Chapter 255: Improvement

Ningtai Pill, as a top-tier existence among third-grade pills, needless to say its value.

The one in Yu Zhangsheng's hand was entirely fire-red in color, with faint fire-red cloud qi swirling around the pill, and upon it a pill pattern, like the finishing touch of a brushstroke, adorned it.

Just as it appeared, the surrounding spiritual energy surged and flowed, swirling around this pill; Yu Zhangsheng swept his divine sense over it, confirmed there was no problem, then no longer hesitated and gently swallowed it down.

Three spirit beasts guarded beside him; the pill entered his mouth and instantly turned into a heat current, flowing toward Yu Zhangsheng's four limbs and hundred bones, circulating once before finally gathering in his sea of qi dantian, transforming into the purest energy, being refined by Yu Zhangsheng, supplementing toward the fifth-layer spirit platform that had just condensed as a foundation.

"Boom..."

The healing chamber's formation flickered incessantly, spiritual energy wildly surging into Yu Zhangsheng's body from all directions, finally gathering into a vortex shape, constantly absorbed by Yu Zhangsheng; the Wanling Art crazily operated, washing his entire body's meridians, one after another bone-cracking sound like popping beans continuously rang out from within Yu Zhangsheng's body.

The three spirit beasts were also affected; under this spiritual energy tide, their cultivation realms loosened, slowly rising.

Terrifying aura brewed, the sea of consciousness boiled, qi and blood surged; the Ningtai Pill's medicinal effect exerted its power bit by bit, transforming into majestic medicinal power to supplement Yu Zhangsheng's fifth-layer spirit platform.

In just a moment, this fifth-layer spirit platform condensed thirty percent...

Forty percent, fifty percent...

"Hmm?" Yu Zhangsheng's nose let out a muffled hum, his whole body's blood seemed to boil and scald, his complexion flushed, a drop of nosebleed flowed onto his cheek, a comfortable feeling spread from every cell and pore of his whole body to his brain.

"This fluctuation? Is he about to break through?"

Outside the door, Li Minghan, who had just left not far away, paused his steps, turned back in astonishment to look in the direction where Yu Zhangsheng was, feeling the spiritual energy gathering toward that side from all around, slightly surprised.

"It's only been this long, this guy's cultivation speed is really fast."

Muttering a sentence, Li Minghan shook his head, hands behind his back, slightly puzzled as he left.

"This time, I've been completely surpassed by a latecomer; no, I need to work hard too."

Sighing a sentence, Li Minghan lowered his gaze to look at the Linglong Blood in his hand flashing with blood light, a smile appeared on his cheek, his eyes flickered.

"With this thing, when I meet Yang Chengxu again, I won't be too passive."

………

The three spirit beasts guarded beside Yu Zhangsheng, fully prepared, situated in this spiritual energy tide, unmoved, vigilantly watching the surroundings.

Needless to say, the environment of this healing institute was indeed much better than the outside world; therefore, Yu Zhangsheng's breakthrough went smoothly in every way, although there were ups and downs, they were all controlled within just the right range.

"Rumble rumble..."

A muffled thunder-like sound rang out in Yu Zhangsheng's sea of qi; with a flash of white light, a five-layer spirit platform that shook heaven and earth appeared behind Yu Zhangsheng.

"Hum hum..."

Golden light shone; as the fifth-layer spirit platform completely condensed, transforming from illusion into substance, a vast might suddenly burst forth from within Yu Zhangsheng's body.

This pressure seemed to rampage through the Void, shocking Tian Di; spiritual energy poured backward in droves, transforming into a force that began to condense Yu Zhangsheng's sixth-layer spirit platform.

One percent... two percent...

It was just a pity; it seemed there was insufficient momentum, the Ningtai Pill's medicinal effect was completely expended at this moment, when Yu Zhangsheng's sixth spirit platform had just barely condensed around thirty percent, the momentum dispersed, spiritual energy stagnated, amidst a misty haze.

Yu Zhangsheng opened his eyes, a gleam of sharpness flashed in his eyes.

"Exhale..."

Yu Zhangsheng slowly exhaled a breath; this breath instantly turned into a white Red Tempered, shaking Kong Jian, humming.

"Foundation Establishment Sixth Layer!" Feeling the surging power within his body, Yu Zhangsheng clenched his fist, a smile appeared on his cheek, full of vigor.

"This time, if I meet Yang Chengxu again, I won't feel as uncomfortable as before."

Chuckling, Yu Zhangsheng thought, slowly stretching his tendons and bones.

The fifth-layer Ningtai completely condensing brought not only a cultivation base increase, but also drove a further improvement of his flesh and divine sense.

Cultivation base, flesh, soul — these three originally mutually assisted each other; any improvement would to some extent raise the upper limit of the other two, and Yu Zhangsheng was even more different from ordinary people; his flesh and soul power originally far surpassed others.

Therefore, every time his cultivation base advanced, it was actually somewhat more difficult than for ordinary cultivators, but the improvement it brought could be called earth-shattering.

Thinking of these, Yu Zhangsheng pondered, lowered his head to look at the three delighted spirit beasts, rubbed their heads, slowly took out a bottle of pills, and poured out six identical pills from it.

