My gorgeous wife Chapter 2008 - 1976: The Leap

The pressure encircling them was indeed overwhelmingly intense. If it were merely the natural essence and Qi of heaven and earth, no matter how abundant, it could not possibly manifest such an oppressive force.

Li Chen was well aware that this was likely a self-preservation mechanism devised by beings of this caliber. Without such safeguards, this ancient tree would hardly have endured through the ages, awaiting someone to claim it.

It is crucial to understand that within this miniature secret realm, numerous formidable primitive creatures reside. Yet, even these indigenous beings are incapable of approaching this ancient tree. The very fact that the tree persists after countless years attests to the astonishing efficacy of its defensive measures.

Li Chen could even vaguely perceive that, despite their mastery in the Soul Realm, approaching this tree under such harrowing pressure would be an insurmountable task. He did not believe that a cultivator at the Immortal Venerable Level could reach his current vantage point, and even those at the Immortal Emperor Level would find their bodies on the brink of collapse simply by enduring the cultivation conditions here.

These powerful individuals did not possess the rebirth technique of an Indestructible Body. If they met their end, it would be absolute.

From his current position, Li Chen observed that his surroundings were not entirely barren. Not too far away, several desiccated bloodstains and remnants lay scattered on the ground, with some fragments still radiating a refined luminescence. It was evident that the owners of these remains had perished many years ago, yet they were undeniably beings of immense power in their prime.

Employing his domain power, Li Chen summoned two rings from the vicinity of two nearby remnants into his grasp. Witnessing this, many of the powerful cultivators trailing behind him were filled with envy. They too had spotted these remains, but their strength was insufficient to traverse the distance, leaving those rings tantalizingly out of their reach.

One could easily infer that beings capable of reaching such a location must have possessed astounding might and considerable wealth. Nevertheless, all of that was now of no consequence to them.

Setting aside the two rings without immediate inspection, Li Chen had merely collected them incidentally. His immediate priority was to complete the final leg of his journey.

As Li Chen drew within fifty steps of the ancient tree, his domain began to waver, emitting 'crackling' sounds as if it were on the precipice of shattering. Li Chen wisely chose not to force his domain to hold, as its destruction would inflict significant harm, a detrimental outcome given the current circumstances.

"Selflessness—Transform into Gang!"

Withdrawing his domain, it instantaneously morphed into a luminous, light-blue aura that enveloped Li Chen's body. Third layer Gang Qi! Blood Gang, Body Gang, and now, his Domain transformed into Gang; Li Chen now possessed three distinct layers of Gang Qi.

News of this accomplishment, if disseminated, would undoubtedly astound countless individuals. Gang Qi, revered by cultivators as the ultimate construct attainable through training, now encircled Li Chen's form in three complete layers!

Beyond the Gang Qi, profound laws began to surge around Li Chen, actively opposing the terrifying pressure. "Only forty steps remaining!"

Advancing another ten steps, even Li Chen's Gang Qi began to emit audible crackling, appearing on the verge of disintegration at any moment. Yet, his expression remained resolute as he took another ten steps forward.

"Boom-crack!"

With a thunderous roar, Li Chen's Gang Qi did not shatter, but his entire body abruptly disintegrated within the protective layer, transforming into a mist of blood. "Even... the Indestructible Body cannot withstand it? Just what level of pressure do the final hundred steps command?" someone could not help but lament.

"Truly a shame," another remarked, expressing regret that even with Li Chen's formidable power and the legendary Indestructible Body, he had ultimately dissolved into a mist of blood mere steps from the goal. This implied that the ancient tree remained utterly beyond their collective reach. At the very least, if Li Chen was incapable of claiming the tree, none among them stood a chance.

"Huh?"

While the others dwelled on their regrets, a voice from the Purgatory Demon Lord, who had already traversed a thousand steps, suddenly declared, "No, he is not dead."

"What?"

Following the Purgatory Demon Lord's pronouncement, everyone's gaze shifted forward. Upon observing Li Chen's condition, many could not suppress gasps of astonishment. Indeed, Li Chen was not dead. At the very least, his Gang Qi still encircled him. The blood mist, contained within the Gang Qi, rapidly coalesced once more, reforming Li Chen's physical presence.

Upon his body's reformation, Li Chen appeared exceedingly pale. For him, this process of reconstruction was akin to experiencing death once over. Even though his consciousness remained intact and his Divine Soul would not perish even as his body dissolved into sanguine mist, the sensation itself was undeniably harrowing.

This time, Li Chen paused for a considerable period instead of rashly pressing forward, consuming pills with a reckless abandon, as if their scarcity were of no concern.

As Li Chen remained seated in meditation, no one dared to interrupt his profound contemplation. In that moment, envy and jealousy were absent from their hearts, replaced by a fervent curiosity about his potential success.

After all, within this environment where cultivation was suppressed, it seemed only someone like Li Chen possessed the unique qualifications to achieve such a high position.

If any individual had a chance to attain that level, it was undoubtedly him.

Following a substantial period of rest, Li Chen’s complexion gradually regained its vitality. He then stood, his eyes alight with unwavering determination.

"This time, I shall achieve it!"

"Rumble!!"

A sudden, fiercely blazing aura erupted outward from Li Chen’s very being.

"What is he attempting to do?"

"Could it be that he's unable to advance further, prompting him to act against the ancient tree from afar?"

Within Li Chen’s core, a vigorous vital essence surged forth, transforming into immeasurable power under the influence of the Law of Blood.

"Five Elements Foundation!"

Spreading his five fingers, the potent Power of the Five Elements meticulously formed layered Dao Foundations beneath Li Chen's feet.

"Light-Darkness Canopy!"

The intricate Laws of Light and Darkness surged and intertwined, manifesting as a colossal black-and-white umbrella that unfurled directly above Li Chen's head.

"Wind-Thunder Armor!"

The formidable forces of wind and thunder continuously gathered, eventually solidifying into a magnificent wind-thunder battle armor that enveloped Li Chen.

"Finally..."

At this climactic point, Li Chen’s gaze intensified, burning with a peculiar light as he looked toward the final distance separating him from the ancient tree.

"Gate of Space-Time!"

With an ultimate surge of power, Li Chen stepped forward, traversing dozens of paces in a single instant, arriving directly at the base of the ancient tree!

Concurrently, a terrifying pressure descended upon Li Chen, who stood supremely protected by countless laws acting as his formidable armor.