That night, in Heavenly Tribulation, atop Hanging Thunder Peak.
A small thunder marsh surged ceaselessly, releasing peals of thunder and reflecting the stars above.
Xu Xuan sat alone over the marsh. Before him lay a Spirit Pill, the [Star-Rushing Heavenly Star Pill]. Founded upon the wondrous Three Rushing Methods, it elevated one's nature and life force and drew down the heavenly stars. Most paths now had corresponding stellar positions, allowing starlight to be converted into magical power.
"The Northern Dipper has seven visible stars and two hidden ones. Now that Right Assistant's Tianpeng Hidden Origin Star shines, it signals the revival of 'altar thunder.'" Tiantuo chuckled, a hint of smugness in his voice. "Before altar thunder rises, blood qi must lead the way. I'll be in for a feast."
Xu Xuan frowned. Though this old demon constantly spoke of devouring a hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators and a dozen Purple Mansion cultivators, he had never shown any deep fixation on blood qi. Over the years, Xu Xuan had slain countless enemies and discarded most of their corpses, yet Tiantuo had never asked him to refine them.
"Do you actually want blood qi or not?"
Xu Xuan had no desire to delve into these matters with the old demon, who always spoke evasively. Since there was nothing wrong with the Spirit Pill, however, he could prepare to break through to the Foundation Establishment late stage. That would take roughly a year or two, after which he would have to plan for the Purple Mansion realm.
His sect's grounds were now secure. With a mighty treasure like the [Five-Element Mountain] guarding them, few Foundation Establishment cultivators could breach their defenses. As for Purple Mansion cultivators, Xu Xuan had never even considered them. If one truly intervened, no amount of planning could stop them.