C88 The Legend of Extermination

Previously, Yu Yuan had no need for Spirit Stones in his cultivation.

The omnipresent Spiritual Qi of Heaven and Earth was sufficient for lower-level cultivators to successfully open their meridians.

Spirit Stones, which contain a more refined and potent form of Spiritual Qi, might not necessarily benefit those at the Pulse Opening Stage.

However, the situation is different for those at the Spirit Accumulating Stage.

Practitioners at this stage can still cultivate by absorbing and refining the Spiritual Qi of Heaven and Earth, albeit at a slightly slower pace.

Utilizing Spirit Stones in conjunction with the natural Spiritual Qi can significantly enhance the efficiency of cultivation at the Spirit Accumulating Stage.

This advantage, though, is specific to the Profound Sky Continent.

On the Quietus and Heavenly Source Continents, the powerful sects with rich legacies have no need for Spirit Stones when cultivating at the Spirit Accumulating or even the Yellow Court Stage.

The Spiritual Qi on these lands is far more concentrated than on the Profound Sky Continent.

Sects with histories spanning thousands, if not tens of thousands of years, are particularly discerning about their locations, ensuring an even richer environment of Spiritual Qi.

Moreover, these prestigious sects possess formations that amplify the gathering of Spiritual Qi, resulting in an even more potent and abundant flow.

In such sects, disciples at the Pulse Opening, Spirit Accumulating, and Yellow Court Stages can advance without the aid of Spirit Stones.

The sect's own Spiritual Qi is ample for them to progress smoothly through these initial stages.

Rumor has it that disciples from the three esteemed upper sects of the Heavenly Source Continent—the Profound Sky Sect, the Primordial Yang Sect, and the Sword Sect—do not require any additional Spirit Stones to reach the Profound Break Stage.

The incredibly dense Spiritual Qi of these sects benefits all their members.

Yu Yuan, during his trial in the Forbidden Area, initially refrained from using Spirit Stones to temper his body and nurture his organs.

But the dramatic shift in the area's Spiritual Qi has pushed his frail body to its limits.

The turbulent Spiritual Qi disrupts even his breathing, complicating every movement.

Compelled by necessity, he embarked on the Spirit Accumulating Stage, forging his body in earnest for the first time.

Wisps of refined spiritual energy were drawn from the Spirit Stone in his grasp, weaving through his meridians.

To him, the Spirit Stone felt like a small bucket brimming with water—the water being the spiritual energy itself.

Once depleted, the Spirit Stone would be rendered valueless, its energy reserves exhausted.

During the absorption process, he also ingested an Elemental Pill, which aided in purifying and fortifying his physique.

The practice of the Spirit Accumulating Stage involves channeling spiritual energy through the twelve meridians, invigorating every limb and bone, rendering them robust and resilient.

For most, the journey to strengthen flesh and bone entails a cycle of destruction and renewal.

Tearing down, breaking apart, then rebuilding stronger and more solid than before.

The spiritual energy hones the muscles and bones by first causing damage, then leveraging one's innate potential to enhance their vigor and durability.

Throughout the world, cultivators at the Spirit Accumulating Stage harness spiritual energy to break down their bodies, subsequently nourishing themselves with copious amounts of meat and grains to restore their vital energy and mend their tissues.

The rejuvenation of flesh and bone relies not on spiritual energy but on the sustenance provided by food.

Once healed, the body emerges more powerful, more resilient, and more capable than before.

The so-called Elemental Pill is essentially an essence-boosting supplement, a potent pellet packed with the concentrated vitality of herbs and nutrients, particularly beneficial for those in the Spirit Accumulating Stage.

Absent the Elemental Pill, practitioners would have to consume vast quantities of meat and grains.

With the pill, such extensive eating is unnecessary; its medicinal properties alone can rapidly reinforce muscles and mend fractured bones, making them even more robust.

"My cultivation at the Spirit Accumulating Stage requires the aid of a new technique."

This thought sparked a glimmer of memory deep within his Earth Soul, shining forth with sudden clarity.

