Chapter 200

Chapter 200: Formidable Foes Eyeing

In the blink of an eye, seven days had passed.

Yesterday, Hongmo Zhengfang let out a tremendous roar as if suffering an unimaginable blow, while everything else remained calm and quiet.

Qian Qiu Yue mentioned before entering her retreat that both of them faced tribulations, and those from the demonic path found advancement even more difficult. However, with Hongmo Xi providing support, their chances were immense.

Li Hui woke up yawning. Outside the bug nest, the surroundings were dim and lifeless, the formations of the Purple Fortress had dissipated, and a massive pressure from the blood sea rampaged, giving birth to unending blood energy. Subsequently, blood energy transformed into Blood Surge, destroying fourteen of the bug nests that served as array platforms, leaving only seven standing—a significant loss.

Surviving seven days echoed the saying: "It’s good to take shelter under a big tree!" With cultivators in the Bosa stage and Condense Essence Stage present, there was no need for this small Spirit Motion Stage practitioner to worry.

During these few days, Li Hui organized his gains and discovered that the Mysterious Water Pearl had a unique trait—it automatically absorbed spiritual objects and talismans of corresponding attributes.

For instance, the pearl housing the hydrangea absorbed materials beneficial for soul nurturing. Similarly, the pearl that the electric eel, Ao Chonglin, resided in, tightened its attributes to even absorb the Thunder Shield Talisman.

Ao Chongguang, the poison dragon eel, also received a pearl, but this fellow slept exceptionally deeply, completely oblivious to the pearl absorbing all the corpses of the Lingfan Shura Bugs from the Bamboo Box and burying them.

Unfortunately, the peach tree demon had yet to be born and was not categorized as a spiritual or demon entity, so it could not be placed in the pearl.

Out of thirty-six pearls, only four had been spent, leaving Li Hui wanting more. He planned to use the leftover monster-conjuring talismans to cultivate the heavenly marrow worms, hoping for success.

If the heavenly marrow worms did not become half-demons, they would all perish. As for the accompanying insect demon eggs excavated from the great demon cave, he could not wait for them to fail to hatch to feed the heavenly marrow worms, as these little creatures had received immense fortune.

The thousand worm eggs absorbed a wealth of gold-type spiritual energy, sinking into the base formed by the Blood Jade and remnants of ritual artifacts, reaching a depth of nine feet.

They clearly enjoyed an excellent growth environment and slowly released demonic energy to nourish the peach tree demon. Li Hui wasn’t sure whether this change related to the Fortune Ascending Talisman but deemed it harmless and beneficial. Even if it consumed a bit more Miao Jade, it was worth it since it concerned longevity.

The Mysterious Water Pearl became a residence for the demonic entity, and he wondered how the Cold Armor Emperor would feel upon awakening.

Over these days, Li Hui focused on studying the Primitive Shell Symbol left by Yang Jueyu, discovering that it possessed characteristics of both artifacts and talismans, while also bearing hints of Buddhist influence related to summoning deities.

This item was a valuable treasure, equivalent to a first tribulation artifact.

First tribulation artifacts corresponded to the Condensed Essence stage and were divided into upper, middle, and lower grades. To further enhance them, one had to invoke calamity power. A first tribulation artifact is one that withstands calamity power without shattering, and they are less common than second tribulation artifacts.

Because once a first tribulation artifact surpassed its lifespan, it could no longer endure further calamities and would usually degrade into an upper-grade artifact; only after reaching the second tribulation would it stabilize and exist long-term, which is why they are rarer than second tribulation artifacts.

The artifacts collected by the Yin-Yang Nine Heads did not include first tribulation artifacts, but there were five second tribulation artifacts. Unfortunately, due to the passage of time, they could no longer be transformed into magical treasures, which is why Hongmo Xi didn’t bother to even look at them, and Hongmo Zhengfang did not compete with Qian Qiu Yue for them.

Now, the Primitive Shell Symbol lay before him, equated to a first tribulation artifact. The issue still lay in cultivation; after experimenting with the hand seal multiple times, he felt he needed at least to reach the Condensed Essence stage to unfold it.

If the silver snake bracelet consumed the artifact, controlling this symbol should pose no problem. However, during deeper investigation, he discovered an interesting phenomenon: the Buddhist light could transform this symbol, revealing various phenomena.

