Ning Fa felt his vision blur for a moment before he found himself in an unfamiliar place.
Looking around, he saw a gray, hazy space. Using his Spiritual Sense, he estimated the space to be about two hundred li in size, with a thick barrier at its edges.
The Zi Yin Clan Members had already flown forward. Ning Fa called out to the Heavenly Treasure Immortal Merchant and Luo Feixuan, then followed closely behind.
Before long, everyone stopped.
Before them appeared a vast expanse of interconnected palaces, grand and extraordinary, emanating layers of barrier radiance, exactly as depicted in the painting from before.
At this moment, everyone was standing on a massive plaza directly in front of the palace complex. Coiled before the main entrance was a lifelike stone dragon.
With a series of cracking sounds, the stones on the surface of the stone dragon shattered, revealing a purple, undulating dragon over ten zhang long.
Its large dragon eyes gazed at everyone with immense dignity. It let out a dragon's roar, and a powerful Spiritual Pressure surged from its body, reaching the peak of Fourth-grade.
"This is... a Purple Origin Star Dragon."
Ning Fa couldn't help but recall the Purple Origin Star Dragon he had seen in the secret ruins of the Zi Yin Immortal Dynasty in the Jinchuan Archipelago. Compared to that one, this dragon was much more powerful.
Huangfu Jin stepped forward, holding a purple seal in his hand. He spoke a sentence in an ancient language Ning Fa had never heard before.
The hostility in the Purple Origin Star Dragon's eyes dissipated. With a gentle flick of its tail, it transformed into a stream of light and entered the purple seal in Huangfu Jin's hand.
Huangfu Jin lightly shook the seal, and a stream of light shot out. In an instant, the barrier radiance on the outer layer of the palace complex was removed layer by layer. The imposing, ten-foot-high palace doors before them slowly opened.
"I never thought we would return to our ancestral land one day!..."
An elder of the Zi Yin clan, around sixty years old, was moved to tears upon seeing this. The others, including Huangfu Ziyue, were also overcome with joy.
A flicker of excitement flashed in Huangfu Jin's eyes. He then took a deep breath and said, "Alright, everyone, let's enter the palace. Ziyue, please host Daoist Ning and Daoist Tianbao."
With that, he led the way into the palace, and the other Zi Yin Clan Members immediately followed.
Huangfu Ziyue wiped the tears from her face and approached Ning Fa, smiling. "Brother Ning, I'll take you to the exclusive palace of the Zi Xiao Lineage."
Ning Fa nodded. The three of them followed Huangfu Ziyue. After entering the main hall, they passed through layers of pavilions and finally arrived at the westernmost part of the palace complex.
On a Spirit Mountain hundreds of zhang tall, sat a somewhat isolated purplish-black palace.
Uniquely, above this Spirit Mountain, dark clouds hung low, and lightning occasionally struck down. However, it was like a mud ox entering the sea, disappearing into this grand hall.
Ning Fa looked at this hall, his expression changing. He could sense a very powerful lightning-attribute power from it.
Huangfu Ziyue smiled charmingly. "Brother Ning, this is Zi Xiao Hall, and it was also the cultivation sacred ground for the Zi Xiao Lineage members in the past. It will be very beneficial for you to refine that Innate Thunder Seed later."
As she spoke, Huangfu Ziyue walked forward on her own. Ning Fa's gaze sharpened, and he, along with the Heavenly Treasure Immortal Merchant and Luo Feixuan, followed.
Before long, the group arrived at the deepest part of Zi Xiao Hall. Huangfu Ziyue politely asked Tianbao and Luo Feixuan to wait outside, and only she and Ning Fa entered.
This was a large hall. The surrounding walls and floor were inscribed with mysterious Array Formation Patterns that extended to the center.
In the center was a circular pool about twenty zhang in diameter, filled with deep blue liquid. One could see blue electrical currents lighting up from the surrounding walls and quickly converging into the central pool.
Ning Fa's expression suddenly changed. This was not liquid at all, but clearly liquefied Thunder Power.
The terrifying lightning-attribute power it contained was many times stronger than ordinary lightning.
Furthermore, this power was extremely pure. It was evident that the special array formation in this hall had purified and refined the Thunder Power struck down from the sky, and had accumulated it for an unknown amount of time to fill this pool of liquid lightning.
Ning Fa's eyes lit up. No wonder Huangfu Ziyue had said earlier that it would accelerate his cultivation here; it truly would.
Although this liquid lightning was not comparable to the Innate Thunder Essence he obtained from the Abyssal Heavenly Pool, it was still a great tonic for him.
