Cultivation Starts from Farming Chapter 955 - 415: Upgrading the Ghost Soul

Hongyi accepted the jade slip, his Divine Sense probing its contents, a flicker of surprise crossing his features.

The ingredients detailed within the jade slip were all rare and precious, with substantial quantities required.

"Very well."

Without further questioning and after a moment of consideration, Hongyi nodded in agreement. "Leave this to me. The Star Palace does indeed possess special channels; I will exert my utmost to gather them for you, Fellow Daoist."

This task presented no great challenge to him; it would merely consume more time.

"Many thanks then, Fellow Daoist Hong!" Xu Ping cupped his hands and offered a smile.

"Fellow Daoist Xu, you are too gracious. We have been friends for many years; there is no need for such formalities," Hongyi replied with a smile, waving his hand dismissively.

The two exchanged no more words. They then transformed into streaks of escaping light, rapidly parting ways and vanishing into the sky.

...

A month later.

In a desolate stretch of the outer sea, powerful waves of Spiritual Power and fierce dragon roars erupted unexpectedly.

Judging by the intensity of these fluctuations, the power displayed was clearly at the Late-Stage Nascent Soul realm.

Two True Dragons were engaged in a fierce battle, cornering a Human Race cultivator.

Were Xu Ping present, he would undoubtedly have recognized the cultivator at the Late-Stage Nascent Soul level instantly – it was Hongyi.

Hongyi found himself under siege by two incredibly ferocious True Dragons, exuding pressure indicative of the Fourth Rank Upper Grade.

These two True Dragons, one of azure hue and the other crimson, moved with perfect coordination. They unleashed dragon breaths, razor-sharp claws, and Innate Divine Abilities in relentless succession, evidently high-ranking members, likely Hall Masters, of the True Dragon Hall.

Despite being enveloped in Evil Qi and wielding the formidable Lock Dragon Nail, Hongyi was at a disadvantage against the furious assault of two True Dragons of equal cultivation rank.

"Star Palace cultivator, how dare you trespass upon my outer sea to slay members of the Dragon Race's direct lineage? Today, you shall perish in these very waters!" the Azure Dragon bellowed, its draconic roar resonating through the surroundings.

Hongyi’s expression remained impassive as he employed the Lock Dragon Nail to fend off the two dragons, though a sense of injustice churned within him.

He had exercised considerable caution, yet he had still drawn the attention of the True Dragon Hall.

In truth, there existed a little-known secret.

The act of slaying direct descendants of True Dragons stained one with Evil Qi derived from Dragon Blood, which served as a potent beacon.

Furthermore, Hongyi, being an outsider cultivator with a precarious standing, was easily pinpointed within the dominion of the True Dragon Hall, making this confrontation hardly surprising.

Had Hongyi not attracted the True Dragon Hall's scrutiny, Xu Ping might well have become their target instead.

After all, even though Xu Ping’s Evil Qi was less potent, it still originated from Dragon Blood.

Roar! Roar!

Two earth-shattering dragon cries echoed.

Twin streams of incandescent dragon breath began to form within the gaping maws of the two True Dragons.

Observing this development, Hongyi’s countenance shifted slightly.

Dragon Breath was an Innate Divine Ability of True Dragons; even cultivators at the peak of the late-stage had to retreat from its devastating power.

At this critical juncture, an unforeseen event transpired.

A dense, black spectral fog, seemingly capable of consuming all light, materialized from the void without warning. It swiftly engulfed a sea region spanning several dozen miles.

Within this eerie fog, countless ghosts wailed, and a chilling wind, sharp enough to pierce bone, severely hindered both Divine Sense and visual perception.

The movements of the two True Dragons faltered abruptly; even their dragon breath attacks were diminished by half within the oppressive atmosphere of the ghost fog.

"Now!"

A voice, ancient and raspy, resonated directly in Hongyi’s ear.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Hongyi transformed into a streak of blood-red light. Seizing the opportune moment, he broke free from the encirclement and merged with the shadowy figure that had suddenly appeared. Together, they vanished into the depths of the spectral fog.

The two True Dragons let out furious roars, desperately clawing at the ghost fog. However, they found it exceedingly difficult to track their escaping foes, leaving them only to vent their impotent rage in place.

...

Two months later, within an underground cave mansion on Blood Bone Island.

Xu Ping sat in a meditative posture, not immediately proceeding to have the Ten Thousand Souls Banner absorb the Essence Soul Pill.

The repercussions from dealing with ghosts were substantial, particularly as the current target was an Essence Soul of the Fourth Rank Upper Grade. He needed to ensure his own state was optimal and that all preparations were meticulously completed.

Xu Ping spent several days in meditation and recuperation, restoring both his Mana and Divine Sense to their peak condition.

Sensing that all was in readiness, with a mind clear and Mana flowing abundantly, Xu Ping finally opened his eyes slowly.

He reached for his storage pouch.

Buzz!

The Ten Thousand Souls Banner unfurled, wafting in the air. The surface of the black banner writhed with demonic inscriptions, emitting a terrifying aura of pressure.

"Emerge."

Xu Ping commanded in a low tone.

Roar!

The primary soul, a colossal and terrifying specter emanating the formidable demonic power of a Late-Stage Nascent Soul cultivator, let out a mighty roar.

Its crimson gaze immediately zeroed in on the Mysterious Netherworld Snake Essence Pill held by Xu Ping, a ravenous hunger and yearning radiating from it, the colossal soul body quivering slightly with sheer avarice.

Nonetheless, the phantom seemed to recall the agonizing penalties inflicted by the Restriction during their last encounter, forcefully subduing its instinct to lunge.

It merely gazed upon Xu Ping with intense longing, attempting even to contort its ferocious features into a semblance of 'obedience,' though the effect was profoundly unsettling given its predatory visage.

Xu Ping's own face remained a mask of calm, but internally, he allowed himself no relaxation whatsoever.

With a flick of his finger, the pill containing the Mysterious Netherworld Snake Essence Pill was propelled with deliberate slowness towards the primary soul.

The instant the Golden Core drew near, the main soul could no longer rein in its desperation.

It abruptly unhinged its immense maw, and a serpentine tongue, forged entirely from Soul Power and adorned with savage barbs, lashed out with lightning speed. It unerringly encircled the pill, drawing it inward.

Within the confines of the pill, a diminutive phantom of the Mysterious Netherworld Snake could be discerned, its silent roars of fury and struggles clearly visible.

However, all its exertions proved utterly futile.

The primary soul's jaws clamped shut with an audible snap!

"Gulp!"

A sound akin to teeth grating against bone accompanied the act as the Essence Soul Pill, complete with the very soul of the Mysterious Netherworld Snake it imprisoned, was consumed in its entirety.

"Roar!"

Upon assimilating the dragon soul's essence, the phantom unleashed a skyward roar, a symphony of agony intertwined with overwhelming ecstasy.

Its immense soul form swelled dramatically, as if being rapidly inflated, its surface erupting with volatile demonic qi that churned furiously.

The main soul's body flickered, momentarily morphing into a demonic silhouette before hints of its serpentine origins resurfaced, its entire aura becoming perilously unstable and menacing.