain and River Map, as if something was waiting to be awakened.

"Could it be that some terrifying being is slumbering within the Map of Mountains and Rivers?"

Shi Ji frowned, her heart filled with doubt.

He knew that the Map of Mountains and Rivers was an ancient treasure, and that it must contain many secrets. But if there were truly terrifying beings slumbering within it, he didn't know whether it would be a blessing or a curse for him.

"Perhaps we should wait and see."

Shi Ji quickly made a decision: "If that dormant being can really awaken, I might be able to use its power to deal with the bandits of Black Wind Stronghold. That way, I won't have to take action myself, and I can also take the opportunity to investigate the secrets of the Mountain and River Map."

Over the next three days, Shi Ji consolidated her newly achieved breakthrough while keeping an eye on the movements of the Mountain and River Map and the black iron ring.

His junior sister would occasionally bring him some food. Seeing that he was always cultivating, she didn't disturb him too much. She just silently stood guard outside the courtyard and kept an eye on the outside world for him.

Finally, on the day before she was to meet Liu Yunfei as agreed, Shi Ji suddenly heard a series of violent "rumbling" waves coming from afar—the waves carried an aura of world destruction, causing the entire courtyard to tremble slightly, and even the spiritual energy in the air to become chaotic.

"What's going on? Did the Black Wind Stronghold attack first?"

Shi Ji's heart tightened, and she immediately put away the Mountain and River Map and the black iron ring. With a flash, she rushed towards the direction from which the fluctuation came.

He traveled swiftly and soon arrived at a forest outside the city.

The vibrations were coming from a cave deep in the mountains.

Shi Ji quietly approached the cave and peered inside. She saw that the cave was in complete disarray, as if a fierce battle had taken place. There were many broken stones and weapons scattered on the ground, making it look like a scene of ruins.

In the center of the ruins stood a monk dressed in a black robe.

The cultivator had his back to Shi Ji, his figure was upright, and he exuded an eerie aura similar to that of the black iron ring.

He slowly extended his right hand and reached for a bead in front of him—the bead was shaped like a flame, entirely crimson, with flames swirling around its surface. Even from a distance, Shi Ji could feel the scorching energy contained within it.

What shocked Shi Ji even more was that the aura emanating from that flaming bead was somewhat similar to that of the Dragon Bone Fruit—both carried a profound sense of origin from the dragon vein, only with the added element of fiery ferocity.

What exactly is that bead? Why does it have an aura similar to that of the Dragon Bone Fruit? And who is this cultivator? How did he obtain such a bead?

A series of questions arose in Shi Ji's mind.

This speculation is not without basis.

Ancient texts record that some of the most precious treasures of heaven and earth, after absorbing enough spiritual energy, can develop sentience and even take human form.

As a miraculous fruit that defies the heavens, the dragon bone fruit contains pure energy originating from the dragon vein, and it does indeed have the potential to nurture life.

The more Shi Ji thought about it, the more reasonable this guess seemed, and she became even more vigilant in observing the black-robed cultivator's every move.

Just then, the black-robed cultivator suddenly opened his mouth and gently inhaled at the flame bead in his hand.

In an instant, a dazzling golden light shot out from the bead, like a flowing galaxy, drawing a brilliant arc in the air before being swallowed by the cultivator.

Shi Ji's pupils contracted slightly as he instantly recognized that the golden light was the core essence of the Dragon Bone Fruit—the half of the Dragon Bone Fruit he had refined before also contained similar energy, only it was far less concentrated than this.

He became increasingly certain that the Flame Bead and the Dragon Bone Fruit were inextricably linked.

It should be noted that the main function of the Dragon Bone Fruit is to improve the physique of cultivators, allowing their physical bodies to gradually approach the powerful physique of the dragon race, and even enabling ordinary cultivators to possess defense and strength comparable to that of the dragon race.

However, it also has limitations—it can only improve physical fitness, but cannot directly improve a cultivator's realm.

After all, a cultivator's advancement requires the gradual accumulation of spiritual energy and the comprehension of the rules of the Great Dao; it cannot be achieved overnight with just a single divine fruit.

