The following morning, the sky was clear, and the melodious morning bell echoed among the peaks of Cloud-Leveling Hall.
Outer and inner disciples gathered in the square, their dark masses forming a sea of figures. Layer upon layer of Spiritual Qi fluctuations seemed to lend solemn grandeur to heaven and earth.
At the center of the square, light flowed over a towering white jade platform. The grand elder stood upon it in flowing robes, his hair white as a crane's yet his face youthful, his presence unfathomably deep, like a mighty heavenly mountain.
His gaze swept across the gathering, and his voice boomed like thunder, carrying unquestionable authority as it resounded throughout the square:
"Disciples of Cloud-Leveling Hall, heed my command! In three days, the Great Yan Continent's inter-sect martial tournament will open in grand fashion at White Frost Ancient City. All disciples of Cloud-Leveling Hall may register!"
"Outer disciples and inner disciples alike are eligible to enter the arena! Those who distinguish themselves in the tournament will not only receive Cloud-Leveling Hall's highest rewards, but also have the chance to be personally selected by superior sects such as the White Cloud Sect, Thousand Autumns Hall, and Luofu Hall!"
The instant his words fell, the square erupted. The disciples' eyes blazed, excitement, exhilaration, and longing mingling together.
"It's finally coming!"
"Getting noticed by the White Cloud Sect-that would be ascending to heaven in a single step!"
"This time, I'll fight for a chance even if it kills me!"
Qin Yu stood among the crowd, quietly looking up at the grand elder on the platform, his gaze gradually burning hotter.
The inter-sect martial tournament... this is my chance to truly step onto the stage of the Great Yan Continent!
On the white jade platform, the grand elder stood with his hands behind his back, his voice ringing like great bronze bells and shaking heaven and earth:
"Remember this, everyone: this tournament will be different from previous years! It will no longer be a free-for-all between disciples of different sects. It will be sect against sect!"
"Outer disciples will face the outer disciples of other sects, and inner disciples will face their inner disciples! This concerns not only your personal glory, but also the dignity of Cloud-Leveling Hall!"
Silence fell over the square, followed by a low swell of discussion.
"Sect against sect?!"
"So we'll be fighting shoulder to shoulder instead of battling alone?"
"Exactly! That means the contest won't just be about individual talent, but the overall strength of our Cloud-Leveling Hall!"
The grand elder's eyes sharpened. With a flick of his sleeve, his imposing presence descended like a mountain, instantly silencing the noisy square.
"Therefore, the hall requires you outer and inner disciples to cast aside your differences and unite against outsiders! In three days, the disciples of Cloud-Leveling Hall must take the field at their strongest and display our cutting edge!"
His tone shifted, his voice rising higher:
"If Cloud-Leveling Hall takes first place in the tournament, every disciple in the hall will benefit! And whoever renders the greatest service will personally receive from the hall-a peerless cultivation art and one thousand supreme-grade pills!"
Boom!!!
At these words, the square boiled over.
"One thousand supreme-grade pills?!"
"A peerless cultivation art! That's no ordinary thing-even in the inner sect, they're rarely circulated!"
"If we could really get that, it would be ascending to heaven in a single step!"
The disciples' faces flushed, their eyes burning, their blood boiling. Their subdued discussions had become shouts and vows:
"Cloud-Leveling Hall will prevail!"
"We swear to fight to the death!"
"We'll make our sect's might known at the tournament!"
Qin Yu stood among the crowd, looking at the grand elder on the platform with fiery eyes. Surging battle intent rose in his heart, and he quietly clenched his fists:
A peerless cultivation art, one thousand supreme-grade pills... more importantly, this is my chance to reach a higher stage on the Great Yan Continent!
Seeing the disciples' high spirits, the grand elder on the white jade platform concluded in a ringing voice:
"Enough! The tournament begins in White Frost Ancient City in three days. Intensify your cultivation and bring yourselves into peak condition. When the time comes, you will depart together with the hall! Dismissed!"
