Shi Yi had a powerful intuition that once he finished inscribing the fourth section of the Primordial Chaos Heaven-Refining Grand Formation, it would undergo a qualitative transformation. A cultivator's intuition did not arise out of thin air; it was profoundly mysterious.
His flesh would endure unprecedented pressure and might even draw direct intervention from heaven and earth. Shi Yi understood that this process was fraught with peril, but he would never regret his choice. Now, all he could do was give it everything he had and stake it all.
He sat cross-legged beside the Yin-Yang Pool, countless arcane runes swirling around him. Every rune contained terrifying power, as though it could erupt at any moment.
Shi Yi immersed himself completely in inscribing the formation patterns. Every rune and every line carried mysterious power; the slightest carelessness could bring unforeseen consequences.
His mind worked like a precision tool, gliding gently through his flesh and embedding the runes that embodied the mysteries of heaven and earth into his body, one by one. As the formation patterns gradually took shape, his flesh began to emit a faint glow, as though resonating with some power between heaven and earth.
The formation patterns interwove into a web within his flesh. Their dense lines resembled tiny rivers, flowing with a peculiar energy. It was neither divine power nor ordinary physical strength, but something far more mysterious. It coursed through every inch of Shi Yi's flesh.
Fine beads of sweat seeped from Shi Yi's forehead. His mind was intensely focused, and he dared not let his attention wander for even an instant. Every stroke required extraordinarily precise control; the slightest deviation could collapse the formation patterns or even turn their power back upon him. His breathing grew slow and deep, as though he had become one with the surrounding world, drawing upon the power of heaven and earth to stabilize the patterns within him.
As time passed, the formation patterns shone ever brighter. Shi Yi's body seemed to have become an intricate formation, radiating heart-pounding fluctuations of power. He could feel the secret power within him gradually taking shape. Though it had yet to awaken fully, it already filled him with tremendous strength and confidence.
At last, the final formation pattern was inscribed. Shi Yi let out a long breath, feeling as though he had awakened from an endless dream. He looked down at his body and saw that the patterns had vanished into his flesh, leaving only a faint glow beneath his skin. He gently clenched his fists, feeling that peculiar power flowing slowly within him, ready to erupt at any moment.
With the fourth section of the Primordial Chaos Heaven-Refining Grand Formation fully inscribed within his body, Shi Yi felt his flesh churn beneath an invisible force. That power surged through him like a raging tide, as though it would break free of his body's confines and tear apart every inch of his skin.
Yet just as that power was about to spiral out of control, a mysterious secret power quietly emerged and traveled throughout his body. Like an invisible hand, it gently smoothed away the violent energy fluctuations. Moments later, Shi Yi's body grew calm again, as though that turmoil had never occurred.
Shi Yi stood where he was, his brows slightly furrowed and his heart filled with puzzlement. He murmured, "How could this be? Normally, inscribing the Primordial Chaos Heaven-Refining Grand Formation should stir the power of heaven and earth, and heaven and earth should send down a tribulation. Why did nothing happen? Did I make a mistake somewhere?"
After pondering for a moment, a flicker of understanding suddenly crossed his eyes, as though he had grasped something crucial. He said to himself, "That's right. The Heaven and Earth Great Dao is flawed. This era is different from those before it. Unless I actively summon tribulation lightning, heaven and earth won't readily send down a calamity. Though the Primordial Chaos Heaven-Refining Grand Formation is extraordinarily profound, it's still incomplete. It hasn't yet reached the point of defying heaven. Heaven and earth can't sense any threat from it, so naturally, they won't force tribulation lightning down upon me. Only when I inscribe the entire formation within my body and fully unleash its might will heaven and earth sense the threat and send tribulation lightning to destroy me."
At that thought, the corners of Shi Yi's mouth lifted into a wry smile. He shook his head, feeling both relief and a trace of helplessness.
He was relieved that he had escaped heaven and earth's punishment for the moment and would not have to face that terrifying tribulation lightning just yet. What left him helpless was the knowledge that he could never escape it altogether. One day, he would have to step forward and meet that trial of life and death himself.
"But now isn't the time," Shi Yi said softly, a glint of resolve flashing in his eyes. He knew he was not yet ready to face that lightning tribulation.
Though he had inscribed part of the Primordial Chaos Heaven-Refining Grand Formation, it was still far from complete. He needed more time to perfect it and strengthen himself.
Then Shi Yi recalled his experience tempering his physique in the Yin-Yang Pool. The pool's yin and yang powers had intertwined like blazing fire and freezing ice, ceaselessly hammering his flesh until his body became incomparably sturdy.
It was precisely because his flesh was so powerful that the force surging within him had not exceeded his body's limits. In the end, the mysterious secret power had completely refined it and fused it into his flesh.
As expected, a powerful body is the foundation, Shi Yi thought. He had long understood that inscribing the Primordial Chaos Heaven-Refining Grand Formation required extraordinarily formidable flesh to support it. Otherwise, he would never be able to withstand that violent power.
Now, after being tempered in the Yin-Yang Pool, his body had reached a new height. Only then could he barely withstand the power of the Primordial Chaos Heaven-Refining Grand Formation.
