Chapter 267: Heavenly Phenomenon (Congratulations to the Silver Alliance)
“Fellow Daoist Zhong. . . ”
Upon seeing Zhong Hong Yu descend from the high platform, Tai Shu Hong offered a faint smile: “That Tu Sha cultivates a peculiar art; his combat generates a chilling baleful qi. Cultivators with shallower cultivation and unstable minds can be affected, leading to poor performance. . . What a pity. . . Hong Ding could have clearly performed better. ”
“It’s simply a matter of skill, nothing more. ”
Zhong Hong Yu snorted coldly.
“Indeed. . . After all, your Zhong family’s main focus this time is still Zhong Ling Xiu. ”
Tai Shu Hong chuckled, watching the Qi Refinement spar on the high platform, and remarked seemingly inadvertently.
“Ling Xiu has, after all, cultivated for too short a time. How could she compare to the rising stars of your top three families? Xiahou Lie’s ‘Lie Yang Jue’ is also a top-tier art in terms of power. . . ”
Zhong Hong Yu scoffed: “And you even secretly spread rumors. . . treating the Island Lord’s personal items as your family’s. Is this an attempt at private dealings? ”
“We certainly didn’t spread those words! ”
Such an accusation was too serious for him to bear.
After achieving Foundation Establishment, he had begun to reorganize his family and would never be so foolish.
He even suspected the hidden rumors and gossip were spread by the Zhong family themselves!
However, as the investigation continued, it didn't quite seem to fit, bearing some resemblance to a third-party force sowing discord.
After all, Dragon Fish Island was now truly a chaotic mix of people, with many minor Qi Refinement families having migrated there, along with a large number of rogue cultivators!
“As if you would dare! ”
Zhong Hong Yu snorted coldly.
She had basically confirmed that Tai Shu Hong was not behind it, bringing it up now was merely to indulge in verbal sparring.
Moreover, Tai Shu Hong was indeed worthy of being a cultivator who had successfully achieved Foundation Establishment on his own, and with a superior-grade spiritual root, his cultivation speed was very rapid. Even though she had achieved Foundation Establishment earlier, his cultivation showed signs of subtly catching up, or even surpassing, hers.
She, after all, only possessed a mid-grade spiritual root, and her cultivation method wasn’t quite compatible with her spiritual root.
‘Guest Elder Hong is a contemporary of the Island Lord, and Island Lord Ruan and Island Lord Liu are roughly similar. . . ’
‘When this batch of Foundation Establishment cultivators reaches their lifespan limit, will the Myriad Islands Lake of the future still be dominated by the top three families? ’
‘However, as long as the Island Lord succeeds, it doesn’t really matter. ’
Zhong Hong Yu held a strange confidence in Fang Xi, perhaps a reverence cultivated since childhood.
“Winner. . . Zhao San! ”
At this moment, the cultivators on the stage had once again determined a victor.
Tai Shu Hong bid farewell and proactively ascended the high platform to preside over the next spar. . .
...
Three days later.
The Treasure Contest gradually drew to a close.
And the final match was currently unfolding on the high platform.
However, while one participant was expected, the other was quite a surprise.
“I never thought. . . it would actually be him! ”
Long Feng’s face was pale, clutching a wounded shoulder, as he stared blankly at the stage.
The fighters on the stage were none other than Xiahou Lie of the Xiahou family and. . . Hai Da Niu!
At this moment, Xiahou Lie, with his Yang-attribute cultivation method, seemed almost to be burning, manipulating several dazzling artifacts to continuously assault Hai Da Niu.
Hai Da Niu, however, was unhurried, holding a massive rock shield, his body also covered in a layer of rock armor, his defense impenetrable.
Even Long Qin had not expected that Hai Da Niu would make it all the way to the end!
Over these three days, she had indeed witnessed many exciting duels.
There were even various secret talismans and secret arts. . . several late-stage Qi Refinement experts accidentally died on the arena.
And the performances of Mo Guan Feng, Zhong Ling Xiu, Tu Sha, Na Yun Zi, and others were also quite impressive.