It was equivalent to a top-tier pill for advancing cultivation, not only accelerating the refinement of his Innate Thunder Seed but also greatly speeding up the progress of his Mana.
At this moment, Huangfu Ziyue flipped her hand and produced a Purifying Bottle with several Barrier Talismans affixed to it. A swirling mass of green thunderclouds could be vaguely seen within the bottle.
Ning Fa looked at the Purifying Bottle, his eyes immediately filled with longing. This was the Innate Thunder Seed he had been yearning for.
Huangfu Ziyue very readily threw the Purifying Bottle directly to him, smiling charmingly.
"Brother Ning, from now on, you can refine this Innate Thunder Seed here in Zi Xiao Hall.
It just so happens that the special ritual we are preparing for our Uncle Ancestor's breakthrough to Spirit Transformation requires some time."
Ning Fa nodded. With the help of this vast amount of liquid lightning, he was confident he could quickly open up the Sea of Lightning Divine Treasury for the Innate Supreme Wood Divine Thunder.
"Don't worry about Daoist Tianbao and Daoist Luo. I will arrange for them to stay nearby.
By the way, little sister is really curious, what is your relationship with that beautiful as an immortal Daoist Luo? Could she be your Dao Companion?"
Huangfu Ziyue's eyes flickered as she asked casually.
"We are not Dao Companions. It's just that due to some special circumstances recently, Daoist Luo needs to stay by my side for a while."
Ning Fa gave a vague explanation.
Huangfu Ziyue raised her eyebrows and didn't ask further. Instead, she reminded him, "One more thing, Brother Ning. I must remind you that the Innate Thunder Seed is, after all, formed from the origin of our Zi Xiao Lineage members.
So, when you refine it, you might obtain some of their residual Essence Blood. Please don't mind it, Brother Ning."
Ning Fa nodded. Huangfu Ziyue smiled at him and left the hall. The hall door then closed, leaving only Ning Fa alone.
Ning Fa let out a soft breath and then directly jumped into the circular pool.
The surrounding liquid lightning surged towards him but was directly absorbed by Ning Fa's body. Instantly, a pure and potent Thunder Spiritual Power surged into every part of his body, making him feel incredibly comfortable.
Ning Fa wasted no time. He removed several barrier talismans from the Purifying Bottle and, with a solemn expression, formed a hand seal.
Instantly, a wisp of green thunder cloud flew out and was directly inhaled into Ning Fa's mouth. Under his control, it descended into his liver.
Simultaneously, the pure thunder spiritual power followed, enveloping his entire liver.
Ning Fa was then engulfed in a blinding green light, his form flickering in and out of view.
Unknowingly, a year had passed.
The liquid lightning in the circular pool had completely dried up, leaving behind only a green cocoon in the center.
A peculiar thunderous sound echoed, like spring thunder breaking through the dawn.
The cocoon split open, revealing a green wood about ten feet tall. It was exceptionally verdant, with wisps of green lightning dancing on its surface.
Anyone witnessing this would be astonished to realize that this green wood was entirely formed from lightning. Yet, it possessed none of the usual destructive ferocity of lightning; instead, it radiated vibrant life, akin to the rebirth of all things.
As the green wood swayed its branches, the surrounding heaven and earth spiritual energy surged, converging upon it like a frenzy.
Immediately, leaves began to sprout rapidly on the branches of the green wood at a visible pace. These leaves bore mysterious runes, emanating an aura of innate purity and containing unimaginable, terrifying power.
At this moment, the green wood gently shook and, amidst a dazzling green light, transformed into a handsome figure – Ning Fa himself.
His face was filled with joy, and he couldn't help but laugh heartily. In just one year, he had successfully refined the Innate Thunder Seed.
Within his liver, he had now opened the third Sea of Lightning Divine Treasury. The Supreme Wood Divine Thunder had become the third divine thunder to reach the Innate Divine Thunder realm, following the Supreme Gold Divine Thunder and Supreme Fire Divine Thunder.
His personal strength had taken another significant leap. After all, Innate Divine Thunder was an innate divine ability, typically mastered only by Spirit Transformation cultivators, and could naturally pose a threat to them.
With his mastery of three Innate Divine Thunders, Ning Fa's confidence against Spirit Transformation cultivators had greatly increased.
Furthermore, after opening the third Sea of Lightning Divine Treasury, he anticipated no further obstacles in his breakthrough to the late Nascent Soul realm.
Once his mana and physical strength reached the peak of the mid-Nascent Soul stage, he expected to break through naturally, and this stage should not take too long.
