Cultivation Starts from Farming Chapter 960 - 416: Quasi-Fifth Rank Spirit Wood; Spirit Vein Upgrade_3

Under the potent influence of the medicinal effects and the support of three cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage, Yan Feng's aura began to surge uncontrollably. This power relentlessly battered against an ethereal, invisible barrier.

Inside the cave, the spiritual qi converged with incredible speed, creating a colossal vortex accompanied by spectacular celestial phenomena.

However, just how potent is the formidable barrier of a cultivator in the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm?

The journey of breaking through this barrier was protracted and demanding. Although the barrier appeared on the precipice of collapse, it never fully yielded.

Concurrently, Shan Tianyou's physical condition had deteriorated to an alarming degree.

His countenance was pale and drawn, his wrinkles etched deeply into his skin, and a dense aura of death emanated from him, so thick it seemed impenetrable. This was a clear indication that his lifespan and vital essence were rapidly approaching their absolute limit.

It was a moment when he stood on the verge of utter exhaustion, teetering on the brink of failure.

At this pivotal and precarious instant, a subtle flash crossed Xu Ping's eyes. A decision had already been solidified within his heart.

He stealthily detached a sliver of his divine sense, quietly channeling his immense lifespan essence, vast as an ocean, through the intricate formation. This essence was then transmuted into an incomparably pure life energy, intended to aid Yan Feng in the critical process of pill refinement.

For Xu Ping, whose own lifespan extended beyond four millennia, the fragment of life force he contributed at that moment was no more than a single drop in an endless sea.

Yet, for Shan Tianyou, who was critically depleted, it was precisely the kind of life-saving sustenance needed during a severe drought, instantly alleviating his immense burden.

Shan Tianyou, positioned at the very core of the formation, cast a look of profound gratitude toward Xu Ping before swiftly seizing the precious life energy. He then propelled himself forward with every ounce of his remaining strength.

With this infusion of new power, the radiance of the formation intensified, shining with even greater brilliance.

At long last——

"Crack!"

A distinct, sharp sound, akin to an invisible shackle being completely obliterated, resonated from Yan Feng's body.

An immense and terrifying pressure, surpassing any felt before, erupted from Yan Feng like an ancient beast awakening from slumber. This power instantly saturated the entirety of the Blue Sea Tide Cave.

The late stage of the Nascent Soul realm... accomplishment.

Whew!

The spiritual qi surrounding Yan Feng rushed into his body like rivers merging with the ocean, his aura ascending with relentless momentum.

Meanwhile, Shan Tianyou's body swayed precariously. His face was ashen, overshadowed by the pervasive energy of death, leaving him like a flickering candle flame, likely with mere years, perhaps only two or three, left to his lifespan.

"Ancestor!"

At this critical juncture, another cultivator, also at the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm and heavily depleted, displayed an expression of deep sorrow. He quickly moved to support the frail Shan Tianyou.

As the sole cultivator in the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm within the Mystic Water Sect, Shan Tianyou commanded unparalleled prestige throughout the entire sect.

Nevertheless, Shan Tianyou appeared composed, his gaze fixed on his disciple's successful breakthrough. His lips curved into a smile that was both difficult to achieve and profoundly gratifying.

Subsequently, his eyes shifted to Xu Ping. In a voice that was weak yet carried genuine sincerity, he spoke:

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Xu, for extending your helping hand..."

Xu Ping withdrew his mana, his expression serene, and offered a slight shake of his head: "There is no need for such courtesy, Senior. It was merely a small effort."

He extended a hand to offer assistance.

Beyond aiding the elder cultivator, he harbored another objective: to ascertain whether the refinement of the Dragon Blood Nirvana Pill could truly facilitate a breakthrough into the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm.

Now, with Yan Feng's successful advancement, a sense of relative satisfaction settled upon him.

...

Observing that Yan Feng had begun to stabilize his newly attained realm, the three cultivators, unwilling to disrupt his process, quietly departed from the Blue Sea Tide Cave.

Xu Ping accompanied Shan Tianyou back to his own cave abode.

