After taking the Light Orb and the array flags, Wei Tu returned to the secret chamber. With Bai Zhi's help, he began inscribing array runes onto the twelve array flags.
— Bai Zhi had lost her physical body and couldn't use her spiritual power to inscribe a complete set of array flags.
In the cultivation world, array flags typically come in two types. One is the exclusive array flag for a specific formation, which acts as the core of the formation, and the other is a general array flag used to connect larger formations.
The latter, in the hands of a skilled array master, could also be used to set up relatively simple large arrays.
The "Mystic Nether Spirit Offering Array" required a total of nine array flags, with the remaining three initially intended as backups.
However, now, Wei Tu and Bai Zhi planned to refine these three array flags into the core flags of the "Ten Thousand Trees Nourishing Thunder Array."
The "Ten Thousand Trees Nourishing Thunder Array" was a formation that Bai Zhi had conceived to revive the withered branches of the Thunder Spirit Tree.
…
Although Wei Tu was not an expert in array formations, he had experience in crafting talismans. So, when the carving knife fell onto the array flags, despite his lack of proficiency, every stroke was precise, landing exactly where it needed to be, with perfect timing.
Slow work produces fine results.
One year later.
He had inscribed the complete array flags for the "Mystic Nether Spirit Offering Array."
Another two months passed.
He completed the inscribing of the core array flags for the "Ten Thousand Trees Nourishing Thunder Array."
Both sets of formations were now ready.
Wei Tu first used the "Mystic Nether Spirit Offering Array" to activate the Heaven-Mending Bowl and purify the "Immortal Spirit Dew" he had in hand.
"Go!" Wei Tu made a quick hand seal, and the nine red array flags, each one foot long, instantly shot out in an orderly fashion, sticking to various positions in the secret chamber according to the array diagram.
Then, Wei Tu slapped his spirit beast pouch, and a few unconscious demon beasts were released and thrown into the formation.
At the same time, he placed the black Heaven-Mending Bowl on the altar surrounded by the array flags.
In an instant, the Mystic Nether Spirit Offering Array activated, generating a mist that enveloped the demon beasts' heads, extracting their souls.
The souls of the demon beasts fused into the mist, slowly breaking apart. The fragments of the souls gathered into a strange, small black beast.
This black beast was the size of a fist, resembling both a deer and a wolf. Its back was pierced by the tusks of a green-faced, evil ghost, making it look both cute and terrifying.
"Is this the Ghost Beast?" Wei Tu gazed at the little black beast, a curious look appearing on his face.
The Mystic Nether Spirit Offering Array did not directly activate the Heaven-Mending Bowl. However, the "Ghost Beast" it created could become the spiritual being of the Heaven-Mending Bowl, indirectly activating it.
Of course, unlike the Heaven-Mending Bowl's true spiritual being, this "Ghost Beast" could only activate the bowl a limited number of times—at most two or three—before it would dissipate into nothingness.
"According to legend, the Ghost Beast comes from the Yellow Springs beneath the Nine Netherworlds. These ghost beasts have the ability to possess a person's body without needing to take over the soul," Bai Zhi said slowly.
"Thus, an elder from the Demon Path researched this creature and created the 'Mystic Nether Spirit Offering Array,' using the power of the formation to condense this creature as a means to control cultivators…"
"However, in this case, this creature can temporarily serve as the spiritual being for the Heaven-Mending Bowl."
"Beneath the Nine Netherworlds?" Wei Tu was moved, looking at Bai Zhi and asking, "Is the Yellow Springs really a place?"
Although Wei Tu had been reborn and had seen many souls, none of them had gone to the so-called Yellow Springs or the Underworld. All the souls he had encountered had disappeared or dissolved on their own.
"Maybe it exists, maybe it doesn't. Who can say for sure? We haven't even stepped outside the Great Cang Cultivation World," Bai Zhi shook her head and smiled wryly.
The top cultivators in the Great Cang Cultivation World were at the Divine Transformation stage, and in other cultivation realms, Divine Transformation was far from the end of the path.
