156-159(13k)

Chapter 156: Spiritual Body Realm Demon Soldiers (Seeking Subscriptions)

For over a year as a wizard, Wu Yuan had been tirelessly nourishing the Tengshe egg with the essence of life, hoping for the early birth of the Tengshe.

According to Wu Yuan's initial estimate, it would take at least half a month, or up to a month for the Tengshe to hatch.

However, at this crucial moment, the Insect Demon Cataclysm struck.

The crisis spread too quickly, and the strength revealed by the demon soldiers under the command of the Insect Demon surpassed imagination.

It was anticipated that in three to five days, the final decisive battle would unfold.

But now, the blood-red mist emerging from the Black Tower had unexpected effects. It couldn't strengthen Wu Yuan's body anymore, but it could enhance his cultivation speed.

"Cultivating True Yuan is essentially the process of operating True Yuan and continuously expanding the Qi Sea. It's an accumulation over time," Wu Yuan thought. "Cultivating life source energy is similarly about constantly expanding and strengthening the Divine Palace, a gradual process."

Just like the growth of the human body, it must adhere to natural growth patterns; you can't become fat overnight.

Cultivating mana is no different.

Absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, absorbing source stones, absorbing celestial crystals and immortal soils, they only make the 'food' better, allowing for faster growth, but there are limits to the speed of growth.

However, now, the blood-red mist integrated into the Divine Palace and life source energy, accelerating Wu Yuan's growth rate multiple times over!

The blood-red mist had an even greater stimulating effect on the growth of the Tengshe egg, possibly by dozens of times.

"In terms of strength, even if I unleash my full power, it's still not comparable to Lao Fang, let alone competing with two major formations," Wu Yuan was well aware of this.

The Domain Realm is an extremely formidable power!

"Not to mention Lao Fang, even less to say matching up against two major formations," Wu Yuan thought. "For example, the Five Elements Formation, once it takes shape and is controlled by Lao Fang, there is hope for a battle against a true Golden Core cultivator."

Killing Magic Body Realm first and second-tier demon soldiers? Very hopeful!

"But once my Tengshe is born, not only will my strength skyrocket, but Tengshe alone will possess overwhelming power," Wu Yuan's heart was full of anticipation.

He could feel the rapid growth of the Tengshe egg in the Divine Palace.

"Huh? There are demon soldiers here!"

Wu Yuan suddenly halted, his spiritual awareness detected a massive demon soldier lurking deep within the earth several miles away.

"Boom!"

Wu Yuan's legs burst forth, an endless force instantly tearing through the earth. His figure moved swiftly towards the depths of the earth.

...

The land was vast, with thirteen provinces on the continent, plus the overseas regions of Wind Province, Qiong Province, and the countless islands in the South Sea, totaling billions of inhabitants, along with numerous beastly creatures.

On this night.

Except for the tens of millions of people in Huangzhou, the people in other regions, just like in the past thousands of years, rested peacefully at sunset.

But those billions of people were unaware.

In the remote and desolate depths of the wilderness.

In the high mountains and dense forests, the most elite group of top-ranked experts in the entire continent were fiercely battling against the brutal and powerful demon soldiers for the fate of the land!

Unknown to anyone.

Yet, no top-ranked expert complained or retreated. They all understood that this was the mission and responsibility they had to shoulder.

...

"Die!"

"Roar~" Despite being in the sky, the equally massive King of Qiong Sea remained agile, swinging its dragon tail as if tearing the heavens and the earth apart, exploding the head of a demon soldier that failed to evade in mid-air.

... "Devour!" With a length exceeding two hundred meters, the mountain demon king, resembling a small mountain, opened its mouth, and an invisible devouring force acted on a demon soldier in front of it.

Boom!

The mountain demon king fiercely collided with this equally massive demon soldier!

...

"Meteor Shower, Suppress!" As a Qi Sea sixth-tier, Dongguang Bo was one of the most powerful among the human top-ranked experts who engaged in battle early.

"Boom!" "Boom!" "Boom!"

The flames gathered, covering the sky, resembling falling stars, and creating a fiery sea that illuminated the vast night sky!

"Roar~" "Roar~" Several demon soldiers in the sea of fire agonized, howling and struggling!

... Late in the night in Huangzhou.

The fierce counterattack of the Insect Demon prompted the pioneers of the cultivators in the Central Continent, along with a large number of Xuan-realm demon soldiers under its command, to erupt into successive large-scale battles!

Demon soldiers appeared one after another.

Under the distant command of the Insect Demon, they were either powerful lone demon soldiers or a large group besieging.

Each large-scale battle created an extremely tense atmosphere within the Central Continent Immortal Palace.

Commanded by Emperor Dongpan.

Many top-ranked experts searched for the traces of demon soldiers while communicating and seeking help within the Immortal Palace.

It should be noted that the pioneering top-ranked experts, overall, were relatively weaker.

Therefore, each confrontation was brutal! Bloody!

In the first wave of major clashes, over forty demon soldiers were killed, and nearly a thousand young demon soldiers were annihilated.

However, the Insect Demon quickly adjusted and launched a second wave of counterattacks.

By deep in the night, the second wave of the Insect Demon's counterattack saw over two hundred demon soldiers appearing simultaneously. Within half an hour, eight top-ranked experts fell!

Even the powerful Dongguang Bo fell victim to the siege of over ten demon soldiers, and other top-ranked experts couldn't come to his rescue in time.

A wave of sorrow.

Yet, what truly shocked all the strong was the two battles in this second counterattack!

The first battle was led by the King of Qiong Sea!

He truly displayed the terrifying combat power of a Xuan-realm ninth-tier cultivator, single-handedly fighting eight demon soldiers. In the end, he managed to kill six demon soldiers, including two Xuan-realm ninth-tier ones!

The other battle was led by Wu Yuan!

Perhaps due to the terrifying strength he displayed in the first major clash, Wu Yuan found himself besieged by over ten demon soldiers, all of them Xuan-realm sixth-tier or above.

In this battle, Wu Yuan still didn't use his Source Technique, which was his trump card. He wouldn't easily expose it to the sight of the Insect Demon.

However, Wu Yuan still emerged victorious.

It was thanks to that heart-pounding vitality of defense!

Under the projection of dozens of top-ranked experts in the Central Continent, Wu Yuan clashed head-on with the overwhelming demon army time and time again.

He was besieged by the demon soldiers, as if he were an undefeated war god.

A battle to the death without retreat!

The battle blade cut through the air time and time again.

In the end, after dozens of breaths, the result was eight demon soldiers falling, and four demon soldiers fleeing!

Wu Yuan still stood steadily in the night sky.

This battle.

Not only chilled the demon soldiers, but also left all the top-ranked experts in the Central Continent dumbfounded and amazed!

...

"Wu Yuan's vitality is too unimaginable!"

"His defense is so strong, daring to withstand the frontal impact of a Xuan-realm ninth-tier? Even the King of Qiong Sea wouldn't dare!"

"His knife technique might not be as powerful as the King of Qiong Sea's claw technique, but his vitality is probably no less than that of the King of Qiong Sea." In the Immortal Palace of the Central Continent, the eyes of all top-ranked experts looking at Wu Yuan changed.

In the first major clash with the demon soldiers, Wu Yuan revealed astonishing attack power and speed.

In the second major clash, Wu Yuan revealed astonishing defensive power.

"In terms of overall strength, Wu Yuan can be considered among the top five in the Central Continent," Daoist Wanxing exclaimed, "In a life-and-death battle, neither I nor Emperor Dongpan have absolute certainty of winning against him!"

...

This preemptive battle.

In just one night, nine top-ranked experts fell in the Central Continent cultivation world. However, the achievements were equally remarkable, with over a hundred Xuan-realm demon soldiers being killed.

Over a thousand young demon soldiers were slain.

Such massive losses seemed unacceptable to the Insect Demon.

It seemed to realize the troublesome nature of the cultivators in the Central Continent. Large groups of demon soldiers began to retreat.

The next day!

For most of the day, nearly fifty top-ranked experts repeatedly patrolled and searched the 'Five Thousand Miles' on the outskirts of the demon zone. Altogether, they found only dozens of young demon soldiers.

Not a single Xuan-realm demon soldier was found.

"The demon army has retreated!"

"The losses in such conflicts are too great, and it's not willing."

"Even with a large amount of flesh and blood, it might be difficult for it to cultivate them!"

"It has manipulated the demon soldiers and retreated deeper into the demon zone."

Within the Central Continent Immortal Palace, many top-ranked experts quickly reached a consensus—temporarily suspend the attack.

This night of conflict, despite significant gains, also brought substantial losses. Therefore, there was temporary patrolling and recuperation on the outskirts of the demon zone.

Until dusk.

Many top-ranked experts suddenly realized.

The Insect Demon did not truly 'surrender'.

With noble blood like its own, would it really retreat just because of some losses among the demon soldiers?

Born for slaughter, how could it fear?

During the daytime, no demon soldiers appeared because it was only gathering its strength after suffering heavy blows from Central Continent powerhouses.

So!

