Elder Wu Summons, What the Hell is Soul Possession?

As information about lifespans was revealed on the heavenly screen.

The entire Douluo Continent fell into prolonged shock and longing.

Five hundred years at the Golden Core stage, over a thousand years at the Nascent Soul stage.

Such straightforward figures were an enormous blow to the Douluo Continent, where even Title Douluo found it difficult to live past two hundred.

Over the next few months, the images on the heavenly screen entered a relatively calm fast-forward state.

After all, a cultivator's seclusion could easily last months or even years.

Through this time-accelerated observer's perspective, the people of the Douluo Continent personally witnessed Zhang Tiezhu's transformation.

On the screen.

The outer disciple area of the High Heaven Sect lay within a valley brimming with spiritual energy.

Wooden houses and stone courtyards were scattered throughout, arranged in an orderly yet varied pattern.

Zhang Tiezhu's daily life was exceedingly regular.

Each morning, he went to the spiritual fields to help the sect tend spiritual herbs that glimmered faintly. After finishing his work, he returned to his wooden cabin, sat cross-legged on his bed, and cultivated the Eternal Spring Technique.

Nourished by spiritual energy, Zhang Tiezhu's formerly withered and frail body gradually became sturdier.

The calluses and dull complexion left by years of labor slowly faded from his skin, replaced by a healthy complexion brimming with vitality.

Three months later.

As a gust of wind swelled around Zhang Tiezhu, he successfully broke through to the third level of the Qi Refinement stage.

Now, even without using any techniques, he could easily lift a massive boulder weighing several hundred jin through sheer physical strength alone.

He had also become proficient in a basic spell called Fireball Technique, condensing a scorching fireball at his fingertips.

At this sight.

The commoners of the Douluo Continent grew even more envious.

Within Soto City.

Several farmers who had once worked the fields alongside Zhang Tiezhu gathered together, gazing at the sky with faces full of envy.

"That kid Tiezhu really struck it rich."

"Yeah. He went to that so-called cultivation world, and now not only is he fair and plump, he can even throw fireballs."

"From what I can tell, that fireball is even more powerful than the soul skills used by those level-ten-something Soul Master lords in the city."

"Sigh, if the heavenly screen picks people again next time, I hope it picks me."

It was not just the commoners.

Even many low-level Soul Masters were filled with jealousy.

Zhang Tiezhu's life in the cultivation world simply looked far too comfortable. Aside from doing a little farm work each day, all he had to do was cultivate, and the sect even distributed several low-grade spirit stones to him every month.

This was more comfortable than the lives of many nobles on the Douluo Continent.

Shrek Academy.

Tang San sat beneath a large tree, holding a branch as he scribbled and drew on the ground.

He had been continuously deducing the circulation route of the Eternal Spring Technique.

"Although the cultivation method is very basic, Zhang Tiezhu's improvement over these three months has been obvious to the naked eye."

"His current overall combat ability, combined with that Fireball Technique that can be cast instantly without chanting, is probably no weaker than a level-twenty Battle Soul Master."

Tang San muttered to himself.

In three months, he had gone from a cripple with no foundation whatsoever to someone comparable to a Grand Soul Master.

This cultivation speed had already surpassed the so-called geniuses born with full innate soul power on the Douluo Continent.

Beside him, Yu Xiaogang wore a gloomy expression and remained silent.

The better Zhang Tiezhu performed during this time, the more it felt like a slap striking Yu Xiaogang's face day after day.

Could I really have been wrong? For the first time, Yu Xiaogang began to doubt himself.

Just as the people of the Douluo Continent thought Zhang Tiezhu would continue cultivating peacefully until his return deadline.

A new development suddenly appeared on the screen.

That morning.

Zhang Tiezhu had just finished weeding the spiritual fields and was heading back, not yet having reached his wooden cabin.

When a streak of azure sword light flashed across the sky.

A young man in the moon-white robes of an inner disciple descended before Zhang Tiezhu atop a flying sword.

The young man looked arrogant as he glanced at Zhang Tiezhu.

"You're Zhang Tiezhu?"

Zhang Tiezhu jumped in fright and hurriedly bowed.

"Outer Sect disciple Zhang Tiezhu greets Senior Brother."

The young man nodded, his tone calm.