In this sense, the Great Cang Cultivation World was like a remote village in the world.
Hearing this, Wei Tu stopped asking questions.
Although Bai Zhi's cultivation level was higher than his, it was still limited. When it came to knowledge, they both hadn't touched on these hidden secrets of the world.
Two to three days later.
The Ghost Beast was fully formed.
Wei Tu made another hand seal to control the Ghost Beast, sending it into the Heaven-Mending Bowl.
Once the Ghost Beast entered the Heaven-Mending Bowl, the small black bowl immediately emitted a buzzing sound, and spiritual light flashed around it.
Golden light radiated from the bowl's surface, revealing mysterious runes and patterns—each one more enigmatic than the last.
Seeing this, Wei Tu did not hesitate and immediately stepped forward, pouring his spiritual power into the Heaven-Mending Bowl.
Since the Ghost Beast's strength was limited, it couldn't fully activate the Heaven-Mending Bowl. Its role was to make the process of activating the bowl less obstructed and easier.
This time, as Wei Tu poured his spiritual power into the bowl, it was no longer like sinking into the ocean. Instead, he could faintly feel the Heaven-Mending Bowl responding to him.
Half a day later.
The Heaven-Mending Bowl underwent a complete transformation, from a plain, pitch-black bowl to a resplendent golden spiritual treasure.
Inside the bowl, the Immortal Spirit Dew that Wei Tu had poured in began to slowly change.
The previously clarified dew, under the influence of the Heaven-Mending Bowl's "Sky-Mending Divine Power," began to turn a lush green, containing a vibrant life force.
The color resembled that of the Myriad Spirit Demon Infant, which had secreted the Immortal Spirit Dew.
Five days later.
The spiritual light of the Heaven-Mending Bowl receded, falling back to the ground, and it transformed back into the same pitch-black small bowl as before.
However, Wei Tu, who had activated the Heaven-Mending Bowl, had no time to observe the Immortal Spirit Dew inside it. He sat cross-legged, took two spirit stones, reversed them in his hands, and began to recover his spiritual power.
Spiritual treasures are the exclusive possessions of Transformation God experts.
At his current level, activating the Heaven-Mending Bowl was still somewhat challenging.
Even with the assistance of the ghost beast, the activation this time had drained over eighty percent of Wei Tu's spiritual power.
It nearly drained him completely.
To be clear, even during his battle with Liu Moqun and other Golden Core experts, he wouldn't have expended so much spiritual power.
One by one, the spirit stones were quickly depleted by Wei Tu, turning into dust that piled up beside him.
After meditating for over two months, Wei Tu's spiritual power had finally recovered.
"The Immortal Spirit Dew at the third stage should be enough for the Wind-Cleaving Eagle to break through the third stage," Wei Tu muttered to himself as he looked at the Immortal Spirit Dew in the Heaven-Mending Bowl, which had the quantity of a pill bottle.
This time, refining the Immortal Spirit Dew looked easy, but in reality, it was far from simple.
Not to mention the Heaven-Mending Bowl and the third-stage array flags.
Just the spirit stones consumed for activating the formation and restoring his spiritual power had already amounted to seven thousand spirit stones.
"But if this can help the Wind-Cleaving Eagle break through, all this expenditure will be worth it," Wei Tu thought quietly.
A third-stage demon beast is not necessarily stronger than a cultivator of the same level, but when working together with a cultivator, the power exerted becomes extraordinary.
It produces a result greater than the sum of its parts.
Additionally, with the Wind-Cleaving Eagle, he would no longer need to do everything himself.
For example, this time when transporting the magic tools.
If the Wind-Cleaving Eagle were at the third stage, he could easily have entrusted the task to it and not have to rely on the favor of Master Che Gongwei.
...
After removing the Mystic Nether Spirit Offering Array, Wei Tu set up the Ten Thousand Methods Restriction Formation to nurture the withered branches of the Lei Ling Tree he had obtained from Master Yuan Xian.
Once this task was completed, Wei Tu began to contemplate where to choose for the Wind-Cleaving Eagle's breakthrough.
