However, this time, after Xiao Wenbing condensed three Nascent Souls, his spiritual power indeed reached the Separation and Union stage. Such progress naturally could not be hidden from these old fellows.
Before practicing, Xiao Wenbing was only at the Divided Spirit stage, but after practicing for a while, he suddenly jumped to the Separation and Union stage.
Such a miraculous technique—to say they weren't envious would be blatant lying. But getting Xiao Wenbing to confess honestly was probably out of the question.
Meanwhile, Xiao Wenbing left behind a mess and flew back to the Jade Cauldron Sect. As soon as he entered his house, he saw Zhang Yaqi and Feng Baiyi.
Upon seeing them, Xiao Wenbing smiled bitterly and said, "Don't ask me, I don't know why this happened either."
Xiao Wenbing was telling the truth. The array taught by the Mirror God was just an enhanced version of the Spirit Gathering Array. As for why it turned into a cataclysmic disaster and why it suddenly returned to nothingness under the opposite effect, he really didn't know any of these reasons.
The two women exchanged a glance, their expressions of surprise conveyed to each other.
Xiao Wenbing's words were naturally trustworthy. However, what surprised them was not the sudden catastrophe, but the incredible speed with which Xiao Wenbing broke through his limits and advanced to the Separation and Union stage in just a few hours.
Although it wasn't explicitly stated, both women were extremely fond of Xiao Wenbing. Therefore, they noticed the changes in him as soon as they saw him.
Previously, Xiao Wenbing was in a strange state that even they could not describe. Although it gave ordinary people the illusion of being in the Nascent Soul stage, they vaguely felt that there must be something different about it.
However, Xiao Wenbing was behaving perfectly normally at this moment, just like a genuine cultivator in the Separation and Union stage. This change was precisely what they were most worried about.
In fact, before practicing today, Xiao Wenbing's dantian contained tens of thousands of nascent souls. So many crammed together naturally made him stand out. Ordinary cultivators might not be able to distinguish them. However, Feng Baiyi and Zhang Yaqi each possessed some of the most powerful and potent energies in the world, which is why they were able to detect that unusual feature.
However, at this moment, Xiao Wenbing had already put the tens of thousands of homeless Nascent Souls into the Heavenly Void Ring, so the aura he exuded was naturally no different from that of an ordinary cultivator in the Separation and Union stage.
Volume 5, Chapter 9: Energy Assimilation
------------------------
Feng Baiyi pondered for a moment, then asked in a low voice, "Sister, what do you think?"
"There shouldn't be any problem."
The two women exchanged opinions privately. As long as Xiao Wenbing's cultivation went smoothly, everything would be fine. As for how he had caused such a commotion, the two women didn't really care.
If we're talking about the unpredictability of heavenly power, what in this plane can compare to the Heavenly Thunderstorm in Feng Baiyi's hands?
After spending so much time with her, they no longer even paid attention to the raging winds that could destroy a country.
Seeing their expressions, even Xiao Wenbing felt he had overreacted. However, the damage caused by the storm wasn't limited to just a few hilltops; even the animals, large and small, suffered. Xiao Wenbing wasn't afraid of the ghosts of these little creatures causing him trouble, but rather worried about the cycle of cause and effect. He feared that the heavenly lightning he would have to endure in the Immortal Realm would be even more severe.
With a slight sigh, he put those thoughts aside. It was rare for the two women to come to his room at the same time. Just as Xiao Wenbing was about to go up and say a few words of comfort, he heard Feng Baiyi say, "Wenbing, from now on, you will go into seclusion for three days and work hard to cultivate."
"Why?" Xiao Wenbing was very puzzled. He wondered why, since he had just gone into seclusion to practice his skills and had achieved a breakthrough. He thought that if he went into seclusion again now, the effect would be minimal.
He stumbled upon a rapid advancement, advancing three levels in a short period, leaping from the Golden Core stage to the Separation and Union stage—a feat equivalent to hundreds of years of arduous cultivation for others. This rocket-like speed was already the limit of his limits. While he did consider taking it a step further, he quickly rejected the idea.
He wasn't stupid, so he knew very well that if he advanced any further, he would reach the Tribulation Transcending stage, at which point he could face heavenly tribulations at any moment. To be honest, he wasn't mentally prepared for that yet.
This principle is actually quite obvious. Zhang Yaqi's cultivation level is so high, how could she not understand it?
