From the Domain Realm to the Soul Realm, it is a lengthy process.

For some cultivators, it may be a lifetime long process.

But for Li Chen, it is different.

Although he has been cultivating for quite some time, compared to other elders who have lived for hundreds or thousands of years, he is still quite young, even excessively young.

However, his accumulation in the Domain Realm has long reached an extreme.

He has had several opportunities where he could have directly broken through to the Soul Realm, but he held back each time, not breaking through.

It’s not that he couldn’t break through, but rather, he was waiting for an opportunity, a perfect opportunity to advance.

Previously, Li Chen was still waiting for this opportunity. If nothing special happened, Li Chen also planned to break through to the Soul Realm in the Ancient Battle Realm.

But now it seems that the other places in the Ancient Battle Realm might not have better choices.

The best choice is right in front of him.

"With such abundant Heaven and Earth Essence, it should be enough for a breakthrough," Li Chen murmured to himself.

If others heard Li Chen’s words, they might call him a madman.

Breaking through to the Soul Realm in a place where cultivation is suppressed—what else could one call it but madness?

This means that during the breakthrough, not only would he face the tribulation of the Soul Realm, but also the double pressure of the Regretless Mountain Range.

The pressure from the Regretless Mountain Range is not to be trifled with; even Daoist Lord level strong individuals who come here have to submit to the suppression of their cultivation.

But Li Chen is thinking of breaking through to the Soul Realm here. Such thoughts can only be described as crazy.

Yet, for Li Chen, there is indeed no other place more suitable for a breakthrough.

This dense Heaven and Earth Essence is just right to be the final push for his breakthrough to the Soul Realm.

Regarding the Seven Divine Trees, Li Chen is not very envious. Even knowing the preciousness of the Seven Divine Trees doesn’t change this. After previous events, Li Chen understands even more clearly that being strong himself is what matters the most.

If he were now an Ascended Heaven Realm Heavenly Lord, or even a Great Heavenly Honor like the Daiyu Heavenly Venerable, how many people would dare to covet the Supreme Treasure on his body?

"Pfft!"

"Pfft!"

At this moment, a few more individuals nearing the ancient tree were squeezed to death by the terrifying Heaven and Earth Essence. These two had already walked quite far and were Soul Realm experts. However, evidently, even they could not withstand the monstrous and oppressive Heaven and Earth Essence pressure; their bodies suddenly exploded, and their Primordial Spirit and Divine Soul transformed into streams of light, rapidly escaping to the distance.

No one attempted to intercept the two fleeing spirits when they saw the twin streaks of light darting afar.

Because they know this is the Ancient Battle Realm, not their respective Great Realms. Without the support of a physical body, these two spirits wouldn’t survive long. They’re likely to be devoured by various dangers here before finding a new body to possess.

When the physical body collapses, it already means the two have been sentenced to death.

After thinking it over, Li Chen, accompanied by Netherworld, took a step into the Ancient Tree Domain.

Upon entering, Bai Shi and Netherworld’s breathing briefly halted, almost falling over due to the oppressive Heaven and Earth Essence.

Netherworld’s true form is Myriad Gu, inherently immensely powerful. Even without Body Refinement, he can rival some top-tier Body Refinement Experts, which helped him withstand the terrifying pressure.

Bai Shi, from the Ancient Zhu Yan Clan, possesses innate talent for power. His Power of the Flesh is terrifyingly potent, allowing him to recover quickly after a brief stumble.

Li Chen opened his Eye of the Dao, carefully examining the two.

"Netherworld, advance two hundred steps, then stop to cultivate."

"Old Bai, advance three hundred steps and stop."

Upon hearing Li Chen’s words, they nodded silently, holding absolute trust in Li Chen.

Li Chen could see that though Netherworld’s cultivation speed is fast, it likely derives from some inheritance power. Netherworld, though barely stepping into the Kuotian Realm, has unsteady cultivation, sometimes unable to control the dispersal of his own essence. Such a place is perfect for tempering Netherworld’s cultivation.

Bai Shi is better, but three hundred steps is sufficient. His foundation is much more profound than Netherworld’s. To Li Chen, Bai Shi isn’t far from the Soul Realm; all he needs is more accumulation.

The rich Heaven and Earth Essence here is naturally the best place for accumulation.

Many cultivators have envied the Heaven and Earth Essence here, but they know if they can’t approach the ancient tree, they shouldn’t even dream of taking any of the Heaven and Earth Essence away.

Everyone here has their cultivation constrained to the Domain Realm. Those with Soul Realm cultivation can’t absorb or cultivate here, and even those at the peak of the Domain Realm can’t extract the Heaven and Earth Essence here.

Thus, although the Heaven and Earth Essence here is densely maddening, what drives people even crazier is its chicken-rib-like nature—they simply can’t absorb it.

Only for people like Netherworld, whose cultivation hasn’t reached Domain Realm Perfection, could such a place be the best cultivation field.

Many couldn’t help showing envy when they saw Netherworld halt at two hundred steps to cultivate.

But upon catching a glimpse of Li Chen’s back, many felt a chill.

To offend such a powerful figure for a junior is certainly not a wise decision.

Of course, what they don’t know is that when Netherworld began cultivating, Li Chen had already laid down an invisible trapping and slaying formation around Netherworld. Anyone daring to make a move on Netherworld would be truly courting death.

After settling Netherworld, Li Chen arranged a place for Bai Shi, similarly setting up a formation around him.

The spots where Netherworld and Bai Shi stopped were chosen by Li Chen with care.

Ensuring neither would encounter trouble while providing them with ample pressure—such an environment is most suitable, at least in Li Chen’s view.

Once Netherworld and Bai Shi were settled, Li Chen’s gaze naturally turned towards the distant ancient tree.

Currently, he is about a thousand steps away from the ancient tree.

Ahead of Li Chen, many strong individuals are making every effort to draw closer to the ancient tree.

Evidently, such a mystical ancient tree is desired by anyone.

Li Chen desires it as well, but now he wants even more to use this enormous tree’s Heaven and Earth Essence... to break through to the Soul Realm!

The closer to the ancient tree, the denser the Heaven and Earth Essence, the greater the pressure, explaining why many strong individuals suddenly burst.

At this moment, Li Chen has a crazy idea.

Sitting beneath the ancient tree to cultivate!