As his voice fell, the thousands of disciples in the square dispersed like a roaring tide. In twos and threes, they talked over one another, every face filled with excitement and anticipation.
"A peerless cultivation art... getting it would be enough to change your whole life!"
"The outer and inner disciples will be fighting shoulder to shoulder this time. Looks like we'll have to stick together!"
"Cloud-Leveling Hall must not fall behind the White Cloud Sect!"
Qin Yu emerged from the crowd. Nangong Heyao walked with his hands behind his back, his expression composed and his steps steady as a mountain. He turned toward Qin Yu and smiled slightly. "Junior Brother Qin, with the tournament approaching, we should each make our preparations. Don't disappoint me when the time comes."
Qin Yu likewise cupped his hands, his gaze firm. "Rest assured, senior brother. I'll give it everything I have."
Zhao Xinyu nodded lightly. Her gaze passed over Qin Yu before finally settling on Yang Zheng, and she said evenly, "Junior Brother Yang, you must work harder too. Even as a newly admitted outer disciple, you must prove yourself in the tournament."
Yang Zheng froze, his cheeks reddening slightly, then hurriedly cupped his fists. "Rest assured, senior sister. I won't disgrace Cloud-Leveling Hall."
They exchanged smiles, the atmosphere briefly warm and gentle.
"Then we'll part here." Nangong Heyao flicked his sleeve and left with Zhao Xinyu and the two accompanying disciples.
Qin Yu and Yang Zheng walked out of the square shoulder to shoulder and stopped at a fork in the path. Qin Yu said softly, "Brother Yang, let's both make the most of our time cultivating. When the tournament comes, we must stand shoulder to shoulder."
Yang Zheng nodded solemnly. "Yes! Brother Yu, we'll win glory for Cloud-Leveling Hall together!"
They cupped their hands in farewell and headed toward their respective residences.
The night breeze stirred gently, and the moonlight deepened. Outer and inner disciples alike entered seclusion or practiced their techniques. Beneath the night sky, an unprecedented battle intent quietly brewed throughout Cloud-Leveling Hall.
In three days, they would set foot in White Frost Ancient City and face their true trial!
The outer disciples' courtyard of Cloud-Leveling Hall was silent. Qin Yu returned to his residence alone and closed the wooden door, leaving only flickering candlelight and shadows within.
He sat cross-legged, recalling the strange changes in the Soul-Rending Mountain Range as a glimmer of understanding gradually dawned in his heart.
"So that's it... no wonder the sect didn't intervene in the disturbances in the Soul-Rending Mountain Range."
His gaze darkened slightly, and he slowly exhaled. "It's because the tournament is imminent. The sect doesn't want outer and inner disciples suffering losses in the Soul-Rending Mountain Range. Rather than divide its attention elsewhere, it's better to stake all its strength on the tournament."
At that moment, the battle intent deep within Qin Yu's heart was utterly ignited.
"The tournament is no ordinary affair. If I want to gain a foothold among countless sect disciples, I must possess the strength to crush others at the same realm! Initial entry into the Qi Condensation Realm alone... is far from enough!"
His fists slowly clenched on his knees, his eyes blazing like flames:
"No matter what, within three days, I must raise my cultivation to at least the middle stage of the Qi Condensation Realm! If I can charge straight through to major accomplishment in one sustained push, that would be even safer. Only then can I stand firm in the arena!"
His gaze shifted to the ancient, gray-white battle spear in the corner. A faint radiance still emanated from its shaft, as though responding to his fighting spirit.
Qin Yu slowly rose, pushed open the window, and looked toward the mountains shrouded in darkness, his eyes utterly resolute.
"Secluded cultivation alone won't be enough. I must temper myself somewhere more dangerous! Only between life and death can I force out my potential!"
As he said this, his heart suddenly pounded, and the Spiritual Qi within him surged as though already responding to his resolve.
"The Soul-Rending Mountain Range is too dangerous. I could easily outsmart myself... then I'll go somewhere else!"
