Cultivation Starts from Farming Chapter 986 - 425: Spirit Worm’s Breakthrough; Vital Energy Breakthrough 2

A Fourth Rank Middle Grade Spirit Worm, if its existence were revealed, it would undoubtedly send shockwaves through the cultivation world. After all, the sheer difficulty in nurturing these Spirit Worms was common knowledge. Yet, Xu Ping had managed it, and to her, it felt as natural as breathing. "I've furnished it with numerous items for realm breakthroughs; if it falters now, its future prospects will be quite dim." Xu Ping chuckled heartily, openly relishing Duan Shuang's admiration.

... One month elapsed. The Spirit Worm had fully solidified its Fourth Rank Middle Grade cultivation and officially made its appearance. Its size seemed to have diminished slightly, but it possessed a more refined form, entirely cast in dark gold, akin to divine metal. A profound demonic power emanated from it, feeling as weighty as a mountain, signifying a quantum leap in its perception and control over the earth veins.

Xu Ping summoned it forth to scrutinize its divine techniques. With a mere flex of its body, the Spirit Worm could manipulate earth energy within a radius of several dozen miles, conjuring impenetrable defenses or unleashing ferocious assaults within the formations. It could even phase into deeper earth veins at astonishing speeds. Most critically, its ability to invigorate the spirit vein of Blood Bone Island was paramount.

"Master," the Spirit Worm eagerly conveyed its thoughts, "With my current capabilities, even without additional spirit vein segments to provide aid, by fully nourishing and guiding the existing one, I am absolutely confident that within thirty years at most, Blood Bone Island's spirit vein can be elevated to Fourth Rank Upper Grade!"

"Excellent." Hearing this, Xu Ping could finally no longer contain a satisfied smile. Thirty-odd years—a duration slightly exceeding his own journey to the peak of Mid-stage Nascent Soul. But this was of little consequence. Advancing to the later stages necessitated certain preparations, during which this waiting period was entirely manageable. Xu Ping gently caressed the Spirit Worm's now hardened exterior, commending, "It was worth expending my considerable effort and resources to aid your breakthrough."

"Next, dedicate yourself to nourishing the spirit vein. Once the spirit vein advances, I too shall reap benefits when I ascend to Late-stage Nascent Soul!"

"Thank you, Master!" The Spirit Worm then burrowed into the earth, commencing its task of nourishing the spirit vein. In the ensuing days, Xu Ping could distinctly perceive the gradual enhancement of the spirit vein's quality. Though minute, the improvement was undeniable. Concurrently, the Spiritual Qi on Blood Bone Island began a slow but steady increase.

.... Time flowed like water, and three quiet years slipped by amidst the deceptive swells of the outer sea. On this particular day, in the eastern reaches of the outer sea, a grand archipelago, encircled by countless smaller and larger islets, glittered like scattered gems upon the azure expanse. The concentration of Spiritual Qi here vastly outshone that of ordinary oceanic territories. Immortal mountains pierced the sky from within the islands, while pavilions and towers emerged from swirling mists, adorned by cascading waterfalls and babbling springs, painting a truly ethereal panorama.

This hallowed ground was none other than the main seat of the Star Palace. The Star Palace commanded a sprawling island territory, its continuous edifices and the bustling activity of disciples coming and going painting a picture of prosperity. Its overall might appeared to possess a slight edge over the Mystic Water Sect. However, unbeknownst to any, beneath this tranquil veneer, a profound crisis, capable of shattering the Star Palace's destiny, was silently brewing at its very heart.

Deep within the Star Palace, in a secluded cave mansion designated as forbidden and blessed with the most abundant Spiritual Qi. This location was originally the private sanctuary of the Star Palace's sole patriarch at the Late-stage Nascent Soul, Ma Jin. It was protected day and night by numerous restrictive formations, making it impossible for any unauthorized individuals to approach. Yet, at this very moment, the interior of the cave mansion was far from its customary quietude. A biting, unnatural cold wind swirled, permeating every nook and cranny of the cave mansion, effectively isolating it from external auras and stifling all sounds of conflict within.

"Poof!" A muffled sound of blood splattering echoed. In the center of the cave, a frail old man clad in a robe adorned with cloud patterns, his face ashen and bloodless, stumbled backward. A dark palm print marred his chest, radiating a corrosive demonic qi. He was the linchpin of the Star Palace, the Late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, Ma Jin. Ma Jin's formidable aura was visibly waning, blood ceaselessly trickling from the corners of his mouth. His once sharp eyes were now clouded with shock, indignation, and a profound sense of utter despair. He fixed his gaze upon the three figures standing aligned before him, his voice hoarse as he growled, "Xuanmo, you... how dare you conspire with outsiders against Star Palace and betray your fellow cultivators of the outer sea!"

The three individuals confronting him exuded auras as vast and deep as the ocean, each a paramount elite among Late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators. The one positioned on the left, enveloped by swirling demonic qi, was none other than the formidable Xuanmo True Monarch, a giant of the demonic path in the outer sea.

Although the other two were not clad in Star Palace’s standard uniform, their profound Star Power undulations and haughty presence unmistakably marked them as elite cultivators from the Star Palace.

Adding to Ma Jin's overwhelming sense of helplessness, each of the three individuals possessed artifacts radiating spatial energy. Two of these artifacts were confirmed to be Heaven-Reaching Spiritual Treasures, specializing in spatial manipulation.

These two spatial Heaven-Reaching Spiritual Treasures had effectively rendered the cave mansion impregnable, leaving him, a cultivator at the Late-stage Nascent Soul realm, with virtually no opportunity for escape or even a significant disturbance.

This overwhelming level of suppression ignited an unprecedented wave of despair and powerlessness within his heart.

Witnessing Ma Jin's dire predicament, Xuanmo True Monarch let out a sinister laugh. He subtly reined in his demonic qi before mockingly sighing, "Fellow Daoist Ma, why cling to such stubbornness? A futile resistance will only lead to your utter destruction."

"If you were to release your mind, allowing me to place a restriction within your sea of consciousness and pledge allegiance to the Star Palace, you would at least preserve your life and continue to serve as a patriarch in the future. Is that not a truly wonderful prospect?"

"Placing a restriction in my sea of consciousness?"

Ma Jin’s countenance immediately contorted into a look of extreme distaste upon hearing this, as if he had just consumed a putrid insect.

To have one's life entirely surrendered to another was an absolute humiliation for a Late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator of his standing, a figure who commanded considerable respect and authority.