Chapter 280: Xu Qianghua Finds The Egg
"We certainly will. Just make sure you don't get too close to it, as there's a formation placed that will repel anyone other than Xu Qianghua," Bai Lingyun said, reminding her daughter about the special mechanism set by the aunt.
"I won't," Bai Xueyan responded with a laugh before ending the connection.
Meanwhile, the meteorite continued its descent, and the sheer force of its aura rippled across the land.
Its speed slowed as it neared the ground, guided by the careful calculations of Xu Qianghua's parents.
When it finally made contact, the impact created a massive crater just outside Jingzhong City.
A thunderous boom echoed through the area, and a blinding light erupted from the crater, momentarily turning night into day.
The shockwave sent tremors through the surrounding land but caused no significant damage.
When the light faded, all that remained was the large crater, filled with dark soil and Spiritual Qi, which the impact had stirred up.
By the time the dust settled, cultivators were already making their way to the site. The first to arrive were from the nearby Empyrean Harmony Sect, followed by smaller factions and independent cultivators.
Each group was drawn not only by the meteorite's arrival but also by the way it had landed without causing the mass destruction they had been bracing for.
At the heart of the crater lay the meteorite itself. Its surface shimmered faintly, veins of golden and silver light running across it.
The dense energy surrounding it was palpable, even to those with minimal cultivation. Elders and senior cultivators kept their distance, wary of the unknown power it radiated.
In the growing crowd, murmurs spread like wildfire.
"Could it be a treasure from outer space?" one cultivator asked, his voice trembling in shock.
"Maybe," another replied. "But from the looks of it, it seems to be just a simple meteorite with special veins running on its surface."
As the discussions grew, a brave cultivator from a lesser-known sect stepped forward, his Spiritual Qi covering his body as he approached the meteorite.
His steps were careful, his body surrounded by a defensive barrier.
But as he walked closer to the meteorite, a small light escaped from it and spread 100 meters in all directions.
It looked like a barrier, surprising everyone, but the brave cultivator who had come this close didn't want to give up.
He gathered Spiritual Qi and prepared to punch the barrier. As soon as he struck with full force, everyone held their breath.
To their shock, the punch didn't even make a dent in the barrier. Instead, the force rebounded, sending the cultivator flying backward to land with a dull thud at the crater's edge.
Gasps rippled through the crowd, and the cultivator groaned as his companions rushed to help him. Another stepped forward, determined to try his luck.
This man, stronger and more skilled, activated an advanced defensive technique and a more powerful attack method to break the barrier.
Yet the result was the same—a powerful rebound that sent him flying backward.
"It's impossible!" the second cultivator growled, his face twisted in frustration. "Why is the barrier so strong?"
Others muttered in agreement, their hopes dimming. "Whatever this is, it's beyond our reach," someone said, their tone resigned.
Hidden among the crowd, Xu Qianghua observed the scene quietly, his face obscured by a simple hooded robe.
He had deliberately suppressed his powerful aura, blending in as just another wandering cultivator.
His sharp brown eyes scanned the pitiful attempts, and he shook his head as he studied the meteorite intently, trying to gauge the strength of the barrier and the meteorite itself.
While the formation was sophisticated, he was sure he could break it, as he sensed the barrier could only block hits below the Incarnation Middle Stage.
With him being Peak Incarnation, it shouldn't be hard to bypass it.
He hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward. His movements were calm and measured, drawing little attention at first.
But as he descended into the crater, more eyes turned toward him. Whispers broke out.
"Who is that?"
"Another one trying his luck?"
As Xu Qianghua walked toward the barrier, something unexpected happened, causing the crowd to gasp.
"Wait… why hasn't the formation stopped him yet?"
Indeed, the barrier didn't stop Xu Qianghua from entering. This surprised him, too, as he hadn't expected this.
But instead of being bothered, he was pleased. It meant whatever was inside could remain hidden from others.
"How is he doing that?" one elder muttered, his eyes narrowing.
"Does he know what this formation is and how to crack it?" another whispered.
Xu Qianghua ignored the voices, his focus entirely on the meteorite. He reached out cautiously, his fingers brushing against its surface.
The energy hummed beneath his touch, steady and warm.
Suddenly, faint cracks began forming on the meteorite's surface, spreading outward in intricate patterns. The crowd gasped, their eyes wide as they watched the transformation.
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"Is it… breaking open?"
The cracks widened, and with a soft rumble, a small, ornate door appeared on the meteorite's surface.
Golden light spilled from the edges of the door, casting a soft glow over the crater. The crowd stared in stunned silence, too shocked to speak.
Xu Qianghua glanced at the door, his curiosity piqued. Without hesitation, he pushed it open, stepping inside as the golden light surrounded him.
The door closed behind him, leaving the onlookers outside frustrated and speculating wildly about what was hidden within.
Inside, the chamber was small and circular, bathed in a soft, otherworldly light. The air was warm, and the energy was so dense it felt almost tangible.
At the center of the chamber, something rested on a pedestal, glowing faintly.
Xu Qianghua stepped closer, his gaze locked on the object. As the details came into focus, he froze.
Inside the meteorite, he saw a spherical object placed at the center. As he walked closer, he realized it was an egg, quietly sitting on the pedestal, slowly absorbing the Spiritual Qi in the room.