Moonlight spilled down, illuminating his determined face. At that moment, Qin Yu had already cast life and death aside, all to fight for a foothold in the tournament three days later!
Early the next morning, just as a streak of fish-belly white appeared on the eastern horizon, before the bell outside Cloud-Leveling Hall had sounded, Qin Yu had already packed his belongings alone, slung the ancient gray-white battle spear over his back, and quietly left his residence.
Beyond the mountain gate, morning mist curled through the air. Crystal-clear dewdrops hung from the branches and leaves of ancient pines, their crisp dripping breaking the silence as the breeze stirred.
Qin Yu hurried onward, his steps light and firm. Rather than heading toward the Soul-Rending Mountain Range, he made for a forbidden region north of Cloud-Leveling Hall.
That place was called-Blood Shadow Deadly Valley.
Rumor held that blood-colored mist shrouded it year-round, and ferocious beasts roamed within, the weakest at Spirit Awakening Realm greater accomplishment. Deep inside dwelled terrifying demonic beasts comparable to the Yuan Transformation Realm. It was a perilous place that outer and inner disciples were strictly forbidden to enter without permission.
Qin Yu knew the danger well, yet did not shrink back in the slightest.
"Only somewhere like Blood Shadow Deadly Valley can let me break through to the middle stage of the Qi Condensation Realm, or even major accomplishment, in such a short time!"
His eyes were sharp as blades. Spiritual Qi circulated within him, and his battle spear hummed faintly, as though it too sensed the approaching bloody battles.
Half a day later, deep within the mountains, a gloomy valley finally came into view.
From afar, Blood Shadow Deadly Valley resembled a vast wound torn open, crimson mist billowing out to blot out the sky and sun. Blood stained the rocky walls at its entrance, and several broken demonic beast skeletons lay strewn across the ground. A suffocating, sickly-sweet stench filled the air.
The mountain wind swept up the bloody mist and blew it against Qin Yu's face, cold enough to pierce the bone.
"So this is... Blood Shadow Deadly Valley?"
Qin Yu's heart tightened, but he did not stop. Instead, he slowly raised the battle spear in his hand and stepped into the valley entrance.
The instant he crossed the entrance, deep beastly roars reached his ears, rumbling like thunder, as though the entire valley were awakening.
"Good. Let's see whether the demonic beasts here can push me to my limits!"
Qin Yu's eyes blazed like torches. Spiritual Qi abruptly circulated through him, his battle spear burst with faint radiance, and his figure gradually vanished into the blood-colored mist...
Within Blood Shadow Deadly Valley, mist churned and blood-red light stained the sky. As Qin Yu planted a foot, a deep tremor came from the ground, and a pair of scarlet beastly eyes suddenly lit up in the mist.
A Blood-Armored Lion Demon lunged out with a roar, its entire body covered in blood-colored armor plates that looked cast from iron. Its presence unmistakably marked Spirit Awakening Realm greater accomplishment!
"Just in time!" Qin Yu's gaze turned icy. He leveled his battle spear and thrust it out.
Boom-!
Spirit Spear Heaven-Guiding Art: Spiritual Light Thrust erupted instantly. Blue-white sword-and-spear light tore through the bloody mist and clashed head-on with the lion demon. Sparks and spiritual light intertwined in midair like exploding heavenly thunder.
The lion demon roared furiously and slammed down a blood-red claw. The ground instantly cracked, shattered stones flying as though a mountain were collapsing. Yet Qin Yu did not retreat a step. He abruptly unleashed Qi Cyclone Spear Dance, his battle spear whipping up fierce winds and bloody mist, forcibly dispersing the lion demon's tremendous force amid the howling gale.
"Hah!"
Seizing the opening, Qin Yu leaped up and raised his battle spear high. Spiritual Qi gathered into a dazzling blade of light, which he brought crashing down.
Heaven-Guiding Strike!
