While Luo Ao and Luo Jin were joking around outside, Xiao Yan was continuously pouring massive amounts of Spiritual Strength into the stone statue, and at the same time, his own consciousness also entered the statue.
As his consciousness entered the stone statue, Xiao Yan felt as if he had entered the deep sea, with terrifying pressure squeezing his soul so hard it felt like it was going to crush him.
"What terrifying soul pressure!"
Xiao Yan was immediately filled with fear. He seemed to have never felt such terrifying soul pressure before. Xiao Yan had no doubt that if his consciousness stayed here for long, it would be crushed by this enormous Spiritual Strength!
As Xiao Yan's Spiritual Strength was subjected to immense pressure, his physical body outside also turned deathly pale, his expression contorted, and his body trembled uncontrollably, as if enduring something, which startled the two people beside him.
What's wrong with him?
Luo Jin frowned, feeling a pang of worry for Xiao Yan. Seeing this, Luo Ao also frowned, and said solemnly:
"This kid seems to be suppressed by the Soul Origin within the stone statue. After all, it's a sixth-order Spiritual Strength, several times stronger than this kid's. If he stays there for too long, he'll probably be crushed by the Spiritual Strength inside."
"What! Fifth Grandfather, you'd better hurry and save him! We absolutely cannot let anything happen to Xiao Yan!"
Upon hearing Luo Ao's words, Luo Jin's expression immediately tensed up. With a thought, his Spiritual Strength surged outward, and he was about to step forward.
"Return!"
Just as Luo Jin was about to make a move, Luo Ao pulled him back, and at the same time, the surging Spiritual Strength was forcibly withdrawn.
"You rascal, I've never seen you care this much about a woman before, so why are you more worried about Xiao Yan than he is about himself?"
Luo Ao pursed his lips, gave Luo Jin a strange look, and then turned his gaze back to Xiao Yan, saying:
"If he really wants to come out, he can do so at any time, and we guarantee he won't be harmed by the Soul Origin inside. But look at him now, he clearly wants to continue. Since it's his own will, why should we forcibly stop him, just to prevent him from getting hurt?"
Upon hearing this, Luo Jin frowned as he looked at Xiao Yan, whose face was growing increasingly pale, filled with hesitation.
He could imagine that Xiao Yan had endured a great deal of hardship to achieve his current power; without sacrifice, how could he expect to repay?
The latter paid the highest limit of the pain he could endure, breaking through that limit time and time again through repeated attempts and challenges, reaping rewards amidst pain and suffering.
Xiao Yan's achievements were something Luo Jin could only dream of.
"But if he doesn't back out..."
"Don't worry, if anything happens, I'll pull his Spiritual Strength out of it immediately. You're not the only one who doesn't want anything to happen to him. I can't bear to see such a promising talent suffer. If he can continue to grow, I believe that one day, this continent will tremble before him, just like that person back then."
Muttering to himself, Luo Ao's deep, old eyes flickered slightly as a legend came to mind...
A thousand years ago, a mysterious man appeared out of nowhere on the continent and grew at an astonishing speed. In less than a hundred years, that mysterious man transformed into the strongest person on the continent, far surpassing even the current number one sect.
When he broke through to that legendary realm, the entire continent underwent a dramatic change...
No one has ever seen his true appearance, nor has anyone ever been able to speak with him. The only information known about him is that the mysterious man has a patch of long, colorful hair that flows freely and is otherworldly.
While Luo Ao was lost in thought, Xiao Yan was still struggling to hold on.
The immense pressure of his soul made it almost impossible for him to breathe. The Spiritual Strength he kept pouring in was compressed tightly under the suppression of the Venerable Heavenly Severing Soul Origin power, making it impossible for him to diffuse or even refine this primordial power.
Soon, the pain that Xiao Yan could feel intensified. At this moment, Xiao Yan could clearly feel that his Spiritual Strength was about to collapse. If he did not choose to withdraw now, his consciousness would be crushed by this power of the Soul Origin in just a few minutes. Even if he survived, he would definitely be left with irreparable aftereffects.
Outside, seeing Xiao Yan's face growing paler and paler, devoid of any color, Luo Ao finally lost his composure. He knew that Xiao Yan desperately wanted to obtain the Soul Origin within the stone statue, but given Xiao Yan's current state, it was destined that he would be unable to extract the Soul Origin from it.
"Damn it, is retreating the only option...?"
Feeling the increasingly powerful soul pressure, Xiao Yan cursed inwardly with extreme resentment. At the same time, Luo Ao outside was preparing to pull Xiao Yan's Spiritual Strength, including his consciousness, out of the stone statue.
However, it was at this very moment...
Suddenly, the Storage Ring on Xiao Yan's finger flashed, and a jade bottle floated out without warning. Immediately afterward, a surge of Spiritual Strength emanated from the jade bottle, and with a crisp bang, the palm-sized jade bottle shattered. Then, Luo Ao and his grandson clearly saw a milky-white energy ball, about the size of a palm, disappear into the stone statue with a whoosh.
"That is..."
Upon seeing the milky-white ball of energy, Luo Ao's expression faltered slightly, and he immediately stopped in his tracks, preparing to make a move.
Because he clearly sensed that when the milky white light entered the stone statue, the powerful soul pressure within it dissipated instantly. At this moment, Xiao Yan's body also relaxed abruptly, and the pain his Spiritual Strength was enduring was also reduced abruptly. He felt as if he had just experienced a great battle.
Inside the stone statue, Xiao Yan, now free from the oppressive aura, finally had the time to properly examine the space within.
The vast, milky-white Spiritual Strength drifted around like white mist; as far as the eye could see, all that could be seen was white, nothing else.
Although he didn't know what had happened, Xiao Yan still carefully spread his Spiritual Strength, carefully exploring the thick fog.
Suddenly, the mist in front of Xiao Yan dispersed on its own, forming a corridor on both sides that looked almost tangible, guiding Xiao Yan forward.
Filled with curiosity, Xiao Yan cautiously walked down the corridor. After several turns, a large cloud of mist finally dissipated before Xiao Yan eyes, revealing the figure of an old man in a Xiao Yan robe.
Upon seeing the old man, Xiao Yan was slightly taken aback at first, and then compared his appearance with that of the stone statue outside.
The moment their images perfectly merged in his mind, Xiao Yan couldn't help but exclaim in surprise:
" Venerable Heavenly Severing!"