"Shenghuo Beast Pill..."

Yu Zhangsheng pondered, his fingers gently rubbing the pill the size of a dragon eye, a faint fragrance entered his nose.

The Shenghuo Beast Pill's effect was actually almost the same as the Ningtai Pill, both used for breakthroughs, but exclusively for spirit beasts.

"This Peak Master Mo is not bad; he gave three extra Shenghuo Beast Pills, which can let you properly improve."

Pondering the Shenghuo Beast Pills in his hand, Yu Zhangsheng's gaze fell on the three spirit beasts; the latter were obviously already somewhat restless, excitedly rubbing against Yu Zhangsheng.

The Shenghuo Beast Pill was also a third-grade pill, but its value could not compare with the Ningtai Pill at all; its effect was inferior to the Ningtai Pill, but it was equally hard to come by.

The important thing was that its resistance to medicine was much better than the Ningtai Pill; taking it multiple times, the effect would decline less noticeably. On one hand, the medicinal materials used to refine it had gentler medicinal properties; on the other hand, it was also related to the spirit beast's constitution.

"Don't rush, take it slow."

Thinking of these, Yu Zhangsheng no longer hesitated, carefully giving each beast two Shenghuo Beast Pills, casting them into the three spirit beasts' mouths.

The main point was not fearing scarcity but fearing inequality — fairness.

【Consumed two Shenghuo Beast Pills, successfully fed Red Tempered Snake! Gained 10000 Essence Points!】

【Consumed two Shenghuo Beast Pills, successfully fed Cai Xing Deer, gained 10000 Essence Points!】

【Consumed………】

……

Hearing the system's notification sound in his mind, another thirty thousand Essence Points in hand, Yu Zhangsheng smiled slightly, snapped his fingers, feeling refreshed in body and mind.

And the effect of the Shenghuo Beast Pill was also very obvious; moreover, since Yu Zhangsheng fed two pills in one breath, the effect was naturally immediate.

But he saw the three spirit beasts' bodies gradually heating up, aura fluctuating, low beast roars echoing, spiritual energy vortex gathering once again.

"Advance slowly, don't rush, do it well."

Yu Zhangsheng comforted them at the side, while also being prepared for anything, his expression gentle; the aura of the Wanling Art flowed onto the three spirit beasts, gently guiding their auras. "Roar!"

After an incense stick of time, aura rose, faint light radiated from the three spirit beasts' bodies.

【Cai Xing Deer successfully advanced to Second Rank Third Layer!】

【Red Tempered Snake successfully advanced to Second Rank Third Layer!】

The Golden-Winged Great Peng successfully advanced to Second Rank Third Layer!

Three prompt sounds rang out in succession, Yu Zhangsheng's smile grew even broader, and the cultivation-base backlash arrived simultaneously.

However, with Yu Zhangsheng's current realm, this cultivation-base backlash could not push him to break through, but it did allow his realm, which had just broken through and was somewhat vacuous, to be thoroughly consolidated and further improved.

"Good, good, good. Second Rank Third Layer, approaching Second Rank Fourth Layer, not bad."

Yu Zhangsheng nodded with satisfaction, looking at the three excited spirit beasts with a smiling expression.

The Golden-Winged Great Eagle cried softly, the Red Tempered Snake moved about, and Cai Xing Deer rubbed intimately against Yu Zhangsheng's face; compared to before, the auras of the three spirit beasts were all more profound.

"Second Rank Middle Stage..." Yu Zhangsheng pondered.

The breakthrough of spirit beasts is different from that of cultivators, especially in the Foundation Establishment realm; it is not as finely divided as cultivators. The so-called Second Rank layers are divided according to the richness of the spirit beast's aura, corresponding to the layers of a cultivator's Foundation Establishment realm.

Therefore, strictly speaking, spirit beasts like Second Rank Ninth Layer or Second Rank Eighth Layer are hard to exist; a more general division should be into Second Rank Early Stage, Middle Stage, and Late Stage.

Generally speaking, once a spirit beast reaches Second Rank Late Stage, it can attempt to break through.

And right now, Yu Zhangsheng's three spirit beasts have roughly reached Second Rank Middle Stage.

"The gains from this competition are considered used up. Although the process was tortuous, the result is still not bad. Meeting Yang Chengxu again is considered adding a bit more ability to confront him."

Yu Zhangsheng relaxed his brow; he knew clearly in his heart that Yang Chengxu would undoubtedly participate in the Huanwu Beast Valley one week later, and he himself had now thoroughly offended him.

If they meet again inside, conflict is inevitable. Therefore, having more strength now means having more assurance upon entering.

"Foundation Establishment Sixth Layer. Unknowingly, this Foundation Establishment realm is almost at its end..." Yu Zhangsheng rubbed his brow, slightly frowning.

"I have currently condensed seven layers of Spirit Platform, five layers are already thoroughly condensed, and the sixth layer is half condensed. It won't be long before this Foundation Establishment realm reaches its end; by then..."

Yu Zhangsheng pondered, his mouth twitching in thought.

