Chapter 421

Having comprehended this 'sharp intent', I now know how to strengthen and advance my Five Elements Thunder Sword—I have a direction.

In the cultivation chamber, seated upon the congealed-fat ice-pure lotus, Yunhe—whose cultivation base had already been solidified—gazed at the sword qi in his hand that refused to dissipate, his eyes flickering slightly.

Actually, within the Formless Sword Sect's Formless Sword Array, many materials suitable for refining into flying swords were mentioned, which not only can enhance the power of the flying swords but also strengthen the sword array itself.

However.

After reading and analyzing it step by step, Yunhe felt that, to some extent, it didn't quite match his Five Elements Thunder Sword, and even less so his Five Elements Sword Array.

After all, the Formless Sword Array can only be considered a reference for him; the foundation of his sword technique must still be built upon the Five Elements Sword Array.

This is the sword technique that truly matches his cultivated method, and it also forms the foundation guaranteeing the lower limit of his future swordsmanship.

Therefore, Yunhe did not refer to the method of condensing flying swords from the Formless Sword Sect's Formless Sword Array.

But this time, originally just to test the sword, by a fortunate coincidence he comprehended the 'sharp sword qi', and suddenly he had an idea.

"The Formless Sword Sect's 'Formless Sword Sect' is indeed powerful, but if I do not cultivate the Formless Sword Sect's cultivation method, my upper limit is just that, far inferior to my 'Five Elements Sword Array' after condensing the Five Elements Spirit Body, and even less than the 'Twelve Heavens and Stars Great Array'."

"Therefore, my goal should not be to match the Formless Sword Array, but to match the Twelve Heavens and Stars Great Array."

"The extreme of this 'sharp intent' contains a trace of 'spatial intent', and the Twelve Heavens and Stars Great Array is also a spatial formation, making it the most suitable."

"What does 'extensive calculation' mean?"

If targeting one or two Golden Core cultivators, Sheng Banzi's ability is naturally beyond doubt, but if covering a large area's all Golden Core cultivators, even all Golden Core cultivators' possessions in the entire Eastern Realm, it is naturally impossible to calculate every detail.

Therefore, Sheng Banzi cannot possibly know whether such a treasure as Void Essence exists, or where it exists.

You should know, Yunhe's repeatedly displayed divine might's Heavenly Thunder Gold Essence ranks only seventh on the Metal-Stone List.

This Void Essence is no ordinary thing, for it is the renowned 'Space Essence Stone', extremely rare.

Although the ranking of the top ten on the Metal-Stone List isn't very meaningful, it can actually be divided into two tiers: top five and top ten.

Even the Metal-Stone List compiled by Sheng Banzi does not include Void Essence, not because it lacks qualification, but because it is exceedingly rare; he does not even know whether such essence stones exist in this realm.

Furthermore, such divination also has its limits; he cannot calculate the changes of items and creatures ranked in the top thirty on various lists.

Being able to rank within the top five, Void Essence is absolutely a precious material exceedingly rare in the world.

"If I could comprehend one-tenth of the Twelve Heavens and Stars Great Array and integrate it into the Five Elements Sword Array, perhaps I could roam freely throughout the Eastern Realm's cultivation world."

Items possessed by cultivators at or above the early Golden Core stage cannot be extensively calculated.

After all, the Five Elements Sword Array originates from the Great Longevity Five Elements True Classic, which is not a pure sword cultivator's method.

However, the Twelve Heavens and Stars Great Array is extremely profound; even if it is not a sword array, as long as it can be combined, it will surely bring great benefits.

Later, through Ji Liuyun's explanation, he finally understood.

And to fully integrate the Twelve Heavens and Stars Great Array with the Five Elements Sword Array, the 'formless and shapeless' characteristic of the Formless Sword Array serves as a 'binding agent' linking the two formations.

Sheng Banzi can achieve this extent partly because his cultivation is the divination of heavenly derivation and earthly calculation, and secondly because his possessed 'Heavenly Derivation Pan' is a tremendous treasure; combined with these and paying a certain price, Sheng Banzi can reach this level.

According to him, if Void Essence truly exists, it would at least belong to the top five of the Metal-Stone List.

Yunhe once asked Ji Liuyun why he hadn't broken through to the Divine Transformation stage; perhaps Sheng Banzi had already broken through to the early Divine Transformation stage, enabling him to compile so many lists and also possess real-time updating ability.

If the Formless Sword Lord were to know, they would not know what feelings to have upon seeing the Formless Sword Sect's extremely precious sword array being used by Yunhe as a 'binding agent'.

This formation involves 'space', and is infinitely profound; even the second layer of the 'Five Elements Sword Formation' after condensing the 'Five Elements Spirit Body' is nowhere near as profound.

Therefore, if one can refine 'space essence' into the Five Elements Heavenly Thunder Sword, it would be most appropriate.

Yunhe silently sighed.

Setting the target too high is also troublesome; even knowing whether the 'Half Victory Child' exists is impossible, and if I try to find it, it would be even harder.

However, now is indeed the best time.

The strength of more than half of the human cultivators in the Eastern Realm has been integrated, and various heavenly treasures have also been gathered; evidently, for Yunhe, this is the best opportunity to search.

Fortunately, the emergence of 'Refining Sword into Silk' and the 'Formless Sword Formation' greatly compensates for my previous lack of killing power, and there's no urgent need to refine precious materials into the Five Elements Heavenly Thunder Sword.

