Chapter 509: Must Break Through

"Quick, seize the time to raise your realm!"

Ye Liuyun took Piao Yun into the Xuan Kong Shi, then immediately found a spot to sit down and began preparing to cultivate.

Once the Xuan Kong Shi arrived here, it instantly began synchronizing the external spiritual energy into its interior.

"Master, there are too many strong opponents outside! No matter how much I cultivate, I won't earn a rank. I think I'll wait for the next time…" After arriving here, Piao Yun saw elite competitors from various regions and clearly lost confidence.

Ye Liuyun cut her off and encouraged her: "Don't overthink it; a little progress is still progress. Do your best, and you won't regret it later. Don't speak of giving up lightly— even if cultivation only raises your rank a bit, persisting a little longer means you've conquered yourself. Strong ones all came from weakness, so stop worrying and just cultivate, strengthening your power."

"Mm!" Piao Yun, hearing that, felt encouraged and immediately stopped daydreaming, going to cultivate.

Ye Liuyun simultaneously absorbed Divine‑grade Essence Blood and the Spirit Core Pearl, attacking on two fronts.

He knew that to breakthrough he still lacked a great deal of True Essence. Yet even if he used up all the Spirit Stones he had prepared, he would not hesitate now.

This battle determines whether he can leave the Cangyun Continent more quickly. The inheritance of such a grand tournament will surely catapult his realm upward. Missing this chance could mean waiting four years, or laboriously seeking other resources— a loss far outweighing the effort!

Ye Liuyun made a silent vow: "Whether for my parents and aunt, or for Liang Xue and Qingcheng waiting for me, I must breakthrough!"

Immediately, he cleared his mind of distractions and began to cultivate earnestly.

Now the True Essence within his body is overly potent; a moment's carelessness could cause it to run amok and damage his internal Meridian. Ye Liuyun had already realized this during his last breakthrough, so he dares not be careless this time.

His realm had already advanced to the late stage of Tian Gang Fifth Layer, and under the massive energy of the Spirit Core Pearl, he quickly reached the critical point for a breakthrough.

Just like his previous breakthrough, he again felt a rumble inside, followed by the surge and reflux of True Essence. Once the True Essence returned to the Core Pill, it was compressed into an even denser form.

At this moment his True Essence had turned completely golden. Even the dual Core Pills displayed a radiant golden hue.

Ye Liuyun, feeling the power of Tian Gang Liu Chong, couldn't help but grow more confident about this martial tournament. Even against a Tian Gang Ninth Layer opponent, he now feels ready for a duel.

However, with time pressing, Ye Liuyun dared not linger and immediately resumed absorbing spiritual energy to replenish True Essence, filling all the void left by its compression.

Afterward, he forged ahead without pause to cultivate the Buddha‑Demon Golden Body, refining his Physical Body's Buddha‑Demon Golden Body to a complete ninth‑level state.

Now, Ye Liuyun's True Essence is even stronger, finally driving the cultivation of the Buddha‑Demon Golden Body. The newly manifested Buddha‑Demon image has fully solidified, enveloping him. Every motion he makes is the motion of that Golden Body, completely merged.

Moreover, as he continuously absorbs and refines Divine‑grade Essence Blood, the Buddha‑Demon Golden Body, now infused with Bloodline Power and Physical Body strength, boasts an attack capability more than twice that of an eighth‑layer Buddha‑Demon Golden Body.

Ye Liuyun estimates that his Buddha‑Demon Golden Body should now be able to withstand attacks from a Tian Gang Ninth Layer.

For the remaining time, Ye Liuyun's absorption of Bloodline Power and spiritual energy did not cease. He intends to improve as much as possible during the interval before the competition.

Although time inside the Xuan Kong Shi is ten times more abundant than outside, after ten days his True Essence had only just risen to the late stage of Tian Gang Liu Chong, and the Spirit Core Pearl was already fully exhausted.

Ye Liuyun felt his demand for True Essence had grown. He had thought the Spirit Core Pearl could boost him two layers, but it hadn't even carried him past the late stage of Tian Gang Liu Chong.

For the remaining void, he could only slowly absorb the abundant spiritual energy here.

His rate of absorbing True Essence, though far faster than others, still required a large amount.

"Now trying to breakthrough will be difficult!" Ye Liuyun shook his head helplessly and began cultivating his Soul.

His Divine‑grade Essence Blood had also been completely consumed. The Xuan Kong Shi's vessel spirit advises against cultivating spatial force inside, so now the only thing he can cultivate is his Soul.

Considering that opponents' Souls were generally strong, Ye Liuyun decided to merge his two Souls into one, enhancing his attack capability.

Just as he began cultivating his Soul, he felt the Token issued by the tournament registration office suddenly vibrate.

Jing Wudi also sent him a Transmission Voice, informing him that the tournament was about to start. Thus, Ye Liuyun could only cease cultivation and retreat from the Xuan Kong Shi with Piao Yun.

At this moment, all participating Martial Cultivators had already received their scoring Tokens.

When Ye Liuyun emerged, he sensed the battle intent here beginning to surge. The young Martial Cultivators, one by one, anxiously awaited the tournament's start. The moment that would decide their fates was about to arrive.

The teleportation channel to Spirit Pearl Island was also fully sealed. The audience had already been seated, and only a few Elders who had brought disciples remained, retreating toward the spectator platform.

Jing Wudi patted Ye Liuyun's shoulder, encouraged him and a few others with a few words, then walked straight to the stands to sit.

On the far‑east stand, a large open area in the middle was reserved specifically for the senior officials of the Cangyun Alliance.

They were all seated now. Ye Liuyun saw that the person sitting at the very center was Yao Xinghai, whom he had met before.

When all the audience had taken their seats, Yao Xinghai said no more and announced directly: "The Cangyun martial tournament this session officially begins! May you all achieve results you are satisfied with!"

Spectators on the stands all around erupted with a mountain‑like, sea‑like enthusiasm.

The participants in the arena were also boiling with hot blood at this moment, each one clenching fists and palms, unusually excited.

The Cangyun martial tournament, the highest‑level competition on the Cangyun Continent representing the strongest younger generation, finally opened its curtain.

Next, Yao Xinghai handed the floor over to a long‑bearded elder of Tian Gang Ninth Layer.

The elder wore a white robe, exuding a transcendent aura.

He flew straight to the center of the arena, his deep, resonant voice echoing across the entire Spirit Pearl Island.

"Begin!"

Before his voice fully faded, a rumbling boom sounded, and the ground began to shake.

Five platforms, each ten li long and wide, slowly rose from the island!