My gorgeous wife Chapter 2005 - 1973: Strolling Leisurely

Li Chen’s plan was undoubtedly audacious. While nearly everyone else gazed upon the ancient tree, envisioning its acquisition for personal cultivation, the enlightenment of their descendants, or even the foundation of a new Sect, Li Chen harbored a different ambition. No one else considered cultivating or attempting a breakthrough in this very location. They instinctively understood the immense difficulties and restrictions imposed by the environment. It wasn’t that the essence of heaven and earth here didn’t tempt them, or that they didn't desire to cultivate. They simply lacked the courage and the ability!

But Li Chen possessed both! Not only did he intend to cultivate here, but he also aimed to break through to the Soul Realm. This bold, bordering on insane, idea would surely lead anyone who knew of it to believe Li Chen had lost his mind. Such an endeavor was akin to courting death. The Regretless Mountain Range’s suppression was a known constant; any attempt to force a breakthrough, even if successful, would inevitably result in being crushed by the Palm Realm level suppression alone.

Yet, Li Chen harbored no such reservations. If he conceived it, he would execute it. The ancient adage, “Fortune favors the bold, while the timid starve,” held true.

“Look, he’s making a move!”

“Who is he? You all seem unusually wary of him,” a cultivator, having missed the earlier confrontation, inquired in a hushed tone from their companion.

“Shh! Lower your voice. We don’t know him either, but he’s certainly more than just a mere Array Master,” a robust figure replied discreetly.

“I recognize his exceptional skills in the Formation Path; otherwise, he couldn’t have devised the method to lift the valley’s restrictions. But here, everyone’s cultivation is limited to the Domain Realm. How could he possibly be stronger than the Domain Realm?” the first cultivator pressed, a note of bewilderment in their voice.

The robust figure swallowed, “It’s difficult to ascertain if his cultivation is truly suppressed to the Domain Realm. However, I am certain that opposing him here would lead to dire consequences.”

With that, the robust figure fell silent. Though they hadn't witnessed the full extent of the preceding battle, Li Chen's appearance here while the Shadow did not was sufficient reason for their caution. From any perspective, they wished to avoid offending such an enigmatic and powerful expert.

Observing the palpable apprehension among those nearby, the inquiring cultivator refrained from further questions. They then voiced, “Since you all hold him in such high esteem, why don’t we observe how far he can progress?”

“Indeed, witnessing this also reveals one’s strength,” another agreed.

“Who was the furthest traveler before?”

“It was a formidable being from the Demon Realm, who advanced nearly a thousand steps but ultimately retreated in disappointment, unable to proceed further.”

“That Demon Realm powerhouse was very likely… a Purgatory Demon Lord!”

“A Purgatory Demon Lord? Even he could only reach a thousand steps?” someone exclaimed in astonishment. A Purgatory Demon Lord is equivalent to a Ninth Order Expert. If even such a mighty individual could only traverse a thousand steps, does this imply no one can approach the ancient tree?”

“The peculiar conditions here do indeed suppress everyone’s Qi to the Domain Realm. I believe if the Purgatory Demon Lord could utilize his full strength, he should have easily reached the vicinity of the ancient tree,” someone countered, shaking their head.

“Nevertheless, this serves as a testament to strength; that ancient tree is no trivial matter.”

“Quick, look, the figure in black has reached seven hundred steps!”

Amidst their discussion, they suddenly noticed Li Chen moving with surprising speed. He surpassed many individuals in a remarkably short time, directly reaching the seven hundred-step mark, to their utter shock. This was not merely considered a significant distance; Li Chen's pace was astonishingly rapid. They had never before witnessed someone advance so quickly under such oppressive conditions!

Li Chen observed his surroundings, noting the presence of numerous strong figures. Some had indeed reached the seven hundred steps. This point marked over half the distance to the ancient tree. Having crossed the halfway point, many individuals paused to rest before continuing. It was evident that traversing such a distance had significantly drained their strength. They had to meticulously manage their energy expenditure and, crucially, avoid recklessly absorbing the ambient essence of heaven and earth. A careless absorption could lead to their immediate disintegration within a short span.

On this arduous journey, a considerable number had been crushed, but not a few had also been obliterated. Glancing at those nearby, Li Chen, without a moment's hesitation, pressed onward.

The pressure barely grazed him, serving as a minor hurdle; the true struggles, he suspected, awaited him further ahead.

"Look quickly! He’s this…"

"This is far too rapid, wouldn’t you agree? How is he managing this, eight hundred, it’s precisely eight hundred steps!"

"Unbelievable! His pace remains unbroken, he’s still pressing onward!"

"Approaching nine hundred, no, he has already surpassed nine hundred steps!"

The numerous cultivators gathered at the periphery of the ancient tree domain watched with mouths agape at the unfolding spectacle.

Never in their wildest imaginations had they conceived Li Chen to possess such terrifying might. The immense pressure emanating from the very essence of heaven and earth seemed to pose virtually no obstacle to him, as he proceeded with apparent ease to the nine hundred-step marker.

In prior times, the individual who had ventured the furthest among them had only managed to reach a thousand steps.

Within the assembled throng, a figure of considerable power, who had remained notably silent, could not help but subtly tilt his head upwards, observing Li Chen with a gaze filled with uncommon gravity.

This individual had previously been the farthest-reaching presence from the Demon Realm.

Though he had abstained from contributing to the ongoing discussion, the others’ earlier conjectures were, in fact, accurate: he was undeniably a figure of Demon Lord caliber.

Witnessing Li Chen reach the nine hundred-step milestone with such apparent lack of exertion caused his pupils to constrict involuntarily.

Distinct from the observations of the surrounding onlookers, he perceived that Li Chen’s capacity to traverse such a distance might not be substantially contingent upon his Cultivation level.

"A peak Body Refinement expert," the Purgatory Demon Lord finally vocalized, articulating these words with deliberate weight.

Upon hearing the pronouncement from the Demon Lord, the rest of the observers finally grasped the situation, and their collective gasps of astonishment echoed through the air.

"A peak Body Refinement expert? In a venue such as this, that would indeed confer a significant advantage, employing a robust physical form to surge forward directly."

"Could anyone ascertain the specific grade of Body Refinement this individual has attained?"

Another potent figure chimed in, unable to suppress his curiosity, "While I cannot determine the exact grade of Body Refinement expert he is, I do recognize someone near the thousand-step mark."

The aforementioned figure gestured towards a martial artist positioned near the thousand-step threshold, radiating a distinctive aura of light. "That individual is a comrade of mine, also a Body Refinement expert, who achieved the Great Accomplishment Golden Body decades ago. However, his progress was certainly not as effortless as this young man’s…"

Engrossed by the speaker’s account, the assembled group of powerful individuals found themselves momentarily stunned.

This realization implied that the young man clad in black might very well possess the terrifying attributes of an exceptionally formidable Body Refinement expert, potentially wielding Indestructible Realm Physical Refinement Cultivation?

While the mere possession of an Indestructible Body might not be singularly decisive, its application in combat would undoubtedly render such a Body Refining Realm practitioner a truly fearsome opponent.

The recent confrontation involving Yu Ming, despite possessing The Undying and Immortal Emperor Cultivation, who managed to push a Purgatory Demon Lord to the brink of exasperation, served as a potent testament to this very principle!