Even her cousin Long Feng, despite his string of victories earlier, finally encountered a true master after entering the top ten and was knocked off the arena by Zhong Ling Xiu. . .
Zhong Ling Xiu was then defeated and eliminated by Hai Da Niu. . .
Now, it was Hai Da Niu and Xiahou Lie contending for the Core Formation Spiritual Item!
“Brother Da Niu, go for it! ”
Long Qin naturally supported her acquaintance, waving her small fists and cheering for Hai Da Niu.
“I truly didn’t expect this. . . ”
Zhong Hong Yu gazed at Hai Da Niu on the stage, a thoughtful expression on her face: “This person must have an Earth-attribute spiritual root, cultivating the ‘Pan Shi Jue’ art, correct? This art emphasizes a steady and unhurried approach. . . He was able to cultivate steadily to the Qi Refinement Great Perfection stage, his spiritual power foundation is incredibly solid, and moreover, as long as he stands on the earth, his spiritual power recovery speed also increases. . . Furthermore, he’s actually a body cultivator at the third level! ”
A body cultivation art cultivated to the third level was already comparable to a late-stage Qi Refinement cultivator.
Moreover, this person wielded a top-grade defensive artifact, and his stamina was incredibly long. Several of his previous opponents were simply worn down by him in this manner.
“If they can’t break through this person’s defense, the Xiahou family’s youngster will be in danger. . . ”
Yuan Fei Hong stated without any bias.
But Hai Da Niu’s defense, which was merely a few blows for their Foundation Establishment cultivators, was quite troublesome for Qi Refinement cultivators.
“Alas. . . this is just poor timing for Lie’er, this child. ”
Tai Shu Hong’s eyes flashed with keenness; he knew that while Xiahou Lie appeared formidable now, he was caught in a quagmire.
If he couldn’t break through Hai Da Niu’s defense within a short time, he would gradually fall into a disadvantaged position and eventually suffer a crushing defeat!
Unfortunately, even though he had seen this long ago, there was nothing he could do.
The three Foundation Establishment cultivators held each other back, limiting his ability to interfere.
What’s more, even if he could interfere, he wouldn’t dare.
After all, this Hai Da Niu was not without backing; his family had been the Island Lord’s tenant farmers for generations, and they could speak directly to him!
After he and that Mo family youngster arrived at Dragon Fish Island, they were even summoned by the Island Lord, who gave them a few words of encouragement before allowing them to work on Dragon Island!
Who knew if this person had caught the Island Lord’s eye?
Therefore, even knowing how troublesome this person was, he could only watch helplessly.
The rhythm of the duel was quite dull.
Hai Da Niu’s strategy was simple and clear: rely on defense, exhaust his opponent’s spiritual power, and then counterattack!
Ultimately. . .
Xiahou Lie even resorted to a secret art that damaged his vital essence, enhancing the power of his artifact, but could only barely cleave open the rock defense, which Hai Da Niu withstood with his own physique.
If this arena duel had allowed the use of second-order talismans, perhaps he could have broken through Hai Da Niu’s defense.
But the secret arts unleashed by Qi Refinement cultivators were ultimately no match for the power of Foundation Establishment.
The outcome of the arena match was now certain.
Bang!
With a punch covered in rock armor that knocked Xiahou Lie unconscious, the Treasure Contest finally concluded.
“The winner of this Treasure Contest – Hai Da Niu! ”
Yuan Fei Hong exchanged glances with the two other Foundation Establishment cultivators, then transformed into three streaks of light, jointly arriving on the high platform, and loudly announced: “The reward is a bottle of ‘Blackwind Baleful Qi Essence’! ”
He smiled as he handed the bottle of baleful qi to Hai Da Niu.
“Thank you, My Lord, thank you, Great Cultivators! ”
Hai Da Niu smiled with a simple and honest expression, his mouth seemingly stretched wide to his ears.
