Ling Tian's bloodline condition was already better than it had been before Xiao Shi's breakthrough. On top of that, the signs that he was about to break through had become quite clear, so he wasn't in a hurry. He was even certain he would reach the Near-Saint Nineteenth Heaven before hitting his limit. Po Qiong and the other Artifact Spirits were confident in him as well.
Ling Tian said no more and continued cultivating, hoping to break through as soon as possible.
That day, as Ling Tian cultivated, Po Qiong suddenly sent out waves of energy. They easily roused Ling Tian. Before he could ask what was going on, Po Qiong said, "Ling Tian, a number of powerful cultivators are closing in on you. There are quite a few of them, and they're strong."
At that, Ling Tian said nothing. He extended his spiritual sense and quickly sensed people approaching. Just as Po Qiong had said, their strength was considerable.
"Tsk, tsk. I didn't expect three of the cultivators approaching us to be at the peak of the Near-Saint Eighteenth Heaven. One of them is even beyond that. His aura is no weaker than Xiao Shi's—he's clearly broken through to the Near-Saint Nineteenth Heaven." Ling Tian immediately assessed the newcomers, and a smile tugged at his lips as he spoke.
If cultivators in the late Near-Saint Eighteenth Heaven approached him, Ling Tian would still be a little worried. He knew cultivators at that level might attack him out of greed for the Phoenix Soul Fruit. After all, they weren't qualified to join them in facing the tribulation. Ling Tian and the others had publicly announced the minimum requirements for joining their group and facing the tribulation together. A large number of cultivators had already come to beg to join them,