Chapter 355: Sacred Spirit Peak and Sacred Spirit Pool
"Jiuyuan, what are your plans now?"
In the depths of the Ancient Secret Realm, Xiao Tiance's voice echoed across the chasm.
Jiuyuan wasn't naive he could sense Xiao Tiance's intent to recruit him, though the latter hadn't explicitly said so. Xiao Tiance, on the other hand, was indeed thinking along those lines. Jiuyuan's aura suggested he was only a few steps away from achieving Heaven Supreme status. Once he did, with the divine body of the Nine Headed Heavenly Serpent, he could rival even Immortal tier Heaven Supremes.
Having someone like Jiuyuan in his ranks would significantly accelerate Xiao Tiance's dream of building a superpower. Yet he refrained from pressing too hard, as he lacked the leverage to fully convince Jiuyuan just yet.
Jiuyuan thought for a moment before replying, "Me? I want to go out first, return to my clan, and handle some matters. After that, we'll see."
In truth, Jiuyuan was tempted to follow Xiao Tiance. He could see that it wouldn't take long for Xiao Tiance's name to shake the entire Great Thousand World. However, having been trapped here for tens of thousands of years, he felt the need to return to his roots first.
After a brief pause, Jiuyuan added, "Lord Tiance, if possible, please give me something I can use to contact you. Once I've laid my mother's remains to rest in my clan, I'll come find you."
Hearing this, Xiao Tiance was overjoyed. Having Jiuyuan, with his immense potential, join his cause would be a tremendous boost toward building a superpower.
"Very well."
Xiao Tiance reached into his belongings and handed Jiuyuan a jade pendant. "This pendant will let you contact me anytime. Just infuse it with your spiritual energy."
Jiuyuan smiled, accepting the pendant and storing it carefully. He cast a final, nostalgic glance around the dark, desolate depths where he had spent so many lonely years.
"Let's go. This is no place to linger." Xiao Tiance said, preparing to leave.
Jiuyuan respectfully offered, "Lord Tiance, allow me to take the lead."
He transformed back into his majestic nine headed serpent form, exuding a commanding and awe inspiring presence. One of his heads lowered, inviting Xiao Tiance to climb on.
Smiling faintly, Xiao Tiance didn't hesitate and leapt onto Jiuyuan's back.
"Hold on tight, Lord Tiance." Jiuyuan warned before taking off at an astonishing speed.
Returning to the Surface
Despite the oppressive darkness and the corrosive aura of the surrounding demonic energy, Jiuyuan soared upward with incredible agility.
"Lord Tiance, watch out for the extraterritorial demonic energy. Once it seeps into your body, it's nearly impossible to purge." Jiuyuan warned.
"No need to worry. It can't touch me."
As he spoke, Xiao Tiance unleashed a blazing golden flame the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame instantly dispelling the surrounding demonic energy.
Satisfied, Jiuyuan accelerated further. In mere moments, they had reached the surface.
A Sudden Attack
Just as they were about to emerge from the chasm, an attack came hurtling toward them. Before Jiuyuan could react, Xiao Tiance calmly deflected it with a wave of his hand.
"Shi Hao, no need to panic." Xiao Tiance called out.
"Lord Tiance!"
Upon hearing Xiao Tiance's voice, Shi Hao heaved a sigh of relief, though he couldn't help but feel a lingering fear when he glanced at Jiuyuan's formidable form.
Xiao Tiance quickly dismounted and stood beside Shi Hao. Jiuyuan reverted to his human form, a refined young man with an air of quiet dignity.
"This is Jiuyuan, a prodigy of the Nine Headed Heavenly Serpent Clan." Xiao Tiance introduced.
"And this is Shi Hao, one of my companions."
Shi Hao, sensing Jiuyuan's overwhelming strength, immediately bowed respectfully. "Shi Hao greets Lord Jiuyuan."
Jiuyuan smiled and replied graciously, "No need for formalities. From now on, we're companions."
Shi Hao relaxed at Jiuyuan's amiable demeanor.
"Lord Tiance, did you find the Heavenly Dao Sect's Treasure Pavilion?" Shi Hao asked, unable to contain his curiosity.
Xiao Tiance laughed heartily. "Your information was spot on. I found it, and it's all thanks to you. Once we're out of here, I'll make sure you're rewarded."
As he spoke, Xiao Tiance displayed the Treasure Pavilion, now transformed into a small nine story pagoda.
Shi Hao was astonished. "A high tier sacred artifact that can change size... No wonder no one's found it all these years!"
"Haha, you could call it fate." Xiao Tiance chuckled. "But let's not dwell on it. Thanks for holding the fort while I was away."
"It was nothing, Lord Tiance. You were only gone for half a month. If I hadn't trusted your strength, I might have gone looking for you." Shi Hao replied with a smile.
Hearing this, Xiao Tiance frowned in confusion. "Half a month? That's impossible. I wasn't gone for more than a day."
Jiuyuan interjected, "Lord Tiance, he's not mistaken. The extraterritorial demonic energy below distorts space and time. It's what kept me from maturing despite spending tens of thousands of years down there. If I had been outside, I'd have reached full maturity long ago."
Jiuyuan grinned mischievously. "And if that had happened, Lord Tiance, you might not have been able to handle me."
Xiao Tiance laughed. "You're right. The Nine Headed Heavenly Serpent is a top tier divine beast. Fully grown, you'd likely rival Heaven Supremes."
As the three of them shared a laugh, the oppressive atmosphere of the chasm seemed to lift.
Hearing this, Xiao Tiance finally understood the situation, and his respect for the extraterritorial demons deepened.
