Yan Chihuo was startled upon hearing this. The death of an Ascension Stage cultivator was exceedingly rare; one could well imagine how brutal this battle had been. Ascension Stage cultivators were unlike ordinary ones. Not only was their strength unparalleled beneath the heavens, but they also possessed a peculiar trait: once the true body died, all their avatars and split souls would perish as well.
This was because after a cultivator advanced to the Ascension Stage, a stream of innate vital essence would be born within them. This innate vital essence tempered both flesh and soul. Once the flesh and soul had both been tempered to perfection, the innate vital essence and spiritual power would merge into one, becoming immortal power. Only then could one ascend without worry.
As the innate vital essence tempered the flesh and soul, it too would become ever purer. Moreover, the better the flesh and soul were tempered, the purer the innate vital essence would transform. But if it was not refined to sufficient purity, it would be very difficult to survive the ascension tribulation.
Thus, Ascension Stage Cultivators would gather their innate vital essence within a single body—the true body—while employing corresponding methods to forge a mysterious and ineffable connection between their avatars, split souls, and main body, so that those avatars and split souls would not burden the true body during the ascension tribulation. Yet because of that mysterious and ineffable connection, once the main body died, all avatars and split souls would perish as well.
The boy continued, "Even though the East Sea cultivation world paid such a tremendous price, it still failed to achieve complete success..."
Yan Chihuo froze, then asked, "How did Spirit Island get away?"
"That did not happen," said the boy. "Not a single Ascension Stage cultivator or