Zhang Yaqi stepped forward, gently took one of his hands, and said softly, "Wenbing, you have just advanced to the Separation and Union stage, and your Nascent Soul is not yet solid. Spend three days consolidating your Nascent Soul."
Xiao Wenbing then realized that they meant well. Although he had great confidence in his body, with his mutant ability, his natal golden talisman, and his powerful physique that had survived the tribulations of water and fire, he wouldn't care about his nascent soul going out of control. However, when he met their concerned gazes, he couldn't help but nod in agreement.
The two women were relieved. Feng Baiyi said, "Take good care of yourself for these three days. After three days, we will set off for the Underworld."
"The Underworld? You're going too?" Xiao Wenbing asked in surprise. In his plan, going to the Underworld was only a matter for him. If two women were to go, wouldn't that be too much trouble and restrict his movements?
"Exactly."
“No, it’s too dangerous there.” Xiao Wenbing’s face darkened, and he resolutely refused.
“But…” Zhang Yaqi suddenly smiled and said, “Didn’t you say that we would be together forever?”
Xiao Wenbing was taken aback, speechless. After a moment, he smiled wryly and said, "Yaqi, we can discuss other places, but the Underworld is too dangerous. You absolutely cannot go there."
"And what about you?" Zhang Yaqi looked at him and asked in a low voice.
Xiao Wenbing straightened his chest and said solemnly, "I am not afraid."
Why?
"Because I have the giant serpent protecting me." Xiao Wenbing said proudly. He was indeed 100% confident that after the giant serpent was refined by the Netherwater, it was not only more powerful than when it was at its peak, but it was also no longer afraid of this kind of cold and damp poisonous energy.
“But I have the Universe Ring,” Zhang Yaqi said calmly.
"The Universe Ring? Hmm, this..." Xiao Wenbing frowned. Zhang Yaqi was right; the Universe Ring was a supreme treasure, capable of restraining even a thundercloud storm powerful enough to destroy an entire realm. Not to mention the waters of the underworld.
Now that she has this treasure protecting her, let alone mere Nether Water, even a great immortal from the Celestial Realm might not be able to harm Zhang Yaqi.
Xiao Wenbing's gaze shifted to Feng Baiyi. He was about to offer some advice when he saw her shake her head without hesitation, saying, "There is no place in the world that divine thunder cannot go."
Xiao Wenbing was stunned and immediately fell silent. He still had that arrogant personality.
Although Feng Baiyi has become much more restrained since obtaining the Heavenly Thunder Sword, no longer summoning heavenly thunder so readily as before, her inherent arrogance has not diminished in the slightest.
Shaking his head helplessly, Xiao Wenbing knew that no matter how he tried to persuade them, it would be impossible to change their minds.
Zhang Yaqi slowly opened the door and said, "Wenbing, hurry up and cultivate. Three days is not much time. You should stabilize your current realm as soon as possible. Remember, don't be greedy anymore."
Hearing her soft, timid voice echo in his ears, Xiao Wenbing felt grateful and quickly promised to proceed steadily and surely, without being greedy or impatient. Zhang Yaqi smiled brightly after hearing this, but suddenly saw Feng Baiyi's ambiguous smile, and her face flushed. In a flash, she disappeared into the distance, leaving behind a fragrant breeze.
Watching the beauty depart, Xiao Wenbing felt a pang of regret. A thought struck him, and he asked Feng Baiyi, "What are you going to the Underworld for?"
“My mother sent a message via flying sword, asking me to go to the Underworld with you. It seems to be for the sake of the Water Spirit,” Feng Baiyi said casually. “Is that so?” Xiao Wenbing pondered for a moment and asked, “Who exactly is your mother-in-law?”
"It's the Heavenly Thunder Palace..." Feng Baiyi suddenly realized, glared at him fiercely, a blush quickly rose on her face, and she moved swiftly, just like Zhang Yaqi, and ran away in a flash.
Xiao Wenbing chuckled to himself. He was already the current Palace Master of the Thunder Palace, yet he was still so thin-skinned; truly an anomaly…
Back in the room, he closed the door, but still felt it wasn't secure enough, so he released his demon avatar. With this guy guarding the door, it was much safer than the Mirror God.
If the snake hadn't been so enormous, Xiao Wenbing would have really wanted to use it to guard the gate.
Sitting back on the bed, the first thing Xiao Wenbing did was not to consolidate his current realm through internal energy cultivation, but to directly summon the Mirror God.