The blue-white crescent blade of light slashed down with a crash, cleaving the Blood-Armored Lion Demon open from the crown of its head! Blood gushed out, and the demonic beast screamed miserably before its body crashed to the ground.
A crimson demon core flew from the lion demon's corpse, shining fiercely. Qin Yu reached out and caught it. The spiritual core felt icy in his hand, as though it contained endless blood-baleful power.
He did not linger, continuing deeper.
Over the next several hours, Blood Shadow Deadly Valley seemed to become an asura purgatory.
Qin Yu fought his way through the blood-colored mist, slaying several demonic beasts at the late Spirit Awakening Realm and greater accomplishment in succession:
A Three-Eyed Ape Demon possessed boundless strength and mountain-like fists, yet Qin Yu's Spirit Spear Fleeting Shadow produced dozens of afterimages, piercing its heart with a chain of thrusts;
A Bone-Devouring Demon Wolf possessed astonishing speed and blade-like fangs, yet it smashed into Qin Yu's Qi Shield Spear Wall until its head split and blood flowed, before his spear finally pinned it dead against a rock wall;
There was also a Crimson Flame Giant Python, its entire body blazing and its mouth spewing poisonous fire, its presence comparable to initial entry into the Qi Condensation Realm, yet Qin Yu forcibly severed its body with Heaven-Guiding Strike!
With every demonic beast that fell, spiritual light flickered in the bloody mist, and demon cores and spiritual pills dropped into Qin Yu's hands one after another.
By the time night fully descended, he was bathed in blood, and demonic beast blood still dripped from his battle spear. Qin Yu sat cross-legged upon a rock, with more than ten demon cores and several spiritual pills piled beside him. Against the bloody mist, he was as grim and murderous as an asura deity.
His breathing was wild, his body covered in wounds, yet his eyes burned fiercely.
"This is the tempering I wanted! With these demon cores and spiritual pills, I'll surely be able to attempt the middle stage of the Qi Condensation Realm!"
An even more terrifying roar came from deep within Blood Shadow Deadly Valley. The earth shook and the mountains trembled, as though something stronger were approaching. Qin Yu slowly raised his head, his gaze icy, and tightened his grip on his battle spear.
"Good... let me temper myself into a blade here, once and for all!"
Deep within Blood Shadow Deadly Valley, bloody mist rolled like a sea. Just as Qin Yu prepared to regulate his breathing, the ground suddenly shook violently, as though thunder had exploded underground. Then a savage roar tore through the sky!
Qin Yu sprang to his feet, his expression tightening. "What's that commotion?!"
He swiftly put away his battle spear and pushed lightly off the ground, becoming a swift shadow as he darted through the bloody mist toward the roar.
As he drew closer, a terrifying force repeatedly tore apart the bloody mist ahead. From a distance, Qin Yu saw an utterly staggering scene-
A Super Devil Ape covered in dark-gold fur stood ten zhang tall, its eyes blood-red, its cultivation astonishingly at the middle stage of the Yuan Transformation Realm! With a furious roar, it slammed down both fists like two massive mountains, shattering the giant rocks beneath it and sending rubble flying across the sky.
Facing it was a Blood Devil Mantis, crimson from head to toe, its arms sharp as sickles! Its exoskeleton gleamed with cold bloody light. With every sweep, long, narrow black scars sliced through space, as though heaven and earth would be torn apart. Its presence was even stronger: it had already reached major accomplishment of the Yuan Transformation Realm!
Boom!!!
The two mighty demonic beasts collided violently. Spiritual power and demonic power erupted like torrents, and the depths of Blood Shadow Deadly Valley seemed to collapse. The violent impact swept away the bloody mist, exposing a stretch of dark-red earth.
Behind their frenzied battle, an unusual flower grew quietly, brimming with vitality. The whole plant stood only three feet tall, its leaves crystal-clear, while its blossom radiated purple-gold light like a miniature divine sun hovering above the ground, staining the surrounding bloody mist purple and gold.
Qin Yu's breath abruptly caught, shock filling his heart. "Purple-Gold Immortal Grass!"
