Cultivation Starts from Farming Chapter 1034 - 441: Duan Shuang Breaks Through to Late-Stage Nascent Soul (2)

When the appropriate moment arrives to assist Xu Ping in his cultivation, the advancement of his Divine Sense to the Divinity Transformation stage will be significantly hastened.

This specific action constitutes a crucial element of his overarching strategy.

Upon hearing this, Duan Shuang’s delicate brows knitted together. After a brief period of contemplation, a wry smile touched her lips as she spoke, "My Husband, though I am fortunate enough to achieve a breakthrough in Divine Sense ahead of time, the accumulation of Mana and the comprehension of the realm are ultimately the bedrock foundations."

"Considering my current foundation and inherent potential, the likelihood of successfully reaching the Late-Stage is, at best, a mere thirty percent."

"Thirty percent, you say?"

Xu Ping offered a slight nod, his expression betraying no hint of surprise.

This success rate, for any ordinary cultivator at the mid-stage of Nascent Soul, would be a cause for immense jubilation, prompting them to gamble everything for such an opportunity.

However, for Xu Ping, who prioritizes stability and harbors grand aspirations for Duan Shuang, this probability remained far too meager.

"At the very least, the success rate must be elevated to seventy to eighty percent to warrant proceeding," Xu Ping stated calmly.

With his present combat prowess and a status on par with those in the Divinity Transformation stage, procuring natural treasures to assist his Dao Companion in ascending to the Late-Stage of Nascent Soul, while not simple, was no longer an insurmountable challenge.

The overseas alliance and the True Dragon Hall represented powerful entities that could be strategically employed.

"I shall undertake the arrangements for this endeavor; your sole focus should be on refining your Mana and harmonizing your state of mind," Xu Ping pledged.

The True Dragon Hall, with its deep-seated influence and abundant resources, should find resolving this "minor issue" to be well within their capabilities.

At these words, Duan Shuang’s eyes, resembling stars, instantly welled with moisture, brimming with deep emotion and absolute reliance.

She softly parted her crimson lips, her voice carrying an intoxicating allure, "Husband, you expend so much effort for Shuang’er; Shuang’er can only… serve you diligently with bathing and tending to your attire."

Expressing this, she gracefully lowered her head in submission (.....).

An hour later.

Returning to the subterranean cave mansion, Xu Ping felt invigorated, a subtle aura of relaxed contentment gracing his features.

Yet, he did not linger in this state; swiftly regaining his composure, he initiated contact with Yan Feng of the overseas alliance and representatives from the True Dragon Hall via their communication talisman array, commencing the collection of materials essential for Duan Shuang’s breakthrough.

...

A span of one and a half years elapsed with astonishing speed.

On this particular day.

Approaching the periphery of Blood Bone Island, a familiar water-hued Escape Light descended, signifying the arrival of Yan Feng from the Mystic Water Sect.

"Yan Feng pays his respects to Fellow Daoist Xu."

Upon their meeting, Yan Feng offered a bow with profound reverence, his demeanor one of utmost humility.

The tides of time had indeed shifted; Xu Ping, now capable of contending with cultivators at the Divinity Transformation stage and possessing an unmatched Sword Dao, held a status and strength equivalent to an ancestor in that very realm.

Let alone himself, even if Yun Weifeng of the Yunxiao Sect were present, he would still be obligated to extend a respectful greeting at this juncture.

Yan Feng’s heart swelled with a sense of profound fortune; forging an alliance with Xu Ping in earlier days had undoubtedly been the most sagacious decision ever made by the Mystic Water Sect.

Xu Ping’s countenance softened into a gentle smile, his hand lifting slightly as he said, "There is no need for such excessive formality, Fellow Daoist Yan. We have maintained our acquaintance for many years; undue politeness is uncalled for."

Observing Xu Ping's unpretentious demeanor, Yan Feng's own expression mirrored his with a smile.