When three terrifying demon soldier squads appeared on the outskirts of the demon zone, sweeping through large areas and directly killing the first top-ranked expert they encountered.

Instantly, it made all the cultivators in the Central Continent aware—the Insect Demon had deployed its main force.

Because!

The three demon armies appearing in different areas were all led by Spiritual Body Realm demon soldiers with a body length exceeding three hundred meters. Under their command were powerful demon soldiers, each surpassing the sixth tier of the Xuan-realm.

This was what caused the first top-ranked expert to have no resistance and be instantly killed.

"Retreat!"

"Hurry and withdraw."

"Quickly leave the demon zone." Emperor Dongpan, Fang Xia, and others were anxious, issuing commands urgently.

At this moment, they didn't need to be reminded. Many top-ranked experts began frantically fleeing out of the demon zone.

However.

The demon soldiers of the Spiritual Body Realm, dominating the world, had extraordinary vision. Even if separated by nearly a thousand miles, they could directly capture the flying top-ranked experts in the sky.

Just within a moment!

First, the Mountain Demon King was chased by a demon soldier squad. The Insect Demon seemed to realize the Mountain Demon King's strength, specifically targeting it for siege.

However, as a Xuan-realm eighth-tier, the Mountain Demon King's vitality and strength were strong enough to endure until the arrival of the King of Qiong Sea.

No dialogue.

The King of Qiong Sea and this Spiritual Body Realm demon soldier instantly erupted into a massive battle.

"Boom!"

King of Qiong Sea's body surface instantly displayed layers of armor resembling scales, enveloping its massive body. Like lightning, it charged directly.

"Spiritual Weapon Battle Armor!"

"What! The King of Qiong Sea actually has a Spiritual Weapon Battle Armor? When did it get that?" exclaimed numerous top-ranked experts.

No one had expected the King of Qiong Sea to have such a trump card.

"Roar!"

The Spiritual Body Realm demon soldier, with a massive mountain-like figure, also let out a earth-shattering roar, rushing to kill the King of Qiong Sea.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!" Like the explosion of heaven and earth, the two behemoths engaged in close-quarters combat.

"They've started fighting!"

"Such fast speed, Spiritual Body Realm demon soldiers are truly formidable. Its body surface is like armor, incredibly sturdy. No wonder the array of the temple in the Wild Region only injured the superficial skin and flesh."

"The King of Qiong Sea is just slightly at a disadvantage."

"Spiritual Body Realm demon soldiers, its wings, scales, claws are all weapons, with astonishing recovery ability, truly worthy of the name 'Spiritual Body.'"

"The King of Qiong Sea's strength is slightly below, but its combat skills are more advanced, and it has the advantage of magical treasures. It's just slightly at a disadvantage." Many top-ranked experts were extremely nervous.

The King of Qiong Sea represents the pinnacle combat power of the Central Continent cultivation world!

"Kill!" The King of Qiong Sea, relying on the Spiritual Weapon Battle Armor, went mad, fiercely battling with the Spiritual Body Realm demon soldier before it.

He chose to confront it head-on, not only to save the Mountain Demon King but also to probe the strength and methods of the Spiritual Body Realm demon soldier, preparing for the upcoming decisive battle!

Know thyself, know thy enemy, a hundred battles, a hundred victories.

In the end.

The King of Qiong Sea, with the Mountain Demon King, fought and retreated, escaping from the demon zone's range of ten thousand miles. Only then did the Spiritual Body Realm demon soldier lead the demon soldier squad back into the demon zone.

...In another direction.

To save several top-ranked experts, including one named Bu Yu, Wu Yuan clashed with a demon soldier squad led by a Spiritual Body Realm demon.

This battle.

Both sides fought fiercely until the sky and earth darkened, leaving a mess for thousands of miles!

Relying on strong vitality and astonishing speed, Wu Yuan, after killing three Xuan-realm demon soldiers, managed to escape from the clutches of this Spiritual Body Realm demon soldier.

Revealing a formidable strength not inferior to the King of Qiong Sea!

However.

Of the three squads of Spiritual Body Realm demon soldiers, Wu Yuan and the King of Qiong Sea only restrained two. Therefore, the third demon soldier squad caused massive casualties among the Central Continent cultivators!

The third wave of the Insect Demon's counterattack.

In the end, it resulted in the demise of five top-ranked experts.

Subsequently, all the first-wave top-ranked experts completely withdrew from the demon zone and gathered at 'North Wilderness City,' about two thousand miles from the demon zone.

North Wilderness City is the third-largest city in the Wild Region, with a population of over a million.

...Inside the Central Continent Immortal Palace, in the conference hall.

The atmosphere was extremely heavy.

"This is the war against demons! This is a catastrophe!" Wan Xing Dao Ren's gaze swept over the top-ranked experts, saying in a low voice, "However, their efforts are not without cost. We have also killed large numbers of demon soldiers."

"Forced the Insect Demon to use Spiritual Body Realm demon soldiers."

"Indirectly, it shows that our preemptive war has touched the bottom line of the Insect Demon," Emperor Dongpan said. "Fortunately, in this battle, we had the assistance of friends like Senior Qiong Hai and Senior Wu Yuan. If it weren't for them holding back, the counterattack from the Insect Demon would probably have resulted in even greater casualties."

For a moment, numerous top-ranked experts couldn't help but look gratefully at the King of Qiong Sea and Wu Yuan.

Especially Wu Yuan!

The King of Qiong Sea, renowned far and wide, has been known as the 'King of the Southern Sea' for hundreds of years. His eruptive strength is not surprising.

But Wu Yuan quickly rose to prominence in this calamity caused by the Insect Demon!

Directly standing at the pinnacle of the Central Continent.

...As the major battle came to a temporary halt, the appearance of three Spiritual Body Realm demon soldiers caught all top-ranked experts by surprise.

The strength of the Insect Demon is far stronger than imagined.

In the final decision, more than forty top-ranked experts rested temporarily in 'North Wilderness City,' waiting for the two great formations of Emperor Dongpan and Fang Xia.

Under the current circumstances, it seemed that only by relying on formations could there be hope to kill the Spiritual Body Realm demon soldiers.

Many top-ranked experts were in North Wilderness City.

Resting and recovering in their own spaces.

Inside the Central Continent Immortal Palace, Wan Xing Dao Ren, Emperor Dongpan, Fang Xia, King of the Extreme North, Niu Hao, and others found the King of Qiong Sea and Wu Yuan.

"Friends Qiong Hai and Wu Yuan."

Wan Xing Dao Ren said, "The Spiritual Body Realm demon soldiers are too strong. Almost all other top-ranked experts who encounter them are doomed. So, it is not suitable for patrolling the demon zone now. Only you two, your strength is strong enough."

"So, I want to ask if you two have confidence. Can you enter the demon zone alone and continue hunting demon soldiers?" Wan Xing Dao Ren said, "To delay the growth speed of the Insect Demon as much as possible."

"Especially Wu Yuan." Emperor Dongpan couldn't help but speak, "The efficiency of your solo hunting is equivalent to dozens of top-ranked experts."

Several great cultivators couldn't help but look at Wu Yuan.

In terms of strength, the King of Qiong Sea might be slightly superior.

But in terms of the effectiveness of exploration and killing, Wu Yuan was undisputedly the first!

So far, Wu Yuan can be considered the greatest contributor to this calamity.

"I need half a day to rest." The King of Qiong Sea said in a muffled voice, "My source power has been depleted too much."

Wu Yuan felt the scorching gazes and shook his head, "I need a day to recover!"

The Teng Snake is about to be born.

---

PS: Second update, seeking subscriptions!

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 157: Birth! Profound Connection Fifth Stage! (Seeking Subscriptions)

"One day?" Emperor Dongpan and Wan Xing Dao Ren exchanged glances.

They both felt that this time seemed too long.

Normally, even if a Qi Sea Realm or Profound Connection Realm cultivator depleted their mana, it would take only two or three days to fully recover by refining the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.

If they were willing to absorb source stones to refine mana at the cost of expenses, the speed would be much faster.

"Dongpan Dao Friend, Wan Xing Dao Friend, Wu Yuan needs a day, naturally, he has his reasons," Fang Xia, standing aside, timely spoke, "Do you still think he is afraid to advance?"

Upon hearing Fang Xia's words, everyone present couldn't help but laugh.

After experiencing the previous battles, Wu Yuan's strength and contributions were evident to all. How could they think that Wu Yuan would be afraid to advance?

"Wu Yuan, my apologies. We are just anxious." Wan Xing Dao Ren expressed his apologies. "After all, the growth speed of the demon soldiers under the Insect Demon is too fast, and we are worried about any changes."

"Wan Xing Dao Friend, you're being polite. We are all concerned about the safety of the Central Continent," Wu Yuan said in a low voice. "In fact, I gained some insights during the continuous battles with the demon soldiers, especially the battle with the Spiritual Body Realm demon soldier. I want to cultivate quietly for a day or two. Maybe it will enhance my strength."

"Oh?" Fang Xia, Wan Xing Dao Ren, Emperor Dongpan, and others all brightened.

