Chapter 960: Chapter 416: Quasi-Fifth Rank Spirit Wood; Spirit Vein Upgrade_3

Yan Feng’s aura began to surge wildly under the violent medicinal power and the assistance of the three Nascent Soul cultivators, continuously impacting that invisible barrier.

Within the cave, spiritual qi gathered furiously, forming a massive vortex with wondrous phenomena abounding.

However, how formidable is the barrier of the late-stage Nascent Soul?

The process of breaking through was long and arduous. Though the barrier seemed on the verge of collapsing, it never fully opened.

Meanwhile, Shan Tianyou’s condition had deteriorated to the extreme.

His face was ashen, his wrinkles deeply embedded, and a deathly aura pervaded his body so densely it seemed unbreakable, clearly indicating that his lifespan and essence were nearing their limits.

Just as he was on the brink of exhaustion, nearing failure.

At this critical juncture, Xu Ping’s eyes flashed slightly, having already made a decision in his heart.

He secretly divided off a strand of divine sense, silently channeling his vast and ocean-like lifespan essence through the array, converting it into an incomparably pure life energy to assist Yan Feng in refining the pill.

For Xu Ping, who possessed a lifespan over four thousand years, the portion of life force he provided at that moment was merely a drop in the ocean.

But for Shan Tianyou, it was akin to a life-saving rain during a drought, instantly easing his burden considerably.

Shan Tianyou, situated at the center of the array, gave Xu Ping a grateful glance before quickly seizing the precious life energy to push forward with all his might.

With the addition of this new force, the light of the array shone even brighter. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Finally——

"Crack!"

A crisp sound, as if some invisible shackle was completely shattered, echoed from Yan Feng’s body.

An enormous and terrifying pressure, far exceeding the previous intensity, erupted from Yan Feng’s body like an awakened ancient beast, instantly filling the entire Blue Sea Tide Cave.

The late-stage Nascent Soul.... achieved.

Whew!

Spiritual qi around Yan Feng surged into his body like rivers converging into the sea, his aura climbing higher and higher.

Meanwhile, Shan Tianyou’s body was teetering, his face pale as paper, saturated with deathly energy, clearly reduced to a flickering candle, likely with only two or three years of lifespan remaining.

"Ancestor!"

At this moment, another mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, also heavily expended, showed a sorrowful expression and quickly supported Shan Tianyou.

As Mystic Water Sect’s only late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, Shan Tianyou’s prestige within the sect was unmatched.

However, Shan Tianyou appeared unfazed, as he watched his disciple successfully break through, his lips drawing a difficult yet deeply gratifying smile.

Subsequently, his gaze fell on Xu Ping, and with a weak but sincere voice, he said:

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Xu, for your helping hand..."

Xu Ping retracted his mana, his expression calm, and shook his head slightly: "No need for courtesy, senior, it was just a small gesture."

He extended his hand to assist.

Aside from helping the other party, he had another purpose, which was to see if refining the Dragon Blood Nirvana Pill could truly achieve a late-stage breakthrough.

Now, with Yan Feng’s successful breakthrough, he was relatively satisfied.

...

The three saw that Yan Feng had begun to stabilize his realm, and, not wanting to disturb him, they quietly exited the Blue Sea Tide Cave.

Xu Ping followed Shan Tianyou into his cave abode.

After they both took their seats, Shan Tianyou once again solemnly thanked Xu Ping and promised: "Young Friend Xu, Mystic Water Sect will remember your great kindness today. I will surely find a life-extending spiritual object to compensate for your loss today..."

This time, Xu Ping did not decline, nodding in agreement: "Then I thank senior first."

"Of course, this is merely compensation. If not for Fellow Daoist Xu’s intervention today, we would have likely failed."

"Therefore, I hope Fellow Daoist Xu will accept this piece of spirit wood."

Shan Tianyou took out a jade box, inside which lay a foot-long piece of sandalwood, its texture as smooth as jade, exuding a frighteningly abundant life force and immense spiritual pressure.

"Quasi-Fifth Rank Spirit Wood?"

Xu Ping swept it with his divine sense, and upon sensing its quality, was instantly stunned.

Quasi-Fifth Rank Spirit Wood, a treasure of this caliber, far surpasses the preciousness of the essence blood of a Mist Lake Mouse, enough to ignite competition among late-stage cultivators.

"Senior Shan, this item is too precious, Xu Mou is undeserving." Xu Ping did not accept it.

Receiving something for nothing, especially such a significant gift, likely implies further obligations.

Shan Tianyou smiled warmly and said: "Fellow Daoist Xu need not decline."

"This wood is useless for my Mystic Water Sect, and it happens that you are a Grandmaster of the Way of Talismans, perfect for crafting top-quality talisman paper with this wood as the primary material."

Xu Ping fell silent for a moment, his gaze landing on Shan Tianyou’s seemingly calm face, yet unable to conceal a trace of fatigue and grayness, and slowly said:

"Senior Shan, the spirit wood is precious, I cannot accept it without cause. If senior has any requests that require my assistance, please speak openly."

Shan Tianyou’s smile faded slightly and he gently sighed: "I have no specific demands."

"Just hope that if one day my Mystic Water Sect faces the threat of destruction, and Fellow Daoist Xu is capable, you can lend a hand to preserve the legacy of my Mystic Water Sect."

Xu Ping took a deep look at Shan Tianyou.

This late-stage Nascent Soul Great Cultivator’s aura was already unstable, like a flickering candle, clearly exhausted in his efforts to ensure his sect’s continuation at the cost of his remaining lifespan.

After a brief contemplation, Xu Ping solemnly took the jade box into his bosom, and said gravely: "Very well, Senior Shan, I will remember your words today."

"Should that day ever come, and I am capable, I will not stand idly by."

His promise was contingent on his capability; if Mystic Water Sect provokes a power even he cannot withstand, that is another matter.

Upon hearing this, Shan Tianyou’s face displayed a relieved and gratified smile, as if relieved of a formidable burden: "In that case.... I thank Fellow Daoist Xu in advance."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, noticing Shan Tianyou’s aura was somewhat unstable, Xu Ping no longer lingered, rising to bid farewell.

Leaving Mystic Water Sect, Xu Ping looked back at the misty immortal mountain, feeling a mix of emotions in his heart.

Even a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator like Shan Tianyou, for the sake of his sect’s heritage, did not hesitate to burn out his last shred of lifespan.

This cultivation realm’s cruel reality and tenderness are often intertwined in such a manner.

...

Three months later, Blood Bone Island.

Xu Ping maneuvered the Escape Light, passing through Blood Bone Island’s restrictions, returning to his cave abode.

The first thing he did upon returning was summon the Spirit Worm.

Soon, the ground beneath rippled like water, and a massive head covered in dark gold rings emerged—it was the Spirit Worm.