"Speaking of the Cyan Flood Dragon, it was quite fierce, with two human Golden Core experts having perished at its hands."

After the news of the Cyan Flood Dragon’s death reached Mingfeng Mountain, all the Demon Kings fell silent, even the Golden Feathered Eagle Demon King, whose bloodline was slaughtered, became quiet.

Before advancing to the Chao Origin stage, most of the Human Race could not compare with demon beasts of the same rank.

However, at the Golden Core Stage, the situation reversed, with human cultivators, aided by magical treasures, generally stronger than Demon Kings of the same rank.

This condition persisted until demon beasts undergo transformation; in the battles between Nascent Soul Stage demon beasts and human cultivators, the outcome depended on the individual’s foundational accumulation.

The Ox Demon nodded its massive head and said in a rough voice:

"If two more human cultivators’ lifespans run out, leaving only three Golden Core Stage ones, don’t you think it’s our time to counterattack?

Even if we can’t breach the sects’ mountain gates, plundering smaller families and loose cultivators would still be fairly easy."

Although war has drastically reduced the numbers of each race, the survivors are the elites among elites.

The flesh and blood of human cultivators is an absolute tonic for demon beasts, capable of promoting their awakening.

The Black Wind Wolf Demon King extended its scarlet tongue, licking the blood at its mouth’s edge, revealing a mouthful of fangs:

"If no new Golden Core cultivators are born at Yuanhe Mountain, it will be their time of destruction!"

Annihilating a major human force would significantly benefit the Demon Beast Race.

The Ox Demon blinked its enormous eyes, grinning viciously:

"Although the Cyan Flood Dragon has died, new Golden Core cultivators have emerged among that group of demon cultivators, and they can be used as vanguard."

The Demon Kings began heated discussions, as if they had already conquered Yuanhe Mountain.

...

With the situation in the Western Continent stabilizing, sects started consistently delivering Meridian Opening Pills to various Daoist schools, rejuvenating the regions of the Human Cultivators.

The outbreak of Demon Calamities and Demon Calamities heavily wounded the Western Continent’s cultivation realm, yet also opened larger survival spaces for the survivors.

Amidst the ruins, a vibrant life force emerged, like a forest regenerated after a wildfire.

Five years passed by.

The sunset cast its last light over distant mountains, with only the dimming clouds visible in the sky.

Ji An inhaled a wisp of Ding Fire Qi embedded within wood, causing his Fire Mansion core to shake abruptly.

The formerly illusory Fire Element Divine Mansion materialized, merging completely with the heart, inseparable henceforth.

Like the liver, the once flesh and blood heart transformed into a flame-like crimson, its surface adorned with golden patterns, resembling leaping flames.

The Heart Fire Mansion thus reached perfection in under nine years, saving almost two years compared to the Wood Element Divine Mansion.

Red spiritual liquid gathered in the heart, flowing through the Immortal Vain into the Dantian.

As cultivation advanced, the Primordial Life Fire in the Dantian expanded, the tri-layered flame flickering resplendently.

The innermost layer exhibited a vibrant green with exuberant growth, followed by a warm and intense red Fire Element Flame, and an outermost yellow Earth Element Flame exuding nurturing, bearing, and weighty presence.

Already three years ago, the Earth Element Divine Mansion was successfully opened; presently, the outer vein patterns of the Lung’s Golden Mansion were two-tenths developed, signifying a long road ahead.

As the heart liquid dripped, the scarlet Spirit Flame of the Primordial Life Fire swelled abruptly.

Ji An felt a sudden mental relaxation, as the Blood Transformation Soul-Chasing Curse buried in his flesh and Sea of Consciousness dissipated completely.

This decades-long threat vanished into thin air.

The verdant hue of the liver and the crimson of the heart complemented each other like green leaves and red flowers.

Ji An opened his eyes, a flame flickering within his pupils, reducing the world to ashes in its wake.

The phenomenon lasted but an instant, rapidly vanishing into oblivion.

He softly closed his eyes once more, sinking his mind into the Dantian, connecting with the Upper Stone Turtle.

[Master: Ji An]

[Dao Rhyme: Gold 2.2, Water 0, Wood 0, Fire 0.6, Earth 3.1]

[Spiritual Mechanism: Kan Spirit 1796.7, Gen Spirit 70.9, Zhen Spirit 723.6, Xun Spirit 2678.8, Kun Spirit 2042.2, Qian Spirit 1847.8, Dui Spirit 1841.7, Li Spirit 2435.6]

[Spirit Sealing Technique (Great Success 22%)

Geng Metal Spirit-Slaying Sword (Perfection 84%)

Earth-to-Steel Technique (Perfection 31%)

Earth Escape Technique (Perfection 9%)

Mixed Gold Profound Armor Spell (Perfection 48%)

Fire Dragon Heaven-Burning Technique (Great Success 38%)

Profound Nether Daoist Qi (Great Success 12%)

Wood Escape Technique (Great Success 1%)...]

