Chapter 456: Worldly Wonder—The Profound Kun Creation Stele (Combined Chapter)

When the Pressure appeared, figures rushed out from every part of the Yuanling Academy, flying through the air toward the direction from which the Pressure originated.

Li Changsheng pondered for a moment and followed after them as well.

When Li Changsheng and the others stopped, they were stunned to discover that the place emitting the Pressure was none other than the courtyard where the Principal resided.

Although they could not see the situation inside due to the Restriction, judging from experience, a Demon Pet was currently undergoing a breakthrough.

Aside from two Demon Beasts, all of Xu Wenhua's other Demon Pets had reached the Lord rank; clearly, a Lord-rank Demon Pet was attempting to break through to the Demon King level.

"You all come down!"

At this moment, Xu Wenhua's voice rang out, and at the same time, the Restriction enveloping the Principal's courtyard dissipated, revealing the scene inside.

In the spacious backyard, a Demon Pet was shrouded in crimson flames; the temperature of the flames was extremely high, causing the void to produce waves of distortion.

Li Changsheng obtained its data immediately.

【Spirit Beast Name】: Single-Legged Fire Crane (Mature Stage)

【Spirit Beast Realm】: Lord 9th Rank

【Spirit Beast Race】: High-level War General

【Spirit Beast Quality】: Top-grade

【Spirit Beast Bloodline】: Bi Fang (Sparse)

【Spirit Beast Attribute】: Fire

【Spirit Beast Status】: Evolving

【Spirit Beast Weakness】: Water

This was Xu Wenhua's second top-grade quality Demon Pet, but compared to the Six-Winged Frost Centipede, the Single-Legged Fire Crane's race was far inferior; it was no wonder Xu Wenhua had purchased that bottle of Bi Fang Spirit Essence at a high price.

This was to allow the Single-Legged Fire Crane to evolve, and by relying on the power of evolution, it could slightly increase the probability of breaking through to the Demon King level, though Li Changsheng guessed it was likely only about five percent.

Even adding the breakthrough probability the Single-Legged Fire Crane itself possessed, it would be at most around fifteen percent.

Chirp—

In an instant, the Single-Legged Fire Crane let out a loud, clear cry toward the sky, and immediately, the Jianhua Bai Guang completely covered its body.

The Single-Legged Fire Crane began to transform; its body size grew at a speed visible to the naked eye, and its pair of wings, in particular, saw its momentum rise accordingly.

Within a few breaths, the Single-Legged Fire Crane stopped changing and successfully evolved into a Single-Legged Cloud-Top Crane.

Just at this moment, Xu Wenhua solemnly took out a Jade Box, and after opening it, an Alchemical Pill emitting five-colored light flew through the air toward the Single-Legged Cloud-Top Crane.

"Barrier Breaking Pill!"

Not far away, Instructor Zhang Kaishuo exclaimed; he was an expert in Alchemical Pills and recognized the name of that five-colored pill at a glance.

The Barrier Breaking Pill was a type of pill passed down from ancient times that could assist a Lord-rank Demon Pet in increasing the probability of breaking through to the Demon King level.

Although the Barrier Breaking Pill was still in the category of high-level pills, its difficulty to refine was comparable to top-tier pills, hence it was also known as a Pseudo-top-tier pill.

However, it was not a top-tier pill after all; the Barrier Breaking Pill could only increase the breakthrough probability by less than twenty percent.

Even so, it was still precious; one only had to look at how the eyes of Zhang Kaishuo, Ning Wei, and Lu Qian were almost turning red—if they possessed a Demon King-level Demon Pet, they could become Pseudo-Kings.

Li Changsheng's expression remained unchanged; among the many pill recipes he had obtained from the Danwang Biefu, although there was no recipe for the Barrier Breaking Pill, there was a top-tier recipe for assisting in realm breakthroughs that could increase the probability by a full thirty percent, though the materials were not easy to find.