“The second place of the Treasure Contest is rewarded with a top-grade artifact. . . ”
Tai Shu Hong continued to announce the rewards; the top ten masters all received more or less some pills or spirit stones as prizes, ensuring everyone got a share.
“Da Niu. . . ”
Yuan Fei Hong patted Hai Da Niu’s shoulder, finding the good-natured young man quite pleasing to the eye: “Now that you’ve obtained the baleful qi essence, you’ve become the focus of all attention. . . Hurry and rent a second-order cave abode, then go into seclusion to use the baleful qi to establish your Foundation. . . ”
“Yes, I’ll follow My Lord’s instructions! ”
Hai Da Niu hastily nodded, agreeing.
He looked down, as if wanting to say something more.
Suddenly!
Dragon Fish Island abruptly trembled, as if an earth dragon were turning over, causing Hai Da Niu to stumble, nearly falling. Fortunately, he clutched tightly onto the white jade bottle.
“What happened? ”
“An earth dragon turning over? ”
“Impossible! Dragon Fish Island is protected by a grand array, how could it be affected by an earth dragon turning over? ”
As the Qi Refinement cultivators looked at each other in dismay, Long Qin suddenly felt something, raised her head, and looked towards the center of the island, an incredulous expression appearing on her face.
“Look. . . ”
“What is that? ”
Several people pointed towards the very center of the island.
There, the perennial mist had for some reason largely dissipated, revealing a gigantic ancient tree shading the sky and covering the sun!
This tree’s trunk was black, marked with blood-red patterns, and its thick canopy hung with countless vines and aerial roots, though no puppets were suspended from their ends.
Buzzing!
Spiritual energy visible to the naked eye converged towards the giant tree’s canopy, even forming a tide!
The spiritual energy within a radius of dozens of miles was almost instantly sucked away, giving nearby cultivators a 'suffocating sensation'!
Spiritual mist, visible to the naked eye, swirled at the top of the demonic tree’s canopy, as if forming a massive funnel-like vortex, slowly and steadily rotating.
At the same time, the spiritual energy cloud, after intense compression, transformed into wisps of liquid spiritual rain, continuously showering down along the canopy, flowing down the branches, converging on the main trunk, and then seemingly swallowed by some mysterious entity!
Rumble!
A terrifying spiritual pressure emerged from the mist-shrouded base of the demonic tree, constantly spreading outwards!
“This spiritual pressure! ”
Yuan Fei Hong gazed at the demonic tree, his eyes filled with longing, envy. . . and even a hint of jealousy: “There’s no mistake. . . it’s the pressure of a Core Formation Ancestor. . . The Island Lord is breaking through to Core Formation! ”
“Core Formation Heavenly Phenomenon! So that’s it! ”
Watching the scene of the elements changing within dozens of miles, Zhong Hong Yu’s face, however, flashed with joy: “The Island Lord has been in seclusion for many years, and is finally about to successfully form a Golden Core! ? ”
“Golden Core, ah. . . ”
Tai Shu Hong looked at this scene, his eyes also filled with longing: “I wonder if, in my lifetime, I can cultivate to Foundation Establishment Perfection and make this attempt! ”
“Island Lord. . . is actually going to form a Golden Core? ! ”
Hai Da Niu, who had nearly collapsed, managed to get up, muttering: “The Island Lord will definitely succeed! ”
“Young man. . . you’re truly lucky! ”
Yuan Fei Hong looked at Hai Da Niu, his expression somewhat peculiar: “If the Island Lord had broken through a little later. . . and you had gone into seclusion for your Foundation Establishment, affected by this spiritual energy vortex and the Core Formation Heavenly Phenomenon, you would have had no chance of success. ”
‘Could it be. . . that this person truly possesses fortuitous encounters? Otherwise, why is he always so perfectly timed, turning ill fortune into good? ’
Tai Shu Hong looked at Hai Da Niu, also feeling a little uncertain and surprised.
Although cultivators do not believe in fate, they believe in fortuitous encounters!
Otherwise, how could they defy heaven and change their destiny, seize fortune, and thereby achieve lasting longevity?
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