Chapter 1012: Chapter 434: Extermination; Thunder Tribulation Supreme Treasure

"Enemy attack!!"

"Form the array!"

The cry of alarm had barely begun when it was drowned out by even more piercing screams of anguish.

Within the black mist, several vague ghostly figures flickered like lightning, their sharp claws tearing and their soul power surging.

The protective spiritual light of those Star Palace Nascent Soul cultivators forming the array shattered like paper; their bodies were ripped apart in an instant. Just as their nascent souls attempted to escape, they were dragged into the depths of the black mist by an invisible force, disappearing without a trace.

The entire process happened so quickly that it was impossible to react.

In just a matter of a couple of breaths, the black mist receded like a tide, vanishing without a trace, as if it had never appeared at all.

Only the remnants of the array’s foundation on the sea surface and a few dim, damaged magical treasures floating there bore witness to the tragedy that had just unfolded.

About a quarter of an hour later.

Several powerful escape lights arrived swiftly, led by an elder dressed in sumptuous robes, possessing an aura of commanding authority without anger.

His entire being resonated with overwhelming mana and immense spiritual pressure, unmistakably marking him as a Nascent Soul Perfection great cultivator, on the same level as Yun Weifeng.

This was True Monarch Yuheng, stationed by the Star Palace in this sea region.

True Monarch Yuheng scanned the chaotic sea with his divine sense, and his expression turned as somber as water, fury nearly bursting from his eyes.

"This is already the third recent incident."

His voice was icy, laced with unconcealed anger.

It was evident without even needing to think that this was the handiwork of the Outer Sea Human Race or the Demon Race.

Their methods were clean and decisive, targeting isolated array-forming teams specifically to delay or even sabotage their preliminary deployments.

"True Monarch, the enemy is elusive and powerful, employing at least the tactics of several late-stage cultivators. We..." reported a Nascent Soul elder nearby with a grim face.

"Enough!"

True Monarch Yuheng interrupted him, suppressing his anger, and commanded coldly, "Pass down the order. All array teams must be led by at least two late-stage cultivators and carry the ’Demon-Breaking Mirror.’

"Expand the patrol range threefold, and if any suspicious activity is detected, alert immediately, kill without mercy!"

"Yes!"

Everyone responded solemnly.

...

Meanwhile, deep within a desolate island somewhere in the Outer Sea, inside a newly established temporary cave dwelling.

The Ten Thousand Souls Banner floated mid-air, its surface roiling with black mist.

The main soul on it was becoming more substantial, almost materializing, and the murderous aura it exuded lowered the temperature of the entire cave significantly.

It was fully digesting the recently devoured essence and origin of several Star Palace Nascent Soul cultivators.

As the refinement continued, the aura of the ghostly figure steadily increased, and the foundation of the Ten Thousand Souls Banner became increasingly profound and weighty.

Seemingly, there was a low rumble of thunder above the cave, a sign that the Heaven and Earth Laws sensed an impending defiance of the heavens, spontaneously producing resistance and a warning.

"Not bad."

Xu Ping nodded in satisfaction, feeling the changes in the Ten Thousand Souls Banner.

Sitting quietly to the side, the Nine Nether Elder glanced at the menacing Ten Thousand Souls Banner, a flicker of surprise passing through his cloudy eyes.

"With the current foundation, there’s at least a sixty percent chance of surviving the treasure’s Thunder Tribulation."

"The accumulation is sufficient, and the aura is drawn. When do you plan to let it undergo the tribulation?"

He originally thought Xu Ping’s Ten Thousand Souls Banner would at most reach the Heaven-Reaching Spiritual Treasure level, but he hadn’t expected it to be cultivated to such a degree, inducing a response from heaven and earth.

If it successfully advanced to a supreme treasure, it would indeed be an indomitable force in the upcoming battle.

"Tribulation?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Ping quickly shook his head, speaking with a sense of cautious self-assurance, "Elder, currently there’s only a sixty percent chance. Choosing to undergo tribulation now is no different from courting death."

"More accumulation is needed. At least... a ninety percent certainty before taking a risky gamble."

"Sixty percent chance... is courting death?"

Hearing Xu Ping’s words, even with the composure of the Nine Nether Elder, he couldn’t help but twitch the corner of his mouth slightly, momentarily unsure how to respond.

Throughout his years across various realms, he’d encountered countless peerless talents and daring individuals.

But never had he seen someone like Xu Ping, who etched ’prudence’ into his path, avoiding risks to such an extreme.

Hongyi, who had known Xu Ping for a while, barely understood his nature of planning before moving and not acting without confidence.

Seeing this, he promptly spoke up, steering the conversation back on track, "Elder, Fellow Daoist Xu, we’ve consecutively ambushed several elite Star Palace teams, which has surely alerted them."

"That old ghost Yuheng will certainly reinforce defenses, making it hard to succeed easily again."

Upon hearing this, the Nine Nether Elder withdrew his gaze from the Ten Thousand Souls Banner, a deep light in his eyes.

After a moment, he slowly spoke, his voice calm but laced with a ground-breaking determination, "In that case, minor skirmishes are meaningless, so... let’s make a big move."

He looked at Xu Ping, speaking with conviction, "If successful, the harvested essence and origin should be enough to elevate your Ten Thousand Souls Banner’s foundation to your desired ’eighty to ninety percent’ certainty, or even... higher!"

...

Several months passed amid tense confrontations and sporadic clashes.

True Monarch Yuheng received another urgent report from the front line—a patrol team comprising three late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators had been ambushed.

But this time, the enemy seemed unable to achieve a clean and decisive victory like before and was instead barely held at bay by the patrol team, resulting in a stalemate.

"Three late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators... finally showing their tail!" True Monarch Yuheng’s eyes glinted with icy light, brimming with killing intent.

The continuous losses had long fueled his fury, and upon receiving definite news, how could he let it slide?