"Alright, let's discuss the candidates for this spiritual pool. Although it's been sealed for hundreds of years, the amount of spiritual liquid it produces is barely enough for a few people."
Venerable Jizhao nodded.
Lord Liyang said solemnly, "Currently, within our Nine Dragons Sea, the fellow cultivators most likely to break through to Spirit Transformation are: Heavenly Evolution Sect Master Qinghong, Crimson Phoenix Valley Master Chirong, Demon Lord Zhuang Mingxiao, Wusheng Sword Master...
And Demon Lord Tunyan and Daoist Xiao, who are present. That makes a total of nine people."
"Nine people? Then let's have a vote. After all, the spiritual pool can only support five people at most. If more people share it, everyone will be affected."
Venerable Jizhao said in a deep voice.
At this moment, Fairy Linghua's eyes flickered, and she suddenly said, "Please exclude Daoist Zhuang Mingxiao. Daoist Yunxiu has other arrangements for his attempt to break through to Spirit Transformation."
Lord Liyang, Wen Yuchen, and Tu Li, the three Spirit Transformation cultivators, all shifted their expressions slightly.
Venerable Jizhao frowned and slowly said, "Can you tell me the reason? Even though I've been living in seclusion these years, I've often heard of young Zhuang's great deeds. He is truly a rare genius in our Nine Dragons Sea. Once he breaks through to the Spirit Transformation realm, he will be a significant help."
Fairy Linghua shook her head, "I don't know much about this either, but I can confirm that Daoist Yunxiu values him greatly, especially regarding his attempt to break through to Spirit Transformation. If we make other arrangements, it might displease Daoist Yunxiu."
At this time, Wen Yuchen also said tactfully, "Senior Brother, perhaps it's best to forget about him. Since there aren't enough spots, the other fellow cultivators are also very outstanding. Regardless, Daoist Yunxiu is our top combat force, second only to you and Daoist Xuanyi, so..."
Wen Yuchen didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear. They couldn't offend a top-tier Spirit Transformation expert like Daoist Yunxiu for Zhuang Mingxiao, a Nascent Soul cultivator whose breakthrough was still uncertain.
Although Venerable Jizhao frowned slightly, he didn't say anything more.
Soon, the few Spirit Transformation cultivators had decided on the candidates. Venerable Jizhao then changed the topic, saying, "Another important matter is the descent of the Ancestral Beast from the Yuanshou Ancestral Court. If the Ancestral Beast can descend successfully, it will be of great significance to us, especially at this time. Daoist Xiao, what is the progress of the Ancestral Hall?"
Xiao Lie stood up, cupped his fists, and said in a voice like clashing weapons, "Reporting to Senior Venerable Jizhao, the Ancestral Hall is now about eighty to ninety percent complete. If the progress continues normally, it should be finished in about ten years. Including the time needed to prepare the spiritual materials for the sacrifice, it might take around twenty years."
"Twenty years is too long. I hope to complete this matter within two years. Daoist Xiao, what resources are you still lacking? Please tell us, and the Tianshu Alliance will provide full support. I believe even the Demon Sea Alliance will not be an exception."
Venerable Jizhao said calmly, then looked at Demon Lord Tunyan. The handsome and alluring youth pursed his scarlet lips and said without hesitation, "Senior Venerable Jizhao, I will naturally comply. Our Demon Sea Alliance will also contribute."
Xiao Lie's stern face immediately showed a hint of joy. He also unhesitatingly threw out a jade slip, clearly having anticipated this before his arrival and being prepared.
The spiritual senses of the few Spirit Transformation cultivators merely scanned it. Although the spiritual materials listed in the jade slip were astonishing, including many fifth-grade spiritual materials, the cultivators actually felt relieved. These items, while precious, were still within their ability to provide.
"No problem, these spiritual materials will be delivered to your clan within a month," Venerable Jizhao said in a deep voice.
"Thank you for your assistance, Senior," Xiao Lie said, overjoyed.