This was because he had absorbed all the vast quantities of liquid lightning in the circular pool, storing much of it in his meridians and dantian without fully refining it.
Moreover, due to the previous advancement of his Divine Firmament Dharma Idol, his body cultivation progress had also accelerated significantly. This had initially been the most difficult hurdle for advancement, but now it should present no major obstacles.
Therefore, Ning Fa's mood was naturally excellent.
Ning Fa calmed himself and then raised his index finger.
Under the force of his exertion, a drop of pale purple blood emerged from his fingertip.
Ning Fa gazed at the drop of blood, his expression thoughtful.
Although he had successfully refined the Innate Thunder Seed, it was true, as Huangfu Ziyue had said, that he now had some of this pale purple essence blood within him. It seemed to be the residue of those Zi Yin Clan Members from before.
At this moment, Ning Fa's entire body erupted with violent electric currents. Not only on his body's surface but also within his body, countless arcs of electricity surged, completely annihilating this pale purple essence blood.
If Huangfu Ziyue and the others knew about this, they would undoubtedly be stunned. After all, the profound mysteries of the Five Elements Thunder Body were beyond their comprehension.
Ning Fa was unaware of the true significance behind Huangfu Ziyue giving him the Innate Thunder Seed. However, after eradicating all the residual essence blood, he felt considerably more relaxed.
Just then, a flash of fire appeared before him, and Huangfu Ziyue's voice emanated from it: "Brother Ning, I sensed some activity. Have you already broken through to Innate Divine Thunder? Our ritual is ready, and we are just waiting for you."
Ning Fa smiled and rose to leave the grand hall.
Outside, Huangfu Ziyue was already waiting for him.
She scrutinized Ning Fa with her beautiful eyes and, with a radiant smile, said, "As expected of Brother Ning, mastering the Supreme Wood Innate Divine Thunder so quickly. I will be counting on you during the upcoming ritual."
Luo Feixuan and the Heavenly Treasure Immortal Merchant emerged from two other side halls. They looked at Ning Fa, a hint of surprise flashing in their eyes.
Although they were unaware that Ning Fa's seclusion this time was to break through to Innate Divine Thunder, they had clearly sensed the changes in him.
"Without further ado, Fellow Daoist Huangfu, please lead the way," Ning Fa said with a smile.
At this, Huangfu Ziyue subtly stated, "Brother Ning, the special ritual we are about to perform is the supreme secret of our Zi Yin Clan. Therefore, I hope Brother Ning can proceed alone."
Ning Fa merely raised an eyebrow but nodded: "Alright, I shall accompany you then."
However, before leaving, he quietly activated the Star Roaming Compass and buried a blue star underground.
Not long after, Huangfu Ziyue led Ning Fa to the very center of the palace complex.
Here stood a hexagonal altar, several miles in size. At its center was a three-tiered platform, upon which Huangfu Jin sat cross-legged.
He glanced at Ning Fa before continuing to meditate with his eyes closed.
Ning Fa could clearly sense that Huangfu Jin's mana, spiritual sense, and physical strength were all significantly stronger than when he had first arrived a year ago.
He had evidently reached the limit of the Nascent Soul realm and was clearly prepared to attempt Spirit Transformation.
Huangfu Ziyue led Ning Fa to one corner of the hexagonal altar. A pattern of a purple thunder sword was carved into the ground.
"Brother Ning, this is your position. First, memorize the hand seals in this jade slip. When the ritual begins, you will simply activate this Zi Xiao Sword according to the hand seals."
As Huangfu Ziyue spoke, she handed a jade slip and the Zi Xiao Sword to Ning Fa, then gracefully moved towards another corner of the altar.
Ning Fa did not immediately examine the hand seals in the jade slip. Instead, he took a look at the hexagonal altar.
He saw that the other four corners were already occupied by Zi Yin Clan Members. Besides Zhuo Qing, there were three others, each exuding a powerful spiritual pressure. They were all at the late Nascent Soul stage, and the altars beneath their feet were also carved with different symbols.
Ning Fa withdrew his gaze and began to read the contents of the jade slip.
Time slowly passed. At this moment, the spiritual pressure emanating from Huangfu Jin, who was seated in the center of the hexagonal altar, grew stronger and stronger, even surpassing the limits of the Nascent Soul realm.
The heaven and earth spiritual energy around began to surge, as if a volcano was about to erupt.
"Prepare!" Huangfu Ziyue called out softly, then suddenly tossed a purple ancient mirror in her hand, channeling various hand seals towards it.