Li Hui’s Buddhist powers were entirely thanks to Miao De, the Auspicious Elder’s, red fruit providing him with the mantra. In the Buddhist texts, mantras were translated to mean continuity, ability to hold, and ability to cover, typically referring to the source that prevents good laws from being lost and ensures evil laws do not take effect, comparable to the source of the Dao.

This item was high-grade, and after the Golden Bead competed with the Ideal Body, it early evolved into the Six-Armed Arhat, acting as a sizable supplemental package.

With these insights, Li Hui placed the Primitive Shell Symbol on the Seventh-Rank Lotus Platform, cultivating while transforming. To his surprise, the palm-sized, deep blue shell began to glimmer with golden threads, and the symbols on it became balanced and harmonious, no longer sharp and ferocious, with a significant change in nature.

At this moment, the Primitive Shell Symbol made “puff puff” sounds, and six out of fifteen symbols transformed into black smoke, rising slowly. His mind felt a fleeting haze, and he soon heard a sorrowful cry, quickly metamorphosing into whispers. Only nine symbols remained shining brightly, resembling enlightened Buddhas seated atop it.

Li Hui observed closely, repeatedly discerning the feelings, ultimately shaking his head and sighing, “Is the loss greater than the gain or the gain greater than the loss? The Buddhist light washes away the malice, transcending the remnants of souls after countless eons; however, its power has notably diminished.”

“The usage limitations have greatly loosened; by the time I reach the mid-Gather Spirit stage, I can use it normally. With the promotion from the red fruit and Buddhist powers, I could easily unveil it as a protector. Moreover, it possesses growth potential. Overall, I’ve definitely gained; however, the current environment is dire and insufficient to serve as a trump card in decisive battles."

Suddenly, a surge of heat erupted from behind him, with crackling sounds.

Guang Jin shouted, “Bing Fire Divine Thunder, Ding Fire Mysterious Force, Young Master be careful! Qian Qiu Yue is about to face tribulation for her ascent!”

Red light, lightning, blue fire, and golden wind appeared simultaneously. Practitioners advancing from the Condensed Essence Stage to the Bosa stage would encounter tribulations. As for what kind of tribulations they would face, some could sense it in advance while others would only receive their “exam paper” at the very moment of their ascent. Whether they could get through depended on numerous factors, but disciples of great sects usually had a system in place for overcoming tribulations.

He saw the red light and blue fire extinguish instantly. Li Hui couldn’t resist marveling, “So powerful! This counters the Bing Fire and Ding Fire! Senior Sister Yue mentioned before that Ao Chonglin could absorb some divine thunder; this is precisely the right time.”

At that moment, quick as a flash, Li Hui raised his hand, releasing the Mysterious Water Pearl.

Within the pearl, a small dragon shadow surged up and down, emitting joyful sounds.

“Zhi…” The Mysterious Water Pearl actually absorbed the divine thunder emanating from the Bing Fire, leaving Li Hui dumbfounded. He felt like cursing; a simpleton was indeed a simpleton, as that was the heavenly calamity thunder!

“Ahhh!”

Ao Chonglin howled; however, it sounded more excited than pained.

Qian Qiu Yue felt a wave of relief, and half a stick of incense later, she sent a thought through the golden wind, “Thank you for your support, Junior Brother. I need a few more hours to consolidate my cultivation. Just now, while gathering my spiritual sense, in the blink of an eye, I traveled beyond the heavens and learned of the enemy’s origins. The true disciple of Hongmo Sect, Hongmo Chu, is coming with the remnant soul of the Grand Elder from the Jade Symbol Sect, and also Hongmo Jiu is bringing the King Xiaoshan who ranks in the top thirty in the Ascension Ranking, alongside Daluong. The copper vessel holding Grand Elder Ge Yuntao is quite formidable; it enhances the myriad power of the All-Manifestation Realm to suppress the Purple Fortress. Dugu Yi has gathered the members of the Jade Symbol Sect and is still inside the Purple Fortress.”

“Hongmo Chu, Ge Yuntao, Hongmo Jiu, King Xiaoshan, along with Hongmo Zheng Lin and a large number of Slave Cultivators…” Li Hui felt his head spinning: “This is too dangerous! Even with Hongmo Xi, Hongmo Zhengfang, and Senior Sister Yue all at the Bosa stage, King Xiaoshan must be at the All-Manifestation Realm with his myriad power. Moreover, what does Grand Elder Ge Yuntao intend? Is it again for the hydrangea and the Dao Rhythm Residual Talisman? Damn, will it ever end?”