"You're planning to head to the treasure site and compete for that artifact," Yi Tianxing spoke first, asking.
"Yeah. Treasures belong to those with virtue. Naturally, this monk wants to take a look. Maybe I'll get lucky," Lu Zhishen said with a hearty laugh, his eyes gleaming with intense excitement.Events that gathered powerful cultivators from all around were not to be missed. Missing out would be a lifelong regret.And who was to say he couldn't snatch the treasure himself?Perhaps sheer dumb luck would deliver it into his hands.
"Well said. I'm planning to go too. Even if I can't obtain the treasure, witnessing it with my own eyes will be a great honor," Yi Tianxing nodded in agreement.
"The fusion of the Myriad Worlds has formed the Eternal Continent. I'm very eager to meet the heroes of other worlds. It'll be a good chance to learn from them as well. Events like this make me itch all over with anticipation," Lu Zhishen grinned broadly.
"Many powerhouses will surely gather. No one knows the true nature of the treasure site. It's best to stay cautious," Yi Tianxing reminded seriously.
"Don't worry. I know my limits. I won't act rashly," Lu Zhishen replied with a chuckle.
"Waiter, bring us some wine!"
At that moment, a figure walked into the inn.It was a young man dressed in a black robe, carrying a long saber in his hand. His entire being radiated an icy aura, cold and distant, making people instinctively reluctant to approach.He sat down at an empty table and called out in a calm voice.
"Right away, honored guest!"
The waiter quickly approached, placing a jug of Daughter Red wine on his table.Even the waiter's eyes carried a hint of hidden apprehension.
"Blade Intent!"Yi Tianxing's heart tightened. He could sense a pure, condensed Blade Intent from the young saber-wielder. It was sharp and refined—clearly cultivated to an extraordinary level.He could feel that his own Spear Intent was still a step behind.
This young man was no ordinary swordsman. His cultivation was also formidable, having reached the sixth tier of the Sea of God Realm.Within this realm, cultivation differences were often less decisive than mastery of martial truth; even battles where lower realms killed higher ones were not rare.
Yi Tianxing watched him for a few moments but didn't approach.To offer courtesy without cause often brought suspicion rather than goodwill. It was best to let things happen naturally.
Seemingly sensing Yi Tianxing's gaze, the young saber-wielder glanced over.Yi Tianxing smiled and nodded politely.The young man paused briefly, then returned the nod before turning his attention back to his wine.
After chatting with Lu Zhishen a bit more, Yi Tianxing called for the waiter, paid with Eternal Coins, and then headed upstairs.The inn's second floor offered rooms for lodging.With the sky growing dark, he had no intention of continuing his journey tonight. Resting at the inn was the better choice.
Upstairs, rows of rooms lined the hallway.Each room had a small plaque outside, marked either with the character 'Vacant' or 'Occupied.'Rooms marked 'Occupied' were clearly already taken.
Yi Tianxing reached out to touch the door of one 'Occupied' room. Instantly, a layer of white light appeared, forming a defensive barrier that prevented entry.
"Rooms here are automatically protected once occupied. Anyone trying to break the barrier would alert everyone nearby. Truly a marvel, a treasure in itself," Yi Tianxing noted appreciatively.Dragon Gate Inn clearly prioritized security, giving guests peace of mind—something extremely valuable when traveling.
He then found a 'Vacant' room, pushed open the door, and entered.Once the door closed, the sign outside instantly switched to 'Occupied,' an enchanting display of mystic automation.
Inside, the room was simple but surprisingly spacious, far bigger than it appeared from the outside—a clear sign of spatial techniques at work.Even more impressive, the concentration of spiritual energy inside was dozens of times denser than outside, thanks to an embedded Spirit Gathering Formation.
Yi Tianxing nodded approvingly.The room had basic furnishings: a bed, some bedding, and a few essential items. Although spartan, it was more than adequate for a traveling cultivator.
"As expected, the storm is gathering. That mysterious saber-wielder is just one of many. Even that fake monk hides unknown depths. The treasure site is no trivial matter. I should seize the chance now to elevate my physical cultivation to the peak of Black Cauldron Nine Chimes and undergo my first life transformation, manifesting my physical divine ability. It'll give me another trump card to rely on."
After consuming that cooked beef 'dark cuisine,' his physical strength had reached over 89,000 jin.Sensing the mounting pressure, Yi Tianxing decided not to delay any longer.Tonight, he would complete his breakthrough.
Without hesitation, he took out several prepared delicacies made earlier by Lai He and began to eat voraciously.Even if he had already tasted them before, the nourishment would still marginally increase his strength.
89,400 jin.89,600 jin.89,900 jin!
Ding! Ding! Ding!
Suddenly, the Black Cauldron within his body erupted with a series of intense reverberations—nine chimes ringing out in succession.An overwhelming surge of force burst from the cauldron, spreading through his flesh, bones, and meridians.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
In the next instant, Yi Tianxing's already formidable body exploded spectacularly.Blood, bones, and flesh shattered simultaneously, as though countless bombs had detonated inside him.
Amid the blood mist, brilliant points of light floated—his eyes, his Sea of God, his Food Cauldron, his Mystic Armor, and his Dantian—his vital Life Orifices.These orifices gleamed like tiny stars, impervious even to the devastating force of the Black Cauldron Nine Chimes.The brightest of them all was his pair of eyes—the immense potential of his Innate Yin-Yang Eyes radiated dazzling brilliance.
Ding!
As his body disintegrated into a bloody mist, the black cauldron released torrents of black divine light.These streams of black light acted like an adhesive, merging with the mist and beginning to reconstruct his body.
First, the pulverized bone fragments fused together at astonishing speed—The skull, the ribcage, the spine, arms, legs—every bone reformed, exuding a faint, metallic gleam.
The density and toughness of these new bones had far surpassed their former limits, capable of withstanding blades and swords without breaking.After reformation, the black light receded into the bones, returning them to a snow-white hue.
Next, his internal organs formed rapidly within the skeletal frame—The heart pulsed with unprecedented power; the other organs were equally fortified.His body's resilience and vitality had climbed to new heights.
Then came the meridians—One by one, they appeared like flowing rivers, brimming with vigorous true qi.
Finally, flesh regenerated at breakneck speed, covering the bones seamlessly.
In mere moments, a completely new body stood there, emanating a translucent glow.The very surface of his skin shimmered faintly, imbuing it with incredible defensive properties.The coursing blood within exuded a fierce energy, strong enough to shatter weapons on contact.
The entire transformation process—guided by the Black Cauldron Nine Chimes—had shattered and reforged Yi Tianxing's body on a fundamental level.Every cell now held vitality and power beyond their previous limits—a true transformation of life.
He could now walk unharmed through blazing flames, bathe in frozen seas, and crush mountains and giant trees with ease.A great shackle had been broken within his being. His potential had expanded enormously.Even his meridian channels had widened significantly.
Most notably, the black cauldron inside him had solidified fully—Becoming a tangible, real object that could shift between reality and illusion at will.
Within it, a massive blood-colored egg had formed, nourished by surging tides of qi and blood. Mysterious runes continuously emerged from the currents and infused themselves into the egg.