Chapter 43
Rumors of the invasion from another world circulated for only three days before triggering apocalyptic panic within the alliance.
Thus,
The alliance's cultivator army took decisive action. Within three days, they traced the source and apprehended those spreading rumors and trying to shake people's resolve, imprisoning them in formation prisons.
During this period,
Those who tried to resist arrest were swiftly suppressed and killed by the alliance's cultivators, leaving no room for future troubles.
Following this, the high-ranking officials of the alliance made their presence known and explained the matter of the invasion from another world to the public.
They also announced that the alliance's strength was now far beyond what it once was, and that they were more than capable of repelling any invasion from another world. This greatly boosted the morale of all cultivators.
After eliminating the noise, the alliance quickly cultivated numerous third-grade cultivators using communication formations and used them as vanguards to launch a comprehensive counterattack against the beasts.
...
[Gu Fang sacrifices a late third-grade beast, gaining 3,500 cultivation points!]
[Gu Fang sacrifices a consummate third-grade beast, gaining 5,000 cultivation points!]
[Gu Fang sacrifices an early fourth-grade beast, gaining 50,000 cultivation points!]
[Gu Fang sacrifices...]
Lu Qingyang's mind constantly received information about sacrifices, but he automatically ignored the ordinary ones.
Only when sacrifices involved beasts of third grade or higher did Lu Qingyang pay some attention.
"Another early fourth-grade beast sacrificed. This should be the second fourth-grade beast killed by the human alliance in recent months!"
The sacrifice of a fourth-grade beast indicated that the human alliance now had the power to kill fourth-grade beasts.
Although there were still no fourth-grade cultivators, as the saying goes, many ants can kill an elephant.
With enough determination and effort, the combined power of numerous third-grade cultivators could indeed take down a fourth-grade beast.
Seeing that these sacrifices were all handled by Gu Fang, Lu Qingyang realized that the alliance intended to concentrate all offering points on Gu Fang to help him quickly advance to the consummate third grade.
A month ago,
Gu Fang's Heavenly Court Market had already broken through to the third grade, evidently a decision made collectively by the high-ranking officials of the alliance.
Otherwise, even with Gu Fang's high status, it would be extremely difficult to monopolize all the results of the beast hunts.
...
"This is the third-grade top-tier breakthrough elixir!"
Gu Fang gazed at the elixir in his hand, took a deep breath, and suppressed his excitement.
To obtain this third-grade top-tier breakthrough elixir, most of the alliance's recent hunting results had been attributed to Gu Fang.
Without much hesitation, Gu Fang directly consumed the elixir.
The previously exchanged third-grade top-tier cultivation method, "Vajra Body Tempering True Art," began to operate automatically, dissolving the vast spiritual power contained in the elixir, allowing him to meditate and refine it.
"Boom!"
His blood and energy surged,
Powerful forces clashed within Gu Fang's body, cleansing his internal organs, causing his aura to rise visibly.
When his aura reached its peak,
"Buzz—"
A tremor echoed through the space, and a torrent of true essence burst out from Gu Fang, spreading around him.
The scorching blood energy condensed into a faint blood mist on his body, which then reabsorbed into him, and Gu Fang opened his eyes.
"Refining organs stage, late third grade, achieved!"
A faint smile appeared on the ninth alliance marshal's lips.
Refining the organs is a stage in body cultivation.
First is body tempering, then blood refining, and then organ refining.
These stages deeply temper the body, allowing cultivators to fully tap into their physical potential and wield extraordinary power.
Though Gu Fang had already possessed extraordinary power as a mid-third grade barbarian cultivator, it was only upon cultivating the "Vajra Body Tempering True Art" and entering the organ refining stage that he truly realized.
How weak and absurd his previous control over power had been.
Before his breakthrough, even when he was in the middle of the organ refining stage, his strength far surpassed his former mid-third grade self.
Now, having advanced to the late third grade, Gu Fang was confident he could contend with a consummate third-grade barbarian cultivator.
"If I can go one step further, I will reach the consummate organ refining stage, the consummate third grade!"
Reaching this level, Gu Fang was confident in facing the challenge of a fourth-grade beast.
This is the power of a third-grade top-tier cultivation method.
Unfortunately, truly stepping into the consummate third grade is no easy task, either through self-cultivation or by obtaining another third-grade top-tier breakthrough elixir.
The problem is that such a high-level elixir requires five million offering points.
To accumulate such a huge amount in a short period would take at least several months.
"There's no need to covet the third-grade top-tier breakthrough elixir for now. Achieving the late third grade is already rare enough. I just wonder when the fourth-grade market will be completed."
Gu Fang pondered silently.
The third-grade market required only ten thousand offerings to open, and it was estimated that the fourth-grade market would need one hundred thousand offerings.
In terms of expenditure, Gu Fang was more than sufficient.
However, since the fourth-grade market had not yet been completed, he could only wait patiently.
After all, once the fourth-grade market opened, with the alliance's current strength, they could quickly cultivate a fourth-grade cultivator.
"Congratulations to Marshal Gu for advancing to the late third grade. The alliance's strength has increased again, and the hope of reclaiming lost ground has risen!"
Yang You said with admiration.
Gu Fang smiled slightly, about to respond, but his expression changed as he suddenly heard a voice in his mind.
Noticing the change in his expression, Yang You curiously asked, "Marshal, is something the matter?"
Hearing this,
Gu Fang did not hide it and replied frankly, "Qingyang Xianmu has just sent a message, ordering me to go to the Ten Thousand Mountains. You will handle matters here for now."
"Do not act rashly before I return. If a fourth-grade beast appears, prioritize avoiding its edge!"
"Understood!"
Yang You responded respectfully. Although curious about the message from Qingyang Xianmu, he knew some things could be asked, while others could not.
Thus,
Gu Fang summoned a flying treasure and departed.
...
An hour later,
In front of the Celestial Tree, Gu Fang bowed respectfully and solemnly said, "May I ask why the esteemed Xianmu has summoned me? Is there something important?"
"You have devout faith and have now advanced to the late third grade. I have something that can help you break through to the consummate third grade, as a reward for your devotion!"
Lu Qingyang's calm words fell, and the Celestial Tree emitted a divine glow. A celestial spirit fruit materialized out of thin air and gently floated to Gu Fang.
"This is the Celestial Spirit Fruit. Any being below the fourth grade who consumes it can advance one minor realm. Since you have already reached the late third grade, consuming this fruit will ensure your breakthrough to the consummate third grade."