Journey to the Dao Sea

Once Xiang Tian had adapted, scabs had already begun forming over his body. Sitting cross-legged to cultivate, he discovered that the pressure here not only aided the absorption and refinement of spiritual power, but was also immensely beneficial for tempering the body!

Everyone had left the Spirit Pressure Tower, worried that they might disturb Xiang Tian's cultivation. Some instructors proficient in formations had even set up a formation outside to isolate the noise of the outside world.

With the Dao Sea discussion approaching, many throughout the academy were making preparations. Some had even begun placing bets on who would be going this year!

Xiang Tian had actually endured ten days inside the tower. At first, everyone had been astonished, but as time passed and they grew busy with their own affairs, it gradually ceased to seem strange.

After all, this was Xiang Tian. They could understand.

Only Qiu Changfeng and a few others continued to keep an eye on Xiang Tian.

They discovered that Xiang Tian's body was constantly cracking apart, only to continuously heal and reform. The sight made the few of them cry out in admiration.

This kid was deliberately keeping his body at a critical threshold. The rate at which new flesh formed matched the rate at which his body collapsed. This was enormously beneficial for tempering the body.

This was completely dual cultivation of body and spirit—neither side was neglected.

"No wonder it's this kid. He can even come up with an idea like this. He's got some nerve too."

Qiu Changfeng could not help sighing. The younger generation truly inspired awe.

With five days left until the Dao Sea discussion, the Spirit Pressure Tower everyone had been thinking about finally showed signs of activity.

Dark clouds suddenly blanketed the sky, and fierce winds rose, swirling around the Spirit Pressure Tower.

"Good heavens, this kid is about to break through! He's been in seclusion for less than half a month, yet he's preparing to charge into the Void Shattering Realm. This kid is truly a monster!"

One instructor exclaimed in amazement. All the students looked toward the sky, their eyes filled with fear of the lightning tribulation, yet unable to conceal their envy of Xiang Tian.

Damn it, he was breaking through like it was child's play. How long had it even been? Not even two months, right? He had gone straight from the Nascent Soul Realm to the Spirit Transformation Realm, and now he was charging toward Void Shattering. If only I had that kind of ability!

Rumble—!

Muffled thunder exploded overhead, making everyone's hearts tremble. Qiu Changfeng broke out in a cold sweat. Surely it would not be that same level of black lightning again? Xiang Tian was in the Spirit Pressure Tower in his current state—where would he find the chance or preparation to withstand a lightning tribulation?

Yet just as everyone worried, the thunderclouds rapidly scattered. The sky suddenly cleared, and sunlight fell upon them, warm and gentle. Every one of them was dumbfounded.

Was he some kind of monster? The lightning tribulation had disappeared. Had those thunderclouds merely come out for a stroll, or did breakthroughs no longer require being struck by lightning?

Why? The last time, the lightning had not struck Xiang Tian, and this time it was the same. The heavens were unfair! They began protesting on their own behalf.

Just then, Xiang Tian opened his eyes.

He let out a long breath of stale air. Peak Spirit Transformation—very good. Cultivating under a thousandfold pressure truly was fast, and the strength of his physical body had clearly risen several levels. But why did the tower smell somewhat strange?

Looking down at his body, Xiang Tian immediately understood.

Good thing it was him. If it had been anyone else, they would probably have bled dry and died!

He had deliberately halted his breakthrough, keeping himself at the Peak Spirit Transformation Realm. This lightning tribulation would be of great use later.

When he descended from the tower, he saw a sea of people before him, every pair of eyes brimming with hope.

Qiu Changfeng stepped forward. "Are you all right? That lightning tribulation just now..."

Xiang Tian shook his head. "I chose not to break through now. We'll talk about it later."

Everyone: ...

Still, they felt it was appropriate. Xiang Tian's current condition truly was not suitable for it.

But seeing how bedraggled Xiang Tian looked, everyone dispersed and let him wash up and rest as soon as possible.

That night, Xiang Tian felt more relaxed than ever before. During his nearly half-month in the Spirit Pressure Tower, no one else could understand the pain he had endured. Facing destruction from both within and without, he had borne far too much pressure.

There were three days left until the Dao Sea discussion. At noon the next day, after ensuring that Xiang Tian had rested enough, Qiu Changfeng finally came to his residence.

Only upon seeing Xiang Tian looking refreshed did Qiu Changfeng feel at ease.

"We need to set out early for the Dao Sea. The academy has sent five students this time; you can get to know them when we arrive. Oh, and we may run into some acquaintances at the Dao Sea. I heard you've already settled your grievances with Ning Rong, so I can rest easy."

Xiang Tian nodded and did not say much about what had happened at the Jade Pool. Qu Ying was clever as well; such a disgraceful matter would never spread outside.

After making some simple preparations, he followed Qiu Changfeng out of the academy.

Everything had already been prepared. Qiu Changfeng was leading the group this time. Outside the academy, a giant eagle lay crouched on the ground. Xiang Tian did not know what kind of demon beast it was, but its wings were blue-green and crimson, while its eyes bore the savage gleam unique to birds of prey.

Four students and two instructors stood beside it. Sinan Yao had originally been part of the group as well, but considering Xiang Tian's presence—and at Sinan Yao's own request—he had been left behind at the academy.

What a joke. Sinan Yao now wished he would never have to meet Xiang Tian again in his life. How was he supposed to greet him if they met? Lower his head and apologize for what had happened before?

After all, he was still young. Sinan Yao could not figure it out, nor could he bring himself to swallow his pride and yield.

When the others saw Xiang Tian, their expressions were somewhat awkward, but they still forced smiles and greeted him.

Xiang Tian returned their greetings one by one. The group climbed onto the eagle's back, and with a piercing eagle cry that seemed to halt the clouds, it soared into the sky and flew toward the Dao Sea.

Interestingly, though it was called the Dao Sea, it was actually a spiritual island floating in the sky. Legend had it that the Dao Ancestor, whose name once shook the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands, had founded his sect here. That was why countless remnants of different Great Daos remained upon the mountain, vast as the sea, and thus it was named the Dao Sea.

Among those remnants of the Great Dao, so long as one matched a person's own path, they could sit and comprehend it. Unfortunately, they only appeared once every five years. As for where the Dao Sea was at other times, people had once searched for it, but all their efforts had ended in nothing.

As for the accounts of the Dao Sea's origins, no one could say how much was true and how much was false.

The closer they drew to the Dao Sea, the more necessary it was for an academy of Changning Immortal Academy's standing to arrive early. Otherwise, others would inevitably accuse them of putting on airs.

After two or three hours had passed without their noticing, they saw a hazy mountain standing in midair in the distance. Such a spectacle shocked them deeply.

"All right. We'll stay in the city beneath the Dao Sea later. Keep a low profile, every one of you. Don't cause trouble, and absolutely do not use your status to bully others!"

Qiu Changfeng instructed them. The seven of them, including Xiang Tian, returned the salute and acknowledged his words. The city beneath the Dao Sea was already packed to the brim, but fortunately, the academy had influence enough to secure rooms for them at the largest inn in the city.

Sitting in his room, Xiang Tian was especially sensitive to his surroundings. He could sense several powerful auras nearby, each on par with Qiu Changfeng's. Two or three of them even seemed faintly stronger than Qiu Changfeng!

Xiang Tian rubbed the teacup in his hand and muttered to himself, "This Dao Sea discussion truly is a place where crouching tigers and hidden dragons abound. The Nine Heavens all say there are five Golden Immortals in the world, but whether that is true or not is probably hard to say!"