In a short span of time, the human race's accumulation over tens of thousands of years was being consumed at a terrifying rate.
The results, however, were extremely gratifying.
Within a thousand-kilometer radius of Shouyang Mountain, tribulation clouds gathered almost every day.
Although some people had unfortunately fallen beneath the Tribulation Lightning, the overall success rate was far higher than before.
Previously, the most numerous among the human race had been True Immortals. Now, they had become Profound Immortals.
Luo Xuan sent off a human who was overjoyed and repeatedly expressing his thanks, finally letting out a sigh of relief.
"Each time this method is used to temper the body, one has to wait for some time."
"After all these days, everyone among the human race has tempered their bodies once. Things should be easier from here on."
As he spoke, Luo Xuan suddenly sensed a familiar aura descending from the sky.
The moment the golden clouds landed, they transformed into a dense mist known as merit.
This merit did not enter Luo Xuan's body. Instead, it entered all the members of the human race.
At that moment, the human race's providence suddenly surged.
It felt as if a candle flame in the dead of night had suddenly transformed into a brilliant full moon.
All the mighty figures of the Primordial World opened their eyes.
In an instant, Shouyang Mountain once again became the focus of the entire Primordial World.
On a mountain range ten thousand miles from Shouyang Mountain, a rat hole was concealed beneath weeds.
Even inside the cave, one could clearly sense a demonic aura.
In an extremely short time, the situation at Shouyang Mountain was recorded on a Jade Slip and delivered into Kunpeng's hands.
"...Lord Di Jun, that is what happened. We don't know what changes occurred at Shouyang Mountain, but the human race has been tempering their bodies on a large scale, and many of them have already broken through."
The True Sun Fire flowing slowly through Di Jun's hands was instantly extinguished by him. He coldly gazed in the direction of Shouyang Mountain.
"Hmph. They're merely insignificant ants. So what if they somehow learned a method for tempering their bodies?"
"Can they compare with the bloodline and physical bodies of my Demon Race?"
Kunpeng hesitated for a moment before saying, "But, Lord Di Jun, the human race's providence has increased, and the mighty figures of all sides have begun paying attention to them again."
On the Heavenly Court's side, Di Jun and the others had long since prepared their troops, waiting only to strike the human race like thunder.
If they acted now, the Heavenly Court would probably incur the criticism of the myriad races of the Primordial World.
Di Jun gave a cold laugh, returned to his throne, and said, "They don't even realize that disaster is at their door. Let them jump around for a few more days."
Although he said this, Di Jun's brows still furrowed slightly, making him appear somewhat impatient.
A gloomy look faintly clouded his brow, proving that Di Jun was deeply dissatisfied with the changes taking place among the human race.
Kunpeng's eyes shifted, and he chuckled. "Lord Di Jun, the might of our Heavenly Court is at its zenith. Why should we avoid the human race's edge?"
"We only need to have several great demons lurk outside Shouyang Mountain. When the opportunity arises, they can hunt the human race and obtain their essence all the same."
Di Jun's eyes lit up at his words. He tossed a command token bearing the image of a Golden Crow into Kunpeng's hands.
"I'll leave this entirely in your hands."
"Your subordinate obeys!" Kunpeng bowed with the command token in hand, a bloodthirsty glint flashing through his eyes.
As for the human race's rising providence, apart from benefiting the human race, the two greatest beneficiaries were Nuwa and Laozi.
One was the Holy Mother of the human race, while the other was the leader of the Renjiao Sect. Both had bestowed the grace of preaching upon the human race.
When the human race's providence rose, the two were still cultivating.
The human race's providence affected them immediately.
Naturally, it was a positive influence. Both of them even felt that their cultivation had advanced significantly.
For two Sages, this was an inconceivable matter.
Laozi slowly opened his eyes.
"The human race has changed. Could Luo Xuan have done something?"
When Laozi thought of Luo Xuan, a trace of a smile unconsciously appeared at the corners of his mouth.
Ever since he had accepted this disciple, Luo Xuan had not only helped him become a Sage, but had even brought him benefits like this.
It was simply too worthwhile!
Section 43: Useless Brat
"Did the human race's providence rise because of Luo Xuan?"
As one of the Three Pure Ones, Yuanshi also noticed the changes at Shouyang Mountain immediately.