Suppressing the excitement in her heart, Shi Ji decided to continue venturing deeper into the cave to see if there were any other clues related to the Dragon Bone Fruit, or if any secrets were hidden there.

But as soon as he took a step, the black-robed cultivator who had been facing away from him suddenly turned around as if he had eyes in the back of his head.

The moment their eyes met, Shi Ji clearly saw that the black-robed cultivator's eyes were dark purple, and his pupils flashed with a cold killing intent that seemed to freeze one's soul.

The killing intent was undisguised, enveloping Shi Ji as if it were a tangible force, causing the temperature in the cave to drop sharply.

"Who are you? Why are you hiding in the shadows, spying on me?"

Shi Ji showed no fear and asked indifferently, while secretly activating the inherited technique of her descendants, condensing a faint golden shield around her, ready to fight at any time.

The black-robed cultivator's lips curled into a cruel smile, his voice hoarse and icy: "The one who will kill you."

Before he finished speaking, he suddenly waved his hand, and the air around him instantly distorted. Then, with a crisp "sizzle", the void was torn open with a crack.

A jet-black sword shot out from the crack, its blade shrouded in black mist and exuding a chilling, eerie aura as it slashed fiercely towards Shi Ji.

This sword strike was incredibly fast, carrying a devastating force that seemed poised to cleave the entire cave in two.

Shi Ji's eyes narrowed. Instead of dodging, she gathered her spiritual power into her right fist, and golden light surged on it. Then, she swung her fist fiercely at the incoming sword.

"Crack—" A crisp tearing sound suddenly echoed throughout the cave, like glass shattering.

The black sword collided with Shi Ji's fist. The black mist on the sword was instantly dispelled by the golden light, and the sword body was covered with dense cracks. Then, with a "bang," it shattered into countless black fragments scattered all over the ground.

The black-robed cultivator was clearly surprised by Shi Ji's physical strength. A look of astonishment appeared on his face. He then suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood, and his body flew backward like a kite with a broken string, crashing into the stone wall of the cave with a dull thud.

Shi Ji gave her opponent no chance to breathe. She lightly touched the ground with her feet and shot out like an arrow.

His speed was incredible; he left only a faint afterimage in the air, arriving beside the black-robed cultivator in the blink of an eye. Immediately afterward, Shi Ji raised her right foot and kicked the cultivator hard in the chest.

"Ah—" The black-robed cultivator let out a shrill scream as his chest instantly caved in, and the "crack" of his bones breaking was clearly audible.

His body was kicked away again, flying hundreds of meters before crashing heavily onto a pile of rubble, kicking up clouds of dust.

The black-robed cultivator lay on the ground, coughing up large amounts of blood. His face was as pale as paper, and blood kept spilling from the corners of his mouth.

He struggled to get up, but found that all the bones in his body felt like they were broken, and the slightest movement brought excruciating pain.

As Shi Ji approached him step by step, the murderous intent in his eyes was replaced by fear, and he pleaded in a trembling voice, "Spare me... please let me go... I'll never dare to do it again..."

He was really scared.

The cultivation level that Shi Ji displayed was simply terrifying. I couldn't even withstand a single move from her. She was not even on the same level as me.

If they continue to resist, they will probably be killed in the next second.

Shi Ji stopped and looked down at him, her tone indifferent: "Let you go? Do you think that's possible? When you attacked me just now, you weren't thinking of letting me go."

Upon hearing this, the black-robed cultivator trembled even more violently. He hurriedly pulled out a completely black storage ring from his robes, presented it to Shi Ji with both hands, and said in a voice filled with terror, "I...I am willing to offer this storage ring to my master. It contains treasures that I have collected for many years. I only beg my master to spare my life!"
I am willing to acknowledge my master as my master, and from now on I will obey your every command without the slightest disloyalty!

Shi Ji's heart stirred slightly.

He could sense that the storage ring contained a considerable amount of spiritual energy, and it must contain many valuable items.

Moreover, judging from the black-robed cultivator's words and actions, he should be a primordial being born by chance—perhaps transformed from the essence of the Dragon Bone Fruit.

Although these innate beings are incredibly powerful, they are relatively simple-minded and retain a sliver of clarity, knowing what they should and should not do.