The Single-Legged Cloud-Top Crane opened its long, sharp Bird Beak and swallowed the Barrier Breaking Pill in one gulp; it flew up, turning into a massive fireball suspended above the courtyard, appearing like a scorching sun in the sky, looking extremely dazzling in the pitch-black night.

Xu Wenhua stared intently at the fireball in the sky, rarely showing signs of nervousness. Even after taking the Barrier Breaking Pill, the Single-Legged Cloud-Top Crane likely only had a thirty percent chance of breaking through.

Thirty percent—that was not low!

The entire breakthrough process lasted for a full half-hour.

Xu Wenhua's expression grew increasingly solemn; the Single-Legged Cloud-Top Crane still showed no signs of breaking through, which made his heart sink to the bottom.

Yet, just at this moment, the Single-Legged Cloud-Top Crane's momentum surged violently, and its body emitted even more scorching flames, raising the surrounding temperature to the extreme.

Under the intense heat, the flowers and plants in Xu Wenhua's courtyard rapidly lost their moisture; if this continued, it might even trigger a fire.

Xu Wenhua's expression changed from worry to ecstasy; he hurriedly flew up and opened the courtyard's Restriction. Under his control, an earthy-yellow light shield rose into the air, quickly enveloping the Single-Legged Cloud-Top Crane completely and blocking the heat flow inside.

Soon, the Single-Legged Cloud-Top Crane's breakthrough reached its end; the crimson flames dissipating from its body were gradually absorbed, and its momentum rose by more than one level, emitting a Pressure that felt as heavy as a prison.

Once the Single-Legged Cloud-Top Crane retracted its Pressure, Xu Wenhua hurriedly canceled the Restriction.

Chirp—

In the sky, the Single-Legged Cloud-Top Crane opened its fire-red eyes, circled down from the air, and landed in front of Xu Wenhua.

Li Changsheng looked at the Single-Legged Cloud-Top Crane's data again, confirming that it had indeed become a Demon King-level Demon Pet.

With this, the total number of Xu Wenhua's Demon King-level Demon Pets reached three.

In the entire Langya Kingdom, there were fewer than thirty Pseudo-Kings in total, but most only had one or two Demon King-level Demon Pets.

In the current Langya Kingdom, Xu Wenhua, possessing three Demon King-level Demon Pets, was already in the upper echelon among Pseudo-Kings, and it was not impossible for him to become a King in the future.

Of course, given Xu Wenhua's age, without a stroke of fortune, the possibility of becoming a King remained slim.

"Congratulations to the Principal for adding another Demon King-level Demon Pet!"

After the Single-Legged Cloud-Top Crane completed its breakthrough, the high-level officials, instructors, and Li Changsheng present offered their congratulations.

Xu Wenhua was in an exceptionally good mood, stroking his graying beard as he said, "This time, it can be considered thanks to Changsheng's good fortune!"

Dean Lu Qian asked in confusion, "Principal, how do you mean?"

"I bought a bottle of Bi Fang Spirit Essence from Changsheng's auction house. Judging from the situation just now, if not for the assistance of the Bi Fang Spirit Essence, I fear that even with the help of the Barrier Breaking Pill, the possibility of the Single-Legged Cloud-Top Crane failing would have been extremely high."

Xu Wenhua was filled with emotion; although the assistance of the Bi Fang Spirit Essence was not great, that very bit of help became the final straw that broke the camel's back. Otherwise, looking at the Single-Legged Cloud-Top Crane's situation just now, lacking this bit of help would very likely have led to a failed breakthrough.

The high-level officials and instructors all looked at Li Changsheng with inscrutable expressions. Since Li Changsheng joined the Yuanling Academy, the Yuanling Academy had undergone earth-shaking changes, and every one of them was related to Li Changsheng.

In just half a year, the Yuanling Academy had returned to its peak.

"Li Changsheng is a person blessed with great fortune; everyone who is close to him seems to have benefited!"