"But this is still nowhere near enough." A grave look flickered in Shi Yi's eyes. He knew that the formation's subsequent sections would be even more complex, and their power even more violent.
If his body could not grow stronger, that power would likely backlash against him before he finished inscribing the entire Grand Array, bursting his body apart and killing him.
"It seems I still need more cultivation, more tempering," Shi Yi said quietly, having already made his decision.
He had to keep strengthening his body while seeking more opportunities to perfect the Primordial Chaos Heaven-Refining Grand Formation. Only then could he truly face that lightning tribulation of heaven and earth one day and meet the destiny that belonged to him.
Shi Yi drew a deep breath and raised his head toward the sky. Though it was calm and still now, he knew that one day, lightning would tear it apart, and the power of heaven and earth would pour down, seeking to erase him completely. Before that day arrived, he had to be fully prepared.
"I will overcome the lightning tribulation, but not now," Shi Yi said softly, his voice carrying a note of absolute resolve.
He knew he still had a long road ahead, one destined to be filled with danger and challenges. But he was not afraid, for he knew that only by weathering wind and rain could he truly stand tall between heaven and earth.
"Your cultivation in the Yin-Yang Pool not only brought your body to an unprecedented height, but also inscribed part of that Taboo Grand Array into your flesh. And on top of
"that, you comprehended the sun and lunar laws. Your foundation is now exceptionally deep, and you can enter the Venerable Realm at any time." The Double Pupils Woman's voice was cold and clear as frost, as though drifting down from the highest heavens, carrying a barely perceptible trace of approval.
Her gaze was fathomless, as though she could see through everything. Even a prodigy like Shi Yi was merely one among the multitude in her eyes.
She paused, a hint of warning entering her tone. "But in the Three Thousand Provinces, geniuses gather like clouds, and extraordinary talents are everywhere. Among your peers, countless people have reached heights like yours. You must never grow complacent over a moment's achievement. Remember, beyond every heaven lies another heaven, and beyond every master stands someone greater."
The Double Pupils Woman's reminder was meant to keep his head clear. Shi Yi was grateful for his master's guidance. He knew that only by constantly surpassing himself could he avoid being blinded by his present achievements and continue forging ahead toward higher realms.
Shi Yi remained composed, his gaze firm. He bowed slightly and said, "Yes, Master. There are countless geniuses in this world. Even if I'm now invincible among the younger generation, there are still the older cultivators, whose strength is unfathomable. Your disciple will never grow complacent over a moment's achievement."
Shi Yi knew that although he possessed extraordinary talent, true powerhouses shone like stars throughout the vast Three Thousand Provinces, too numerous to count.
Especially the Desolate Heaven Emperor, who would one day slaughter his way through all the heavens and myriad worlds until none dared call themselves supreme. He was born for the Dao, and his cultivation progressed at an astonishing speed. No matter how confident Shi Yi was, he would never dare claim he could keep pace with him.
What was more, the future world would be even crueler. Even the Immortal Domain would be breached, and the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths would be shattered. Shi Yi knew he had to remain vigilant at all times and continually surpass himself if he hoped to stand firm amid the great calamity to come.
A flash of determination crossed his eyes. The road ahead was still long, and he would never stop walking. Whether it was the Desolate Heaven Emperor or any other prodigy, they would all become the driving force behind his advance. Along this road of thorns, he would carve out an invincible path of his own.
Seeing Shi Yi's resolute expression, the Double Pupils Woman nodded inwardly. She knew this disciple of hers was steady by nature and would not let a moment's achievement go to his head. Ultimately, he would have to walk the road ahead himself.
In the days that followed, Shi Yi devoted himself wholeheartedly to cultivation, remaining in secluded training beside the Yin-Yang Pool day and night without pause. Within the pool, lunar power intertwined with the power of the sun, giving off heart-pounding fluctuations of energy.
Shi Yi sat cross-legged beside the pool, his eyes lightly closed and a faint layer of golden light enveloping him, as though he had become one with heaven and earth. His breathing was long and steady. Every breath stirred the pool's lunar and sun powers, slowly drawing them into his body.
The might of the Primordial Chaos Heaven-Refining Grand Formation gradually revealed itself. Formation patterns shimmered in the pool like swimming golden dragons, refining its divine substances into an even purer form.
As time passed, Shi Yi's magical power grew increasingly substantial. Lunar and sun powers circulated through his meridians, constantly washing over his body and soul. His bones gave off a faint hum, as though he were undergoing a transformation that would shed his old flesh and renew his very bones.
Meanwhile, he took out several stalks of rare treasure medicine. They radiated rich spiritual energy, and every stalk was enough to make cultivators in the outside world fight until their heads split and blood flowed. Shi Yi refined the treasure medicine, allowing its medicinal power to merge into his body and complement the lunar and sun powers, further hastening his breakthrough.
Half a month later, the energy fluctuations within the Yin-Yang Pool reached their peak. The water churned ceaselessly, as though it would surge beyond the sky. Rumbles also echoed from within Shi Yi's body, as though countless shackles were being broken.
His aura climbed higher and higher. At last, amid a dazzling burst of light, he successfully broke through to the Venerable Realm.