Rumor held that this grass could only grow in the deepest reaches of Blood Shadow Deadly Valley. Consuming it could help cultivators directly attempt a higher realm, even tempering the foundation of their life soul and laying an unimaginable foundation for future breakthroughs across realms!
Yet such immortal grass had appeared right behind a fierce battle between two terrifying Yuan Transformation Realm demonic beasts!
Rumble-!
The Super Devil Ape roared and swept its arms, unleashing hurricane-like force that hurled the Blood Devil Mantis several zhang away. The Blood Devil Mantis shrieked, its sickle arms becoming countless afterimages that shredded the void, then slashed back to split open the devil ape's shoulder. Blood gushed out.
"What a terrifying battle..." Watching from afar, Qin Yu felt the force shaking the blood throughout his body to a boil.
Yet his gaze remained fixed on the Purple-Gold Immortal Grass.
"If I can get that grass, I'll definitely be able to attempt major accomplishment of the Qi Condensation Realm, and even lay the foundation for a future breakthrough into the Yuan Transformation Realm!"
He clenched his fists, his eyes burning fiercely, his heart filled with both shock and searing greed.
Qin Yu held his breath, his body frozen like a statue in the shadows of the bloody mist, his eyes locked on the Purple-Gold Immortal Grass.
The two demonic beasts fought ever more fiercely, shattering mountain rocks as blood and gore filled the air. Every clash raised towering storms of spiritual power, as though destroying heaven and earth.
Either of these two monsters... could crush me. Cold sweat broke out as Qin Yu thought this, yet his gaze showed not the slightest intention of retreating.
The Purple-Gold Immortal Grass's radiance flickered like a divine sun. Its fragrance drifted gently through the bloody mist, actually making the Spiritual Qi within Qin Yu tremble. The spiritual foundation in his dantian began operating on its own, as though calling to the immortal grass.
"I can't force my way in... I have to wait!"
Qin Yu calculated rapidly, his eyes flicking between the devil ape and the mantis, searching out the rhythm of their attacks and defenses.
Boom!!!
The devil ape hammered down both fists, splitting the earth into a deep trench. The Blood Devil Mantis shrieked and crossed its sickles, shredding a large swath of flesh from the devil ape's chest. Neither demonic beast yielded, bloody light and black mist intertwining into a hellish picture.
Qin Yu's eyes suddenly lit up: as the two demonic beasts locked together, tearing and biting, the bloody mist behind the immortal grass briefly cleared, revealing an extremely well-hidden path.
"A chance..." Qin Yu breathed rapidly, cold sweat seeping from his palms and veins bulging on his forehead.
"I have to gamble!"
He lowered his body, suppressed his spiritual presence with all his strength, and activated Spirit Spear Fleeting Shadow from the Spirit Spear Heaven-Guiding Art. His figure became an afterimage, darting through the bloody mist like an illusory whisper of wind, circling around the shock waves of the head-on battle as he quietly approached the Purple-Gold Immortal Grass.
Boom, boom, boom-!
With every step, Qin Yu's heart pounded like a drum. Before him, demonic beasts collided with force that tore heaven and earth; beside his ears, thunderous roars and flying rubble howled. He could even feel the tearing sensation as the aftershocks brushed past him. The slightest misstep would instantly grind him to dust.
Yet he still gritted his teeth and pressed on.
"I want that immortal grass!"
Finally, less than ten zhang from the Purple-Gold Immortal Grass, Qin Yu abruptly stopped and pressed himself tightly behind a shattered boulder. His eyes fixed on the unusual flower within reach, his breathing rapid and his chest heaving.
Just one last step!
The blood-colored earth thundered as the battle between the devil ape and Blood Devil Mantis reached fever pitch. The devil ape's roars shook the heavens as it pounded the earth with both fists, raising countless shattered stones and fierce flames; the Blood Devil Mantis brandished its sickles, bloody light crisscrossing and tearing through the void, as though all heaven and earth were being shredded.