Within the confines of the Blood Bone Hall, the two took their respective seats, one as host, the other as guest.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries and inquiries into each other's recent well-being, Yan Feng transitioned directly to the matter at hand, carefully retrieving a jade box emanating a chilling aura.

"Fellow Daoist Xu, regarding the item you entrusted the alliance to locate some time ago – a Spiritual Object intended to facilitate a breakthrough to the Late-Stage of Nascent Soul – we have, fortunately, managed to discover a suitable candidate at long last."

Yan Feng proceeded to unseal the jade box, revealing a fruit approximately the size of a dragon’s eye. Its entire surface was a shade of ice-blue, adorned with natural cloud-like patterns, exuding an incomparably pure ice-attribute Spiritual Power and a peculiar resonance of realm-breaking Dao.

"This is the 'Profound Ice Barrier-Breaking Fruit'. It originates from beneath ten thousand feet of Profound Ice, ripening only once every millennium. It possesses the ability to pacify the mind, purge impurities from Mana, and exerts a miraculous influence on overcoming cultivation bottlenecks."

Xu Ping’s gaze alighted upon the fruit, his Divine Sense subtly probing its essence. He instantly recognized its extraordinary nature, a satisfied smile gracing his features.

The disparity in their identities and social standing undeniably created a chasm in the ease with which such rare resources could be acquired.

"I extend my sincere gratitude for your diligent efforts, Fellow Daoist Yan. This is precisely the item Xu Mou required."

Xu Ping gave a nod and, with unhesitating generosity, produced a pre-arranged storage pouch. He then offered it, stating, "Enclosed are five Fourth-Rank Upper Grade Talismans, encompassing offensive, defensive, and evasive abilities, as a token of my sincere appreciation. I trust you will not decline."

Yan Feng’s Divine Sense swept through the pouch, and an expression of immediate delight bloomed on his face.

In these tumultuous times, marked by frequent warfare, such potent and readily deployable Fourth-Rank Upper Grade Talismans held even greater value than many materials of equivalent rank.

He swiftly secured the pouch, repeating his profuse thanks, "A most generous gift from Fellow Daoist. Yan Mou and the overseas alliance are truly humbled to accept such a profound offering."

....

With the exchange concluded, Xu Ping casually inquired about the current state of affairs on the front lines.

As this topic arose, Yan Feng’s demeanor grew somewhat somber. "To answer your query, Fellow Daoist, the situation is rather peculiar."

"While the Star Palace and the Ancient Demons have indeed withdrawn, the border skirmishes have shown no signs of abatement. Small-scale engagements transpire daily, resulting in considerable losses for both factions."

"However, the Saints of the Star Palace and that singular Ancient Demon, along with the entirety of the Ancient Demon Hall, appear to have vanished without a trace."

"Our investigations have been extensive and varied, yet we remain entirely in the dark regarding their ultimate intentions, a fact that casts a long shadow of unease."

Upon hearing this, Xu Ping offered a subtle nod, betraying no outward surprise.

Yan Feng's cultivation level was, understandably, insufficient to grasp the core secrets at play.

He and Dragon King Ao Guang had long since reached a mutual understanding; they were both aware that the Star Palace's relentless war of attrition was intrinsically linked to Hehuan Old Demon, who was undoubtedly orchestrating some grand scheme.

Nevertheless, any machinations, no matter how intricate, ultimately traced back to the Ancient Demon Hall.

Once the Ancient Demon Hall made its reappearance, the final arbiter of the conflict's outcome would invariably hinge upon raw strength.

After a brief period of further conversation, Yan Feng rose to take his leave.

After seeing Yan Feng out, Xu Ping turned his attention to the "Profound Ice Barrier-Breaking Fruit" he held. He began to calculate its potential impact:

"With the assistance of this item, Shuang'er's chances of achieving a breakthrough to the Late-Stage should see a modest increase of one or two percent... However, even with this boost, the overall success rate remains merely four to five percent, which is still far from sufficiently stable."

His gaze then drifted towards the vast expanse of the deep sea,

"The next phase hinges entirely on the response from the True Dragon Hall."