A body-refining technique he had stumbled upon in his past life now surged into his consciousness.

And the Spirit Stone, once firmly held in his palm, surged with unrestrained energy, flooding into his body with a fierce intensity.

The chaotic spiritual energy of heaven and earth didn't just stop there—it surged together abruptly.

"Huff! Huff!"

Around Yu Yuan, a miniature vortex of spiritual power seemed to form, invisible to the naked eye. Spiritual energy streamed into his meridians and flesh through his pores, his mouth, and his nose.

His face was etched with pain and terror, and his seated body began to shake.

...

Elsewhere.

Han Hui and Zhan Tianxiang, with their higher cultivation levels and more refined physiques, didn't succumb to exhaustion like Yu Yuan.

Though the turbulent spiritual Qi was uncomfortable, they were managing to cope.

Seated in a cave, their faces were etched with solemnity.

"The empire's legend... it couldn't possibly come to pass now, could it?" Zhan Tianxiang's face was tinged with bitterness. "An endless night, the Moon Demon awakening from its slumber, and the empire being replaced..."

He bowed his head, his voice a suppressed chant.

Han Hui stared blankly out of the cave, murmuring, "Only a handful know of such a legend. It speaks of a time when nights grow ever longer, the climate harsher, and the Moon Demon awakens. With its awakening, the empire could fall and be supplanted by another."

"What is the Moon Demon?" she inquired.

Zhan Tianxiang shook his head. "Even the elders in my family can't clarify. But I've come across some references in ancient texts."

"What did you find?" Han Hui's curiosity piqued.

"It appears to be about the empire that came before us," Zhan Tianxiang said with hesitation. "On the lands now claimed by our Silvermoon Empire, the previous empire ceased to be as the nights drew out and the Moon Demon stirred. It seems our Silvermoon Empire rose in its place, becoming the sovereign of these lands."

"Ah!"

Han Hui let out a startled scream. "Does that mean our Silvermoon Empire could also fall? To this so-called Moon Demon?"

"If the legend holds truth, then perhaps," Zhan Tianxiang replied, weighed down by the thought. "If such a fate unfolds, not just us in the forbidden trial, but our families, our empress—all could perish. Should the empire descend into turmoil, death could come for us all. Who then would spare a thought for those of us in the trial?"

Han Hui wore a gloomy expression. "It's not very likely, is it? Surely, we won't face such a disaster."

"I hope you're right. I hope it's nothing but a scare," Zhan Tianxiang sighed heavily. "But should we come clean to Yu Yuan about this? I feel like if we do, it'll only add to everyone's stress."

"We should tell him once he wakes up," Han Hui suggested.

"Alright."

The two exchanged whispers, careful to avoid the ears of others.

Suddenly, they both sensed an anomaly. Exchanging a knowing glance, they turned their gaze sharply toward the cave where Yu Yuan was in meditation.

Yu Yuan was under their watchful eye, and they were well-acquainted with the location of his cave.

Before their eyes, the already tumultuous spiritual Qi of Heaven and Earth seemed to be drawn like a magnet, furiously rushing toward Yu Yuan's cave!

The chaotic spiritual Qi manifested as a disarray of gray, pale white, and deep brown mists.

The varying hues indicated differing levels of purity in the spiritual Qi, each laden with impurities, which was far from ideal for a cultivator to absorb and refine directly.

The mists of mixed colors could harbor other toxins or even materialized dust particles.

Not only was the absorption and refinement process arduous, but it also posed the risk of damaging the flesh.

For this reason, both Han Hui and Zhan Tianxiang continued to channel their own spiritual Qi, creating a barrier between themselves and the external spiritual Qi of Heaven and Earth to prevent infiltration and potential harm to their bodies.

Removing any Qi that managed to seep in would be a time-consuming process, necessary to prevent self-injury.

What exactly was happening with Yu Yuan?

He was supposed to be cultivating with Spirit Stones, so why was there such an intense influx of spiritual Qi of Heaven and Earth into his cave?

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