Chapter 337 - 184: 9-Layered Exquisite Treasure Pagoda
’Dammit. With this kid’s talent and fortune, if he really refines a Primordial Spirit, how fast would his progress be?’
’In just a few short centuries, the Profound Yellow Realm has seen first Xuanlan, and then Daochen. Who knows if there are other powerful figures who haven’t yet revealed themselves.’
The Immoral Taoist took a deep breath. ’Now Zhong the Kid is about to catch up, and then there’s Xu the Kid...’
He glanced toward the Cyan and Purple Tribulation Pearl Fruit Tree. Although Xuzhuang was still far behind in terms of cultivation level, he hadn’t forgotten that the little devil was actually not even two hundred years old. If you really thought about it, he was much younger than anyone else present. In fact, he was of the same generation as that girl from the Profound Ice Pavilion.
’At this kid’s rate of progress, it wouldn’t be impossible for him to catch up and refine the third stage in a short time. Of course, even reaching the peak of the Nascent Soul realm doesn’t guarantee one can refine a Primordial Spirit, but this kid, Xuzhuang, is a monster.’
When he had brought the kid to the Tai Su Orthodox Sect for this event, he’d been hosted by Daochen Zhenren. As they’d chatted about the Dao, Daochen Zhenren had made it clear, both directly and indirectly, that Xuzhuang’s talent was exceptional and that he had attracted the attention of many patriarchs within the sect.
The Immoral Taoist had been cultivating for several thousand years and was as shrewd as they come. How could he not hear the warning hidden within those words?
He hadn’t had any ill intentions to begin with, so he naturally didn’t mind. He was just a little surprised inwardly.
As an Independent Practitioner True Spirit Zhenren and a master of calculation arts, one who had cultivated for ages and traveled across many realms, he knew better than anyone that to a Primordial Spirit True Man, no genius was worth a second glance. Not unless they could cross the great threshold and show true promise of attaining the Dao.
Back then, Xuzhuang had only just reached the Nascent Soul realm and was nowhere near the point of discussing the Primordial Spirit. For him to have already attracted such attention meant there had to be a deeper reason. ’Could this kid be the reincarnation of some Tai Su Orthodox Sect patriarch?’
The Immoral Taoist shook his head and exhaled a puff of smoke. "The Profound Yellow Realm has truly entered another golden age, an era of teeming experts and fierce competition..."
As this thought crossed his mind, his heart inexplicably skipped a beat, and his Primordial Spirit seemed to sense something. He frowned and performed a quick calculation, but everything seemed normal. The heavenly secrets were a bit chaotic, but that was to be expected in this Earth Realm.
"Strange." The Immoral Taoist rubbed his nose. "Could that little brat Da Ji be plotting against this old Daoist?"
Meanwhile, Da Ji Zhenren was also looking quite worried. He hadn’t expected Jin Yuanzai to fail to defeat Xuzhuang. Although Li Chengzhen was still in the running, the abilities Xuzhuang had displayed were simply too astonishing. He was no longer very confident that Li Chengzhen could win.
Great Evil Zhenren, who had cultivated alongside him for several thousand years, understood his thoughts perfectly. "Don’t worry, Senior Brother," he consoled. "According to my calculations, Li the Kid still has a decent chance of winning."
Da Ji Zhenren’s magical treasure was quite peculiar—it was a bamboo basket filled with clusters of vibrant, competing flowers. The group was seated amidst them.
Lan Su Nu whispered softly, "He definitely has no chance of winning."
Jin Yuanzai, listening from the side, couldn’t help but smile. This girl was truly... so pure of heart. Just a moment ago, after his own defeat, she had showered him with praise and admiration. Anyone who didn’t know better would have thought she was being sarcastic and taking veiled jabs at him.
Fortunately, Jin Yuanzai wasn’t a petty person and didn’t take offense. He simply turned his gaze back to the field below and thought to himself, ’Still, Fellow Daoist Li’s methods are indeed quite unique. If Fellow Daoist Xu can’t figure out the key to them, his victory isn’t entirely assured.’
——
The Purple Tribulation Pearl Fruit. A single one could delay a Primordial Spirit True Man’s Three Calamities by thirty-six hundred years. Compared to this, its other effects—like extending a Nascent Soul Cultivator’s lifespan or granting a mortal longevity—were not even worth mentioning. It was a supreme treasure for cultivators to avoid calamities and overcome tribulations.
This Pearl Fruit hung alone at the very top of the Cyan and Purple Tribulation Pearl Fruit Tree, and it was now right in front of Xuzhuang.
After defeating Jin Yuanzai, he hadn’t gone searching for other Pearl Fruits. Instead, he had come straight to this place.
Xuzhuang actually had a premonition that this Purple Tribulation Pearl Fruit was ready to be picked. He didn’t act on it, however, choosing instead to wait quietly, recuperate his spirit, and restore his Magical Power.
An Innate Spirit Root could draw boundless primeval qi from the void and convert it into spiritual energy. This was how the Cyan and Purple Tribulation Pearl Fruit Tree had formed an atmospheric layer that resembled a ’Celestial Vault’.
And upon this Spirit Root, the spiritual energy was indeed incomparably abundant. However, this energy seemed to have an owner; to absorb it for one’s own use, one would seemingly have to wrestle with the Cyan and Purple Tribulation Pearl Fruit Tree itself.
But Xuzhuang had the Du Xu Palace. With the palace’s Celestial Acupoint and Absorbing Spiritual Mechanism abilities, he had no such worries. Besides, he wasn’t lacking in Spiritual Truth or Primeval Truth for replenishment. Thus, as time passed, he gradually returned to his peak condition, and even showed signs of making further progress.
’It really would have been a shame if I hadn’t made this trip.’
Everyone who had come to the gathering was a cultivation genius from some corner of the world. Although he hadn’t interacted with all of them, just watching their battles was a wonderful experience. What’s more, with Bitu by his side pointing out the crucial aspects, Xuzhuang had truly benefited a great deal.
His battle with Jin Yuanzai had been especially exhilarating, that went without saying. And as for the next exchange, Xuzhuang was already eager to begin.
However, when Li Chengzhen descended in a flash of light and his figure appeared, Xuzhuang was momentarily stunned.
While Li Chengzhen had already shown he was far from ordinary, Xuzhuang still hadn’t expected that Zhong Shenxiu would be no match for him.
Li Chengzhen opened his folding fan and fanned it gently. "I’m a little late. I’ve kept you waiting, Fellow Daoist."
Xuzhuang composed himself and replied, "It seems you and I are the only ones left here."
"Indeed." Li Chengzhen gave a faint, unreadable smile. "It seems my appearance was somewhat unexpected for you, Fellow Daoist."
"Then again, I also didn’t expect that the final outcome of this contest would come down to the two of us."