My gorgeous wife Chapter 2004 - 1972: A Mad Idea

~5 minute read · 1,355 words
Previously on My gorgeous wife...
A powerful woman seemingly restrained a formidable foe that You Ming and Bai Shi encountered. Li Chen considers the immense strength of this foe, admitting it was a joint effort that led to their victory. Now, believing his current strength is insufficient, Li Chen decides to break through his cultivation limits and head towards a mysterious ancient tree, possibly one of the Seven Divine Trees.

The journey from the Domain Realm to the Soul Realm is a protracted one. For numerous cultivators, this arduous path can consume an entire lifetime. However, for Li Chen, the circumstances are distinct. Despite dedicating a considerable duration to cultivation, he remains remarkably young, even exceptionally so, when juxtaposed with Elders who have witnessed centuries, even millennia, pass. His own accumulation within the Domain Realm, nevertheless, has long since reached its zenith. On several occasions, opportunities to ascend directly to the Soul Realm presented themselves, yet he deliberately refrained from breaking through. It wasn't an inability to advance, but rather a strategic waiting for the opportune moment, a perfect confluence of factors for his advancement. Previously, Li Chen remained patient, anticipating this ideal moment. Had no extraordinary developments occurred, his intention was to achieve his Soul Realm breakthrough within the Ancient Battle Realm. Yet, as the situation currently stands, it appears the other locales within the Ancient Battle Realm might not offer superior prospects. The preeminent choice is decidedly before him. "With such an abundance of Heaven and Earth Essence, it ought to suffice for a breakthrough," Li Chen mused to himself. Any other individual overhearing Li Chen’s declaration might readily dismiss him as a madman. To attempt a breakthrough to the Soul Realm in a location where cultivation is ostensibly suppressed—what else could such an endeavor be termed if not sheer lunacy? This implies that during his breakthrough, he would not only confront the tribulations inherent to the Soul Realm but also endure the compounded pressure emanating from the Regretless Mountain Range. The suppression exerted by the Regretless Mountain Range is no trivial matter; even formidable Lords of the Dao are compelled to yield to its restrictive influence upon their cultivated powers. Yet, Li Chen actively contemplates achieving the Soul Realm in this very place. Such aspirations can only be characterized as utterly irrational. Nevertheless, from Li Chen’s perspective, no other location presents itself as more fitting for such a pivotal breakthrough. The dense concentration of Heaven and Earth Essence present here is precisely what he requires to provide the final impetus for his ascent to the Soul Realm. As for the Seven Divine Trees, Li Chen harbors no significant envy. Even acknowledging their immense value does not sway his conviction. Following recent occurrences, Li Chen has come to understand with even greater clarity that personal strength is the paramount concern. Had he currently attained the might of an Ascended Heaven Realm Heavenly Lord, or even a Great Heavenly Honor such as the esteemed Daiyu Heavenly Venerable, how many would dare to cast covetous eyes upon the supreme treasures he possesses? "Pfft!" "Pfft!" At this precise moment, several more individuals, drawing near the ancient arboreal structure, were forcefully extinguished by the overwhelming Heaven and Earth Essence. These two had already traversed a considerable distance, identified as cultivators of the Soul Realm. However, even they, it was apparent, could not withstand the monstrous, oppressive atmospheric pressure; their physical forms abruptly erupted, and their primordial spirits and divine souls transmuted into luminous streams, rapidly retreating into the distance. Not a single soul attempted to intercept the two departing spirits upon observing the twin streaks of light streaking away. This is because they are cognizant that this is the Ancient Battle Realm, not their native spheres of existence. Deprived of their corporeal vessels, these two spirits would not endure for protracted periods. It is highly probable that they would fall prey to the myriad dangers lurking within this domain before locating a fresh host to inhabit. The dissolution of one's physical embodiment already signifies a death sentence for the two individuals. After prudent consideration, Li Chen, accompanied by Netherworld, advanced into the Ancient Tree Domain. Upon their ingress, Bai Shi and Netherworld’s respiration faltered momentarily, nearly succumbing to the crushing pressure of the Heaven and Earth Essence. Netherworld, in his true form as Myriad Gu, possesses inherently immense power. Even without dedicated Body Refinement, he can contend with elite exponents of physical cultivation, a trait that facilitated his endurance of the formidable oppressive forces. Bai Shi, hailing from the ancient Zhu Yan Clan, possesses innate aptitudes for power. His physical prowess is astonishingly robust, enabling him to recuperate swiftly after a momentary falter. Li Chen activated his Eye of the Dao, meticulously scrutinizing the duo. "Netherworld, advance two hundred paces, then cease your movement and commence cultivation." "Old Bai, proceed three hundred paces and then halt." Acknowledging Li Chen’s directives, they silently nodded, placing unwavering faith in his judgment. Li Chen perceived that while Netherworld’s cultivation progression appeared rapid, it likely stemmed from a potent inherited power. Netherworld, despite having barely entered the Kuotian Realm, exhibited an unsteady cultivation base, occasionally struggling to contain the dissipation of his own essence. Such an environment is ideally suited for refining Netherworld’s cultivation. Bai Shi fares better, though three hundred paces should prove adequate. His foundational strength is considerably more profound than Netherworld’s. In Li Chen’s estimation, Bai Shi is not far from reaching the Soul Realm; all that remains is further accumulation. The profusion of Heaven and Earth Essence present in this locale is, quite naturally, the most advantageous setting for such enrichment.