His divine sense swept across the area, and he instantly understood the cause and effect.
"Luo Xuan actually created a body-tempering method himself?"
Yuanshi's horsetail whisk almost slipped from his shoulder, shock filling his eyes.
Looking at Nanji Xianweng nearby, Yuanshi unconsciously sighed.
Sensing his master's gaze, Nanji Xianweng opened his eyes and looked over. "Master?"
Seeing the confusion in Nanji Xianweng's eyes, Yuanshi thought for a moment before asking, "Disciple, how is your cultivation now?"
Seeing the faint hope in Yuanshi's eyes, Nanji Xianweng did not understand, but he answered honestly.
"Reporting to Master, I broke through to the Late Golden Immortal stage not long ago."
Yuanshi shook his head and sighed. "Too slow."
Nanji Xianweng was even more bewildered.
Not long ago, Daoist Duobao of the Interception Sect had somehow been confined by his martial uncle Tongtian. Only then had he managed to catch up and break through to the Late Golden Immortal stage.
How could this cultivation speed be slow?
Yuanshi continued, "How is your cultivation of the artifact-refining techniques I taught you?"
Nanji Xianweng was slightly taken aback. "Master, didn't you say that my realm was too low and that I only needed to memorize them for now?"
"So you haven't practiced them?"
Yuanshi raised his brows and said sternly, "Your cultivation is slow, and that's one thing. You have even neglected your artifact-refining techniques."
"You really are a useless brat."
Nanji Xianweng: "???"
Seeing that Nanji Xianweng looked somewhat unconvinced, Yuanshi waved his horsetail whisk and said, "It seems I've been too lenient with you. Starting today, double your cultivation."
"And your artifact-refining techniques as well. You are not to leave Yuqing Palace until you have mastered them."
Nanji Xianweng's body trembled at his words. He was practically about to cry.
He had no idea how he had offended his master.
In a cave dwelling within Shangqing Palace, the powerful restriction outside suddenly opened with a boom.
"Hahaha, I've finally broken through to the Early Taiyi Golden Immortal stage!"
Newly promoted to the Early Taiyi Golden Immortal stage, Duobao left his cave dwelling and immediately wandered around Kunlun Mountain, searching for Luo Xuan.
But after looking for a long time, he still could not find him.
Duobao raised his head proudly and said, "It seems this Luo Xuan was afraid that I would also break through to the Taiyi Golden Immortal stage, defeat him, and thus hid in advance."
"Heh, this Luo Xuan is nothing special after all."
After boasting about himself for a while, Duobao pushed open the door and entered Shangqing Palace.
"Master, I've broken through to the Taiyi Golden Immortal stage. As you said, I can end my confinement now, right?"
Tongtian's eyelids drooped. Hearing Duobao's words, he did not even raise his head as he said, "Oh? Not bad."
His expression did not look excited in the slightest, and his tone was filled with perfunctory indifference.
Duobao was puzzled. "Master, you don't seem happy that I broke through?"
Tongtian said calmly, "I know what you're thinking. Luo Xuan is already at the Mid Taiyi stage and can break through to the late stage at any time."
Duobao raised his head and tightened his grip on his treasured sword. "So what? I intend to defeat him while I'm still in the early stage."
Tongtian continued, "Luo Xuan defeated a prodigy of the Witch Clan at the same realm using only the strength of his physical body."
"What?" Duobao's mouth fell open, and his voice rose in pitch.
Tongtian said, "Not long ago, Luo Xuan created a body-tempering method of his own, laying an unparalleled foundation for the path of the human race."
"..."
Duobao stood there alone, looking somewhat dejected and desolate.
Tongtian continued, "Just now, the human race's providence rapidly increased because of this method."
At the doorway, Duobao's body seemed to petrify bit by bit.
After a long while, Duobao finally turned around and walked out of Shangqing Palace.
"What are you going to do?"
"Master, this disciple wants to return to confinement and think about life while I'm at it."
The others only felt indescribable comfort throughout their bodies, with no idea what had happened.
But Suiren Shi and the others, as the Three Ancestors of the human race, could clearly sense that the human race's providence was rapidly increasing.
"This is a great joyous occasion for the entire human race!"
When the Three Ancestors excitedly informed the entire human race of this matter, none of the humans could say anything more.
That was because every word they could think of had already been given to Luo Xuan earlier.
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