Wu Yuan, only twenty-one years old.

Just judging by his age, everyone understood that in the past few years, Wu Yuan's strength must have been progressing rapidly.

His high talent was something they found hard to comprehend.

While wandering on the edge of life and death increased the risk, and the probability of falling was extremely high, the tempering of life and death was indeed significant for unlocking one's potential.

Wu Yuan's claim of a breakthrough was probably not a lie.

"Improving strength is a good thing!"

"No need to rush." The King of the Extreme North even said, "Wu Yuan, your foundation in the immortal path is probably very high."

Emperor Dongpan, Wan Xing Dao Ren, and others couldn't help but look at Wu Yuan.

Even in the eyes of the King of Qiong Sea, a hint of curiosity flashed. Although he was Wu Yuan's spirit beast, there were still some things he didn't know.

"I'm just curious. If it's inconvenient to answer, forget about it," the King of the Extreme North shook his head again.

Inquiring about someone's background has always been a taboo.

"This is not something to conceal." Wu Yuan said, "Besides, you will understand sooner or later. My foundation in the immortal path is of the fourth rank."

"Fourth rank!"

"No wonder."

"It's actually a fourth-rank foundation. Could it be that Wu Yuan's strength has improved so quickly?" Wan Xing Dao Ren and Emperor Dongpan were both amazed and shocked.

They had originally speculated.

In their expectations, the fourth rank was already very high.

Wu Yuan also smiled.

A fourth-rank immortal foundation... In the vast Qingling Great World, it was considered extremely high talent, definitely falling into the category of a genius. In most immortal sects, it would be considered a 'core' or 'true transmission.'

It should be noted that many cultivators in the Violet Mansion Realm and the Mountain River Realm only had foundations of the sixth or seventh rank.

Revealing some of one's talents was not always a bad thing.

Moreover, at a glance, the current situation seemed good, and Wan Xing Dao Ren, Emperor Dongpan, the King of the Extreme North, and others were chatting and laughing.

However, Wu Yuan understood in his heart that there was a trace of despair in everyone's hearts.

For a reason!

The strength displayed by the Insect Demon was too strong. Even before entering the demonic cave, only a portion of the demon soldiers revealed so far forced the advanced Central Continent cultivators to retreat from the demonic zone.

"A fourth-rank immortal foundation."

"Unbelievable. Even in the records I have read, it was rare to have such a genius during the peak of the Xia Shan World." Wan Xing Dao Ren sighed, "Wu Yuan Dao Friend is probably already at the Profound Connection Fourth or Fifth Stage. In terms of the foundation, he is not much weaker than us."

"It's a pity," Emperor Dongpan shook his head slightly. "With Wu Yuan's progress, if given a few more decades, he could probably cultivate to the Ninth Stage of Profound Connection. In a one-on-one situation, he might even be able to kill a Spiritual Body Realm demon soldier!"

"But there isn't enough time for Wu Yuan to grow," Fang Xia said regretfully.

Fang Xia was the one who understood Wu Yuan's progress the best; it was downright frightening.

The demon soldiers only had a Ninth Rank Foundation, which made them weaker than cultivators of the same level. However, a First Stage Spiritual Body Realm demon soldier had a basic strength equivalent to the Ninth Stage of Profound Connection.

Now, looking across the entire Central Continent, there were only a few who dared to engage in a direct battle with Spiritual Body Realm demon soldiers.

As for killing them?

Having witnessed the combat power of the Spiritual Body Realm demon soldier, Fang Xia had no confidence!

"Wu Yuan, focus on your cultivation. In the final battle with the Insect Demon, our two major formations will be the main force. However, you and Qiong Sea Dao Friend are also crucial," Dao Ren Wan Xing said, "Our two major formations are expected to arrive in Huangzhou in two or three days."

"Okay," Wu Yuan nodded.

...

Huangzhou, although considered the 'barren and poisonous land' on the Central Continent, was still home to nearly a hundred million people due to its vast territory.

As the third-largest city in Huangzhou, Beihuang City had a population of over a million and was naturally bustling!

However, chaos now reigned.

"Run fast!"

"To the south, a terrifying monster has appeared."

"Even the temple has been destroyed. It is said that the great god of Huangzhou has fallen."

"The top experts from various powers have all come to Huangzhou, but they are still unable to resist the terrifying monsters."

"Escape! Escape to the south."

Within Beihuang City, countless rumors were circulating—some were hearsay, while others were true.

After all, the Huangzhou Temple had indeed been destroyed.

The so-called demonic zone was actually the core area ruled by the Huangzhou Temple. In addition to the battles that erupted in the demonic zone over the past two days, many powerful warriors desperately escaped.

They fled to Huangzhou City.

Many top experts, as well as figures like Qiong Sea King and Mountain Demon King, also appeared.

Rumors abound!

Many nobles and even commoners began to flee from Beihuang City, taking their families with them, heading in different directions such as Westzhou, Shengzhou, and Southzhou.

Facing this chaos.

Except for Sanggu and the Black Dragon King, who appeared and used the remaining power of the Huangzhou Temple to suppress it, other top experts merely watched from the sidelines.

"Ah!"

"Rising, suffering for the people, perishing, suffering for the people," Wu Yuan sat on a high mountain about ten miles from Beihuang City.

With his vision, he could observe many chaotic situations in the entire city.

His heart was heavy.

Beihuang City was still relatively safe, at least not yet directly affected by the demon soldiers. But within the demonic zone, how many millions of humans were killed by demon soldiers and juvenile demon soldiers?

Extinction!

Wherever the Insect Demon goes, all life will be killed.

"Master, if we can kill the Insect Demon, Huangzhou will naturally be restored to peace," Qiong Sea King, with its massive body coiled on the side, said in a deep voice. "But if we cannot win the final battle, wherever these ordinary humans escape to, they will die!"

Wu Yuan sighed inwardly.

Why were these top experts fighting so desperately? Why were beings like Qiong Sea King and Mountain Demon King risking their lives?

It wasn't really about a spirit of sacrifice, not naturally.

There was simply no choice! Surrender wasn't even possible.

Forced into a desperate situation, they could only fight to the death.

"Qiong Hai, don't expose our relationship," Wu Yuan communicated through telepathy. "During my cultivation, I'll rely on you to protect me."

The two of them had already disabled the projection function of the Immortal Jade and simultaneously shielded the Palace Jade.

So, Emperor Dongpan couldn't spy through the Palace Jade.

"Master, you can rest assured," Qiong Sea King said with a smile. "Even if Spiritual Body Realm demon soldiers come, I can hold them off."

"Besides," Qiong Sea King continued, "with the Black Snake King and Sanggu overseeing the formation, we won't be ambushed."

Wu Yuan nodded.

In Beihuang City, there were formations set up by the Huangzhou Temple. Although, according to convention, demon soldiers wouldn't leave the demonic zone's range of ten thousand miles, the growth rate of the Insect Demon was too fast.

Who knew if they would break this convention?

...

More than forty top experts were either meditating or strolling in Beihuang City, enjoying the last leisurely time.

As for Wu Yuan, on this desolate mountain, he casually opened up a cave and began closed-door cultivation before the final battle.

"The Tengshe Egg!" Wu Yuan silently sensed.

Inside the Divine Palace.

Buzz~ Buzz~ Strands of blood-red mist were rapidly pouring into the Divine Palace, causing the life source power to flow into the Tengshe Egg at an astonishing speed.

The initial Tengshe Egg had a violent aura, but its breath was somewhat weak.

After more than a year.

The Tengshe Egg's shell had become crystal clear and somewhat transparent. Through the shell, one could vaguely see the elongated life form incubating inside, coiled into a ball.

At the same time.

"Mas...Master...I..." Waves of faint fluctuations transmitted from the Tengshe Egg.

Wu Yuan's divine consciousness avatar felt a warm sensation.

The personal spiritual beast was not a puppet and was not without consciousness; it possessed a certain level of self-awareness, much like the life nurtured by the Divine Palace.

This was one of the fundamental differences from personal flying swords, personal formations, and other artifacts.

"It's almost time," Wu Yuan patiently waited.

At the same time.

He silently felt the vast and expansive earth beneath his feet, waves of warmth nurturing Wu Yuan's heart.

"The earth, nurturing everything, life! Profound and profound!" Wu Yuan pondered, feeling even closer to the earth.

His comprehension of the mysteries of the earth deepened.

Every bit of progress was accumulation, and when the day of accumulation finally arrived, it would naturally reach the realm level.

...

Inside the demonic zone of Huangzhou, about six thousand miles from Beihuang City, this area was filled with collapsed mountain ranges, countless trees crushed.

A scene of devastation.

Clearly, it had experienced a fierce battle.

"Roar!" "Roar!" "Roar!" In the sky, there gathered numerous massive black-scaled exotic beasts with wings.

They all had over a hundred heads, covering the sky and the earth.

Rumbling~ Three black streams of light streaked across the sky, and three massive black-scaled exotic beasts arrived in front of this group of Spiritual Body Realm demon soldiers.