"Forming a Golden Core with the aptitude of Seven-Layer Spirit Platform... I always feel somewhat unwilling! At least I need Eight-Layer Spirit Platform."

Yu Zhangsheng muttered, thinking these things, his face showing hesitation.

Although forming a Golden Core with Seven-Layer Spirit Platform also has a decent success rate, the quality of the Golden Core formed differs vastly from that of Eight-Layer Spirit Platform, which also represents the length of the road one can walk in the future.

"Forget it, let's see again; see if I can think of a way."

Shaking his head, suppressing these thoughts, Yu Zhangsheng lowered his brows and played with the three spirit beasts for a while, a smile on his face.

After staying for a while longer, Yu Zhangsheng did not delay further; after saying a word to Li Minghan, he left this place and returned to his residence.

The following days were much simpler: cultivation, feeding chickens, raising beasts...

It is worth mentioning that Wei Lao had not yet returned. After Yu Zhangsheng's visit came to nothing, Zhang Tianwen came once midway and explained some matters regarding the Huanwu Beast Valley. One week's time arrived quietly.

On this day, the sky was bright, and the breeze was gentle. In the Wanxiang Sect, Yunwu Mountain Range, many people had already gathered at the foot of the mountain.

Roughly speaking, they were basically people from Beast Taming Peak. Besides them, Lu Ruikai, Mo Pengchen, and Mu Yongxian were all present, along with a middle-aged man who exchanged with the three with a smile on his face, his expression calm.

"That person is Qingzhu Zhenren of the Zihong Gate. Behind him is his disciple Meng Wu'an."

Zhang Tianwen said in a low voice to Yu Zhangsheng. Upon hearing this, Yu Zhangsheng glanced toward Qingzhu Zhenren and observed him secretly.

Qingzhu Zhenren looked like a middle-aged man, tall and upright, with a head of black long hair bound in a crown. His eyes were bright; a glance seemed to have sharp Sword Intent shooting into the sky. His nose was high and straight, wearing a green robe embroidered with green bamboo, branches and leaves adorning it. As for his aura, it gave Yu Zhangsheng a feeling of being unfathomable.

As for Meng Wu'an behind him, his expression was humble, giving a feeling of gentle elegance and refinement. He was handsome in appearance, slender in figure, with clear and beautiful eyebrows and eyes. His attire was the same style as Qingzhu Zhenren's, needless to say indicating his identity.

In terms of appearance, he actually had fifty percent similarity with this Qingzhu Zhenren. For a moment, Yu Zhangsheng was thoughtful.

And just as Yu Zhangsheng was secretly observing Meng Wu'an, a gaze also locked onto Yu Zhangsheng.

It was none other than Yang Chengxu, who had already recovered to his original state. His gaze was gloomy, his complexion dark and overcast. He narrowed his eyes and stared fixedly at the direction where Yu Zhangsheng was. Between his brows, a trace of resentment flashed by.

"Yu Zhangsheng... inside the Huanwu Beast Valley, even Divine Sense is difficult to perceive. By then..."

Yang Chengxu exhaled lightly, withdrew his gaze, and his complexion returned to normal again. His expression was calm, but the fist he was secretly clutching, and the killing intent hidden deep in his eyes, showed that his mood was not peaceful.

Behind, Meng Wu'an calmly glanced at the direction where Yang Chengxu was, and a trace of deep meaning flashed in the bottom of his eyes.

Not long after, the personnel had gathered. Lu Ruikai nodded and flew out first. His voice was vast like thunder, reaching everyone's ears.

"The Huanwu Beast Valley is the number one Beast Tamer Secret Realm of our Wu Zhou. I presume you all have come to understand this place quite well these past days."

"Today, disciples of both sects are gathered here. Besides, there are honored guests from Zihong visiting, participating in this Secret Realm together with you all. I hope all disciples get along harmoniously and do not cause conflicts."

"Inside the Beast Valley, there are crises and endless opportunities. How much you can obtain depends on your own fortune. But remember, under no circumstances must there be murder and treasure theft. Once any abnormality occurs, you will be immediately expelled from the Secret Realm and strictly punished."

"This Secret Realm trip lasts a total of three days. After three days, you will be rejected by the Secret Realm and forcibly teleported out."

………

Lu Ruikai's voice was like the Hong Lu Great Bell, vast and endless. After saying some important points, he nodded to Mo Pengchen and the others beside him. With a wave of his hand, rosy light scattered down.

Instantly, the void beneath the Yunwu Valley suddenly rippled like water waves, stirring up waves. The fluctuations of the formation were obvious, rosy light flashing, gradually condensing into a huge vortex, slowly rotating, with strands of spiritual energy seeping through.

"Now, please let the top ten from both sects enter the Secret Realm and seize opportunities!"

The crowd was in an uproar. With Lu Ruikai's words, streaks of Long Rainbow shot into the vortex.

"Let's go too." Zhang Tianwen turned his head, nodded to Yu Zhangsheng and Li Minghan, and the three flew into the vortex together.

"You go in too. Be careful in everything."

Qingzhu Zhenren turned around and instructed Meng Wu'an behind him with a sentence. The latter nodded, transformed into a Long Rainbow, and surged into it.

(Chapter End)