Presumably, when he was just born, his elders taught him the principle that "there is hope only if you live," which is why he chose to acknowledge the Lord without hesitation at this moment, just to save his life.

"I can promise to spare your life."

Shi Ji spoke slowly, her tone carrying an undeniable authority, "However, I don't like being deceived."

If I discover that you dare to play any tricks or have any disloyalty towards me, I will kill you without hesitation.

"Yes!

Yes!
"Thank you, Master, for sparing my life!"

The black-robed cultivator was overjoyed and nodded repeatedly, respectfully placing the storage ring on the ground. He then knelt down and kowtowed several times, saying, "Your subordinate will be loyal from now on and will never dare to have the slightest thought of deceiving your master!"

Shi Ji bent down to pick up the storage ring and probed it with her divine sense.

The ring's interior was extremely spacious, filled with all sorts of treasures—including elixirs radiating rich spiritual energy, high-level talismans inscribed with complex runes, several celestial artifacts gleaming with cold light, and even a considerable amount of ores imbued with the aura of dragon veins.

Shi Ji transferred all the treasures into her own storage bag, then tossed the empty storage ring back to the black-robed cultivator: "You stay here to recover for now. Without my orders, you are not allowed to leave the cave."

"I obey my orders!"

The black-robed cultivator quickly accepted the storage ring and respectfully replied.

Shi Ji ignored him and turned to leave the cave.

He found a secluded valley and set up layers of barriers around it to ensure that no one would disturb him.

Then, he took out five dragon bone fruits he had previously captured from his storage bag. Although these dragon bone fruits were not as good as the half fruit containing the core essence, they still contained considerable energy.

Shi Ji sat cross-legged on the ground, placed five dragon bone fruits in front of her, took a deep breath, and swallowed them all at the same time.

The dragon bone fruit melted instantly in his mouth, transforming into boundless streams of celestial energy that surged and flowed through his body.

He immediately activated the Undying Ancestral Scripture—this technique originated in ancient times and has an extremely strong ability to temper the physical body, which can be used to guide the energy of the Dragon Bone Fruit and strengthen his physique.

As the Immortal Ancestral Scripture circulated, the medicinal effects of the Dragon Bone Fruit gradually began to take effect.

But not long after, Shi Ji felt an unbearable pain sweep over his entire body—the medicinal power contained in the Dragon Bone Fruit was far too extraordinary, far exceeding his expectations. The violent energy surged and crashed within his body, as if it were about to burst his body apart.

His meridians began to ache faintly, and tiny cracks appeared in his body. He felt as if he had been thrown into a furnace and was being roasted, experiencing excruciating pain.

"No, we have to hold on!"

Shi Ji gritted his teeth, veins bulging on his forehead. He knew this was a necessary step in refining the Dragon Bone Fruit.

If I give up now, not only will all my previous efforts be wasted, but I will also be overwhelmed by the medicinal power of the Dragon Bone Fruit and die without a burial place.

He endured the excruciating pain, increased the speed of the Undying Ancestral Scripture's circulation, and guided the raging energy within his body, gradually integrating it into his flesh and bones.

Shi Ji let out a series of long howls, her voice filled with pain, yet also carrying an indomitable will.

He clutched his head tightly with both arms, his body trembling on the ground, sweat pouring down his forehead like rain, soaking the earth beneath him.

He frantically absorbed the spiritual energy of heaven and earth around him, forming a huge vortex of spiritual energy above his head.

After an unknown amount of time, the energy within Shi Ji's body finally stabilized, and the trembling stopped.

He could clearly feel his body becoming tougher at a visible speed—his already powerful muscles became even firmer, and his bones, like tempered steel, radiated a faint luster.

His skin gradually changed from its original color to a jet-black color, and a layer of fine black hair grew on his body. This black hair was as hard as iron and could easily withstand the cutting of ordinary weapons.

Not only that, his physique was also gradually changing, becoming taller and more robust. Originally about eight feet tall, his height gradually increased to more than ten feet. He stood in place like an iron tower, exuding a suffocating sense of oppression.

Shi Ji could clearly feel an immense and unfathomable pressure emanating from within her body. This pressure vibrated the surrounding air, causing even the pebbles in the valley to tremble slightly. (End of Chapter)