These three beasts, all had a length exceeding three hundred meters, and each had four wings growing on their backs!

Especially the largest one, its wings were entirely blood-red, exceptionally conspicuous, and its size was unprecedentedly huge!

"Roar!"

"Hiss! Roar!" This blood-winged demon soldier had an ice-cold gaze, filled with killing intent. Its voice echoed between heaven and earth, like the low whisper of a demon god, overlooking the Spiritual Body Realm demon soldiers below.

Countless demon soldiers lowered their heads, giving low roars in response!

Finally.

"Roar!" Accompanying a thunderous roar from the blood-winged demon soldier, it spread open its wings, surpassing five hundred meters, transforming into a blurry afterimage, and shot towards the sky.

Incredibly fast.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Like a tide, the Spiritual Body Realm demon soldiers roared and followed suit, all moving at full speed.

Clearly, they were heading in the direction of Beihuang City.

...

Beihuang City, inside a cave on a desolate mountain.

Wu Yuan sat cross-legged, sensing the Divine Palace.

"Swoosh! Swoosh! ~~~" The surging life source power was crazily rotating, forming layers of huge vortexes, surrounding the divine consciousness shadow.

Three halos! Representing the cultivation of the third stage of the Spiritual Body Realm.

The life source power, like a tide, was madly pouring into the crystal-clear Tengshe Egg, which, like a bottomless pit, accepted everything that came.

Frenzied devouring.

The surface of the Tengshe Egg became even more crystal clear and dazzling.

"Nurturing life, the birth of the Tengshe!" Wu Yuan sensed something in his heart. He suddenly understood that the growth of the Tengshe Egg had finally reached its limit.

Humming~ The Tengshe Egg began to shake violently.

"Click! Click!" Accompanied by two crisp sounds, a clear crack appeared on the surface of the eggshell, followed by several more sounds.

The eggshell was directly shattered into countless pieces.

Swoosh!

A pitch-black serpent-like creature suddenly leaped out, directly rushing into the surging life source power, creating countless waves.

It began to continue devouring the life source power.

At the same time, it started to grow rapidly.

"Master... comfortable!" A tender and clear voice resonated in Wu Yuan's mind.

"Tengshe?" Wu Yuan's divine consciousness incarnation, resembling himself, smiled as he looked down at the swimming Tengshe below.

The complete appearance was revealed.

It was entirely black, with a slender body covered in numerous black scales, resembling armor.

On its body grew a pair of wings covered in black scales.

Its abdomen had four hooves, each claw not long, but the light from the claws appeared extremely sharp.

"Is this the mythical Tengshe?" Wu Yuan was slightly stunned, as its appearance was different from what he had imagined.

In the myths of his previous life, Tengshe didn't have wings.

The Tengshe in front of him?

If you removed the wings, it would be a powerful black dragon, just without the grown dragon horns.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!" Along with the frenzied devouring of Wu Yuan's life source power.

This entirely black Tengshe was growing at an astonishing speed, its body scales becoming more distinct, its life force growing more powerful. A violent aura was faintly released, and its limbs and claws became sharper, emitting a breath that was suffocating.

"The life force is rising rapidly." Wu Yuan observed quietly.

He knew everything in advance. The true essence beasts were growing together with their masters.

The true essence beasts reached the level of their master's cultivation.

They shared the same Divine Palace as their master.

So, in a sense, the strength of the true essence beasts depended not only on their bloodline but also on the strength of their master.

Finally.

The Tengshe, in one breath, devoured most of the life source power in the Divine Palace, and it had grown to its limit.

"Growl!" A low growl.

Swoosh!

With a swoosh, the Tengshe darted to the center of the Divine Palace, reaching Wu Yuan's divine consciousness shadow.

Immediately, the Tengshe coiled around his legs, directly adhering to Wu Yuan's body, and the snake head finally rested on the arm of Wu Yuan's shadow, looking incredibly affectionate.

During the incubation process, it had always been nourished by Wu Yuan.

Both parties had already signed a contract early on.

Now.

It could be said that in the Tengshe's heart, Wu Yuan represented everything. Even if ordered to die, it wouldn't hesitate in the slightest.

"Master! I... am full!" The tender voice sounded again.

"Good, from now on, you shall be called... Xiao Hei." Wu Yuan smiled in his mental response, casually giving it a name.

"Xiao Hei?"

The Tengshe swayed its wings and tail, responding in a puzzled manner, "Um, I have a name now! Xiao Hei!"

Wu Yuan smiled.

In cultivating within the Divine Palace, true essence beasts had advantages and disadvantages. Compared to a true Tengshe spirit beast, Xiao Hei lacked an independent Divine Palace, making its strength weaker. It would also face certain restrictions in cultivating various source techniques in the future.

But at the same time, it had advantages.

For example—immortality!

"Once I enter the Mountain and River Realm, even if my true essence beast dies in battle repeatedly, it can continuously revive inside the Divine Palace." Wu Yuan secretly thought, "By then, I won't die, and my true essence beast won't die either."

However, before stepping into the Mountain and River Realm, one still needed to be cautious.

"The current Xiao Hei has a basic strength roughly equivalent to a 'Tongxuan Triple' cultivator of the third-grade Foundation Establishment, much stronger than an ordinary Tengshe with a much more robust foundation." Wu Yuan clearly sensed the power contained within the Tengshe.

When Tengshe clansmen are born, they naturally possess at least a fourth-grade Foundation Establishment.

However,

Now, Xiao Hei is Wu Yuan's true essence beast, sheltered in Wu Yuan's Divine Palace. Its foundation naturally became strong, ascending to the third-grade Foundation Establishment.

"However, for Xiao Hei to grow, it will also take time, slowly practicing 'Source Techniques,' and even comprehending the mysteries of the heavens and earth." Wu Yuan thought, "Take it slow."

Just the naturally powerful foundation allowed Xiao Hei to possess formidable strength.

However,

Until a real moment of danger, Wu Yuan wouldn't let Xiao Hei join the battle. Injuries were fine, but if it died, that would be troublesome.

After entrusting a few words to Xiao Hei.

"Now!"

"Let's see how the gifts from my true essence beast can elevate my cultivation to what extent in one go." Wu Yuan's gaze swept over the suspended fragments of many eggshells in the Divine Palace, filled with anticipation.

The hatching process of true essence beasts could slow down the advancement of their master's cultivation.

But once born!

Most of them would provide their master with a gift, such as—Tengshe eggshells.

Typically, when a Tengshe is born, it first devours its eggshell fragments, undergoing the crucial initial growth, rapidly enhancing its strength.

But true essence beasts, as they shared the same Divine Palace as their master, had no need for eggshells to enhance their Divine Palace.

These eggshells could also be melted and integrated into the Divine Palace by Wu Yuan.

"Refine." Wu Yuan's thoughts moved, and in an instant, the scattered suspended eggshells quickly poured into the vortex of life force below.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The life force vortex immediately trembled, and then the entire Divine Palace began to shake, with the eggshells visibly melting at a rapid speed.

The entire Divine Palace also began to expand at an astonishing rate! The life force vortex continued to refine and became even more pure!

The cultivation of the Tongxuan Realm.

It was about continuously expanding and strengthening the Divine Palace, enabling it to bear more and purer life force.

Not long after.

"Boom!" The Divine Palace shook!

The three-fold vortex formed by life force gradually revealed a fourth vortex, and at the same time, the life force became even more pure.

"In just a few hours, I've reached Tongxuan Quadruple." Wu Yuan felt joy in his heart. "The eggshells contain magical substances. I've only refined less than a third; continue!"

Such a frenzied evolution!

Also inseparable from the fusion of the blood-colored mist.

And the influx of spiritual energy from the Crystal Jade Immortal Jar was also being refined and devoured.

Time passed!

Several hours passed, and the Divine Palace trembled and changed again, transforming the four-fold life force vortex into a five-fold vortex.

The remaining Tengshe eggshells were finally completely refined.

"In less than a day, I've gone from Tongxuan Triple to Tongxuan Quintuple, not far from Tongxuan Sextuple." Wu Yuan was extremely satisfied.

With each increase in purity of the life force, the strength experienced a leap.

"Xiao Hei." Wu Yuan sensed Xiao Hei once again surging into the life force vortex, crazily devouring the life force, further transforming its own body.

The growth bottleneck of the true essence beast is the master's cultivation.

"Body, transform!" Wu Yuan's thoughts moved, guiding the life force to fly out of the Divine Palace, quickly integrating into the body.

In an instant, the bones, meridians, muscles, fascia, blood, skin, and more of the body began to rapidly transform and improve.

For a body refiner, normal combat relies on the strength of the body.

Life force is used to alleviate physical fatigue, recover injuries, and perform source techniques!

"Boom!" Wu Yuan's body crazily transformed, and it only stopped after half an hour.

His strength had reached a completely new level!

Tengshe's birth and cultivation to Tongxuan Quintuple took Wu Yuan most of the day.

However, he did not leave seclusion.

Instead, he continued to cultivate silently, familiarizing himself with the greatly enhanced strength of his body.

Suddenly.