While Yan Fen Mountain was a third-stage spiritual land, it was small and far inferior to larger third-stage spiritual lands like Honghe Mountain and Golden Long Valley.
It was only sufficient for the daily cultivation needs of Golden Core cultivators.
Of course, it wasn't impossible to use Yan Fen Mountain for the breakthrough.
The caves within the Blood Slaughter Sea had only the spiritual energy equivalent to a second-stage spiritual pulse, but Wei Tu still managed to break through to the third stage of body refinement there.
— The level of a spiritual land does not limit the breakthroughs of cultivators or demon beasts.
However, such a method would be a huge waste of spirit stones.
After exiting the Blood Slaughter Sea, Wei Tu's stock of spirit stones had nearly been depleted.
The level of a spiritual land does not limit the breakthroughs of cultivators or demon beasts, but it does have an effect on them.
A third-stage spiritual land can slightly increase the chances of a cultivator or demon beast breaking through to the Golden Core stage.
Wei Tu didn't consider Yan Fen Mountain.
Aside from its small size and lack of sufficient spiritual energy, Yan Fen Mountain was a fire-type spiritual land, which did not harmonize well with the Wind-Cleaving Eagle, a wind-element demon beast.
After some thought, Wei Tu again asked High Priest Mu Feng for help, asking him to find a suitable spiritual land in the Huojie Xian City of the Ying Ding Tribe.
— High Priest Mu Feng, like the Wind-Cleaving Eagle, specialized in wind-element spiritual power.
...
The Fen Shan Tribe belonged to King Zuo Xian.
The high priest of the Fen Shan Tribe belonged to the lineage of Master Du Long.
When Master Yuan Xian made things difficult, High Priest Mu Feng had mentioned that he and Master Du Long's fourth disciple, Master Qubei, were close.
Master Qubei was the connection that High Priest Mu Feng had planned to introduce to Wei Tu before heading to Huojie Xian City.
The Fen Shan Tribe's backing in the royal court had always been Master Qubei.
However, last time, Master Qubei had been in seclusion, so Master Yuan Xian had met them on behalf of both.
Therefore, when High Priest Mu Feng heard Wei Tu's request, he was once again considering introducing Wei Tu to Master Qubei.
"There are special spiritual land caves in the royal court that are provided for the priests to break through to the position of High Priest. These caves only require some spirit stones to use."
"However, with Master Qubei's approval, they can be used for free," said High Priest Mu Feng.
"But, Wei Priest, you have already broken through to the Golden Core stage. Now...?" High Priest Mu Feng seemed somewhat confused.
"It's for my spirit pet. It's about to break through to the third stage," Wei Tu replied.
He patted the spirit beast bag and released the Wind-Cleaving Eagle, which had already reached the peak of the second stage.
"This golden eagle has extraordinary bloodlines," Wei Tu said.
Mu Feng, the High Priest, saw the Wind-Cleaving Eagle and his eyes brightened with admiration.
The Kangju people, a nomadic tribe, have always enjoyed raising eagle-type spirit beasts. However, eagle-type beasts like the Wind-Cleaving Eagle, with such high quality, are rare among the various tribes of Kangju.
Mu Feng extended his hand and moved forward to pet the Wind-Cleaving Eagle's head, but the eagle showed a slight resistance and dodged.
Seeing this, Mu Feng was not upset. Eagle-type spirit beasts are known for their pride and will not easily submit to cultivators. This reaction was normal.
After a brief conversation, Wei Tu and Mu Feng set out again for Hu Jie City.
This time, the Great Mage Qu Bei Grand Mage was not in seclusion.
Upon learning of Mu Feng's purpose, he immediately approved Wei Tu's request to use a third-tier wind attribute spiritual land in the Ying Ding Tribe free of charge.
This spiritual land was located on the "Wind-Raging Island," part of the Ying Ding Tribe's sacred river, the "Cang Shui Jiang."
The Cang Shui Jiang is also called the "Red Water River" among the Cangnan people. The Red Water Pass, which spans between Zheng and Kang Kingdoms, is named after this river.
