Zong Shou smiled faintly, taking the little Jin into his hand, sensing that the creature’s body had shrunk considerably, though it was clearly still in pain.

He gently stroked it in comfort, then fetched some Soul Fluid, mixing it with Spirit Ink to draw runes on Little Jin’s body—runes designed to calm its spirit and aid it in absorbing elemental power. Sure enough, after a short while, the little thing quieted down, resting peacefully in his palm.

Zong Shou closed his eyes and sent a thread of his consciousness into Little Jin’s body. Inside, he saw the gold-elemental Spirit Vein Orb resting quietly near the beast’s core crystal.

Faint threads of spiritual energy pathways were continuously being established between the two.

This little creature was naturally capable of imitating all things; its body possessed no fixed form and could transform into myriad shapes. Its internal spiritual energy network was no different. Because of this, Little Jin could arbitrarily command any Talisman Artifact, Spirit Tool, Dharma Treasure, or even rare natural treasures in this world. It simply needed to imitate the specialized spiritual energy pathways to guide out the power of these spiritual items with near-complete fidelity.

Thus, while he might be unable to use this second-tier gold-elemental Spirit Vein Orb as an external core, Little Jin could utilize this item, via the method of an external core, to reach the fourth-tier realm. Furthermore, the creature could use its spiritual pathways to channel the power of any spiritual item into him, its master.

Take the previous Wind Spirit Green Thorn, for instance; given Zong Shou’s ability at the time in the Black Mud Swamp, he absolutely could not have activated it. However, with Little Jin acting as an intermediary, he could use it freely.

In other words, this little creature could now be considered his external core. Although its might fell somewhat short of a true external core, it could still grant him some of the capabilities of a nascent Innate Martial Master.

However, a moment later, Zong Shou frowned again. The spiritual energy network currently being established inside Little Jin was far too rudimentary.

After a brief moment of thought, Zong Shou unhesitatingly wiped his hands and muttered that in the future, the Myriad Manifestations of the Divine Beast would possess intelligence surpassing that of adults. But at this stage, it was still just a low-witted viscous beast. Even mutated, it could not possess much wisdom.

“Little thing, the spiritual energy network isn't built this way.”

He began to outline the structure within Little Jin’s body using wisps of soul power. The creature was exceptionally docile, following Zong Shou’s soul power distribution to form conduits inside its body, connecting them to the gold-elemental Spirit Vein Orb.

The conduits seemed utterly without pattern, yet viewing them from afar, one could discern that all the spiritual energy pathways resembled an intricate and incredibly fine talisman array.

Once all the channels were fully established, the Geng Metal spiritual energy radiating from Little Jin’s exterior gradually dissipated.

“Still a bit short of borrowing the external core’s power to charge to the fourth tier. I will have to wait at least twenty days for the next beast core absorption; that should be just in time.”

Zong Shou carefully calculated the time, realizing it was precisely before he had to return to Qian Tian Mountain. He couldn't help but smile faintly and relax.

Although Little Jin was missing the final step, it could already borrow partial assistance from that gold-elemental Spirit Vein Orb.

Zong Shou cradled the little creature in one hand and drew his sword with the other. With a sharp chi sound, a beam of sword qi shot out several zhang into the distance.

Faintly visible, fire and cold mist entwined, forming a spiral, laced with thin strands of purple lightning.

The sword qi flashed and vanished instantly. Zong Shou’s brow lifted, revealing a satisfied smile.

“Sword qi reaching beyond three zhang—this level is comparable to a newly ascended Innate martial cultivator.

With the aid of the Gold Spirit Orb, I’ve made this sword qi sharp and decisive. Once this little thing enters the fourth tier, it will surely reach five zhang. It’s a pity the Spirit Vein Orb I obtained is gold-elemental; if it were water or lightning, it would undoubtedly be even more formidable!”

Sheathing his sword, Zong Shou suddenly swung it with intense force. A faint tremor resonated within the carriage compartment, and the surrounding air seemed to subtly fluctuate.

“Without relying on my Thunder-Walking Spirit Bone, I seem to possess the strength of seventeen thousand jin! Only a hair’s breadth from the Innate realm!”

Just as he was about to test his Body Lightening and Ascending Technique, Zong Shou suddenly frowned. With a mere thought, he made Little Jin reform into a thin film, burrowing into his sleeve to hide, before walking to the tea service inside the carriage and sitting down.

Only a few breaths later, Xuanyuan Yiren, who had tearfully departed the day before, boarded his carriage.

Zong Shou had expected her to come seeking an explanation, but upon entering, Xuanyuan Yiren only cast him a look heavy with complicated emotion. Then, without a word, she placed a bottle of pills before him.

Zong Shou raised an eyebrow, taking the vial with some confusion. “What is this?”

“These are Spirit-Nurturing Profound Intent Pills, refined after improving upon the prescription you gave me! I added Dew Spirit Grass and Dong Bamboo Heart. They might not match the efficacy of the original formula you provided, but I am confident the effect is not significantly inferior. I specifically modified this bottle so that it can be taken alongside the Vein Spirit Pills. While it may not alleviate the pain, it will allow you to endure longer, and you can use the Vein Spirit Pills to temper your soul power—they complement each other...”

Xuanyuan Yiren explained with a slight fatigue in her voice, her expression haggard. Her eyes were like red cherries; clearly, she had cried for a long time after returning home.

“I see!”

Zong Shou felt a warmth in his heart but kept his face impassive. He nodded, then opened the stopper. His fiancée was indeed wealthy and generous. There were a hundred of these so-called Spirit-Nurturing Profound Intent Pills in the bottle. The cost of the medicinal ingredients alone was considerable.

