Cultivation Starts from Farming Chapter 871 - 388: Heaven-Reaching Spiritual Treasure – Ten Thousand Souls Banner

"Appear!"

Xuanmo True Monarch carefully surveyed the sea where Wanpoison True Monarch’s aura last disappeared, only to slowly raise one hand.

His five fingers spread slightly, and he lightly grasped the void in that direction.

Buzz!

The entire space seemed to be gripped by an invisible giant hand, twisting violently.

Countless subtle particles of Spiritual Qi, long since dissipated, were forcibly gathered and reversed.

An indistinct afterimage flickered within the distorted space.

Billowing black mist surged as the terrifying banner formed by countless agonizing souls appeared for a brief moment.

On the banner’s surface, the horrified visage of Wanpoison True Monarch could be faintly seen being drawn into it.

Simultaneously, two extremely obscure yet overwhelmingly tyrannical ripples of Divine Soul impact spread outward.

The afterimage shattered, and the space returned to normal.

Xuanmo True Monarch slowly retracted his hand, and for the first time, a trace of solemnity appeared on his otherwise emotionless face.

"The Ten Thousand Souls Banner... nearing the grade of a Heaven-Reaching Spiritual Treasure."

Xuanmo True Monarch’s voice was low, carrying the weight of a thousand years’ worth of ice, "Wanpoison... likely has become the primary soul nourishment within the banner."

"Hiss!"

At these words, even the seasoned old devils Hehuan and Xuanyin, steadfast as iron, couldn’t help but gasp.

Their eyes were filled with dread.

Even the forewarned Youtong True Monarch was shaken.

The Ten Thousand Souls Banner!

A Heaven-Reaching Spiritual Treasure level Ten Thousand Souls Banner, they knew all too well what that meant.

"Moreover, the assailant should be a Late-Stage Nascent Soul old devil!" Xuanmo True Monarch added.

Late-Stage Nascent Soul!

Those four words bore down on the three like a colossal stone.

But the Late-Stage Nascent Soul old monsters in the outer seas were few in number.

Each was a formidable entity, renowned and holding power, often having dealings with Xuanmo True Monarch.

If it were truly someone among them, how could they show no regard for Xuanmo True Monarch’s reputation?

Could it be... an outsider, a dragon crossing the seas?

Or perhaps some reclusive ancient monster?

A flicker of unnoticeable apprehension and consideration sped across the depths of Xuanmo True Monarch’s eyes.

Self-assured in his Divine Techniques and deep foundation, with a sliver of hope in glimpsing the path to Divinity Transformation, he was all the more cautious.

To stubbornly oppose an unknown Late-Stage Nascent Soul old monster for a dead Wanpoison?

That was not a wise move!

He was confident in defeating a Late-Stage Nascent Soul.

But to slay one?

As hard as ascending to heaven!

Once a mortal enmity was formed, if the opponent retaliated from the shadows, it would threaten his push towards the Divinity Transformation Realm!

This transaction was not worth it!

However, in front of Hehuan, Xuanyin, and Youtong, as the leader, he couldn’t show weakness.

"Hmph!"

Xuanmo True Monarch snorted coldly, his voice clanging like metal, causing the Immortal City’s Restriction below to hum and vibrate,

"If I uncover the identity of this sneaky coward, I shall seek him for a duel or two, to demand an explanation for Wanpoison!"

His tone was icy and firm, yet there was not a word about revenge or slaughter, only about dueling and demanding an explanation.

Hehuan, Xuanyin, and Youtong, seasoned as they were, could immediately pick up the perfunctory implication.

But outwardly, they maintained their demeanor of respect and indignation, agreeing profusely, expressing willingness to follow their brother to uncover the true culprit and the like.

Xuanmo True Monarch’s gaze was as sharp as lightning, suddenly shifting to Hehuan True Monarch, whose expression flickered uncertainly, and abruptly changed the subject: "Hehuan Daoist friend, what about that transaction I proposed to you?"

"That Nascent Soul Female Cultivator, upon Youtong Daoist Friend’s investigation, her Primordial Yin remains unbroken!"

Hearing this, a change came over Hehuan True Monarch’s face, plunging him into silence.

This matter concerned his life and path, causing immense internal conflict.

Xuanmo True Monarch wished to make a transaction with him.

Xuanmo True Monarch was willing to personally capture Duan Shuang for him, ensuring her Primordial Yin remained intact, allowing him to harvest it....

And he was even willing to bestow upon him a ’Nine Revolutions Barrier-Breaking Pill.’

This pill contained a trace of realm-breaking mystery, enough to increase a Mid-stage Nascent Soul Cultivator’s breakthrough chances by half.

Aid in capturing the Nascent Soul Female Cultivator!

Bestow a Realm-Breaking Divine Pill!

These promises, like the fiercest poison, ignited the flames of Hehuan True Monarch’s suppressed greed.

Breaking through to Late-Stage Nascent Soul was the realm he had long dreamed of.

For this, he would stop at nothing.

However, Xuanmo True Monarch’s terms were hard for him to accept.

It required planting a Heart Demon Seed deep in his Sea of Consciousness.

Heart Demon Seed.

This was Xuanmo True Monarch’s supreme Secret Technique.

Once planted, life and death would be at his whim.

Though Xuanmo True Monarch swore a Heart Demon oath, promising not to send him to die or perform tasks of certain death.

Yet to place one’s life entirely at the mercy of another..... left Hehuan True Monarch feeling as if he had fallen into an ice cave.

Xuanmo True Monarch took in his struggle without pressing, merely stating calmly, "This matter concerns the fundamental path, take your time to consider, I... will await your good news."

With that, he no longer paid attention to Hehuan True Monarch, directing his gaze toward the profound depths of the sea as if pondering the origins of that mysterious Late-Stage Nascent Soul old devil.

...

Three months later, Blood Bone Island.

A weary and travel-worn figure passed through layers of Restriction, silently landing deep within Blood Bone Hall.

In the underground chamber, the millennia-old Cold Jade Platform emitted a faint, cold light.

Xu Ping sat cross-legged, eyes slightly closed, his aura calm and as deep as a secluded pool.

He did not rush to handle his gains but instead immersed his mind in the Sea of Consciousness, meticulously reviewing every detail of the battle at Unfathomable Sea Immortal City.

"Youtong True Monarch... his Divine Sense Secret Technique was severely damaged by the Soul-Breaking Needle, then further torn by the vengeful souls of the Ten Thousand Souls Banner, leaving him in tatters."

"With his capability, it was absolutely impossible to see through the Thousand Illusion Concealing Pearl’s disguise, let alone discern my true form."

Xu Ping’s mind processed at lightning speed, "Throughout the duel, I presented myself as wielding the ’Ten Thousand Souls Banner,’ without revealing the Sword Array...