"So that's how it is. I hadn't expected that. Still, since half a month has passed, let's not waste time. This space is likely to collapse soon, and we'll be able to leave when it does. Before that, I want to attempt a breakthrough to the Heaven Supreme realm. I'll need you two to guard me while I do so."
Xiao Tiance exhaled in relief, calculated the time, and addressed Jiuyuan and Shi Hao.
"Understood, Lord Tiance."
Jiuyuan and Shi Hao exchanged a glance, excitement flashing in their eyes. Shi Hao, in particular, was thrilled, knowing they might face the Western Heaven Battle Emperor after leaving. If Xiao Tiance could break through to Heaven Supreme, their chances of survival and victory would increase significantly.
While Jiuyuan didn't know the specifics of Xiao Tiance's enmity with the Western Heaven War Hall, he also understood that the stronger Xiao Tiance was, the better it would be for him. Strength was paramount in the Great Thousand World, especially among divine beast clans like his own. Even though Jiuyuan wasn't a direct heir of the Nine Headed Heavenly Serpent clan, if his kin learned he was following a weakling, ridicule and scorn would surely follow.
Divine beast clans fiercely defended their own against external enemies, but internally, they thrived on brutal competition and survival of the fittest. Joining Xiao Tiance as he approached the Heaven Supreme level was a source of pride, ensuring that even within his clan, he wouldn't lose face.
As the two prepared to guard Xiao Tiance, the voice of the Treasure Pavilion spirit, Fatty Doll, echoed in Xiao Tiance's mind.
"If you want to break through to Heaven Supreme, I know the perfect place. It's the core of the Heavenly Dao Sect, an ideal spot for such breakthroughs."
"Oh? Such a place exists?" Xiao Tiance was intrigued.
He had searched extensively but found nowhere with enough spiritual energy to facilitate his breakthrough, which was why he had prioritized finding the Treasure Pavilion first.
"It's called the Sacred Spirit Pool," Fatty Doll explained. "It's located about 200 miles east of here and is protected by the Heavenly Dao Sect's defensive formations. Almost no one has been able to enter. The pool contains highly concentrated spiritual energy, and its waters can cleanse impurities and hidden injuries from the body. A Heaven Supreme who ascends through the Sacred Spirit Pool will be vastly superior to one who doesn't."
Hearing this, Xiao Tiance's eyes lit up with excitement. Though he'd never heard of the Sacred Spirit Pool, Fatty Doll's authority as the Treasure Pavilion spirit gave credibility to his words.
"Alright, let's go to the Sacred Spirit Pool."
Xiao Tiance nodded decisively and turned to Jiuyuan and Shi Hao. "Come. I know the perfect place to ascend to Heaven Supreme."
"Understood, Lord Tiance. Shall I carry us there?" Jiuyuan offered respectfully.
"No need. It's only 200 miles an easy distance to cover quickly. Besides, your true form draws too much attention." Xiao Tiance replied with a faint smile.
With a wave of his hand, a spatial vortex appeared. Without hesitation, the three of them stepped through and vanished.
Arriving at Sacred Spirit Peak
In less than a minute, the trio arrived at the base of an imposing mountain, tens of thousands of meters tall.
Gazing at the colossal peak, Xiao Tiance was struck with awe. The scale of the Great Thousand World was incomparable; even Earth's tallest mountains paled in comparison.
"This is Sacred Spirit Peak. Lord Tiance, are you planning to use the Sacred Spirit Pool to break through?" Jiuyuan asked as he recognized the location.
"It seems you're familiar with this place." Xiao Tiance chuckled.
"Of course. Many Heaven Supreme elders of the Heavenly Dao Sect ascended here. The entire mountain is shrouded in two Grandmaster level spirit arrays, one of which is a gathering array that channels spiritual energy from the surrounding area. It's undoubtedly the best place in the Heavenly Dao Sect for ascending to Heaven Supreme." Jiuyuan explained, his expression growing serious.
"However, Lord Tiance, you must be cautious. Over tens of thousands of years, the gathering array has accumulated an immense amount of spiritual energy. It might be too much for anyone to handle. The pressure could turn this entire area into a spiritual bomb, leveling the entire region."
Hearing this, Xiao Tiance's expression also grew solemn. The comparison to a balloon overfilled with air came to mind it wouldn't take much for it to explode under excessive pressure.
"Fatty Doll, you heard Jiuyuan. What's your take?" Xiao Tiance asked.
Fatty Doll quickly replied, **"No need to worry. Bring out the Heavenly Dao Mirror. It's not just a weapon but also a key to controlling the Heavenly Dao Sect's internal spiritual energy. When you reach the entrance to the Sacred Spirit Pool, pour your spiritual energy into the mirror. The protective array will activate and draw you inside.
"Not only can you ascend to Heaven Supreme through the pool's baptism, but you'll also have the opportunity to begin cultivating the Heavenly Dao Myriad Tribulations Body. If successful, the benefits will be beyond anything you can imagine."**
Fatty Doll's explanation reassured Xiao Tiance. With such concentrated spiritual energy, it was the ideal place for his breakthrough.
The Risk of the Sacred Spirit Pool
Before Xiao Tiance could act, Fatty Doll added another warning.
"However, danger and opportunity go hand in hand. The Sacred Spirit Peak was once the site of a battle where the sect master of the Heavenly Dao Sect killed an extraterritorial demon as powerful as an Immortal tier Heaven Supreme. While the spiritual energy here is unsuitable for demons, it's unknown whether that demon left behind remnants or devised a way to survive."
Xiao Tiance frowned. "Extraterritorial demon remnants?"
(End of Chapter)
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