To refine such spiritual pills, ordinary silver-thread charcoal was useless; rarer Coal Essence was required.

Feeling a slight joy, Zong Shou tucked the bottle away without ceremony. He knew that the three True Talismans he needed to condense for the Out-of-Body realm now had a promising prospect.

Then, a headache struck him. After careful consideration, he realized that for Xuanyuan Yiren to understand the effect of the Cold Spirit Profound Intent Pill, he might need to reveal a little more, offering a deliberate hint.

His eyes flashed, and Zong Shou knitted his brows: “Your Spirit-Nurturing Profound Intent Pills look quite decent. But aren't they a bit focused on the superfluous while neglecting the essential? Do these pills possess the effect of nourishing the Ice Soul? I once read an ancient medical text stating that Ice Blue Grass can calm the heart fire and steady the spirit. That Snow Seed can also purge excessive fire, purifying the liver and clarifying the lungs. I hope your pill isn't significantly worse than the Cold Spirit Profound Intent Pill...”

Xuanyuan Yiren was momentarily choked with anger, slightly displeased. Her nature was gentle and steady; even when infuriated, she would not easily fly into a rage. However, she could least tolerate others questioning her skill in alchemy. The Spirit-Nurturing Profound Intent Pill was an alternative formula she had painstakingly researched and configured specifically for Zong Shou; how could its efficacy be lacking?

Then, her heart suddenly moved, her eyes shining with excitement. She abruptly grabbed Zong Shou’s hand and urgently asked, “You say Ice Blue Grass can calm heart fire and steady the spirit, and that the Snow Seed can purge excessive fire, purifying the liver and clarifying the lungs? Is this true? Which medical text mentioned this?”

Zong Shou felt his wrist grasped as if by iron tongs, causing slight pain. He knew the girl had lost her composure; the force exerted likely exceeded ten thousand jin—enough to crush a second-tier demonic beast. It was fortunate that his bone refining was complete, preventing his wrist from being crushed.

He frowned, then smoothed his expression. Zong Shou maintained his gentle smile: “Which medical text it was, I can’t recall. The library at Qian Tian Mountain is vast, and the Lin Hai Academy has three great repositories; who remembers which one? Miss Yiren can simply try it and see for herself?”

Xuanyuan Yiren paused, then withdrew her hand, looking somewhat lost and dejected. After a moment, she regained her composure. Recalling the needle marks on her body from the day before, she looked at him again with a strange light in her eyes, studying him closely.

Zong Shou felt a twinge of guilt under her gaze, his eyelids twitching involuntarily. He mused internally, perhaps this girl had finally discovered his extraordinary nature? His brilliance, indeed, could not be entirely concealed, even from such a dull and simple girl.

Just as he was anticipating some grand realization, he heard Xuanyuan Yiren say with gratitude, “Does Your Lordship possess profound knowledge of acupuncture and moxibustion? Knowing both the Vein Spirit Pill and Cold Spirit Profound Intent Pill formulas, and knowing the medicinal effects of Ice Blue Grass and Snow Seed, you must also be proficient in medical theory. As the saying goes, long illness begets a doctor; you must have considered countless methods for your dual-vein constitution. Was it you who saved me yesterday? I misunderstood you...”

Zong Shou stood frozen again, a bitter smile playing on his lips, momentarily speechless. After a moment, he gave a self-deprecating chuckle. Well, at least I wasn't mistaken for a rogue.

At this point, Xuanyuan Yiren’s tone shifted: “However, although Your Lordship acted out of necessity yesterday, I am still a woman of chastity. Since matters have come to this, when do you plan to propose marriage to my parents?”

As she finished speaking, her starry eyes fixed intently on him again, showing both seriousness and underlying apprehension.

Zong Shou stared back in astonishment, opening his mouth several times before swallowing his words. Facing those eyes, he simply could not bring himself to utter the words to break off the engagement.

Feeling deeply frustrated, wondering why he increasingly felt like a heartless man abandoning a lover after using her, he didn't know how to reply when he suddenly heard the faint call of Chuxue from outside: “Young Master, the fog here is incredibly thick! Uncle Lian has been driving around this spot for a long time and cannot get out. It seems we are lost...”

Zong Shou was instantly relieved, rushing out of the carriage compartment. When he reached the carriage shafts, he saw before him a vast expanse of misty, gray vapor, as if he were adrift in a sea of clouds. Beyond thirty zhang, visibility was zero.

Fortunately, Xuanyuan Yiren’s carriage was still following closely behind and had not been separated. However, Li Yunniang no longer dared to let the Wind-Riding Steeds run wildly; she had moved to the carriage shafts and was carefully managing the horses.

Zong Shou looked around, unsure of their exact location, only knowing that the area was extremely open and the terrain flat.

Both Cloud-Overturning Carriages had traveled across it without encountering almost any undulation.

“On flat ground, how could we be lost?”

Zong Shou’s brow twitched, filled with doubt. Even a peak Innate Martial Master possesses spiritual perception and a sense of direction far exceeding ordinary people. Even with this heavy fog, they should be able to see at least sixty zhang away, essentially unaffected.

Furthermore, they had been traveling straight west without needing to make any turns or detours—how could they possibly lose their bearings?

Next, Zong Shou looked up at the sky. After a long while, a faint stern glint emerged in his eyes.

“The weather has been dry and arid these past few days; this fog does not seem naturally formed. Moreover, its range is extremely wide, covering at least a hundred li radius. It must be the power of a spirit array or a divine technique summoned by someone. Could it be that someone intends to harm me?”