Though cultivators often gaze with envy upon the Heaven and Earth Essence found here, they understand that proximity to the ancient tree is paramount; without it, any thought of obtaining such essence is but a foolish dream.

Every individual present finds their cultivation capped at the Domain Realm. Those possessing Soul Realm cultivation are unable to absorb or practice here, and even cultivators at the pinnacle of the Domain Realm cannot hope to extract the essence of this place.

Consequently, despite the almost maddening concentration of Heaven and Earth Essence, what truly drives people to despair is its frustrating, chicken-rib nature—they are utterly incapable of absorbing it.

For individuals like Netherworld, whose cultivation has not yet reached Domain Realm Perfection, such a location becomes the ultimate training ground.

A wave of envy washes over many as they witness Netherworld stopping at the two hundredth step to commence his cultivation.

However, a mere glance at the retreating figure of Li Chen sends a shiver down their spines.

To cross a formidable figure such as him for the sake of a junior is, by all accounts, an unwise course of action.

Unbeknownst to them, of course, as Netherworld began his cultivation, Li Chen had already silently erected an invisible trap and slaying formation around him. Any soul who dared to make a move against Netherworld would, in truth, be inviting their own demise.

After ensuring Netherworld was settled, Li Chen proceeded to arrange a secure location for Bai Shi, similarly encasing him within a protective formation.

The specific points at which Netherworld and Bai Shi chose to halt were meticulously selected by Li Chen.

His intention was to guarantee that neither would face any undue trouble, while simultaneously subjecting them to substantial pressure—an environment that, at least in Li Chen’s informed opinion, is exceptionally suitable for their cultivation.

With both Netherworld and Bai Shi properly settled, Li Chen’s attention naturally drifted towards the ancient tree standing in the distance.

At this juncture, he stands approximately one thousand steps away from the venerable ancient tree.

Before Li Chen, numerous powerful cultivators are exerting their utmost effort to inch closer to the ancient tree.

It is abundantly clear that such a mystifying and ancient tree is coveted by all.

Li Chen shares this desire, but what he craves even more at this moment is to harness the Heaven and Earth Essence from this colossal tree… to forcefully break through to the Soul Realm!

The closer one gets to the ancient tree, the more concentrated the Heaven and Earth Essence becomes, and the greater the pressure intensifies, which is precisely why many powerful individuals have suddenly collapsed.

At this very instant, a wild and audacious idea begins to form in Li Chen’s mind.

His plan: to sit and cultivate directly beneath the ancient tree!