"Mirror God. What just happened?"
The Mirror God replied with his usual lazy expression, "It's very simple. The changes in the primordial energy of heaven and earth have brought about the power of heaven and earth. It's nothing serious."
"Nothing serious?" Xiao Wenbing was furious upon hearing this irresponsible remark. "Nothing serious? Do you know that I just killed someone?"
The Mirror God was taken aback. When did this guy develop such a compassionate heart? He glanced at him up and down and said, "Alright, which cultivator hasn't taken lives? Don't make a fuss over such a small matter."
"Hmph. You make it sound so easy. I wonder if this sin will be attributed to you or to me," Xiao Wenbing said angrily.
The Mirror God then realized the real reason for his anger and couldn't help but sigh inwardly at his foresight, knowing all along that he wasn't cut out to be Buddha.
"Alright, as long as you can save billions of lives in the two realms in the future, no one will hold this small mistake against you."
Xiao Wenbing had no choice but to give up. Since the deed was already done, it was too late to go back on his word, so he could only try his best to make amends.
In truth, given Xiao Wenbing's current magical treasures, he shouldn't be so afraid of heavenly tribulations. However, he experienced the Butterfly Immortal Heavenly Tribulation when he first entered the Golden Core stage, and that experience left a very deep impression on him, which is why it created an insurmountable obstacle in his mind.
He closed his eyes, about to begin his cultivation, when the Mirror God interrupted him: "Hey. What are you planning to do with so many primordial spirits in the Heavenly Void Ring?"
Xiao Wenbing snorted angrily and said, "Thanks to you, so many Nascent Souls have absorbed too much spiritual energy. I can't fit them into my dantian anymore, so I'll just leave them there."
The Mirror God shook his head repeatedly. He said, "It's such a waste to leave it there; it's a real squandering of such a precious resource."
Hearing something vaguely, Xiao Wenbing immediately widened his eyes and said, "Mirror God, you are not allowed to covet my Nascent Soul."
The Mirror God chuckled, realizing that Xiao Wenbing had seen through its intentions. It immediately became much more obedient and said, "Actually, you don't need to practice so hard anymore."
"Why?"
"So many nascent souls, how much energy do they contain? Just put one into your dantian every ten days and let them merge with each other. That's much better than you painstakingly absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth."
"Yes, that makes sense."
"Moreover, so many differentiated Nascent Souls are actually quite useful."
"How so?"
"If you encounter an opponent like the giant serpent in the future, just beat it half to death, and then send ten or so Nascent Souls into it. Whether it's an immortal or a monster, I guarantee you can successfully seize their consciousness."
"Creating an avatar?"
"Exactly."
Xiao Wenbing's eyes flashed with divine light. Judging from the tone of the Mirror God, after this energy enhancement, only about ten Nascent Souls were needed to assimilate a giant snake. If that were the case, then he could form a powerful avatar army in the future.
If every incarnation possesses the level of an immortal...
Xiao Wenbing's face broke into a happy smile: "Great idea, Mirror God, very good."
"Alright, then you can take it." With a wave of his hand, the Mirror God sent a Nascent Soul flying out of the Heavenly Void Ring.
Xiao Wenbing took it from him and asked, "What are you doing?"
"Assimilate! Assimilate as soon as possible, and your strength will increase. Then we'll go to the Linglong Immortal Realm to find the Fire Spirit Immortal."
"Isn't there a need to be in such a hurry?"
The Mirror God suddenly turned around, glared at him, and said, word by word, "Fire Spirit Immortal is very important."
"Okay, okay." Xiao Wenbing immediately raised his hands in surrender: "I understand, Fire Spirit Immortal is very important."
Having finally managed to get rid of the Mirror God, Xiao Wenbing held the Nascent Soul in his hand, a bitter smile on his face. Although the energy within the Nascent Soul was an immense tonic for him, he never imagined that he would one day be afraid of such a tonic.
With a worried sigh, Xiao Wenbing waved his hand and sent his nascent soul into his body, thus raising his level on its own.
Volume 5, Chapter 10: Departure
------------------------
Beside the teleportation array of the Jade Cauldron Sect, Hui Zhe and the others gave them a warm send-off.
While this trip to the underworld wasn't absolutely necessary, many people were still incredibly enthusiastic about it.
Both the three holy lands and the Heavenly Thunder Palace issued orders to spare no effort.