Fairy Linghua couldn't help but glance at Tu Li, her eyes filled with deep meaning. Tu Li's expression remained unchanged, but a hint of helplessness flashed in his eyes. His identity was special, and if the Ancestral Beast of the Yuanshou Ancestral Court truly descended, it would be very disadvantageous for him. However, in the current situation, he naturally couldn't refuse, otherwise, Lord Xuanyi might fly into a rage on the spot.
Venerable Jizhao nodded and looked at Demon Lord Tunyan again, smiling calmly. "Daoist Tunyan, I heard your sect captured an Abyssal Demon Vine a long time ago. I hear your sect has invested a lot of resources over the years to completely subdue this demon vine. What is the progress? If it can truly be subdued, we will have another Spirit Transformation stage helper."
Upon hearing this, the handsome youth's expression changed slightly. He finally realized that the secretly conducted actions of the major demonic sects within the Demon Sea Alliance over the years were already known to the Tianshu Alliance. At the same time, he understood the real reason why he was able to attend this high-level meeting. He could only put away his other thoughts and immediately said, "Senior, you are wise. That Abyssal Demon Vine is still incorrigible. Although our Demon Sea Alliance has tried many methods, the results have been minimal. Of course, if you seniors are willing to take action, I believe it will be easily accomplished."
Venerable Jizhao smiled and then looked at Lord Liyang. "Junior Brother Liyang, your Supreme Yang Divine Ability should be very effective against this demon vine. Why don't you go?"
Before Lord Liyang could speak, Lord Xuanyi said coldly, "Let me go instead. This demon vine happens to have something I need, and I was planning to go anyway."
Venerable Jizhao was stunned for a moment, then laughed, "That would be for the best. However, Daoist Xuanyi, please show some mercy and don't weaken this demon vine too much."
After speaking, Venerable Jizhao's eyes flashed, and he added, "In addition, there are those surviving Zi Yin descendants. I didn't expect someone from ten thousand years ago like Huangfu Jin to still be alive."
Even though his strength had not fully recovered before, he could still fight an even match with his junior brother Liyang. After so many years, his strength must have recovered considerably.
With his assistance, we would gain a powerful ally.
Therefore, I propose inviting the Zi Yin Descendants to join our allied forces. We can even offer them generous terms, even giving them a piece of territory if necessary."
Upon hearing this, Fairy Linghua was the first to object, saying, "Daoist Jizhao, I'm afraid this might not be entirely appropriate?
You are well aware of how terrifying the Zi Yin clan members are. If we give them territory and allow them to recuperate, I fear it will only lead to disaster down the line."
Venerable Jizhao calmly replied:
"Even if what Daoist Linghua says is true, that is a matter for the future. Our immediate priority is to overcome this current crisis. Otherwise, any talk of the future is just empty words."
Fairy Linghua's delicate brows furrowed slightly, but she did not voice any further objections.
Lord Xuanyi also calmly stated, "My Pure Sword Manor has no objections to this matter."
"Since that is the case, I will go and contact Huangfu Jin. We have a history of not fighting each other to the death,"
Lord Liyang stroked his thick beard and said with a smile.
Venerable Jizhao nodded, then said gravely, "Our Nine Dragons Sea has another Spirit Transformation cultivator. Their combat power is not just top-tier in the Nine Dragons Sea, but even in the entire Human Realm.
If we can get him to help, we will undoubtedly have a powerful ally."
Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions shifted, clearly guessing who Venerable Jizhao was referring to.
Even Lord Xuanyi, whose expression had remained largely unchanged, couldn't help but show a hint of sharp fighting intent in his eyes.
"Indeed, he is the Heavenly Treasure Immortal Merchant. In my long life, I have conducted two transactions with Daoist Tianbao, which have benefited me greatly. One of those transactions is also the fundamental reason why I have lived so many more years.
I originally thought Daoist Tianbao was detached from worldly affairs, and would not get involved in the disputes of the cultivation world unless it interested him. I never expected him to be hired by someone, and to be a Nascent Soul cultivator at that.
Heh heh, speaking of which, that young friend Ning is also a person of great fortune. He obtained that not-so-ordinary Ancient Star Stone Tablet.
Now that Daoist Tianbao can be hired by this young friend Ning, it is likely that we can get Daoist Tianbao to help through this young friend Ning.
Therefore, the priority of this matter is also extremely high and must be implemented as soon as possible."