"Come with me. Elder Wu has emerged from seclusion and specifically requested to see you."

Zhang Tiezhu froze at those words.

The few Outer Sect disciples passing by nearby revealed looks of envy and jealousy.

Elder Wu was an influential elder of the High Heaven Sect's inner sect, at the late Foundation Establishment stage.

He normally stood far above them all. Even Inner Sect disciples found it as difficult as reaching the heavens to meet him—so why did he suddenly want to see an Outer Sect disciple who had only joined a few months ago?

Zhang Tiezhu was equally puzzled, but he did not dare ask too many questions.

He hurriedly followed the young man onto an enlarged flying sword, soaring toward the main peak deep within the High Heaven Sect.

On the celestial screen.

As the flying sword rose higher, the audience of Douluo Continent saw the High Heaven Sect in its entirety for the first time.

Amid the swirling clouds and mist.

Seven or eight towering peaks pierced the heavens like sharp swords.

From time to time, immortal cranes flew through the air, their clear cries ringing out.

Waterfalls cascaded upside down from cliffs thousands of meters high, glimmering with rainbow-colored halos beneath the sunlight.

Exquisite pavilions built along sheer cliffs emerged and vanished amid the haze.

This scene, like something from an immortal realm, left many people on Douluo Continent staring in stunned silence.

"What a beautiful place."

Ning Fengzhi looked at the light screen and could not help sighing in admiration.

Compared to the High Heaven Sect's mountain gate, the castle of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, which he had always taken pride in, looked like nothing more than a gaudy country estate built by a nouveau riche—lacking that transcendent, otherworldly air.

Before long, the flying sword stopped halfway up a mountain called Emerald Mist Peak.

There stood an ancient-looking cave residence.

Outside it grew all manner of strange flowers and exotic herbs that gave off a rich fragrance, while two snow-white spirit deer leisurely grazed on the grass.

"Go in. Elder Wu is waiting for you inside."

The Inner Sect disciple pointed at the tightly shut stone doors of the cave residence, then transformed into a streak of sword light and departed.

Zhang Tiezhu swallowed, straightened his clothes, and cautiously stepped forward.

Before he could knock, the heavy stone doors opened on their own with a rumbling sound.

A warm breeze carrying a faint medicinal fragrance drifted out from within.

Zhang Tiezhu gathered his courage and walked inside.

The cave residence was spacious. Several fist-sized luminous pearls were embedded in the stone ceiling, illuminating the interior as brightly as day.

At the center of the hall stood a waist-high bronze pill furnace, within which ghostly blue flames burned.

Beside the pill furnace, an old man sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion.

The old man wore a gray Daoist robe. His hair was grizzled, and his beard was long.

Though his face was lined with wrinkles, his complexion was ruddy, and his features carried a kind, benevolent air.

He truly looked like one of those immortal sages from legend.

"Disciple Zhang Tiezhu pays respects to Elder Wu." Zhang Tiezhu hurriedly dropped to his knees and kowtowed.

Elder Wu slowly opened his eyes and examined Zhang Tiezhu from head to toe.

Then he stroked his beard and nodded with satisfaction.

"Not bad. You reached the third level of Qi Refinement in just three months. It seems you have been diligent in your cultivation."

Elder Wu's voice was gentle, making those who heard it feel as though they had been bathed in a spring breeze.

He beckoned to Zhang Tiezhu.

"Get up. Come closer and let this old man have a look."

Flattered and overwhelmed, Zhang Tiezhu stood and took a few steps forward.

Elder Wu extended a withered hand and placed it on Zhang Tiezhu's wrist, seemingly examining the condition of his meridians.

A moment later, Elder Wu withdrew his hand, the smile on his face growing broader.

"Your meridians are stable, and your spiritual power is pure."

"Though your three-element true spiritual root is not considered outstanding, this solid foundation of yours ranks among the best of the Outer Sect disciples this old man has seen."

As Elder Wu spoke, he took an exquisite white jade porcelain bottle from his sleeve and handed it to Zhang Tiezhu.

"This bottle contains three Yellow Dragon Pills."

"They can strengthen one's foundation, replenish one's vital essence, and speed up the cultivation of Qi Refinement disciples."

"Meeting is fate. This old man finds you quite pleasing to the eye, so I shall bestow these pills upon you."