At this moment, similar thoughts surfaced in the minds of some of the high-level officials and instructors present.

The other three of the Li Clan Four Heroes went without saying; they had all entered the First-Year Elite Class and had all reached the Second Rank level.

Ning Bizhen is Li Zhangsheng's Instructor; she was originally on the verge of death, but not only was she saved by Li Zhangsheng, she also ascended to the heavens in one step after accompanying him for a month, directly becoming a Pseudo-King.

Xu Wenhua is also connected to Li Zhangsheng; from the moment Li Zhangsheng first showed his Keen Edge, he has been providing help to Li Zhangsheng both openly and secretly, and during the holidays, he even took action personally, forcefully repelling a Demon King-level black dragon; now, he possesses a third Demon King-level Demon Pet.

This gives people the feeling that fate has linked these people together, and the center point is Li Zhangsheng.

Consequently, Li Zhangsheng has become a hot commodity in their eyes.

"It's late, everyone should disperse, Zhangsheng, stay behind!"

After the group chatted for a long time, seeing that it was getting late, Xu Wenhua issued an order to leave.

Originally, some people wanted to find an opportunity to build a friendship with Li Zhangsheng, but after Xu Wenhua asked Li Zhangsheng to stay, they could only leave.

"Principal, is there something the matter?"

"Zhangsheng, why did you sign up?"

What Xu Wenhua was referring to was naturally Li Zhangsheng signing up to head to the front lines; he had only found out today as well.

"Principal, for the sake of the common people of the world..."

"Stop, no need to use these grand principles to fool me. Zhangsheng, you have to think this way: there is still a long time in the future. Once your strength is even stronger, you will be able to make greater contributions on the front lines. I think you should focus on cultivation; with the strength of your Demon Pets, you can completely play it safe—ahem—steadily reach the Fifth Rank!"

Whether it is for Yuanling Academy or Langya Kingdom, the importance of Li Zhangsheng is self-evident, because he has the potential to become a King; Xu Wenhua naturally does not want Li Zhangsheng to go out and take risks.

Xu Wenhua is mature and prudent, having seen too many geniuses and Heavenly Prides fall unexpectedly for various reasons, many of whom were courting death due to arrogance; he certainly does not want Li Zhangsheng to follow in their footsteps.

In the front-line fortress, not to mention those two Demon Commanders, the top-tier demons equivalent to Demon King-level Demon Pets alone number in the double digits, and there are no fewer than three digits of advanced demons.

Xu Wenhua is not clear about Li Zhangsheng's specific strength, but even for a Fifth-Rank or Sixth-Rank Expert, there is still danger on the front lines, let alone Li Zhangsheng, who is only at the Fourth Rank.

"Principal, I have already made thorough preparations; on the front lines, I will definitely keep in mind that preserving my life is the priority."

What else could Li Zhangsheng say? He couldn't exactly say that he was going there this time for Advanced Demon Hearts.

Moreover, he had already signed up; if he were to withdraw now, it would inevitably damage his reputation, as many people only signed up because Li Zhangsheng did.

Additionally, Li Zhangsheng has sufficient confidence in himself; even if he encounters top-tier demons, he has the assurance of retreating unscathed, and at worst, he can perform Bloodline Burning to escape.

In his normal state, Li Zhangsheng can contend with or even kill advanced demons; if he lets his Demon Pets perform Bloodline Burning, he is even confident in contending with top-tier demons, and at worst, he can escape.

With the two Demon Commanders completely held back by the Dark Night King Dou Cangqiong, unless he encounters more than two top-tier demons, Li Zhangsheng is confident he can get away.

Unless he goes deep into enemy territory, especially near the Abyss Gate, it is impossible to encounter more than two top-tier demons simultaneously on the periphery.

In the eyes of other Monster Tamers, the consequences of Bloodline Burning are very serious, but Li Zhangsheng is different; as long as the Demon Pets hang onto their lives for a period of time, he can collect the corresponding Spirit Essence to let them recover as before.

