’The Zihua Cave Mansion... The residence left behind by a powerhouse who had reached the Heaven-Seizing Creation Realm, a level beyond even an Ultimate Venerable. It’s filled with countless treasures. In my past life, I went through hell and nearly died fighting for this Purple Splendor Jade Seal. If it really appears at this Pill Assembly, I have to get it, no matter what!’

HUFF!

Taking a deep breath, Nie Yun calmed the shock and excitement in his heart and looked down at the invitation.

’Thankfully, it’s not too late...’

’I was in seclusion for my second Nirvana for a whole month. Thank goodness I didn’t miss it!’

’The Pill Assembly is in three days. It won’t hurt to postpone the hunt for King Ning. I should head to Jibei City first!’

Nie Yun made his decision.

King Ning’s soul had left his body, leaving him half-dead. It would likely take him several months to regain consciousness, so there was no rush to hunt him down. This was also why Nie Yun hadn’t charged off after him the moment he left his family clan.

It had only been a little over a month and a half since he left his clan. He had plenty of time to make a trip to Jibei City, see this so-called Pill Assembly for himself, and search for the Purple Splendor Jade Seal while he was at it!

"The matter of the Purple Splendor Jade Seal is too significant; not even an Ultimate Venerable would pass it up. Xiaolang, Xiaohai, Xiaozhi, the three of you will come with me to Jibei City. Don’t reveal your Ultimate Venerable strength without my command!"

’The Purple Splendor Jade Seal is linked to the Zihua Cave Mansion, something that could drive even Ultimate Venerable Powerhouses to madness. It’s best to be low-key about possessing three Ultimate Venerable Demon Pets. Otherwise, if I were to be surrounded by other Ultimate Venerables, or if the person holding the Jade Seal became wary and refused to bring it out, it would be a huge problem!’

"Yes, Master!"

The Wind Wolf King, Zi Tong, and Hei Yan had all acknowledged him as their master and could not defy his will. They all nodded their massive heads.

Demon Beasts don’t cultivate a Qi Sea, so as long as they don’t reveal their power, outsiders can’t gauge their strength.

’I should prepare as well!’ At Nie Yun’s thought, the Profound Jade Sword appeared in his palm.

’Now that my Qi Sea Cultivation has reached the Ultimate Venerable Realm, my Seven Great Dantians operate on their own without needing deliberate cultivation. The most urgent task is to train the Spirit Rhinoceros Body Refining Technique!’

’The Second-Layer Great Success of the Spirit Rhinoceros Body Refining Technique can block a full-force attack from a Peak Powerhouse of Armor Realm. Once I reach the Third Layer Great Success, it will be difficult for even an Ultimate Venerable Powerhouse to harm me!’

’At the Third Layer Great Success, my defense might even surpass Xiaohai’s Black Rock Armor!’

The Spirit Rhinoceros Body Refining Technique becomes progressively harder to cultivate. It’s like how it’s easy to squeeze a basketball-sized cotton ball into the size of a tennis ball, but much harder to compress it further into the size of a ping-pong ball!

Body Refinement is the same. For the first layer, one could use medicinal liquids for tempering. For the second layer, the Emperor Flame Spirit Stone could help. But for the third layer, even these things are useless. You can only rely on yourself!

’From now on, I won’t use any True Qi. I’ll carry this Profound Jade Sword as weight training to temper my Spirit Rhinoceros Body Refining Technique!’

Ordinary Cultivators used sandbags for weight training to increase their strength. The Profound Jade Sword had a net weight of 13,424 jin. Carrying it on his back without using True Qi was like carrying a massive boulder at all times. This kind of weight training would speed up his cultivation!

’I’ll use the Cloud Mink Hide from this backpack to make a scabbard!’

With a flick of his wrist, he took out the Cloud Mink Beast backpack he had gotten from the pool. Nie Yun circulated his Ultimate Venerable Level True Qi, fashioning it into a scabbard.

If an ordinary object were used as a scabbard for the Profound Jade Sword, even the toughest tree vines would snap instantly. Only a beast hide renowned for its durability like this could barely hold it.