Upon hearing this, Wen Yuchen said in a deep voice, "I will take responsibility for this matter as well. Although I don't know where this young friend Ning is currently cultivating, his affiliated Fu Ling Hall is located in the Black Star Archipelago. We should be able to contact him through the elders of Fu Ling Hall."
"Good, then this matter will be handed over to you, junior brother. As long as that young friend Ning does not demand excessively unreasonable conditions, we can agree to them."
Venerable Jizhao stated decisively.
Thus, more than half a day passed as decisions that could change the fate of the entire Nine Dragons Sea were made among these cultivators standing at the peak of the Nine Dragons Sea.
As the meeting concluded, Lord Xuanyi was the first to transform into a dazzling sword light and shoot away. True Lord Xingxuan, Demon Lord Tunyan, and Xiao Lie, the three Nascent Soul cultivators, also bowed and took their leave.
At this moment, Venerable Jizhao flicked his right hand, and three slender-necked jade bottles flew towards Fairy Linghua and Tu Li.
The bottles contained a pale golden spiritual liquid, and a talisman with a clearly extraordinary grade was affixed to the outside.
Fairy Linghua took a brief look and exclaimed with surprise and joy, "Could this be the legendary... Divine Dew?"
Upon hearing this, Tu Li, who had been somewhat uncertain, also became overjoyed.
This Divine Dew was an extremely special spiritual material, especially important for cultivators at the Spirit Transformation stage.
This was because it could replenish the vital energy consumed by Spirit Transformation cultivators during intense battles, preventing or greatly reducing the reduction in lifespan caused by such exchanges.
Although there were other methods that could achieve similar effects, the Divine Dew was the most effective with the fewest side effects.
And only the Taichu Gate had the capability to refine this precious spiritual material.
"At that time, we will still rely on all of you to fight bravely. My Taichu Gate will naturally not hold back.
As for Daoist Yunxiu's share, please have Fairy Linghua deliver it to him."
Venerable Jizhao said with a faint smile.
Fairy Linghua put away the two bottles of Divine Dew in front of her, then solemnly cupped her fists towards Venerable Jizhao before transforming into a stream of light and flying away.
Soon, the others also departed one after another, but Tu Li's gaze flickered, and he remained in place.
Only he and Venerable Jizhao were left in the pavilion.
"It seems Daoist Tu has something he wishes to discuss with me privately," Venerable Jizhao said with a smile.
"Yes, there is indeed something.
If Venerable Jizhao can agree to it, our side will gain another powerful ally.
I, Tu, guarantee that once he advances to Spirit Transformation, he will absolutely not be comparable to ordinary Spirit Transformation cultivators."
"Oh, then tell me about it," Venerable Jizhao raised his white eyebrows.
After Tu Li finished speaking, Venerable Jizhao's old face first showed a look of astonishment, then a thoughtful glint flashed in his eyes. After pondering for a long time, he slowly nodded and said, "Alright, I agree to this matter."
Tu Li was immediately overjoyed and said, "Good, then I will tell him about this as soon as possible and have him prepare."
On this day, after the high-level meeting of the Nine Dragons Sea concluded, the three major human forces, the Tianshu Alliance, the Demon Sea Alliance, and the Yuanshou Ancestral Court, immediately took action. Orders were issued layer by layer, and preparations for war began in full swing. The entire Nine Dragons Sea was in a tense state, with an atmosphere of impending storm.
On Dark Star Island, managed by the Fu Ling Hall in the Black Star Archipelago, a mysterious guest also arrived and departed in a hurry after a short stay.
Because the war had officially broken out, the armies of the Sea Race and the Demon Race divided into three routes, directly attacking the Five Spirits Sea, Leiming Sea, and Xuetting Sea, with their锋芒 sharp.
The human forces suffered heavy casualties and were locked in a bitter struggle upon their first contact.
One month later, deep within the Qianmo Sea, on Xuan Ning Island.
The crimson great hall on the mountaintop, which had been sealed for a long time, welcomed astonishing activity today.
Amidst deafening thunderclaps, the entire crimson great hall was submerged in a vast expanse of purple lightning. A terrifying aura was rapidly ascending within the hall, as if an ancient Fierce Beast were awakening.