Qin Yu stared fixedly at the Purple-Gold Immortal Grass, a look of absolute resolve flashing through his eyes.
"Now!"
He abruptly activated his cultivation art. Spiritual Qi surged from his dantian and flooded his legs. He instantly unleashed Light Spirit Step, spiritual light flashing beneath his feet as he swept across the battlefield like a blue afterimage! In an instant, his speed soared, his entire body becoming a wind-swift streak of light as he skirted the battlefield's edge.
Boom!!!
The devil ape smashed down a fist, and shattered stones rained beside Qin Yu, each carrying destructive force. Qin Yu's breath caught, and he abruptly activated his second skill.
"Spirit Protection Screen!"
The spiritual pearl on the Spirit Annihilation Sword's hilt suddenly lit up. A ring of blazing blue-silver light became a protective barrier that tightly enveloped Qin Yu!
Bang, bang, bang! Countless shattered stones struck the barrier, sending ripples across the screen of light like pebbles hitting water, yet every one was blocked. The barrier's blue light intertwined in midair with the impact of the devil ape's blood-colored demonic power, bursting into dazzling sparks.
Seizing that brief protection, Qin Yu stamped hard on the ground and shot forward again, slipping like a wisp of wind through the aftershocks between the devil ape and the blood mantis, straight toward the immortal grass!
The radiance of the Purple-Gold Immortal Grass suddenly swelled before his eyes, like a divine sun suspended above the earth. Its spiritual fragrance filled his nose, instantly stirring his spiritual foundation.
"Up!"
With a low roar, Qin Yu thrust out both hands and tore the entire immortal grass out by its roots. It instantly became a stream of purple-gold light that he tucked into his robes!
Boom-!
Almost simultaneously, the furious strikes of the devil ape and the blood mantis clashed again. A terrifying shock wave exploded outward from where Qin Yu had just stood. Had he not used Light Spirit Step to dart away beforehand, he would already have been torn to shreds.
"Move!"
Without hesitation, Qin Yu poured Spiritual Qi into his legs at full force, his figure becoming a streak of swift light as he instantly escaped the battlefield. The Spirit Protection Screen shook violently amid the aftershocks, green light scattering everywhere, but those few breaths of shelter had already allowed him to reach a safe distance.
Behind him, the devil ape and the Blood Devil Mantis were still fighting madly, utterly unaware that someone had stolen the immortal grass.
Clutching the Purple-Gold Immortal Grass against his chest, Qin Yu felt his heart pound like a war drum, his back drenched in cold sweat.
"That was too close..."
Yet the next moment, a blazing light appeared in his eyes.
"This one stalk is enough to let me truly reach major accomplishment of the Qi Condensation Realm before the grand competition!"
Qin Yu sped onward, only gradually reining in his presence once he had left the thunder of slaughter in Blood Shadow Deadly Valley behind. His gaze swept his surroundings like lightning, and at last he discovered a natural cave beneath a broken cliff face.
The cave was small, its entrance concealed by scattered rocks. A dim chill seeped from the darkness, like the gaping maw of an abyss. Moving cautiously, Qin Yu first took a spirit stone from his waist and gently fed Spiritual Qi into it. A faint green glow illuminated the way ahead. Holding his battle spear, he slowly entered the cave with soundless steps.
The interior was deep and narrow, its walls covered in damp moss. A cold, heavy air pervaded the space, as though no one had set foot there for years. Qin Yu carefully inspected the area around the entrance, then spread his Spiritual Sense to probe everything within thirty zhang. Only after confirming there were no demonic beasts or unusual movements did he softly exhale.
He walked to the deepest part of the cave, then pushed several boulders to the entrance, blocking half the view and leaving only a narrow gap through which to watch for movement outside. Only after finishing all this did he finally sit down.
The Purple-Gold Immortal Grass lay quietly against his chest. The purple-gold light between its petals remained dazzling, bathing the entire cave in a sacred glow, like a tiny divine domain. Qin Yu gazed at the immortal grass, his heart burning, but still forcibly suppressed his impatience. He closed his eyes to regulate his breathing, his ears straining to catch every rustle outside.