"Master, something's wrong! Ling Body Realm Demon Soldiers!"

"Ling Body Realm Demon Soldiers, three heads! Three heads! They appeared outside North Desolation City and have broken through the outer formations." An urgent voice sounded in Wu Yuan's mind.

It was the voice of King Qiong Hai.

ps: My wife caught a cold. She had a cough yesterday, and today she started to have a fever. I hope everything is fine.

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 158: Face the Battle! Full Force Explosion

Inside the cave.

"Three Ling Body Realm?" Wu Yuan's expression changed, and his divine sense swept out. Sure enough, he observed the scene within a radius of more than ten miles.

In the part of the city covered by divine sense, countless people were fleeing in panic, including some warriors.

At the same time.

With Wu Yuan's strong spiritual sense, he could sense an invisible force of heaven and earth, turning into numerous faint white mists that had enveloped an area of tens of miles around North Desolation City.

It was obviously a bewildering formation.

"How did these demon soldiers come to the outskirts of North Desolation City? It's two thousand miles away from the edge of the demon zone." Various thoughts flashed through Wu Yuan's mind for an instant.

However.

King Qiong Hai would not lie; the fact was that Ling Body Realm Demon Soldiers were coming!

"Three Ling Body Realm?" A cold light flashed in Wu Yuan's eyes. "Let me see how many Ling Body Realms you have under your command, you insect demon."

For insect demons, cultivating Tongxuan Realm Demon Soldiers is not difficult.

But cultivating a Ling Body Realm Demon Soldier is probably more difficult than cultivating dozens of Tongxuan Ninth Stage Demon Soldiers combined.

According to Wu Yuan's estimation, there would not be more than ten Ling Body Realm Demon Soldiers under the command of the insect demon!

Wu Yuan stood up.

Boom!

With a move, Wu Yuan had already rushed out of the cave. He leaped into the air, and his gaze swept across the four directions of heaven and earth.

His line of sight, without any obstruction, could reach a thousand miles away.

Even now, with the thin white mist covering it, he could still see scenes a hundred miles away.

"So many Tongxuan Realm Demon Soldiers." Wu Yuan saw many large-sized Tongxuan Realm Demon Soldiers swimming outside the formation, vaguely encircling the entire North Desolation City.

These Tongxuan Realm Demon Soldiers did not attack.

At the same time!

In the sky above North Desolation City, there were dozens of figures floating in all directions, all of them were top experts on the Heaven Ranking.

These top experts were also vigilant, watching all directions as if they were on guard at any time.

"Master, from the south!" King Qiong Hai's voice sounded again. "Come quickly, I can't hold on much longer."

"Okay!" Wu Yuan nodded.

He had already seen that in the south of North Desolation City, several huge figures were fighting in the sky, creating a shocking and intense battle.

"Tongxuan Realm Demon Soldiers can wait to be killed later."

"The key is to intercept several Ling Body Realm Demon Soldiers; Qiong Hai can't hold on much longer." Wu Yuan was clear about this.

"Xiao Hei, be ready for battle at any time, possess me first, and then fly!" Wu Yuan's voice sounded in the heart of the Tengshe.

Whoosh!

In an instant, Xiao Hei burst out of the Divine Palace, wrapped around Wu Yuan's body, and a pair of wings on its body opened.

At first glance, it looked like a pair of black wings spreading behind Wu Yuan.

The Tengshe seemed to have merged into one with Wu Yuan!

"Swish!"

Wu Yuan's flying speed immediately soared to an astonishing level, like a black streak tearing through the sky!

Heading towards the south of the city.

"It's Wu Yuan!"

"There is hope."

"So fast!" Many Heaven Ranking experts such as Black Dragon King, Blood Snake King, Meng Cai, Bu Yu, Huan Jian, standing in the sky, all saw the figure whistling by.

... In the conference hall of the Central Land Immortal Palace.

All the Heaven Ranking experts gathered here. Dong Pan, Wanxing Daoist, Fang Xia, and others who were practicing formations, all diverted a bit of attention to this battle.

In the central hall, the revealed projection of the huge light curtain.

It showed the scene of several figures fiercely battling. On one side were three huge Ling Body Realm Demon Soldiers with immense power. On the other side were King Qiong Hai and Mountain Demon King struggling hard!

Around King Qiong Hai and Mountain Demon King, there was a faint red covering, making their explosive power stronger and their speed faster. Obviously, it was the power of the formation.

"I am operating the formation with all my strength, but the three Ling Body Realm Demon Soldiers are constantly expanding the battlefield and attempting to destroy the formation base." The purple-robed old man Sang Gu gritted his teeth. "The role played by me and the Black Snake King is getting smaller and smaller."

The huge Black Snake King also looked serious.

Although he was at the Sixth Level of the Sea of Qi, he was not good at formations.

Among the fifty-eight Heaven Ranking experts who went first, Dong Guangbo originally had the highest cultivation, but he had already died in the demon zone.

Naturally.

It could only be the 'Sang Gu' from the Temple of the Wilderness and him who manipulated the formation laid out in North Desolation City.

"I can't hold on for much longer. Fellow Daoists, be prepared to escape." Mountain Demon King said in a low voice.

Many Heaven Ranking experts changed their colors.

Escape?

"Persist as much as possible, don't escape easily."

Dong Pan, the Great Emperor, said in a deep voice, "Too many demon soldiers are gathering to North Desolation City. Once scattered and escaped, they will be chased one by one by the Ling Body Realm Demon Soldiers. Moreover, once the city is broken, the million people in the city will be slaughtered!"

Many Heaven Ranking experts naturally understood this.

North Desolation City is a populous city. Once it is massacred by demon soldiers, the flesh and blood of countless people will be brought back to the demon cave, and no one knows how many demon soldiers will be born.

However.

Facing the fierce battle between King Qiong Hai and the Ling Body Realm Demon Soldiers, most of the Heaven Ranking experts were helpless and had no qualifications to participate in the battle.

Most of them were in the low stage of the Sea of Qi, and less than half of them were mid-stage Sea of Qi cultivators.

For low and mid-stage Sea of Qi cultivators, if they could form a powerful formation, they could still contend with one or two Realm One or Two Demon Soldiers.

However.

The difficulty of refining a powerful array formation is ten times or even a hundred times that of a fixed array. How could it be refined by the cultivators of the Middle-earth cultivation world?

This is the reason why Heaven Ranking experts patrolled the demon zone separately before.

In addition to expanding the search range, the more important thing was to have each person perform their duties.

The weaker Heaven Ranking experts are responsible for killing young demon soldiers, forcing the insect demons not to let young demon soldiers hunt ordinary people recklessly.

The goal has been partially achieved.

To kill powerful demon soldiers, even Ling Body Realm Demon Soldiers, it can only be done by a few top-notch experts!

"North Desolation City is completely surrounded."

The face of the Extreme North King was extremely gloomy. "When the Heaven Ranking experts were dispersed in the demon zone to search for demon soldiers, they forced them to disperse and drive us away. Now that we have gathered together, it has made the team led by the three Ling Body Realm Demon Soldiers unified."

"The strength of the vanguard team."

"The gap with the forces under the insect demon is too great, it is our mistake." Dong Pan, the Great Emperor, looked serious.

Why did many Heaven Ranking experts withdraw from the demon zone after the third wave of counterattacks by the insect demons?

Because the mighty army of demon soldiers under the command of the insect demon showed a strength that exceeded the expectations of Wanxing Daoist and others.

Now.

Many demon soldiers have rushed out of the originally estimated demon zone and directly killed under North Desolation City.

Suddenly.

"Friend Wu Yuan has come out of seclusion." A surprised voice sounded.

Whoosh~

Another light curtain projection appeared, and many Heaven Ranking experts instantly saw a figure of earthy yellow, with what seemed to be a pair of black wings growing behind it.

It was flying towards the area of the battle at an astonishing speed.

"So fast!"

"What are the black wings behind him?"

"Friend Wu Yuan seems to have become even stronger."

"In just a moment, he has covered over a hundred miles!! He's almost here!!" The Great Emperor Dong Pan was somewhat incredulous, exclaiming, "Wu Yuan's speed!"

Many Heaven Ranking experts were shocked.

This kind of flying speed was too terrifying; even figures like Fang Xia, Extreme North King, and Dong Pan were far inferior.

In terms of speed, Wu Yuan could already be called the number one in the Central Land Immortal Dao!

"He's charging up."

"The Illusionary Formation is completely broken." A somewhat panicked voice sounded, and it was Sang Gu, who was operating the grand formation.

Many Heaven Ranking experts all changed their colors.

Once the Illusionary Formation was broken, everything would become clear. The large number of Realm One Demon Soldiers that were originally wandering around the periphery of the formation might rush in.

"Everyone!"

The voice of King Qiong Hai suddenly became loud and excited, saying, "Friend Wu Yuan said he is confident in killing the Ling Body Realm Demon Soldiers!"

Before this, Wu Yuan, who was in closed-door cultivation, had not entered the Central Land Immortal Palace.

...

Inside North Desolation City, with the collapse of the Illusionary Formation, the faint white mist that originally shrouded the city dispersed.