After both had settled into their respective seats, Shan Tianyou once again offered his solemn gratitude to Xu Ping. He pledged: "Young Friend Xu, the Mystic Water Sect shall forever bear in mind your profound kindness today. I will assuredly procure a spiritual object that extends life to compensate for the toll you have sustained..."

This time, Xu Ping did not refuse, nodding his acceptance: "Then I thank you in advance, Senior."

"Indeed, this is merely compensation. Had it not been for Fellow Daoist Xu's crucial intervention today, we would likely have faced complete failure."

"Therefore, I earnestly hope Fellow Daoist Xu will accept this piece of spirit wood."

Shan Tianyou produced a jade box. Within it rested a section of sandalwood approximately a foot in length. Its texture was as smooth as polished jade, exuding an astonishingly potent life force and projecting an immense spiritual pressure.

"Quasi-Fifth Rank Spirit Wood?"

Xu Ping swept the item with his divine sense. Upon perceiving its quality, he was instantly taken aback.

Quasi-Fifth Rank Spirit Wood—a treasure of this magnitude far surpassed the value of the vital essence blood from a Mist Lake Mouse. It was a rarity potent enough to incite intense competition even among cultivators at the late stage.

"Senior Shan, this item is far too precious. I, Xu Mou, am undeserving," Xu Ping stated, making no move to accept it.

Acquiring something for nothing, particularly a gift of such immense significance, would invariably imply further, potentially burdensome, obligations.

Shan Tianyou responded with a warm smile: "Fellow Daoist Xu, there is no need to decline."

"This wood is unsuitable for my Mystic Water Sect, and since you excel in the Dao of Talismans, it is perfect for crafting superior talisman paper using this wood as the core material."

Xu Ping remained silent for a moment, his gaze fixed upon Shan Tianyou's outwardly composed visage, which nonetheless betrayed a hint of weariness and pallor. He then spoke:

"Senior Shan, this spirit wood is a valuable treasure. I cannot accept it without a valid reason. If you have any requests where my assistance is needed, I implore you to state them plainly."

Shan Tianyou's smile lost some of its warmth, and he let out a soft sigh. "I harbor no specific demands."

"I merely hope that should my Mystic Water Sect ever face existential peril, and if Daoist Friend Xu possesses the ability, you might extend a helping hand to safeguard the legacy of my Mystic Water Sect."

Xu Ping cast a profound glance at Shan Tianyou.

The aura of this late-stage Nascent Soul Great Cultivator was noticeably unstable, akin to a guttering candle flame, clearly indicative of his expenditure of remaining lifespan to guarantee his sect's continuation.

After a brief period of contemplation, Xu Ping solemnly received the jade box, tucking it into his robes. He stated with gravity, "Very well, Senior Shan. I shall commit your words to memory today."

"Should such a day arrive, and if I am indeed capable, I will not stand idly by."

His promise was conditional upon his own strength; if the Mystic Water Sect were to provoke a power beyond even his capacity to resist, that would be an entirely different matter.

Upon hearing this, Shan Tianyou's countenance broke into a smile of relief and deep gratitude, as if a tremendous weight had been lifted: "In that case... I thank Daoist Friend Xu in advance."

After a brief exchange of polite words, and noting Shan Tianyou's somewhat wavering aura, Xu Ping decided against prolonging his stay, rising to take his leave.

Departing the Mystic Water Sect, Xu Ping glanced back at the ethereal, cloud-shrouded immortal mountain, a complex tapestry of emotions stirring within him.

Even a cultivator as advanced as Shan Tianyou, standing at the late stage of Nascent Soul, had not hesitated to exhaust his final vestiges of lifespan for the sake of his sect's enduring heritage.

This world of cultivation, with its harsh realities and moments of profound tenderness, often revealed itself in such paradoxical ways.

...

Three months subsequently passed, and Xu Ping found himself on Blood Bone Island.

Maneuvering his Escape Light, Xu Ping traversed Blood Bone Island's protective formations, making his way back to his secluded cave abode.

The foremost task upon his return was to summon the Spirit Worm.

Before long, the earth beneath him churned as if it were liquid, and a colossal head, adorned with rings of dark gold, emerged – it was the Spirit Worm.