Cultivation Starts from Farming Chapter 1012 - 434: Extermination; Thunder Tribulation Supreme Treasure
Previously on Cultivation Starts from Farming...
"Enemies are attacking!!"
"Quick, form the array!"
The shouts of alarm had barely started when they were overwhelmed by even more agonizing screams.
Within the shroud of black mist, several indistinct spectral figures flickered like streaks of lightning, their sharp claws rending, their soul power surging.
The protective spiritual light emanating from the Star Palace cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage, who were forming the array, shattered as if it were mere paper. Before they could even react, their bodies were torn asunder. Just as their nascent souls attempted to flee, an unseen force dragged them into the depths of the black mist, causing them to vanish without a trace.
The entire event transpired so rapidly that there was no opportunity to respond.
In the span of mere breaths, the black mist receded like the ebb of a tide, disappearing entirely as though it had never been present.
All that remained to attest to the horrific tragedy were the shattered remnants of the array's foundation on the ocean's surface and a few faintly glowing, damaged magical treasures adrift.
Approximately a quarter of an hour later.
Several powerful beams of escape light arrived swiftly, led by an elder adorned in opulent robes. He exuded an aura of commanding authority devoid of any trace of anger.
His entire being vibrated with immense mana and a formidable spiritual pressure, unmistakably identifying him as a great cultivator at the Nascent Soul Perfection stage, on par with Yun Weifeng.
This was True Monarch Yuheng, the guardian appointed by the Star Palace for this maritime region.
True Monarch Yuheng swept his divine sense across the turbulent sea, his expression darkening considerably, akin to still water. Fury was palpable, threatening to erupt from his eyes.
"This marks the third such incident recently."
His voice was frigid, carrying an unmistakable tone of rage.
It was immediately apparent, without the need for deliberation, that this was the work of either the Outer Sea Human Race or the Demon Race.
Their methods were swift and effective, specifically targeting isolated teams engaged in array formation to impede or even sabotage their preparatory deployments.
"True Monarch, the enemy is elusive and formidable, employing tactics indicative of at least several cultivators in the late stages. We..." a nearby Nascent Soul elder reported, his face etched with grimness.
"Enough!"
True Monarch Yuheng cut him off, suppressing his burgeoning anger, and commanded with a cold tone, "Relay the order. All array teams must be accompanied by a minimum of two late-stage cultivators and must carry the 'Demon-Breaking Mirror.'"
"Expand the patrol radius threefold, and should any suspicious activity be detected, sound the alarm immediately and show no mercy in eliminating them!"
"Yes!"
All present responded with solemnity.
...
Meanwhile, deep within a secluded island somewhere in the Outer Sea, inside a newly established, rudimentary cave dwelling.
The Ten Thousand Souls Banner hovered in mid-air, its surface churned by a swirling black mist.
The primary soul residing within it was becoming increasingly corporeal, almost fully materialized, and the murderous aura it exuded drastically lowered the ambient temperature of the entire cave.
It was diligently absorbing and processing the recently consumed essence and origins of several Star Palace cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage.
As this refinement process continued, the spectral figure's aura grew steadily stronger, and the foundation of the Ten Thousand Souls Banner became more profound and substantial.
Seemingly in response, a low rumble of thunder echoed from above the cave, a portentous sign that the Laws of Heaven and Earth sensed an impending defiance, spontaneously generating resistance and a warning.
"Not bad."
Xu Ping nodded with satisfaction, keenly aware of the transformations occurring within the Ten Thousand Souls Banner.
Seated calmly nearby, the Nine Nether Elder cast a glance at the menacing Ten Thousand Souls Banner, a subtle glint of surprise momentarily appearing in his aged eyes.
"With its current foundation, there is at least a sixty percent probability of surviving the treasure's Thunder Tribulation."
"The accumulation appears sufficient, and the aura is concentrated. When do you intend for it to undergo the tribulation?"
He had initially presumed Xu Ping's Ten Thousand Souls Banner would only ascend to the Heaven-Reaching Spiritual Treasure level at most, but he had not anticipated it being cultivated to such a remarkable degree, eliciting a reaction from the very fabric of the world.
Should it successfully advance to the status of a supreme treasure, it would undoubtedly become an unstoppable force in the impending conflict.
"Tribulation?"
Upon hearing this, Xu Ping promptly shook his head, responding with a tone of cautious confidence, "Elder, a sixty percent chance is currently insufficient. To attempt the tribulation now would be tantamount to inviting death."
"Further accumulation is required. I aim for at least... a ninety percent certainty before I consider taking such a substantial gamble."
"A sixty percent chance... is considered courting death?"
Hearing Xu Ping's assertion, even the composed Nine Nether Elder couldn't help but let the corner of his mouth twitch slightly, momentarily rendered speechless.
Throughout his extensive experience across numerous realms, he had encountered countless peerless talents and individuals with audacious spirits.
Yet, no one had ever encountered someone like Xu Ping, whose cautious approach to every action was etched into his cultivation path, meticulously avoiding any semblance of risk. Hongyi, having known Xu Ping for some time, had only a partial grasp of his meticulous nature—planning thoroughly before acting and never proceeding without absolute certainty. Witnessing Xu Ping's demeanor, Hongyi quickly interjected, skillfully redirecting the conversation. "Elder, Fellow Daoist Xu, we've already successfully ambushed several elite teams from the Star Palace. This continuous assault has undoubtedly alerted them." "That wily old Yuheng will undoubtedly reinforce their defenses, making it exceedingly difficult to achieve easy victories like before." Upon hearing this, the Nine Nether Elder retracted his gaze from the Ten Thousand Souls Banner, a profound light igniting within his eyes. After a brief pause, he began to speak, his voice measured yet carrying a revolutionary resolve, "In that case, these minor skirmishes are futile. Therefore... we shall launch a grand offensive." He turned his attention to Xu Ping, articulating with unwavering conviction, "Should this endeavor prove successful, the accumulated essence and origin should be sufficient to elevate your Ten Thousand Souls Banner's foundation to your desired 'eighty to ninety percent' certainty. Perhaps even... higher!" ... Several months elapsed, marked by a series of tense standoffs and intermittent clashes. True Monarch Yuheng received yet another urgent dispatch from the front lines—a patrol team, composed of three cultivators in the late Nascent Soul stage, had fallen into an ambush. However, this time, the assailants seemed incapable of achieving the swift and decisive victory they had managed previously. Instead, they found themselves in a precarious stalemate, barely holding the patrol team at bay. "Three late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators... they are finally revealing themselves!" True Monarch Yuheng's eyes flared with a frigid luminescence, brimming with lethal intent. The unceasing string of losses had long stoked the flames of his wrath, and now, with concrete intelligence in hand, how could he possibly overlook such a development?