Countless people could now see the distant scene.

Especially some top-notch experts and peak experts, if they stood high enough, could see for nearly a hundred miles.

"It's really a siege by demonic beasts!"

"So many demonic beasts."

"A demonic beast that is hundreds of meters long? Heavens! It's too terrifying." Countless people in North Desolation City were momentarily filled with despair.

Before, when they couldn't see it, they could console themselves.

But now.

Just the three Ling Body Realm Demon Soldiers currently fighting at the edge of North Desolation City with King Qiong Hai and Mountain Demon King were enough to make them feel despair and hold their breath.

"All citizens, remain calm!" A voice that seemed like that of a heavenly god suddenly echoed everywhere in the city, "Many Heaven Ranking experts from the mainland have arrived at North Desolation City."

"This battle!"

"Is a war to protect the entire Central Land Continent!"

"We won't abandon you." It was Sang Gu's voice, trying to calm the million citizens and prevent greater chaos.

"Yes!"

"Heaven Ranking experts."

"So many." Countless citizens saw the figures in the sky that resembled heavenly gods, all standing in mid-air, and their hearts were filled with excitement.

Heaven Ranking, it was a myth and legend on the Central Land Continent, known as the gods of the land.

In the hearts of countless common people, the Heaven Ranking is invincible.

However.

At this moment, almost all Heaven Ranking experts, some powerful warriors, and many citizens in the south of the city.

Their gaze.

All fell on the earthy yellow figure that tore through the sky because his flying speed was simply too fast.

Incredibly fast!

"He's charging up!"

"That Azure Dragon should be the Qiong Hai King who rules the entire Southern Sea in legend. Even he is being suppressed. Who is this? Can he win?" Some martial artists with a high level of insight murmured to themselves.

Inside the Central Land Immortal Palace, in the light curtain projection.

Wu Yuan had already approached the pinnacle battlefield.

... "Roar!" The two pairs of wings all transformed into blood-colored demon soldiers, suddenly turned around, and their eyes stared at Wu Yuan, who was whistling towards them.

They suddenly let out roars that echoed through the vast world, seeming to contain a strange demonic power.

Before the sound could spread.

"Roar!" "Roar!" "Roar!" Originally, there were hundreds of Realm One demon soldiers surrounding North Desolation City from all sides, and they simultaneously whistled towards the city.

"Kill!"

"Meet them head-on." "Block these demon soldiers." Dozens of Heaven Ranking experts who were originally waiting in the sky immediately took action!

They had no choice.

The Illusionary Formation was broken, and relying solely on the remaining formations, they couldn't block the simultaneous attacks of so many demon soldiers.

... In the high sky, the violent wind roared, and countless air currents shook.

King Qiong Hai and Mountain Demon King were currently fiercely fighting with three giant demon soldiers. They relied entirely on their powerful vitality and defense to barely hold on.

In reality.

They had been fighting for only four or five breaths until now.

Boom! Wu Yuan's back seemed to sprout a pair of black wings, like a giant roc bird whistling across the sky, and the battle blade in his hand was already raised high.

"If I'm going to kill, I'll kill the strongest!" Wu Yuan's eyes were ice-cold.

He directly rushed towards the largest demon soldier.

"Roar!" The blood-colored double-winged demon soldier also roared, lifting its head high. Its icy eyes stared at Wu Yuan.

The two sides had fought a day ago; it had been chasing Wu Yuan all the way, but in the end, it returned empty-handed.

"Whoosh! Whoosh!" This demon soldier had a terrifying length of three hundred and thirty meters, and it was the most powerful blood-colored four-winged demon soldier. It whistled, flapping its double wings, and attacked Wu Yuan.

Two powerhouses.

Instantly collided.

"Clang!" "Clang!" Wings were like knives, and the light of the blade was like a long river. In the sky, it burst out with a terrifying brilliance, and waves of frightening energy instantly surged in all directions!

"Boom!" "Boom!" Wu Yuan and the blood-winged demon soldier collided like lightning. One was a tiny dot, and the other had a massive body.

The shockwaves formed by their clash alone caused houses and city walls to collapse for hundreds of meters below.

"Peng!"

The tail, resembling lightning, was like a phantom, instantly streaking across the sky and forcefully striking Wu Yuan to the side. He retreated several miles before finally stopping in mid-air.

And in hot pursuit was a sky-shrouding claw, slashing like lightning. It resembled three giant war blades, once again sending Wu Yuan flying backward.

"Damn it!" Wu Yuan gritted his teeth.

Even stronger!

Compared to a day ago, the current blood-winged demon soldier was noticeably faster and more powerful.

Realm Two of the Spirit Body!

This was the nature of demon soldiers; as long as they consumed enough of their own kind, their strength would rapidly increase, without any bottleneck.

"Although I've reached Realm Five of the Transcendence, my basic strength is still far inferior to a Realm Two Spirit Body demon soldier," Wu Yuan understood this well. "A difference of four small realms."

Breaking through from the ninth realm of Transcendence to the first realm of the Spirit Body may seem like an increase of only one small realm, but the gap between major realms is equivalent to six small realms.

A four-fold difference is quite astonishing.

"Relying on the Witch Soldier Armor, the Spirit Tool War Blade, and more sophisticated combat skills, I can contend," Wu Yuan swept his gaze over the distance. "But what I need now is not just a fight but victory!"

If he loses this battle.

Countless Heaven Ranking experts and citizens might be killed, and when the decisive battle comes, the hope of victory will be even more elusive.

Similarly.

If he wins and kills this large batch of demon soldiers, the hope of victory in the final battle will be significantly increased.

"Die!" The blood-winged demon soldier stared at Wu Yuan, and its four claws and wings, like weapons, whistled as they attacked Wu Yuan.

They forced Wu Yuan to retreat repeatedly.

As a Realm Two Spirit Body demon soldier, it had considerable intelligence and had long seen Wu Yuan as a major threat. In just one day, its strength had increased significantly.

"Kill! Kill him!" An invisible fluctuation had penetrated deep into the mind of the blood-winged demon soldier.

This was an order from the Insect Demon.

...

Inside the Central Land Immortal Palace.

"Amazing!"

"Wu Yuan can actually withstand the blood-winged demon soldier? His strength has increased significantly again?" Wan Xing Dao Ren, Dong Pan Da Di, and the others were shocked.

The rate of his strength growth completely stunned them.

Compared to a day ago, Wu Yuan's strength, which had been weaker than that of King Qiong Hai, was now?

It was no less than that of King Qiong Hai, or even stronger.

"Wu Yuan's strength is very strong."

"But it's not enough!"

"We can't hold on. The demon soldiers are powerful, the three Spirit Body demon soldiers attacking the city can't be dealt with, and the demon soldiers attacking the city from other directions are equally formidable!" Voices echoed in the conference hall.

Many Heaven Ranking experts were already entangled with a large number of Realm One demon soldiers.

"Look at this, Wu Yuan!" Suddenly, the King of the Far North pointed at the screen, and almost all the Heaven Ranking experts looked over.

Only to see!

Wu Yuan, who had been suppressed by the blood-winged demon soldier all along, suddenly emitted a bright earthy yellow light all over his body. His figure rapidly enlarged, turning into a giant that was fifty feet tall.

His momentum soared!

"Source Art? It's the most powerful reliance of a Body Refining Master, Source Art!" Wan Xing Dao Ren stared intently, full of amazement. "This should be Law of Heaven and Earth! It's said that when cultivated to the extreme, the body becomes as vast as a world, possessing infinite power."

"It's a great divine ability on the same level as 'Feather Transformation and Refinement' of Qi Refining Masters!"

Many Heaven Ranking experts watched nervously.

King Qiong Hai and Mountain Demon King both had fiery eyes. Source Art? Neither of them had obtained Source Art.

Boom! While Wu Yuan was displaying Source Art, a hundred-meter-long black-winged serpent suddenly appeared beside him, exuding a majestic aura.

---

PS: Maybe I'm getting a cold, have a headache, and my spirit is not good. I can only try to update as much as possible.

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 159: Number One in the Central Land Immortal Path

"A giant snake?"

"What is this?"

"Never seen it before!" Inside the Central Land Immortal Palace, a group of Heaven Ranking experts looked in shock at Wu Yuan, who had turned into a fifty-foot giant, and the mighty Teng Snake appearing beside him!

The auras were incredibly strong.

At this moment, Wu Yuan, displaying the Source Art 'Wu Xiang,' had an aura so powerful that it almost rivaled the blood-winged demon soldier.

The Teng Snake, reaching a hundred meters, had a robust snake body spanning the sky, with a pair of huge black wings spread open, equally imposing.

No less than King Qiong Hai.

"Is this black giant snake at the Transcendence Ninefold? Its aura seems even stronger than Mountain Demon King!" Sang Gu, manipulating the formation, spoke in a deep voice.

"Spirit Beast?"

"Wu Yuan, actually has such a powerful Spirit Beast?" Wan Xing Dao Ren, Jin Ji, and other Heaven Ranking experts were shocked.