A long time passed, yet outside there was still only the howling wind, with no sign of pursuing demonic beasts. Only then did Qin Yu slowly open his eyes, a trace of resolve showing in his gaze.
"Safe... I can finally settle my mind."
He raised a hand to stroke the Purple-Gold Immortal Grass. Its radiance flowed, reflected upon his slightly youthful yet resolute face.
Qin Yu drew a deep breath and gently placed the Purple-Gold Immortal Grass before his knees. Sacred radiance flowed over its petals, and faint purple-gold mist spread through the cave like the first light of dawn, instantly transforming the entire stone cave into a magnificent divine realm.
"Let's begin."
Qin Yu formed seals with both hands, circulating the Spiritual Breath Essence Condensation Method and activating the Mystic Origin Body Tempering Art at the same time. The spiritual foundation in his dantian shook with a thunderous rumble, and Spiritual Qi surged through his body like a tide.
He slowly placed the Purple-Gold Immortal Grass into his mouth. In an instant-
Boom!!!
As the immortal grass entered his belly, purple-gold light suddenly burst forth. An indescribable torrent of spiritual power thundered into Qin Yu's meridians like a celestial river bursting its banks!
Inside the cave, purple-gold light soared skyward, shooting through the gaps into the night sky and bathing the entire mountain range in splendor! Streams of light cascaded like waterfalls around Qin Yu, like purple-gold divine dragons roaming across his body.
Within his meridians, violent spiritual power raced like countless thunderbolts, its rumbling unceasing. Qin Yu's body trembled fiercely, faint cracks showing beneath his skin. Blood and spiritual power collided, the pain threatening to tear him to shreds.
"Aah-!"
He gritted his teeth, resolve gleaming in his eyes, and forcibly suppressed the rampaging spiritual power. Within his dantian, purple-gold spiritual light gathered, gradually condensing into a ball of light like a newborn sun.
Boom, boom, boom-!
As spiritual power continued to pour in, a purple-gold battle spear phantom appeared behind Qin Yu. Its spear light shot straight into the clouds with the momentum to sweep across the nine heavens, as though it would tear through every obstacle.
The cave shook violently, loose stones raining down. The entire earth rumbled, as though unable to withstand this power. Purple-gold luminous mist spread for dozens of li, and demonic beasts throughout the mountain forests prostrated themselves, trembling.
Within Qin Yu, Spiritual Qi surged like a sea. His sinews and bones gave off cracking sounds as they broke and reformed. His flesh was torn apart again and again, only to heal swiftly beneath the purple-gold light, becoming incomparably tough.
His eyes snapped open, and two pillars of purple-gold light shot skyward, shattering the stone gap at the cave entrance!
At that moment, Qin Yu's presence soared sharply. From initial entry into the Qi Condensation Realm, he broke through to the middle stage of the Qi Condensation Realm in an instant!
The purple-gold ball of light spun like a star, then exploded with a thunderous crash, turning into endless spiritual power that poured into his dantian, limbs, and every bone. His entire skeleton rumbled like thunder, his blood and Qi surging like a vast ocean as his physique and spiritual foundation were thoroughly tempered.
"Qi Condensation Realm-major accomplishment!"
With that low roar, the purple-gold battle spear phantom around Qin Yu abruptly solidified. Its keen tip thrust straight into the void, carving a purple-gold rift a hundred zhang long across the sky outside the cave. Heaven and earth trembled!
Inside the cave, purple-gold radiance blazed over Qin Yu's entire body as though he were bathed in fire, like a god of war who had stepped out of antiquity.
He slowly ceased circulating his arts and let out a long breath. The purple-gold light gradually receded, and an unprecedented sharpness gleamed in his eyes.
"This stalk of Purple-Gold Immortal Grass... finally brought me to major accomplishment of the Qi Condensation Realm!"