"Jibei City isn’t far from here. Let’s go!"

After slinging the longsword onto his back, Nie Yun’s body sank. He let out a muffled groan and strode forward.

CRACK!

Without using his True Qi Power, the stones under Nie Yun’s feet instantly crumbled to dust under the immense weight, leaving a series of deep footprints in the quiet mountains.

...............

Jibei City was much larger than Luoshui City, qualifying as a first-rate city. Its City Lord, Liu Jifei, was at the Peak of Qi Sect and a direct subordinate of the Minister of Military Affairs, Huo Gang. His status was considerable even within the Divine Wind Empire.

Because Liu Jifei came from a military background, he employed firm methods. Combined with his immense strength, during his tenure as City Lord, his policies were unified and efficiently implemented. The city grew increasingly prosperous, even showing the potential to become the commercial capital of the Empire.

As Jibei City prospered, Liu Jifei built powerful fortifications outside the city to prevent the covetous Demon Race from attacking. He decreed that the city gates would open for entry at 8:00 AM and close at 6:00 PM each day.

Thanks to this decree, public order in the city improved steadily, which in turn attracted more and more people. This virtuous cycle led to the city’s continuous development.

Therefore, City Lord Liu Jifei’s status in Jibei City was extremely high, and he was admired by all.

CREAK!

On this day, just as the city gates opened, a youth dressed all in black strode inside. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

This young man was only sixteen or seventeen years old and had an unremarkable appearance. Jibei City saw at least ten thousand people like him every day, so he should have been nothing special. Yet, the moment he arrived, he drew everyone’s attention.

"He has three Demon Beasts with him! Look at that white wolf—its body is so streamlined and its fur is so sleek. Just from the muscles on its legs, you can tell it’s incredibly powerful. It must be at least an Armor Realm Demon Beast!"

"And look at that Black Bear! Its size, those eyes... Heavens, forget about fighting it, just one look makes my heart pound in fear!"

"You, fight it? With your strength? That’s hilarious! I don’t think the Black Bear is the strongest one. That Purple-Eyed Iron Armor Dragon is the real monster. Look, the whole ground trembles when it walks! Forget a fight, if it just swung its tail, could anyone here block it?"

"Haha, you’re all ridiculous. Are you blind? Can’t you see all three Demon Beasts are following right behind that youth in black? The way I see it, the boy who managed to tame these beasts is the most incredible one here!"

"Tame them? I bet the boy just comes from a powerful family. His clan probably assigned these three Demon Beasts to him!"

"But I thought only Beast Tamers could tame Demon Beasts? Can a great clan just assign them to its scions?"

"That just shows what you don’t know. The great clans have many tricks up their sleeves. Many of them keep guardian Demon Beasts. These beasts build a bond with clan members from a young age, so even if a disciple isn’t a Beast Tamer, they can get the beasts to obey simple commands!"

"Oh, that makes sense. Look at how unsteady that youth’s gait is, like he has no strength at all. His power level must be nothing special! He’s probably just carrying that sword to look cool..."

...

The black-clad youth’s entrance with three Demon Beasts immediately caused an uproar. The three beasts were simply too eye-catching; it was impossible not to notice them!

’No power? An unsteady gait? Carrying a sword for show?’ Hearing the crowd’s chatter, the Wind Wolf King, the Black Bear, and the dragon all shook their heads helplessly.

’If their Master was considered powerless, then there was probably no one powerful left in the world!’

’An unsteady gait... Little did they know, that so-called "unsteadiness" was a sign of reaching another level. They hadn’t seen their Master just two days ago, when every step he took shattered even the hardest stone, his feet sinking deep into the ground!’

’It had only taken two days for their Master to bring it under control. Not only did his body no longer sink into the ground, but he had actually become much more agile, as if the 13,424 jin on his back were as light as air!’

’To completely adapt to such a weight in a little over two days... their Master’s talent could only be described as terrifying!’

’For such a powerful person to be seen by these people as someone just for show, with no real strength? How laughable!’ (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)