Yet when they entered the inn,
There wasn't a single soul inside, not even a trace left behind!
The news reached all the martial artists who had come to compete for the anomalous fire— Official source is ⓝovelFire.net
That supreme Martial Saint who had even made the Beast Taming Sect's Martial Saint kneel had fallen,
Pierced through the brow by a single finger strike,
His soul scattered to the winds!
Everyone was instantly terrified,
A Martial Saint—someone who stood at the very peak of this world—had died!
Everyone's minds buzzed with shock,
Unwilling to believe it!
That was the realm they had spent their entire lives pursuing!
And now you're telling me it's so fragile?
The crowd felt their lifelong beliefs and aspirations completely shattered!
"I saw it with my own eyes—annihilated in a single strike by some mysterious presence inside that inn!"
"Our Qian Region may have welcomed an extraordinary existence, perhaps even someone surpassing the Martial Saint level!"
"You mean... a Martial Emperor? But isn't the current world supposed to forbid ascension to Emperor?"
"Who knows? These are just speculations. Regardless, we should lay low recently. Don't provoke any inconspicuous beggars or plain-looking individuals on the streets—they might actually be supreme experts!"
The death of this Martial Saint powerhouse,
Plunged the entire Qian Region into utter turmoil,
Not only was the Beast Taming Sect trembling in fear,
Other martial artists also walked on eggshells,
As if an invisible mountain of pressure from the vanished mysterious expert weighed upon the entire region!
Meanwhile, the instigator Long Yuan had already returned to the Dragon Emperor Palace in Qingyang City, resuming his secluded lifestyle,
Now having reverted to his true form—
A thousand-meter-long azure divine dragon!
"Despite cultivating for so long, I'm still light-years away from the Godly tier!"
"Breaking through to this realm seems considerably more difficult than I imagined!"
Even with his 60x cultivation speed boost,
Reaching the Godly tier was no easy feat!
"System, open the status panel!"
[Race]: Azure Flame Blue Dragon
[Cultivation Realm]: 9th-tier Demon Emperor (Peak)
[Physical Cultivation]: 10th-tier Divine Demon (Peak)
[Current Mission]: Elevate the guardian clan to Seven-Star status
[Mission Reward]: 10 years of cultivation, Bloodline Reversion once, 10 Saint-grade Weapons, 5 Saint-grade Physique Sources, 5 Saint-grade Martial Soul Sources, Emperor-tier Body Refinement Technique "Cosmic Star Technique"
[Guardian Clan Level]: Six-Star (Host's cultivation speed increased by 60x!)
Seeing those 10 years of cultivation and Bloodline Reversion,
Long Yuan felt a surge of excitement.
But he wasn't certain if 600 years' worth of cultivation could help him break through to the Godly tier,
So he needed to keep striving,
Hoping that under the accumulated 600 years of cultivation, his realm could finally reach the divine level.
"I wonder what changes the next Bloodline Reversion will bring?"
The mere thought made him thrilled!
He then began contemplating the current state of the Chu family.
Only Chu Tianyang had broken through to the Martial Emperor realm,
While others, including the sacred-bodied Chu Yan, remained at the Martial King level.
"Chu Yan isn't far from reaching Martial Emperor either!"
To become a Seven-Star clan,
They needed at least one 7th-tier Martial Venerable and seven 6th-tier Martial Emperors.
Moreover, breakthroughs at these higher realms naturally wouldn't come as quickly as the initial stages!
Currently, the Chu family had one Martial Emperor and three Martial Kings—
Still a considerable distance from Seven-Star status!
"However, Chu Tianyang with his Myriad Spirits Saint Body will undoubtedly be the first to break through to 7th-tier Martial Venerable!"
After all, his physique was exceptionally suited for cultivation,
Even surpassing Chu Yan in terms of cultivation speed!
Of course, this assumed Chu Yan didn't encounter any heaven-defying opportunities!
"I should encourage them to enter the Heart Refining Pagoda to obtain those rewards!"
Long Yuan then summoned Chu Jingyue.
"Greetings, Beast God!"
Chu Jingyue bowed respectfully.
"Has Chu Tianyang still not emerged from the Heart Refining Pagoda?"
"Reporting to the Beast God, the ancestor has been inside for over a month with no signs of coming out!"
"Such a long time without emerging? Could he be trapped by some inner demon?"
Once ensnared by inner demons,
Only then could they exit the Heart Refining Pagoda.
Though "death" here wasn't true death,
But rather perishing within the pagoda's illusionary realm!
However, in such cases,
They would forfeit any treasures inside.
Only by slaying their inner demons,
And elevating their mental state could they obtain the rewards Long Yuan had placed within!
"Don't worry, he'll be fine. The Heart Refining Pagoda's primary purpose is tempering one's mental fortitude. You're welcome to try it yourself if you have time!"
"Moreover, I've placed some treasures inside!"
"Such as Physique Evolution Pills, Breakthrough Pills, even Saint-grade Physique and Martial Soul Sources. If one can overcome their inner demons and pass the mental trials, they may obtain these treasures!"
"The Physique Evolution Pills can elevate your physique by an entire major grade, while Breakthrough Pills can help overcome any realm barrier—including Martial Emperor. As for those Sources, I believe you understand their functions even without explanation?"
Chu Jingyue's eyes widened in astonishment,
That pagoda actually contained such priceless treasures?
Even items like Physique Evolution Pills and Breakthrough Pills?
"So now do you understand why I placed the Heart Refining Pagoda there?"
"Henceforth, apart from those who make significant contributions to the family receiving rewards directly from me, anyone seeking heaven-defying opportunities must challenge the pagoda!"
"Don't let it sit idle. I hope our clansmen can obtain those rewards soon—after all, I placed those treasures there specifically to strengthen the Chu family!"
Chu Jingyue was so moved he could barely contain himself,
The Beast God's benevolence toward their Chu family was beyond words!
He could only kneel to express his deepest reverence!
"Enough, no need for this. The Chu family still has a long way to go before reaching our goals!"
"Return and focus on cultivation and family development!"
"Understood! Jingyue will not fail the Beast God's expectations!"
After Chu Jingyue departed,
Long Yuan resumed his cultivation,
Hoping to reach the Godly tier before the family achieved Seven-Star status!
Upon returning, Chu Jingyue began promoting the Heart Refining Pagoda's purpose,
He didn't breathe a word about the treasures inside,
Those were not to be disclosed.
"Tempering mental fortitude?"
"I'll give it a try!"
Chu Zhan became intrigued.
Without another word, he immediately entered the pagoda.
Many Chu clansmen had begun relocating to the nine-layered spatial worlds, though only martial artists and pregnant women entered!
Because if pregnant women were continuously nourished by heaven and earth's essence during gestation,
Their children would not only have higher chances of becoming martial artists,
But also greater likelihood of possessing special physiques,
This was why prominent families more easily produced genius freaks!
Now that the Chu family had grown powerful,
They took exceptional care of expectant mothers,
Providing all available natural treasures beneficial for them!
This was all to lay foundations for the next generation!
As for ordinary people without cultivation talent,
They could only remain in Qingyang City!
Such was the harsh reality of this world!