A burst of purple light was immediately emitted from the ancient mirror, and the identical purple ancient mirror pattern carved on the altar's surface where Huangfu Ziyue stood was instantly illuminated.
The other four Zi Yin Clan Members also did the same, throwing out four treasures: a saber, a staff, a bead, and a cauldron. The special symbols beneath their feet were also lit up.
Seeing this, Ning Fa also tossed the Zi Xiao Sword in his hand into the air, channeling various hand seals towards it, and the Innate Supreme Wood Divine Thunder within his body surged forward.
As the Zi Xiao Sword flashed with lightning, the Zi Xiao Sword pattern beneath his feet was also illuminated.
After all the special patterns on the six corners of the altar were lit, the light quickly connected, spreading across the entire altar.
In the blink of an eye, all the array formation patterns of the hexagonal altar were lit, and a thick purple pillar of light shot up, directly piercing into the void.
At this moment, Huangfu Ziyue suddenly slapped forward with her right hand, and amidst a cluster of light, several treasures appeared.
Ning Fa glanced over them, and after seeing what they were, even with his current vision, he couldn't help but show a shocked expression, because the items in that cluster of light were truly extraordinary.
Ten Thousand Year Spirit Grass, Fifth-grade Spiritual Material, Top-grade Spirit Eye Stone...
It could be said that each item was a precious treasure that would drive Spirit Transformation cultivators to madness.
Especially that Ten Thousand Year Spirit Grass.
Once a spirit grass reached ten thousand years in age, even the most ordinary spirit grass would contain an unimaginable amount of pure spiritual energy.
Moreover, the Snow Dragon Grass was an extremely rare Fifth-grade spirit grass, its value immeasurable by spirit stones.
Even if consumed directly, it could at least increase a Spirit Transformation cultivator's cultivation by several hundred years, or even help them break through bottlenecks.
These items vanished into the purple pillar of light in an instant.
Ning Fa took a deep breath, feeling something strange.
He felt as if the ritual that Huangfu Ziyue and the others had prepared was not to help Huangfu Jin break through to Spirit Transformation, but rather resembled some kind of sacrifice.
He could see that they were all looking up at the sky with faces full of excitement and anticipation.
At this moment, the purple pillar of light stopped shooting upwards. Not long after, a rumbling sound suddenly echoed, and a crack suddenly tore open in the sky above the altar.
Then, a giant branch extended from within, quickly widening the spatial rift.
What happened next made Ning Fa stare in dumbfounded amazement. As the spatial rift widened to over a hundred zhang, a purple ancient wood slowly descended from it.
The ancient wood was about thirty zhang long, with lush branches and leaves, and its entire body shimmered with a faint purple light.
What was astonishing was that on the surface of the ancient wood's trunk, there was a huge, ancient, and weathered human face.
Seeing this, Huangfu Ziyue and the others were all overjoyed. They all knelt on one knee and shouted in an ancient language Ning Fa had never heard before, "Greetings, Lord Divine Wood!"
The human face on the purple ancient wood's trunk slowly opened its eyes, and an ancient voice followed, also in that mysterious ancient language.
Huangfu Jin, standing in the center of the altar, respectfully replied to something in the ancient language.
Ning Fa watched all this, his brow furrowed tightly.
This situation was not right. It was clear that Huangfu Ziyue and the others had set up this special ritual, and even sacrificed such precious spiritual materials, with the sole purpose of summoning this mysterious ancient wood.
At this moment, a telepathic message came from Huangfu Ziyue: "Fellow Daoist Ning, please forgive us. The ritual we prepared was indeed to summon Lord Divine Wood.
Speaking of which, the reason our Zi Yin clan was born is all thanks to Lord Divine Wood. This is also our clan's highest secret.
Tens of thousands of years ago, our clan was still an ordinary mortal family. Fortunately, Lord Divine Wood took notice of us and bestowed upon us extraordinary bloodlines, which led to the existence of our Zi Yin clan.
The method Uncle Ancestor is using to attempt Spirit Transformation this time is an extremely powerful but very dangerous one, known as the Body Shattering Spirit Sculpting Method, passed down from the True Demon Realm. This secret technique was also bestowed by Lord Divine Wood back then.
And to use this secret technique to attempt Spirit Transformation, it cannot be accomplished in a world with such thin heaven and earth spiritual energy as ours. Lord Divine Wood's assistance is necessary.
But to summon Lord Divine Wood, all six Sacred Artifacts originally bestowed by Lord Divine Wood must be activated.
Since all the members of the Zi Xiao Lineage have perished, we can only rely on you, Fellow Daoist Ning."