The sound of "swish swish swish" cutting through the wind echoed as figures flew in. It was Zhu Lingyun, Cheng Susu, and others. They watched the astonishing scene before them with worry and tension.
At this moment, a long cry that pierced the heavens resounded from the hall. Immediately after, the tidal waves of purple lightning surged towards the hall like a whale's inhalation.
Currently, in the innermost quiet room of this great hall, it was as if a sea eye was greedily absorbing the surrounding Thunder Power, gradually forming a handsome figure – it was Ning Fa.
However, his entire body was pulsing with dense purple arcs of electricity, and a terrifying Spiritual Pressure, like a mountain or an ocean, emanated from him.
Ning Fa lowered his head, clenched his fists, and felt an unprecedented sense of powerful strength. He first let out a light chuckle, which then turned into hearty laughter.
After nearly two hundred years of arduous cultivation, he had finally broken through to the Late Nascent Soul realm.
After his surging emotions calmed slightly, a trace of surprise appeared on Ning Fa's face.
The significant increase in his strength upon advancing to Late Nascent Soul was beyond his own expectations.
At this moment, his Mana was a full six to seven times greater than before his breakthrough, an incredibly exaggerated increase.
It was known that Ning Fa cultivated the "Ancient Source Thunder Scripture." Due to the scripture's unique nature, even before his breakthrough to the late stage, his Mana was already richer than that of ordinary Great Cultivators.
Now, with such a massive boost, not only was there no one among Nascent Soul Cultivators who could compare to him, but he might not be far behind Spirit Transformation Cultivators.
Furthermore, his Spiritual Sense power had also surged by half, increasing his detection range from one thousand li to one thousand five hundred li, which already far surpassed that of ordinary Spirit Transformation Cultivators.
In addition to this, his physical strength had also increased by nearly three times.
His physical strength was now even more formidable than that of an ordinary Late Stage Shape-Shifting Demonic Beast.
His Five Elements Divine Thunder Origin also saw considerable improvements.
For instance, his Innate Supreme Metal Divine Thunder had broken through to Fourth-grade Mid-tier, his Innate Supreme Fire Divine Thunder was close to Fourth-grade Mid-tier, while his Supreme Wood Divine Thunder remained at the peak of Fourth-grade.
According to Ning Fa's estimation, breaking through to the Fifth-grade realm would likely require specific conditions, which he would probably only discover after breaking through to the Spirit Transformation realm.
His other two great Divine Thunders, Supreme Water Divine Thunder and Supreme Earth Divine Thunder, had both reached the peak of Third-grade. They still required key Spiritual Materials to open the Sea of Lightning Divine Treasury and officially break through to Fourth-grade.
Moreover, although Ning Fa had not activated his Divine Firmament Manifestation or the Moon God Heart to test them, their power had undoubtedly increased significantly compared to before.
It could be said that after breaking through to the Late Nascent Soul realm, Ning Fa's strength had increased to an incredibly exaggerated degree.
Ning Fa even felt that he might now be able to contend with ordinary Spirit Transformation Cultivators.
Especially since he still possessed the True Form Imprint, a recovery method that could be described as defying the heavens.
After his joy, Ning Fa also felt a bit strange.
Although Nascent Soul Cultivators, upon reaching the late stage, experienced a significant increase in strength, comparable to breaking through a major realm, making them far superior to ordinary Nascent Soul Cultivators, which is why they were called Great Cultivators.
However, his own increase in strength upon reaching the late stage was still too substantial.
Ning Fa had some speculations. Firstly, it was likely due to the enhancement from his Five Elements Thunder Body; the more crucial the bottleneck realm, the greater the amplification.
Another significant reason was probably that he had cultivated his Divine Firmament Manifestation to the First Transformation stage before breaking through, and his Moon God Heart had also reached the Moon Soul Crystal Core stage. Both of these should have provided a massive boost to his essence, qi, and spirit after breaking through to the next realm.
"Can I now be considered the strongest Nascent Soul Cultivator in the history of the Human Realm?" This thought arose in Ning Fa's mind, and he then let out a soft chuckle.