Besides this, Li Zhangsheng has the Purple Flame Corpse-Hiding Coffin and the Third-Grade Star Palace Lotus Platform for protection, so even top-tier demons cannot break through his defenses all at once.

Xu Wenhua did not give up and continued to persuade him for a while, but upon confirming that Li Zhangsheng had no intention of changing his mind, he could only choose to give up.

"Fine, fine, fine, then take this with you."

As if he had anticipated this, Xu Wenhua solemnly took out a stone, which was only slightly larger than a fist.

No, this should be a broken, miniature stone stele, roughly about one-fifth in size.

A single character remained on the broken stele; Li Zhangsheng identified it and discovered that it was the character 'Xuan'.

"Principal, what is this?"

Li Zhangsheng took the broken stele; this thing felt no different from an ordinary stone tablet to the touch, but since Xu Wenhua had handed it to him so solemnly, it must possess something miraculous.

"This is a fragment of a World Wonder—the Xuan Kun Creation Stele. It is a Strange Treasure I obtained in my early years. As long as you use Mental Power to activate it, you can be exempted from the suppression of the Heaven and Earth Will. Even if you fight near the Abyss Gate, you will still not be detected by the Abyss Consciousness. It covers about a hundred-meter radius, but remember not to enter the Abyss World."

When a sentient being born in one world enters another, they are like an undocumented person; the will of that world will instinctively suppress them, significantly weakening the sentient being's strength.

Simply put, the function of the Xuan Kun Creation Stele is to conceal oneself so that the World Will does not perceive you as an undocumented person, thereby allowing you to exert your full strength within the range, just like the local inhabitants.

Of course, this mainly depends on the level of the World Will; if it is in a Great Thousand World like the Abyss World, Baator Hell, or the Main Material Plane, the broken Xuan Kun Creation Stele would likely be difficult to make effective.

As for the Abyss Gate, it is equivalent to an avatar of the World Will, so it is naturally within the range of the broken Xuan Kun Creation Stele.

"Since the Xuan Kun Creation Stele has such a special effect, why doesn't the Dark Night King borrow it to deal with those two Demon Commanders?"

Li Zhangsheng was a bit puzzled; it is precisely because of the suppression of the Heaven and Earth Will that demons dare not leave the Abyss Gate too far, and by the same token, human experts do not want to be too close to the Abyss Gate.

With the Dark Night King's strength as an Eighth-tier Monster Tamer, if he were not suppressed by the Abyss Will, he could completely and easily defeat those two Demon Commanders cowering in the depths of the Abyss Gate.

Xu Wenhua wore a rare expression and said, "It might be because it is broken; the Xuan Kun Creation Stele is ineffective against Demon King-level Demon Pets!"

In other words, the fragment of the Xuan Kun Creation Stele is of little use to Xu Wenhua either, because most of Xu Wenhua's combat power is concentrated on those three Demon King-level Demon Pets; this is also the main reason why he lent it to Li Zhangsheng.

"It's just that this is too precious!" Although it is only a fragment of the Xuan Kun Creation Stele, it is, after all, a World Wonder-level treasure; in terms of value, I fear it is no worse than an ordinary Heaven and Earth Rare Treasure.

"I didn't say I was giving it to you; just return it to me after you're done using it."

"In that case, I'll accept it for now!"

Li Zhangsheng expressed a bit of disappointment, then carried the fragment of the Xuan Kun Creation Stele close to his body; if he is not suppressed by the Abyss Will, he can deal with advanced demons more easily.

"Then I'll head back first!"

"Go!"

Xu Wenhua waved his hand and watched Li Zhangsheng leave.

After returning to the Number One Courtyard, Li Zhangsheng shook his Monster Pet Bag, released the griffin that was in the state of Bloodline Metamorphosis, and placed a pile of Wind Element Demon Cores on the ground for it to absorb.

(End of this chapter)