These years, due to opening the Earth Element Divine Mansion, little time was spent practicing magic techniques, achieving only Antitoxic Technique at the Great Perfection Level.

Red Flame Peak, abundant in Wood Element Spirit Plants, allowed him to practice the Wood Escape Technique to Great Success, providing an additional means of escape.

Considering future Qi eating excursions, Ji An practiced three Chao Origin Stage attack techniques.

Having accumulated much Spirit Mechanism over time, it was time again for joyful enhancement.

"Refine Spirit Mechanism, enhance Geng Metal Spirit-Slaying Sword."

Ji An’s Divine Sense entered the Stone Turtle Space, treading the Qian Position, a world of silvery white exuding lifelessness.

With the practice of magic techniques, Qian Spirit steadily diminished, yet enlightenment experience continually increased.

[Geng Metal Spirit-Slaying Sword (Perfection 84%→89%)]

"Refine Spirit Mechanism, enhance Mixed Gold Profound Armor Spell."

[Mixed Gold Profound Armor Spell (Perfection 48%→54%)] 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

"Refine Spirit Mechanism, enhance Fire Dragon Heaven-Burning Technique."

[Fire Dragon Heaven-Burning Technique (Great Success 38%→Perfection 2%)]

With each command issued, every magic technique achieved varying degrees of improvement.

Ji An opened his eyes, the external world scant moments passing as he looked skyward and howled, enthusiasm stirring.

The howl resonated with exuberant delight, and with the Fire Mansion perfected, he could fully focus on developing the Jin Mansion and Water Mansion, as well as preparing materials for refining a second top-grade spiritual artifact.

He retrieved a Communication Golden Sword, inputting information before sending it off.

This was to report good news to Ancestor Xie, understanding full well that performing well garners the sect’s attention.

Breaking through the Chao Origin Stage in just twenty years to enter the Third Transition Realm warranted at least core Golden Core seed treatment!

...

Jia Yu stepped into Wuji Hall, cupping his hands and asking:

"Ancestor, what are your instructions?"

Ordinarily, if the matter wasn’t urgent, the ancestor would directly instruct him on it.

Being summoned was rare, and when it occurred, there were usually major decisions involved.

With a kind smile, Daoist Master Zhengyang gestured to a chair:

"Sit down."

"Thank you, Ancestor," Jia Yu complied, sensing the good mood of the ancestor, likely heralding good news.

"I just received news from Ji An; he’s now broken through to the Third Transition of the Chao Origin Stage and has opened the Earth Element Divine Mansion."

"Ah?"

Jia Yu’s mouth dropped open wide; although he envisioned such a scenario, its actual occurrence was still unbelievable.

This pace of improvement likely surpassed even Li Haoran.

’This kid really wants me to address him as "Ancestor"!’

Quick thoughts turned in his mind, a smile forming on his face:

"Congratulations Ancestor, another disciple’s Golden Core seems promising."

Daoist Master Zhengyang was exuberant, excitedly saying:

"Upon hearing the news, I felt I was dreaming, needing multiple readings of the message to believe it.

As things stand, Ji An’s potential may surpass Qiubai and Jiuxiao, matching Haoran’s level.

Cultivators who open the Earth Element Divine Mansion require the Earth Soul Soothing Pill; go purchase it at Luofeng Valley."

He once believed gaining Li Haoran was an enormous fortune for the sect, unaware another surprise awaited; this indeed signaled its rise.

Given this disciple’s capability, the sect’s duty is to provide more support.

Eagles should soar above the nine heavens, fulfilling lofty ambitions.

"Understood."

Jia Yu agreed, thinking Ji An should host a celebration with the chance to enjoy free High-Tier Spirit Wine again.

...

At 5:00 AM the next day.

Ji An exited the grotto mansion, cloud-surfing to Red Flame Peak’s summit.

Though not a tall mountain, it was the highest peak within over a ten-mile radius, likely gathering much Earth Qi of Wu.

Standing firmly, he formed his mouth into a tube, tongue slightly curling upwards, raising both hands palm-up from his lower abdomen to the navel.

Exhaling, his hands slowly extended downward at a forty-five-degree angle, uttering the "hoo" sound.

The spleen’s turbid Qi released with each exhale, followed by intuitive inhalation, in a cycle.

On the sixth repeat, he sensed a warm, sweet essence enter his throat, swallowed instinctively by his body.

The spleen’s vein patterns activated, glowing with yellow Spirit Light.