Moreover, the comprehended 'Sharp Sword Qi' further makes up for this deficiency.

Moreover, besides starting from the human cultivator alliance, taming the Gold‑Devouring Armored Beast is also a wise move.

He couldn't help but sigh.

Although the Gold‑Devouring Armored Beast's innate ability to refine metal seems somewhat useless, as a metal‑eating creature it is also skilled at seeking gold and stone ores, and in ancient times it was jokingly called the "Gold‑Seeking Beast".

Actually, I unintentionally did something correct.

Thinking this, Yunhe's mood immediately improved.

When the thought penetrates, blessings follow as the heart wishes.

He immediately slapped his storage bag, and various multicolored treasures of big and small sizes appeared before him; at the same time he slightly opened his mouth and spat out a gray‑white small banner.

Beast Soul Banner!

At this moment.

This is indeed a good time to reforge the Beast Soul Banner.

"Ribbit!!!"

As soon as the banner appeared, a thick ghostly killing aura surged upon it; the ghostly qi constantly churned and gradually condensed into the form of a green‑spotted bullfrog.

It is obvious that the beast spirit of this creature is strong; this Beast Soul Banner has not fully subdued it.

Upon seeing the frog, Yunhe gave a light chuckle.

"A mere beast spirit, putting up a desperate resistance."

Having said that, he raised a finger and pointed; a sword qi instantly shattered the ghostly qi green‑spotted bullfrog, while a large amount of ghostly qi surged forth again, transforming into various monster beast spirits that devoured all the previously scattered ghostly qi.

"Ribbit!!"

But this only swallowed the ghostly qi that the green‑spotted bullfrog had accumulated over these days; it did not destroy its beast spirit.

Yunhe pointed again, and his fingertip flashed with five‑colored radiance.

"Seal!"

In an instant, the green‑spotted bullfrog's croak ceased abruptly.

After that.

Yunhe spat out infant fire, and with his usual expression he refined the precious materials before him.

These are materials earned through merit, sufficient to greatly increase this banner's potential.

For a moment.

In the spacious cultivation chamber, only the restless surge of ghostly aura and the sizzling sound of infant fire burning remained.

Croak!!

Suddenly.

The four demon beasts guarding outside the cultivation chamber almost simultaneously lifted their heads.

"F‑Fourth Level demon beast?" the Gold-Armor Beast swallowed and said.

"It's the beast soul of the Azure Bullfrog, right? The master long ago said they wanted to forge it, but didn't expect it to finally arrive now," Hanyin Jiao said with a dawning look, casting a sideways glance at the Gold-Armor Beast without a hint of emotion.

The Gold-Armor Beast unconsciously touched its neck.

"So it really has hunted Fourth Level demon beasts?"

If its reaction were any slower, would it fall into the wake of the Azure Bullfrog?

It forced a smile and asked:

"The master is forging a treasure?"

"It's the master's beast‑soul banner," Xuan Ya said from beside.

Beast‑soul banner?

Even though the Gold-Armor Beast has long been lingering here, it does have some knowledge of such a beast‑soul banner treasure.

"Actually, there aren't many beast souls inside," Hanyin Jiao said indifferently.

Demon beasts base their words on strength; regarding the beast souls within the beast‑soul banner, they truly aren't concerned, let alone show any mercy.

The higher a demon beast's Cultivation Base, the more demon beasts it has slain; even the Gold-Armor Beast, which lives among cultivators, has killed at least hundreds, not to mention those surviving in the wild.

"Having a Fourth Level demon beast's beast soul is already impressive," the Gold-Armor Beast said hesitantly.

Before it could finish, Hanyin Jiao's words choked it back.

"Only ten thousand beast souls, enough to form a 'Ten Thousand Demon Array' at most."

"Cough, cough, cough," the Gold-Armor Beast couldn't help coughing, and after a while said:

"The master's divine might is unrivaled, the marvelous method penetrates the profound, blessings like the Eastern Sea, lifespan—"

Xuan Ya and Xuan Lin exchanged glances, each seeing a smile in the other's eyes.

Whether to speak or not.

When it comes to intimidation, Hanyin Jiao has a knack.

Fortunately, they hadn't had such an experience back then.

But in that case, even if the Gold-Armor Beast were given a hundred more guts, it still wouldn't harbor any thought or disobedience toward the master, would it?

In truth, with the Gold-Armor Beast's keen intellect, it knows exactly what Hanyin Jiao is doing, but there's nothing it can do; Hanyin Jiao speaks only truth, and each truth leaves it shocked, its awe for Yunhe continually rising.

Time.

It was unclear how long had passed.

Dong!!!

The cultivation chamber's great door suddenly opened wide.

A terrifying ghostly killing aura surged out like a tide; within that aura, a dull‑eyed Azure Bullfrog carried numerous beast souls, flickering in and out of view.

Suddenly!

All the ghostly aura instantly converged, forming a massive banner that hovered, fluttering.

A grayish‑white pennant, a jet‑black pole, a ghostly face carved finely, and white tassels faintly exuding a mysterious aura.

"Fourth Level middle grade, just one step away from upper grade, not bad."

Yunhe laughed heartily, walked out of the cultivation chamber, reached for the pole, which instantly shrank and was finally absorbed into his dantian.

By absorbing the beast souls of dozens of Third Level demon beasts, or a single Fourth Level demon beast, this banner, even among Fourth Level upper‑grade treasures, might still claim a place.

(End of chapter)