The sixth stage of the Divine Sea Realm marked the third transformation of the Divine Spring. It required the practitioner's visualization method to be completely fused into the Divine Spring, branded into it, achieving a perfect union. Once done, it meant one would be cultivating at all times, no matter the place or posture.
For cultivators, visualization was the root of all cultivation. Only by visualizing could they refine the world's spiritual energy into true qi. But visualization consumed one's mind and will—one couldn't do it indefinitely. When cultivation ceased, so did the refining of energy.
The Divine Spring could already swallow and emit spiritual energy, drawing it continuously into the Divine Sea. But without active visualization, it still couldn't refine that energy into true qi. The sixth stage solved this issue once and for all: by merging the visualization method with the Divine Spring, the spring would draw in energy, and the visualization method within it would refine it—resulting in cultivation at all times, whether sitting, lying, or walking.
This was true endless cultivation.
This marked the peak of the first tier of the Divine Spring.
But the difficulty lay in how to integrate the visualization method into the spring. With the spring's eye already solidified, fusion was extremely difficult. The standard way was to transform true qi into true fire, turning the Divine Sea into a sea of flames, like a great furnace—burning the visualization method and spring into one.
This was called Planting a Golden Lotus in Fire—the foundation of the Dao would be born from it!
Now, aided by the Yin Wind, the process became easier.
"Birth from fire. Divine Sea as cauldron, true qi as flame, Yin Wind as fuel. Life and fate intertwined!"
In an instant, the true qi in the Divine Sea ignited into a sea of flames, engulfing both the Divine Spring and the ancestral dragon. The Yin Wind intensified the flames, making them even more violent and fierce.
Under a strange resonance, the Divine Spring and the Ancestral Dragon drew toward each other naturally. The true fire served as the perfect catalyst. The ancestral dragon, originally part of the Dragon-Taming Scripture, and the spring—both born from the same source—merged under fire and wind.
Roar!!
From within the flames, a high-pitched dragon's roar echoed, radiating divine light. The spring's eye erupted with chaotic brilliance. In the blink of an eye, the true fire died down, and with it, a portion of true qi was forever gone—burned as fuel, completely assimilated into the Divine Spring.
A chaotic-colored spring eye now floated in the Divine Sea. From it, streams of true qi naturally flowed outward. Etched on its surface was a vivid Ancestral Dragon of the Four Seas—so lifelike it seemed as though a true dragon coiled around the spring, ready to devour all.
The energy now flowing from the spring was no longer ordinary, but true dragon qi.
The spiritual energy drawn in from the outside world still gathered above the Divine Sea, and at any moment, the Divine Spring could absorb it, converting it through the visualization method into true qi.
"The sixth stage of the Divine Sea Realm truly is different."
"My connection with the world has become more intimate. The absorption rate has more than doubled. True qi flows endlessly. Even without deliberate effort, I can now cultivate at a steady pace. If I focus fully, my speed will increase tenfold. The first tier of the Divine Spring is now truly complete."**
Yi Tianxing was overwhelmed with joy—a kind of joy that came from a leap in his very existence. From this moment forward, his strength would grow steadily and unstoppably.
This Yin Wind had arrived at just the right moment. His cultivation had undergone a fundamental transformation. Especially his physical body, now reaching Black Cauldron Sixth Ring, making it equivalent to his spiritual cultivation. Yet the strength it granted was worlds apart.
He could now release a terrifying sixty thousand catties of divine force at will. If he used combat techniques, it would be terrifyingly overwhelming.
"Yin Wind has stopped… huh? That Peng bird lost all its feathers… and what's with this golden set of wings? Why does it look so flashy now?"Green Emperor's voice rang out beside him.
Yi Tianxing also sensed the wind around him fading, finally blowing away completely.
"So many must have died in this Yin Wind. It's a massacre."
Yi Tianxing glanced around. The number of surviving cultivators had shrunk drastically. From both east and west, fewer than a thousand remained. Compared to before, it was a massive culling.
"Jin Peng, you molted?"
Yi Tianxing looked toward Jin Peng, where a pile of grey feathers lay at his feet. They'd turned dull and, upon touch, disintegrated into dust.
The Yin Wind had corroded them completely.
But now, Jin Peng was covered in a set of light-gold feathers. Though the glow was faint, they were truly golden—a complete transformation in both aura and appearance. The change was undeniable.
Caw!
Jin Peng cried joyfully, eyes full of excitement. Evidently, even he was thrilled.
"Looks like your Golden-Winged Roc bloodline has been refined and awakened. Not only were you unharmed, you gained a major blessing. With this, your chances of becoming a full Golden-Winged Roc are much greater—you might even undergo true atavism."
Yi Tianxing laughed heartily, patting Jin Peng's head.Though it wasn't yet a true Golden-Winged Roc, it was now well on its way.
"Green Emperor, let's go."He leapt onto Jin Peng's back and gave the command.
The disaster was over—time to charge ahead. Others had already begun moving.
The Yin Wind, though deadly, had also brought unexpected boons to those who survived. Their true qi was now more refined. Some even used it to gain great enlightenment, undergoing a transformation in strength.
"Scoundrel! Trying to run?"
Yao Yue popped a pill into her mouth. Her pale face regained some color, and she immediately rode her Moonlight Butterfly to give chase.
"Brother Diao, this Yin Wind really was a blessing. If it lasted longer, I might have grasped a peerless sword technique. Still, it refined my true qi and stabilized my foundation. Let's go. Only now have I truly seen the powerhouses of the Eternal Continent. A world like this… finally feels worthy. I wonder—who here can defeat me?"
A middle-aged man in gray robes, carrying an iron sword, stood atop a giant eagle. He wore a faint smile, filled with long-lost excitement.
"Master! I see him! The golden-haired one!"
Green Emperor stood on Jin Peng's back, scanning the area. Suddenly, his eyes locked onto Arthur, the golden-haired foreign cultivator riding a unicorn, radiating a noble aura.
With a mad glint, Green Emperor jumped down and charged toward Arthur.
"Damn! That cursed dog again!"
"Quick, avoid it! That dog brings misfortune to anyone it touches!"
"It's heading straight for that western cultivator… Did he offend it?"
Cultivators who spotted Green Emperor's shadow immediately scattered. His reputation was infamous—they'd rather run than risk misfortune.
"You damn mutt! Why won't you stop chasing me?!"
Arthur saw Green Emperor rushing at him, face twisting in rage.
"Not until I bite off a piece of your flesh!!"
Green Emperor roared.
Arthur's face turned green and then white. Then, with shocking decisiveness, he sliced off a chunk of his own thigh and hurled it toward Green Emperor.
"You want flesh? Take it! But you can't go back on your word. Everyone's watching. If you break your word now, your reputation will be ruined! You'll never be able to walk the Eternal Continent again!"
Arthur played it brilliantly—cornering Green Emperor with honor and public shame.
Even Green Emperor had no choice. Reluctantly, he bit into the meat and swallowed it.
Even a shameless dog needed to protect its reputation in front of the heavens.
Arthur let out a small smile. A piece of flesh for safety? A worthwhile trade.
Whoosh!!
Just as Arthur felt safe, a sharp whistling sound split the air. He instinctively turned—only to see a golden war arrow hurtling toward him, aiming straight for his heart...