Only Fang Xia, Bu Yu, and Huan Jian looked at each other with a hint of surprise in their eyes.

They all practiced the "Wu Canon" and had some understanding of the top-tier mythical beasts mentioned in the scriptures of the Wu lineage.

Teng Snake!

"The young master's contracted Spirit Beast, unexpectedly hatched so quickly, and it's the legendary divine beast Teng Snake?" Fang Xia's eyes were radiant. "The young master's direct combat strength is probably even stronger than mine."

"The hope of winning this battle against the Insect Demons!" Fang Xia felt a glimmer of hope in his heart.

In the Immortal Palace, a group of Heaven Ranking experts, both shocked and hopeful.

"Hold on!"

"Look at Senior Brother Wu Yuan."

"There might be hope of not fleeing!"

"There's still a chance." In North Wilderness City, many Heaven Ranking experts who were facing the battle encouraged each other.

It's worth noting that they were almost desperate before, just rushing to confront the enemy without regrets.

If they lose in the Battle of North Wilderness City, the losses would be too great, and the subsequent decisive battle would be much more troublesome.

...

"Hum~" In the desolate magic zone, deep within the central abyss of the magic cave, in the vast dark underworld.

Pitch black.

Deep within that huge black sphere, engraved with countless secret patterns, emitting a mysterious and noble sparkling light, was the true body of the Insect Demon.

It suddenly burst out with a terrifying radiance!

"Teng Snake!"

"It's the Teng Snake!" "And Source Art!" Countless thoughts, along with waves of fear, circulated within the radiant sphere.

Real Demons, each one is powerful, born from the abyss.

The Insect Demon, as an elite among the Real Demons, had noble blood and possessed 'inherited memories.' In addition to relevant cultivation knowledge, it also had many clear records about enemies.

Teng Snake! It was a formidable enemy deep within its memory!

In the memory inheritance of the Insect Demon, there was an image. In the vast and endless starry sky, a swarm of Real Demons gathered, forming a vast and endless army of demon soldiers, traversing the vast time and space, devouring one world after another.

A Teng Snake!

It extended for an unknown number of billions of miles, suddenly appearing in the boundless void. Opening its large mouth, it devoured the entire mighty army of demon soldiers, leaving nothing behind!

"Kill!"

"Kill them! Kill the Teng Snake! Kill this human!" The consciousness of the Insect Demon instantly descended upon the distant North Wilderness City.

In the mind of the Insect Demon.

Wu Yuan! He had been marked as its first target, the foremost threat to its survival, irreplaceable by anyone.

...

North Wilderness City, southern area.

The successive earth-shattering battles had damaged more than half of the protective formations guarding the city, and even the city itself was affected to some extent, with countless casualties among the civilians.

Although it may seem slow to describe, in reality, it all happened in the moment when Wu Yuan unleashed the Wu Xiang and summoned the Teng Snake.

"Roar!"

The massive blood-winged demon soldier once again opened its blood-filled mouth, roaring as it charged towards Wu Yuan!

The speed was astonishing.

"Kill!" Wu Yuan's momentum was overwhelming. Transformed into a fifty-foot giant, his battle knife also drastically enlarged, appearing terrifying.

Also traversing the empty space, he charged straight up!

Since breaking through to Transcendence Fifth Level, this was the first time Wu Yuan used the Source Art 'Wu Xiang,' precisely during the surge of his fighting spirit.

"Swoosh!" "Swoosh!"

Two giant claw lights roared, resembling two towering giant palms, attacking Wu Yuan from two directions.

Incredibly fast.

If it were a moment ago, Wu Yuan would definitely have evaded like lightning and not dared to confront it head-on. But now?

Kill!

"Kill!" Wu Yuan roared, fiercely swinging the battle knife in his hand. The dazzling blade directly cut through the formidable claws, tearing them apart, and blood splattered.

As a demon soldier entered the Spiritual Body Realm, the defense of the skin's outer layer would skyrocket, akin to wearing a spiritual weapon battle armor.

And the claws were one of the strongest and most defensive parts of the demon soldier. Only the defense of the head could compare.

In the previous clashes, Wu Yuan couldn't break through the defense of the blood-winged demon soldier's claws!

"Bang!" Wu Yuan was sent flying, but the formidable defense provided by the Wu Soldier Armor made him feel only a surge of blood and energy within him.

However.

Just this direct confrontation made Wu Yuan realize.

Even if he used the 'Wu Xiang,' he could only be evenly matched with this blood-winged demon soldier. Trying to quickly kill the opponent? It was almost impossible!

Perhaps, it could be said that even one-on-one killing was very difficult.

"In the end, I lack one major realm." Wu Yuan's eyes were cold, battling across major realms was extremely difficult.

Moreover, he had just reached Transcendence Fifth Level.

"Injured."

"Wu Yuan, actually managed to injure the blood-winged demon soldier's claws!"

"Using the Source Art, his strength has indeed increased significantly." Many Heaven Ranking experts were closely watching the holographic projection.

Those closer, like King Qiong Hai and others, gazed from a distance.

"Wu Yuan's strength is already worthy of being called the number one in the world." Dong Pan Da Di gritted his teeth. "However, winning this battle is still difficult!"

The hearts of many Heaven Ranking experts sank.

...In the void.

After the initial collision with the blood-winged demon soldier, Wu Yuan once again roared and charged up, colliding with the blood-winged demon soldier several times like lightning.

The blade light roared!

The claw light tore through the heavens and earth!

One human and one beast engaged in the most pinnacle duel on the Central Continent in thousands of years. The terrifying shockwaves left countless onlookers and warriors astonished. In reality, with their strength, it was difficult for them to clearly discern the specific details of the battle.

However, unlike the spell clashes of Qi Cultivators, the battles of Body Refiners possessed a kind of heart-shaking power.

On the other side.

"Roar~" The Teng Snake, Xiaohei, soared through the air. Two wings swept across the sky like two giant blades, astonishingly fast.

In an instant, it joined the battle against King Qiong Hai, King Shan Hai, and two other Spiritual Body Realm demon soldiers, quickly relieving the pressure on King Qiong Hai and the others.

The speed of the Teng Snake was astonishing, and its noble bloodline made Xiaohei, despite just being born, extremely formidable in combat skills.

However.

As Spiritual Body Realm first layer demon soldiers, these two were equally formidable, engaging two against three, and not falling behind in the slightest.

The battle situation once again reached a stalemate.

...

"Bang!" "Bang!" Wu Yuan and the blood-winged demon soldier crazily clashed and fought in the high sky.

"Rip~" Accompanied by another terrifying blade light, the front limb of the blood-winged demon soldier was torn open again, leaving a large seven to eight-meter-long wound.

"Hiss~" Countless black substances surged, causing the wound to rapidly heal.

This was the Spiritual Body Realm!

While Qi Cultivators in the Transcendence Realm had the ability to fly, their bodies still had many weaknesses, no different from normal Qi Cultivators.

However, in the Spiritual Body Realm, one could walk on air as if on level ground, and severed limbs could regenerate!

Powerful beings in the Spiritual Body Realm had almost no weak points all over their bodies, with only the head and the spirit palace being fatal.

"Roar~" The blood-winged demon soldier suddenly roared, and its entire body surface suddenly emitted layers of black light. Its aura vaguely became stronger, and its speed and strength increased.

Evidently, after half a day of fighting and unable to deal with Wu Yuan, it followed the guidance of the Insect Demon.

Finally, it began to fight for its life!

"Devil's Restraint?" Wu Yuan's eyes were cold. Demon soldiers couldn't cultivate Source Arts; this was their only explosive method after activating the 'Devil Crystal,' and its duration was very brief.

"Roar~"

The blood-winged demon soldier once again roared, charging up furiously.

"Blood Snake King, fell?" Wu Yuan's peripheral vision caught glimpses of the various areas on the battlefield, where Heaven Ranking experts were protected by formations, engaging in battles against demon soldiers.

Even with the assistance of formations and the advantage of magical treasures, it couldn't conceal the numerical disadvantage of the Heaven Ranking experts.

Most importantly, those Transcendence Realm demon soldiers seemed to be charging recklessly, seemingly fearless of death.

This was the most troublesome aspect of the Insect Demon for cultivators.

"No way!" Wu Yuan's eyes were cold. He had already made a decision in his heart and once again roared towards the blood-winged demon soldier.

The two sides clashed once again.

At this moment.

"Roar~" Xiaohei, the Teng Snake, suddenly changed direction, treading on air like a fish entering water. Its speed soared to a terrifying level, crazily rushing towards the battlefield where Wu Yuan and the blood-winged demon soldier were.

"Roar~"

"Roar~" The two Spiritual Body Realm demon soldiers also roared simultaneously, directly throwing off King Qiong Hai and King Shan Hai, and attacked the seemingly escaping Teng Snake.

"Boom!" King Shan Hai was about to move his body to kill.

"Retreat!"

King Qiong Hai's voice exploded in his mind: "Mountain Demon, quickly retreat!"

"Us?" King Shan Hai was puzzled.