Two days later, Wei Tu, carrying the Wind-Cleaving Eagle, arrived at Wind-Raging Island.
However, to his misfortune, the cultivator who was supposed to break through at Wind-Raging Island had not yet exited seclusion.
"A few years ago, signs of the Golden Core manifested. Given the time, it should be soon."
"Please do not worry, Wei Priest."
A young priest, who was guarding Wind-Raging Island, bowed slightly to Wei Tu and said.
Wei Tu nodded slightly and patiently waited.
Wind-Raging Island belonged to the Ying Ding Tribe, so he was fortunate enough to be able to borrow it. He wouldn't complain about needing to wait a little longer.
Fortunately, the wait wasn't long.
Half a month later, an elderly man with gray skin and a purple cloak broke out of his seclusion, flying energetically into the river, letting out a long and joyful howl.
"Finally, I have achieved the position of High Priest!"
The gray-skinned elderly man laughed heartily.
He flew back to Wind-Raging Island, looked at Wei Tu and the young priest, and casually took out several top-tier spirit stones from his waist, tossing them to Wei Tu and the others.
"Consider this as my reward for you."
The elderly man said with pride.
Wei Tu, after receiving the spirit stones, showed a hint of surprise, but he didn't think too much about it. He quickly turned his palm and put the spirit stones into his sleeve.
"Senior Yu, this is... Wei Priest, also our tribe's High Priest." The young priest, noticing the somewhat strange scene, whispered a reminder.
"What? Also a High Priest?"
Upon hearing this, the elderly man's expression shifted slightly.
Seeing Wei Tu so young, he mistakenly thought that Wei Tu, like the young priest, was still in the Foundation Establishment stage.
He didn't realize that, like him, Wei Tu was also a High Priest of the Ying Ding Tribe.
"Then what brings Wei Priest to Wind-Raging Island? Could it be..."
The elderly man, Senior Yu, seemed to think of something and looked at Wei Tu with more interest.
He suspected that Wei Tu might have come on behalf of the royal court or other large tribes and powers to recruit him. After all, his Golden Core manifestation had appeared several years ago.
"Wei Priest is here to help his spirit pet break through to Golden Core."
The young priest couldn't help but softly remind him once more.
Upon hearing this, Senior Yu's expression froze.
Having cultivated for so long, he had only broken through to Golden Core at the age of 370. He never expected that a young High Priest like Wei Tu had already reached the point of helping his spirit pet break through.
"Thank you for your kindness, Senior Yu."
Wei Tu lightly coughed a few times to interrupt their conversation. He cupped his hands and said, "I'm not sure if Senior Yu has finished using the cave. If not, I plan to enter seclusion there soon."
"No problem, no problem."
Senior Yu waved his hand repeatedly.
He lowered his posture and asked humbly, "I wonder which tribe Wei Priest comes from, the royal court, or another tribe? If possible... would you consider... having me join you?"
Upon hearing this, Wei Tu showed a hint of surprise, but soon he understood the reason behind Senior Yu's words.
Having broken through to Golden Core at such an old age, his potential was exhausted.
Unless something extraordinary happened, Senior Yu would have no more room for progress and would be the weakest among the High Priests.
This is also the reason why no major powers in the Ying Ding Tribe had recruited him.
Seeing that Wei Tu was so young and had already broken through to Golden Core, Senior Yu thought that Wei Tu might be from a major power and thus decided to try to attach himself to him.
"I come from the Fen Shan Tribe, not a major tribe. The spiritual land in my tribe is not suitable for you, Senior Yu."
Wei Tu shook his head and politely declined.
The spiritual land of the Yan Fen Mountain is a third-tier land, but it can only accommodate one High Priest. If he were to take over the department, Mu Feng, the current High Priest, would have to leave the seventh level of the Pagoda of Ascension.
With the Wind-Cleaving Eagle about to break through, once it does, the Yan Fen Mountain will become even more crowded, and there won't be room to accept another High Priest like Senior Yu.