"Don't worry, retreat quickly!" King Qiong Hai roared. He had already received a mental message from Wu Yuan with only one sentence—rescue other battlefields!

Inside the Central Land Immortal Palace.

"What's going on?"

"The black snake is fleeing towards Wu Yuan, and the other two Spiritual Body Realm demon soldiers are chasing after it."

"Did King Qiong Hai and King Shan Hai withdraw? Didn't they participate in the battle?" Emperor Dong Pan, Fang Xia, Daoist Wan Xing, and other Heaven Ranking experts exclaimed.

The changes in the battle were too fast, and they hadn't quite understood the mysteries.

For example, why were those Spiritual Body Realm demon soldiers relentlessly chasing the suddenly appearing black flying snake?

Why did King Qiong Hai suddenly retreat?

In the high sky.

Swish!

The Teng Snake, like a bolt of lightning, streaked across the sky. Its figure suddenly shrank, and in an instant, it leaped onto Wu Yuan's body, the snake tail winding around, fitting closely together.

This scene left the majority of the observing Heaven Ranking experts dumbfounded.

Spiritual beasts could change size, which they could understand. However, the black flying snake and Wu Yuan seemed to have completely merged, revealing only a pair of giant black wings.

"Beast Fusion!" Fang Xia, who was observing, knew it all too well.

This was the special feature of a lifebound magical beast compared to a normal spiritual beast.

Normal spiritual beasts had their own divine palace and sea of qi. They could cultivate and fight normally, and they didn't have to worry about the cultivator's cultivation level. As long as the spiritual beast was willing, even if it was only in the Sea of Qi Realm, it could have a Purple Mansion Realm spiritual beast.

However, lifebound magical beasts lacked their own divine palace. Their potential was weaker than true spiritual beasts of the same realm, and they couldn't break through the cultivator's cultivation bottleneck.

But what was the same, lifebound magical beasts and their owners originated from the same divine palace, with a compatibility of one hundred percent!

Naturally, achieving a perfect fusion, this move was called 'Beast Fusion.'

The Teng Snake could perfectly integrate with Wu Yuan, just like how the array formations of Qi Cultivators could greatly increase their strength.

Compared to Source Arts, the fusion with the Teng Snake was like using a powerful Source Art that didn't consume a large amount of life force.

"Roar!" "Splash!"

"Roar!"

The three Spiritual Body Realm demon soldiers, each with a majestic aura, rushed towards Wu Yuan from various angles, intending to kill him completely.

"Boom!"

However, Wu Yuan's figure moved, his speed soaring to the extreme. A pair of black wings radiated bursts of light, incredibly agile!

Source Art – Divine Movement.

As a favorite of the wind, this was a Source Art naturally controlled by the Teng Snake. Although it was just an ordinary Source Art, it possessed boundless power at the Transcendence Realm stage.

"Boom!"

The Source Art, Witch Avatar, had already increased Wu Yuan's overall speed and strength by a large margin. Now, he unleashed the Source Art 'Divine Movement' on top of that, with the added strength from the Teng Snake's Beast Fusion.

Wu Yuan's strength instantly soared to a terrifying level.

In almost an instant.

Wu Yuan rushed to the front of the blood-winged demon soldier.

"Wu Yuan's burst speed, within one breath, exceeded one hundred and fifty miles!!" Inside the Central Land Immortal Palace, accompanied by Sang Gu's astonished voice, the Heaven Ranking experts were already dumbfounded.

In the light curtain.

"Kill!" Wu Yuan's eyes burst with terrifying battle intent. Why, for several years, had he been anticipating the birth of Teng Snake?

Because!

Just like a sword cultivator relying on a 'lifebound flying sword' to break through all obstacles with one slash. If you don't even have a lifebound flying sword, can you still be considered a 'sword cultivator'?

Similarly, a wizard, especially an elite wizard like Wu Yuan, can he still be considered a 'wizard' if he doesn't have a lifebound magical beast?

Among the wizards, Wu Yuan was exceptionally talented.

Teng Snake was an elite lineage among lifebound magical beasts. The combination of the two would unleash a strength unimaginable for ordinary cultivators.

Beast Fusion, this killing move, Wu Yuan originally planned to reveal it during the decisive battle.

But now, there was no time to think.

"Not good!" The blood-winged demon soldier's eyes flashed with a hint of fear. It felt that the powerful human cultivator in front of it had once again increased his strength significantly.

A major threat.

"Boom rumble~" The blood-winged demon soldier suddenly rolled, and its four wings, like rotating blood blades, whirled, and its four hooves also roared, cutting like a blade.

As if a completely impenetrable net of blades, it intended to block Wu Yuan's onslaught!

"Clang!" "Clang!" "Splash!"

The long knife was like a river!

The wings were like blades!

As if crushing dead wood, countless blood and flesh splattered, and Wu Yuan instantly tore apart the defense composed of the blood-winged demon soldier's wings and hooves, then struck directly at its head.

"Splash!" "Boom!" "Boom!" Countless blade lights interwove, and the head of the blood-winged demon soldier was instantly torn open by a huge wound.

The tough flesh, almost as resilient as a spiritual weapon, was just a joke in front of Wu Yuan's blade light!

"Boom!" The blood-winged demon soldier was extremely panic-stricken, its body wildly rotating, fleeing behind to escape from Wu Yuan.

Hoo!

Behind Wu Yuan, black wings spread open, like agile butterflies, leaving behind strange traces, tightly entwining the opponent.

"Quick!"

"Quick! Faster!" Wu Yuan's eyes revealed madness. He waved his sword like lightning again and again, trying to pierce through the head of the blood-winged demon soldier!

However.

The head of the blood-winged demon soldier was too large, and its flesh was tough. The surging and raging power of the demon crystals was also crazily repairing the wounds.

"Splash!" "Splash!" Several claw lights came whistling.

The other two Spiritual Body Realm demon soldiers had arrived!

"Can't dodge it!"

Wu Yuan's eyes were like lightning, instantly judging his own situation. At most, he could only stare at the huge wound that was being destroyed and repaired: "Then, die for me!"

"Hoo!"

Suddenly, a purple talisman about three feet long appeared on the side of Wu Yuan. The talisman was engraved with intricate patterns, emitting waves of lightning, precisely the 'Fifth-Rank Celestial Thunder Talisman' bestowed by the Lord of the Realm.

This treasure was planned for use by Wu Yuan during the final decisive battle.

However, the strength of the insect demon was unexpectedly powerful. If relying solely on himself, it was almost impossible to kill the blood-winged demon soldier in front of him.

Letting the tiger return to the mountain?

"Insect Demon, being so crazy to kill me, should have recognized Teng Snake. Under its command, there shouldn't be too many Spiritual Body Realm demon soldiers. Killing one means one less. This blood-winged demon soldier might be its number one demon soldier." Wu Yuan's thoughts turned, and his mind moved.

Swoosh!

The Fifth-Rank Celestial Thunder Talisman instantly rushed forward, directly charging towards the torn giant wound.

"Boom!" A huge claw light instantly hit Wu Yuan.

Wu Yuan wielded his sword to block, his wings fluttered, and his whole person retreated like a shooting star, instantly moving hundreds of meters away.

"No!"

The blood-winged demon soldier's eyes completely changed. It instinctively felt a huge threat from the small talisman rushing towards it.

A threat to its own life!

It wanted to flee.

In this instant, the Fifth-Rank Celestial Thunder Talisman exploded!

"Boom!" "Boom!" Only to see, between heaven and earth, massive purple thunderbolts appeared out of thin air. This terrifying power that could destroy the heavens and the earth instantly surged in all directions, flooding the area within a few hundred meters.

It flooded the blood-winged demon soldier.

It flooded the two Spiritual Body Realm demon soldiers at the first level.

It also enveloped Wu Yuan!

This area completely turned into a vast sea of thunder, and the countless rocks and soil below instantly turned into nothingness.

"Wu Yuan!"

"Master?" The Mountain Demon King and the Sea King, who were flying at high speed, looked in horror at the roaring sea of thunder.

The thunderbolts in the sea of thunder gave them a fatal threat!

They didn't have time to see where this sea of thunder came from.

"This!"

"This kind of thunderbolt?"

"Wu Yuan?" Inside the Middle Earth Immortal Palace, all the top-ranked experts stared wide-eyed at the scene on the screen. There was shock, fear, and even a hint of anticipation.

Despite the slow description, it was just a moment. The overwhelming sea of thunder had already dissipated.

What appeared in everyone's sight was the shattered body of the blood-winged demon soldier, with its head blown to pieces, falling rapidly.

And.

Two terrifying blade lights cutting through the sky, the bodies of the two injured Spiritual Body Realm demon soldiers were split in half as the sea of thunder dissipated, and they fell to the ground.

The corpses of the three Spiritual Body Realm demon soldiers were permeated with thunder, and their wings rotated as they fell to the ground!

In the high sky.

Only the last figure remained, Wu Yuan!

He also had countless wounds on his body, and even the pair of black wings behind him became incomplete, blood flowing.

But in this battle.

He finally laughed last.

(End of this chapter)